Amarillo, Texas, August 4, 2006 – Celebrate your American Quarter Horse by nominating him or her for the MD Barns Silver Spur Award. Nominations for one of the American Quarter Horse Association’s most unforgettable awards close September 30, 2006. This special award is a way to honor American Quarter Horses that affect the lives of humans through outstanding training, contribution or accomplishment.

The nominee must be a living, registered American Quarter Horse, and AQHA ownership records must be current at time of entry. In addition, the owner of the nominated horse must have a current AQHA membership.

Visit aqha.com to download nomination forms and contest rules. Along with the entry form, please send one clear photo of the horse and an essay limited to 500 words to the American Quarter Horse Association. No binders, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs or letters of recommendation will be accepted.

The top-five finalists will be placed on AQHA’s Web site November 1, where AQHA members who have an AQHA online personal identification number (PIN) will be allowed one vote.

Voting will continue through December 31, and members will have the opportunity to vote on-site at the 2006 World Championship Show in Oklahoma City at the MD Barns Booth in the trade show. This year’s award presentation will take place at the 2007 AQHA Convention in Houston in March.

The owner of the Silver Spur Award winner will receive a specially designed Montana Silversmiths belt buckle and a $20,000 MD Barns gift certificate. The first and second runners-up will receive a specially designed Montana Silversmiths belt buckle as well as other AQHA Corporate Partner products. In addition, a donation will be made to the American Quarter Horse Foundation in their horse’s name.

For additional information on the MD Barns Silver Spur Award, visit /aqha.com or contact AQHA Manager of Communications and Media Relations Kellye Fondy by calling (806) 376-4888 or e-mail [email protected].

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