The 2006 MD Barns Silver Spur award winners were announced at the American Quarter Horse Association Convention in Houston

The American Quarter Horse Journal – The American Quarter Horse Association awarded the 2006 MD Barns Silver Spur Award to Smokin On A Star at the AQHA Convention in Houston on Sunday, March 4, 2007.

“Smoky” came into the lives of the Frank Green family of Pavo, Georgia, when she was 18 months old.

From the beginning, Frank and Smoky developed a special bond that has only gotten stronger as the years have progressed.  Prior to her arrival, Frank proudly served the United States in the armed forces and the Vietnam War.  He came home to face some very serious health problems. Frank “blacks out” or has seizures on a regular basis. As Frank’s health problems progressed, he quickly turned to Smoky for companionship and friendship.
Smoky considers it her duty to protect Frank, and she takes her job very seriously.
Frank and Smoky love to go on trail rides.  He often invites friends to accompany him.  These friends will testify to the fact they have seen her wobble over the paths to keep him on her back when she feels him having a seizure.  When he collapses in the saddle, she stands still until he regains his consciousness and asks her to walk off.  When he does fall, she stands patiently at his side until he can remount to continue their ride.

As time passes, the bond between Smoky and Frank only becomes stronger.  One can sense and feel the love she has for him through the look in her eyes.  The love the owners have for her can be seen by the tears in their eyes.

Green was awarded a gift certificate from MD Barns for $20,000 toward the purchase of a new MD Barn, as well as a hand-crafted Montana Silversmiths buckle.

First runner-up in this year’s contest was Temecula Toy Boy, owned by Tara Carlson of Temecula, California. The second runner-up was Panamas Sun, owned by Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Both runners-up received customized Montana Silversmiths buckles.

In honor of Temecula Toy Boy and Panamas Sun, MD Barns made a $15,000 product donation in both horses’ names to the American Quarter Horse Foundation.

In 2000, AQHA teamed with Corporate Partner MD Barns to create the Silver Spur award to recognize American Quarter Horses who have enriched the life of one or more humans, been cast into the national spotlight because of outstanding acts or created a positive image for the breed. The award is based on merit and voted on by AQHA members – it is not calculated by points or money earned.

MD Enterprises Inc., manufacturer of MD Barns and Buildings, has been building barns for more than 30 years. An AQHA Corporate Partner since 1998, MD Barns produces the official barn of AQHA and is the industry’s leader in design, manufacturing and installation of pre-engineered barns, stables, outbuildings, corral systems and accessories.

For more information about the MD Barns Silver Spur award, visit www.aqha.com/association/benefits/awards.html  or call (806) 376-4811.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.