By Laurie Haughton, Chair, CQHA Media, Marketing & Communications Committee

The CQHA Horse of Merit program recognizes registered American Quarter Horses within the Canadian Quarter Horse community who have matured to 15 years of age and older as of January 1st. Eligible horses will be those who are still active participants in the industry through competition, lesson and schooling programs, community services, and on farm/ranching/breeding operations; or are enjoying a much-deserved retirement following a successful competitive or reproductive career.

The program is a tribute to senior registered American Quarter Horses in Canada and those who have been associated with them. Their stories will become a part of CQHA’s efforts to honour the breed’s heritage within the country, and attribute value to horses who continue in their purpose-bred disciplines and/or as they progress through secondary and alternative careers and uses. Additionally, the program aims to celebrate those individuals who are living well into their golden years, while still contributing, or after having contributed, to the Quarter Horse industry.

Nomination Criteria

• Must be a registered American Quarter Horse. 
• Copy of registration papers must be included with nomination. 
• Current owner (as indicated by AQHA and listed on the AQHA papers) must be a member in good standing of both CQHA and AQHA. 
• The horse must be alive at the time of nomination and be a minimum of fifteen (15) years of age as of January 1st of the current calendar year as per AQHA, and reside in Canada.
• The horse must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) Canadian-owned; 2) Canadian-bred.
• If Canadian-bred, it must be indicated if either or both the sire or dam was/is Canadian-owned and/or bred. 
• A current picture of the horse must be submitted at time of application (clear and suitable). 
• A brief write-up of the horse provided (biographical questions will be part of the application process). Questions will range from accomplishments (not necessarily competition-related) and pertaining to the horse’s current use(s). 
• A list of the horse’s lifetime achievements i.e., titles, awards, monies earned. (Accompanying documentation and photos will be welcomed for verification and historical archival purposes.)

ACE Therapy Canada, the association’s official BEMER partner, proudly presents the Horse of Merit program in partnership with CQHA. Leanne Karoles, owner of ACE Therapy Canada, is an avid Quarter Horse competitor and breeder herself. She believes, “this partnership allows all Quarter Horse fans the opportunity to celebrate matured horses in their purpose-bred careers, second careers, and beyond into their retirement. The partnership will also serve to educate the owners of senior horses about advanced tools, which may be used to maintain and sustain the longevity of their horse’s career. Keeping matured horses comfortable and serviceable into their golden years while rewarding them for their contributions is a program that ACE Therapy Canada is honoured to be affiliated with.”

Honoured horses will receive a customized letter of induction into the Horse of Merit program, along with a certificate of recognition and token award presented by CQHA and ACE Therapy Canada.

To nominate your Quarter Horse and view the horses honoured by the CQHA Horse of Merit Program please follow this link or scan this QR code...

Nominations for 2024 honourees are due by November 5, 2024. 

Photo: One of the 2023 CQHA Horse of Merit Honorees Chocolate In Motion, a 2005 bay gelding foaled in Ontario by breeder Nicole Amlin and proudly owned by Wendy Cairncross, also of Ontario. “Murffee” is proudly shown and adored by Wendy’s granddaughters, Olivia and Avery.