The American Quarter Horse is one of the oldest recognized breeds of horses in the United States and since 1976, Oklahoma City has been home to the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show. But the event got its start two years before: in 1974 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary from November 1-20, 2024 at OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, the AQHA World Championship Show looks back at another 10 iconic moments. (Did you miss the first 10? Read them here.)
Moment #11
Everyone loves a good underdog story and that was exactly this case!
At the 1984 AQHA World Show, 14-year-old Brian Kissinger and failed cutting horse Kings Bambi rode away as senior western pleasure world champions, besting some of the top trainers and horses in the business.
Kissinger and “Bambi” were quite a team, also winning the western pleasure at the 1984 American Junior Quarter Horse Association (now AQHYA) World Show. Bambi produced eight foals before passing unexpectedly at age 16. Watch the story here.
Moment #12
The Oklahoma City reining streak 🔥
Todd Bergen aboard Lean With Me won the senior reining world championship in 1995 and continued a winning streak in the Jim Norick Arena. At the time, Bergen had five consecutive victories in the iconic arena, including limited and open NRHA Futurity and Derby wins and the AQHA senior reining world title the previous year.
Moment #13
In 1974, Jerry Wells showed his first world champion at the first AQHA World Show. Twenty years later in 1994, he was the first person to clench 50 world champion titles with 3-year-old stallion Misters Tradition.
While 49 of his world champions at the time were in halter, he also trained a world champion tie-down roping horse.
Wells went on to win a total of 61 world champion titles and be inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2022.
Moment #14
Records are meant to be broken, but the record for the most AQHA All-Around Amateur titles has stood for nearly 20 years.
Karen Evans Mundy won the AQHA All-Around Amateur title a record eight times between 1992 and 2004. The horses who helped carry her to victory include All In Silver, Play My Song, Ask Me For Details, Hes A Honky Tonk Man and Gifted Circle.
Watch the highlight video here.
Moment #15
We’re taking our time machine back to the 1986 AQHA World Show in this five-part video series hosted by Walt Garrison, Dick Morgan and John Brooks. Watch it here.
Moment #16
The versatility of the American Quarter Horse is on full display in Part 2 of the 1986 AQHA World Show video series hosted by Walt Garrison, Dick Morgan and John Brooks. Check it out here.
Moment #17
In Part 3 of the 1986 AQHA World Show video series, Jerry Wells wins his 31st world championship in halter; Mary Burger, two-time WPRA world champion barrel racer, wins the senior barrel racing; and Cynthia Cantleberry wins senior trail. Hear from each champion here.
Moment #18
Check out Part 4 of the 1986 AQHA World Show video series hosted by Walt Garrison, Dick Morgan and John Brooks. Meet the 1986 amateur world champions here.
Moments #19
In the final part of the 1986 AQHA World Show video series, we catch up with top ropers like Bobby Lewis, 2024 American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductee J.D. Yates and more. Catch the interview here.
Moment #20
At the 1987 AQHA World Show, a tie in the amateur jumping brought about a coin toss to decide the placings.
Join us for the 50th Anniversary of the AQHA World Championship Show! The pinnacle event for American Quarter Horses is November 1-20 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City: www.aqha.com/worldshow
