Top animal athletes in professional rodeo honored as 2024 Horses of the Year

Each year, the American Quarter Horse Association honors the animal athletes of professional rodeo by honoring the top three horses in each rodeo event, even recognizing pickup horses. This year’s selections are as follows:

Team Roping Header

1. Espuela Bro “Spur” ridden by Tyler Wade and owned by Tyler and Jessi Wade
2. Cole E Man “Biscuit” ridden and owned by Andrew Ward
3. Mr. Joe’s Shadow Bar “Joe” ridden by Clint Summers and owned by Clint and Darren Summers

Team Roping Heeler

1. Kadabra King “Turbo” ridden by Patrick Smith and owned by Patrick and Christi Smith
2. Cut Off My Spots “Coon” ridden and owned by Coleby Payne
3. TRR Freckles Holidoc “Cantina” ridden and owned by Logan Medlin

Steer Roping

1. Unbreykable “Big Country” ridden and owned by Kelton McMillen
2. JKC Seven Freckles “Cotton” ridden by Trent Johnson and owned by Trent and Ayla Johnson
3. JS Frosty Badger “Goose” Ridden by Scott Snedecor and owned by Scott and Kelli Snedecor

Steer Wrestling

1. Finding Meno “Crush” ridden by Ty Erickson, JD Struxness, and Rowdy Parrott and owned by TC Equine LLC
2. Eds Famous Bar “Eddie” ridden by Dalton Massey, Stephen Culling, Ryan Shuckburgh, and Tanner Milan and owned by Tanner Milan
3. Off the Fence “Swamper” ridden by Will Lummus, Dakota Eldridge, and Winsten McGraw and owned by Broom Tree Ranch LLC

Tie-Down Roping

1. Figure to Fly “Lollipop” ridden and owned by Shad Mayfield
2. Seven S Tomahawk “Smoke” ridden and owned by Haven Meged
3. Major A 2009 “Earl” ridden and owned by Dylan Hancock

Barrel Racing
1.      Force The Goodbye “Jarvis” – ridden by Kassie Mowry, owned by the late Michael Boone
2.      (tie) DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” – ridden and owned by Hailey Kinsel
DM High Roller “Vanilla Wafer” – ridden by LaTricia Duke, owned by Dillon & LaTricia Mundorf


Breakaway Roping
1.      Stylish Drifter “Dutch” – ridden and owned by Josie Conner
2.      Catalac Escalade “Coon” – ridden and owned by TiAda Gray
3.      Oke Colours “Copper” – ridden by Rickie Fanning, owned by Rhett Fanning

Pickup Man
1.    Guys High on Fame “Tuffy” ridden by Tyler Kraft and owned by Tyler and Vanessa Kraft
2.    Jack on Moon “Spider” ridden by Matt Twitchell and owned by Clegg Livestock Co Inc
3.    Aspeka Oakie Bar “Shorty” ridden and owned by Randy Britton