Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award

Criteria for winning: This award honors a person for his or her lifelong contributions to the Saddlebred industry, dedication to the improvement of the breed, and support of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the ASHBA and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. All nominees must be ASHBA members. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup, which is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Rob and Sarah Byers 
• 2022 Bill Wise
• 2021 Bob Ruxer
• 2020 Jimmy and Helen Robertson
• 2019 Scott Bennett, DVM
• 2018 David L. Howard
• 2017 Joan Lurie
• 2016 Raymond and Lillian Shively
• 2015 Alan R. Raun D.V.M.
• 2014 Nelson Green
• 2013 Jim Ruwoldt
• 2012 Dick Boettcher
• 2011 Bill Thompson
• 2010 Redd Crabtree
• 2009 Don Harris
• 2008 Mrs. David Neil, Blythewood Farm
• 2007 Jean McLean Davis
• 2006 James Aikman
• 2005 Marty Mueller
• 2004 Judith Werner

Breeders Hall of Fame Award

Criteria for induction: A person(s) involved with a successful breeding operation which has made an impact on the American Saddlebred breed and industry. A breeder who over a lifetime has shown or proven serious interest in betterment for the breed; consistently shown improvement and eagerness to learn; exhibited good sportsmanship and good horsemanship; demonstrated long-term interest; had success with more than one horse; has reached a pinnacle of success; and has unselfishly given to others, and encouraged other breeders, in an effort to better the breed. Only members of the ASHBA will be considered for induction. All previous winners of the former Breeders Award (1986-2006) automatically received induction into the Hall.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the ASHBA and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Breeders Committee, which will present the Board of Directors with a list of finalists for induction, and an inductee(s) will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Inductees receive: A custom-crafted julep cup, which is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Breeders Hall of Fame Members Presented In:

• 2023 Jack and Donna Finch, Virgil and Sandra Helm
• 2022 Scott Hagan
• 2021 Edward "Hoppy" Bennett
• 2020 Singing Hills Stables (William Blacklaw and Gene and Annalize Van der Walt)
• 2019 Fred K. Sarver
• 2018 Lenore T. Weldon
• 2017 Mary Gaylord McClean
• 2016 Redd and Nancy Crabtree
• 2015 Anne Neil
• 2014 Redwing Farm (Judy and Roy Werner
• 2013 Fox Grape Farm and Larry Hartsock
• 2012 Jim Stewart
• 2011 Dr. Alan Raun
• 2010 James W. Orr
• 2009 C. Thomas Galbreath & Earl Teater & Sons
• 2008 Ann Tierney Smith, Leatherwood Stud
• 2007 Charles R. Crabtree
• 2006 Stonecroft Farm (Don Spear and John Scheidt)
• 2005 Mr. and Mrs. Franklin and Carolyn Groves
• 2004 Dr. Simon Fredricks
• 2003 Richard Witt
• 2002 Glyndle and Randy Tabor
• 2001 Copper Coin Farm
• 2000 Katherine Q. Sinclair
• 1999 Joan Lurie
• 1998 Dr. E. L. Robinson
• 1997 Joan Hamilton
• 1996 William Shatner
• 1995 Marion Hutcheson
• 1994 Faffie Siekman Romero
• 1993 Don Hulse
• 1992 Betty Weldon
• 1991 Carl Fischer Jr.
• 1990 Ellen Scripps Davis
• 1989 Alvin Ruxer
• 1988 Della Large
• 1987 Betty Neil
• 1986 Jean McLean Davis

Breeder of the Year Award

Criteria for winning: Recipients of this award are chosen based on a statistical analysis of their successful show performance during the entire competition year, relying on records produced by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association. Only ASHBA members are eligible for this honor.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the ASHBA and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Breeders Committee, which will present the Board of Directors with a list of finalists and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup, symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Miriam Hirshon and Burt Honaker
• 2022 Judy Werner
• 2021 Melinda Moore
• 2020 Julie Behrends-Jones
• 2019 Larry Hartsock
• 2018 Silver Brook Stables
• 2017 Scott Hagan
• 2016 Willowbank Farm
• 2015 Kris Swanson
• 2014 Tony Weldon/Callaway Hills
• 2013 Blythewood Farm
• 2012 Elisabeth Goth
• 2011 Dr. Alan Raun
• 2010 Callaway Hills Stable & Kathy Capsuto-Walker
• 2009 Mary Gaylord McClean
• 2008 Callaway Hills Stable
• 2007 Callaway Hills Stable

C. J. Cronan Sportsmanship Award

Criteria for winning: Recipients of this award are chosen for their sportsmanship and their contributions to the breed. Such attributes considered are participation in ASHBA programs, support of ASHBA, and contributions to the ideals of ASHBA. Only ASHBA members are eligible. This award goes to a male, and the Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award goes to a female.

Who is the award named after: C. J. Cronan was longtime Secretary of the ASHBA and in the minds of many was “Mr. Saddlebred.” He is credited with forming the first American Saddlebred futurity program in 1927 at the Kentucky State Fair, which is now known as the ASR Kentucky Futurity. Cronan's model of futurities is the foundation for more than 50 American Saddlebred futurity programs across the country.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Rick Daigle
• 2022 Keith Kurz
• 2021 Bret Day
• 2020 Kenneth Wheeler
• 2019 David Rudder
• 2018 James Nichols
• 2017 William Marple
• 2016 Tré Lee
• 2015 Larry Hodge
• 2014 Mitchell Clark
• 2013 Merrill Murray
• 2012 Rob Wilson
• 2011 William Shatner
• 2010 Fred Sarver
• 2009 Mike Spencer
• 2008 Bud Willimon
• 2007 Bill Becker
• 2006 Carson Kressley
• 2005 Keith Bartz
• 2004 Bruce Hanson
• 2003 Rob Byers
• 2002 Smith Lilly
• 2001 Dick Kearney
• 2000 Jimmy Robertson
• 1999 Harry S. Swimmer
• 1998 Edmund A. Perwien
• 1997 Todd Miles
• 1996 Don Harris
• 1995 Arthur M. Simmons
• 1994 Redd Crabtree
• 1993 C. L. "Honey" Craven
• 1992 Bill Harsh
• 1991 Phil Treiber
• 1990 Joseph Stopher
• 1989 Jim Aikman
• 1988 Ed Teater
• 1987 Don Stafford
• 1986 Dr. Alan Raun

Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award

Criteria for winning: Recipients of this award are chosen for their sportsmanship and contributions to the breed. Such attributes considered are participation in ASHBA programs, support of ASHBA, and contributions to the ideals of ASHBA. Only ASHBA members are eligible. This award goes to a female, and the C. J. Cronan Sportsmanship Award goes to a male.

Who is the award named after: Lurline Roth was a Director and one of the great historic exhibitors of the Saddlebred show ring. She was involved in showing horses for over half a century and is remembered as the owner of Chief Of Longview and Sweetheart On Parade. Roth showed frequently and was gracious in victory and defeat.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Mary Gaylord McClean
• 2022 Tracy Garcia
• 2021 Susi Day
• 2020 Ceil Wheeler
• 2019 Renee Biggins
• 2018 Betsy Boone
• 2017 Kathy Capsuto-Walker
• 2016 Barbara Manilow
• 2015 Moe Anson
• 2014 Carol Reedy
• 2013 Vickie Byrd
• 2012 Suzanne Bradshaw
• 2011 Patty Milligan
• 2010 Theresa Vonderschmitt
• 2009 Misdee Wrigley Miller
• 2008 Marilyn Macfarlane
• 2007 Sandra Lilly
• 2006 Jeanette Durant
• 2005 Ann Curl
• 2004 Gayle Lampe
• 2003 Sarah Byers
• 2002 Ann Tierney Smith
• 2001 Victoria Gillenwater
• 2000 Elisabeth M. Goth
• 1999 Morgan Wolin
• 1998 Katherine Q. Sinclair
• 1997 Dr. Helen Neave
• 1996 Michele Macfarlane
• 1995 Jane Mueller
• 1994 Judy Shepherd
• 1993 Mary Jane Sledge
• 1992 Sallie Wheeler
• 1991 Polly Meade Holm
• 1990 Mary Gaylord
• 1989 Helen Crabtree
• 1988 Karen Waldron
• 1987 Isabel Robson
• 1986 Marjorie Fergusson

Frank Ogletree Youth Award

Criteria for winning: This award honors one youth each year who has exhibited a sportsmanlike attitude throughout his or her show career. Nominees must be active ASHBA Junior Members who have demonstrated participation and achievement within the show ring, exhibited positive personal characteristics, as well as having served as true role models for their peers.

Who is the award named after: This award was established to honor James Frank Ogletree, Jr. (1930-1985), who gave unselfishly of his time and talents as an ASHBA Director. Because of his daughter Ellen, he was especially interested in young people and encouraged their involvement with American Saddlebred horses.

Nominations & Selection: Nominations are accepted from personal or professional references. All nominations must be in writing and include the name and a brief description of why they feel he or she qualifies for this award. The deadline to submit nominations is October 1. Nominations are reviewed by the ASHBA Youth Committee for recommendation to the ASHBA Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023  Lilia Shope
• 2022 Alayna Applegate, Kendall Kelledy
• 2021 Sutton Paulsen
• 2020 Devin Sell
• 2019 Alex Rudder
• 2018 Jordyn Isgrigg
• 2017 Eleanor & Caroline Rainbolt-Forbes
• 2016 Courtney Ball
• 2015 Katherine McGee Bosworth
• 2014 Melissa Heres
• 2013 Foster Roberts
• 2012 Drew Taylor Hewitt
• 2011 Ashley Biggins
• 2010 Amy Hein
• 2009 Ivy Johnson
• 2008 Kelly Hill
• 2007 Emily Abbott & Kaelyn Donnelly
• 2006 Will Harris
• 2005 Shelby Reimer
• 2004 Catherine Hawley
• 2003 Kristen LaSota
• 2002 Meg Allen
• 2001 Deveau Zubrod
• 2000 Will Cannon
• 1999 Ann Mary Robertson
• 1998 Brooke Jacobs
• 1997 Matthew Shiflet
• 1996 Sarah Howe
• 1995 Gabe Deknatel
• 1994 Jennifer Richardson
• 1993 Adolph Zell
• 1992 Nicole Bearman
• 1991 Lindsey Lavery
• 1990 Carleton and Melinda Huntoon
• 1989 David Antonacci
• 1988 Kate Harvey
• 1987 Vicki Gillenwater
• 1986 Heather Cairns

Gordon Jenkins International Award

Criteria for winning: This award is designed to honor a person who has gone the extra mile to introduce and promote the American Saddlebred horse to other countries. Candidates must be ASHBA members. This is a discretionary award which may not be presented on an annual basis.

Who is the award named after: Gordon Jenkins was from Canyonleigh, Australia. In the 1960s, Jenkins attended the first production sale at Sutton Farm. The owners of Sutton Farm were the first to bring American Saddlebreds to Australia. By 1978, Jenkins began breeding American Saddlebreds and he and his wife, Betty, owned the largest American Saddlebred horse farm in Australia. The American Saddlebred Horse Association of Australia was formed in 1977, and Jenkins served as president from 1983 to 1988, and then as vice president until his death in 1990.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Nealia McCracken 
• 2022 Leslie Jordan
• 2021 Lynn Jarvis
• 2020 Victoria Gillenwater
• 2019 Lionel & Georgia Ferreira
• 2018 Carson L. Kressley
• 2017 Bridget Parker
• 2016 Joan Hamilton
• 2015 Misdee Wrigley Miller
• 2013 Michele Macfarlane (United States)
• 2012 Ross Millin (South Africa)
• 2011 Jack Noble (United States)
• 2010 James and Jackie Hale (United States) & Yvonne Sohlberg (Sweden)
• 2009 Brent Jacobs (United States)
• 2008 Martin Gueldner (Germany)
• 2007 Cheryl Lutring (England)
• 2006 Charles & Carole Court (Canada)
• 2005 Nancy Becker (United States)
• 2004 Birgitta Andersson (Sweden)
• 2003 Anne Judd (United States)
• 2002 Margaret Elizabeth Biggs (Canada)
• 2001 Harold Poil (South Africa)
• 2000 Isabelle Zingraff (France)
• 1999 Jack & Donna Underwood (Canada)
• 1998 Larry Hodge (United States)
• 1997 Bill Schoeman (South Africa)
• 1996 Larry Edwards (Canada)
• 1995 Piet Joubert (South Africa)
• 1994 Lisa Rosenberger, Walter Schmitz (Germany)
• 1993 Betty Jenkins (Australia)

Meritorious Service Award

Criteria for winning: The Meritorious Service Award honors persons for their contributions to ASHBA on almost all levels over a long period of time. Only ASHBA members are eligible.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup, which is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Elisabeth Goth
• 2022 Scott Matton
• 2021 Judy Werner
• 2020 William Blacklaw
• 2019 Robert Funkhouser Jr.
• 2018 Edmund A. Perwien
• 2017 Charles Herbert Jr.
• 2016 Jim Aikman
• 2015 Germaine Johnson
• 2014 Melissa Moore
• 2013 Nancy Boone
• 2012 Jimmy Robertson
• 2011 Sally Jackson
• 2010 Kay Richardson
• 2009 Michele Macfarlane
• 2008 George & Maggie Robertson
• 2007 Ross Drake
• 2006 Sarah Rowland
• 2005 Ray Sheffield
• 2004 Mary Anne Cronan
• 2003 Tom Pettry
• 2002 Bill Munford
• 2001 Scott Matton
• 2000 John & Dorothy Lenore
• 1999 Ruth Pfeffer
• 1998 Mr. & Mrs. Franklin Groves
• 1997 Marge Greenwell, Pat Nichols
• 1996 Ron & Nancy Dowty, Kris Price
• 1995 Don & Mae Baker
• 1992 Judy Oetinger
• 1991 Helen Hayse, Jessie Pettie
• 1986 James Crow, Jamie Donaldson, Diana Leifheit
• 1985 William Shatner, Betty Weldon

Paul and Dorothy Gillenwater Family Award

Criteria for winning: To be awarded by the Board of Directors in recognition of the American Saddlebred as the ideal family breed, with a suitable horse and competition division for participation by each member of a family. The honoree shall be recognized for its sportsmanship and dedication as an entire family to the advancement of Saddlebreds, as amateurs and purely for the love of sport, whether for recreation, competition, breeding, or otherwise. Only ASHBA members are eligible.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup, which is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Brock Family
• 2022 Allen Bosworth Family
• 2021 Jayne Romano (Percoco) Family
• 2020 Scarlett Mattson Family
• 2019 Angela & Charles Herrin Family
• 2018 Nancy-Leigh Fisher
• 2017 Lackey/Sanchez Family
• 2016 Sally Jackson and Family
• 2015 Suzanne Bradshaw Family
• 2014 Vernon Wise, Jr. Family
• 2013 The Rowland Family (Ever Glades Farm)
• 2012 The Paul Briney Family
• 2011 Ed and Ada Perwien
• 2010 The Raymond Bible Family
• 2009 The Lynn Harvey McNamara Family & The Dix Family
• 2008 The Wheeler Family (Keswick, Virginia)
• 2007 The Pettry/Fergusson Family
• 2006 The McNeese Family

Wing Commander Award

Criteria for winning: Individuals receive this honor for demonstrating outstanding service to ASHBA and the breed, and through their dedication, have attracted interest in the highest quality show horses of the breed, thereby contributing to advancing the popularity of American Saddlebreds to the public. Only ASHBA members will be considered for this honor.

Who is the award named after: CH Wing Commander is considered to be one of the, if not the greatest five-gaited American Saddlebred stallion ever, claiming the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion title six consecutive years between 1948 and 1953.

Nominations & Selection: All nominators must be active members of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association and submit in writing, accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, their opinion as to why the person should receive the award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 1. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup, which is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

• 2023 Sally Jackson, Judy Werner, Joyce Webster
• 2022 Gail Kline, John Conatser, Nancy Trent Crump
• 2021 Betsy Boone
• 2020 Helen Rich and Ali DeGray
• 2019 Carson Kressley
• 2018 D.V.M. Alan R. Raun
• 2017 Nancy-Leigh Fisher, Carolyn Koch, Mollie Kregor
• 2016 Nealia McCracken, Jo Ann Griffin, Edward Bennett
• 2015 Don Harris
• 2014 R. H. Bennett
• 2013 Harold Workman
• 2012 Ronald Merwin
• 2011 Keith Bartz
• 2010 Fern Bittner
• 2009 Minna Hankin
• 2009 Earl Teater & Sons
• 2009 Bill Wise
• 2008 Carter Cox, Robert H. Lewis
• 2007 Donna Moore, William Munford, Julian B. Thomas

Wing Tempo Award

Criteria for winning: An American Saddlebred or Half-American Saddlebred receiving the Wing Tempo Award has achieved excellence of the highest order in disciplines and venues not typically considered within the standard breed show structure.  This award is a recognition of a lifetime of achievement or a demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment in the horse’s chosen discipline(s). 
To receive consideration for this award, the horse must be a registered American Saddlebred or Half American Saddlebred with the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeder’s Association (ASHBA). Nominations must include photos and official show records, with video submissions encouraged. If nominees are competing / have competed in disciplines that are currently covered by point schedules (e.g. Dressage, Endurance, Eventing currently), the nominee must already be a CH-SH, or eligible based on show records for the CH-SH designation. Recipients of the Wing Tempo Award from disciplines that are not currently covered by a point schedule (e.g. Competitive Trail, Driving, Jumping) will automatically be awarded the CH-SH designation. 

Nominations will be reviewed by the ASHBA Sport Horse Committee.  Nominees must receive a 2/3 vote from the Sport Horse Committee members for recommendation to the ASHBA Board of Directors (BOD).  A winner will be selected by a vote of all Directors.  This is a discretionary award which may not necessarily be presented on an annual basis.

Who is the award named after: The namesake of this award - and its inaugural recipient - is CH-SHWing Tempo. Named after his grandsire, the famed CHWing Commander, CH-SHWing Tempo is a seven-time winner of the North American Trail Ride Conference's (NATRC) President's Cup, a prestigious national award which was declared retired, and placed on permanent display in the Distance Riding exhibit at the International Museum of the Horse.

Winners receive: A custom-crafted julep cup, which is symbolic of the highest honor upon which one can be bestowed by the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners:

• 2021 Royal Crest's Granite Permission
• 2019 New York City Slicker
• 2018 Singsation
• 2017 Genius Northern Tuxedo
• 2011 Wing Tempo - Shirley Sobol