<p> LOCAL HORSE WINS AQHA RACING CHAMPION TITLE</p><p>The American Quarter Horse Association, Amarillo – <<Registered Horse Name>> was named the <<title won>> at the 2017 AQHA Racing Champions Ceremony on Wednesday, January 17, in Oklahoma City. </p><p><<Registered Horse Name>> is owned by <<Owner First and Last Name>> of <<city, state>>. The << year color sex>>, by <<sire>> and out of <<mare>>, was bred by <<Breeder First and Last Name>> of <<City, State>>; trained by <<Trainer First and Last Name>> of <<City, State>>; and ridden by <<Jockey First and Last Name>> of <<City, State>>. </p><p>As a divisional champion, << Registered Horse Name >> won a specially designed trophy and belt buckle, courtesy of Awards Recognition Concepts. The award will also appear on the American Quarter Horse’s official records. </p><p>About the AQHA Racing Champions Each year, AQHA awards the top American Quarter Horses in the racing industry at the AQHA Racing Champions Ceremony. The Champions ballots for each equine category are determined by a collection of criteria. Some automatically make the ballot based on earnings. Others are nominated and voted onto the ballot by the AQHA Racing Committee. Members of the Champions Selection Subcommittee then meet to review the finalists and cast their ballots to determine each champion. Ballots for Breeder, Owner, Trainer and Jockey of the Year consist of the individuals with the best overall placing according to money earned, races won and performance in graded stakes. Winners are likewise chosen by the Champions Selection Subcommittee.</p><p>Individual voting results were made public at the AQHA Racing Champions Ceremony on January 17 at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. </p><p>The AQHA Racing Champions Ceremony is sponsored by Bank of America, Boehringer Ingelheim, John Deere, Nutrena, Wrangler, Adequan® and Heritage Place. </p><p>-30-</p><p>AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, “like” Q-Racing on Facebook and visit www.aqharacing.com.</p><p>If you have questions, please contact AQHA Manager of Racing Jessica Hanke at [email protected]. </p>