The National Reining Horse Association and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum once again partnered to present the 2005 NRHA Vaquero Media Awards at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Vaquero Media Awards were created to recognize those who have contributed substantially to the Reining horse industry through the media. There are four categories: Media Publication, Editorial, Electronic and Behind the Scenes. Charles Schroeder, Executive Director of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, presented the awards.
The Vaquero “Media Publication” Award was presented to the Western Horseman magazine. The Western Horseman has long been a supporter of the sport of Reining, and in fact the publication included coverage of NRHA’s very first Futurity when it debuted in 1966 in Ohio. Since then, they’ve kept their readers abreast of changes, trends, milestones and the growth of Reining. The Western Horseman is undoubtedly one of the most well-known horse publications around the globe and their international distribution and popularity fits in well with the worldwide growth that Reining has enjoyed. Not only have they provided their readers with information about our sport, but they have supported our grass root competitors through the distribution of their popular Legacy Series of books to a variety of NRHA winners. Accepting the award was Patty Tiberg of the Cowboy Publishing Group.
The “Editorial” Award goes to Ramona Billing, Offenbach, Sweden. Since 1990, Ramona has been writing for horse magazines all over Europe promoting western riding, western horses and most especially Reining. Ramona is currently the Manager of Communications of the German Quarter Horse Association (DQHA – since 2000) and writes NRHA Germany’s monthly news in the Western Horse magazine. In January of 2005, Ramona started her online magazine Quarter Horse Today. The idea was to create an up-to-date European platform for Quarter Horse breeders and trainers. The weekly magazine is published in English and German versions and distributed to subscribers and to almost all European western riding associations. Ramona is also the Manager of Communications for many of NRHA’s most important European events. Accepting the award for Ramona was Johannes Orgeldinger.
In the “Electronic” category, the Vaquero Media Award was presented to the Quarter Horse Directory - better known as www.QHD.com. Its creator, owner, and the man with the vision is Dave Whitney, Chisago City, Minnesota. Dave created a website and resource for the horse enthusiast interested in buying a horse, researching pedigrees and trends within the western performance horse industry. Those that surf the web and visit QHD will find information on NRHA’s Hall of Fame, Leading Sire and Dam statistics, and much more Reining-related information. Past winners in the Electronic category have realized the value of new technology. The QHD has taken that technology and turned it into an easily accessible tool for the layman, newcomer and professional. Congratulations to QHD and Dave Whitney.
Finally, in the “Behind the Scenes” category, the Vaquero Media award goes to America’s Bridle & Bit. Since its debut in 1978, the publication has been spreading the word about the sport of Reining. Five years ago, Americas Bridle & Bit went national. News about NRHA’s members, events and happenings fill every issue. Founder, owner and publisher Rex Wager and his wife Tracy, owner/editor, have made Bridle & Bit readily available to the general public, horse enthusiast, and to those interested in other equine disciplines. The Wagers are from Phoenix, Arizona. Through this generous distribution, they’ve helped promote our sport, our riders, our owners, our events and our horses to new audiences. Their dedication to Reining continues to expand through their inherit love of Reining and natural interest in the sport of Reining. And in the very near future they will add to their promotion of the sport. Work is in progress on a television project with plans for distribution of a weekly television series. Congratulations to America’s Bridle & Bit.
Vaquero Media Award recipients received a National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum commissioned Bristol-pewter reproduction of Charles Russell’s “Bronco Twister” during the association’s ‘Gathering of Legends’ reception held on Friday, December 2. In addition, 2006 Hall of Fame inductees were announced. In 2006, Doug Milholland, Purcell, Oklahoma, and Rocky Dare, Salem, New Jersey, will join the elite group. The Gathering and Open Draw Reception were sponsored by Digital Graphics, the RHSF and Mid America Equine Sales.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is dedicated to the preservation of the American West while Reining celebrates the traditional western riding skills of the cowboy and his working horse. The Museum and the NRHA have joined to reward those who, through the use of media inform, celebrate, and educate about the partnership between horse and rider.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is one of the most unique museums in the world, dedicated to the history and art of the American West. A variety of galleries and exhibits represent an unparalleled range of western art and memorabilia. Special exhibits feature outstanding western individuals from rodeo stars to Hollywood actors. The museum regularly attracts a national audience through events such as the Western Heritage Awards and Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition and Sale, as well as special events like the Chuck Wagon Gathering and National Children’s Cowboy Festival. For more information log on to their website - www.nationalcowboymuseum.org.
