American Quarter Horse Association

About American Quarter Horse Association

The American Quarter Horse Association’s grantmaking is visibly tied to racing and the wider Quarter Horse world: its largest recent awards went to racing venues and programs, while its broader portfolio also includes scholarships, equine research, heritage preservation, leadership development, ranching recognition, and youth programs. Recent grants show support for both industry infrastructure and educational pathways, with sizeable awards to Horseshoe Indy in Shelbyville, Indiana and The Downs at Albuquerque in Albuquerque, New Mexico for Racing Challenge activity. That mix suggests a funder that works at the intersection of competition, horse welfare, and professional development rather than a single program lane. The foundation also backs organizations that sit outside the racetrack but still serve the same ecosystem. In recent grantmaking, it provided general support to the American Horse Council in McLean, Virginia and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Centennial, Colorado, alongside race-specific funding at tracks across the country. Its stated program areas include equine research, museum and historical preservation, scholarships, leadership development, ranching and showing programs, and youth programs. The result is a grantmaker with a national reach and a clear link to Quarter Horse industry priorities.

What American Quarter Horse Association Funds

Equine competition is the clearest theme in the recent awards. The foundation gave $198,774 to All American Ruidoso Downs LLC dba Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico for Racing Challenge work, and $156,122 to Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma for the same purpose. It also supports industry-facing general assistance. In 2024, Prca Properties Inc in Colorado Springs, Colorado received $79,080 for general support, while National High School Rodeo Assn in Denver, Colorado received $35,224 for general support. Those grants sit alongside the foundation’s stated focus on ranching and showing programs and youth programs. On the education and research side, the organization’s active programs include scholarships and equine research grants. Those programs align with its listed priorities in scholarships, equine research, leadership development, and horse health and welfare.

How American Quarter Horse Association Gives