Awards

Instructions for Making a Nomination

Members wishing to make nominations should respond in writing explaining in detail why an individual is deserving of a specific award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 15. The nominations are reviewed by the ASHBA Board of Directors and other committees as necessary; no more than 3 finalists in each category are chosen to be voted upon by the full Board of Directors in November. A nominator can only nominate a nominee for one (1) award. Current ASHBA board members are not eligible to receive an award.

Please send nominations to ASHBA, 4083 Wing Commander Way, Suite 50, Lexington, KY 40511, by fax to 859/259-1628, or by saving the file and then submitting electronically by email to awards@saddlebred.com; please be sure to include “Award Nomination” in the subject line.

Lifetime Achievement Award | Breeders Hall of Fame | Breeder of the Year Award

C.J. Cronan Sportsmanship Award | Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award | Frank Ogletree Youth Award

Gordon Jenkins International Award | Meritorious Service Award | Paul and Dorothy Gillenwater Family Award

Wing Commander Medal | Wing Tempo Award

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:

2024 William Shatner
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:

2024 Louise Gilliland
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 Farms, Larry Hartsock
2012 Jim Stewart
2011 Dr. Alan Raun
2010 James W. Orr
2009 C. Thomas Galbreath, Earl Teater and 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:

2024 Prospect Lane
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
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:

2024 Justin Cowley
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.

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:

2024 Joan Hammond
2023 Mary Gaylord McClean
2022 Tracy Garcia
2021 Susi Day
2020 Ceil Wheeler
2019 Renee Biggins
2018 Betsy Boone
2017 Kathy Capsuto
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 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:

2024 Alexa Dahl
2023 Lilia Shope
2022 Alayna Applegate, Kendall Kelledy
2021 Sutton Paulsen
2020 Devin Sell
2019 Alex Rudder
2018 Jordyn Isgrigg
2017 Eleanor and 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 Victoria 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.

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:

2024 Barbe Smith (United States)
2023 Nealia McCracken (United States)
2022 Leslie Jordan (United States)
2021 Lynn Jarvis (England)
2020 Victoria Gillenwater (United States)
2019 Lionel and Georgia Ferreira (United States)
2018 Carson L. Kressley (United States)
2017 Bridget Parker (United States)
2016 Joan Hamilton (United States)
2015 Misdee Wrigley Miller (United States)
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.

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:

2024 Kathie Dunn Jacobsen
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 and 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 and Dorothy Lenore
1999 Ruth Pfeffer
1998 Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Groves
1997 Marge Greenwell, Pat Nichols
1996 Ron and Nancy Dowty, Kris Price
1995 Don and 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.

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:

2024 Glasscock Family
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 and the Dix Family
2008 The Wheeler Family (Keswick, Virginia)
2007 The Pettry/Fergusson Family
2006 The McNeese Family

Wing Commander Medal

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: ^CHWing 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.

Winners receive: A polished brass Wing Commander Medal of Honor, which is affixed to a grey and maroon ribbon.

Submit a nomination for this award.

Past Winners Presented In:

2024 Fran Crumpler
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 and 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 breed show structure. This award is a recognition of a lifetime of achievement 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 competition records, with video submissions encouraged. If nominees 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 competition 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:

2024 ^CH-SHHarry Callahan (Dressage)
2021 ^CH-SHRoyal Crest's Granite Permission (Eventing)
2019 ^CH-SHNew York City Slicker (Dressage)
2018 ^CH-SHSingsation (Combined Driving)
2017 ^CH-SHGenius Northern Tuxedo (Endurance)
2011 ^CH-SHWing Tempo (Competitive Trail Riding)

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Awards

Instructions for Making a Nomination

Lifetime Achievement Award

Breeders Hall of Fame Award

Breeder of the Year Award

C. J. Cronan Sportsmanship Award

Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award

Frank Ogletree Youth Award

Gordon Jenkins International Award

Meritorious Service Award

Paul and Dorothy Gillenwater Family Award

Wing Commander Medal

Wing Tempo Award