2025 AQHA World Championship

The AQHA World Championship Show is where the heart of the American Quarter Horse beats the loudest — a spectacular celebration of tradition, craftsmanship, and the western lifestyle. This isn’t just an event; it’s an experience that honors the very best riders, horses, and history of the sport.

For three unforgettable weeks, Oklahoma City becomes the beating heart of the equine world. The sound of hooves striking the arena floor, the crowd rising to its feet, the glitter of championship buckles under the arena lights — every detail speaks to the pride of tradition and the thrill of competition. Beyond the arenas, the Trade Show brings the culture to life with handcrafted artistry, fashion, and treasures that celebrate the western lifestyle at its finest.

Timeless style. Legendary horses. The world’s grandest stage.

From sunrise to spotlight, the arenas pulse with excitement as competitors test their skills at the highest level. Sharpen your own knowledge and techniques at free Nutrena Ride the Pattern clinics, taught by AQHA Professional Horsemen, who share inside tips and champion-caliber expertise.

And when you’re ready to take a break from the thrill of competition, head over to the Trade Show at the Bennett Event Center. With free admission, free parking, and complimentary shuttles, you’ll enjoy a marketplace like no other — filled with western fashion, fine artistry, and luxury goods that embody the prestige of the American Quarter Horse lifestyle.

October 30 – November 19, 2025
New OG&E Coliseum & Bennett Event Center
State Fair Park
3001 General Pershing Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

The Crown Jewel of the Quarter Horse World

Each year, nearly 5,000 entries from across the globe travel to Oklahoma City to compete for titles that define careers and make legends. For three electrifying weeks, the Jim Norick Arena becomes the epicenter of equestrian sport, hosting:

• 99 Nutrena AQHA World Championships
  
  
• 44 Adequan® Select World Championships
  
  
• 85 Adequan® Level 2 Championships
  
  
• 22 AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals
  
  
• 40 Nutrena Level 1 Championships

But the honors don’t stop there. The Nutrena AQHA World also crowns some of the sport’s most prestigious titles:

• AQHA Superhorse — the “ironman” award for the horse that dominates across multiple Level 3 open classes.
  
  
• AQHA All-Around Amateur Award — recognizing the most versatile horse-and-rider team in Level 3 amateur events.
  
  
• AQHA Select All-Around Amateur Award — honoring top competitors age 50 and older.
  
  
• Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau Leading Owner Award — for the owner with the highest combined points.
  
  
• Adequan® Level 2 High-Point Awards and Nutrena Level 1 All-Arounds — highlighting outstanding achievements.
  
  
• Top Ranching Heritage-bred Horses — with cash prizes rewarding both breeders and owners.
  
  

A Tradition Forged in Excellence

The AQHA World Championship Show has been making history since its debut in 1974. Although it first launched in Louisville, Kentucky, the show has been permanently rooted in Oklahoma City since 1976, establishing the OKC Fairgrounds as its enduring global home. The event’s foundation was set earlier, however, with the first Youth National Finals hosted by the American Junior Quarter Horse Association in Amarillo in 1972. The show’s rich legacy of champions began in 1978 when Vickie Lee Pine was crowned the very first AQHA Superhorse. While the Youth Finals experienced venue changes, moving to Tulsa in 1974 and later to Fort Worth in 1991, they ultimately rejoined the main event in 2008, thriving alongside the World Show in Oklahoma City’s iconic Jim Norick Arena. Over the decades, horses like Rugged Lark, Snap Krackle Pop, and Acadamosby Award, who stands alone with three Superhorse titles, have secured their places in the record books through repeat victories, a feat mirrored by amateur legends like Karen Evans Mundy, who claimed a record-setting eight All-Around Amateur titles.

AQHA Memberships & Programs

Joining the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) offers a wide array of benefits designed to enhance every member’s experience, whether they are competitors, breeders, or simply fans of the breed. Membership provides crucial access to essential services, including discounts on AQHA business and the ability to access horse records. Additionally, members gain access to premier AQHA programs, competitions, and events, alongside valuable educational resources like AQHLearn and various eBooks. The organization offers three main types of memberships—General, Amateur, and Youth; each with one-year, three-year, and lifetime pricing tiers, with the Youth membership being available until age 18. Perhaps most popular are the exclusive savings, with members enjoying discounts of up to 70% from corporate partners on everything from office supplies and paint to equine products and credit card rewards.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) organizes its member offerings into several main program categories:

• Youth: Programs focused on Horsemanship, Leadership, Education, Competitions/Contests, Scholarships, and Awards for AQHYA members.
• Racing: Programs designed to support and fuel the passion for American Quarter Horse racing.
• Ranching: Initiatives that preserve ranching traditions, including the Ranching Heritage Breeders and Challenges, and the Young Horse Development Program.
• Showing: Show-related programs that ensure education, safety, and fairness at events, such as the Professional Horsemen, Amateur Ambassadors, Stewards, and the Leveling Program.
• International: Programs for global Quarter Horse owners, covering educational, genetic diversification, and recognition.
• Affiliates: Supports state, provincial, and international affiliates in promoting the breed.
• Horseback Riding Program: A dedicated program that rewards members for time spent riding American Quarter Horses.

Be Part of the Legacy

This is more than a horse show — it’s the gathering place of champions, dreamers, and everyone who believes in the power and beauty of the American Quarter Horse. Whether you are a seasoned competitor chasing another title, a devoted fan of western heritage, or someone eager to witness greatness for the very first time, the Nutrena AQHA World Championship Show welcomes you.

This is your invitation to step inside a living legacy that has been building since 1974. Experience the passion that drives competitors to qualify all year long. Witness the crowning of new champions who will write the next chapter in history. Feel the energy of an event where the best horses and riders from around the world come together in one unforgettable celebration.

Don’t just hear the stories — be there to live them. Capture the culture. Shop the craftsmanship. Feel the thrill.

About the Author:

Olivia Clements

Biography:

I grew up in Reno, Nevada which often gets confused as a mini Las Vegas. But Reno has so much more than casinos. I grew up branding cattle, hunting with my dad, camping, playing sports, exploring the hills and so on. I found my love for writing early in life and I always had a journal I was filling up. I also found myself diving head first into photography which led me to volunteer for the rodeo I went to every year since birth, the Reno Rodeo. I now write in the Reno Rodeo Magazine and take photos of the rodeo for another committee. My love for country goes back to the early days with my dad floating on a boat fishing listening to old country (90’s or older) and some classic rock n’ roll. I have expanded my passions of writing and photography worldwide, having traveled to the Safaris in Africa, crumbling castles in Scotland, pubs in Germany to the snowy mountain tops of the Swiss Alps; like Ian Munsick, “I see country everywhere.” You can find me now taking pictures of sports or driving around taking pictures of yet another cow. They are too cute not to. It’s guaranteed to find me living my best life. Life is short, so live vibrantly!

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