The American Quarter Horse - Making Dreams Come True
April 14, 15, and 16   Compeer Arena    1:30-2:00

No other breed has been known to have a larger presence throughout American history, in a more extensive and diverse span of activities, and with a broader range of rider levels than the American Quarter Horse. Come watch as five talented Minnesota Quarter Horse Association horse and rider teams showcase their breed.

If you want to try it - trail riding, ranch work, rodeo, cattle handling events, reining, mounted shooting, gymkhana events, extreme trail obstacle challenge, jumping, dressage, western pleasure and equitation events, showmanship at halter, all the way to therapeutic riding programs - the American Quarter Horse is here to help make that dream come true.

Minnesota is fortunate to have a state association that progressively supports Quarter Horse opportunities and activities for all interested riders. Check out the Minnesota Quarter Horse Association (MQHA) to explore such opportunities and have your questions answered. Our website is www.mnqha.com and you can also find association information at the MQHA stall area here at the Expo.

Vicky Henderson is a Minnesota rider who has always enjoyed a wide variety of horse activities. She has been an active competitor in the National Versatility Ranch Horse Association organization, and particularly with our regional group, Northern Lights Versatility Ranch Horse Association. She and her horse Tatanka have partnered to achieve awards that span the five individual classes of the Versatility event, as well as many championships and over-all placings.

Vicky has been schooling and showing her young Quarter Horse gelding and following a path toward more achievements.

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Laura Hildebrandt of Prescott, WI, after assisting the Northern Lights Versatility Ranch Horse organization at the Expo the past several years, will participate this year astride a 19-year-old mare she calls "Baby", whose registered name is Boonafide Flirt. Laura and Baby, who is owned by Jennifer Bull of New Richmond, WI, have been partnering for the past 4 years. Baby is coming back this spring after dealing with a broken leg, so we are all thrilled to have her with us. One thing Laura and Baby have in common is a huge work ethic! Laura spends countless hours and travels miles to ensure that the Northern Lights Versatility Ranch Horse shows run smoothly and in a most organized fashion. Baby has achieved success over the years as an NRHA (reining) money earner, has AQHA points in Ranch Riding, has been shown in Working Cowhorse and even served as a novice youth hunt-seat pleasure horse. She has enjoyed taking care of Jennifer's 70+ year old dad on trail rides out west.

Laura and Baby have competed in all 5 classes of National Versatility Ranch Horse events - Ranch Horse Conformation, Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch Cutting and Working Ranch horse. This year the team will be actively participating in ranch riding and western dressage, with a goal of competing at the 2022 WDAA World Show in Oklahoma.

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Kim Kraft joins the group from Rolette, ND, where she raises, trains and shows performance bred Quarter Horses. Kim successfully shows in a wide variety of events, with her favorite area of competition the reining and working cow horse classes. You might find her one day at an open show or barrel race, the next day at a Quarter Horse show and yet another day at a Reined Cowhorse event. Kim will be riding her 8-year-old Dun gelding, Sparkin Hot Dunit, or "Dunit" this year at the Expo. 

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Tracy Cutler from Aberdeen, SD, has been an animal lover her entire life. Tracy is married to Mike Cutler - together they farm and ranch, raise cattle, horses and dogs. Tracy started out showing western pleasure and reining, then more 'all around', but as time passed she realized she loved the cattle classes the most. She has learned that for herself, showing is more about 'simply doing better than you did the last time' and not as much about winning every time.

Tracy will be riding her 9-year-old Bay gelding, Spooks Little Whiz; with his bold and entertaining character, his barn name is "Spook". Their most recent accomplishments were several Top Ten placings at the AQHA World Show in November 2021. Spook and Tracy secured 3rd place in Select Level 2 and Level 3 Working Cowhorse (Down the fence) and 7th place in Level 2 Working Cowhorse.

Tracy and Mike are thrilled to have a stallion in their breeding program who is a full brother to Spook. Spooks Nitro Gun is double registered Buckskin and AQHA and he throws the double registered splash offspring.

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Shelley Johnsen from Hawley, MN, is our 'senior citizen' rider. She has been a pharmacist for 42 years, a career she believes has been complimentary in supporting her horse "addiction".

When questioned about her history with horses, Shelley says "I have been riding horses since before I can remember, as my dad won our first pony in a raffle before I was born. I love absolutely any activity that involves riding, particularly young horses. I purchase my horses as weanlings with a common goal of developing a horse that will go on to participate willingly in any activity and partner with any rider. I love to see the country trail riding and camping, but do participate in a variety of competitions, for the sport and camaraderie as well to meet goals with my horses. We find ourselves tackling all events at open shows, ranch horse versatility, trail obstacle competitions, mounted shooting, dressage, and anything else that presents itself as an opportunity to expand horizons for my horses and me."

Shelley and her husband Kurt board horses on a small scale at their property, Rising Road Ranch. The horses enjoy living outside with plenty of lush pasture and great herd dynamics. The barn and arena are available at all times to a good mix of people whose coming and going makes indeed for a happy place.

Bartenders Gotta Gun, a 6-year-old gray gelding, will accompany Shelley to the Expo this year. Bartender spent a lot of time the past year traveling across the country to trail ride, help out on a cattle ranch in the mountains of Montana and competing. In addition to open shows and mounted shooting, highlights of 2021 were a Reserve Championship in the Dakota 50/50 Ranch Horse Versatility Maturity, top ten placings at the Western Dressage Association of America World Show and as well as the AQHA World Show.