Amarillo, Texas - April 2, 2003 - The 2003 contest for the MD Barns Silver Spur Award is officially open with the nomination form now available through aqha.com. An awards program managed by the American Quarter Horse Association and presented by AQHA Corporate Partner, MD Barns, the Silver Spur Award has become one of the most popular contests run by the association.

Deadline to submit a nomination for the 2003 contest is July 1. To download an entry form click here:
http://www.aqha.com/forms/pdf/03silverspurnomination.pdf.

First awarded in 2000, the MD Barns Silver Spur Award honors those American Quarter Horses who have made a significant impact in the lives of others or who have been cast into the public spotlight through prominent accomplishments to help create a favorable public perception of the breed. Those nominated must be a registered American Quarter Horse and must have enriched the life of a human being(s) through outstanding training, contribution or accomplishment.

"Of the more than four million registered American Quarter Horses only a small percentage of those horses will enter a show arena or run on a racetrack," said Bill Brewer, AQHA Executive Vice President. "For the most part, many of those horses will work or play in a variety of ways interacting with people all over the world. We have heard hundreds of stories about this special animal that lends a loving heart to those in need and about the unique bond between horse and human. Those are the stories that make this award so special."

The winner of the 2003 MD Barns Silver Spur Award will receive a $20,000 MD Barns gift certificate and a custom-designed Montana Silversmiths belt buckle. A $5,000 MD Barns gift certificate will be awarded to the first and second runners-up.

The MD Barns Silver Spur award is given annually and presented at the AQHA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City in November.

From all the nominations received, the top 5 are posted on AQHA's Web site (www.aqha.com) where AQHA Members who have a personal identification number can vote for their favorite. The winner is chosen by AQHA's Membership and kept secret until the presentation ceremony in November.

For a complete list of criteria, see AQHA's Web site at www.aqha.com
or contact AQHA at (806) 376-4811.