Amarillo, Texas - June 27, 2003 - With graduation, summer vacations and trail rides, the deadline for the MD Barns Silver Spur Award nominations might have come too soon for some deserving nominees, so American Quarter Horse Association is pleased to announce a deadline extension of two weeks to receive all nominations.

Nominations for the MD Barns Silver Spur Award will be accepted through July 15. 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.

An awards program presented by AQHA Corporate Partner MD Barns, the Silver Spur Award has become one of the most popular contests in the horse industry. To download an entry form click here: http://www.aqha.com/forms/pdf/03silverspurnomination.pdf.

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. AQHA will also fax a copy of the nomination form. Please call AQHA at (806) 376-4811 ext. 438 to have a nomination form faxed.