AMARILLO, Texas -- Selected by an independent panel of judges, the winners of the prestigious American Quarter Horse Association Steel Dust Awards have been chosen.

The Steel Dust Awards are designed to recognize outstanding coverage and promotion of horses, people and events within the American Quarter Horse industry by television, newspapers, magazines, radio, state, provincial and international affiliates.

Introduced and adopted by AQHA's Marketing and Public Information Committee at the 1999 AQHA Convention, the AQHA Steel Dust Awards recognize journalists, marketing professionals and affiliate for their efforts in creating an awareness for, publicizing and marketing the American Quarter Horse and AQHA.

"The American Quarter Horse and the equine industry in general have an overwhelming presence in today's world," said Bill Brewer, AQHA Executive Vice President. "The AQHA Steel Dust Award acknowledges media professionals who strive to keep the American Quarter Horse industry in the public's eye."

The contest, in its third year, drew 100 entries from 47 entities in 15 categories. Fifteen Steel Dusts were awarded in 13 of those categories.

Two additional Steel Dust Awards were awarded in Magazine Feature Article Circulation More Than 10,000 and Affiliate Newsletter. Two Special Recognition Awards were awarded to entries who deserved recognition for their effort. Special Recognition Awards were excellent examples of American Quarter Horse promotion yet didn't fit the specifics of the category entered.

Judge's for the event were: Nikki Henkin, Account Executive, Martin J. McLaughlin Communications of New York; Jackie Freundlich, Principal, Equestri Enterprises of Los Angeles; Holly Clanahan, Field Editor, America's Horse of Amarillo; Tony Freeman, Account Executive, Trafton Printing of Amarillo; Billy Smith, AQHA Special Projects Coordinator of Amarillo; and Henry Brown, AQHA Racing Committee Chairman of Purcell, Oklahoma.

The 2001 AQHA Steel Dust Winners are:

Newspaper Feature Article:
Steel Dust Winner: Labor of Love, The Houston Chronicle submitted by Sam Houston Race Park. Profile of Janet Van Bebber, an American Quarter Horse trainer at Sam Houston Race Park. Honorable Mention: Horses Help Her Copy, Grass and Grain written by Dia Weisenburger-Fowles. A profile of Betty Bonjour, a woman who battled cancer and found comfort in riding her American Quarter Horse.

Newspaper News Reporting:
Steel Dust Winner: Pogue and Brockius Cap A Brilliant 2000 Roping Campaign with NFR Win, Ropers Sports News, written by Kendra Santos. An in-depth coverage of the timed events at the 2000 National Finals Rodeo.

Magazine Circulation Under 10,000
Magazine Feature Article
Steel Dust Winner: The First Futurity, The Reiner, written by Katie Tims. A historical look back at the winner of the first National Reining Horse Association Futurity--a gelding named Pocorochie Bo. The article charts the gelding's ownership, training, show career and eventual retirement. Honorable Mention: Dot-Com Horse Dealing. Ride With Bob Avila written by Juli Thorson and Doreen Shumpert. This article provides insight and experiences into buying and selling horses on the Internet.

Magazine News Reporting
Steel Dust Winner: One Big Title, One Very Big Win. Ride With Bob Avila written by Ty Wyant. Article provides an entertaining, informative look at the 2000 World's Greatest Horseman competition. Honorable Mention: Catching the Win. Ride With Bob Avila written by Ty Wyant. This article provides an entertaining informative look at the 2000 Snaffle Bit Futurity.

Magazine Commentary
Steel Dust Winner: The New Economy. Ride With Bob Avila written by Bob Avila. This article provides thought-provoking insight on the horse business in light of the U.S. Economy. Honorable Mention: Who Wants To Play Let's Pass The Buck. Ride With Bob Avila written by the Hoarse Whisperer. This article provides an entertaining thought-provoking commentary on "passing the buck" in the horse world.

Magazine Circulation More Than 10,000
Magazine Feature Article
Steel Dust Winner: King Fritz-Still Cashing The Chex. Performance Horse written by Katie Tims. The story, through interviews and historical records, attempts to paint a picture of the stallion named King Fritz and the roles Les Vogt played in the horse's legacy.

Steel Dust Winner: Horse Auction Trends and Tips. Western Horseman written by Juli Thorson. This story offers advice and information to horse-auction buyers and sellers.

Honorable Mention: The American Dream. Quarter Horses USA 2001 written by Scott Wells. A Look back at one man's winning moment at the All American Futurity

Honorable Mention: The American Quarter Horse From Melting Pot to International Fame. Quarter Horses USA 2001 written by Steven D. Price. Breed profile of the American Quarter Horse, describing the evolution of the breed.

Honorable Mention: Shakin' Flo. Horse & Rider written by Jennifer Forsberg Meyer.

This article highlights the American Quarter Horse mare Shakin Flo and her owner/trainer Sandy Bonelli of California. It explains how these two fiercely competitive females come to be on the most talked-about teams in the cutting horse world.

Magazine News Reporting
Honorable Mention: Horsepower To Spare. Performance Horse written by Betsy Lynch.

Honorable Mention: Trusting Teddy. Performance Horse written by Betsy Lynch.

Special Recognition Award-A Horse With A Heart. Horse & Rider written by Kathy Kadash-Swan. This article was written to report on the death of the American Quarter Horse stallion Hangten Peppy-and to detail the high points of the beloved horse's life.

Magazine Commentary
Steel Dust Winner: Kathy Kadash Swan, Horse & Rider. Honorable Mention: Betsy Lynch, Performance Horse. Honorable Mention: Kendra Santos, Spin To Win.

Affiliate Newsletter
Steel Dust Winner: Missouri's Quarter Horse, Missouri Quarter Horse Association. Paul Lindsay, Editor. Steel Dust Winner: Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse, Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association. Candy Cooper, Editor.

Photography
Steel Dust Winner: Horse & Rider with "John Brazil Jr., aboard Spots Shadow." Cappy Jackson, photographer. Honorable Mention: Horse & Rider with "Kelly Yates Aboard Firewater Fiesta." Cappy Jackson, photographer.

Television
Steel Dust Winner: KHOU Channel 11 Houston (CBS). Submitted by Sam Houston Race Park. "Sport of Kings" feature profile of Janet Van Bebber and Beverly McNeely, American Quarter Horse female trainers.

Radio
Steel Dust Winner: The Horsemen's Radio Weekly Jim Campbell, General Manager/DJ.

Single Issue/Specialty Publication
Steel Dust Winner: Quarter Horses USA 2001, Fancy Publications, Moira Harris, Editor. Introduce readers to the American Quarter Horse through profiles of influential horses and horsemen. Offer advice on riding and caring for American Quarter Horses. Inform readers of opportunities available to them as American Quarter Horse owners.

Marketing/Promotional Campaign
Steel Dust Winner: Jiffy Lube Texas Music Revolution. Submitted by Sam Houston Race Park. For the fifth consecutive year, Sam Houston Race park and Jiffy Lube have teamed together to hose the popular Summer Concert Series, the Texas Music Revolution, aimed at attracting new customers to the track, entertaining them with live American Quarter Horse racing and showcasing a live concert after the last race. Honorable Mention: Foley's and the Fourth Fireworks Extravaganza. Submitted by Sam Houston Race Park. Sam Houston Race Park and Foley's Department Store teamed up once again to produce the Foley's and the Fourth Fireworks Extravaganza. The highly successful promotion attracted more than 23,000 by combining the excitement of live American Quarter Horse racing with a breath-taking Fireworks Extravaganza. Promotion Campaign Includes: T-shirt, cup, video, poster and PR advertisements.

Special Recognition Award: Quarter Horse Rider. A song off the New Bad Habits CD by Joe Merrick. It is a Stirring description of the wild trajectory that a jockey in an American Quarter Horse race experiences. Submitted by The Jockey Club.

The 2002 AQHA Steel Dust Awards will open for submission in May 2002. Look for more information and details of each category on AQHA's Web site at www.aqha.com.

For more information on the 2001 AQHA Steel Dust Awards or for a complete list of judge's critiques, please contact Cindy Perez, AQHA Communications Manager at (806) 376-4811 extension 327.