AMARILLO, Texas -- The American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum will give those patrons who would like to "test ride" an American Quarter Horsethe opportunity to do so during the 10th Anniversary Celebration, July 21and 22 in the Justin Boots Demonstration Arena, 2601 I-40 East.

Each day, there will be 10 American Quarter Horses in the arena for anyonewishing to ride. American Quarter Horse Association Employees and area horse owners who are donating the use of their horses will be on hand to assist with "first-time" riders and provide useful tips during their rides.

Ride Schedule
All rides are free.
Saturday, July 21 -- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 22 -- Noon to 1 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Celebration
An entire weekend of activities is planned in honor of the anniversary. Specialty acts for the weekend include a Mexican Charro performance by Jerry Diaz; a Working Ranch Cowboys Association's Junior Ranch Rodeo; autograph and photo sessions with Miss Rodeo America Tara Graham; special dance performances from the Ballet Folklorico Nuestra Herencia (Our Heritage) and the musical drama TEXAS; and the singing and yodeling voice of Jessie the Cowgirl from Disney's Toy Story 2.

Also featured in the weekend celebration is the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Racing Experience. A 60-foot, interactive traveling exhibit, the NTRA Racing Experience brings horse racing and its history to the fans. This exhibit is transformed from a 60-foot truck/trailer rig to an atmosphere which allows visitors to "let loose" and learn about horse racing and wagering.

The History
The American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum began as a proposal to create an American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame but the idea soon became the American Quarter Horse Foundation. At the March 1975 Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, members of the Public Relations Committee branched out to form the AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE Hall of Fame Committee.

From the simple, honorable idea of building a Hall of Fame grew the dream to construct a world-class facility devoted to the American Quarter Horse and the men, women and horses who helped develop the breed. The concept for the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum was launched. On August 14, 1989, ground was broken for the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center& Museum, immediately to the west of the international headquarters of AQHA. To be built on the same 10-acre plot of ground on which the headquarters sits, the two-story, 35,600-square-foot facility was the culmination of 14 years of effort by numerous interested American Quarter Horse people and the American Quarter Horse Foundation.

Quarter Horse Outfitters
During the 10 year celebration guests should make it a point to visit Quarter Horse Outfitters, the store located inside the Heritage Center & Museum. Quarter Horse Outfitters is the only place to purchase AQHA-logo merchandise, and is the select outlet in Amarillo for the equine line of Arthur Court Sterling Silver designs.

Quarter Horse Outfitters also carries western flair dishes, contemporary jewelry, children's toys, Breyer model horses and western prints. For more information on the celebration, see the attached description of events or contact the Heritage Center & Museum at (806) 376-5181.

For additional information, please contact Tom Persechino at 806-376-4888, ext. 359.

Tom Persechino
AQHA Director of Marketing
806-376-4888, ext 359
P.O. Box 200
Amarillo, TX 79109