The Four Sixes Ranch

One of the most well-respected Quarter Horse ranches in the United States, 6666 Ranch is a recipient of the AQHA Best Remuda Award, and has been named an AQHA All- Time Leading Breeder of Performance Horses. There is no doubt to any true horseman that the 6666 Ranch is a legend in its own time. It is only fitting that this unmatched ranch be the remuda provider for the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends.

Working in partnership with the American Quarter Horse Association, Road to the Horse selected 6666 Ranch for their exemplary equine breeding program and outstanding record of tradition and excellence.

Focusing on certain "mare families" that are proven to deliver desirable traits to their offspring has provided several predominant broodmare groups for 6666 Ranch. Matching proven maternal genetics with the industry's leading cutting, reining, ranch and all-around performance producers, 6666 Ranch has created fail-proof system for success.

The Four Sixes keep many of their foals for later use on the ranch or in the breeding program. The geldings selected for the Road to the Horse Remuda will come from a group of horses chosen to remain at the 6666s with the eligibility of being included in the cowboy string. Helping manage the Black Angus cow/calf operation that includes 7,000 mother cows, the cowboy string is an integral part of 6666 Ranch.

"On the male side of production, we will select a few stallion prospects and then pick ranch remuda horses. These geldings are not from one particular sire line, but are a good mixture of performance breeding. For Road to the Horse we will pick a good representative sampling of 6666s raised horses," says Dr. Glenn Blodgett, manager of the 6666s horse division.

For a full history on the Four Sixes Ranch, visit www.6666ranch.com.

The Traveler Award

The American Quarter Horse Association will present the Traveler Award to the colt who is paired with the winning clinician at Road to the Horse. Featuring a remuda of colts provided by 6666 Ranch, the Traveler award will no doubt go to a deserving mount.

"We have had some of the greatest clinicians of our time at Road to the Horse but ultimately it is the horse that is the real Star of Road to the Horse, and the AQHA Traveler Award recognizes that," says event owner/producer Tootie Bland.

Since it's inception, Road to the Horse has used American Quarter Horses to educate and entertain horse owners nationwide. Because Road to the Horse advocates the incredible abilities of Quarter Horses, joining forces with the AQHA was a natural fit.

"Tootie Bland has chosen to use American Quarter Horses for Road to the Horse because of their soundness, intelligence and disposition – the very characteristics that exemplify the breed," says Jim Bret Campbell, AQHA senior director of marketing and publications. "For that reason and in the spirit of the registered American Quarter Horse, Traveler, AQHA developed The Traveler Award to honor the breeder of the winning horse at Road to the Horse."

As the official sponsor of the Road to the Horse remuda, the AQHA created the Traveler Award in 2010. The award was named for the foundation sire known as Traveler.

For information about the American Quarter Horse Association, visit www.aqha.com.