In 1941, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) registered its first horse—a stallion named Wimpy. In 1974, the Association surpassed registration number 1 million, but did not assign the number to a horse. In 2001, registration number 4 million was given to ShineLikeFourMillion, owned by Carol Rose of Gainesville, Texas.
The AQHA is expected to hit the 5 million mark some time between Dec. 5, 2007 and Feb. 29, 2008. A real-time counter on the AQHA’s website has been posted to keep the public updated on the progress.
As in previous years, the horse that the hits the mark probably won’t receive the actual 5 million registration number. Instead, there’s an online auction for it on the AQHA’s website.
The auction began Dec. 5 and will continue through Dec. 31. The AQHA member who submits the highest bid will win the right to use registration number 5 million.
In addition to the online auction for the number, the AQHA is also conducting a “guess the date and time” contest for all its members. AQHA members are invited to submit one guess each, via the Association’s website, as to which date they think the 5 millionth horse will be registered. The member coming closest to the actual day and time without going past it will win a trip for two to the Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch in Martindale, Mont., courtesy of the Dude Ranchers of America. The “guess the date and time” contest entry deadline is Dec. 14.
For more information, visit
www.aqha.com.