Vote Online for the 2001 MD Barns Silver Spur Award

AMARILLO, Texas - After reviewing nearly 150 entries, the American Quarter Horse Association announced the top six finalists in the MD Barns Silver Spur Award. Those finalists have been posted on AQHA's Web site where voting will be conducted by AQHA Members online.

The finalists-four new nominations and two returning from the 2000 competition (first and second runners up automatically are re-nominated each year)-are introduced through the Web site. AQHA Members who have a Personal Identification Number are encouraged to log on and cast their vote (one per Member) for their favorite pick. This year, although the stories on many of horses were different than last year, were warm, touching and showed the strength that people find in their American Quarter Horses.

The nominees are:

o Heza Exclusive Man (aka Duke) 1989 sorrel gelding owned by Jerry and Glenda Long of Capitan, New Mexico Duke has helped his owner cope with diabetes and its ills-including losing his sight. The duo have bonded so closely that Jerry is now competing again and heading up a youth program focusing on helping at-risk youth.

o Tuff Design (aka Joey)
1997 red dun stallion owned by Lynne Ferguson and Double Stop Farm of Suquamish, Washington. Living on Port Madison Indian Reservation in Washington State, Joey has served as a colleague to the reservation's youth programs, a leader in the reservation's therapeutic riding programs and in the reservation's breeding program.

o Silvers Two Face (aka Two Face)
1980 sorrel gelding owned by the Collins Family of Salado, Texas. A finalist in the 2000 MD Barns Silver Spur contest, Silvers Two Face has made a remarkable comeback returning to work at Peaceable Kingdom, the summer camp for chronically ill children near Youngsport, Texas after a 10-month bout with EPM.

o A Jetting Dude (aka Cooley)
1987 bay gelding owned by Rosalind Childers of Bowlegs, Oklahoma. Another amazing story of hope from the 2000 MD Silver Spur contest is that of Ron Childers and Cooley. When Ron suffered a traumatic brain injury during a race, Cooley soon became his strength and will to live.

o Miss Gypsy Jet
1976 Sorrel Mare owned by Sally Donlevy of Anna, Texas. After a brief career on the racetrack, Miss Gypsy Jet began her second career at an Equine Retreat in Anna, Texas. She played a vital role in saving several horses that were brought to the facility after a rescue. Her tenderness was realized and she was soon adopted into the mounted police unit of McKinney, Texas.

o Stars Parr Money (aka Bullet)
1983 brown gelding owned by Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State University Cowboys have many symbols of their western heritage, including their mascot Bullet. With his traditional sprint across the football field following every Cowboy touchdown, Bullet has made appearances at schools, parades, rodeos and the opening ceremonies of the Oklahoma State Special Olympics.

The MD Barns Silver Spur Award honors those American Quarter Horses who have made a significant impact of 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.

A special presentation announcing the winner will be held Friday, November 16, 2001 at the AQHA World Championship Show. In addition, the winner will be featured on a special segment of "GMC America's Horse" on ESPN and have an article in AQHA publications profiling their accomplishments. Winner 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.

MD Enterprises, Inc., manufacturer of MD Barns and Buildings, is America's leader in pre-engineered barns TM. An AQHA-corporate sponsor since 1998, MD Barns produces the official barn of AQHA and is the industry's leader in design, manufacturing and installation of pre-engineered barns, stables, out buildings, corral systems and accessories. With more than 25 years of satisfying more than 100,000 national and international customers, MD Barns facilities and their state-of-the art equipment will continue to guarantee the highest quality of workmanship as each component used is built in their own plant. MD Barns sponsors the AQHA World Championship Show and the AQHYA World Championship Show.

Voting for the 2001 MD Barns Silver Spur Award is at www.aqha.com. For more information on the MD Barns Silver Spur Award, please contact AQHA at (806) 376-4811.