Iowa State Equine Program Recognized with AQHA Legacy Award

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has presented its 2004 Legacy Award to the Iowa State University Department of Animal Science equine program. Peggy Miller, associate professor in animal science and the head of the department’s horse programs, accepted the award last month at the AQHA headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. The Legacy Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have bred and registered quarter horses for 50 consecutive years. Seven awards were made this year, and Iowa State was the only university honored. "The Legacy Award is generally made to individual breeders," said Miller. "Iowa State is one of only three universities to have received this distinction." The quarter horse breeding program in animal science began in 1950, with the donation of six yearling fillies. In 1954, the first foals were registered. The department’s 58-horse herd serves teaching, research and extension programs and depends on donations of animals and money from private breeders and alumni. The Legacy Award includes an original bronze sculpture of a quarter horse mare with foal and published citations in the AQHA Journal and numerous other horse-related publications.