The American Quarter Horse Association Ranching Council awarded the inaugural Ranching Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award to Kalpowar Quarter Horses during the 2025 AQHA Convention. This recognition highlights a Ranching Heritage Breeder who has made a significant and sustained contribution to the industry with their time.
Kalpowar Quarter Horses was established by Larry and Ellen Bell, who have been long-standing supporters of several sectors of the Association and the American Quarter Horse Foundation. Based in West Texas, the Bell family raises top-quality American Quarter Horses and has deep roots in the tradition of West Texas Ranching. The Ranching Council unanimously agreed that the Bells and Kalpowar set the bar remarkably high through their unwavering commitment to the Association and ranching industry. Their lifelong effort to support the ranching community truly embodies the spirit of this award.
“Serving on the inaugural Ranching Heritage Breeders Council was one of many wonderful opportunities we have had to support promote the ranching families of the AQHA,” said Larry Bell. “My only sadness about this wonderful award is that our daughter Amy, who was managing the Kalpowar Quarter Horses breeding program at her untimely passing in 2014 and who was totally devoted to the Ranching Heritage Breeder program, was not able to join us in receiving this award.”
Looking for a Ranching Heritage Breeder?
View the list of current AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. This list is updated quarterly. For more information about the RHB program, please contact AQHA.
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