The hard work and excellence in the show arena from the 2024 show season was rewarded on August 10 when National Snaffle Bit Association held its NSBA Honors Banquet. The awards ceremony was held during the 2025 NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Honorees

Honorees included:
Hall Of Fame Breeding Stallion: Allocate Your Assets
The NSBA Hall of Fame Breeding Horse award recognizes stallions whose influence on the show horse industry continues through their offspring. Allocate Your Assets, a 2000 AQHA stallion, found early success in Hunter Under Saddle before becoming a million-dollar sire. His progeny have reshaped the English disciplines through their exceptional performance and style.

Hall Of Fame Breeding Mare: Goodbars Glamour Girl
This award honors mares whose offspring have demonstrated sustained success in the show pen, making a profound impact on the breed and NSBA competition. Goodbars Glamourgirl, though never shown herself, became a legendary producer, with more than 28 point-earning foals and an indelible legacy of champions across NSBA, AQHA, and international arenas.

Hall Of Fame Show Horse: Kamanyawannadance
The Hall of Fame Show Horse category honors horses whose careers reflect exceptional achievement, versatility, and visibility in NSBA competition. The black 2002 gelding, Kamanyawannadance was a decorated champion in Open, Amateur, and Youth classes, with more than $97,000 in NSBA earnings and titles at every level of competition.

Hall Of Fame Individual: Chris Darnell
The Hall of Fame Individual Award honors a lifetime of commitment and service to the show horse industry. A champion of the industry, Chris Darnell has served in nearly every capacity, from local associations to national leadership roles within NSBA and AQHA. Her efforts in show operations, program development, and governance have helped modernize and sustain the sport for generations to come.

Show Horse of the Year: Doubl Tapn
The NSBA Show Horse of the Year Award recognizes a horse with a superior record of competitive excellence and earnings in a given show year. Known as 'LJ,' Double Tap is a 2018 sorrel gelding that proved unbeatable in 2024 across multiple Ranch classes. With Amateur and professional riders alike, DOUBLE TAPN earned world titles, Congress wins, and more than $50,000 in NSBA earnings-solidifying his place as the ultimate all-around Ranch contender.

Jack Benson Service Award: Bobby Smith
Since 1989, the Jack Benson Service Award has recognized individuals who selflessly contribute their time, expertise, and energy to promote NSBA. Named in honor of long-time supporter Jack Benson, this award honors quiet dedication and meaningful behind-the-scenes influence. A lifelong supporter of the equine industry, Bobby Smith has championed NSBA through corporate sponsorship, volunteerism, and community engagement. As a leader at CINCH Jeans and Rod Patrick Boots, he has been a vital part of growing NSBA’s reach and impact—especially through youth programming and national event presence.

Legacy Award, Horse: Zippo Romeo
Created to honor enduring influence and exceptional service, the Legacy Award pays tribute to individuals and horses whose lifelong contributions have shaped the direction of the show horse industry. A true legend in Youth Trail and All Around events, Zippo Romeo earned over 4,000 AQHA points and multiple world and Congress titles. He set a gold standard for what an NSBA horse can achieve across divisions and generations.

Legacy Award, Individual: Sharon Mullins McLendon
One of NSBA's original visionaries, Sharon Mullins McLendon helped build the organization from the ground up. From writing its foundational documents to organizing its earliest communications, her contributions set the tone for NSBA's lasting success.

Quarter Million Dollar Rider: Shannon Curl Holbin
A horsewoman shaped by tradition and driven by excellence, Shannon has built a legacy through Holbin Show Horses and now joins the Quarter Million Dollar Club. Her impressive list of equine partners is a testament to her ability to bring out the best in every horse she trains.

Quarter Million Dollar Rider: Pat Heeley
Originally from Lindsay, Ontario, and now based in Van Meter, Iowa, Patrick Heeley earned his Quarter Million status through success in Western Pleasure, Longe Line and Western Riding with horses such as Certainly Best Bar, Slim Shady and Keepinthiscodeblue.

Quarter Million Dollar Rider: Cody Parrish
Cody Parrish of Pavo, Georgia, is a third-generation horseman known for his success in Western Pleasure and Western Riding, having trained and shown standout horses like NSBA Horse of the Year Lexus Made Lady, All The Sudden and Made My Way.

Quarter Million Dollar Rider: Taft Dickerson
Born into a family of accomplished horsemen, Taft Dickerson earned his place in the Quarter Million Dollar Club through major futurity wins and standout performances at the Congress, Reichert Celebration, and NSBA World Show. Based in North Carolina, he operates Taft Dickerson Show Horses, specializing in Western Pleasure futurity prospects and coaching Non Pro clients, with top mounts like What We Do Best and Scandal Maker.

Quarter Million Dollar Rider: Bud Lyon
Bud Lyon of Whitesboro, Texas, quickly rose to Quarter Million Dollar Club status after NSBA approved Ranch Riding in 2019, earning major wins with horses like Sumac Gunnabeflashy, the 2023 NSBA Horse of the Year. A versatile trainer with roots in Reining and Cow Horse, Bud has shown numerous world and futurity champions, including Chics Dream About Me and Crowd Pleaser.

Quarter Million Dollar Rider: Anthony Montes
From humble beginnings in Southern California to earning his place among the sport's elite, Anthony's story is rooted in passion, persistence, and a love for Western disciplines. His journey includes a standout roster of horses that helped him cross this prestigious threshold.

Quarter Million Dollar Rider: Alyse Roberts
Canadian-born Alyse Roberts earned her Quarter Million Dollar status through her success in Hunter Under Saddle and coaching Non Pro riders, with standout horses including Maximum Quarantime, Southern Couture, and Flatten The Curve. She owns and operates Alyse Roberts Performance Horses and serves on the NSBA Foundation Board of Directors.

2025 Scholarship Recipient: Lili Drinkall
Each year, the NSBA Foundation presents a $2,000 scholarship to a deserving youth who demonstrates both academic excellence and financial need. Open to current NSBA youth members pursuing full-time college enrollment, this award supports the next generation of equine industry leaders. The scholarship is funded entirely through generous donations, including memorial contributions and grassroots support.

Youth Of The Year: Rye Gill
This honor celebrates youth who exemplify community leadership and selflessness through volunteer service. Presented by the NSBA Foundation, the award includes a $4,000 scholarship from the Susan Scott Memorial Fund and a $500 charitable donation in the recipient's name, as well as an additional $1,000 scholarship awarded to each national finalist. Created in memory of Susan Scott, this award honors her enduring legacy and the spirit of giving she inspired within the show horse world.

The National Snaffle Bit Association records annual and lifetime points and earnings for professional and non-pro members as well as registered horses as based on awards won at sanctioned events around the country. Learn more at nsba.com.

About NSBA

Established in 1983, National Snaffle Bit Association has expanded from its roots in the Western Pleasure discipline to recognize various disciplines and eight breed associations in competition. NSBA’s mission is to grow the show horse community through various equine programs and events where every activity benefits horses, breeders, owners and exhibitors alike.

National Snaffle Bit Association has more than 20,000 active members and more than 44,000 registered horses across its eight alliance breed organizations. NSBA members earn more than $13.5 million in monetary awards at NSBA-sanctioned horse shows annually, and the association sanctions nearly 600 horse show events and close to 200,000 horse show entries each year.

To learn more about NSBA, please visit nsba.com.