Harrison Quarterhorses

The American Quarter Horse was developed in the early 1600s when the bloodlines of horses brought to the New World were mixed, making the American Quarter Horse the first horse breed native to America.

Foundation American Quarter Horse stock originated from Arab, Turk and Barb breeds. Stallions and mares were bred with horses brought to Colonial America from England and Ireland, developing a compact, heavily muscled horse that filled the colonist's passion for short-distance racing.

In 1940 a registry was formed and the breed officially came to be known as the American Quarter Horse. The first American Quarter Horse races were held in 1674 in Enrico County, Virginia. Two-horse "match" races were held on village streets, level pastures and country lanes.

As pioneers in the 1800s moved West, so did the American Quarter Horse. Known for its ability to outmaneuver cattle and its calm disposition, the American Quarter Horse was ideally suited for the vast new cattle ranches popping up across the frontier.

These horses are best known for their heavy muscling and sprinter's speed, excelling in a wide variety of competition events from traditional rodeo such as roping and barrel racing to English classes of dressage and show jumping. In spite of the breed's "working" qualities, the number one interest of American Quarter Horse owners is simply riding for recreation.