National Golden Spur Award Honors
Recognizing accomplishment by an individual, the National Golden Spur Award is the livestock and ranching industries most prestigious honor. Established in 1978, the annual award has been conferred upon iconic industry leaders whose unparalleled devotion to land and livestock earned them notable respect and admiration by their peers. The award also highlights the humanistic, scientific and technological contributions of the livestock and ranching industries to society.
The National Golden Spur Award is historically sponsored and bestowed by six livestock and ranching organizations: American Quarter Horse Association; National Cattleman’s Foundation; Ranching Heritage Association; Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; Texas Cattle Feeders Association; and Texas Farm Bureau.
The National Golden Spur presentation piece, “The Rancher,” was sculpted by Harold Holden and was created exclusively for the purpose of recognizing the National Golden Spur Award recipient.
For detailed information visit goldenspurhonors.com
Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award
The Ranching Heritage Association (RHA) developed the RHA Working Cowboy Award in 2018 to recognize outstanding men and women who make their living in the saddle taking care of livestock and the land on a daily basis. It was important to the board to recognize those folks who brave all kinds of weather and conditions to ensure that the work gets done. The board also emphasized the need to recognize the candidate’s integrity, impact on the ranch and community, and overall standards.
Past RHA Working Cowboy Award Recipients:
2023- Jimbo Humphreys, Guitar Ranches | Texas
2022 – Wes O’Neal, Four Sixes Ranch | Texas
2020 – Joel Nelson, Anchor Ranch | Texas
2019 – Ed Ashurst, Ten X Ranch | Arizona
2018 – Boots O’Neal, Four Sixes Ranch | Texas
Do you know an outstanding cowboy or cowgirl that should be recognized?
Submit a nomination for the Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award.
2024 nominations close May 1.
46th National Golden Spur Award Honors
The 46th Annual National Golden Spur Award Honors celebrates the American rancher and those continuing the incredible ranching story. Join the ranching and livestock industries for this special event recognizing the inspiring recipients of the National Golden Spur Award and the Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award.
The National Golden Spur Award Honors will continue to highlight the best of the ranching industry with 2024 National Golden Spur Honoree Tio Kleberg and Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award recipient Buzz Thorp. No doubt it will still be a night of celebrating the ranching lifestyle and our ranching heritage.
When: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Where: Lubbock Memorial Civic Center | 1501 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX
For detailed information about the event, honorees and ticketing, visit goldenspurhonors.com
Presentation of the National Golden Spur Award is a joint annual recognition historically given by six of the leading state and national ranching and livestock organizations: the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Ranching Heritage Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Thank you to the 2024 supporting sponsor, Luther King Capital Management.
