Arkansas, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding ridden by Hillary Simpson of Southern Pines, NC, won the Leading Thoroughbred Award, presented by The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, at this year’s Alltech National Horse Show.

The award is open to all Thoroughbreds verified by The Jockey Club registration papers or lip tattoo number competing at the National Horse Show. The award presentation took place in the ring at the Alltech Arena prior to the start of the horse show’s featured event, the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix. Simpson was joined by Arkansas’s owners, Robert and Maria Kogen, and their children, Alexander and Taylor, for the presentation.

"Arkansas is a very special horse," said Simpson who piloted Arkansas to victory in the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix at the Vermont Summer Festival in July. "He has a good brain and plenty of power and speed. He believes he can do anything and he gives you 100% every time he goes in the ring."

Simpson predicts a bright future for Arkansas and she has taken him off the market thanks to his recent success