If you were asked to pick the championship buckle that meant the most to you could you narrow the choice down to a single accomplishment?

Ohio Trainer Carly Veldman Parks was hard pressed to choose just one. So, she chose two, well actually four: the 2006 American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Amateur Showmanship, and one each in 2016 for the APHA Junior, Senior and Green Trail.

“Winning the Amateur Showmanship was so important to me because I had finished reserve a lot and this was my last show before giving up my amateur career,” she said. “As a professional, my favorites are the series of 2019 APHA Trail Championships. It was a month after my son was born and it is a cool set of memories that I could have this brand new baby and still show and train as a mom.”

Wade Black agrees that every championship buckle means a lot. Each represents a special horse, a client relationship and is a celebration of a milestone in their riding career. If Black had to choose only one it would be the 2014 Congress 2-year-old Limited Western Pleasure Stakes with Justa Machine.

“It was the first Congress Championship for any Machine Made offspring, I also rode Machine Made himself while working for Carl Yamber so that made it an even more memorable win,” he said.

Black and Parks are not alone in treasuring each buckle as much as those that came before – and after – the win highlighted as number one. Riders with display cases full of trophy buckles appreciate each one. And no matter how many there are in a collection, another one is a welcome addition.

Futurity manager Tom Powers remembers being overwhelmed with exhibitor complaints when he and wife,decided one year not to award trophy buckles. The show managers’ intent was genuine – they thought exhibitors who already won numerous buckles might be interested in different types of awards.

“We thought that maybe they were sick of buckles, but they are not!” he said. “We give away more buckles now than we ever did.”

During the 2021 event held June 30 to July 4 at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, Powers awarded about 65 buckles. Sterling silver buckles valued at about $1,000 each went to the winners of the 2-Year-Old, 3-Year-Old and Maturity Open Western Pleasure classes. Oval championship buckles with the event’s distinct three triangles were available in about 40 classes. Throughout the week-long event another 22 square buckles were distributed in qualifying classes.

“When we first started giving buckles we went to Chet Vogt and asked him if he could put our triangle logo in the center,” Powers said. “The original design is still very popular. Over time we add the three triangles that you see now.”

World Championship and Year-End Championship buckles are the culmination of hard and sacrifice. The origins of the beloved trophy buckle at shows isn’t precise. The concept of the belt buckle was born in the 1920s. Fashion company Levi Strauss introduced a new feature on jeans – belt loops. This was the first time these pants were readily available and people happily traded in traditional suspenders for belts.

Hollywood is credited with giving rise to the original introduction to eye-catching buckles. Beginning in the 1950s, onscreen cowboys began wearing larger, flashier, more intricately designed belt buckles.

The APHA does not have an exact date of when trophy buckles became the mainstay, but they appear in National Show photos dating back to 1966.

One of the association’s earliest buckle vendors was the Nelson-Silvia Company. The Houston, Texas buckle makers provided engraved trophy belt buckles for the 1966 National and Reserve National champions.

Much has changed in the 55 years since, Gist is the current vendor, and the number of buckles handed out has significantly increased. APHA’s Director of Business Development, Kurt Crawford said the association awarded 1,073 buckles in 2021. That included those given for Year End Awards and those awarded at the World Show event.

“The APHA World Championships is APHA’s largest order this year, especially because they brought together the Youth and Amateur show all into same event,” said Jennifer Folsom, vice president of marketing and business development for Gist Silversmiths.

Folsom has worked at the Albuquerque, New Mexico company since 1987.

“Between those two shows about 300 classes and present a world champion and reserve world championship buckle in each of those classes.”

Gist also makes the buckles for the Palomino Horse Breeders World Show and the Pinto World Show, which gives away 1,100 buckles throughout the event.

“Trophy buckles remain that cherished traditional western dress code,” Folsom said. “It finishes the whole image.”

A buckle can be a fashion piece, or can brand a business with a customized logo. It can reflect a person, company or organizations’ personality and history.

Design trends

Trophy buckles awarded at the industry’s largest events are instantly recognizable. Riders can easily spot a peer’s buckle and recognize where the achievement was earned. When APHA introduced its new logo, the “PH” brand, the championship buckle design was updated too.

“I think our new world championship buckle is my favorite,” Crawford said. “It does the best job of displaying the World Championship honor and it has become very recognizable over the past few years.”

Buckles like every show accessory have changed over time. The traditional “oval” was once exclusively the industry standard. Now that’s about 50/50 with square buckle styles.  About a decade ago, Folsom noticed a move toward a slightly smaller, vintage design, but that too has shifted.

“Now it seems like a lot of our requests are back to the traditional silver and gold finish without that antique look,” she said. “Accents are really popular to try to give them a more flashy appearance. Usually that includes red, blue or green because it is inexpensive. We might also add a little bit of black paint behind floral to let the design pop.”

At one time, most buckle producers exclusively produced hand-crafted pieces in sterling silver, 12, 14 and 18 karat gold. In the early 2000s a dramatic increase in silver and gold prices – double, even triple the cost – impacted the buckle business. To offset rising material costs laminated materials accented with a sterling overlay with a nickel back is often used to preserve buckle value while helping to control costs.

“Most associations can’t see budgets go up at all,” Folsom said. “Materials then have to be compromised to maintain those budgets. Show organizers often opt for silver- and gold-plated finishes and accents with black antique or paint or colored resins depending on logos, etc semi-precious stone accents more interest in design.”

Before you buy

With today’s innovation, techniques, and trending, almost anything goes and riders can create their own buckle design because buckle makers have options to meet any price point. Visiting their website can be helpful in beginning the decision on shape and size. Before calling think about a comfortable price point. This will help buckle companies guide you toward options that fit your goal. Folsom estimates the entry point for single buckle orders start around $200 with high-end options to fit customization and budget limits.

Beyond the sentimental value, belt buckles in many ways are as valuable as fine jewelry. A little care can go a long way in preserving your most meaningful belt buckles well into the future. The most important aspect to care is recognizing the materials used to make the buckle. Metals have varying reactions to different cleaners.

“So often people think that because the buckle has silver and gold and that they need to clean with silver and gold cleaners,” Folsom said. “Sometimes those can be harsh on a buckle. You have to clean it according to the materials to preserve the finish.”

If you have a favorite buckle that is showing signs of wear and tear all hope is not lost. Reach out to the buckle maker and ask about refurbishment. Gist charges a nominal fee to replate and refurbish buckles once it shows signs of wear and tear. The nature of material may contribute to wearing down or paint accents start to change.  send it back in and refurbish so more often than not look like new again.

“We can’t fix deep scratches but we can polish the surface and replace all the color so that you can continue to enjoy it for years to come,” she said.

We asked several class winners which of the buckles they won mean the most to them, and why. Here’s what they said:

Champion: Carly Veldman Parks, Parks Show Horses, Sabina, Ohio

     Favorite buckle(s): 2016 APHA Amateur Showmanship, 2019 APHA Junior, Senior and Green Trail

     Why it’s special: “I had been Reserve a lot in the Amateur Showmanship and it was a favorite class of mine. It was the last time I showed as an Amateur. Then, right after I had Caden I won three buckles at the APHA World Show. It is my favorite set of memories because brand-new baby and can do it as mom.

            Horse shown: Piccaso By Q (Showmanship), Sensational Design (Junior Trail), One Lazy Cowboy (Green Trail), Krymsunived (Senior Trail)

Champion: Randy Wilson, Randy Wilson Quarter Horses, Grand Rapids, Ohio

            Favorite buckle: 1987 2-Year-Old AQHA Western Pleasure World Champion, 2007 2YO Pleasure Futurity Congress Champion 

     Why it’s special: “It was my first World championship and I loved that horse. It got my foot through the door at the big horse shows that said I could win one.

     Horse shown: Rosys Story

Champion: Jay Starnes, Starnes Quarter Horses LLC, Summerton, South Carolina

            Favorite buckle: 2005 Congress 2-Year-Old Masters Western Pleasure.

            Why it’s special: “It was the very first one given for that class. It is one of the prettiest buckles I’ve ever won. Instead of having sterling silver and writing in gold, the buckle is all in different shades of gold.”

            Horse shown: Flashy Looking Lady

Champion: Cody Parrish, Parrish Quarter Horses, Pavo, Georgia

            Favorite buckle: 2016 Limited Open 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the Little Futurity

            Why it’s special: “Jeff Long Quarter Horses sponsored the buckle and I thought it was really cool that he put a lot of time and thought into the buckle because he wanted it to be special for Limited Riders. We have been friends with the Little Family for years and it was special to win my first open championship at their show.”

            Horse shown: Lexus Made Lady

Champion: Jody Galyean, Jody Galyean Cutting Horses, Marietta, Oklahoma  

            Favorite buckle(s): 1979 World Champion, 1981 Western Pleasure Futurity, 1986 National Cutting Horse Association Futurity

Why it’s special: “There are three favorites.”

Horse shown: Penny Sen Sen, Bonanzas Rosy Two, Best of All

Champion: Jenna Dempze, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

            Favorite buckle: 2014 Amateur Western Pleasure Congress Champion

            Why it’s special: “It was my very first Congress win and Rerun has been my favorite horse to own. Now that he’s gone that buckle is that much more special to me as a memory of him.”

            Horse shown: Rewind And Repeat

Champion: Cleve Wells, Cleve Wells Quarter Horses, Joshua, Texas

            Favorite buckle: Congress Intermediate Reining Championship

            Why it’s special: “I bought him (his horse) for $500 in August of his 2-year-old year. He was green broke and I knew what a Reiner was supposed to do but had only trained two before him so I was still very green. We won the Intermediate at the Congress and made the NRHA Futurity Finals.”

            Horse shown: JD Freckles

Champion: Wade Black, Wade Black Show Horses, Kingsbury, Texas

Favorite buckle: 2014 Congress 2-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure Stakes

Why it’s special: “It was the first Congress Championship for any Machine Made offspring, I also rode Machine Made himself while working for Carl Yamber so that made it an even more memorable win.”

Horse shown: Justa Machine

Champion: Kristy McCann, McCann Performance Horses, Graham, Washington

     Favorite buckle: 1989 AQHA Junior Western Riding World Championship

     Why it’s special: “It was my very first world show buckle. We won the Jr. again the next year, in my opinion he pioneered the way the horses move and change now.”

     Horse shown: Sunstone, a local backyard- bred horse that had so much natural talent, was way ahead of his time.

Champion: Casey Willis, Casey Willis Show Horses, Ocala, Florida     

     Favorite buckle: 2014 AQHA 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure World Championship

     Why it’s special: You always remember your first title in a special way. We later went on to win the Junior Western Pleasure and Senior Western Pleasure together.

     Horse shown: KM Suddenly So Easy

Champion: Katy Jo Zuidema, Zuidema Pleasure Horses, Micanopy, Florida

            Favorite buckle: 2002 AQHA Youth Hunter Under Saddle World Champion

            Why it’s special: “Being a horse trainer’s kid I had nice horses around me but my parents couldn’t exactly afford to go out and buy me one that could win, especially in the rail classes. I was 19 and the horse was a 4-Year-old 17.1 hand gelding that finally won it for me. I rode home to Michigan from Ft. Worth with it in my lap the entire ride.”

     Horse shown: Acertifiable Hunter

Champion: Bret Parrish, Parrish Quarter Horses, Pavo, Georgia

            Favorite buckle: 2004 Reichert Celebration 2-Year-Old  $100,000 Open Western Pleasure Slot Champion

            Why it’s special: “This was the first time in the pleasure horse industry that $100,000 was awarded to the winner. That year the show was held in St. Louis, Missouri. It was an electric atmosphere and a new beginning for our industry in both the way our classes are supported financially, and it was the beginning of a new era for the breeding world with the arrival of RL Best Of Sudden, a 2002 brown stallion by A Sudden Impulse.”

            Horse shown: RL Best Of Sudden

Champion: Joetta Bell, Whitesboro, Texas

     Favorite buckle: 2008 Congress 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Championship

     Why it’s special: “Winning that class was something I never thought I could achieve on my own, but it was a dream come true. It was also special because it was with my homebred and home trained gelding. It was also the first year we busted out a plain satin shirt with sparkles, which is really common for today, but back then was not so much.”

     Horse shown: My Ace Is Hot

Champion: Nancy Sue Ryan, Show Stop Farm, Nocona, Texas

Favorite buckle: 2013 AQHA Junior Hunter Under Saddle World Championship

     Why it’s special: “The vet told me she would have to retire after the World Show.  That year, the judges called for the hand gallop. Winnie was uncomfortable doing it, so I practiced only once. I told her to hold it together for one more ride and she would never be saddled again. She did hold it together and I held my promise to her.”

Horse shown: Whenonlythebestwildo

Champion: Courtney Menke, Whitesboro, Texas

     Favorite buckle: 2009 APHA World Champion Youth Western Pleasure

     Why it’s special: “Ruby and I won the Open Performance Honor Roll and the Youth Western Pleasure the previous year, along with that came some challenges. We sent her to Jeffery Gibbs and as the world show ads were due, we decided I would advertise my youth western pleasure horse instead of Ruby. At the show, we switched horses the night before the class, and I’m so glad we did.  It was my third buckle within 20 days.”

     Horse shown: Sheza Winning Story

Champion: Scott Jones, Showstring, Boerne, Texas

     Favorite buckle: 2015 Congress Senior Hunter Under Saddle Championship

     Why it’s special: “I didn’t make it out of my split of the Maturity class two days before.  I brainstormed, changed everything and fought hard for that win. That mare is one of my all-time favorites, and I owe that mare a lot.”

     Horse shown: Assets Agenda

Champion: Jeff Cochran, Cochran Show Horses, Oxford, Iowa

     Favorite buckle: 2004 Congress 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure

     Why it’s special: “When she was a 2-year-old I had Congress on the radar for her to show in. That fall she broke her hind leg. To this day we still have no idea how, but I know if it was not for a great support team, along with an owner that had as much faith in this horse as I did; she would have never made it to the show pen for all those years.”

     Horse shown: Don’t Miss This Lady

Champion: Judy Davis, Wayne Davis Quarter Horses, Reddick, Florida

     Favorite buckle: 2007 Congress Hunter Under Saddle Masters Championship

     Why it’s special: “It was the very first Masters Hunter Under Saddle championship and I won it on a horse Wayne and I owned. The horse was one of my favorites… a great mover, great attitude and really fun to ride!”

     Horse shown: WD Good Fellow

Champion: Kenny Lakins, Lakins Quarter Horses, Wilmington, Ohio

     Favorite buckle: 2008 Congress Masters

Western Pleasure Championship

     Why it’s special: “This buckle is most meaningful to me because it was a 2-year-old class with a big purse of $100.000. I started the horse and finished him.”

     Horse shown: One Lazy Investment