Judy Oleson created the ‘Flaming Award’ in memory of her first horse. The Minnesota Saddlebred Horse Association presented the first Flaming Award at the MSHA Annual Banquet in 1996.

Flaming showed in Minnesota from her arrival here in 1980 through 1994. She carried all her riders successfully in many divisions, mostly pleasure and equitation, but she especially enjoyed her young riders. Flaming was a big-hearted and generous American Saddlebred mare who allowed her owners and riders the opportunity to learn and experience the thrill of showing horses. It takes a special horse to take a young rider into the wonderful world of horse shows.

The Flaming Award is presented each year to the top Minnesota American Saddlebred High Point horse with a 13 and under a rider. Points are earned in the Show Pleasure, Country Pleasure, and the Open Pleasure Divisions. The recipient of this award receives two trophies, a keepsake trophy, and the perpetual ‘Flaming Memorial Trophy’.