Congress Queen Brittany Barker has found some time out of her hectic schedule to report for GoHorseShow. Our readers will have an amazing opportunity to hear about late breaking news and events from someone who is front and center to all of the major happenings during the Congress.
Brittany Barker Final Report
This is a very bittersweet day for me. I am writing this with mixed emotions in my heart. I am very excited to see who the new queen will be, but I am sad that my year is over.
I began my morning by moving out of my hotel room so that the newly crowned queen can move in. I then went and presented awards for the Congress Three-Year-Old Non-Pro Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure Futurity. Following that class I had the opportunity to help with one of the NYATT classes and the pleasure of meeting Donnie Recchiuti (Sr).
I immediately went back to the Celeste Arena to present the awards for the 11 and Under Youth Hunter Under Saddle. This would be my last awards presentation as the 2010 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen. The announcer did a long dissertation about the 11 and Under HUS being my final class and telling everyone what a wonderful job I had done. As I stood in the middle of the arena listening to him announce this would be my last class, the crowd went wild and the tears poured from my eyes. It was a good thing I had done the awards a few hundred times, because I couldn’t see a thing I was doing, I was operating on instinct. It really sank in that my year was coming to a completion at this moment.
Following the completion of the class, I regained my composure and headed back to get ready for the Queen Coronation and NYATT Awards Ceremony. One of my very dear friends, Julie Owens, drove all the way from Columbus, Indiana to do my hair and another dear friend and fellow competitor, Kassie Tompkins, came and did my makeup. As both girls worked their magic, I went from being Congress Queen with a cowboy hat and a beautiful skirt and jacket to Congress Queen with a sparkling crown and evening gown (who knew I could rhyme?).
I headed to Congress Hall in a panic to get my picture taken with the girls. My speech refused to print. Once it finally did, it did not print any of my changes. Following the group picture I sat and tried to write in notes of what I had actually intended to say.
Vans picked the girls and I up and drove us to the Coliseum where we made our grand entrance and were all introduced. My entrance was certainly grand! One of my ankles refused to cooperate in my high heels and I nearly went tumbling to the ground in front of a packed house! Thankfully I did not fall, but I did hear nearly 1000 people suck in air as they watched me recover. I did a little hand motion and shrugged my shoulders to show them it was all in good humor and they all began to laugh. It was a real icebreaker for my night considering that I was nervous about giving a speech that really wasn’t all that prepared. Dave (the announcer) did a fabulous job being the emcee for the night. He does very well with little preparation as well . Each girl walked out in the spotlight and showed off their amazing dresses.
The time came for me to give my speech. I walked cautiously to the podium as I did not want any more close calls! As I stood up there trying to look into the stands, a calm came over me and I knew exactly what I needed to say. My “brief” speech took longer than planned, but Ihad more to say then I thought. As I did my thank you’s, I saved my mother for last. What I had to say to her in front of all those people took an emotional hold on me and I lost my composure once again. As I pulled myself together after receiving applause, I had a few more words to say to the girls that were sitting behind me. I finally managed to get out all I wanted to say at that moment (I certainly had much more I would have liked to have said that night) and made my way (again) cautiously back to my seat.
The top ten awards were announced in each division and it came down to mere tenths of a point for the coveted 2011 Congress Queen Title. Three of my very dear friends walked away with Congress Queen, 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up. Ceci Purtee of the Ohio Racing Association took home 2nd Runner up while Alyssa Freeman representing the Illinois Quarter Horse Association took home 1st Runner Up. I was overwhelmed while crowning Miss Courtney Sturgill, Virginia Quarter Horse Association, as the 2011 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen. Courtney put a lot of hard work and dedication into winning her title and it was evident by last year’s results (2nd runner up) she had what it took. She won the interview for the second year in a row and took home Reserve in the Written Test and 3rd in the Horsemanship.
As I watched Courtney take her walk down the red carpet, memories flooded my mind of last year when I did just that. I now know the feeling Ashley Cook (2009 Congress Queen) had as she crowned me and watched me take over her responsibilities. I know that there will be great things to come from this beautiful and talented young woman and I cannot wait to see what Courtney has to offer the industry.
The night came to a conclusion and I posed for pictures and filled Courtney in on a few vital details of “Queendom.” Once the night was through I was both relieved and sad. It has been an amazing year and I would not trade any of it for the world.
One question that seems to be plaguing people is “What will you do when your no longer Congress Queen?” I have been asked this question more times than I can count. For all of you out there wondering… I am going to go show! My plans for the following years include showing my all-around mare Sweet Lopin Lily as well as rodeoing and running barrels on both of my extremely talented barrel horses, Casady’s Talkin Now (Cass) and Soneysockets Drifter (Drift). I also plan on getting a little roping in somewhere on my amazing little heel horse Arizona Connection AKA Playboy because he is the sexiest horse I have ever met! If that doesn’t sound like enough to keep me busy, I am also entertaining the idea of getting a reiner and, of course, I would love to settle down at some point and have a family. So, as you can see, I will dive headfirst back into my showing, starting with the North American in Louisville, KY next week! I did forget to mention one minor detail. I might actually have to go back to work and finish up my schooling as well. 😉
I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to all of those who helped me be a dreamer and obtain this dream and create my legend over the past year.
• Kelli Diaz, Stephanie Cline and Rebecca Ball: You are truly outstanding women. Thank you for all of your hard work and effort to make this one of the best experiences a young woman can go through.
• The Ohio Quarter Horse Association: Without the association I would not have had this opportunity. Thank you for all that you do in supporting the Congress Queen and the horse industry.
• Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who made donations to the queen’s contest. Without your generous support, this contest would not be what it is today.
• Indiana Quarter Horse Association: I owe extraordinary thanks to all of the board, officers, directors and all of the members who supported me in every way they knew how. I know some of you gained a few pounds from all of the cheesecake, but it meant a lot to me
• Chad Williams: Thank you so much for getting Murphy ready for the horsemanship and keeping my nerves in tact like you do so well. If your tactics ever fail, I will always remember what you told me at the World Show. “If you fall off, don’t get up, make them come and get you.”
• Jennifer Leckey: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule this summer and polishing up my horsemanship skills.
• Ginny and Andy Tauer, Erin Thacker Uhl, Erin Rowings, Joey and Janna Stillwell, Shelley Meyers Winter, Meghann Geyer Farlow, Fritz Schutte.
• Dave and Jo Flohr: Your continued support throughout my entire horse career has made me a better person. I appreciate everything you have done for me over the years.
• Keith and Rose Bode: Thanks for always being my cheerleaders and second parents. I cannot tell you how much you two mean to me.
• Randy Hostetler: Thank you for being supportive through the ups and downs of this journey. You were a real trooper for going to all those horse shows and helping me sell cheesecake. Also, thank you for enduring all the traveling I did and taking care of my critters while I was gone.
• Last, but most certainly not least, my mother, Susan Barker: There is not enough room on these pages to express my gratitude and love for you. You raised me to be a strong, independent woman and I appreciate all that you have done over the years supporting my dreams and ambitions. You taught me how to dream big and stood by my side for every dream I have had. I think we have done pretty well. 1994 – Indiana State Fair Grand Champion Pony; 2004 – AQHA World Champion; 2010 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen and many more in-between!
Brittany Barker–Report#7
Saturday started with a little pampering. First off, I did
not have to get up 2 hours early to do my hair and makeup; they were being done
for me. I was up at a relatively late hour for me 7:30am! The Paul Mitchell
School in Columbus, Ohio was kind enough to come and donate their precious time
to do all of the queen contestant’s hair and makeup for the Couture for the
Cure Style Show.
I had a blast getting to try out new clothes and walk down
the runway like a model. It is a very different feeling having those high
powered lights shining down on you as you walk in front of thousands of people
and all their eyes are on you! I had the pleasure of showing off 6 different
outfits. Four furs by , a jacket and boots by Lagrange Leather, Shorty’s Caboy
Hatery custom breast cancer hat and the new Berry Fit Queen jacket and skirt.
Following the style show all the queen contestants headed
back to get their hair back into “queen hair” form and then go to the Queen’s
Booth in Congress Hall for a Meet and Great. At the Meet and Great, anyone and
everyone is more then welcome to come and get my autograph and each of the
contestants autographs as well as speak to each one of us and ask us questions.
This gives the public an opportunity to really get to know the queens.
After the meet and great I headed back to the arenas to
finish out the night presenting awards.
Brittany Barker–Report#6
On Thursday morning all of the queen contestants took their rulebook test bright and early at 8 am. While they were busy taking their exams I was on the grounds handling the awards for the youth fillies and mares. I was so pleased to present Abigail Pait, whom I met at the AQHYA World Show, with her win in Youth 2 Year Old Mares, Cooper Dobbs with his Congress Trophy in , Ireland Confrancesco her championship in Aged Mares and Justin Ware, a close friend, in the Youth performance mares. Novice Youth 13 and Under and Novice 14-18 Trail took place in the Celeste.
As the queen contestants finished their tests, they arrived at the grounds to help me juggle handing awards out in both arenas. They also walked around and greated the spectators and shoppers as well as thanked all the vendors for their tremendous support.
Novice Youth Reining and Novice Youth Western Riding both took place in the afternoon as well as Horsemanship 11 and Under. The 11 and under riders are amazing to watch. Those kids are the future of our industry and they really know how to put a show on!
Later that evening the Congress Hunter Under Saddle Maturity Stakes took place. This was our latest night yet with the class not ending until around midnight. As I returned to go to bed I found myself looking at my phone at 1am and setting it for 2am for a live interview with Columbus’ own Monica Day, a reporter for channel 4.
Brittany Barker–Report#5
Wednesday morning began with the queen contestants starting their oral interviews at the Ramada Plaza Hotel. I came to the grounds and watched Novice Amateur and Junior Pleasure Driving and then had the honor of presenting these talented horses and their drivers their awards. Hot Ones Only took home the Don Bell trophy with Charlie Cole in the Junior Pleasure driving. I always love to see the hats! There were some very opulent and beautiful hats in the arena in both classes!
In the Coliseum the Intercollegiate and Junior Judging Tournament was taking place. Following the Judging Tournament, the yearling Western Longe Line Stake took place. It made me proud to present several dear friends with their awards including Reserve Congress Champion Dominique Powers and Congress Champion Pete Mead. In a last minute change of plans, Pete had to lead his own yearling in the Longe Line Stakes due to a conflict with another pen and another horse Kenny Lakins had to show. Apparently the switch up didn’t phase Pete or his yearling Hez Plum Poison in the least. Pete and his family are long time friends of our family and I started my show career showing with his daughters. Handing him his Congress Trophy meant a tremendous amount to me especially given the circumstances he had to endure with the change.
Around lunchtime, I headed back to the hotel to have lunch with the girls and see how the interviews were going. I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with the interview judges and we talked straight through lunch. Each judge had an amazing background and were very accomplished in their respective fields.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch a while the 14-18 Novice Youth Pleasure and the 3 Year Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Stake took place. I stayed to present the Novice Present the Novice Pleasure in the Coliseum and barely made it back to the hotel in time for the 7pm style show practice with all the girls. We had a ball learning to walk and convey confidence. We retired to bed around 9, but most of the girls stayed up late into the night to study for the extensive AQHA Rulebook test taking place Thursday morning. Until next time!
Brittany Barker
2010 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen
Brittany Barker–Blog#4
Tuesday began with the Senior Hunter Hack and the Amateur Select Hunter Hack in the Celeste. There were some very competitive goes in both classes and the Select riders amaze me in their athletic ability. I hope that I am still jumping 3 foot and higher fences at that age! Several western pleasure and hunter under saddle first goes took place in both the Celeste and the Coliseum and then the Senior Western Riding and Junior Western Riding took place in the Celeste in the evening. It was no surprise when Harley D Zip took home the Don Bell Trophy in the Senior Western Riding and VS Code Red won the Junior Western Riding unanimously under all the judges. Unfortunately I was not able to see these outstanding performances because the 2011 Queen Candidates were making their way to the Ramada Plaza for the Queens Reception Dinner.
At 6pm, I had the pleasure of meeting all of the queens and their families as we mingled about the room. I gave an invocation prior to the meal and we all sat down and enjoyed a wonderful meal. After eating, I had the honor of addressing everyone that attended and gave a brief speech about my year. I also introduced each queen candidate and invited her to the podium to answer a random question drawn from a basket. The girls are not judged on their ability to answer the questions, and it is meant to be an icebreaker for their interviews the following day.
Following the reception, the girls and I said good night to our family and escorts and went to change into some comfortable clothes. We all reconvened in one of the hotel meeting rooms so that Kelli, Rebecca and Stephanie could go over the ground rules and how the contest would run. The girls also drew for their interview times and their working order for the horsemanship.
Following the rundown of the schedule, the rules and drawing of go’s, each girl passed out a small token representing their state. These goodies ranged from chocolate and popcorn to rope crosses and vases to individual state memorabilia. This time is particularly fun for me because the girls all get to share something that is important to them and of course we all love getting the goodies from each other. Once the goodies were passed out and the girls saw what they had received, we all packed up and headed back to our rooms to get some much needed sleep!
Brittany Barker
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Brittany Barker Reports–Blog#3
Monday morning started with the WCHA (World Conformation Horse Association) Non-Pro Yearling Stallions Stretch Bradley Memorial Halter Stakes and Limited Stakes followed by the Yearling Fillies and the Yearling Geldings. I was honored to be presenting awards with the officials of WCHA as well as Clark Bradley, Phil Russell, and several other esteemed individuals.
The WCHA classes paid a generous amount and they presented awesome prizes for nearly every placing! Following the WCHA classes we then went on to the Congress Masters Halter Weanling Fillies. Again, this class paid out significantly and had the best of the best. We went on to finish up the day’s halter with all of the stallion classes. Top honors of Grand Champion Stallion went to Terry Tippin with A Zhivago and Reserve Grand Champion Stallion was Indiana’s own Beth Stewart with Kid Forever In Style. I loved being able to hand a fellow Hoosier such a meaningful trophy!
In Celeste, we began the day with more Working Hunter and Equitation Over Fences classes. Unfortunately, I have not figured out how to clone myself and did not get the opportunity to present everyone in both arenas with all of their medallions and trophies today. Classes were rolling smoothly ahead of schedule and both pens were ending at roughly the same time. Once the Working Hunter and Equitation Over Fences were complete, the jumping started. I thoroughly enjoy watching the jumping because it is an all out race to get through the course as fast as possible once the exhibitors reach the jump off. I was in awe as I cheered and gasped at the same time as these riders navigated a difficult course at high speeds with huge jumps.
Once the halter was complete in the Coliseum, the Senior Western Pleasure was the debut western pleasure class of the Congress. What an amazing and accomplished group of horses. A Certain Vino shown by Karen Hornick took home the Don Bell Trophy in that class. Following the pleasure the Novice Amateur Hunter Hack went and I enjoyed the enthusiasm the exhibitors had as they received their awards. For many of them, this was their first Congress. The junior horses followed the novice amateurs in the Junior Hunter Hack. It was fun to watch how talented those young horses truly are! This class wrapped up the day in the Coliseum and thanks to great management; we were ahead of schedule and ended early.
Between presenting awards for the classes I walked around and spoke with vendors as well as spectators and exhibitors at the show. I also was invited to attend the Southern Belle Breeder’s Party in the Gilligan where I spoke with Connie Hill, Mike Coggin, Chris Darnell, Doug Landon, Strickland’s and numerous other influential people in the industry and had some tasty hors d’oeuvres to top off the evening! We had a successful day we were fortunate to have excellent weather. I will try not to get used to the nice weather, it is bound to change.
Brittany Barker
2010 Congress Queen
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Brittany Barker Reports–Blog#2
Sunday started on an early note with Congress Masters Halter Weanling Stallions/ Geldings in the Coliseum with only two entries. Don’t be fooled by the size of the class, reserve champion paid over $1000 and the Champion received more then double that amount!
The halter fillies and mares moved along quickly, and I was honored to hand some of my good friends some great prizes. As we all know, halter horses can some times be unpredictable (as can any animal), but today all the horses were well behaved! The top honor of grand champion mare went to Josh Weakly with Sacreds Supreme and Reserve Grand honors went to Lori Leary and Hawty N Naughty.
Following the halter classes, the first go of the Congress Hunter Under Saddle Maturity Stakes and limited stakes went. There were some amazing horses in the first go! Rider Beth Case, who works for Highpoint Performance Horses, is being a real trooper at this years Congress. She recently broke her foot and was riding with one stirrup in the class. She is a very impressive and talented rider.
In Celeste, the working hunter and equitation over fences were taking place. I had a wonderful time watching the precision that the riders and horses had over the fences while navigating some pretty tough courses. It brought back memories from when I showed 3-day eventing.
Once again there were a tremendous amount of spectators and shoppers on Sunday. Vendors were thrilled with the success of the weekend.
Brittany Barker
2010 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen
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Brittany Barker Reports–Blog #1
The All American Quarter Horse Congress is in full swing! I started my day on Saturday by being presented with my Peter Stone designed model horse of my former horse, Bud Light Please, at the 2011 Congress Model Horse Show. Most of the horses on the grounds here in Ohio are around 1000 pounds, but in this horse show, the horses are actually carefully packaged and transported in boxes to the show grounds.
On this day, the Voinovich Building hosts the 9th Annual Quarter Horse Congress Model Horse Show where exhibitors will display and show their beautiful model horses. These horses are judged based on what classes they are in. Some show in performance classes where their handlers actually pick them up and jump them or take them through a trail course. Others go through a judging process similar to halter that is judged based on the condition of the model, the conformation and the life-likeness. One china class had over $20,000 worth of antique and imported china horse models. The most impressive of the model horses were the ones that several artists had modified in someway. I learned that the low-density plastic of many models could be heated, moved and then re-sculpted as well as repainted to take an original Breyer or another model to a completely custom horse! I was very honored that Peter Stone immortalized the very loved buckskin, Bud Light Please, aka, Murphy.
After I received my Peter Stone Model horse, I headed to Celeste to watch some of the working hunter classes and help pass out the awards. There was quite the turn out in the jumping classes this year and that was very evident when the Congress Non-Pro Working Hunter Stakes went on for an hour after the Freestyle Reining.
I was thrilled to watch the Freestyle Reining in the Coliseum Saturday night. The stands appeared to be almost sold out! There were 18 entered in the freestyle reining and every one of the exhibitors really put on a show. We were honored to have the presence of Miss Rodeo America, McKenzie Haley, of South Dakota in the stands. I had the pleasure of making the awards presentation to all of the creative and talented riders that night. Stacy Westfall (Click on link to view video of her ride) took home top honors in the Open Division scoring an incredible 238 while her friend Ann Reusser took home the win in the Non-Pro Division.
Congress Hall and the Annex were buzzing with people who came to shop. The day was busy and according to several vendors I spoke with, people came to spend money. Another successful day at the Congress!
Brittany Barker
2010 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen
