By Tracy Bidwell, OQHA
The All American Quarter Horse Congress, held October 5-28 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, showcases some of the best horse and rider combinations in the world. Throughout its three-week duration, exhibitors compete in a wide variety events, from Hunter Under Saddle and Western Pleasure to Barrel Racing and Pole Bending. Some of the most prestigious awards highlight the versatility of the American Quarter Horse, and its ability to successfully compete in many different types of classes. These awards include six All-Around awards, one each for Open, Amateur, Youth, Youth aged 15-18, Youth aged 12-14 and Youth aged 11 and Under, as well as four High-Point awards, one each for Amateur Select, Novice Amateur, Novice Youth aged 14-18 and Novice Youth 13 aged 13 and Under.
In order to be eligible for an All-Around award, the horse must compete in at least three different categories of events, as determined by the American Quarter Horse Association. Each horse then receives points, based on how they placed in each class.
This year’s Congress Open All-Around Champion is Smarty Brown, owned by Holly Powell of Lexington, KY. The 2008 gelding by Repeated In Red won Congress Champion titles in both Junior Working Hunter and Junior Hunter Hack with David Warner in the irons to clinch the title.
The Reserve Congress Open All-Around Award went to Its Been Awhile, owned by Theresa Pfeiffer of Edmond, Oklahoma. The three-year-old gelding won Junior Pleasure Driving with Charlie Cole at the reins and took home 4th in Junior Hunter Under Saddle with Beth Case in the irons.
Congress Open All-Around
Champion: Smarty Brown, owned by Holly Powell of Lexington, KY – 18 Points
Reserve: Its Been Awhile, owned by Theresa Pfeiffer of Edmond, OK – 15 Points
Congress Amateur All-Around
Champion: Southwestern Gunman, owned and shown by Whitney Walquist of Cleburne, TX – 24 Points
Reserve: The Heat Seeker, owned and shown by Angela Fox of Oak Point, TX – 21 Points
Congress Youth All-Around
Champion: They Call Me Jake, owned and shown by Kamiah McGrath of Murfreesboro, TN – 39 Points
Reserve: Remarkable Can, owned and shown by Rachel Kolb of Lebanon, OH – 28 Points
Congress Youth 15-18 All-Around
Champion: Remarkable Can, owned and shown by Rachel Kolb of Lebanon, OH – 28 Points
Reserve: Lethals Hot Weapon, owned and shown by Ty Paris of Tipp City, OH – 21 Points
Congress Youth 12-14 All-Around
Champion: Only In Showbiz, owned and shown by Kaylee Mellott of Andover, KS – 27 Points
Reserve: Bowmans Dry Mate, owned and shown by Bryce Briggs of Pilot Point, TX – 25 Points
Congress Youth 11 and Under All-Around
Champion: They Call Me Jake, owned and shown by Kamiah McGrath of Murfreesboro, TN – 39 Points
Reserve: Lets Talk About AOK, owned and shown by Shea Graham of Cave Creek, AZ – 24 Points
Congress High-Point Novice Youth 13 and Under
Champion: Dollars For Dymonds, owned by Mark Thune and shown by Lauryn Thune of Thief River Falls, MN – 23 Points
Reserve: Lets Talk About AOK, owned and shown by Shea Graham of Cave Creek, AZ – 21 Points
Congress High-Point Novice Youth 14-18
Champion: Only In Showbiz, owned and shown by Kaylee Mellott of Andover, KS – 26 Points
Reserve: Swooning The Ladies, owned and shown by Mikayla Jennings of Greenville, MI – 14 Points
Congress High-Point Novice Amateur
Champion: Tall Dark and Rich, owned and shown by Rachel Rinke of Star, ID – 29 Points
Reserve: Lighting Up The Town, owned and shown by Alysa Aarup of Greenville, NC – 22 Points
Congress High-Point Amateur Select
Champion: Navier Stokes, owned and shown by Raymond Coutley of Lexington Park, MD – 24 Points
Reserve: Naturally Brilliant, owned by Joanne & David Farrar and shown by Joanne Farrar of Wellington, FL – 20 Points
