For trainers and exhibitors alike, the Quarter Horse Congress is one-of-a-kind. The long days and short nights make the three weeks in Columbus, Ohio seem like an eternity. We spoke to ten trainers in the industry during the Congress and asked for their tips on surviving the largest horse show in the world. Let’s find out what they had to say. Do you have any tips that help the show run smoother for you? Let us know!
Gil Galyean (Pictured right)
You have to try and pay attention to the schedule and delegate your time by planning ahead. You always need to stay three or four days ahead with scheduling – that’s the thing we always try to do with showing, prep time, and getting some rest. It’s really important to focus on how we manage our time there because it can easily get out of hand.
Katy Jo Zuidema
It can be tough because everyone is running in a different direction, but it’s really important to stay on top of everything. We laminate and blow up the schedule and write the classes and times down. Everyone is in charge of their own splits and they have to write down those too. At least once a day somebody has to really clean house – the isle ways, tack stalls, hospitality area, etc. But probably the best thing we do is organizing our sleep. We rotate so we almost always have someone sleeping and someone who is fresh. It makes for better decisions. I for one cannot handle much if I’m exhausted. The person who has the morning shift knows that they feed, clean up, and get horses to the walker across the street. Then, they saddle and prepare for Tim and I to arrive and to start riding. Then, the morning person is the first one to bed that afternoon if the show schedule permits it that day. Also, take vitamins and allergy meds and do the best you can to stay healthy. Keep a Z PAC handy in case you feel like you are starting to get sick. Somebody once told me that you shouldn’t go to sleep in the barns because that’s how you get sick. It makes sense to me, so I try and leave to sleep.
Karen & Ty Hornick
Camping on the grounds is very convenient because you are always close by.
Clint Fullerton
The biggest thing is to have a plan. Be organized and know what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it.
Butch Campbell
Have your horse accustomed to different arenas to make sure they are Congress ready. Before you go to Congress (even though you have been to other shows), put them on the trailer and take them somewhere else to make sure you have them acclimated to a different environment.
Patty Campbell
Don’t expect more from your horse when you get there than what you have at home. By not letting other people affect how you ride your horse, the two of you will stay together without getting frustrated. Don’t do the damage.
Jason Gilliam
Prior to the month of October take all the necessary precautions to avoid getting sick. Make sure you have good help and clothes to stay warm during the Congress.
Angie Cannizzaro
I think the biggest thing for us is everybody knowing their job when we get there and having plenty of help. Organization within CAC Show Horses is really important. Knowing our job on how to prepare each horse and knowing each horse’s needs is how we survive the Congress.
Ronald Stratton
Try to stay a day ahead of the schedule. If we have horses showing on Saturday then I want to have them ready early on Friday so I can concentrate on the ones that are not showing the next day. It really helps our whole deal. This way we’re not having to play catch up all of the time.
Shawn Flarida
Stay extremely organized, be sure to pick up your numbers and check your draw so you can make a game plan for the horses that will be showing. Organization is the key at Congress.
John Boxell
Don’t forget to take your daily vitamins. Staying healthy is a top priority during Congress.
About the Author: Whitney Wilson is a Zanesville, Ohio native, who has grown up showing quarter horses beginning at a young age. Whitney is currently a junior at The Ohio State University studying Journalism. Today, she continues to compete in Non-Pro and Amateur Western Pleasure events.
