Dr. Scott Myers, Executive Director at the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, has confirmed that color breeds will be allowed to compete in the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle Futurity and Stakes Classes. This change will also include the two Masters Classes. They will now be open to the following breeds/registries: AQHA, APHA, ApHC, ABRA, IBHA, PHBA and Jockey Club.
“Over the past 49 years the All American Quarter Horse Congress has showcased the greatest horses and most accomplished exhibitors in the world,” Myers told GoHorseShow. “Every year the most talented horses and accomplished exhibitors make their way to Columbus, Ohio to compete for the title of Congress Champion and the coveted Congress Bronze Trophy. I am thrilled to welcome the color breeds to the Congress Futurity and Stakes Program. On behalf of the Congress, I want to welcome the color breeds, the owners and exhibitors to Columbus this October and we wish them the very best of luck.”
These new changes will also be implemented for the Masters Two Year-Old Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle Classes. The Masters classes were started by Denny Hales in 2005 after he was inspired by the first major slot class held at the 2004 Reichert Celebration. Hales, who served as Executive Vice President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association for over 20 years, loved golf, so they named it, “The Masters.” Over the years, mainly due to the economy, the slot numbers have declined and the classes have lost some of their prestige.
Starting this year, Myers explains that there will no longer be slot owners or a set number of entries allowed in the Masters Classes. “The Masters Classes have been incorporated into our futurity program,” Myers explains. “We felt the slot owner model was no longer working and we felt it needed to change in order to survive.”
GoHorseShow spoke to trainer, Randy Wilson, who is on the OQHA Board of Directors. “I think it is great to open up the futurities to everyone. I know it is a sensitive issue to some, but I think will be beneficial to the Congress as well as the horse industry,” Wilson told us. David Dellin, APHA Executive Director of Judges, agrees, “I think it is a home run.”
However, not everyone is as excited about this new change. Among the dissenters, the common message is, “It is the Quarter Horse Congress”. Some believe that increasing quantity, and not quality at the Congress, lessens the prestige of the show.
We talked to several trainers and exhibitors about what they think about the significant changes to the Congress futurities. Let us know what you think by taking a poll at the bottom of this story.
Hillary Roberts – I say the more the merrier. I don’t see any reason to be exclusive. It brings the numbers up which is positive, and it’ll make it much more interesting.
Liz Barnard Long – I can’t say that I love the idea. I think anything that shows at the All American Quarter Horse Congress needs to at least be registered AQHA.
Erin Bradshaw – I think allowing the color breeds to show in the futurity classes at the Congress is a step in the right direction for the future of the horse business. It’s not secret that futurities have gone way down in recent years, even including some of the futurities at the Congress. Numbers are way down…so…why not allow more breeds to participate? I think some will be upset that color breeds are allowed to come to show in the Congress futurities but in my opinion it is a limited number of classes they are offering too so you will still have your regular Quarter Horse classes. It will add more value to young horses and hopefully help the horse industry to keep moving up. It’s no secret the horse industry has gone down in the past five years. I think it’s a good move.
Sharnai Thompson – Bring it on! I think that will be great for the other breeds. I know I certainly tried to show at the Congress when I had paint futurity horses, but you couldn’t. I always thought it was a little tricky to have a strictly non-breed association (NSBA) sponsored/governed futurity class that has breed restrictions. To me, NSBA classes (with the exception of dual-approved) should be executed just like NRHA events – it doesn’t matter if it’s solid, spotted, or striped, it can show. As a result of all being treated equally, one could argue that the color breeds that compete in NRHA have evolved to be of the same quality as the Quarter Horse, e.g., Gunner and his offspring. I think it’s exciting for everyone involved.
Cathy Corrigan Frank – It’s a wonderful opportunity to expand those other breeds by getting them exposed to Quarter Horse people. In other words, I am never exposed to non-AQHA breeds since I do not go to those events. Having other non-AQHA breeds be eligible to compete would potentially broader their fan base and bring other breeds into our world.
Stephanie Moore – I am fine with OQHA adding other breeds to the futurity classes as long as it does not drag the show out to unacceptable late hours, which happened several years ago when they altered the schedule. Hopefully they will address that potential problem.
Colton Lee Andrews – I think that’s great. I might show as long as it doesn’t interfere too much with the other World shows that are going on.
Debbi Trubee – Personally, I think the reason they call it the Quarter Horse Congress is because it’s a show for Quarter Horses…they should change the name to the All Breed Congress if that’s the direction they are going. I’m sure they are wanting to increase participation at the show.
Steve Heckaman – I think it’s a great move on OQHA’s part. I’m sure entry levels have remained fairly constant the last few years, so this is an opportunity for new growth. I’ve shown horses in the past from all of those color breeds that I thought could have been competitive at the Congress.
Kim Reynolds – It’s the all American Quarter Horse Congress….. Just saying.
Elizabeth Spike Brewer – For me, the prestige of the Quarter Horse Congress is unparalleled in our industry. I think it will compel the color horse enthusiast to aspire to the highest level by breeding the best quality horse. Also, it will raise the standard for our color trainers to not only be the best in their breed, but to competitive with the premier horses and riders of our industry!
Jenna Dempze – I think it’s always a great idea to encourage participation in the industry. I think it will be exciting to open up the Futurity and see new faces.
Tammy Denlinger-Lickliter – I thought it was a breed show? Already too many people, cars, dogs, etc…
Lisa Ligon – I think that is really great. I didn’t know they were even voting on that… really exciting. I think the futurity classes should be all breed and added participation is always positive. I would love to see that extended to more of the major events with futurities. I know I personally would have a better chance to fill a trailer if the futurities are all breed which makes the trip much more worthwhile.
Darla Lee – I know I should be happy about this decision because the idea is opening the futurities is more opportunity to take and show more horses, but my first reaction is not to be happy about the idea. I know this has been allowed in the cutting and the reining, but I would love to see the research on what percentage this will actually grow the futurities and the money. As the Quarter Horse Congress, I would feel it is most important to support the Quarter Horse and the people who show them, if this discourages even one person from showing their Quarter Horse I think it is counterproductive. I also would like to know if there are any breed associations that are going to open up their futurities to Quarter Horses. Color horses have more opportunities to show at NSBA shows already; there are Color classes in which Quarter Horses cannot show but any other NSBA class they are also allowed to show. So now there will be no place in which Quarter Horses can compete in classes of their own. I think it will be odd to see a color horse be a “Quarter Horse Congress Champion”. I think the Congress has a lot of tradition and I think some traditions should hold strong even through an ever changing business. A color division might have been a good way to test the waters before making such a big change.
Courtney Brockmueller – We all have the opportunity to show against each other all summer long in futurities–no matter the association affiliation. I believe that the best horse will always rise to the top – despite its color. May the best horse win!
Jennifer Leckey – I think this is a good thing. The NSBA or futurity classes have always supported all of the stock breeds and I believe they should be able to participate. This also gives those associations another big venue to promote their young horses and help with their membership. I love that Ohio has welcomed them.
Farley Sliss – I understand things change and evolve but isn’t this the All American Quarter Horse Congress?
Dakota Diamond Griffith – As a die-hard Buckeye, I am proud that my team won the first “UNDISPUTED” national championship in football. Honestly, it seems not only logical, but appropriate that my hometown show, The All American Quarter Horse Congress would support participation from color breed horses. In other words, what OQHA is doing is similarly promoting the concept of undisputed champions at one of the largest shows in the world. Over the years, I have proudly ridden color breed hunt seat horses and shown palominos, buckskins and double registered APHA/AQHA horses at Congress. I commend Dr. Scott Myers, and the Congress Directors for encouraging excellence within the futurities for the “best horses in the world”. Additionally, the economic opportunities for the community, vendors, trainers, exhibitors, and breeders is exciting, and a nice shot in the arm. Hopefully, the individual associations will support separate awards for their high placing horses in order to honor and showcase their best talent which is currently being negotiated. Keep in mind that I am extremely loyal to AQHA, and respect that this is the “Quarter Horse” Congress. The good news is that our breed will continue to thrive through the AQHA sanctioned classes, and by majority representation at this show. Hopefully, the halter horses will also find a way to eventually include an “all color futurity”, but because they show concurrently in AQHA/Futurity classes at Congress, this event is not included in the new color format. Although there may be some growing pains to deal with, thinking outside the box in the horse industry is a necessity in this economic climate.
Jeff Burley – I think this is a wonderful opportunity. There are many of us who show multiple breeds and their major shows all fall in consecutive order after the Congress. This will give trainers the chance to bring their futurity horses on the road with them and not only give them another opportunity to show, but have them prepared for the world shows that follow Columbus.
Adam Wainscott – I think that could be a very beneficial move for OQHA and the Congress. I feel like it would give people who may not have had the chance in the past to come experience and participate in the world’s largest single breed horse show. There are some extremely talented horses in those other breeds. I see it as an opportunity for them to come and demonstrate the talented horses to a huge audience that will have multiple positive affects on the horse industry as a whole. For example, say a trainer might have an outstanding horse that is seen in the show arena that caught the eye of a spectator which may convince that particular person inquire about buying that horse or maybe even about putting a horse in training with them. It may also allow certain trainers who do multiple breeds to take more horses to the Congress to show, which in years past they may not have had that option. Also on the business side of our industry as a whole, not just AQHA, we need participation. Even if someone only chooses to come to the Congress with their respective breed horse, it is a good thing because they are there. With all the different categories, I feel as though there is a place for everyone. They can shop for saddles, bridles, grooming supplies, barn supplies, fencing, trucks, trailers and the list goes on and on all in one place.
Carly Veldman – I think it is a great idea. I’m not sure it would result in me loading up my paint horses just to come show at the Congress but if I was already going–I would definitely bring some paint horses along to show. I still think in the western pleasure classes that loud horses are somewhat frowned upon and it is hard to beat the more solid colored horses.
Tina Price White – I think this is a tremendous opportunity for these other breeds to be able to participate in money classes at such a prominent show. Times have evolved to where trainers keep horses of all breeds in their barns and they participate in many of the different breed shows. This will allow those trainers to take more of their horses to the show which is good for their business. I think the trend for multi-breed shows is on the uptick, and I believe these create a win/win situation for the clubs, exhibitors, owners and trainers.
Cathrin Gutmann – I believe the Masters Classes have lost a bit of its “shine” but I think there are a few easy changes to increase the entries. For example, it is scheduled at the end of the show. After three weeks, everyone is tired and wants to go home. Also the horses are tired after standing on the fairgrounds for three weeks. I think that could easily be changed if it was scheduled earlier. All the trainers would for sure not go home after the Masters Classes but stay for the Coughlin futurities that have a good number of horses every year. I just hope that this is not a step in a very common direction–broaden in quantity but not quality.
Katy Jo Zuidema – That’s really interesting. I suppose it is one of the last major futurity events to be a closed futurity. So it really does make sense. On the negative side, I didn’t really want another reason to take more horses to Congress than we already do. But the positives for us far outweigh the negatives. Our business is set up with Quarter Horses and Appaloosas. Every year some of our nicest horses can’t show at the biggest show of year because they aren’t Quarter Horses. So now they can! Also with this change, our Appaloosas can pretty much show at every major event that a Quarter Horse can except the AQHA World Shows. So that will add value to our young stock for sure which is great for us because we breed so many Appaloosas. Our small group of Appaloosa two year- olds that we’re currently starting just got more valuable. It will even go so far as to help us prepare for the ApHC World Show which starts the last weekend of the Congress. Every year Tim and I have to get in the plane on Sunday morning and head to Ft Worth to do it all over again with a fresh load of horses. But now at least, we will have some of them all ready to show and in that mode upon arrival. That will be a nice sense of relief.
