As the temperatures decrease and the days get shorter, October is here which means one thing to most horse folks – it’s time for the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Since its start in 1967, the world’s largest single breed horse show hosts more than 6,000 registered American Quarter Horses during its three week long run. The Congress has a little something for everyone no matter their passion, and regularly combines people from all across the country, as well as attendees from overseas.
Whether you plan on attending the Congress this year as a shopper, spectator, or showmen, the Congress, especially if it’s your first, can often be an exciting but sometimes overwhelming experience for most. I have complied a list of helpful tips and tricks that will make things easier to get through the Congress.
1. Take Note of the Special Events– Unlike many others throughout the year; the Congress is not just a horse show. Many special events take place during the three weeks and each offer something different for everyone to enjoy. If you are into the Cow Horse events, the Mercuria World Series of Cutting takes place on Thursday, October 8th at 6:00 pm. With a grand total of $50,000 in added money, this competition is designed for the highest caliber of cutting horses in the nation.
If cows aren’t your thing, the Congress Masters Futurities showcase the nicest two year-old western pleasure and hunter under saddle horses in the country on October 24th. Though this event takes place at the end of the Congress, $30,000 is guaranteed to the winner of the western pleasure and $15,000 is guaranteed to the winner of the hunter under saddle. Not to mention the charity auction that happens between the two classes, which proceeds go towards Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids – benefiting kids and teens with cancer.
For the second year in a row, the Professional Bull Riders will return to the Congress on October 9th, at 7:00 pm. At this event, the top bull riders in the world will try their hand with the world’s toughest bulls. This challenge is also one of the last stops on their tour before the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas on October 28th.
Along with these events, the Congress Freestyle Reining has also become a huge hit and will take place on Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 pm in the Coliseum. In this competition, costumes, props and music are combined with the horse and rider’s uniquely choreographed pattern to show off their skills in the reining discipline.
All of these events require tickets to be purchased beforehand to enter and more information on each can be found on the Congress website.
2. Local Attractions – During your stay, it can be fun to get away from the show grounds just for a few hours and being from Columbus, I have the upper hand in knowing the best local attractions.
Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the while month of October, Columbus offers one of the best and largest haunted attractions, The Scareatorium. Located just 15 minutes North of the Ohio Expo Center, this self-guided tour is loaded with thrills to make you face your fears.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located only 20 minutes North of the Ohio Expo Center and includes a variety of attractions for the whole family. From Polar Bears to Pony Rides, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers exhibits of all kinds for everyone to enjoy.
If the shopping on the grounds hasn’t satisfied your taste, Columbus has two malls that are both 15 minutes from the Expo Center. Polaris Fashion Place and Easton Town Center both offer a variety of stores and places to eat along the way if you choose to leave.
3. Amenities on the Grounds- What better way to share your passion with other horse loving Christians every Sunday morning than the Worship Service? Since its start in 1967, the Congress has always provided Worship Services to the attendees, which is a great amenity to have on the grounds.
Dry cleaning, laundry and sewing services are also available on the grounds. Each year, local companies offer these services to the Congress, and more information can be found at Congress Hall during the show. There is also the Congress VIP Club where you can use the internet, have a great meal and relax and watch the show on multiple screens. There are also several hot spots to eat including The Sweet Shop, a Congress staple, that has the best chocolate chip cookies, apple dumplings, Italian subs and cinnamon rolls.
Along with these amenities, the Congress also provides a series of demonstrations on the grounds that are put on by 
the industry’s top professionals. This year, specialized topics include: Soft Tissue Injuries, Mud on Horse Farms, and Stem Cell Therapy and Bone Chips in the Horse.
Combined with these lectures, demonstrations on every discipline will also be available. This includes:
• Reining by Shawn Flarida and Andrea Fappani
• Cutting by Chubby Turner and Friends
• Longe Line by Jon Barry
• Halter by Buddy Laney
• Trail by Chad Evans
• Western Pleasure by Rusty Green (pictured right)
• English Equitation by Michael Colvin
• Hunter Under Saddle by Keith Miller and Leslie Lange
• Horsemanship and Showmanship with Brad Jewett
• Barrel Racing with Pete Oen
There is something new for everyone to learn at each of these lectures and demonstrations that are free of change for entry. More information on each can be found at the Congress’s official website as well as Congress Hall.
4. Endless Amounts of Shopping – Whether you are shopping for a new show saddle or even a new horse, you can probably find exactly what you are looking for on the grounds.
The Trade Show has become a staple of every horse person’s wants and needs and with Christmas being here before we know it, Congress is a great place to pick up all of your items for everyone on your wish list. Many commercial exhibitors gather in the Congress Hall Annex to sell their supplies from saddles to show clothing, trailers to tails and hats to halters. The Congress’s official website has a list of every vendor that will be available on the grounds.
What other place can you view and bid on some of the highest caliber Quarter Horses in the industry? The Congress Super Sale is just that, super. With almost 200 horses sold every year, there is a horse to fit everyone’s needs. Quality prospects, seasoned show horses, broodmares and stallions all go through the pen and are offered for public viewing on the grounds as well. The Congress Super Sale catalog can be purchased either online at the Professional Horse Services website, or at Congress Hall upon arrival.
Even if you flip through the sale book and still can’t find what you are looking for, with hundreds of horses on the grounds, you can still see many horses that are offered for your consideration. Many owners and trainers often bring their horses to this prestigious event in hopes of them being sold through a private sale. It is very common to set up appointments to ride sale horses all throughout the show, and also watch them be shown as well.
5. The Dreaded Congress Crud – Close quarters with ammonia ridden air doesn’t necessarily make for an ideal place to spend days upon days in the barns at the Congress. Though the germs may thrive at the Congress, that does not mean that you cannot thrive as well. Remember to get plenty of sleep and try to squeeze in a nap whenever possible. Another thing that is good to have on hand are vitamins when you are at the Congress. Therefore, you can help to boost your immune system during the hectic period. Washing your hands and drinking plenty of fluids are also helpful tips to staying crud-free during the month of October.
6. Get Your Sleep – Whether you are staying in a hotel room or horse trailer, sleep is one of the most important things to stock up on at the congress. Not only can the schedule be hectic during the day, but classes often go late into the night. While the shopping may close before the show is done for the day, there are still things to do once the sun goes down. Some folks like to grab a drink at the Corral and others may be getting their horse in the show arenas, but sleep is still a very important thing to make time for. Getting enough sleep will not only make the show run smoother, but you will also be well rested and less likely to get sick during the show. The Night Riding Schedule can always be found on the official Congress website.
7. Ever Changing Columbus Weather – The old saying, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes and it will change” is definitely true for Columbus, Ohio.
During the month of October, it is completely normal for one day to be sunny and 75 while the next is chilly and in the 20s. This could mean that during your stay, it is more than appropriate to pack for two seasons, fall and winter. Bringing along items like raincoats, hats and gloves can be super beneficial if (and when), the weather turns bad. Hand warmers are also a good item to have before you make the journey to Columbus, as it is better to be safe then sorry when the temperatures can change on a dime.
8. Stock Up On Essentials – Unlike many other shows, the Congress is spaced out between three weeks. Because of this, some may have a weeklong break in between their classes. Though it is a helpful tip for every show you attend, stocking up on supplies like horse bands, hoof polish and safety pins that can run out during the show is always a good idea. Make sure you have the right amount of all grooming and show supplies for horse and rider before the show begins.
Another good item to have at the Congress is a golf cart, which can take you and your tack from one building to another. If you have never been to the Ohio Expo Center, it is a massive venue that holds multiple barns, arenas and buildings, which are all spread out over many acres of land. Golf Carts are the preferred means of transportation and can get you anywhere that you need to go in a hurry.
Longing can also be something that should not wait until the last minute at a large show like the Congress. With only a few designated places to lunge horses at, the lines to longe can often take an hour or so of waiting in order to take your turn. With this knowledge, it is important to use your time wisely and get all of your lunging done before you show, so you are not rushing at the last minute before your class. At the Congress there is also a walker on the grounds where you can pay for your horse to use. This can be beneficial if you do not have the time to spend waiting in line to lunge.
9. Plan Ahead – Planning is a major factor in any organized team that also goes for horse shows. Most of us typically leave work and other priorities at home when we are gone for such a long period. Getting work and other activities done early is always going to benefit in the long run, giving you more time to spend on horse related activities later on.
Luckily, the Congress patterns are always posted early for each exhibitor to study and learn, well before show time. No matter if you are doing the showmanship or the reining, you can find your patterns online and have them printed out to practice or keep with you, just incase you need to look them over before your class. Patterns can be found on www.HorseShowPatterns.com and are available now.
When we get to the show, it is often easy to get caught up in the hectic atmosphere and forget to plan for what is to come. Hiring people to band horses, clean stalls, longe, and any other duties can be very helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed. Many of the people that carry out these activities can get busy with big schedules and only have little time to spare. Therefore, hiring banders and other helpers as early as possible is always a good thing to keep in mind.
10. Enjoy The Ride – Nerves can be a big factor that play into your first Congress, though you must keep in mind that it is just another horse show. If a rider does not think of the size and mass of the task at hand, it can be easier to carry out the activity with confidence and grace. Stress levels are also at an all time high at the Congress with everyone sharing the same dream of bringing home the coveted Congress bronze. Keep in mind that we all share our love and passion for horses and everyone is joined together for the same common goal. Good sportsmanship is key in this type of environment, with a reminder that everyone has good and bad days. No matter if you come out of the arena with a trophy in hand, it is important to enjoy the ride along the way.
