It’s October; pumpkin spice lattes, beautiful fall colors, Halloween decorations, and sweater weather is here. Any Quarter Horse person who just read that is probably thinking, “You left out the most important part!” Exhibitors are anxiously waiting for the greatest horse show of the year…the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Amazing awards, big classes, delicious food, and endless shopping. It’s safe to say that this horse show is the image of paradise to many equestrians.
However, while most are busy practicing patterns, jumping courses, and doing sliding stops, there are many who will be visiting or showing at the Congress for their very first time. The long and diverse schedule can be very confusing to newcomers or those who haven’t been in a long time, so here’s some advice to both riders and spectators to make your Congress experience the best it can be!
1. Be Prepared
The patterns have been posted so print them out and start memorizing every detail. The more you know your pattern, the easier it will be for you to perform in the show pen. Many levels are open for showing, including the new addition of Novice Amateur Select, EWD, and NRHA classes, just to name a few.
To help you stay organized, OQHA has developed an app called Horse Show Tracker (look it up on the App Store on your phone). The app holds all of the class draws, patterns, stall assignments, estimated start times, ongoing status of classes, leaders in scored and timed classes, and all the final results. This is a tremendously beneficial utility that all spectators, trainers, and riders must download. Best of all, it’s free!
Class draws will be 
posted during the days leading up to your class. Note what order you go, what event your class is following, and the arena you will be showing. Nothing is worse than running late for a class, so you want to plan your timing as far in advance as possible.
The rumors are true, give yourself more than enough time for longing. Everyone will be preparing to ride or show, so the waiting lines will get lengthy. Many arenas will be set up for longing purposes, so be sure that you are familiar with the closest one to your barn along with another one nearby in case the line grows too long. While using the longing pens, properly share and utilize the space so that everyone can safely and comfortably long without taking up too much of the area. This will allow more people to long because, quite honestly, no one wants to stand around for hours.
2. Attend the Special Events
Visit the American Quarter Horse Congress website to order tickets to numerous special events. The Congress Masters is scheduled for the 29th in the Celeste arena, along with Freestyle Reining on October 15th in the Coliseum, plus many more. These are events that you do not want to miss!
In addition, many demonstrations will be presented throughout the show. These include:
Cutting by Chubby Turner and Friends
Western Pleasure by Angie Cannizzaro
Halter by Tom Robertson
Trail by Ryan Cottingim
Judging Hunter Hack by Jerry Erickson
English Equitation by Shannon McCulloch
Hunter Under Saddle by Alyse Roberts
Classical Foundation Training by Equitopia with Nancy Sue Ryan
Showmanship by Gene Spagnola
Barrel Racing by Taylor Young and Danyelle Campbell
Visit the Quarter Horse Congress website under “Special Events” to find the location, dates, and times of each of these informative demonstrations by eminent professionals.
Furthermore, there are many lectures scheduled, such as Understanding Hind Limb Lameness, Management Tips for Lowering the Risk of Equine Colic, Strategies for Successfully Breeding Low Fertility Mares, and many more that cover various health topics, showing tips, and barn management to expand your knowledge and to give an opportunity to ask qualified experts any questions.
3. Never Ending Sho
pping
The Congress is basically a massive mall spread out over the fairgrounds. All sorts of clothing businesses for casual wear or show clothes will be offered throughout Congress Hall and Congress Hall Annex. For specific business names, visit the Quarter Horse Congress website under “Trade Show” for the entire list and specific locations of vendors.
If you are looking for a new truck or trailer, the Congress is the place to visit. Trailers are spread out throughout numerous buildings, tents, and a majority of the parking space. They feature bumper pull, goose neck, living quarters, mid tack, slant load, straight load, ra
mp, step up, slide out, dressing room, along with motor homes, campers, F150 trucks, F250 trucks…I think you get the idea! All the sales representatives are knowledgeable and approachable, making it easy to ask questions.
If you are looking for a new horse, many will be available at the Congress Super Sale on Saturday, October 22. Approximately 200 horses are sold each year of varying bloodlines, ages, colors, and disciplines, along with studs and brood mares. Sale catalogs will be available on the show grounds, or they can be requested. For more information, check out the “Special Events” tab on the Congress website.
4. Bipolar Weather
Columbus, Ohio is prone to a vast array of weather patterns. Snow, rain, heat, clouds, and sunshine will most likely be encountered throughout the show which means you are going to need a big suitcase, even for a short stay. Hoodies, sweaters, t-shirts, possibly even tank tops are all probable clothing options that should be included in your wardrobe. And if you are from the south, it is advised that you pack a few extra hoodies and jackets because “warm” to us in Ohio is arctic to most Southerners.
In terms of horses, pack sheets, mid weights, and even heavy blankets (better be safe than sorry), along with cooler blankets. You do not want to walk your horse up to the show pen for the first class of the day without a cooler blanket for protection.
5. Amenities Provided
For those camping on the grounds, laundry, repair, and camper services are all available. Visit Congress Hall for further details and locations of each of the businesses providing these conveniences. Plenty of food vendors provide all three meals, snacks, and yummy desserts to keep you happy all day long.
Farriers, vets, and therapy services are located on the grounds for your horse’s comfort. More information on locations will be provided in Congress Hall throughout the show.
6. Sleep Every Moment Available
The constantly changing weather, late nights, and early morning are exhausting for trainers, assistants, and exhibitors, leading to a lack of sleep and what everyone calls the Congress Crud. The only time to get in the show pen is by riding during the night, so to all new coming exhibitors, now is the time you learn to take naps. Find a friends camper to crash in or if you have down time, go back to your hotel and sleep for a few hours. Nothing is worse than getting sick during the best horse show of the year!
7. Local Attractions and Restaurants
Being a big city, Columbus is home to many chain, fast food, and family owned restaurants filled with delicious food for you and your show group to enjoy after a long day. The town of Polaris is located just 10 minutes away from the grounds and has many restaurants within for everyone to enjoy.
If you ever have a free day, many fun attractions are nearby the fairgrounds. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and COSI Columbus are both great places to take kids for a fun day away from the show.
8. Have Fun and Stay Calm!
Just remember, you are attending the largest single breed horse show in the world, what is not exhilarating about that? Of course, that is very intimidating, but do not let your nerves get in the way from you earning the awards you came to win.
Enter the show pen with a smile on your face and always trust your horse, he is always right beside you to help you achieve your dreams.
The Quarter Horse is a breed devoted to their owners, so they do not fear a simple title, but rather, they are determined to be the last one left in the arena, the only one with the blue neck ribbon, the one who comes out on top. Make this Congress one to remember!
