Smelling the sweet aroma of an apple pie baking in the oven mixed with festive holiday music and family gatherings in front of the fireplace are wonderful examples of why Christmas should be everyone’s favorite time of the year. It’s the comfort of sharing moments with friends and family, watching endless Christmas movies on tv, and decorating the house and Christmas tree that makes it so heartwarming. However, the devastating fact of the matter is that Christmas only comes once a year.
As sad as I am that it is not Christmas 365 days a year, I have found an alternative, something arguably a little better than Christmas: the Quarter Horse Congress. Although people don’t wrap up a bunch of presents to give to you like on Christmas, there’s an overwhelming number of reasons of why I adore the Congress more than America’s most beloved holiday.
First off, who needs apple pie when you can delight in a delicious cinnamon roll or an apple dumpling with vanilla ice cream from the Sweet Shop? To top it off, the entire show is located in Columbus, which is the heart of Ohio. This huge city is filled with all sorts of restaurants (my strongest recommendation being Bone Fish because of their Bang Bang Shrimp) that can be enjoyed by everyone. It’s like putting everyone’s Grandma in one area and letting them work their magic in the kitchen!
Aside from food, this is the month when every person gets to reconnect with their closest family: the Quarter Horse community. This horse show connects passionate riders from all across the country, so it’s basically one big family reunion that repeats year after year.
The sense of community is absolutely astonishing at this event. If you don’t believe me, then take a moment to watch a practice pen. Watch all the trainers greet one another, ask how they are and fill one another in on their year’s accomplishments, big news and upcoming horses. Watch as exhibitors enter and exit the ring, saying “Congratulations” and “Good Luck” and “I am so happy for you” an immeasurable number of times. Hearing those words are better than receiving materialistic presents from others on Christmas.
Best of all, we all have each other’s backs, no matter what. Our trainers sacrifice just about everything so that we are the last ones to exit the pen with nothing less than a blue neck ribbon and coveted bronze trophy. Every rider supports one another after both bad rides and good rides.
Ultimately, I love the Congress because it’s not just a month long. The month after is spent thinking about it, the winter is spent learning from it, and the spring and summer are spent practicing for it. It’s a year-round cycle that consumes each of us. And for what?
Because, even though everyone dreads the weather and lack of sleep, we all look forward to spending those special moments in the show ring with our Quarter Horse community. We all work for the pleasant reward of stepping up to the counter at Schneiders and pointing to the jacket labeled “Champion.” We all embrace every single moment with our best friends, new friends and four-legged friends.
Instead of decorating Christmas trees, we build stall fronts. Rather than watching the countdown to Christmas movies, we’re glued to the live stream or the arena seats. In contrast to opening presents, we are carrying trophies and medallions. All of which we do with our support group behind our back, pushing us to try harder, telling us to show better and reminding us that this is where we belong.
To anyone who fears the Congress, who think their nerves will overcome them or they won’t fit in, I can assure you that we will welcome you with open arms and this is the best family reunion you will ever attend.
About the Author: GoHorseShow intern, Emily Ambrose of Chardon, Ohio is in the 11th grade at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, commonly know as NDCL. She trains under the guidance of Seth and Amber Clark from Pierpont, Ohio. Emily avidly shows her horse, Play For A Minute, known as Ralphie, who is a 10 year old quarter horse appendix. Her love of showing has been strengthened with the support of all of her friends in the Quarter Horse community and will continue her passion through and following the completion of her college career, where she hopes to study and work in the medical field.
Photos © Emily Ambrose, Natalie Hilty, and Abigail Hardy
