OQHA has released some preliminary information about the 2017 Congress. I have taken the information given and made a mini show program. Stay tuned for updates to the program as more information from OQHA is released!
2. Table of Contents
Welcome ................................................1
Fast Facts .............................................4
History ......................................................5
Special Events ....................................7
At a Glance ........................................16
Thank you 2016 for a
great year to celebrate
the
50th Anniversary
of
The All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
3. Welcome to
The All
American
Quarter
Horse
CONGRESS
October 5-29, 2017
Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio
717 East 17th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43211
OQHA Office in Richwood
Phone: 740-943-2346
Fax: 740-943-3752
E-mail: OhioQH123@oqha.com
Parking
Single Day: $25 PER VEHICLE
Entire Show: $70 PER VEHICLE
*** Daily parking on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednes-
days is only $15***
Please note that there is no additional charge for park-
ing. Admission includes access to all events except for
Cinch Freestyle Reining, Equine Chronicle Congress
Masters Event and the Congress Cutting Event.
Contact Standard Parking with questions:
614-294-9336
4. The All American
Quarter Horse
Congress is the
largest single breed
horse show in
the world
There are over 21,000
horse show entries
The show attracts more
than 650,000 people to the
Columbus area
Nearly $3 million is given
away in cash and prizes,
including trucks, trailers,
trophy saddles, sterling
silver buckles and the cov-
eted Don Bell bronze tro-
phies
The largest Collegiate and
Youth Judging contest is
held at the Congress, with
more than 60 teams of
college students, 4-H, FFA
and Quarter Horse youth
members
200 registered Quarter
Horses are sold at the
Congress Super Sale
Email Subscriptions of over
11,000 people
Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram followers of over
47,000 and growing daily
Financial Impact
of the
Equine Industry
9.2 million horses in the
United States, 307,000
of which are located in Ohio
More than 70 percent, of
215,000, horses in Ohio are
involved in showing and
recreation
4.6 million people are in-
volved in the horse industry
in some way.
This means one out of
every 63 Americans is
involved with horses
Direct economic effect on
U.S. is $39 billion annually
Indirect economic impact:
$102 billion when the
multiplier effect of spending
by industry suppliers and
employees is taken into
account
The industry
provides 460,000 full time
jobs, 12,700 of which
are in Ohio. Spending by
suppliers and employees
generates additional jobs in
Ohio, for a total employment
impact of 42,700
The equine industry’s
economic impact on
Ohio ranks eighth in the
nation in state econom-
ic impact
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
FastFacts
5. At the May 1966 Ohio Quarter Horse Association board meeting, the late Blair Folck,
owner of National Equine Sales and an OQHA past president, reported on his attendance at
the Charolais Cattle Congress in St. Louis, Missouri. Folck raved about the success of the
show, and stated that the enormity of the state-sponsored cattle event dwarfed any promo-
tional events that the national association had ever done. He further predicted that the same
type of program could be adapted to Quarter Horses and hosted by OQHA.
His idea was received with mixed emotions by the board. Many people were excited
about the idea, but others were concerned about the financial liability. OQHA had only $3,500
in the treasury and in 1965 the directors had passed the hat to raise funds to buy the associ-
ation a typewriter. An exploratory committee was established to review the feasibility of the
project and the board spent nearly six months considering the pros and cons of hosting the
Congress. After deliberating and reviewing its options, the board agreed at an emergency
board meeting in January 1967 to host the Congress under one condition: $10,000 was to
be raised before May 1, 1967 or the show would be cancelled. Dr. W.P. “Pete” Drake, OQHA
president for the first three Congress shows, and Folck began presenting the idea of the
Congress to individuals and groups and worked on obtaining commercial exhibit agreements
to attend the show. Numerous chairmen and committees began working in earnest.
Blair Folck
Dr. W.P. “Pete” Drake
With much more than the $10,000 goal in signed
contracts, the association decided to proceed with the first
annual All American Quarter Horse Congress November
3-5, 1967 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio.
Registration was $20 for three days, $15 for Saturday and
Sunday and $5 for Sunday only.
“There would be no free rides,” wrote Dr. Drake. “We
had heard a report that the National Reining Horse Associa-
tion had incurred a $4,000 debt in their effort to put on their
first Futurity in 1966 and we surely did not want to duplicate
their errors. We decreed that every trustee - working or not
- must pay his own admission to attend. Everyone must also
pay their own expenses, i.e., hotel, transportation, etc.” More
than 5,000 horsemen and women came to the first Congress
and the event was a hit, netting the association $15,000
over its three-day run.
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
History
How the Congress Began
6. More than 40 years old now, the Congress is still a hit and its success has led to
many additional services and events for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. After Congress
paperwork outgrew three rooms in Dr. Drake’s Richwood, Ohio home, office space in the
Union County village was rented and eventually an executive secretary was hired to manage
the show.
Now, the Congress is known as the world’s largest single-breed horse show, boasting
more than 17,000 entries annually and housing nearly 6,000 registered American Quarter
Horses during its three-week duration.
Jerry Wells and Boston Mac at the 1972 Congress
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
History
7. The All American
Quarter Horse Congress
is constantly striving to
come up with new ways
to promote the American
Quarter Horse. In 2004, the
concept to offer a slot class
specifically to showcase
the natural talent of the
industry’s best two-year-
olds became a reality. The
Congress Masters program
began with one class, West-
ern Pleasure but quickly
expanded. In 2006, Hunter
Under Saddle was added to
the Masters program.
In 2013, Limited awards
were added to both Western
Pleasure and Hunter Under
Saddle.
At the beginning
of each class, slots were
opened up for sale, with slot
owners purchasing their
slot for life. Each year, slot
owners must pay nomina-
tion and sustaining fees to
maintain ownership of their
slot. Current slot owners
may lease their slot if they
do not have a horse to show
for the current year. Each
year, some slots become
available for sale. If you are
interested in purchasing
a slot, please contact the
OQHA office after the 2015
Congress.
In 2010, The
Equine Chronicle came on
board as the presenting
sponsor for the Western
Pleasure and Hunter Under
Saddle Masters classes.
The limited awards are
sponsored by Cinch.
Congress Masters Event The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
8. Often compared
to a figure skater’s perfor-
mance, the Weaver Leather
Freestyle Reining competi-
tion combines the athletics
and finesse of Reining
moves with the melodies
of popular music in one of
the Congress’ most popular
events. Competitors (and
their mounts) often wear
costumes and may include
props and actors in their
performances.
Congress Free Style Reining
Congratulations
to NRHA Open Freestyle
Reining Champion, Ms
White Cinch, ridden by
Shannon Quinlan, owned
by Angela Ream.
2016 Performance
Congratulations
to NRHA Non-Pro Freestyle
Reining Champion Stop
Sparkie N Spin, ridden by
Frederick Win, owned by
Frederick Win.
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
9. Congress Cutting Event
Mercuria NCHA World Series
of Cutting
The Congress Cutting Event is
comprised of two events running back to
back: the Mercuria NCHA World Series of
Cutting and Cinch Bridleless Cutting.
In the Mercuria NCHA World Series
of Cutting, $25,000 will be added to
the Open Cutting and $25,000 will be
added to the Non-Pro Cutting. All monies
for these events will count toward the
2015 NCHA World Champion titles. There
will be one go-round and a clean slate
final. 25 percent of entries will advance
to the finals. These events will be judged
by three judges and payback will be as
recommended for the World Series of
Cutting events.
Congratulations to 2016 Mercu-
ria NCHA World Series of Cutting Open
Champion Reyzin, ridden by Phil Rapp,
owned by Gale Force Quarter Horse.
Congratulations to 2016 Mercu-
ria NCHA World Series of Cutting Non-Pro
Champion Light N Lily, ridden by Kaitlyn
Wimberly, owned by William Martin.
Cinch Bridleless Cutting
The top three high-scoring horses
that do not make the finals of the Mercuria
NCHA World Series of Cutting in both the open
and non-pro divisions will be eligible to com-
pete in the Cinch Bridleless Cutting. A purse
of $2,500 will be up for grabs in the open and
non-pro. If a horse declines invitation, the next
highest score will be invited to participate.
There will be a $140 cattle charge, as well as
a $30 office fee. The purse will pay 50%, 30%
and 20%.
Congratulations to 2016 Cinch
Bridleless Cutting Open Champion: Once You
Go Black, ridden by Cullen Chartier, owned by
Alexis Stephas.
Congratulations to 2015 Cinch Bridle-
less Cutting Non-Pro Champion Scoot Over
Here, ridden by Mike Bowman, owned by Page
Bowman.
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
10. The PBR at the Congress
The PBR returns to the All American
Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.
The PBR Touring Pro event will rock the
Coliseum at the Ohio State Fairgrounds on
Friday, October 14, 2016 at 7:00 PM. Every
seat in the Coliseum puts you right on top of
the action where the world’s best bull riders
will square off against the world’s toughest
bulls.
This will be one of the last events
before the PBR World Finals held in Las Vegas.
The Columbus event will showcase some of
the nation’s top bull riders; watch them go for
the challenge of an 8 second ride on the back
of a fierce, unrelenting, rank bucking bull. The
points earned at this event will help determine
who qualifies for the PBR World Finals.
Why not plan on spending the
weekend?
Join us in Columbus on Friday, October 14, for the
PBR Touring Pro, watch the action, meet some bull
riders and stay for the after party.
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
11. Congress Puppy Alley
NEW for 2016!
Puppy Alley will
move to Cardinal Hall.
Cardinal Hall is the newest
building on the Ohio Expo
grounds and is located just
west of the old Puppy Alley
tent. Space is first come
first serve. All personal
items must be removed
from the building overnight.
2016 Congress
Puppy Alley
Requirements
Participants are
required to complete a
Puppy Alley Registration
Form. Registration forms
are available at the stall of-
fice. An Ohio Quarter Horse
Association representative
will collect the registration
form when you arrive at
Puppy Alley. Participants are
required to display puppies
in the designated Puppy
Alley area only. Partici-
pants will occupy individual
spaces within Puppy Alley.
Spaces will be available
on a daily first come, first
served basis. No puppies
less than 8 weeks of age
will be permitted on Puppy
Alley. All puppies must have
a current Health Certificate
prior to arriving at Puppy
Alley. Health certificates
must be available for in-
spection every day you plan
to participate in Puppy Alley.
All puppies are subject to
examination by Congress
designated veterinarians.
The Congress designated
veterinarian will have the
final say as to a puppy’s
suitability to participate in
Puppy Alley. Participants
will be charged $20.00 per
puppy, per day.
There will be a
representative at Puppy Ally
to assist with check in.
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
12. Congress Super Sale
10:00 am • Saturday, October 22, 2016 • Lausche Building
The Congress
Super Sale is an auction of
the highest caliber; a place
to purchase some of the
best quality American Quar-
ter Horses in the industry.
The Congress Super Sale
began as part of the very
first All American Quarter
Horse Congress in 1967
and has been a staple of
the show ever since.
Every year nearly 200
horses are sold, providing
buyers with the opportu-
nity to bid on young show
prospects, seasoned show
horses, broodmares and
stallions. Many horses sold
at the Congress Super Sale
have gone on to become
Congress and World cham-
pions.
The gross sales
figure of $889,100 shows
an increase of $68,300,
or 8%, over 2014 for the
horses that came to the
Super Sale. The completed
sales tallied 87% of the
horses sold, up 2% from
last year. The average price
for the horses sold this year
is $6,261.27.
While lower than in 2014,
the figure is still stronger
than the 2013 average
price per horse of $5,619.
This year, five of
the consigned horses were
sold prior to the auction for
a total of $100,000 and an
average price of $20,000.
These horses were with-
drawn from the auction and
not included in the figures of
the paragraph above.
“The Congress
Super Sale strives to offer
buyers a marketplace for
quality horses where they
can be comfortable the
horses they bid on are really
for sale,” explains Mike Jen-
nings. “This also shows that
the promotion that comes
with consigning horses to
the Congress Super Sale
has the power to sell quality
horses.”
The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
13. The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
Congress Queen’s Contest
Each Quarter
Horse Association may
select one queen candidate
to represent them at the All
American Quarter Horse
Congress. The candidate
must be 18 to 25 years of
age as of January 1, 2015
and not be married, di-
vorced or a parent.
Judging will be based
on the following
criteria:
40% ORAL INTERVIEW
Judged by out-
standing people in the
field on candidate’s poise,
appearance and personal-
ity. Candidates will also be
judged for interview based
on an impromptu question
and 1 minute speech at
the Welcome Reception on
Tuesday evening.
The 1 minute speech is to
be rehearsed and well-pre-
pared by each candidate
to introduce themselves to
the group and tell about the
association that they are
representing. Points will be
deducted for any contes-
tant going over 1 minute.
40% WRITTEN TEST
Knowledge of
horses and the breed. All
questions will be taken from
the current year’s AQHA
Official Handbook of Rules
and Regulations.
20% HORSEMANSHIP
Judged by a panel
of judges. The class will
consist of performing a
pattern and rail work; bal-
ance of the class at judges’
discretion to prove superior
horsemanship.
All candidates will
be given a score in each
portion of the contest that
will determine the overall
results. Top ten medallions
will be given out, however
overall results will be based
on total points earned not
top ten placings.
Additional awards
will be presented for Miss
Congeniality and Miss
Photogenic.
14. The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
Congress Lecture Series
Friday, October 14th @
3pm
Return Home Safely: How
to Keep your Horse Healthy
During Transport and at
Shows
Presented by: Drs. Yardley
& Burns, The Ohio State
University, College of Veteri-
nary Medicine
Saturday, October 15th
@ 3pm
Top 10 Management
Practices to Increase the
Profitability of your Equine
Business
Presented by: Robert Fari-
nacci, Attorney at Law
Sunday, October 16th
@ 1pm
Understanding Hind Limb
Lameness
Presented by: Dr. Jim
Hassinger, Hassinger
Equine Sports Medicine
Sunday, October 16th
@ 3pm
NSBA Workshop: How to I
mprove your Showmanship/
Horsemanship/Equitation
Score
Presented by: Stephanie
Lynn
Saturday, October
22nd @ 11am
Effective Collection and
Shipment of Cooled
Semen
Presented by: Dr. Jerry
Black, Colorado State
University, College of Veteri-
nary Medicine & Biomedical
Sciences
Saturday, October
22nd @ 12pm
Strategies for
Successfully Breeding
Low Fertility Mares
Presented by: Dr. Marco
Coutinho da Silva, The Ohio
State University, College of
Veterinary Medicine
Saturday, October
22nd @ 4pm
Developing your Horse’s
Back: the Biomechanics
of Engagement
Presented by: Joanna Rob-
son, DVM, and Karen Losh-
baugh, Equitopia Center
Sunday, October 23rd
@ 11am
Management Tips for
Lowering the Risk of
Equine Colic
Presented by: Jessica
Norman, National Director
of Equine Health Education,
Smartpak
Sunday, October 23rd
@ 1pm
The Equine Digestive
System: the Key to your
Horse’s Appearance,
Attitude, and Performance
Presented by: Dr. Ryan Zim-
merman, Westview Veteri-
nary Hospital, Inc.
Friday, October 28th @
3pm
Barn Fire! Emergency
Preparedness is Key to
Saving Lives
Presented by: Ken Klouda,
Assistant Chief, Ohio Fire
Prevention Bureau, State
Fire Marshal
All lectures will
be held in the
Congress
Lecture Hall/
The Corral
15. The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
SpecialEvents
Congress Demonstration Series
Tuesday, October 11th
@ 5pm
National Reining Horse
Association 50th
Anniversary Jubilee
Presented by: NRHA
Location: Celeste Arena
Thursday, October
13th @ 1pm
Cutting
Presented by: Chubby
Turner & Friends
Location: Coliseum Arena
Friday, October 14th @
5pm
Western Pleasure
Presented by: Angie
Cannizzaro
Location: Cooper Arena
Saturday, October 15th
@ 11am
Halter
Presented by: Tom
Robertson
Location: Cooper Arena
Saturday, October 15th
@ 5pm
Trail
Presented by: Ryan
Cottingim
Location: Cooper Arena
Tuesday, October 18th
@ 1:30pm
Judging Hunter Hack
Presented by: Jerry
Erickson
Location: Cooper Arena
Friday, October 21st @
6pm
English Equitation
Presented by: Shannon
McCulloch
Location: Cooper Arena
Saturday, October
22nd @ 2pm
Hunter Under Saddle
Presented by: Alyse Roberts
Location: Cooper Arena
Saturday, October
22nd @ 5pm
Classical Foundation
Training
Presented by: Equitopia with
Nancy Sue Ryan
Location: Cooper Arena
Sunday, October 23rd
@ 3pm
Showmanship
Presented by: Gene
Spagnola
Location: Cooper Arena
Friday, October 28th @
6pm
Barrel Racing
Presented by: Taylor Young
& Danyelle Campbell
Location: Cooper Arena
16. The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
AtAGlance • Para Reining
• NRHA Novice Horse Open Level 1
• NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1
• NRHA Green Reiner Level 2
• Congress Open Cutting Futurity
• Congress Non Pro Cutting Futurity
• Heroes on Horses Walk-Trot Supported
• Heroes on Horses Walk-Trot Indepen-
dent
• EWD Walk-Trot Hunter Under Saddle
Independent & NSBA
• EWD Walk-Trot Hunt Seat Equitation
Independent & NSBA
• Small Fry Hunter Under Saddle & NSBA
• Novice Amateur Select Horsemanship
& NSBA
• Novice Amateur Select Western Plea-
sure & NSBA
• NYATT Hunt Seat Equitation & NSBA
• Novice Amateur Select Hunt Seat Equi-
tation & NSBA
• Novice Amateur Select Showmanship
& NSBA
• Novice Amateur Select Hunter Under
Saddle & NSBA
• 4 & 5 Year Old Open Trail Stakes &
NSBA
• Year Old Open Trail Stakes & NSBA
New Classes Added at the Congress
There were several new classes that were added to the Congress in 2016:
17. The
All American
Quarter Horse
Congress
AtAGlance
Important Congress Dates
Friday, October 14th
PBR Touring Pro
Saturday, October
15th
Freestyle Reining
Presented by: Weaver
Leather
Saturday, October
22nd
Congress Super Sale
Saturday, October
22nd
Congress Youth Bash
Saturday, October
29th
Congress 2-Year-Old
Masters Western Plea-
sure Presented by: Equine
Chronicle
Saturday, October
29th
Congress 2-Year-Old
Masters Hunter Under
Saddle Presented by:
Equine Chronicle
Thursday, October
13th
Mercuria NCHA World
Series of Cutting & Cinch
Bridleless Cutting
Book your stay now to
see the most talented
horses and riders in the
business!
18. • The All American Quarter Horse Congress • www.quarterhorsecongress.com •