By Andi Ridgway, Reporter ArQHA
The 2007 All-American Quarter Horse Congress, the World's Largest Single-Breed Horse Show, is
history. The show attracted more than 16,000 horse show entries, housed 8,500 registered American
Quarter Horses over 3 weeks, attracted more than 650,000 people to the Columbus area, and brought
more than $110 million to the central Ohio economy.
The Congress has something for everyone: an AQHA-approved Quarter Horse show, AQHA-approved
racing events, more than seven acres of equine-related commercial exhibits, a youth tournament, horse
bowl, hippology, demonstration, public speaking contests, collegiate and 4-H/FFA horse judging contest,
educational demonstrations and lectures, a queen contest, the Super Sale horse auction, Million Dollar
Stallion Avenue, and the Professional Bull Rider tour at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus. Most
attendees say that no matter how you describe it, the Congress is a show you have to experience to
truly understand.
The Ohio Quarter Horse Association founded the All American Quarter Horse Congress in 1967 as an
event to showcase and promote the American Quarter Horse, and to educate horse owners about the
care, training and showing of horses. The show has continued under OQHA's sponsorship for more than
40 years, and is managed by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association's elected officers and directors as well
as three elected Congress Tri-Chairman.
Several Arkansans attended this year’s Quarter Horse Congress. We also had two youth teams
represent us in the Youth Team Tournament. Those placing at the Congress included: Maggie Kerola
in Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, Lane Smith in Youth Poles (14-18), Kyle Fuller in Youth
Reining (14-18) and NYATT Reining, Barbara Aitken in Novice Youth Reining, Shelby Ridgway in Youth
Showmanship (11 and under), and Wren Myers in Youth Trail (12-14) and Novice Youth Trail (13 and
under).
Classy Invitation, owned and shown by Joe Prause, was named Reserve Congress Champion in
Amateur Performance Halter Geldings. Hope By Invitation, owned by Jerry and Vickie Strickland and
exhibited by EH Pait was named Congress Champion in Senior Western Pleasure and Reserve
Champion in the Non-Pro Western Pleasure Maturity. A Dream Remembered owned and shown by
Nickey Pearson, Jr. was named Reserve Congress Champion in the 3 year old Snaffle Bit Derby.
At press time the best American Quarter Horses at competing at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City for
the chance to become a world champion and share more than $2.6 million in cash and awards. From
halter to reining and jumping to trail, the Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open AQHA World
Championship Show is the event for those who love and appreciate the athletic ability and beauty of the
American Quarter Horse. Results will be in next month’s article.
NEWSFLASH - The number of points needed to qualify for the 2008 Youth World has been cut by one-
third in each class. For example in 2007 it took 36 points to be national qualified in Western Pleasure;
in 2008, this number has been decreased to 24. Barrel Racing points have changed from 19 to 12.5.
The National qualifying period started May 1, 2007 and runs through April 30, 2008.
Each state will be able to send 4 state qualifiers instead of the normal 2 contestants in each class.
According to AQHA this change has been made to enable more youth to participate in the world show.
Because of the move to Oklahoma City, this increase in participants will be possible.
Be sure to check out our website at www.arkansasquarterhorse.com. Members should have recently
received a newsletter with the year-end ArQHA points. Year-end awards will be presented to the Top 6
in each event that have at least 10 points in the event. High Point and All-Around winners will also
received special awards. Details on the banquet will be forthcoming.