Just A Couple of Fun Congress Pictures...

Smiles that melt my heart.

Pugsly had his own little basket to ride in while cruising around in the golf cart.

The smallest saddle I've ever seen...

Cristino looks ready to ride.  He just needs some boots.

Haley eating fake grapes in a horse trailer.

My dream truck.  A girl can dream right?

It's Good To Be The Queen

The Quarter Horse Congress Queen that is...

The Quarter Horse Congress was AWESOME as always.  I feel like a fish in water there. There are beautiful horses, trucks, trailers, clothes, dogs, and shopping galore.  I totally didn't want to leave, a week just wasn't enough.  We got to go to all of the demonstrations that we had planned, and I feel so energized.  

For those of you who are not familiar with the Congress, it is the world's largest single breed horse show held each year for three weeks in Columbus, Ohio.  

The Quarter Horse Congress is all glitz and glam with nothing being more glamorous than being awarded the title of Congress Queen.

How it works:

Each association can choose one queen candidate. 

 

Judging selections are based on the following criteria:

a. 40% Oral Interview. Judged by outstanding people in the field on candidate's poise, appearance and personality.

b. 40% Written Test. Knowledge of horses and the breed. All questions taken from the 2008 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

c. 20% Horsemanship. Judged by a panel of judges.The class will consist of performing a pattern and rail work; balance of the class at judges' discretion to prove superior horsemanship

Now for my favorite part, the prizes!  I took some pictures of the Queen's prizes.  Yes, that is a horse trailer!  It's good to be the Queen.  



A bed fit for a Queen. Along with paintings, belt buckles, clothing, boots, jewelry, saddles, pads, horse products...



Can you see the motorized cooler?  Not only will the Queen always have a cold drink, but she can ride on it too!  How cool is that?

The All American Quarter Horse Congress

It's that time of the year again!   The All American Quarter Horse Congress at the Ohio State Expo Center is just days away.  

"The All American Quarter Horse Congress is the World's Largest Single-Breed Horse Show. The show receives more than 16,000 horse show entries and will house more than 8,500 registered American Quarter Horses during its three-week schedule. The Congress attracts more than 650,000 people to the Columbus area, bringing more than $110 million to the central Ohio economy."

The Quarter Horse Congress Officially begins on October 4, 2008.  Classes start October 5  and end on October 26 with the trade show running from October 9 - October 26. 

Fredi  and I are really excited to take Cristino to his first major horse show.  We'll be there October 10 - October 16.   We may end up staying an extra day because I would like to see the longe line demonstration on October 17.

For those of you who will be there if you see us be sure to say hello.  We're also taking the Pug but he's a Congress veteran.  I would really like to blog the Quarter Horse Congress live but since we are camping at the Ohio Expo Center, I am not sure I will be able to have wifi.  I have some blog posts scheduled ahead of time in case we don't have Internet access...

Here is a list of demonstrations we will be attending:

Saturday, October 11 - 10:00 a.m.
Halter
Randy Jacobs

Saturday, October 11 - 12:00 p.m. *
Reining – Sponsored by Nutrena
Dan Huss

Sunday, October 12 - 1:00 p.m.
Western Pleasure
Chris and Melissa Jones

Tuesday, October 14 - 10:00 a.m.
Horsemanship
Brad and Valerie Kearns

Tuesday, October 14 - 1:00 p.m.
Intercollegiate Judging Competition Demonstration
“Judging the Halter Horse”
Kathy Smallwood

Wednesday, October 15 - 10:00 a.m.
Trail
Suzy Jeane and Patty Campbell

We will not be attending the Freestyle Reining Competition, on October 11, but we will catch the practice on Saturday Morning.   

For the complete show schedule click HERE.

For those of you showing this year, Good Luck!

Deanna