September 26, 2023
Published by

Where to Go & What to See: The 2023 AQHA Congress

Your complete guide to the best the All-American Quarter Horse Congress has to offer

That’s right, the world’s largest single-breed horse show is happening now…

And if you’re just as excited as we are, then you’re probably eager to learn all the juicy details and must-see events going on this fall.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place!

Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the 2023 All-American Quarter Horse Congress, including where to park, what to see, and, of course, where to find the BEMER booth!

Stop by Booth #524 for Better Equine Health, Recovery, & Performance

Throughout the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, we’ll be set up in the commercial exhibitor area at booth #524.

Our very own distributor, Kristine Nagy, will be hosting the booth, sharing information about BEMER, and providing live demonstrations.

Don’t be afraid to drop by and say hi!

While you’re there, feel free to ask Kristine why professional equestrians like Boyd Martin and AQHA champion Martha Josey use BEMER to elevate their horse’s performance and quality of life. You’ll be surprised by all the benefits that come with just twenty minutes of BEMER therapy a day.

And if you end up with your very own BEMER Horse-Set, you’ll have a priceless equine wellness tool in addition to the unforgettable memories you made at the AQHA Congress.

Tickets & Parking

Per the official website, admission to the All American Quarter Horse Congress is free, but you’ll need tickets to attend a couple of events this October.

These include the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA’s) Freestyle Reining competition and the Congress Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Series.

If you’re itching to see some reining or bull riding action, you can find tickets for these events at the links below:

Although you can attend most of the event for free, you’ll need to secure a parking spot with a one-day or whole-event parking pass.

*NOTE: If you buy a day pass, you’ll need to park your car north of 17th avenue to avoid getting towed!

If you’re in it for the long haul and purchase a whole-show pass, you can park south of 17th on the Fairgrounds property without worrying about getting towed.

Parking for the Quarter Horse Congress is managed by SP+ Parking, so if you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to them by phone at 614-294-9336.

Events You Won’t Want to Miss

Whether you want to see barrel racing, cowboys with guns on horseback, or puppies, the All American Quarter Horse Congress has something for you.

Stack your schedule with these must-see events for a show you’ll never forget!

The NRHA Freestyle Reining Competition

Picture in your mind what a regular reining competition looks like. Now, imagine the riders and horses clad in fun costumes while performing an impressive series of complex reining moves—all set to music.

That’s what’s in store for you at the NRHA Freestyle Reining competition we mentioned above.

If that sounds like a good time to you, you can pick up tickets here, and make sure to find your seat in the Coliseum by 5pm on Sunday, October 1st.

Congress Super Sale

If you’re on the market for a high-quality American Quarter Horse, the Congress Super Sale is the place to be. At this world-famous auction, you’ll have the chance to bid on Yearlings, Performance, and Working and Ranch horses.

The sale will be held on Saturday, October 14th, in the Lausche Sale Arena, with a working demonstration at 10am and the auction beginning at 2pm.

National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT)

Every year, the All-American Quarter Horse Congress brings young riders from all over the US and Canada together for the largest NYATT in the world.

Grab a seat at the Celeste Center at 7am on Sunday, October 15th, to watch heated team-based competition in a wide variety of classes—reining, barrel racing, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, western pleasure, showmanship, and western horsemanship—with an award ceremony after the final class to cap off the action.

Puppy Alley

Quarter Horses aren’t our only four-legged friends that get put in the spotlight at the AQHA congress.

Drop by the Annex anytime during the event to stroll down Puppy Alley, a place where proud owners can display their pups for all to see. It’s the perfect spot for dog lovers or anyone who wants a break from all the equine activities.

Want to display your beloved pup in Puppy Alley? Contact Joanne Taylor by email at  JTaylor@oqha.com or by phone at 614-505-7200 (ext 127).

Just a heads up, if you want to showcase your puppy, there are a few things you need to know :

  • You’ll need a current Health Certificate ready to go before arriving.
  • You’ll need to fill out a Puppy Alley Registration form, which you can find at the stall office.
  • You’ll be charged $20 per puppy per day.

Cowboy Mounted Shooting

Want to see professional gunslingers in action? Then get to the Celeste Center by 8:30am on Sunday, October 22nd, for the AQHA Cowboy Mounted Shooting competition.

In an adrenaline-fueled show of skill, participants will test their accuracy on horseback with revolvers, shotguns, and rifles, attempting to clear as many targets as possible before time runs out.

It’s an exciting way to close out your AQHA experience!

Looking for the Daily Schedule?

If you want the full scoop, you can find the daily schedule for the All-American Quarter Horse Congress here.

We hope to see you there!

Comments are closed.