For the first time in over half a century, there will be no All-American Quarter Horse Congress. No championship jackets. No crowded shopping in Congress Hall. No long lines to longe. No puppy alley.

The Congress made the announcement on its website this afternoon. It stated: The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic simply prevents safely moving forward in Columbus Ohio. The well-being of our workers, exhibitors and attendees is our highest priority and based on the information we have today, the risk is simply too great. Thank you for understanding this difficult decision.

“It is a sad day with the cancellation of the 2020 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Hearing all the concerns from the local and state health departments, and the CDC, it was the right decision to make to keep people safe and healthy,” said Dr. Scott Myers, CEO of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. “It is disappointing to all who worked tirelessly in preparation for this year’s Congress, and I want to personally thank you for your continued support. I look forward to the biggest and best Congress ever in 2021.”

The first Quarter Horse Congress was presented by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association Nov. 3-5 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. More than 5,000 horsemen attended and the event raised $15,000 for the association.

Since then it has grown to become the world’s largest single-breed horse show, boasting more than 23,000 entries annually and housing nearly 6,000 registered American Quarter Horses during its three-week duration. The show traditionally attracts more than 650,000 people to the Columbus area and generates $409 million for the central Ohio economy.

Even though trainers, owners, exhibitors, vendors and others working in the horse industry all have understood for some time that the cancellation of the Congress was a possibility, the news of a final decision hit hard.

“I think it’s very unfortunate and feel the show could have been managed or moved to help an industry that has been so affected,” said Amy Gumz, who owns and operates Gumz Farms in Morganfield, Kentucky and stands AQHA stallions It’s a Southern Thing and No Doubt Im Lazy.

Obviously, we use the Congress for stallion and horse marketing,” she said. “We are major consignors in the Congress sale as well as have horses that are being shown in the futurities. I think the lack of the fall momentum going into breeding season is going to have a devastating effect.”

Georgia trainer Trisha Yamber, a member of the National Snaffle Bit Association’s Quarter Million Dollar Rider Club, has been competing at the Congress since the early 1980s and has been attending even longer.

“I was always there with my sister (Renee Myers) when she was showing as a youth,” she said. “I’m sorry to hear this year’s Congress has been canceled but I don’t think it will impact the event long-term. I think people will be even more excited for next year if they can’t go this year. But, I do think they should offer a 4-year-old class for those horses that will miss competing in their 3-year-old class this year.”

Becky Galyean, of Purcell, Oklahoma, said canceling the Congress was the right thing to do.

“I believe it is the right decision due to the facility we would be at,” she said. “I see a lot of 2-year-olds being held back that would have been shown at the Congress. Perhaps there will be even more maiden events happening next year.”

Texas Non-pro competitor Hillary Roberts said she understands the decision to cancel the Congress was not an easy one.

“I know Congress (managers) have thought long and hard about the best way to move forward for the safety of exhibitors and staff,” she said.

Oklahoma trainer Alyse Roberts understands the dilemma of making such an important decision.

“It’s such a huge, long show with people coming from all over,” she said. “It’s a pretty big financial loss for me, as I made money on the haul out there. Most the other big shows are close to me (Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Fort Worth).

It’s going to be tough on the owners of futurity horses that have spent money training, advertising and strategy, Alyse said.

“But I also feel for the youth kids, the last year for Small Fry competitors, 13 & Under and the last year of Youth in the 14-18 divisions,” she explained. “I feel for everyone on the board trying to make the decisions. I’m sure it’s tough! But with as crazy as this year has been, I feel like we all had the thought in the back of our mind that it was a possibility that it could be canceled.”

Trainers and exhibitors are not the only one impacted by the cancellation of the Congress. About 250 vendors, selling all types of equine-related items, set up across seven acres at the Ohio Expo Center for the show each year. Elizabeth Brewer, owner of Boo Yah Custom Clothing said the decision to cancel the Congress is significant for the entire equine industry.

“I cannot imagine many are surprised at this point,” she said. “Strictly from a vendor’s perspective, many focus on this show to make or break their year and typically bring in large amounts of inventory they do not typically carry year-round. We are fortunate that we have been able to hold off preparing those large inventory plans solely for the Congress and I hope the other vendors have had the same luxury. It is a significant blow for us purely from a sales perspective but we agree wholeheartedly it was the best decision at the time.”

Putting on the massive event has not always been smooth sailing. Unpredictable weather, disputes with the Ohio Expositions Commission over facilities and challenges from other horse shows have often threatened the future of the institution but in the end the Congress has always prevailed.

Then along came Covid-19, an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. To date there have been 4.1 million cases in the United States and just shy of 145,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Horse shows of all breeds and disciplines across the United States came to a screeching halt as states imposed shutdowns.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) canceled its National Convention and last week announced it will postpone its Amateur Select World Championship Show. It is going forward with its Youth World Show July 29 to Aug. 8 in Oklahoma City.

The Palomino Horse Breeders of America postponed its World Championship Show from July to September. The American Paint Horse Association opted not to run its Youth World Show but rather to run it concurrently with the Open/Amateur World Show, Sept. 18 to Oct. 4, in Fort Worth, Texas. The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) canceled its National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Appaloosa Youth World Show and will the Youth World Show classes at the ApHC World Show, Oct. 29 to Nov. 8, in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We are surprised to learn of the cancellation of this year’s Congress. The Palomino Horse Breeders of America, an AQHA Affiliate organization, has had a presence there with our informational booth since 2010.” said PBHA General Manager Terri Green. “Our association did postpone the 2020 World Championship Show, traditionally held in July for Youth, Amateur and Open competitors, so we understand the challenges associated with planning events during these unusual times. We have moved our World Championship Show to Sept. 17-26 in Springfield, Illinois and as of today we are moving forward with those plans.”

Many Ohio shows were canceled in the spring when Ohio, which was one of the early states to lock down. But in recent weeks, there has been some hope that shows could return, albeit in a new normal with face masks, extra sanitation measures and social distancing. After moving its dates from May to July, The Madness Quarter Horse Show Circuit just concluded at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio. Other organizations across the United States that did present shows in June and July, including the Redbud Spectacular in Oklahoma, Tar Heel Summer Circuit in Raleigh, North Carolina, Stars N Stripes in Conyers, Georgia and Summer Madness in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, all reported record numbers of entries in the last two months.

But last week new concerns erupted over Ohio’s increasing Covid-19 cases and increases in younger people and Governor Mike DeWine announced that starting July 23 at 6 p.m., a statewide mask mandate would go into effect for all citizens living in all 88 Ohio counties. He also said that those traveling from one of the nine states reporting Covid-19 testing rates of 15% or higher – Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas – should self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel. 

According to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Columbus is one of 11 cities across the country that are considered coronavirus hotspots.

“We have seven states right now with less than 2% test positivity. Ohio is almost to seven so this is why we’re concerned, and this is why we believe that if every Ohioan acts now, they can change the course of this pandemic,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Other Options

Many trainers and exhibitors are now making last-minute plans to attend shows elsewhere around the country where they are permitted.

The Arizona Quarter Horse Association this year opted to add a new circuit – the Pinnacle Circuit behind its popular Fall Championship.

“With so many horse shows canceled in 2020, the enthusiasm for expanding the Arizona Fall Championship is enormous and the timing couldn’t be better,” organizers said. “The popular show held Sept. 26-29 at WestWorld in Scottsdale will be followed by The Pinnacle Circuit which runs Oct. 1-4. Exhibitors can show at one or both. It’s a great way to get 10 AQHA shows in just one trip.”

Hillary Roberts said her family’s Capital Quarter Horses will now attend the Scottsdale shows.

“We will be sad to miss the Congress but Doug Huls and the Arizona Quarter Horse Association will put on a great show for us in Scottsdale,” she said.

Gil Galyean Quarter Horses is also now making plans to show in Arizona instead.

“We will go to the Arizona Fall Classic,” Becky Galyean said.

Yamber said it’s too soon after the news of the cancelation of the Congress for her to say what her next move will be.

“I don’t have plans to go anywhere else, but who knows what they will come up with,” she said. “I do know one thing though….it will hurt all trainers financially.”

Alyse Roberts will also regroup.

“I will look at other shows and see what options there are,” she said. “We are talking about the Arizona Championships and I’m still hoping the Paint world will still be a go.. but time will tell.”

Brewer said Boo Yah’s west coast distributor, Wendy Brown, of Show Me Again, will have new and exciting Boo Yah Inventory at the Arizona Fall Championship and the Pinnacle circuits in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Vendors

Kevin Marcus Garcia, specializes in the design of one-of-a-kind show apparel for the horse show industry. His garments are showcased at the Kathy Williams Tail Extensions booth at the Congress. He said since he has a strong online presence and his designs are popular across breeds so the Congress is not essential for him.

“I personally was not planning on attending anyway, however, I was going to send clothes with Kathy,” Garcia said. “I’m already booking for next year and have instituted payment plans as a way for people to plan ahead.” 

Sale               

The 2020 Congress Super Sale will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17 as an internet auction. The auction is produced by Professional Horse Services LLC, for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. Entry forms and the internet preview of the sale can be found at https://prohorseservices.com.

For additional information on the Quarter Horse Congress visit http://www.quarterhorsecongress.com

(Courtney Borton Ament and Katie Navarra also contributed to this report.)