Feb 27, 2005 By Dave Zuchowski For The 2 min read

Each October, more than 650,000 spectators and hundreds of quarter-horse owners from almost every state and 13 to 15 countries converge on Columbus, Ohio, for the annual All-American Quarter Horse Congress. In what is basically a three-week-long continuous show of more than 8,500 competing horses vying for position in more than 250 events, the Congress uses every standing structure on the Ohio State Expo Center supplemented by tents and other temporary structures.

Several local quarter-horse owners make the 31/2-hour trek to Columbus to compete.

“What is unique about the Congress is that you don’t have to qualify your horse to participate,” said Connie Lechleitner, spokeswoman for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. “That’s one of the reasons why it’s the largest single breed show in the world.”

To further encourage owners, many corporate sponsors donate products as prizes – everything from horse trailers and trophy saddles to spurs, jewelry and art work.

Each class winner also comes away with a bronze trophy.

The top 15 winners of the reining futurity class also get cash prizes, including a top prize of $25,000.

To qualify, a horse must be nominated for the competition in April, and the owner must make three payments totaling $800 in the hope that his or her horse will win the class in October.

“There’s a certain prestige that comes from winning at the world’s largest show,” said Lechleitner. “With our show’s huge numbers, there’s a great deal of honor showered on the owners who just make the semifinals.”

“However, the congress is the only show to have more than just horses,” she continued. “The founders also wanted the event to have an educational component, so they included lectures and demonstrations in the program.”

The Congress also features Million Dollar Stallion Avenue, a section of the fairgrounds where stallions are on display for potential breeders to look over.

The grounds also include a commercial exhibition area where everything from horse trailer manufacturers and western gear purveyors to equine jewelers and artists set up shop.

“We usually have close to 250 exhibitors,” said Lechleitner.

“If you’re looking for anything with a horse theme, you’ll probably find it here.”

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This year, the 48th annual All-American Quarter Horse Congress is scheduled from Oct. 2-23. A one-time admission or a three-week pass is available for a fee.

For more information, phone 740-943-2346 or visit the Web site www.oqha.com.