Quarter Horse Congress Visits Capitol Square

On Wednesday, October 4, Capitol Square got a taste of western culture when the All American Quarter Horse Congress paid a visit to the Ohio Statehouse, bringing four American Quarter Horses to the steps of the President William McKinley monument. 

A press conference was held, featuring remarks from Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge, and Ohio Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) CEO Dr. Scott Myers. Also in attendance were NBC4 anchor Monica Day, Ohio Expo Center General Manager Virgil Strickler and Assistant General Manager Alicia Shoults, OQHA Executive Vice President of Operations Justin Billings, OQHA President George Seanor, Congress Tri-Chairmen Chris Darnell and Kelli Diaz, Congress Queen Kylie Good, and multiple other OQHA staff and youth members.

2023 marks the 56th annual All American Quarter Horse Congress, all of which have called Columbus home. The Congress welcomes a staggering 650,000 people and 7,500 horses to the Ohio Expo Center and generates over $400 million each year for the central Ohio economy. During the press conference, all the speakers emphasized the profound impact of the Congress and the equine industry on Ohio and its economy. True to horse show tradition, the event ended with a buckle presentation to Lt. Governor Husted, Director Mihalik, and Director Baldridge, by OQHA youth members Aviana Nemeth and Colton Smith.

The Ohio Quarter Horse Association extends its gratitude to all who attended the press conference and deeply appreciates their time and commitment to making the All American Quarter Horse Congress the largest horse show in the world and allowing it to continue to call Columbus, Ohio home.