ULTIMATE CONGRESS GIVEAWAY WINNER: TAYLOR RUSSELL

Taylor is 25 years old, and she has only been riding for about 5 years. She transitioned to barrel racing shortly after starting to ride. The learning process was a long one for her, but she thanks her friends and trainers who helped get her through.

This year has been a bit of a wild one for Taylor. She decided to sell my finished horse in February thinking she would have the entire year to get her coming 4 year old, her first young horse, hauled and seasoned. But in April, when loading up for her first show of the year, a freak accident resulted in her being stepped on and Taylor's leg /ankle ended up dislocated and broken in 3 different places. She had a plate and 10 screws surgically placed and was completely non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. This was a tough time for her both mentally and physically, but she was blessed to have a husband and best friend who picked up the slack for her while she was down.

Because of this, she didn’t get to consistently haul her horse until August. Her plan at the beginning of the year was to have her ready to clock by the 2021 Quarter Horse Congress but as entries were due late August, Taylor didn’t feel confident enough to enter. She was still on the fence and her friend even urged her that anyone's first year showing at Congress is always the toughest, so the experience would be great regardless of the final outcome or my preparedness. Then, by some miracle, on the last day that entries were accepted, it was announced that Taylor won the Ultimate Congress Giveaway. Taylor stated that it honestly didn’t even feel real, but she took this as a sign from the universe that she needed to be there.

So here she is— entering her first All American Quarter Horse Congress Barrel Racing on an unfinished 4 year old. But she's excited for the experience and another chance to make some runs on a horse that she loves while also being gifted with the opportunity of a lifetime as a winner of the giveaway.

"All I could possibly want for this weekend are safe and clean runs. I’m already a winner."

Thank you to all of the participating sponsors who provided awards: Big Dees Tack and Vet Supplies, Blue Ribbon Custom Tack, Coughlin Automotive, The Equine Chronicle, Fair Hill Saddlery, Harris Leather and Silverworks, John Deere, Justin Boot Company, Lakota of Ohio, Montana Silversmiths, NSBA Foundation, Pyranha Inc., Richwood Banking Co., Rod’s Western Palace, Schneider Saddlery, and Tribute Equine Nutrition.