The Largest Prize at the Congress

The Largest Prize at the Congress

By Delores Kuhlwein

The magic of the All American Quarter Horse Congress has many facets, and winning a coveted trophy or ribbon, or simply getting your name called at this historical event set in Columbus, Ohio, is just one of them – an absolute dream come true.

A dream of a different type also came true during the event for Noah Lelless, a resident of Dalton, Ohio, compliments of the Congress and Coughlin Automotive.

Noah, who owns Lelless Lawn Care, which specializes in landscaping and lawn care, isn’t exactly a horse person, but he was attending Congress one day to support his girlfriend of two years, Kenna Reynolds, who works for Jake Masters of Masters Equine.  They were there for the 2nd Annual Congress Ranch Horse Sale on October 1, 2022, and Heza Satin Ego from Masters Equine topped the sale at $45,000.

While he was attending, Noah bought a ticket to a raffle – a unique raffle that offered a 1 in 500 Chance to win a 2022 Chevy Silverado. Tokens were numbered 1-500, the number drawn was the amount paid.

The concept resulted in a terrific fundraiser for the Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association, thanks to Coughlin Automotive, who donated the truck, another generous donation from their 30-plus year relationship with the Congress.

As the raffle drew closer, the audience could almost feel a buzz of anticipation in the air, and the night the winning ticket was drawn, one could have heard a pin drop in the audience. It was a moment akin to the atmosphere during the two-year-old classes, when all present give the youngsters on the rail the best shot they have by maintaining respectful quiet.

Number 218 was drawn, and Noah’s name was announced, but Noah was in Kentucky at the time for a lawn and landscape convention.

“At 10:04 that night I got a call from the treasurer while a group of us were driving back from dinner, and when he said, ‘This is David with Quarter Horse Congress,’ I froze, at that moment it hit me what it was,” explains Noah. “I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I know what this is!’ I was speechless, and I went blank, and my Apple watch said my heart rate hit 150!” he exclaims.

Noah was asked what his token number was, and he couldn’t remember because he had purchased two. His friend in the vehicle started recording Noah’s reaction when everyone realized what was happening.  Watch the hysterical video below:

Noah Lelless wins the 2022 Chevy Silverado at the All American Quarter Horse Congress

“I’m still in disbelief – I’ve watched it three times already. I called my mom at 3 AM to tell her, and she couldn’t believe it either.  It couldn’t have been better timing,” says Noah, whose company, commonly just called “Lelless” by the community, does business within approximately a 5 square mile radius of their shop location in Dalton.  They have two fulltime employees, and four other trucks, which happen to be white Chevys that pull their ski loader, mini excavator, and more.

His company is also known for giving back to the community, with an annual scholarship to the local school, and donations to sports teams.  “I give to the community because the community makes my business,” explains Noah.

He reveals he had just been saying that very day that he needed to buy another truck, so he’ll be adding this to his fleet, and as of today, it’s already towing equipment.  He says it’s also going to be available for Kenna to use with the living quarters they are remodeling this winter, one they were planning to pull with his older truck.  “We needed a new one that was reliable, and now she can take it wherever she wants to go.”

“I thanked God the moment I won it,” concludes Noah.  “That’s not just luck – that’s the Lord giving me that truck.”