2016 marks the golden anniversary of the 50th All American Quarter Horse Congress. The event will take place October 6-30 in Columbus, Ohio. Click here to view the 2016 Quarter Horse Congress Futurity and Sweepstakes Book. The first payment deadline is April 1st.

This year, attendees enjoyed an educational seminar on Paint Horse genetics presented by Dr. Samantha Brooks of the University of Florida, communication training presented by renowned motivator Dr. Rick Rigsby, the popular “Game Plan” seminar designed to foster exhibitor and judge education, and several other informative seminars presented by regional clubs, APHA members and staff.

The PHBA Executive Board, with support of the PHBA Youth Board, voted unanimously to implement the proposed Youth Walk Trot 10-18 Program effective January 1, 2016. This is an addition to the current Youth Walk Trot 5-9 Program.

A great deal of attention is focused on Friday’s $40,000 Added Protect The Harvest Non Pro Derby and the huge prize money and competition on Saturday as well. The Cactus Reining Classic heats up and heads into the weekend!

For the serious equestrians in attendance, take a stroll down Stallion Avenue, featuring a wide array of breeding stallions available for bookings. Next, wander through more than 500 commercial exhibitors, which can meet every need from farm equipment to apparel, specialty tack, horse health care and so much more. Finally, fine tune your trade or pick up new skills during one of the hundreds of clinics and lectures. There are more than 30 equine experts and world famous clinicians who can advise on anything from saddle fit to equine health and Western Pleasure to Saddle Seat and everything in between.

“Most of our alliance partners level their competition playing field on money earned by their exhibitors. AQHA exhibitors are leveled by points earned and by winning an AQHA world or reserve world champion title. By combining both methods, we look to further level the playing field and protect the integrity of the Adequan® Level 2 championships at the Lucas Oil World,” said AQHA Chief Show Officer Pete Kyle.

Owner, exhibitor and breeder feedback drove changes to the Incentive Fund for 2016. To make the program more beneficial to all competitors, effective January 1, Incentive Fund competition licenses are no longer required, and the point cap now stands at one plus the average number of points earned by Incentive Fund horses during the year.