My First Time at the Quarter Horse Congress
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520 – October, 2018
By Cameron Crenwelge
The crazy riding schedules, insane shopping, and incredible competition all play an integral role in the experience commonly referred to as the Quarter Horse Congress. But, despite the fact that most have been counting down the days until the annual pilgrimage to Ohio, there’s a group of people who find the Congress to be downright terrifying. For newcomers, the facility is a complex maze of arenas, vendors, and stalls that seems impossible to navigate. Here is some advice for the Congress first-timer from Congress veterans who definitely don’t need a map to get from the Gilligan to the Voinovich.
SUNSHINE, SNOW, AND SURVIVAL
There is a popular saying around the showgrounds at the Congress, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait; it will change”. While the three show arenas, the Celeste, Coliseum, and Cooper (think the 3 Cs) are indoor, the outdoor warm-up pens like the Pavilion, Buckeye, and Denny Hales arenas are not. Some years have been thoroughly pleasant with 75 degree, sunny weather the whole time. During other years, it has rained the entire show, causing a muddy mess, with temperatures in the low 30s. Sometimes, the bipolar Congress weather will mix snow with sunshine. Be prepared with layering options, rain boots, raincoat, umbrella, gloves, scarves, and everything in between. Don’t forget that there is dry cleaning offered on the showgrounds in the Dairy Building, right next to the Cooper Arena. Here are some comments from some Congress veterans:
Julian Harris
“What I wish I would’ve known is to pack clothes for every season. Never in my life (since my first Congress) have I packed so many different seasonal clothes for one horse show. During the first year, I was frozen and wore every article of clothing I had the whole time I was there.”
Alex Albright
“Know that there will be a mix of different weather: warm and very cold. It may be short sleeve weather and then almost snowing. The warm-up arenas will be crazy, so try to practice at more odd times of the day and night for more space. Also, classes come up much faster than expected, and there is a lot of traffic and people running around, so make sure you’re ready plenty early. You don’t want to be running around the fairgrounds trying to find your class.”
Cori Cansdale
“I wish I would’ve known to pack for every type of weather. I’ve been to the Congress when it’s been 75 degrees and sunny and you’re in a t-shirt, but I’ve also been there when it’s snowing, and you wear two jackets and you’re still freezing. Have enough clothes for every type of weather, just in case.
Something all Congress veterans know about is the ‘Congress Crud’. Between the long nights, early mornings, and lack of adequate nutrition, it’s very easy to get sick at the Congress. Since the show takes place during the fall, getting a flu shot is a good idea. Wash your hands frequently and keep hand sanitizer handy. Treat the symptoms with your Congress survival kit that should include items like Emergen-C vitamin drink mix, B-12 sublingual tablets, Vitamin C tablets, Tylenol, Motrin, Theraflu, and Echinacea. Also, getting proper nutrition is key. Many barns use slow cookers to make their own meals and have food-sharing plans so you’re not eating sugary, fried, fair food for the entire month.
Reid Thomas
“Pack a Congress survival kit that includes everything from snacks to medicine. Pay close attention to the estimated times listed on the schedule. The new Congress app, Horse Show Tracker®, makes staying on top of the schedule so much easier. Finally, always start a tab at Cuppies for coffee… Trust me; it’s needed!”
520 – October, 2018
