The Return of the Versatility to Congress – the 2023 All American Congress Open Versatility Stakes Brought to You by Gerri Leigh Pratt
Too Blue To Be True & Kristy Starnes – 2005 Amateur Versatility Champions. The duo also won the title in 2006. Photo credit: Jeff Kirkbride Photography
By Delores Kuhlwein
The All American Quarter Horse Congress, the largest horse show in the world, is steeped in tradition – not only does it offer the best of the best in AQHA competition and class sizes to make any exhibitor swoon, but winning a Congress title itself is an accomplishment many have dreamed of winning for as long as they can remember.
Photo credit: Impulse Photography
Another jewel in the crown for Congress exhibitors over the years – the Congress Amateur and Open Versatility classes, crowd favorites that brought the audience to its feet, with teams demonstrating their prowess and versatility in back-to-back events.
A win in the versatility was not just coveted – it was a time for teams to shine and an opportunity for sheer joy and excitement for a packed house in the Celeste Center, and notable riders such as Kristy Starnes, Lynn Palm, Kaleena Weakly, and Hank Clason, to name just a few, earned top honors much to the crowd’s delight.
“I think this event was so popular because it was a break from the typical class at a show,” explains two-time Versatility Champion Kristy Starnes, who won with Too Blue To Be True in 2005 and 2006, also taking the Reserve spot with Good Naturally in 2004. “It was all about one horse and one rider doing event after event together with little to no prep between events. It really brought out what riders knew their horses versus what riders were just schooled to do the patterns and events over and over.”
Kaleena Weakly with Hours Yours And Mine, winners of the 2011 Amateur Versatility. Photo: Impulse Photography.
“It was one of the most fun nights of my life and I’ll never forget it,” says Kaleena Weakly, who won the Amateur Versatility in 2011 with Hours Yours And Mine.
Justin Billings, Executive Vice President of Operations for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, explains, “There’s a lot of nostalgia surrounding the class – when you bring the Versatility up, it immediately generates wonderful memories, as it was a unique and historic part of the Congress for a long time.”
Today’s Open Versatility Stakes
Billings says that the opportunity for exhibitors and spectators alike to build more memories is here with the addition of the Open Versatility Stakes on Saturday, October 21st in the Celeste Center – a grand finale as the last class on the last Saturday.
He explains, “It’s open to 22 entries, first come, first served. Online entries open July 15, 2023, and if there’s a run to enter the class, it’s going to be critical to enter at the beginning.”
The details: one horse per entry, but up to two exhibitors are allowed, and it’s open to horses three and over.
The new class line up in the order of go:
- HUS
- WP
- Ranch Riding
- Pole Bending
A four-judge system will be used, with the lowest score dropped, and the overall tie breaker will be Pole Bending. The Ranch Riding pattern will be released when all other Congress patterns are posted.
One more exciting detail: an additional $10,000 added money will be factored into the winnings, thanks to the generosity of Gerri Leigh Pratt, the sponsor. “70 percent of the entry fee is the purse,” says Billings, “and the entry fee is $400 per horse.”
Stay tuned to the website and social media pages of The All American Quarter Horse Congress and The Equine Chronicle for more leading up to the class!
Learn more about the 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress: https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/
