Meet Your 2025 Congress Queen, Ashlyn Gonzalves!
Ashlyn REPRESENTED THE South Carolina QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION TO A WINNING TITLe
On Friday, October 10th, Miss Ashlyn Gonzalves was crowned the 57th All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen. From Wilmington, North Carolina, Ashlyn is the daughter of Robyn Mitchell and the late Eugene Gonzalves.
Ashlyn’s journey in the equine world began at the age of 11, when she first started competing in all-around events. What began as a childhood passion quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit. Over the years, she achieved recognition at major events including the AQHYA World Show and the National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT). Outside of the show pen, Ashlyn served as director, treasurer, and eventually vice president of her state youth association. These roles allowed her to attend the AQHYA Youth Excellence Seminar (YES Conference), which allowed her to develop lifelong friendships and strong leadership skills. Today, AQHA remains a cornerstone of her life. She now breeds her childhood show horse and is breaking the foals herself.
In addition to her AQHA involvement, Ashlyn was also involved in 4H, FFA, and competed with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s IHSA equestrian team. Her experience also extended to other breeds, including gentling a wild mustang from Nevada and rehabilitating a displaced off-the-track thoroughbred.
Beyond competition, Ashlyn is deeply committed to giving back to the equine community. She is a long-time volunteer with the therapeutic riding program Bright Star Stables and a certified Special Olympics coach. Ashlyn has dedicated the last four years to assisting with the Equestrians with Disabilities Division at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
Outside of horses, Ashlyn is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in biology. During this time, she contributed to research on the link between environmental exposure and the rise of peanut allergies in children. Currently, she works as a nursing assistant in the hospital's float pool during her gap year before pursuing medical school. Ashlyn notes that her favorite part of her job is the diversity of her patients; one day she may be caring for a newborn, and the next for an elderly patient. While Ashlyn is still open to specialties, she is particularly interested in becoming an anesthesiologist.
Ashlyn knew that she wanted to find other ways to serve her equine community, which led her to take time off from school and compete and ultimately earn the title of South Carolina Quarter Horse Association Queen. After winning the title in May, she quickly shifted her focus to preparing for the All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen contest. Over the next four months, she devoted herself to studying the AQHA rulebook, refining her speaking skills, and balancing her hospital shifts—all while sending in her applications to medical school.
Now, as the 2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen, Ashlyn looks forward to an incredible year representing the industry she loves. She is eager to travel across the country and share her passion for the American Quarter Horse. Whether she’s presenting awards, attending events, or cheering from the rail, Ashlyn hopes to inspire others to pursue their goals with dedication and heart. She is deeply honored to serve as an ambassador for AQHA and is excited for all the opportunities this year will bring.
