South Carolina and Premier Sires Southern Gold Classic

It was the last day of February when I travelled south to Camden, South Carolina, for the SCQHA and Premier Sires Southern Gold Classic. It was a particularly exciting trip since it was the first time I had returned to a South Carolina show after representing SCQHA at the Congress Queen’s Contest. Not only that, but it was also the day that the new SCQHA Queen would be crowned.

Even though I was only attending for the day, my car was packed full. With me came the SCQHA Queen’s closet, which is a travelling wardrobe that is passed down from Queen to Queen each year. It would definitely be a bittersweet moment to see the wardrobe with a new owner. My corgi, Adley, also joined for the ride, who was packed alongside gifts for the Queen’s contestants and my new Berry Fit outfit that I had recently received from Carolyn Berry.

About a three-hour car ride later, I arrived at the grounds and began my day at the show. I spent time visiting some of the new renovations at the South Carolina Equine Park and visiting with vendors that supported my journey, including Congress Queen sponsor Tammy from All That Show Clothing. Alongside setting up the Queen’s table, I enjoyed a Bojangles breakfast sponsored by AQHA stallion Strutin on the range.

Adley got in on the fun as well, receiving a doggy massage and enjoying some fetch breaks between my queen duties. The weather was nice enough that she could comfortably wait in the car, and Camden is such a dog-friendly place that it made bringing her along easy. About halfway through the day, my mom arrived and joined me. We enjoyed watching the classes together and visiting with exhibitors throughout the day. I also had the honor of presenting special gifts to the leadline exhibitors, as well as awarding several Premier Sires and Premier Magazine added-money classes.

The first horsemanship class of the day was Queen’s Horsemanship, and I was impressed by the talent of both contestants. It was clear how much time and dedication they had put into perfecting their craft. Overall, this was one of the biggest shows I’ve seen at Camden, and they even had to put up temporary stalls to accommodate. Although the show did receive some unfortunate rainy weather, it was still an awesome show that I am so happy that I was a part of.

As the day wound down, it was finally time to crown the new SCQHA Queen. Surrounded by exhibitors and the leftovers from the exhibitor pizza party, I had the honor of crowning Olivia Garvin. Watching her receive the title was incredibly special and also a reflective moment for me. It hasn’t even been a full year since I was awarded the state title myself, and I am so excited to see the legacy continue.

After the crowning, I stayed to help present the final classes that had been moved from Friday to Saturday due to the rain. It made for a late night, arriving home around midnight, but it was absolutely worth it.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

Region 10 AQHYA Conference and Banquet Season Recap

AQHYA Region 10 Conference

On January 17th, I traveled to Madison, GA after being graciously invited by director Camdyn Evans to speak at the AQHYA Region 10 Conference. Region 10 is made up of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. I had a wonderful time sharing my journey through AQHYA and how those experiences ultimately led me to become the Congress Queen. It was incredibly rewarding to be surrounded by a group of passionate and hard-working youth. They asked thoughtful questions about balancing riding with college, stepping into leadership roles, and what some of my favorite parts of being Congress Queen have been. The region 10 AQHYA directors did a wonderful job in organizing this conference. I enjoyed hearing from an outstanding lineup of speakers, including former AQHYA President Abigail Nesmith, AQHA Director of Competition Scott Neuman, SCQHYA President Kaylee O’Neal, and collegiate coaches Vicki Merck of Clemson University and McKenzie Breuker of University of Georgia. Each brought a unique perspective on the opportunities available within our industry.

Georgia Quarter Horse Association Banquet

The Region 10 conference was followed by the Georgia Quarter Horse Association banquet, where I was honored to be invited as a special guest. The Big A and Stars & Stripes Show was my first major event as a queen, so being back in Georgia felt especially meaningful. The evening’s host, GQHA president Robin Barrow, kept everyone on their toes by presenting awards in an interactive way. Instead of the traditional format, the audience had to guess each exhibitor based on entertaining fun facts. By the end of the night, I felt like I knew a little something about each GQHA member in the room. To top off the trip, I woke up the next morning to a winter storm outside my hotel room window. Definitely not typical for Georgia and definitely not a fun drive home!

Ohio Quarter Horse Association Board Meeting and Affiliate Social Hour

My next trip took me north on February 7th for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association banquet. To save myself the long drive, I opted to fly in for the day, which meant a 3:30 a.m. wake-up call to get dressed and “queen ready” before my two flights. It was a rude awakening when I landed with a foot of snow on the ground and a ‘feels like’ of negative 7 (a drastic change from the Carolina coast). It was a sure sign I had arrived in Congress country when I was recognized as the queen as I was strolling out of the airport bathroom. From the airport, I headed straight to the first event on my agenda, which was the Ohio Quarter Horse Association open board meeting. Here, I was honored beside the 2025 Ohio Quarter Horse Association Queen Morgan Adkins. It was fascinating to learn more about the inner workings and finer details of such a strong association.

Next up was the affiliate social hour, where Ohio Michigan Indiana (OMIQHA), Eastern (EOQHA), Northern (NOQHA), and Southern (SOQHA) Ohio presented their year-end wards and welcomed new queens. I had the opportunity to crown 2026 EOQHA Queen Morgan Adkins, NOQHA Queen Addison Schliesser, and SOQHA Queen Grace Schroeck. It is always lovely to see my queen sisters and get to know the newly crowned queens.

Ohio Quarter Horse Association Banquet

After the affiliate social hour, it was time for a quick run-through of the evening program and a chance to test the mics and get a feel for the stage. The OQHA banquet is no joke! With the huge mound of prizes, grand stage, and tables set out for hundreds of guests – it was all a little surreal. After making sure we were all set, it was time to quickly get changed into my evening gown and begin the banquet. As the emcee for the evening, I had the privilege of welcoming everyone and guiding the program. It felt like being right at home handing out awards for OQHA. I enjoyed seeing everyone’s hard work come to fruition across all ages and disciplines, with my favorites being the lead line and the mountain trail (my first time learning about the class). After a few moments on the dance floor and time spent catching up with my fellow queens, it was off to bed before my early flight back to the Carolinas. The day was spent doing all things Ohio Quarter Horse and I had so much fun connecting with my community.

Triangle Wide Horseman’s Association Banquet

On February 21st, my travels brought me closer to home for the Triangle Wide Horseman’s Association Banquet. This local open show organization is where I first stepped into the show pen, and last year I had the privilege of volunteering there as South Carolina Quarter Horse Association Queen. I helped run the gate, pass out awards, and do anything else that needed to be done. Throughout the year, I also held basket raffles, led fun classes like the horseless egg-and-spoon, and organized “Quiz the Queen,” where exhibitors tried their best to stump me with questions from the AQHA rulebook. It was a full circle moment to come back as the Congress Queen and visit with the people that have supported me from day one. I had the privilege of presenting their year-end awards, and I did so while being reminded so much of where my journey began. I was incredibly surprised when I heard my name called during the awards ceremony and was honored with the spark plug award for my dedication to the club. The evening reinforced the vital role local clubs play in strengthening our equine industry, and I am so thankful to celebrate the accomplishments of 2025 across multiple organizations.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

Florida Gulf Coast

After a wonderful holiday season spent resetting and spending time with family, I officially kicked off 2026 by heading south to the Florida Gulf Coast Horse Show in Ocala. To break up the drive, I stopped at my mom’s farm in South Carolina. It was a nice pause on my trip, and I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful barns along the way.

I was particularly excited about attending this show because it was my first time visiting the World Equestrian Center. I arrived on Friday evening and was immediately struck by the scale of the property. I started by making my way around the grand arena and looking at all the gorgeous Christmas lights they had set up. I took my time soaking it all in and then stopped into Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe, a place that I’ve heard from friends about its cute and charming toys. After the long drive I was craving a sweet treat, so I made my way to Emma’s Patisserie and enjoyed a pastry. I overheard announcing in the distance and made my way over to the outdoor arenas. I was met with familiar faces and watched the final halter classes as the sun set.

The next morning, I started by making my way around the rings and catching up with people throughout the showgrounds. There was rain threatening to roll in, so classes were moved indoors. The indoor arenas at WEC are quite large. One ring alone had three pens showing at the same time, along with having a warmup area next to each one. Set up between the show rings was vendor Miguel Aguilar- sponsor of the Congress Queen’s crown and saddle. I stopped by and found out that they were throwing a surprise birthday party for him that afternoon. What fun! Laughter, cake, and good company set the tone perfectly. I also enjoyed visiting with other vendors and spending time catching up along the way.

I fulfilled my queenly duties for that day by handing out my gifts to the leadliners and awarding the NSBA added money classes. Before heading home for the evening, I stopped by the grand arena to watch the Grand Prix show jumping, which was packed with spectators and full of excitement. I wrapped up the day with a visit to good ole reliable Panera.

The following morning greeted us with misty conditions, giving the showgrounds a completely different feel. I awarded a few more NSBA added money winners before it was time to pack up and head home. Knowing I had a long drive ahead of me, I decided to try something new to pass the time: an audiobook. With Universal Studios nearby, it felt fitting to finally start the Harry Potter series. It turned out to be the perfect choice and made the drive go by much faster. I finished the first book just as I got home, and it's safe to say I’ll be continuing the series on future trips.

Adding one final “first” to the list, I stopped at Buc-ee’s for the first time. After fueling up and grabbing some snacks, I hit the road for the final stretch. All in all, it was an incredible way to start the year. New places, new experiences, and reconnecting with people I hadn’t seen since the Congress. I’m excited about what the rest of 2026 has in store and can’t wait to share the next adventure with you.

Ashlyn Gonzalves
2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

2025 AQHA World Championship Show

The week that I headed to the AQHA World Championship show was particularly busy. In the 48 hours leading up to my trip, I worked a twelve-hour night shift and completed a medical school interview. I was left to pack at the last minute, and trying to get everything to fit was not an easy task. I learned that cowboy hats, crowns, and long skirts do not pack well. I found myself grateful for my new luggage set, generously donated by the Good family, as well as my hat carrying case that fits inside my suitcase. (thank you, Amazon).

My flight to Oklahoma City was on Thursday, November 13th. Once I made it to the airport I was unfortunately told that my checked bag was four pounds overweight (the beautiful Berry Fit outfits are heavy!). After a few minutes of shuffling, I managed to get everything under the weight limit and was ready to go through security. I was surprised that you no longer have to take off your shoes when going through, except of course if you’re wearing cowboy boots.

My travel from that point forward was remarkably smooth. At the time, many flights were being delayed or cancelled because of the government shutdown. I had mentally prepared myself for a long day at the airport or even the potential of not making it to Oklahoma City. I felt incredibly grateful when my flight landed ahead of schedule and I had plenty of time to make my connection.

After landing in Oklahoma, I checked into my hotel, took a few minutes to get ready, and then headed straight to the fairgrounds. Walking into the newly completed OG&E Arena for the first time was breathtaking. Although it was bittersweet to say goodbye to the Jim Norick Arena, the OG&E felt like stepping into a new era. Everything was bright and modern; with escalators, lounges, and concessions all around. That evening, I had the honor of crowning the new world champions in the Junior Western Pleasure and Amateur Horsemanship. I remember being in awe while witnessing the incredible amount of talent these riders possess.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. My days were spent presenting awards, taking pictures, and making visits to the Trade Show. Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee quickly became my lifeline, and I found myself grabbing a cup when I was hurrying between the OG&E and Performance Arenas. My mom joined me midway through the trip, and having her there and getting to watch some of the classes made the experience even sweeter.

Saturday night ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. I had the chance to watch the highly anticipated Pleasure Versatility Challenge. The three-year-olds competing showcased an incredible range of ability, moving seamlessly through the versatility pattern, western pleasure, and halter. I loved witnessing the future of the industry on full display and felt privileged to help present awards alongside the class’s host of sponsors.

My final day at the World Show passed quickly, starting with halter in the morning and ending with a few pleasure finals in the afternoon. The last globe I presented was in Senior Western Riding, awarded to Charlie Cole and AQHA Superhorse Hez Blazin Trouble. Watching him close out his career and step into retirement with one final gold globe was a touching moment, and a perfect ending to my World Show trip.

After packing up and saying my goodbyes, I headed back to the airport. My flight home was smooth and uneventful. When I finally made it home, I was greeted by my corgi, Adley, who I had missed dearly throughout my trip. I soaked in a few precious hours of rest before heading to the hospital for work the next morning. Attending the World Show and crowning new world champions was an experience like no other. The people I met, the horses I watched, and the memories I made will stay with me. I can’t wait to see everyone again at my next circuit.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

The All American Quarter Horse Congress & Congress Queen Crowning

On Friday, October 10th, my life changed in a way I never could have imagined. Little did I know, this day would mark the beginning of my journey as the 2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen. Still starstruck, my first official introduction as Queen took place that evening at the Congress PBR. The night was a whirlwind of happiness and a flood of information about what the year ahead would hold.

The next morning, my reign began as I tried on the Queen’s wardrobe from Berry Fit and presented my first set of awards. I quickly realized that this title came with an abundance of incredible experiences and opportunities to connect with so many incredible people.

One of my early highlights came when I had the privilege of attending a special dinner for the Equestrians with Disabilities (EWD) Exhibitors and their families. This event was particularly meaningful to me since I have been volunteering during the EWD division at the Congress for several years. Another memorable moment was speaking at and presenting awards for the Congress Youth and Collegiate Judging Contests, the largest of its kind in the country with over 250 contestants.

The community spirit continued when I helped flip pancakes at the annual Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association Pancake Breakfast benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which raised over $5,000 for an incredible cause. That same day I also appeared at the Congress Super Sale, which generated over $1.4 Million in sales. Throughout the Congress, I also had the privilege of honoring some very special individuals including Friend of the Congress award recipients Jerry Robinson of JL Robinson Quarter Horses and Bobby Smith of Rod Patrick bootmakers. I also had the honor of welcoming Bob Geesaman and Lisa Martin into the prestigious Congress Hall of Fame.

As someone who spent many years competing in the National Youth Activities Team Tournament (NYATT) at the Congress, it was especially meaningful to return as Queen and present awards at this event. Despite the rainy and cold weather, the enthusiasm and talent of the competitors made the day unforgettable.

A somewhat unexpected, but incredibly rewarding, part of this journey has been my interactions with Ohio government officials. I had the honor of meeting Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin and his family. Another unforgettable moment came when I was invited to attend an Ohio Cabinet meeting, where I met the Governor of Ohio and was introduced by Director of the Department of Agriculture, Brian Baldridge, to each member of the state Cabinet. It was an incredible opportunity to be present on such a distinguished stage. To top it all off, Ohio Senator Michele Reynolds asked to take a picture with me. It still feels surreal to think that people in such esteemed positions were excited to connect with me.

When all was said and done, I had spent 21 days at the Congress, walked over 132 miles, and handed out hundreds of medallions. However, the most intriguing part of this entire experience was seeing the horse show from the other side. It was truly incredible to see the village that puts on the largest horse show in the world. Every person involved - the awards team, the ring stewards, gate staff, photographers, videographers, and food service workers truly work tirelessly to ensure that the show is a success. And, of course, I must acknowledge the Ohio Quarter Horse Association Board, who truly are like family and go above and beyond to make sure every detail of the Congress runs smoothly.

This experience has given me a whole new appreciation for the people who make the Congress the world-class event it is. I am honored to serve as your 2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of this incredible year will bring.