NSBA World Championship Show

It feels like just yesterday I was packing my bags for the Youth World Show, and somehow, it was already time to hit the road again! With the Congress quickly approaching, the NSBA World Championship Show was my last stop before heading back to Ohio.

I have always wanted to show at the NSBA World Show, and it was an honor to receive an invitation to queen there all the way back in January. Despite being in the thick of medical school, I knew this was an event I would not want to miss.

It felt like clockwork getting out of class and then arriving at the airport at almost the exact same time I had just two weeks before. As I made my way through TSA, a few of the workers even recognized me, which made me smile. After some unexpected delays, I was finally on my way to Tulsa, Oklahoma without a hitch.

Just like with Youth World, I arrived late Thursday evening, got a few hours of sleep, and then was up and ready for a full day of awards. The NSBA World Show was incredibly welcoming and made getting around so easy. They arranged rides to and from the showgrounds and even invited me to join their catered breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They definitely know how to treat their staff and volunteers!

When I arrived at the showgrounds Friday morning, I was introduced to the team and got right to work. One of the coolest parts of the NSBA World Show is the setup inside the Ford Truck Arena. The awards booth is positioned right in the center of the ring, which gives the awards team an incredible view of the show. After putting the finishing touches on the awards, the show was off and running, and I got to watch some incredibly talented horses and exhibitors from the best seat in the house.

I especially loved seeing the opportunities the NSBA World Show provides for young horses through the Breeders Championship Futurity. It was so cool to see some of these horses compete throughout the weekend and often succeed in multiple events. There is something special about seeing young horses step into the show pen and knowing that you may be watching the beginning of a very successful career.

This show also felt like a “warm-up” for Congress, especially when it came to visiting with the media teams from NSBA, The Equine Chronicle, and National Sports Broadcasting. After a year on the road, it makes you realize how much of a close-knit community the horse world is.

One of my favorite parts of being Queen has been getting to travel to different shows and experience the unique personality of each one. Every event has its own traditions, its own people, and its own atmosphere, and the NSBA World Show was no exception. Even though I was only there for a short time, I felt incredibly welcomed by the NSBA team and was grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a special event.

And just like that, another show was in the books! As I packed my bags and headed home to North Carolina, I knew that this was truly the final stop before Congress. The next time I would be traveling to Ohio, it would be for the biggest event of the year and, perhaps, the most bittersweet one.

After an incredible year of traveling, meeting so many amazing people, and representing the Quarter Horse industry, it is hard to believe that Congress is already just around the corner. The NSBA World Show was the perfect final stop before heading back to Ohio, and I left Tulsa excited, grateful, and more ready than ever for Congress.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

AQHA Youth World Championship Show, Oklahoma City, OK

The Youth World Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is one of the most anticipated events in the American Quarter Horse Association industry. As a youth, this show was a huge goal of mine, and I was grateful for the opportunity to participate during my final youth year. I was particularly excited to serve as the Congress Queen and experience this prestigious event from the awards team perspective. The journey to this show looked a little different: it was my first time traveling to a show while in medical school.

I left for the Youth World Show on Thursday evening after spending the morning in class. As I went through TSA, I noticed the agent taking a second look at my bags. Of course, I was thinking, Oh no—what did I accidentally pack? Then she looked at me and asked, “Is this a crown? And is this a matching dress in here? All of the crystals light up on my machine!” Needless to say, I made it through TSA and learned something new.

It was roughly 1 am when I got into my hotel room in Oklahoma City, and a quick turnaround to get ready for the first set of awards the next morning. Despite the long travel day, getting back into the show environment made it all worth it.

Getting to see the joy and awe that comes with awarding a World Champion is something I’ll never forget. There is something incredibly special about standing in the arena and watching an exhibitor realize that all of their hard work has paid off. It was especially rewarding to see how much everyone had progressed throughout the year, particularly those who had attended the Level 1 Championship shows or exhibitors I have watched compete throughout the year. Seeing them come together at the World Show and watching their hard work come to fruition was one of my favorite parts of the experience.

Amid presenting awards, I had the pleasure of running into Ohio Quarter Horse Association CEO Justin Billings and presenting awards alongside him for the OQHA-sponsored 14–18 Ranch Riding class. It was so great to see Justin, and it reminded me just how close we are to the 2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress!

Another aspect of this show that I thoroughly enjoyed was watching local spectators come out and experience the show. I loved answering their questions and teaching them about our industry. There is something special about introducing someone to the beauty and prestige that makes this sport so unique.

One particularly memorable class I had the opportunity to present was the Level 1 Champion of Champions Aged Geldings. The class included exhibitors from Israel, China, and Canada. It was so cool to see exhibitors competing from all across the world! On a similar note, the barrel racing was won by a young woman from Panama. Seeing exhibitors from across the globe come together was such a reminder of just how far-reaching the American Quarter Horse Association has become.

As I made my way home after a wonderful weekend at the Youth World, I found myself incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities this year as Congress Queen has given me. Balancing medical school certainly makes my life look a little different, but I have come to realize that these experiences are not independent of one another. I am incredibly grateful to represent an industry that has given me so much and for the people who have made this experience so unforgettable.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships

I never expected a road trip to Texas to be on my bucket list for my year as Congress Queen. Attending the Versatility Ranch Horse World Show all started with an invitation from the South Carolina Quarter Horse Association Queen Olivia Garvin to tag along on the trip. I was excited for the opportunity to become the first Congress Queen to present awards at this event. Since Olivia and her mom were driving all the way from South Carolina to Amarillo, Texas, they graciously invited me to ride with them.

Since the show was just two weeks before I moved away to begin medical school, it felt like the perfect time to leave my job as a nursing assistant. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to everyone at the hospital on Wednesday before heading to South Carolina the next day to begin our two-day drive to Texas. Surprisingly, the drive was not bad at all. We drove about fourteen hours the first day and another six hours the second, and I managed to sleep through a good portion of the trip.

Throughout the entire week, I enjoyed learning so much about the ranch and cow work classes. The first day featured ranch conformation, a class similar to halter that exhibitors must compete in to qualify for the all around awards. These classes were enormous, with more than sixty horses in the arena at one time! The ranch classes had grown by more than forty percent from the previous year. While the larger classes meant longer days, it also gave us opportunities to sleep in a little later or enjoy some downtime between events. We spent some time shopping around Amarillo, exploring the vendors at the show, and taking advantage of the food truck rally throughout the week.

My favorite class of the week was the cutting. I had read about the VRH classes while studying for the Queen's Contest, but seeing them in person was a completely different experience. It was especially helpful having Olivia explain the differences between AQHA, VRH, and NCHA cutting. She had finished fourth in cutting at the Youth World Show the previous year and had a lot of insight to offer that made me appreciate the event even more.

Another unique aspect of this show was that the Tri State Fairgrounds was essentially the backyard of AQHA headquarters. It was great getting to meet and interact with so many AQHA staff members and the summer interns. They also provided incredible hospitality, including breakfast every morning, a pizza party, a burger cookout, and several days of fresh made lemonade for exhibitors.

Located right next to AQHA headquarters, we were able to visit the AQHA Hall of Fame and Museum. It was great to see so many visitors learning more about the American Quarter Horse while exploring the artwork and tributes throughout the museum. One of the highlights for me was seeing the Congress emblem on display, recognizing the All American Quarter Horse Congress for its role in helping contribute to the museum’s creation.

As the week ended and the show came to a close, AQHA hosted a banquet to recognize the all around champions, high point exhibitors, and year end award winners. I had the incredible opportunity to present awards alongside AQHA President Jim Brinkman and AQHA chief executive officer Dave Dellin. It is always a surreal feeling getting to hold those iconic AQHA globes! It was an incredible evening and an experience unique to the VRH world show. When Sunday finally arrived, it was time to begin the journey home after spending the week in Texas. Conveniently, Olivia was planning to purchase a horse in Arkansas, so we made a detour on the way backThat stop gave me the opportunity to visit AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder Killian Quarter Horses, where I got to see acres upon acres of adorable foals! It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip and deepen my appreciation for the ranch horse discipline.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Queen

AQHA Level 1 West Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada

After such a wonderful experience at Level 1 Championships East, I couldn’t wait to experience the event on the West Coast. I opted to drive to a bit further airport and was able to land a nonstop flight to Las Vegas. It was my first time visiting Vegas, and I was immediately blown away by the slot machines positioned right as soon as you get off the airplane. We arrived late that evening (at least in Eastern time), so it was a brief stroll around the hotel and barns, a quick bite at one of the restaurants, and then it was off to bed.

The next day was one of the final days of the Pinnacle Circuit. This show is put on by the Arizona Quarter Horse Association and immediately precedes the Level 1. I had the best time helping Penny King and Anica Reddick hand out circuit awards and get everything set up and ready for the Level 1. That evening, my mom and I had tickets to see The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. I had been looking forward to it for a while, and it did not disappoint. The wind, the seats shaking, and even apples falling from the ceiling made it such an immersive experience. We also spent time walking around some of the surrounding hotels. It’s crazy to see entire cities practically built inside of them! Since the trip fell over Mother’s Day weekend, it made the experience even more special getting to spend that time together with my mom.

The first day of Level 1 West went off without a hitch, starting with halter, showmanship, and gaming events. I always find the barrels and poles so fun to watch since it’s not something I get to see very often! I also got the chance to hang out with Idaho QHA Queen Chloe Hansen between classes while she stayed busy serving as the walker for the showmanship setup.

The first day also brought a talent show, which is something I’ve never seen at a horse show! Everyone really showed out, from singing and dancing to gymnastics; it was incredible seeing how many talents everyone had outside the arena. One of the highlights was watching Cavannah Hansen, sister to Idaho Queen Chloe Hansen, absolutely wow the crowd with her performance and earn a perfect 10 from every judge. Her voice was absolutely stunning, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

The days that followed were a similar mix of preparing awards and running back and forth between pens. It was exciting to cheer on many exhibitors I remember meeting at the Arizona Sun Circuit. It’s always such a joy to watch dreams come true. One of my favorite parts about this show is how everything is within arm’s reach. With the barns and arenas completely air-conditioned, being able to walk to the arena just steps from your hotel room, and 11 restaurants located right within the hotel, it truly felt like an all-inclusive experience. I really didn’t get too many looks when wearing my Berry fit outfits through the casino; it must just be a typical look for Vegas!

Overall, L1 West was such an unforgettable experience. Getting to work alongside so many amazing people and watching incredible competitors made it all worthwhile. Every show I go to, I learn new things and get to meet so many new people. It’s hard to believe that I’m already halfway through my reign as the Congress Queen. I can’t wait to see what the rest of this journey has in store!

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

AQHA Level 1 East Championships - Wilmington, Ohio

My start to the Level 1 East Coast Championship Show was a little unconventional. The Friday before, I traveled back to my college town of Chapel Hill to run my very first race, the Tar Heel 4 Miler. I started running as a New Year’s resolution this year, so getting to compete in a race was such a fun and exciting milestone. It also made my trip to Wilmington, Ohio a bit shorter.

After a great weekend in Chapel Hill, I made my way to the World Equestrian Center on Sunday. Also along for the ride was my corgi, Adley, who was on her first big trip as a horse show dog. Monday kicked off fast, with all three arenas awarding simultaneously. I was so thankful for South Carolina Queen Olivia Garvin and Tri-State Queen Riley Miller, who stepped up and helped run awards across the halter, over fences, and western riding pens. A huge thank you as well to Olivia’s mom, Joy Garvin, for keeping everything organized (and for making sure I stayed fed and happy those first couple of busy days!). That evening, we enjoyed an exhibitor welcome dinner sponsored by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. Adley enjoyed hanging out by the ring in my spare time, and I am so thankful to 2024 Congress Queen Madi Heilveil for letting her stay in her onsite cabin while I was queening during the day.

Tuesday was showmanship day, which brought long breaks between classes and allowed us to capture content for the Queen’s Contest page and spend time with sponsors. After awarding so many champions, I returned to the hotel to finish a project I had been working on for the past few weeks: my children’s Congress Queen workbook. I designed it with fun activities like creating your own Congress Queen outfit, a maze to guide a Congress bronze trophy back to the coliseum, and a page teaching kids how to learn a horsemanship pattern. I was so excited to debut it and hand it out to the large class of 25 leadliners.

Wednesday and Thursday were filled with trail, equitation, and hunter undersaddle. The huntseat was always my favorite class to show, and I definitely found myself eager to get back in the show pen. I am also incredibly grateful for Marisa, the Pennsylvania Queen, who jumped in to help for the rest of the week. We had to have a queen corgi moment with Adley and Marisa’s corgi, Gibson, only we quickly found out that getting them to sit still for a picture was no easy feat. I am also thankful for Marisa’s family who invited me over Thursday evening for a delicious dinner at their camper after a long show day.

Friday and Saturday brought a change of pace as more Queens arrived and we transitioned to pleasure, horsemanship, and the ranch division. I had an amazing time welcoming new Queen contestants: Michigan QHA Queen Emelia Perez; Ontario QHA Queen Kayla Brickus; Southern Ohio QHA Queen Grace Schreock; and past Northern Ohio QHA Queen Addison Schliesser. We enjoyed a pizza party together, which reminded me so much of the Congress Queen Contest and made me even more excited for October. That Friday, we also welcomed Congress Queen Committee Chair Jaymie Drury, who shared some exciting news about the contest.

Overall, this experience was unforgettable. I hadn’t attended a Level 1 Championship since it was held in Raleigh years ago, and it was amazing to see the atmosphere. I know how special it feels to hear your name called while riding down the center of the ring, and I think it’s incredible that the Level 1 Championships create a world-show experience for exhibitors at every level. The way this show makes every exhibitor feel recognized is truly special and makes it a show I would love to return to.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

Martinganza

It was a beautiful Easter weekend when I made the trip to Martinganza in Williamston, North Carolina. The drive took about two and a half hours, and although I usually pass the time with an audiobook, the site I rely on wasn’t working. Instead, some tunes sufficed.

When I arrived, I quickly finished doing my hair, got dressed, and headed to the ring. Half of the halter had already been completed, and showmanship was underway. I caught up with several friends I hadn’t seen in years, which ended up being one of the highlights of the day. I didn’t have many queenly duties at this show, so I found myself taking a more relaxed approach.

While the showmanship classes continued, the ranch pen took a break, signaling that it was time for leadline. I made a quick dash back to my car to grab some small gifts and helped get the easter baskets ready for the kids. I always say the leadline is one of the most important classes of the horse show, and the atmosphere felt especially festive given the Easter weekend.

After leadline wrapped up, I wandered over to another part of the grounds where a large Easter egg hunt was underway. The hunt was divided into three sections based on age groups, and the turnout was huge! Kids were everywhere, baskets in hand, racing around with excitement. It was heartwarming to watch and take part in the festivities.

Later, after catching the final rounds of showmanship and halter classes, I waited for the pleasure classes to begin. During the downtime, I soaked up some air conditioning while chatting with Congress Queen sponsor Miguel Aguilar in his vendor trailer. He shared some exciting news about some BIG new prizes he’s been working on with other vendors for the Congress queen’s contest, and I couldn’t be more excited to watch the contest grow.

I eventually wrapped up the day by watching a few of the western pleasure classes outside, enjoying the evening as things began to wind down. I said my goodbyes and headed out only to realize I had left my extra leadline gifts about 15 minutes out. I turned around, went back to grab them, and then finally made my way out again. Instead of heading straight home, I drove to my hometown to spend Easter Sunday there.

Next week, I’ll be headed to the Level One East Coast Championship show. I’m so excited to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments and looking forward to seeing my fellow Queens!

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

Arizona Sun Circuit

Not even a week after attending the SCQHA Southern Gold Classic, it was time to pack and fly out to Phoenix for the Arizona Sun Circuit. This trip marked my first time attending the Sun Circuit, as well as my first visit to the Southwest. Packing felt a little easier this time; I started to learn some tricks after packing the queen's wardrobe a time or two. I even left a little room in my suitcase since I knew I would likely come home with souvenirs. My trip started with a later flight, leaving Wilmington, NC around 3pm. I connected through Chicago IL, where I met with my mom who also had a layover. We met up in the airport and ate dinner at an Italian restaurant before continuing to Phoenix. After more than eight hours of travel, we finally arrived - but the journey was not over yet. Unfortunately, we were met with a two-hour wait for a rental car and didn’t get to the hotel till after 1am. I am thankful that this ended up being the only hiccup of the trip and everything that followed was absolutely worth it.

The next morning, we headed to WestWorld after a quick fuel up at Starbucks. The facility is massive, and it took us a minute to find the showgrounds since they also had a rodeo going on at the same time. While exploring, I even had the chance to meet a few of the local rodeo queens. Rodeo and western culture are definitely popular in the Southwest! I started the day by walking around and checking out the vendors. It was great to see so many familiar booths, including several Congress Queen contest sponsors. I was soon found by my friend Penny King, who I got to know while working awards at the Congress. Penny gave us a tour of the grounds and tracked down a golf cart for us, which happened to be a six-seater which we termed ‘the limo’.

Penny let me take the reins for the awards presentations, and I got started with western versatility, a new class for the Sun Circuit and one that I’ve enjoyed watching grow the past year. Following this class, they also introduced a youth versatility challenge, where youth took part in a framework of classes similar to the versatility challenge at the world show. The class began with western pleasure, transitioned to a versatility pattern, and then wrapped up with halter. The awards were unlike any I have presented before, including a TV, a Blackstone grill, and Yeti coolers. In another pen, I had the privilege of presenting awards for the NSBA 3/4-Year-Old Non-Pro Pleasure, the NSBA 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Pleasure, and the NSBA 3/4-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle.

That evening, I also had the chance to watch the NSBA Non Pro Ranch Horsemanship, a new class aimed to focus on the exhibitor’s ability to ride through practical ranch maneuvers. It was especially cool to watch against the backdrop of a stunning Arizona sunset. After a full day, my mom and I opted for a casual dinner nearby and enjoyed a relaxed evening.

The next morning was an early one, because it was time to get ready for arguably one of the most important classes of the horse show: the leadline. This class was huge with over 20 kiddos participating. I brought along some Congress souvenirs to hand out as they were warming up and had the joy of presenting each kid with a giant stuffed pony after their class.

Later in the day, I presented awards for the West Coast Breeders classes and had the honor of awarding buckles to the National Champion Horsemanship and Equitation winners across Youth, Amateur, and Select divisions. This unique event features a tournament-style format, putting top riders head-to-head in an exciting matchup. That evening, we visited Old Town Scottsdale, where we enjoyed dinner while overlooking the area. One of the most fascinating parts of the experience was seeing driverless cars operating like Ubers. There were so many of them!

On the final day of Sun Circuit, I spent the morning presenting awards, doing some last-minute shopping, and helping in the awards office. It was so rewarding to see the excitement on exhibitors’ faces as they picked up their circuit awards. From the beginning of the trip, I knew I wanted to explore more of Arizona’s natural beauty. On a recommendation, we took a drive out to Cave Creek to see some of the surrounding desert landscapes. The scenery was breathtaking and filled with towering saguaro cacti, mountain ranges, and distinctive desert homes. We stopped at a nearby park to take in the views and see the local wildlife. It is surreal just how different their landscape is, and it makes you appreciate all the greenery we have on the east coast. We ate an old local restaurant called Harold’s Cave Creek Corral. All the food we ate over the weekend was so delicious!

The next morning, we had an early flight where I again flew to Chicago and then back to Wilmington. On the way back, I got some beautiful views of the city line of Chicago and then of the coast of Wrightsville beach. When I got home, I felt a little remorseful after being at such a wonderful show. With a few weeks to recharge, I am looking forward to the spring show season as it quickly approaches.

Ashlyn Gonzalves

2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

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