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.
