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
