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
