I was just on their website and see no mention of cancellation. Are they really moving forward with this in September 2020?
My guess is yes it will occur.
There have been multiple shows held in Forth Worth at Will Rogers
https://www.fortworth.com/listings/w…l-center/7123/
The Morgan Horse Grand Nationals is still set to run at about the same time (early Oct)
I also think that at least the show part of the Congress will go ahead. I wonder about the trade show and spectators for the ticketed events (PBR rodeo, cutting, freestyle reining, masters WP/HUS)? I didn’t see anywhere to buy tickets on their website.
I usually go for the freestyle reining and shopping, and I’m disappointed to miss it this year, but I just don’t think everything will be under control enough by late September/October for me to feel safe attending a large event like the Congress.
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It was always easy enough to catch the “Congress Crud” during usual times never mind Covid. Especially true for the vendors, officials and trainers who are on site for the full month.
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Cases in Ohio are currently increasing. Will things be better by October? Who knows. Many other large events are cancelled, OSU football on some kind of weird schedule with no fans. Congress could potentially be a classic superspreader event as people come in from all over the US all month long from a lot of the current hot spots. It would be a huge hit for the Columbus economy if it didn’t happen.
If they ran it like a USEF show it might work but as someone mentioned above - a lot of the standard Congress happenings might be off the table. And no spectators.
OSU just recently cancelled the Farm Science Review which is mid-September and another big event that draws a huge crowd from all over the state and midwest. Many many other big fall events in Ohio are also cancelled. I’d say things are not looking good as a lot of factors are out of their control. I don’t blame them for waiting until the last possible minute to decide what to do, but I do believe that minute is upon us.
2020 - the year of a million disappointments…
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Yes. I heard from several sources as recently as today that the Congress is a go in October.
I’ve received emails about their sales recently, so it sounds like it’s a go.
Cancelled
Don’t know about Congress, but the World Select Show was just cancelled:
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[TD]Adequan[SUP]®[/SUP] Select World[/TD]
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[TD]Due to a number of factors, the AQHA Executive Committee has postponed the 2020 AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), which was scheduled for August 31 - September 6 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Several factors went into the consideration of this difficult decision, including but not limited to the health and safety of attendees, many of whom are within the largest at-risk age range and have expressed their concerns about attending the event, in addition to the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in Fort Worth,” said Justin Billings, AQHA chief show officer. [/TD]
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addition to the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in Fort Worth,” said Justin Billings, AQHA chief show officer.
I guess Rita Crundwell would be the one to worry as most of these mentioned COVID-19 cases are in the Federal Prisons in Ft Worth
Given the info @Bluey posted, I would expect a similar notice in August regarding Congress.
Waiting until the Nth moment to cancel.
At least I would hope AQHA was that cognizant of the seriousness of the pandemic.
This is not the year to go LaLaLa, can’t hear you!
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There is now some weeks long cutting competition going on in Forth Worth.
Have friends competing there.
Also reining is permitting some of their shows, Denver finishing an early futurity this weekend and Tulsa still in the books soon, I think.
Rodeos have also started again and going full steam, as are all sorts of car races.
There is more activity out there than we realize.
@Bluey Local shows going on here too.
Buckskin World still happening & I am going to watch a friend compete in halter today at the local rinkydink arena.
But Congress is SO HUGE, goes on for so long & attendance so ginormous & from all over the US, I’d expect AQHA to think at least twice since they cancelled the Championship show.
I understand for some it is a huge chunk of their income, but not worth jeopardizing health, IMHO.
This entire country is facing a long economic recovery.
Just not worth adding potential spread of the virus for one event.
There WILL be a next year.
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Of course AQHA is cognizant of the seriousness since they cancelled the Select World show. Congress isn’t run by AQHA, but by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association.
As they have many classes that are not AQHA approved they could still run with the futurities, NCHA classes etc. even if AQHA were to pull their approval.
Personally I think it’s crazy to go to it, but look at all the big hunter/jumper shows, Arabian etc. that are still on. Some people think they’re invincible.
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So while the Select World scheduled for the end of August has been postponed, the Youth World show coming up very soon is still happening. No word yet on any status changes for the open/ammy World show in November which theoretically should be bigger then normal with no qualifying requirements this year and the addition of all the Level 1 classes after those championships were cancelled back in the spring.
@OneDayMore you beat me to it! I just saw that on Facebook. Sad, but still for the best.
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I was afraid of this… but what else could they do? A big disappointment, but I really feel it was the best decision.
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The Select AQHA show is now scheduled for November, along with the AQHA World show, in OKC.
Ohio is one of the state’s showing increased cases of Covid. They seem to expect things to get worse. So many people attending from other states could have made the Congress a huge spreader as they head home. So canceling appears to be a good idea.
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I no longer have any faith in people being motivated by health or common sense, giving up what they want now for something in the future… The cynic in me wonders if someone did the math on what happens if it gets shut down halfway through… Ticket refunds, angry customers…
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