Congress time is nearly upon us! Largest single breed horse show. Everything QH. And everything in excess.
I am going just to watch but it will be my first Congress experience so I am looking forward to it! I’m going with a friend who graduated from Ohio State so she knows her way around Columbus thankfully.
What are the can’t miss things at Congress?
You have to have an apple dumpling with vanilla ice cream. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. YOU. ARE. THERE!
Following! I’m going for the first time this year, competing in the hippology contest. Can’t wait!
You’re going to love it! Definitely check out the endless shopping (of course). Get a cinnamon roll for breakfast (or lunch…or dinner…) at the Cinnamon Station. Any class with a pattern (Trail, Showmanship, Equitation, etc) is especially fun & inspiring to watch (at least for me) because the talent level is incredible across the board . It’s always fun to walk through some of the super luxurious horse trailers that are for sale. Depending on when you’re going the Freestyle Reining is a great event to go to if you’re able to get a ticket. One thing that I’ve never done but I’ve heard is amazing is to go look at the setups that get built for different farms/trainers in the stabling areas.
Get an apple dumpling for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Watch some of the reining. (Not that I’m biased)
Take advantage of the crazy shopping.
and eat the Apple dumplings!
Good luck @MgDez !!
I definitely want to tour the Gilligan Barn and see the stall set ups. I’m almost bummed I only have two days! I want to go for longer but I’m just going to be happy I have that!
Seeing the freestyle is on the bucket list. I can’t this year but there is nothing else like it anywhere
You’ll love it! I’ve gone for the last two years for day trips and wish I could go for longer. Shopping wise, I love trying on the major things (looking for a new jacket) and then comparing online. Most booths also have pretty good deals. And of course all of the famous horses!
Please let us know how you do! Best of luck!!!
My team competed at nationals three years in a row. GOOD LUCK!!! Bring something to do after your test, you can’t talk with your teammates until all competitors are finished. 
Have some potato soup at Schmidt’s. There sausage is supposed to be tasty as well but I have yet to have one in all my time at Congress. I do not know why but I cannot stop having the soup! Also Schmidts has pumpkin cream puffs which are yummy.
You must have an Apple Dumpling as previously mentioned. If you want to be decadent go get the homemade ice cream in front of Gilligan for your Apple Dumpling instead of the ice cream they serve at the apple dumpling place.
The brick oven pizza place is getting a good following as well.
Don’t forget there are lectures that may interest you.
You are in luck if you need blankets because Schneiders is bringing back their store. For the past couple of years they have not brought anything but clothes and all blankets were by order.
Wish I was going 
I haven’t been for a few years now. Great shopping and love the reining and cutting classes. Next year!
Good luck MgDez and keep us posted!
I took a team of 4-H kids to Congress years ago for hippology contest and they had a great time.
I completed in the judging contest back when I was in college, great memories!
Way back in the early 90’s when I did hippology there wasn’t a contest at Congress but at another big futurity that is now defunct. Still fun but not the same as Congress.
I can’t believe no one has mentioned the Bourbon Chicken! Totally agree about the cinnamon rolls and dumpling. :love-struck:
We are there for the cutting, so we’re leaving early tomorrow morning. Spent all day yesterday cooking and packing the trailer.
Thanks everyone! I’m so excited and will be sure to try all the amazing food!!
Great Lakes or Solid Gold?
Roseymare, it was Solid Gold. I couldn’t remember the name until you posted it.
I think it was in Illinois, but I really can’t remember.
@PintoPony Solid Gold had it not become mired in politics may have overtaken Congress. There were some other problems as well but politics was a big one
It was momentarily brought back to life as The International and once again politics in this state took center stage.
Here is an interesting article in the Tribune http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2…es-prize-money
Interesting enough Columbus and Congress has had its own political woes
http://www.dispatch.com/article/20131103/NEWS/311039879
It is amazing to me that Congress has continued to grow and prosper. Many many of the other big shows have floundered- Quarterama, too many futurities to name and even Gold Coast and Gulf Coast to a certain extent.
I have to hand it to the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. They really have had some quality leadership and forethought.
Thanks for sharing those links roseymare!
it is interesting when you consider the Congress in context of all the other shows. Like whatever happened to the Reichert? That was a big deal for a while. I’m not up to date on any QH politics anymore.
I wish stallion avenue was still a feature of the congress. Would be neat to see all the big time studs
Reichert fell like many of them did- including Solid Gold. Not enough money coming in to keep paying out the big bucks. Adding new things without thinking them through and throwing money at them. You hear rumors on all the shows that fail about skimming but I think it is more of the “robbing Peter to pay Paul” situation and the inevitable optimists horse people are. Really horse people are optimists. Next year will always be my year!
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