3rd Annual Quarter Horse Congress Parade Closes High St., Downtown Today

Third Annual All American Quarter Horse Congress Parade & Press Conference featuring elected officials on horseback, mounted law enforcement units from around the region, youth roping competitors, mechanical bulls, rodeo clowns and more.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 from 11:30-12:15 PM

Parade steps off at Columbus Commons and travels down High St., ending at City Hall

Now in its 48^th year, the All American Quarter Horse Congress is the world’s largest single-breed horse show, boasting more than 18,000 entries annually.

 

It is the largest convention in Ohio, attracting more than 650,000 people to the area, and according to The Ohio State University, generating more than $200 million for the Central Ohio economy.

 

This year’s Congress features 694 entries/competitors from Ohio alone.

 

The tradeshow features more than 210 vendors, selling everything from jewelry to furniture, to the latest in Western apparel and horse products, many of which are locally owned.

 

The Congress offers the best in fair food and concessions including several bars.

 

This year, the PBR bull riding tour returns to the Coliseum on Friday, October 10^th at 8 pm. This event features many PBR Finals Bulls. Top riders from all over the country compete to earn a spot on the Built Ford Tough Series and a chance to compete at the PBR Finals.

 

To encourage Central Ohioans to come out and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Congress for themselves, they are offering a 40 percent discount on daily parking passes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the Congress. This reduces the cost of parking & admission from $25 per vehicle to only $15.

11:30 AM  Parade steps off from Columbus Commons, including:

 

Elected Officials and Civic Leaders On Horseback –

o   Ohio Quarter Horse Association President Chris Darnell

o   Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman

o   Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels

o   Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther

o   Representative Cheryl Grossman

o   Senator Jim Hughes

o   Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks

 

Elected Officials and Civic Leaders in Wagons –

o   City Council Member Eileen Paley

o   Experience Columbus President & CEO Brian Ross

·         Columbus Police Department Mounted Unit

·         Franklin County Sheriff Mounted Unit

·         Delaware County Sheriff Mounted Unit

·         The Ohio State University Police Mounted Unit

·         All American Quarter Horse Congress Queens

·         All American Quarter Horse Congress Calf-Roping Competitors In Action

·         A Mechanical Bull

·         Horse Trailers and Trucks

 

11:55 AM – 12:15 PM Press conference outside Columbus City Hall with remarks from:

 

·         Ohio Quarter Horse Association President Chris Darnell

·         Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman

·         Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther

·         Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks

·         Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels

·         Representative Cheryl Grossman

·         Senator Jim Hughes