EATON — The Preble County Board of Commissioners announced on Monday, Jan. 23, the All American Quarter Horse Congress will be hosting the Congress Cutting in Preble County in October of 2023.
“It was noted on Friday (Jan. 20) the American Quarter Horse Congress put on Facebook the first week of October the quarter horse sanction cutting cattle class will be held at the Fairgrounds, in the new horse arena. So, it’s big, it’s getting everything off the ground,” stated commissioner David Haber. “State quarter horse associations are getting a hold of us to use that arena. So, it’s really good, I’ve had a few exciting phone calls about that. It’s a foot in the door that will probably grow from there.”
According to the All American Quarter Horse Congress website, the All American Quarter Horse Congress is the world’s largest single-breed horse show, with about 28,000 entries in 2022 alone. The All American Quarter Horse Congress is hosted by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, a state affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association. The mission of the affiliate is to protect and promote the Quarter Horse and the interests of owners, breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts, per according to their mission statement.
The commissioners all agreed that event is tremendous news for Preble County, guaranteeing a fair amount of profit and notoriety to the fairgrounds, and subsequently the surrounding area.
The commissioners added, officials of the organization have already visited the arena and found it favorable for the events in mind.
“From a revenue standpoint, it’s incredible for the Ag Society,” remarked Commissioner Adam Craft. “To get an event like this, with national recognition. I mean, it’s going to really spark some interest, I think, throughout the year.”
Craft went on to say the event could possibly pull similar revenue to the Preble County Pork Festival, however those numbers are not yet official, and only rough estimates.
The All American Quarter Horse Congress posted the following statement on their official Facebook page, Friday, Jan. 20.
“The Congress Cutting will be held at the Bullen Equestrian Center at Preble County Fairgrounds in Eaton, Ohio on Oct. 4-7, 2023. The NCHA Great Lakes Circuit Finals, an NCHA national event, will follow on Sunday, Oct. 8. Congress Cutting exhibitors will be eligible to qualify for the circuit finals. Two great events…one premier location!”
For more information about this event and the All American Quarter Horse Congress, visit www.quarterhorsecongress.com.
In other business:
•Commissioners noted receipt of and approved the promotion of William Ritter to Drainage Technician with the Preble County Engineers office.
•Commissioners noted receipt of and approved the promotion of Kenneth Rogers to Drainage Technician with the Preble County Engineers office.
•Commissioners noted receipt of and approved the new hire of Lillian Webb as an intermittent part-time dispatcher with the Preble County Sheriff’s Office.
Reach Nathan Hoskins at 937-683-4057.
