The All American Quarter Horse Congress was held September 29-October 27 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.
With an array of diverse classes and disciplines, the show features $4.25 million in payout to equestrians. Open, amateur, novice and youth barrel racers ran in the VS Code Red Coliseum in hopes of a Congress win.
—> Full results and payout can be found here.
Sweepstakes Champions: Troy Crumrine and Willie B Smashed
Sweepstakes average winner, Troy Crumrine of Waynesfield, Ohio and 2018 gelding Willie B Smashed (Willie B Firewater x Smashedona Blue Moon x Connies Smashed) stayed consistent and conquered the difficult setup to be 29.437 on two runs. Bred and owned by Troy and Amanda Carnes, “Tuff” has made good runs but never been consistent like he was at the AQHA Congress.
“Troy Carnes pretty much started him and I just kind of put the finishing touches on him,” Crumrine said. “I’ve been probably running him on and off for the last two years, he’s made some nice runs, just not three in a row like he did down there [at the Congress]. I always knew he had it in him, just a matter of time getting it done.”
Placing fourth in the first go with a 15.016 won the pair $985. Coming back in round two, they ran a 14.629 to win the round and $1,970.
The barrel racing sweepstakes uses a unique format where the finals consist of the top 20 combined from both preliminary rounds. This means you can hit a barrel in one run and qualify for the finals with your second run. The average is calculated on the two fastest runs.
Tuff and Crumrine ran a 14.666 to be second in the finals and secure the average win, adding an additional $5,516 to their event earnings. Crumrine noted that the VS Code Red Coliseum is a tough setup, and that the first barrel is crucial to a good run in that arena.
“The thing about the Congress, what makes it kind of hard is it’s not so much the first barrel is totally blind, but it’s a long way down there, and a straight shot at it,” Crumrine said. “So a lot of people really miss the first barrel there. It’s a hard place and then what kills you is if you don’t get a good first barrel, it’s hard to get a good second barrel because you can’t get over in time [for your second barrel]. So your first barrel there is just crucial.”
Crumrine is no stranger to success with more than $4.5 million in EquiStat lifetime earnings with an impressive resume aboard standout horses like Sissys Little Coin, Hoosier Fame, Mulberry Canyon Moon, Dont Cross The Bully, MCM Imasharpguy, SR Industry Titan and Blazin Boss among others.
The AQHA Congress is special to Crumrine because it’s in his backyard. The Waynesfield, Ohio barrel racer often travels to the large divisional races and aged events but this is close to home.
“I think what makes Congress stand out is they’ve got so many different shops set up, and it goes on for like 28 days straight,” Crumrine explained. “The shopping and events, there is more for the spectators to do and to watch, they don’t just have to watch barrel racing or whatever, and can walk around all the booths.”
Not only does Crumrine enjoy this show because of the trade show and location, but he’s been successful on multiple horses. Dont Cross The Bully, who has $170,000 in EquiStat lifetime earnings took Crumrine to back-to-back AQHA Congress Sweepstakes championships in 2003 and 2004. EquiStat lifetime earnings excess of $335,000, Mulberry Canyon Moon won the Sweepstakes championship in 2007 with Crumrine and went on to the National Finals Rodeo in 2011 with Angie Meadors. Now, Crumrine can add Tuff to that list of elite horses.
Reserve Sweepstakes Champions: Isabel Cumber and KN Last Famous Czar
Isabel Cumper and 2015 gelding KN Last Famous Czar (Famous Gold Coin x Kczartessa x Streakin Dash) of Freeland, Michigan won the sweepstakes finals with a 14.599, pocketing $1,970, and were second in the sweepstakes average with a 29.437 to win an additional $3,152. To top off the earnings, Cumper also won the National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT) worth $100 with a 15.065.
The National Youth Activities Team Tournament (NYATT) is held on the second to last Sunday of the Congress, consisting of teams made from youth members of each state. Each team member competes in their class and accumulates points for their state team.
“The Congress is unlike any other show,” Cumper said. “The energy when you enter the arena is unmatched especially in the sweepstakes. Running in there and seeing tons of people packed in the stands and feeling the energy is super cool. The ground is always amazing as well.”
Cumper has barrel raced her whole life, taking after her mom who grew up with racehorses and barrel horses. With a resume to prove her success with “Whiskey,” the duo has been awarded multiple Michigan IBRA championships and Congress wins.
“I’m so grateful for every run that God gives me on this horse, but this Congress was extra special for us,” Cumper explained. “This was my first time ever running the sweepstakes at the Congress and Whiskey made it one to remember. The first barrel is always so hard at Congress because of the long alleyway and straight angle. Whiskey took the reins though and ran in rimming the first barrel every time.”
Coming to Columbus with the goal to win the NYATT, Whiskey exceeded expectations in the sweepstakes finals, running the fasted time of the event.
“Going in and winning the final round of the sweepstakes is something I’ll always remember,” she said. “When I ran back into the alleyway and looked at the time I was in absolute shock. He gave me his all and I’m forever grateful that God gave me this amazing horse.”
Cumper plans to run at IBRA shows this fall and winter in preparation for summer rodeos and next year’s Congress.
Junior, Senior and Amateur Barrel Racing
Youth Barrel Racing
