OQHA

Since the second year of the All American Quarter Horse Congress, an accomplished horsewoman has represented the Congress and in turn, the Quarter Horse industry. Candidates for Congress Queen must represent a state, regional or provincial Quarter Horse association and have the signature of their association’s president or vice president on their contest application.

2011 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen:
Courtney Sturgill

Photo © Jeff Kirkbride Photography

Courtney Sturgill of Wise, Virginia has been involved in the Quarter Horse industry for her entire life. Her mother, Elizabeth Wills, breeds and raises Quarter Horses on their family farm in Virginia, which sparked Courtney’s initial love of horses.

Courtney began showing in 11 and under walk/trot events and quickly moved up to the all-around events, which culminated in 2009, when Courtney was named Congress Champion in Youth Performance Geldings with her horse, Bearly Zippin. Currently, she is bringing along a home-bred three-year-old western pleasure gelding, Huntin For Candy.

Courtney graduated from J.J. Kelly High School in Wise, Virginia in 2008 and is now a senior at Florida Southern College, double majoring in Communications and Psychology. Courtney is hoping to enter the fields of broadcast journalism or public relations after she receives her bachelor’s degrees in April of 2012.

While horses have been a life-long passion for Courtney, another one of her interests is pageants. She was crowned Miss Teen Virginia in 2007 and was 3rd runner-up in the Miss Teen United States pageant.

“The All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen Contest allowed me to combine two of passions: horses and pageants,” Courtney said. “This opportunity is once in a lifetime, and I am so grateful.”

This year as the All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen, Courtney will travel to AQHA shows across the country representing the Congress, including the Dixie National Quarter Horse Show, Gold Coast, Gulf Coast, The Southern Belle Invitation, AQHYA Youth World Show, Tom Powers Triple Challenge Futurity, Virginia Quarter Horse Classic, The Reichert Celebration, The Little Futurity, as well as several others. Make sure to check out the Queen’s Blog, where Courtney will detail all of her experiences throughout the year.

Congress Queen Events

2012 Events TBA

Overview of the Queen Contest

Queen contestants will begin with an orientation meeting and participate in an oral interview, written exam, Queens Horsemanship, an autograph session and the Congress Queen’s Style Show, as well as the 2012 crowning ceremony during the NYATT awards program.

Important Deadlines

September 1st – Congress Program Ads Due
August 25th – Contestant Applications Due

How to Apply

To apply, send a completed application with original signature from association president or vice president, signed liability release form, check made payable to OQHA in the amount of $275.00, as well as two 8 x 10 and six wallet sized photos to Kelli Diaz, Congress Queen Committee Chair. Entries must be postmarked by August 25th. For more details on how to apply, please read the 2012 Congress Queen Rules.

Contact

For more information, please contact:
Kelli Diaz
Congress Queen Committee Chair
2252 Seminary Rd.
Heath, OH 43056
740-404-7930
CongressQueenTeam@yahoo.com