Congress Trophy Redesigned by Upcoming Western Artist Don Bell
Press Release by Tracy Bidwell January 12, 2011
The Ohio Quarter Horse Association has partnered with budding western artist Don Bell to sculpt a new bronze trophy for the 45th annual All American Quarter Horse Congress, held October 7-30, 2011 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The trophy, which is still in production, will be of similar size to the C.R. Morrison bronze, standing about seven inches tall. Bell is about half way done with the original sculpture, and hopes to finish in the first week of January, he said. The piece will then be presented to the Ohio Quarter Horse Association Board of Directors for approval.
The sculpture is of a halter horse, and is designed to look like the most ideal horse for that discipline, Bell said. “This horse I’m doing will represent the kind of horse we see as a Grand Champion Stallion,” Bell said. In the end, the sculpture will be a more modern depiction of the Quarter Horse. Raised in Tennessee, Bell has been among horses his entire life. His father was a professional horse trainer, and Bell showed in many events throughout his early years. Bell continues his passion for showing today, through his farm Don Bell Quarter Horses, located in Whitesboro, Texas, where has shown PHBA, ABHA and AQHA World and Congress championships.
As an artist, Bell has found much success. He worked extensively with Marrita McMilian, a renowned sculptress, and attended many workshops hosted by Veryl Goodnight and Eugene Daub. Bell has been the official artist for both the AQHA and APHA World Championship shows, as well as the NRHA Futurity.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity,” Bell said. “I’m mostly known for my pencil work, and this will be the premier bronze piece I’ve done to this point in my career.”
The All American Quarter Horse Congress is the world’s largest single-breed horse show. It has more than 17,000 entries annually during its three week duration each October. Held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, the show attracts 650,000 people to the area, and generates $110 million for the Central Ohio economy. The All American Quarter Horse Congress is hosted by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, a state affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association. Our mission is to promote the registered American Quarter Horse within the state of Ohio.
For more information, please visit www.OQHA.com or call our office at 740-943-2346.
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