Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association
Volume 66 Issue 1
Spring 2024
The Ohio Quarter Horse Association 6325 Quarter Horse Drive Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 505-7200
OAQHA hosted their annual meeting ahead of the OQHA Banquet. The newly elected officers (President: Heather Duer, Vice President: Lee Heighton, Second Vice President: Kelly Rauschenbach, Treasurer: Kaitlin Riker, Secretary: Sara Oler, Reporter: Hanna Hedderick) led the meeting. We enjoyed getting to see and hear from additional Ohio Amateurs. The 2023 (“not so”) Little Buckeye, for the second year in a row, has been recognized as an AQHA Top Ten horse show!
OQHA Annual Meetings & Awards Banquet The OQHA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, held at the Hilton Downtown Columbus on Saturday, February 3, marked a historic milestone with well over 500 attendees, making it the most well-attended banquet in association history.
The OAQHA Board has been working hard on preparations for the 2024 Little Buckeye. Stalls opened up on April 1st, and camping opened up on April 15th. Stall and camping checks will be cashed on June 1st, any changes need to be made prior to June 1st.
The day commenced with the OQHA Board of Directors conducting their annual meeting, reviewing the accomplishments of 2023 and welcoming newly elected and appointed directors. Art O’Brien received the prestigious AQHA Most Valuable Professional award, a recognition bestowed upon him by his peers.
Exciting updates to Garwood Arena are expected ahead of our show to provide an even better exhibitor experience. These include a solution to the temporary stalls OAQHA rented in 2023, and some additional camping spots.
OAQHA and OQHYA also convened, discussing plans for the year ahead and introducing their 2024 directors.
The entire OAQHA Team looks forward to seeing you at the 2024 Little Buckeye! April 12-14 EOQHA Spring It On
Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association 2024 OQHYA Officers and Directors: President - Colton Smith Vice President - Layni Wills Secretary - Isabella Hamilton Treasurer - Avianna Nemeth Reporter - Emily Craft Directors Morgan Adkins Kaylee Olds Kambrie Atkins Allie Paul Caden Craft Kailee Rife Callie Davenport Adrianna Weygandt OQHYA Advisors: Stella Dorsey Ila Williams Lilly Ehrman Meghan Kaser Lexi Wills Tammi Smith Mallory Kirby
Updates provided by OAQHA & OQHYA Representatives
OHIO QUARTER HORSE N EWS
Champions Center 4122 Laybourne Road Springfield, OH 45505
May 11 MODA Western Dressage Spring Show
May 2-5 SOQHA Pre-Madness World Equestrian Center 4095 Ohio 730 Wilmington, OH 45177
May 18-19 OSBA Buckskin Memorial Classic
Duncan Run Farm 12858 Center Village Road Galena, OH 43021
Bullen Equestrian Center 722 S. Franklin Street Eaton, OH 45320
June 1-2 Fulton County Saddle Club
June 7-9 OMIQHA Summer Sunsation
Fulton County Fairgrounds 8514 OH-108 Wauseon, OH 43567
June 28-30 SFP Big Bang NCHA Cutting
Garwood Arena 2538 Middleton Road Columbiana, OH 44408
July 5-7 SFP Big Bang RSNC Sorting
Bullen Equestrian Center 722 S. Franklin Street Eaton, OH 45320
Bullen Equestrian Center 722 S. Franklin Street Eaton, OH 45320
August 3-4 Mt Trail Challenge Championship
August 23-26 NOQHA Fall Extravaganza
Creekside Horse Park 7460 Elson Street Waynesburg, OH 44688
Garwood Arena 2538 Middleton Road Columbiana, OH 44408
May 2-5 SFP Spring Spectacular NCHA Cutting
May 4 MODA Spring Fling II
May 7-12 SOQHA The Madness
May 10-12 SFP RSNC Sorting
May 19 Mt Trail Challenge
May 24-26 NOQHA Spring Extravaganza
May 27 NOQHA Level 1 Show
May 29-June 2 Buckeye Reining Spectacular
June 12-16 NOQHA Six Pack Circuit
June 12-16 Mt Trail Challenge & OQHA Annual Trail Ride
June 22 MODA Western Dressage June Jubilation
Creekside Horse Park 7460 Elson Street Waynesburg, OH 44688
Home of Joy Farm 3315 Lake Road NE Lancaster, OH 43130
July 12-14 MODA Mid-Ohio Classic
July 19-21 BWHA Classic
Bullen Equestrian Center 722 S. Franklin Street Eaton, OH 45320
Creekside Horse Park 7460 Elson Street Waynesburg, OH 44688
June 9 MODA Strawberry Moon Masterfare Equestrian Center 10381 Green Chapel Road NW Johnstown, OH 43031
July 6-7 OSBA Red, White, and Buckskin Show Champions Center 4122 Laybourne Road Springfield, OH 45505
September 7-8 MODA East Meets West Four Star Quarter Horses 10156 Marysville Road Ostrander, OH 43061
Duncan Run Farm 12858 Center Village Road Galena, OH 43021
Findlay Western Farm 14700 US Route 68 Findlay, OH 45840
Findlay Western Farm 14700 US Route 68 Findlay, OH 45840
July 11-14 The Little Buckeye Garwood Arena 2538 Middleton Road Columbiana, OH 44408
September 13-15 EOQHA Fall Classic Ohio Expo Center 717 E. 17th Avenue Columbus, OH 43211
World Equestrian Center 4095 Ohio 730 Wilmington, OH 45177
Findlay Western Farm 14700 US Route 68 Findlay, OH 45840
Brave Horse Equestrian Center 1029 S. County Line Road Johnstown, OH 43031
October 19 MODA Harvest Moon Schooling Show Duncan Run Farm 12858 Center Village Road Galena, OH 43021
www.oqha.com/join www.oqha.com/ohio-show-schedule
Bullen Equestrian Center 722 S. Franklin Street Eaton, OH 45320
Champions Center 4122 Laybourne Road Springfield, OH 45505
Findlay Western Farm 14700 US Route 68 Findlay, OH 45840
Following the annual meetings, participants enjoyed a vibrant social hour hosted by Ohio affiliates, offering an opportunity for networking and the distribution of year-end prizes. The evening awards banquet was a celebration of members’ achievements, with prizes totaling over $125,000, including 11 custom Miguel Aguilar saddles. The event was co-hosted by 2023 AAQHC Queen Jessica Blevins and 2023 OQHA Queen Ashton Snow. OQHA President George Seanor, OAQHA President Heather Duer, OQHYA President Bella D’Onofrio, and OQHYA Vice President Colton Smith shared inspiring remarks. President George Seanor presented the annual President’s Award to Connie Vansickle, Pat Seanor, and Tom Orosz in recognition of their outstanding contributions. A special tribute was paid to Dr. Scott Myers for his dedicated 24-year tenure serving OQHA as a director, president, and CEO. The event also featured a charitable auction that raised over $15,000 for the Ohio Quarter Horse Foundation, thanks to the generous donation of 2 electric bikes by Tom Coughlin of Coughlin Auto. Special thank you to Shawn and Lisa Runyon, as well as Travis and Nicole Herron, for their generous support. Another highlight was the announcement of Sidney Hawk as the 2024 Queen, who will represent OQHA at various events throughout the year, including affiliate shows, the AQHYA World Show, and the 2024 Congress Queen Contest. A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to making the evening a resounding success. Make plans to celebrate your 2024 achievements at next year’s banquet, scheduled for February 8, 2025.