by Kassie Boyd, news editor

Saegertown seniors Hunter Trzeciak and Autumn Jones attended the All American Quarter Horse Congress in late October. Congress is the largest single breed horse show in the world, held each year in Columbus, Ohio. According to the American Quarter Horse Congress website, over $3 million dollars are given in cash and prizes, and Congress generates $285 million for the central Ohio economy.

Senior Hunter Trzeciak competed on Oct. 20-22 and 25. She and her horse Countin Downthehours, or “Cody the Wonder Pony” were finalists in the novice youth hunter under saddle, the NYATT hunter under saddle, and the 15-18 hunter under saddle classes. Trzeciak was also in the top 35 of 150 in the 15-18 hunter under saddle. This was Treziciak’s fourth consecutive year showing at Congress. “My mom always talked about it, and when I started showing it was always one of my goals to show there,” Trzeciak said. “My first time showing there was in 2014, and I’ve shown there every year since.”

Senior Autumn Jones and her horse Mighty Mouth, or “Mouthy,” competed on Oct. 26 and 27. She took 18 of 74 in the pole bending segment of the 14-18 youth pole bending and barrel racing classes, and she also took part in the senior pole bending and barrel racing class. “I’ve been competing pretty much since I could get on a horse,” Jones said, “We’ve been going to shop since I was six or seven, and it usually falls on 4H states, but I decided to go this year.”

Both girls plan to continue riding and competing in the future. “As of right now I am taking a break until further notice. I may show a few times before I go to college but that’s it,” Trzeciak said. “I am planning to get back into showing full time once I finish college and am able to buy my own horse.” Jones plans to find a career training and boarding horses.

“The best thing about showing is going into the pen and having everyone’s eyes on you, and being able to show everyone what you have worked so hard for all year,” said Trzeciak.