Congress Hall of Fame

Paul Brown (inducted in 1987)

The late Paul Brown of Newark, Ohio served as the president of OQHA in 1972 and 1973. Brown created and developed the Congress National Youth Activity Team Tournament in 1968 and served as its first chairperson for many years. Brown worked diligently to promote the tournament among AQHA affiliates. Brown also coordinated Congress awards ceremonies for several years. 

W.P. “Pete” Drake (inducted in 1987)

The late Dr. W.P. “Pete” Drake of Tucson, Ariz. (formerly of Richwood, Ohio) served as OQHA president during the first three years of the Congress, 1967-69. Dr. Drake tirelessly promoted the Congress in its early years, even keeping paperwork at his house (which filled three entire rooms before he rented office space). Later, Dr. Drake became the unofficial historian of the All American Quarter Horse Congress. 

 Blair Folck (inducted in 1987)

The late Blair Folck of Springfield, Ohio served as OQHA president in 1963 and 1964, as well as 1970 and 1971. Folck developed the concept of the All American Quarter Horse Congress and worked with Dr. Drake during the show’s early years to promote it. He also owned National Equine Sales, the company that managed the Congress Super Sale from the first year in 1967 through 2008. 

Earl Lambert (inducted in 1987)

Rounding out the first four inductees, the late Earl Lambert of Columbus, Ohio served as one of Ohio’s first show secretaries. He managed the popular Midwest Livestock Show and Rodeo in the 1950’s and 1960’s and was then recruited to become the Congress show secretary in its early years because of his horse show management expertise. 

Bailey “Stretch” Bradley (inducted in 1988)

The late Bailey “Stretch” Bradley of Plain City, Ohio served as an OQHA director, and many people still remember his tall frame sitting on the tractor dragging the Coliseum dirt between classes. Bradley also showed his champion Halter horses at Congress to numerous awards. 

 Dale Wilkinson (inducted in 1989)

The late Dale Wilkinson of Waynesboro, Ga. (formerly of Findlay, Ohio) is also a member of the NRHA, NCHA and AQHA Hall of Fame. When the Congress began in 1967, Wilkinson created the concept for the Reining division and managed the Congress Reining events during the show’s early years. 

 Keith Bradley (inducted in 1996)

The late Keith Bradley of Bowling Green, Ohio has been known as the “Voice of the Congress” since his smooth voice first graced the public address system in 1967. Through 2008, Bradley announced countless Congress Champions, record scores and other events, including serving as the Master of Ceremonies.

 Paul Wilt (inducted in 1996)

The late Paul Wilt of Sidney, Ohio served as OQHA president in 1995 and 1996 and held the longest term to date as a Congress Tri-Chairman, 12 years. Throughout his years of involvement, Wilt provided a steady foundation and wise advice to all. 

 Lee Sobas (inducted in 2001) 

The late Lee Sobas of Marysville, Ohio is the first woman inducted into the Congress Hall of Fame. She worked for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association for 27 years before retiring in 2002. Sobas served as horse show secretary and futurity secretary and she was a familiar face and a friendly voice to many horse show exhibitors in the Congress entry office. 

Alan Potts (inducted in 2002)

Alan Potts of Coshocton, Ohio served as president of OQHA in 1960 and remained active with OQHA by serving on every standing committee within the association. Potts has been involved with the Congress since it began.

Beverly Grose (inducted in 2006)

Inducted posthumously, Beverly Grose of Richwood, Ohio was an employee of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association for nearly 30 years. Grose served as the OQHA membership and points secretary and worked behind the scenes at Congress with OQHA’s computer system. She was known for her caring attitude, warm smile, hard work ethic and wealth of knowledge. 

Clark Bradley (inducted in 2008)

The late Clark Bradley of Findlay, Ohio comes from a family dedicated to OQHA. His father, Bailey, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. Clark has served as president of OQHA from 1999-2000, as well as the director representative for Reining and Roping for more than 25 years. Additionally, Clark has shown at every single Congress since it began in 1967.

Shirley DeLorean (inducted in 2008)

The late Shirley DeLorean, of Medina, Ohio, was in charge of the Congress Queen Contest for more than 25 years. She also served as president of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association from 2001 to 2002, as well as several other offices throughout the years. DeLorean was described as being a true-blue friend, someone who always made everyone feel welcome. 

Skip Salome (inducted in 2008)

Skip Salome of Newark, Ohio has been part of the All American Quarter Horse Congress since its inception in 1967. He has served on every Ohio Quarter Horse Association committee, including president from 1993-1994, 2005-2006 and 2009-2010. Salome’s children, Todd and Kelli, are also involved in OQHA as directors. 

 Denny Hales (inducted in 2009)

The late Denny Hales, from Zanesville, Ohio, was inducted posthumously to the Congress Hall of Fame. He served as the Congress show secretary, beginning in 1985 and continued his service to OQHA as the executive vice president for more than 20 years. Hales’ considerable contributions to OQHA and the Congress are forever remembered with the dedication of Denny Hales Arena on the Ohio Expo Center grounds, during the 2009 Congress. 

Joseph “Jess” Cecil (inducted in 2012)

Jess Cecil, from Wadsworth, Ohio was inducted posthumously to the Congress Hall of Fame. He was elected to the OQHA Board of Directors in 1981 & served on nearly every committee. Throughout his 30 years of service on the board, Jess was very involved with futurities, and the Congress Souvenir Program. Jess Cecil would have liked to be remembered for his work ethic, raising his children - which he always said was his greatest accomplishment, and promoting the Quarter Horse. 

Donald Clason (inducted in 2014)

Vic Clark (inducted in 2014)

The late Vic Clark of Shelby, Ohio served as the President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association in 1997 and 1998. Vic has been on the Ohio Quarter Horse Association’s board of directors for more than 30 years and a Congress Tri-Chairmen for 19 years.  He serves as an NRHA judge and is a CPA and a partner of an accounting firm in Mansfield, Ohio.

Fritz Leeman (inducted in 2014)

Fritz Leeman of Massillon, Ohio served as the President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association from 1990 through 1992. Fritz has been a Director of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association for 30 years and has served as Congress Tri-Chairman. He is also an AQHA Director at Large. Fritz and his wife Carol operate a 200-acre breeding facility.

Denny Thorsell (inducted in 2014)

Denny Thorsell of Burbank, Ohio served as a Director of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association for 17 years and a Congress Tri-Chairman for 9 years. He also serves on the AQHA Judges Committee and was an AQHA Steward for many years.

Dr. Scott Myers (inducted in 2021)


Dr. Scott Myers, from Sharon Center, Ohio, was elected as a director of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association in 2000. He was elected to a Congress Tri-Chairman position in 2006 and served as OQHA President in 2007, 2008, and 2013. Dr. Myers was employed as CEO of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association and the All American Quarter Horse Association from 2012-2023. He has served as an American Quarter Horse National Director for Ohio since 2007 and served as President of the American Quarter Horse Association in 2022. Dr. Myers has made a significant impact on the Quarter Horse Congress, and quarter horse industry as a whole, both within Ohio and on a national level. 

Chris Cecil Darnell (inducted in 2023)


Chris Cecil Darnell, from Wadsworth, Ohio, followed in her father’s footsteps with her passion for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association and the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Chris became a director in 2005 and has since served fours term as 1^st Vice President and five terms as President; 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018. Chris has also been a Congress Tri-Chairman for 12 years and an American Quarter Horse National Director for Ohio. Chris is a past president of the National Snaffle Bit Association and received the NSBA Jack Benson award in 2012. Chris is a past president of the Northern Ohio Quarter Horse Association and provides show secretary service across the nation, including the AQHA Level 1 East Championship Show, AQHYA World Show, AQHA World Show, NSBA Show Your Colors, and The Little Buckeye, just to name a few. Chris is married to her husband Jeff and they have two children and three grandsons.