First-Ever Maiden Halter Stakes Comes To The Quarter Horse Congress With A $30,000 Payday

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156 – September/October, 2025

By Brittany Vermeer

Maiden stakes classes are nothing new. Over the past decade, they’ve been popping up just about everywhere–in Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and even Ranch Riding. The idea of “maiden” being that it’s the first time a horse has competed in the show pen.

But there’s one thing we haven’t seen yet, and that’s a maiden Halter class at the largest single-breed horse show in the world. In 2025, the All-American Quarter Horse Congress is bringing renewed excitement to the Halter pen with a brand-new class: the $30,000 Added Yearling Maiden Open Limited Halter Stakes.

In addition to a monster payday, this event has a few distinct components. We’re here to break it all down with some help from Justin Billings, Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, and representatives of the class sponsors: The Equine Chronicle, Headley Quarter Horses, and JL Robinson Quarter Horses.

Maiden + Money = More Opportunities

Click here to read the complete article
156 – September/October, 2025