State Spending Millions To Help Horse Show

Organizers of the All American Quarter Horse Congress have decided to stay in Ohio after the state committed 38 million dollars for upgrades at the state fairgrounds. Ohio risked losing its contract with the event because the congress had outgrown space available at the Ohio Expo Center. The event has been held in Ohio since 1967.  Virgil Strickler, the center's general manager, says state money will fund construction of a 1,000-stall barnlike structure that will nearly double available stall space, and a 100,000-square-foot multipurpose building. The fairgrounds' 10-year contract with the congress was set to expire next year. Strickler says a new agreement will be struck before construction begins. Congress executive director Scott Myers says improvements will nearly eliminate the need to house horses in tent-stalls.