The idea for a Quarter Horse-only competition event in Ohio was proposed at an Ohio Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) meeting in 1966 by horse breeder Blair Folck, and promoted by Folck and OQHA president Pete Drake.

The result was the first Annual AAQHC, a three-day Quarter Horse show event held November 3–5, 1967, which attracted more than 5,000 attendees.

Its events managed more than 17,000 entries and housing was needed for nearly 6,000 registered American Quarter Horses.

All American Quarter Horse Congress officials reported to the Ohio Expositions Commission that the show spends $700,000 each year on temporary stall and tent rental.

[7] The AAQHC organizes point-earning competitions in a variety of disciplines that also offer cash awards and various other prizes.