Patrick
05-22-2007, 08:03 PM
Another score for the upgrades at State Fair Park:
City lands international reining competition: FEI World Reining Masters here next fallby Jerry Shottenkirk
The Journal Record
5/22/2007 OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City is, for all intents and purposes, the “reining” horse capital of the world, and it has been selected to host another international event.
The National Reining Horse Association, which has its offices on NW 10th Street adjacent to State Fair Park, is coming off a successful run in the NRHA Derby last week and is making plans for bigger and better things.
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), which is the governing body of equestrian events, has granted Oklahoma City the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters, which will take place during the NHRA Futurity Nov. 22 through Dec. 1 at State Fair Park. The Masters will have the spotlight Nov. 29.
Reining is the only western discipline recognized by the FEI, which has 135 affiliated equine federations around the world. It’s a judged competition focused on the athletic ability of ranch-style horses.
The NRHA and Oklahoma City hosted the FEI World Reining Masters in 2004, and the competition drew contestants from 16 countries. They competed for $100,000 and medals.
The NRHA was founded in 1966, and in 1986, the Futurity moved to Oklahoma City from Columbus, Ohio. The association moved to its current headquarters in 1998.
Reining became part of the world equestrian picture in 2000. Currently, there are 660 reining shows with total prize money of more than $9 million. The top plum for the reining set is the $125,000 first prize given to the winner of the Futurity Open Class.
The FEI event and Futurity are expected to add up to about $5 million to the local economy.
David Patterson, director of marketing and communications for the NRHA, said the event is a chance for Europeans and Asians to see western culture.
“Reining is the only western discipline in equestrian events,” Patterson said. “We’ll have about 2,500 people here from all over the world. Whether they are from Europe or Asia, they love the western heritage. They will hit all the retailers around for boots, jeans and shirts, in addition to what they’ll spend in hotels and restaurants.” Patterson said the FEI World Reining Masters is among the most important events in the sport. “It’s pretty substantial as an equestrian event, and this year up to 12 countries will be represented,” he said. “There will be people from the FEI and the United States Equestrian Foundation, and the FEI World Reining Masters competition is part of the Futurity, which is our top event.”
City lands international reining competition: FEI World Reining Masters here next fallby Jerry Shottenkirk
The Journal Record
5/22/2007 OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City is, for all intents and purposes, the “reining” horse capital of the world, and it has been selected to host another international event.
The National Reining Horse Association, which has its offices on NW 10th Street adjacent to State Fair Park, is coming off a successful run in the NRHA Derby last week and is making plans for bigger and better things.
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), which is the governing body of equestrian events, has granted Oklahoma City the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters, which will take place during the NHRA Futurity Nov. 22 through Dec. 1 at State Fair Park. The Masters will have the spotlight Nov. 29.
Reining is the only western discipline recognized by the FEI, which has 135 affiliated equine federations around the world. It’s a judged competition focused on the athletic ability of ranch-style horses.
The NRHA and Oklahoma City hosted the FEI World Reining Masters in 2004, and the competition drew contestants from 16 countries. They competed for $100,000 and medals.
The NRHA was founded in 1966, and in 1986, the Futurity moved to Oklahoma City from Columbus, Ohio. The association moved to its current headquarters in 1998.
Reining became part of the world equestrian picture in 2000. Currently, there are 660 reining shows with total prize money of more than $9 million. The top plum for the reining set is the $125,000 first prize given to the winner of the Futurity Open Class.
The FEI event and Futurity are expected to add up to about $5 million to the local economy.
David Patterson, director of marketing and communications for the NRHA, said the event is a chance for Europeans and Asians to see western culture.
“Reining is the only western discipline in equestrian events,” Patterson said. “We’ll have about 2,500 people here from all over the world. Whether they are from Europe or Asia, they love the western heritage. They will hit all the retailers around for boots, jeans and shirts, in addition to what they’ll spend in hotels and restaurants.” Patterson said the FEI World Reining Masters is among the most important events in the sport. “It’s pretty substantial as an equestrian event, and this year up to 12 countries will be represented,” he said. “There will be people from the FEI and the United States Equestrian Foundation, and the FEI World Reining Masters competition is part of the Futurity, which is our top event.”