ARTS & CULTURE

Horse Lovers’ Main Event

World quarter horse show reins in pay dirt for Oklahoma City

BY PAULA BURKES

S

mall details matter. The dirt in the Jim Norick Arena must be leveled just so for the footing of some 2,200 horses that will compete in the Farnam American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championship Show, Oct. 28-Nov. 20 at Oklahoma City’s State Fair Park.

Similar precision is required for the dirt in the horses’ outdoor practice and exercise rings.

It’s no wonder that the 46th annual event— which reins in some $50 million in economic impact for OKC—requires the expertise of roughly 100 employees and contractors of the AQHA, along with 100 park employees.

The Amarillo-based AQHA is responsible for judges, ring stewards, course designers, cattle contractors, veterinarians, arena managers, announcers, and dirt-leveling specialists.

“They produce the show and we run the facility,” said Bill Allen, vice president of the Fair Park.

Among other things, Allen’s staff operates tractors and water carts; sweeps barns; dumps hundreds of trash bins multiple times a day; hauls off manure; and levels the dirt in outdoor rings.

The show features more than 90 different classes, including barrel racing, reining, cutting, dressage, roping, and jumping.

“You can come to one place—Oklahoma City—and see the best in the world competing in all different events,” Allen said. “For competitors, this is their Super Bowl; they work hard all year to come.” He continued, “We have dirt in the arena eight months a year”—including from the state fair through mid-December—“but the Quarters are our single largest customer.”

The show’s awards purse totaled $2.2 million … but the economic effects extend far beyond the winner’s circle. “The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Oklahoma City understand the importance of horses out here,” Allen said. “Our hotels and our restaurants are full.” AQHA Chief Show Officer Justin Billings said the world show last year alone drew 7,522 entries, 89% of them from out of state. International entrants traditionally hail from Canada, Germany, Mexico, and elsewhere.

Free to the public

Due to COVID-19, the AQHA last year added the select championship—for competitors 50 and older—to the Oklahoma City event, which it has again this year.

“We had such a positive response that we made it permanent,” Billings said. “Grandparents can compete in the select classes; sons and daughters, in the amateur classes; and younger family members in level one beginners. They all enjoyed Oklahoma City so much with so many convenient hotels and nearby restaurants.”

Last year’s event was closed to spectators due to the pandemic. But this year, the show will be not only open to the public, but also free to the public for the first time.

“Even if you’re not competing, you can come out and shop,” said Billings, noting the event’s trade show will feature a Christmas theme and showcase the Western wares of more than 100 vendors nationwide.

Cece Campbell and Creepin In My Sleep

Other free horse shows going on before the end of the year include:

Grand National & World Championship Morgan

Horse Show, Oct. 9-16 The event has a nationwide draw. Said spokesman Tony Lee, “Competitors go all out and decorate the barns, making them their homes and workplaces away from home.”

Oklahoma City

Futurity, Dec. 7-12 The event features non-breedspecific barrel racing, including classes for youth and trainers. The highlights are the competitions for 4-year-old horses on Wednesday and Friday, show manager Ross Wright said.