The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), governing body for the sport of Reining, recently signed an agreement with the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (OKC CVB), the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and the State Fair of Oklahoma to extend their contract to hold the NRHA Derby at the State Fair Park.

 

Officials from NRHA, the OKC CVB, and the State Fair were on hand at the NRHA headquarters, located at State Fair Park to witness NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall sign a five-year extension to host the May event at the facilities.

 

“We are enthused about continuing our relationship with the Chamber and State Fair. These are exciting times for the equine industry worldwide. It is gratifying to be connected with an integral city organization and State Fair Park Management.  Their enthusiasm to provide the best services and facilities is a key factor in bringing the best in equine competitions to OKC,” Wall commented. “It is particularly exciting when the sport of Reining and the entire equine industry can witness a city coming together to improve and expand the State Fair Park to keep it the premiere equine exhibition facility. This is particularly paramount when Oklahoma City is the heart of the horse show capitol of the world.”

 

The NRHA Derby has a 10-year history with the State Fair Park, and had more than 1,000 exhibitors for the show held in May. Along with the Futurity held at the State Fair Park, the two shows impact the Oklahoma City economy to the tune of nearly $46 million annually.

 

Besides hosting the NRHA Derby and Futurity each year, the State Fair Park has been the site for the NRHA International headquarters since 1998. With nearly 13,000 members worldwide, NRHA is an entity that has seen enormous growth in recent years and is proud to call Oklahoma City home.