Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – November 17, 2008 – American singer, songwriter and actor Lyle Lovett will soon take a break from the bright lights of the concert stage to swing up onto the back of a world-class reining horse. Lovett recently agreed to be among the celebrities participating in the 4R Performance Horses Celebrity Slide benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma on Saturday, November 29 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. The event starts at 7 p.m. and runs during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show.
Lovett has recorded his own brand of music, a unique mix of blues, R&B, jazz, gospel and country, since 1980 with more than a dozen albums to date. He has earned four Grammy Awards including Best Country Album with The Road to Ensenada and Best Male Country Vocal Performance with Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. Some of his most recognizable songs are “Don’t Touch My Hat,” “That’s Right (You’re Not from Texas)” and “Cowboy Man.” His newest release, It’s Not Big, It’s Large, once again provides witness to his talents as an American musical artist.
Outside of the vocal arena, the Texas native has acted in several films and television series such as Short Cuts, Cookie’s Fortune, Mad About You and Brothers and Sisters. In addition, Lovett’s family has long been involved with equine industry owning and breeding many race and performance horses at their ranch in Spring, Texas.
The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is thrilled to have Lovett join in the 4R Performance Horses Celebrity Slide. Competing will be some of the world’s greatest bull riders, plus saddle-bronc great Billy Etbauer, Oklahoma City’s own national award-winning journalist Robin Marsh and Lyle Lovett. The bull riding, rodeo and music celebrities will trade their bull ropes, bronc reins and guitars for reiner finery as they test their skills on champion reining horses. Assisting will be several NRHA Professionals including NRHA Two Million and One Million Dollar Riders. Their young friends from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma will serve as honorary coaches. In addition, Express Ranches will make a special appearance in the Oklahoma State Fair Arena with the high stepping hooves of their Clydesdale hitch.
The List of Celebrities & NRHA Coaches include:
Matt Bohon & Shawn Flarida, Billy Etbauer & Casey Hinton, J.W. Hart & Craig Schmersal, Cody Lambert & Mandy McCutcheon, Lyle Lovett & Tim McQuay, Robin Marsh & Todd Bergen, Justin McBride & Tom McCutcheon, Cord McCoy & Dell Hendricks, Rob Smets & Cory Hendrickson, McKennon Wimberly & Todd Sommers
Tickets for the Celebrity Slide are $8 and can be purchased in advance at www.NRHA.com. Avid bull riding fans who want a chance to meet their favorite bull rider “up close and personal” can attend a VIP Reception at the conclusion of the competition. Tickets to the VIP event may be purchased from the Foundation through RHSF Coordinator for $100 each (limited tickets available). Mark your calendar for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 29th, at the Oklahoma Fairgrounds beginning at 7 pm! There’ll be opportunities for autographs and photographs, so come prepared.
The RHSF is grateful to event sponsor 4R Performance Horses and the many volunteers who’ve given so generously of their time and resources to make this “wish” come true.
The Reining Horse Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and enhancing the sport of Reining worldwide. The RHSF accomplishes that through their five core programs: Reining Hall of Fame, Crisis Fund, Research, Development & Education, Youth Programs and International Development. For further information about the Foundation, contact rhsf@nrha.com or 405-946-7400 or visit the RHSF website at www.reininghorsesportsfoundation.org.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma serves children ages 2 ½ to 18 living throughout Oklahoma and has granted more than 1,600 wishes since its inception in 1987. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma please visit www.oklahoma.wish.org or contact Erin Byers, Director of Development at 405.286.4000 to find out how you can share the power of a wish®.
