Oklahoma City, OK – November 30, 2008 – Professional bull riders and celebrities set to the Oklahoma State Fair Arena to test their skills on highly-trained reining horses during the Reining Horse Sports Foundation’s (RHSF) 4R Performance Horses Celebrity Slide. Most were used to spinning on the back of a wild bull, but spinning on these top Reining athletes proved to be a challenging task for some of the top names in bull riding! The RHSF teamed up six of the best bull riders, plus American singer, songwriter and actor Lyle Lovett; saddle-bronc great Billy Etbauer and Oklahoma City’s own national award-winning journalist Robin Marsh with the best reiners in the world to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Oklahoma. As well as having the top reiners in the NRHA as their coaches, nine Make-A-Wish kids served as honorary coaches for the teams. The special event was held in conjunction with the 2008 NRHA Futurity & Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

 

The event was a great success for the RHSF and the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Oklahoma. Everyone in the house was touched as the kids from Make-A-Wish were introduced and escorted into the arena by the Express Ranches Clydesdales, their team member celebrities and top NRHA reiners. The audience had the opportunity to hear the kids talk about their illnesses, as well as their excitement about being involved in the Celebrity Slide as an honorary coach. Their families, RHSF Directors and many Make-A-Wish volunteers spent the day with the kids making every moment special.

 

Obviously the night was all about the kids of Make-A-Wish. But when you throw that many competitive souls into one arena, there’s bound to be someone who wants to have the bragging rights. The judges obliged and placed the riders on their new-found Reining abilities. Lyle Lovett took top honors in the class with Billy Etbauer and Cord McCoy right behind. Lovett rode 2008 NRHA Derby finalist Smart And Shiney with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Tim McQuay sharing his expertise with Make-A-Wish coach Asha assisting. Lovett looked like a reining pro in the arena with his smooth slides and spins. “Lyle did a great job. He was thinking the whole time and did what he needed to do,” said McQuay. Lovett said it was a great treat to be able to participate. “This was so much fun. All of us here tonight feel the same way. These kids are doing more for us than we are for them,” said Lovett after his run.

 

Five-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Billy Etbauer showed his natural ability for staying in the middle of a quick moving equine athlete for Team Jordan. He rode Kathy Hinton’s Chex N Sugar, AQHA World Championship Show Senior Reining finalist, like a seasoned reiner performing the pattern’s required maneuvers with ease. “We’re just glad we made it through. And really, it’s just an honor for me to be here for these kids,” commented Etbauer with NRHA Professional Casey Hinton in the wings listening to his protégé.

 

Cord McCoy participated in the Celebrity Slide last year and received expert coaching from NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dell Hendricks. McCoy and Hendricks paired up again with their Make-A-Wish coach, Luke. Luke’s first words at the show were simply, “Where’s Cord?” Following his run on 2005 NRHA Open Derby Reserve Champion, Starbucks Sidekick, owned by Adair Reiners LLC, McCoy said, “I got to be great friends with Luke last year, and I’m so glad I could come back and do this again with him,” said McCoy. McCoy is an accomplished bull rider who has made an amazing come back in the past three years following a life threatening kick in the head during a saddle bronc ride. 

 

The rest of the field put on an amazing display of Reining with a whole lot of fun in the mix riding to songs each child selected for them. Their generosity showed through with each smile and hug they gave the kids. And the Reining horses played their part well helping each rider learn more about the sport thanks to their owners who donated them for the evening. Below is a list of the teams of Make-A-Wish kid coaches, celebrities, NRHA coaches and Reining horses.

 

Team Laura

Cody Lambert - Mandy McCutcheon

Nobodybeatsthewhiz owned by Eric Storey

 

Team Sean

McKennon Wimberly - Todd Sommers

QHR Chocolena Pep owned by Amy Kowalsky

 

Team Kathleen

Matt Bohon - Shawn Flarida

Pretty Nifty Whiz owned by Frank Costantini

 

Team Issac

J.W. Hart – Craig Schmersal

RR Captain Starr owned by Ron Tipton

 

Team Mason

Robin Marsh – Corey Hendrickson

The Skeetest owned by Vaughn Zimmerman

 

Team Dakota

Justin McBride – Tom McCutcheon

Willy Wonka Chic owned by Cinder Lakes Ranch

 

Following the event, all of the bull riders and celebrities went around the arena signing autographs and meeting fans. They eventually made their way to the VIP Reception hosted by the RHSF and 4R Performance Horses. Guests paid $100 a ticket for an up close and personal visit with the celebrities. 

 

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®.