Honegger said reining is like figure skating on dirt. “The goal in reining is to make everything look effortless, with the horse appearing willingly guided. Even if you don’t know what to look for, it’s a beautiful way to honor Western culture and Oklahoma’s history.” With a growing list of prestigious equestrian events at the fairgrounds, OKC continues to strengthen its status as a premier horse show destination. The debut of the OG&E Coliseum marks a new era, offering world- class facilities that enhance the competitor experience and attract tourism, economic growth and global attention. Below are several horse shows coming to OKC this summer: • WCHA Championship Show: May 16–18, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Super Barn. Free admission. Showcases top conformation horses, and promotes structural correctness. • Route 66 Morgan Classic: May 22–24, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Performance Arena, Super Barn and Barn 7. Free admission. Features Morgans, Saddlebreds and Carriage horses. • OQHA Redbud Spectacular: May 29–June 8 at the Jim Norick Arena, Performance Arena and Super Barn. Free admission. One of the largest AQHA shows, opening the 2025 show season. • Appaloosa National & Youth World: June 26–July 3 at the Jim Norick Arena, Performance Arena and Barn Row. Free admission. Celebrates Appaloosa versatility and heritage. • AQHYA Youth World Championship: Aug. 1–10 at the Jim Norick Arena. Free admission. World’s largest youth single-breed championship with global competitors across multiple disciplines.
OKC: THE HORSE SHOW CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Oklahoma City continues to hold its long- standing title as the Horse Show Capital of the World, hosting more national and world championship horse shows than any other city. With more than a dozen major equine events held annually, the city draws top riders and thousands of spectators from across the globe. This vibrant equine calendar is an economic engine. In recent years, OKC horse shows have attracted an average of more than 800,000 visitors annually, generating an estimated $175 million in direct spending and contributing millions to local sales tax revenue. The city's commitment to equine excellence is evident in ongoing investments in premier facilities at State Fair Park. With a solid foundation of barns and conference rooms, along with the addition of the OG&E Coliseum, the state-of-the-art complex has become a destination for equine organizations worldwide. Thanks to forward-thinking policies, including the voter-approved hotel tax increase in 2004, OKC continues to improve and expand its equine infrastructure. These strategic investments ensure the city remains a global hub for championship horse shows well into the future.
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