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Arabian Horse Show Trots Into Tulsa
posted 10/25/09
3:55 pm
The final exposition of the National Arabian Horse Show season took over Expo Square last Friday for a 9-day event.
Green Country Arabian Horse Association vice president Tammy Pickens said as far as contests go, this show is the big time.
"The only thing that comes close is Canadian nationals," Pickens explained.
For nine days, it's everything Arabian: from vendors in booths to stallions and mares showing off in the arena.
Pickens said Arabian horses are one of a kind. Owners and their animals have a special bond that stretches all the way back to the breed's origin.
"They were raised in the desert, sometimes staying in their owner's tent during sand storms. They are very connected to their owners."
Horses and their humans live and breath competition, and the travel around the country all year long to earn high honors. A top-ten finish for their horse is what they all strive for.
"These folks will show all year four, five and six times. It's a lot of work, a lot of training, it's a big investment. When you have a show record, it increases the horse's value," Pickens said.
A little more than 1,800 entrants came to Tulsa this year, bringing with them a positive impact for the city's economy. Last year, organizers say it was a $24-million impact.
The sound of pounding hooves is good news not only for hotels and restaurants.
"People need to decorate their stalls, they need stuff for ground work, they need lumber. They go to grocery stores. The feed stores around here will do very well," Pickens said.
Along with a little boost to area businesses, the National Arabian Horse Show is a display of what the breed is capable of. Its a chance to see a beautiful animal at it's best Pickens said.
"These people have trained these animals to do phenomenal things and it shows."
The final show of the exposition will happen at 7:30pm on October 31st. You can find a link to more information about the show here on KTUL under Newslinks.
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