The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly presents the 2010 NRHA Derby Show at Oklahoma State Fair Park June 21-27. The Derby is one of two major events presented by NRHA each year in Oklahoma City. It is the Association’s premiere event for the world’s best four, five and six-year-old reining horses, their exhibitors and their owners.

The NRHA Derby Show is a great experience for horse lovers from all backgrounds and interest levels. The first four days of the competition are free to the public making it an excellent option for the whole family. The event also offers many activities outside of the show ring such as a trade show with more than 50 vendors from around the country, NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship, NRHyA Egg & Spoon Race, NRHA Awards Banquet & Hall of Fame Inductions, Cimarron Trailers Amazing Trailer Race and much more.

In 2009, the NRHA Derby Show witnessed a 23% increase overall with more than 1,500 entries and $640,000 in cash and prizes. Currently Non Pro Derby entries are up 42% over last year which bodes well for stiff competition in the show arena.

FREE Admission – Monday, June 21 through Thursday, June 24 – Bring the whole family for plenty of reining excitement with free admission Monday, June 21 through Thursday, June 24. The competitions start early each morning with the show continuing into the early evening each day. Fans are welcome to watch competitions in both the Oklahoma State Fair Coliseum and the AdequanR Arena (Arena 8 – free admission for the duration of the show). Preliminary go rounds of the $87,500 added Non Pro Derby and the $155,000 Open Derby take center stage during the first three days of the event. Friday and Saturday’s finals qualifiers will be determined from scores posted Monday through Wednesday.

NRHA Trade Show – Spectators at the NRHA Derby will be treated to a shopping extravaganza. The shopper’s paradise includes and array of vendors featuring jewelry, clothing, bronze sculptures, western rugs, tack, cowboy hats and boots – just to name a few. More than 50 vendors will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday. Most vendors will stay open late until the competition ends on Friday and Saturday night.

Collegiate Reining Championship – Are you a college sports fan? Do you love to cheer for your favorite team and sport their colors? If you said yes, then you should come watch some of the finest collegiate riders test their Reining ability. Twelve students from across the nation qualified for the Collegiate Reining Championship competition through their collegiate and NRHA accomplishments. Come cheer them on Saturday, June 26 in the Oklahoma State Fair Coliseum. The competition follows the Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup class that starts at 9 a.m.

NRHyA Egg & Spoon Race benefitting Still Creek Boys & Girls Ranch – The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) and its team of elected officers will give hand to young equestrians at Still Creek Boys & Girls Ranch of Bryan, Texas on Tuesday, June 22 during the SmartPakT Exhibitor Party starting at 7pm in the Arena 3 Cabana. The officer team will host an Egg & Spoon Race featuring NRHA Open, Non Pro and Youth competitors. They’ll all go head-to-head to keep their team’s egg on the spoon while performing Reining’s distinctive maneuvers aboard their favorite mounts. The party will also feature the SmartPak Put The Scoop Down Challenge and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. All are welcome!

NRHA Awards Banquet & Hall of Fame Inductions – NRHA will salute the 2009 NRHA World Champions, 2010 NRHA Hall of Fame Inductees and the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award winner on Thursday, June 24 at 6 p.m. at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Following the banquet, reining fans will get the chance to battle their friends at the RHSF Casino Night and get a sneak peak of the 2010 AlltechR FEI World Equestrian Games. Tickets are only $40 for adults and $30 for kids, but seats are limited.

Cimarron Trailers Amazing Trailer Race – Youth 18 and under will have a chance to win their very own mini-model Cimarron Trailer in the Cimarron Trailers Amazing Trailer Race! Preliminaries will be held on Thursday, June 24 at 2 p.m. in Arena 3 with the finals to be held Friday night during the Non Pro Derby Finals. Youth will compete in Youth 10 & Under, 11-13 and 14-18 age divisions. Youth can stop by the Cimarron Trailers booth in the Super Barn to enter at the show.

The NRHA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their support: AdequanR; Arenus, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cimarron Trailers; Cinder Lakes Ranch and Reproduction Center; Classic Equine; Horse&Rider; John Deere; Kiser Arena Specialists; Markel Insurance Company; MD Barns; Montana Silversmiths; Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau; Pard’s Western Shop; Platinum Performance; Purina Mills; Quarter Horse News; Rios of Mercedes / Anderson Bean Boot Company; Rocky Mountain Clothing Company; SmartPak and Wimpys Little Step, plus Event Sponsor Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Flair and Metro Golf Cars.

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. To learn more about the NRHA, its programs and family of corporate partners, visit www.nrha.com.