OKLAHOMA CITY — As 2016 came to a close, so did the fall horse show season at State Fair Park. The variety of equine events that took place during December, reinforces our claim on the title “Horse Show Capital of the World.” No other facility in the world attracts as many top horse shows and equine events.
The National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show kicked off on November 21 and ran thru December 4. The 14-day event is always a world-class production, featuring the most elite riders who are competing for millions in cash and prize awards. Winning the 2016 NRHA Futurity Open Champion was Spooky Whiz, ridden by Andrea Fappani. The NRHA show drew 75,166 spectators and participants from all over the world, generating almost $16.6 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy.
December also featured the 31st World Championship Barrel Racing Futurity running December 8 thru 16. Of the hundreds of barrel futurities held each year throughout the United States, the Oklahoma City event heads the list. Roughly 1,300 entries competed for more than $1 million in cash and awards. This show attracted more than 34,000 spectators and participants, with a direct spending impact of more than $7.5 million on Oklahoma City.
In all, State Fair Park hosted 10 events during December. In addition to the equine competition mentioned above, other events included the OKC Train Show, the Indie Trunk Show, a Motorcycle Swap Meet, the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Children’s Christmas Carnival, the Junior Botball Challenge, the R.K. Gun Show, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office Christmas Party and the OKC Gun Show. In all, there were 119,686 people present during the 221 event days held at State Fair Park, generating more than $25.1 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy.
For more information regarding the December events, or any upcoming months, please contact the State Fair Park Office at 405.948.6700. To stay up-to-date on all State Fair Park has to offer, visit www.okstatefair.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and download the official Oklahoma State Fair Mobile App – available in the App Store and Google Play Store.
—Oklahoma State Fair
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