Latest news with #NationalReiningHorseAssociationDerby
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRHA expected to pump millions of dollars into local economy
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Preparations are in full gallop at the new OG&E Coliseum for the National Reining Horse Association Derby. Over the next two weeks, the event is expected to pump millions of dollars into our local economy. 'Top-notch. It's unbelievable,' said Matt Palmer, a professional rider for Pennsylvania. Professional reiners, some earning millions in annual winnings, are getting in their first runs and turns at the new OG&E Coliseum. Ribbon is cut on the new OG&E Coliseum, now officially open They're impressed. 'It's probably the nicest arena that we will show in the entire country,' said Jason Vanlandingham. 'More people are going to want to take their high-dollar animals here.' That's high praise for the arena paid for with MAPS 4 money. Billy Smith manages the derby, along with other riding competitions. He said cities are fighting to host these huge money makers. 'The more amenities, the better,' said Smith. In fact, this event alone pumps an estimated $8.8 million into the local economy. 'Visitors are the best taxpayers we have. They come, they spend money, and they leave,' said Mayor David Holt during the ribbon cutting of the new facility. 'It's a true international competition,' said Smith. Smith said the key is making sure customers come, want to stay, and then return. Horse teams, friends, family, and spectators all spend money here for two weeks. 'We do like some of the really good restaurants around here that we like to go enjoy,' said Palmer. For decades, the event was hosted at the Jim Norick Arena. 'We got famous in that pen,' said Vanlandingham. However, it was built back in 1965, after former Mayor Ron Norick's father. 'We knew it was wore out and we had to do something about it,' said Ron Norick during the ribbon cutting. So, the city did something. Smith said the new OG&E arena will keep the event here, attracting the best riders from Las Vegas, Texas, Florida, and across the world. 'People like us aren't going to be looking any other place because this is the standard now,' said Smith. 'This is bigger. The pen is shaped a little bit bigger. So, it's going to be easier to get our horses shown,' said Vanlandingham. 'You get the cold chills when you walk in right before the game starts,' said Palmer. It's a new era for this sport and its riders. 'We just want to make more history here at the OG&E,' said Dani Latimer, a professional rider. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ribbon is cut on the new OG&E Coliseum, now officially open
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — It's been years in the making, and now, the OG&E Coliseum is finally open. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said it will be an economic powerhouse for the city. On Wednesday, City officials cut the ribbon of the new OG&E Coliseum arena at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. 'This is a milestone moment,' said Mayor Holt. This 216,000 square foot facility replaces the old Jim Norick arena, also known as 'The Big House' to high school basketball players. Kevin Durant's former OKC townhome up for sale, listing price $35 It was named after former Mayor Ron Norick's father back in 1965. 'The building named after my father, Jim Norick, is wore out. We knew it was wore out and we had to do something about it,' said the former mayor. Current Mayor, David Holt, called Norick the father of MAPS. Without his vision in the 90s, this new 'Big House' would not have been funded by MAPS 4. 'It's an economic generator for this community,' said Norick. Mayor Holt said you may not realize it, but the arena at the fair is the busiest spot in OKC. 'This venue is busy 52 weeks of the year,' said Mayor Holt. Frequented by the best taxpayers in the city, the visitors. 'Visitors are the best taxpayers we have. They come, they spend money, and they leave,' said Mayor Holt. The first event is happening now, through the 22nd. The National Reining Horse Association Derby is bringing in visitors from across the nation and from 20 different countries. 'Welcome, everybody, to the horse show capitol of the world,' said Kirk Slaughter, with the Oklahoma State Fair. Waiting for the visitors inside is a massive open-concept arena. It can seat 4,500 people, but they can add more seats depending on the event. It also has three suites and a lounge, all with custom furniture from the local business, Lorec Ranch Home Furnishings. It's a project more than 30 years in the making for this great city. 'I often say it takes persistence and patience to get things done at City Hall, but if you have those qualities, you can accomplish great things,' said Mayor Holt. As for the old Norick Arena, it unfortunately has to be torn down before it comes down on its own. In its place, Slaughter said there will be a 20,000 square foot exhibit hall for vendors as well as another climate-controlled arena that will seat around 400 people. The name of the new building will be the 'Norick Arena.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
