Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic show director Tami Wagman says, “It’s always been a goal of our show to try to appeal to people outside the reining industry with a general entertainment event that everybody can enjoy. We think the combination of the free Andrea Fappani Clinic, the Slide Zone, and the John Deere Open Futurity Final will give horse lovers a great reason to come to Tulsa and spend the day with us. And they can do it all for ten bucks! You can’t beat that.”

FREE Andrea Fappani Clinic!
Sat. Sept. 5th 10:30a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Explorer Arena

NRHA Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani is a phenomenal clinician, sought after world wide, but the Oklahoma Reining Horse Association has made it possible for horse enthusiasts to learn from this NRHA Futurity Champion free of charge Saturday, September 5, 2009 as part of the $250,000 Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic. And that will be just the beginning of a day full of beautiful horses, exhibited by some of the world’s top reining professionals at Tulsa Expo Square.

Learn more about Andrea Fappani and Big Chex to Cash.

After the Andrea Fappani Clinic, the well-known Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic “Slide Zone” will move to a new time with a Saturday matinee, but the event will still feature all the great fun and top notch competition that has made it a favorite of both riders and spectators.

As always, the first 100 kids through the door will get a free, full-size Breyer model horse, but this year as a special treat, the Breyer will be a the brand new portrait model of reining champion Big Chex To Cash, who is making the trip from California to appear with Andrea Fappani at the Tulsa “Slide Zone”! One lucky spectator will also go home with a free John Deere Gator compliments of P&K Equipment!

Another “Slide Zone” favorite will be back this year - the Charity Slide Off, highlighting the hallmark maneuver of reining, the sliding stop. Watch local Oklahoma youth compete to see who can slide the farthest to benefit Tulsa area charities. The “Slide Zone” will also continue the tradition of world class “Freestyle” competition – reining maneuvers done to music and often with horse and rider in costume. The “Slide Zone” has featured a variety of top competitors, including Stacy Westfall, who won the event riding without a saddle or bridle and who was later featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Finally, the “Slide Zone” audience will be treated to an Open Competition that is also a qualifier for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

But that’s not all! The same $10 ticket to the “Slide Zone” will allow spectators to return in the evening to watch elite professionals such as Shawn Flarida, Tim McQuay and Andrea Fappani and some of the top up and coming three-year olds in the reining industry compete in the John Deere Open Futurity, which is expected to pay out more than $85,000 – along with a John Deere Gator that will be drawn for by the competitors. Non Pro Futurity entrants will compete earlier in the week for a $30,000 payout and will also draw for a John Deere Gator.