August 2011 Horse Gazette Feature Article

Can this be? Must be a mistake! No, there’s no error here….in fact there is SO MUCH MORE! The Reichert Celebration, in its 13th year, is moving to Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth September 2-11 and bringing with it one of the largest and most innovative and unique horse shows in the nation. Having outgrown three other facilities over the years the Reichert Celebration is now being welcomed with a five year contract and is setting the bar higher than ever making this “not just another horse show”.

For starters there will be an unprecedented FIVE SADDLE A DAY give away for ten days expanding their Reichert Random Rewards Program. This is a chance for exhibitors to win whether they have won their classes or not. In the past, this program and other exhibitor appreciation contests and giveaways have given saddles to last place, done a backwards race for an Arena Works drag, musical buckles for a Harris headstall, had match-your-boot-race, and musical buckets. These and many new programs for the fun of exhibitors and spectators alike will be part of the excitement at the Reichert Celebration this year.

This event will offer about 700 classes and well over $1 million in cash and prizes with three arenas busy concurrently. There is a class for everyone of every level. Currently the competitions are sanctioned by five breed associations – Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, Paint Horse, Palomino, Pony of the Americas, and National Snaffle Bit Association.

The ever popular Multi-Breed Youth Team Tournament on Sept. 5 will award $15,000 in college scholarships sponsored by the Reichert Equine Foundation.

One of the highlights of the event is the Reichert Sale which will be held on Friday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10 offering about 350 broodmares, show horses, POAs, and yearling Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle prospects. And an additional new incentive sale program has now been added in the form of Maiden By Design Special Sale on September 6, 2011. This sale will feature approximately 20 head of J.R. Reichert’s own horses. Appropriate horses will come with a paid entry into the 3-Year Old Maiden Western Pleasure class. The horses will also be eligible to show in three special classes held on Sunday September 12, specifically for these horses with added incentives.

The Signature Futurity classes are some of the most coveted classes in the industry. The Equine Sports Medicine Challenge is for two year olds that have not been previously shown and the winner can win a cool $100,000. In addition these horses may earn an additional $15,000 if the horse had previously gone through the Reichert Stakes Sale in 2009. In the Stakes Sale classes, two- and three-year-olds purchased at previous Reichert Sales can compete for cash awards up to $10,000 for first place. Cash bonuses totaling over $300,000 will be paid if a Reichert Sale horse wins the Equine Chronicle Western Pleasure Color Classic or the Equine Sports Medicine Two-Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge. Payouts for eligible horses in Western Pleasure and Trail Payout Purse are ten places beginning at $10,000 for First Place. Payouts for Performance Halter classes begin at $5,000 for First Place. On Friday night Reichert Sale horses will be eligible to earn an additional $60,000 in the Equine Chronicle Color Classic.

With FREE admission for everyone, you won’t want to miss our world renowned entertainers and clinicians both weekends. You will see trick trained horses, many educational how to clinics, Fort Worth Mounted Patrol demonstrations, equine health clinics, and so much more. The detailed schedule will be available on the website www.ReichertCelebration.com

The one of a kind vendors and sponsors carefully chosen for this event will feature “Christmas in September” shopping and you will see specialty items for your home, clothing, jewelry, as well as horse-related items. The public is invited to join us, again, with FREE admission.

Another exciting part of this event will be access to the historical Backstage Club overlooking the main arena in the Will Rogers Coliseum. Fabulous upscale cowboy cuisine and bar will be presented by the legendary Reata restaurant and will be available for sponsors, exhibitors, and the public. A second on-site dining location will be the LaEspuela restaurant in the Watt Building. Relax and unwind and watch the event on screens in the comfortable air conditioned space. Homemade specialty items will be available each day also from Coburn’s catering and their featured fresh food. “Not just another horse show” also means “not just typical horse show food”.

With all of this excitement and innovative events, FREE entertainment, clinics, and shopping; you won’t want to miss a minute of it. If you aren’t familiar with the Reichert Celebration from the past, you certainly will want to make it part of your future. Schedules and details at www.ReichertCelebration.com.

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