July 2011 Horse Gazette Newspaper Feature Article

And a CELEBRATION it is! The nation’s number one All Breed Horse Show and Futurity was founded in Iowa in 1999 and is known for its intense competition and huge payouts. It is estimated that the payout for 2011 will be approximately $1 million in cash & prizes with an economic impact on Fort Worth of approximately $24.5 million. This year Will Rogers Memorial Center will host this one of a kind event from Sept. 2 – 11. Last year’s horse shows, the innovative Futurity Program, the Reichert Yearling Stakes Sale, the Youth Team Tournaments, drew from several Canadian provinces and European countries, including British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Classes for NSBA, AQHA, APHA, ApHC, and POA were offered. Multiple disciplines, including Western Pleasure classes, Hunter classes and Off the Rail Trail classes.

In addition to the excitement of the shows and in an effort to welcome the public to attend, there will be FREE entertainment including trick horses and there will be ongoing interesting and educational clinics. There will be incredible food by some of Fort Worth’s top chefs, one of a kind vendors and sponsors showing off their exceptional wares, and a general good time. There is NO admission charge to attend and all are welcome! The specific show, entertainment and clinic schedules will be available on the website very soon. www.ReichertCelebration.com    Next month’s issue will also feature further details.

The Reichert Celebration’s initial purpose was simple, create an event where there was a class for everyone, competition at every level, and reward beyond just the winners. The show founders, Ron Reichert along with his son, JR, and daughter Terry Schroeder, wanted to create a big family picnic – with horses. And along the way, the Celebration continued to create history. It was the first show to pay $100,000 to the winner of a Western Pleasure Futurity class.

The show started with an NSBA futurity show, along with an AQHA approved show, in Waterloo, Iowa. It brought exhibitors to Iowa from around the country, and it wasn’t long before the show outgrew the facility. By this time, the Reichert Yearling Stakes Sale had joined the show, splitting off from the Reichert Production Sale formerly held in the fall.   The 2011 Reichert Yearling Sale Bonus Money Purse is over $300,000! In 2011 there is also a POA Yearling Ponies Stake Sale. The Yearling Western Pleasure Stakes Sale has grown to include special sections of Hunter under Saddle prospects, proven show horses and broodmares. You may want to attend the sale to purchase and become part of history. See the website for times and details.

The Celebration has outgrown several facilities over the years including Lake St. Louis, and Tulsa and is now happily in Fort Worth at Will Rogers Memorial Center. The move to Tulsa allowed the Celebration to add color breed shows to the schedule with multiple arenas showing all week. Paint, Appaloosa, and Palomino breed shows were added to the schedule, bringing even more exhibitors, owners and spectators to the party. In 2010, a Pony of America Club approved show brought even more new exhibitors in.

The Reichert Celebration established itself as an innovative show, providing entertainment as well as competition. The evening Premiere Signature Stakes Classes were opened by entertainment including top-rated equine entertainment acts. In 2009, an All Breed Youth Team Tournament was added to offer prizes and scholarship dollars to youth showing horses. The team tournament was a free entry fee, with teams drawn randomly and youth from across the country competing together for team honors and scholarship awards, as well as individual prizes. The team tournament is sponsored in part by The Reichert Equine Foundation, with Cinch/Cruel Girl and The Equine Chronicle.

Always evolving, 2011 brings more change for the Reichert Celebration. The Celebration has found a new home in Fort Worth, Texas and has moved into September. The change brings new opportunities to the event, which brings its traditions and success with it too. It’s a party you won’t want to miss. Visit us at: www.ReichertCelebration.com

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