Giddy Up For The Reichert Celebration

By Margaret Stokes & Chris Howell For NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK-- The Tulsa County Fairgrounds may still be under construction, but that's not stopping a world renowned horse show from stampeding forward.

The event brings in competitors from 48 states.  Some travel all the way from Europe for the prestigious Reichert Celebration.  A crowd of more than 10,000 is expected.

"We started in Waterloo, Iowa and this is our 10^th anniversary. We started with 300 horses and this year we are going to be right at 2,200 stalls sold in Tulsa. We are quite proud. Our whole family has been working on this year round project. As soon as we get done with this one, we start preparing for next year," said J.J. Reichert.

There's a lot more to a horse show than the horses, vendors with merchandise from all over the state were busy unloading their jewelry, clothing, even horse hair extensions.

"This show is a little different than anything you're going to see. They have a night time performance every night.  There will be pyrotechnics; there will be limos that come into the arena. You will see the best horses in the nation. No doubt the biggest riders. If you can come you need to come especially next Saturday night," said vendor Sandy Curl.

"This show is probably the premier pleasure horse show. The AQHA World is a big horse show, too, but you have to qualify to go. This horse show you can just show up and show, so you get anybody that jumps in their trailer and drives down," said competitor Jaime Breukland.

Most people set up camp on the fairgrounds.  Many have million dollar equine trailers. 

The horse show is one of the most high-dollar competitions in the nation.  Last year, the total payout was about $1.5 million, and in 2008 the projection is the same.

Friday the event begins, but next week is the blowout.

Fairgrounds construction is affecting some of the event.  One of the arenas had to be removed to house more stables.