Tulsa Hosts 50th Annual Arabian National Horse Show

The Arabian National Horse Show is here to stay, at least for the next several years, thanks to a recent contract renewal. 

People from all over the country are in Tulsa for the 50th Annual Arabian and Half-Arabian US National Championship Horse Show, and they said they are excited to continue making the trip to the Sooner State. 

"It's sort of like the SuperBowl for our exhibitors," said Julian McPeak with the Arabian Horse Association. "These horses and their riders have competed all year long at the regional level to qualify to be here." 

Trainer Shan Wilson has made the trip to Tulsa from Springfield, Missouri, ever since the show started coming to Expo Square. 

"It gets in your blood, and you just wanna compete and do the best you can," Wilson said.

Wilson has been a trainer for most of his life. 

The new contract means the show will continue to be in Tulsa until 2022. 

One reason people are excited to keep coming back to Tulsa for the next several years is the quality of the stalls.

"They're just newer and I mean they're just built well," Wilson said. "Some fairgrounds you go to they're older and falling apart a little bit." 

Wilson's here to work, but he's spending his time and money outside the arenas and barns. 

"We like how close it is to Utica Square," Wilson said. "We like to run down there to the nice restaurants." 

McPeak said the event is an economic boost to the city.

"On average, we bring about $35 million to the city every year, that's gas, that's food in the restaurants, that's hotel rooms," McPeak said. 

Wilson said he just has one request going forward. 

"You keep this weather, we'll be real happy," Wilson said.