City Of Tulsa To Lose Out On Millions After Breeder's Invitational Postponed

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A cutting horse competition in Tulsa is being postponed due to an equine virus.

05/15/2011 Related Story: Tulsa's Breeder's Invitational Horse Show Postponed By Virus Fears

The Breeder's Invitational was supposed to start on Sunday at the fairgrounds. But organizers put it on hold, and competitors pulled their horses and their dollars out of Tulsa.

The Breeder's Invitational just announced in March that it had signed a three year contract extension with Tulsa's Expo Square, bringing millions into our economy.

Due to the cancellation, the Chamber of Commerce says we aren't necessarily losing the money, but we aren't gaining it either.

"If your horse costs a million dollars or a dollar, you're still concerned for its welfare," said Gary Campbell.

Campbell, his wife Donna and their dogs made the trek from Nevada to compete in the Breeder's Invitational. But there isn't a single horse to be found on the property.

"It's just so sad that this happened, but they did what they had to do," Campbell said.

The big money cutting competition was postponed after several horses died from the equine herpes virus in Utah.

"The thing that's so difficult is people come to these shows and then scatter everywhere," Campbell said.

Competitors say they are disappointed, but that the board made the right choice. Even if it means they take a hit to the wallet.

The Campbell's say they spent $1,200 in fuel just to get here. Not to mention the cost of a trainer and entry fees.

"We're in it a little bit. The poor people at the BI are in it for who knows how much money," Campbell said.

Ray Hoyt with the Tulsa Sports Commission knows.

"Much like Dallas this past year for the Super Bowl. Dallas did everything right, and the weather showed up.... totally out of their control," Hoyt said.

Hoyt says we're out of the event and out of $3.3 million.

"To the coffers in the city. For every dollar they come in and spend, that's about five in economic impact," Hoyt said.

Money Hoyt says that will affect lodging and sales tax. But hopefully won't affect other shows the Expo Center hosts down the road.

This is a big event. There's people here for two weeks who spend lots of money. So it's a sad situation all the way around," Campbell said.

Bob O'Bannon, the Executive Director of the Breeder's Invitational, says they'll give as may refunds as possible to competitors. He says later this week they'll look at attempting to reschedule the event.