Thousands Travel To Tulsa To Show Horses For Pinto World Championship

Families and individual trainers are traveling across the United States with horse trailers in tow, to participate in the Pinto Horse Association's largest event in the world.

"This first week, we got mainly all English classes. Then starting Friday, we got halter, all the western classes. Basically anything you like in a horse show, we got a class. We got an event for that horse," COO Darrell Bilke said.

Thursday is day four of the PWC and it runs for a total of 13 days.

Bilke said over the next couple of weeks, more than 2,000 horses and their trainers will compete across 700 classes. Competitions could last as late as 2 a.m.

"We will have around 9,000 entries. So, out of the 2,000 horses, they'll compete in 9,000 - make 9,000 entries in the classes," Bilke said.

This is Brent Harnish's 25th year at the PWC. His business is all about performance horses and he is here with friends, family, and customers from Indiana.

"It's what we do. It's a passion for horses; a passion for big competition," Harnish said.

In just the first few days, Brent and his team earned several ribbons, which are displayed across their stalls.

"We've had a great start. We've had a couple World Champions and reserve World Champion, a lot of Top 5 finishes and we're pretty excited for the rest of the next two weeks," Harnish celebrated.

Each event may look relaxing as contestants are circling around the arena.

Danea Paloskey and her horse earned first place in their class and she said it isn't as easy as it looks.

"There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. It definitely is hard, but in the end of it, it's totally worth it," Polaskey said.

New this year is a mini-donkey class, which includes jumping and driving competitions.

Click here for more information about the competition.