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Written by Mark Thompson
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Della Hillerman
“I think we are going to hold our own,” show producer Della Hillerman said. “The show is looking really good and we are right on track [to equal or exceed last year’s entries].”
The Non Pro Plus The Open is the first major limited-age cutting event scheduled to take place since the mid-May cancellation of the Breeder's Invitational in Tulsa, Okla., cancelled two days prior to its scheduled start due to concern about a budding EHV-1 outbreak that affected many horses in the United States and Canada.
Early entries for The Nonn Pro Plus The Open were strong, Hillerman said, but the event did not gain many additional entries during a recent three-week period. In late May and early June, there was widespread uncertainty regarding the equine herpesvirus and when cutting horse owners would feel safe to travel to limited-age or any-age events with horses again.
“Our entries were dead for about three weeks, but now everyone is excited about getting out and getting their horses shown,” Hillerman said. The Non Pro Plus The Open will accept entries through the start of the show, continuing with its practice in recent years.
As a safety precaution, Hillerman said entrants are being required to submit health papers dated within five days of their arrival at the show. State Fair Park Vice President Bill Allen also assured the show producer management at the State Fairgrounds facility in Oklahoma City is taking all necessary steps to ensure its equine facilities are sanitized, based on contact with and advice from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.
“They are planning on using methods I never would have thought of to sanitize and re-sanitize during the event,” Hillerman said. “They are definitely on top of the situation.”
Hillerman has maintained close contact with the National Cutting Horse Association and its outgoing President Chris Benedict, whose one-year term ends at the upcoming June 17-19 NCHA Convention in Oklahoma City, seeking input from the association.
Rather than discouraging participation at The Non Pro Plus The Open, having the NCHA Convention in Oklahoma City at the same time as the cutting might attract some participants who have never competed there before, Hillerman said.
“At first, I was a little concerned [about the convention taking place during The Non Pro Plus The Open], but I don’t think it’s going to hurt us at all,” the show producer said.
She does not anticipate major changes to the show’s posted event schedule, Hillerman said, but she added there “might be a few long days” if entries continue to roll in. |
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