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• QHN File Photo

New Horse Entrance at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum

Four-legged competitors will have a new way to get into the historic Coliseum at Will Rogers Memorial Center during this year’s National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Summer Spectacular.

The new entrance was one of a few changes recently announced by the NCHA for the Summer Spectacular, which starts today and runs through Aug. 8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

According to NCHA, the new entrance for horses to get into the Coliseum is located on the West side of the building near where visitors walk between the Coliseum and the Exhibit Hall. Previously, horses entered through the same area that the cattle went in and out.

“This new entrance will allow easy access to the arena, competitors may come and go as they please, and the best part is you don’t have to worry about missing the gate,” officials said in a statement.

Another change is that the start time has been changed to accommodate a record number of entries. Cattle will now come in at 7:30 a.m. each morning to begin the first settle.

However, because of the new entrance to the Coliseum, competitors no longer have to take their horses in the same gate as the cattle, which gives them more flexibility as to when they enter the building.

“Keep in mind with the new entrance you can come and go as you please,” the statement said.

Officials say the practice pen schedule has also been adjusted to open at 5:30 a.m. to allow an ample amount of time for riders to prepare their horses.