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Previously held in the Houston area, the NRBC will move to a new venue in 2023. • Photo by Waltenberry.

NRBC to Move to New Venue in 2023

One of the biggest shows in reining will be held in a new zip code next year.

Officials say the 2023 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), scheduled for April 16-23, will take place at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show had previously been held at its long-time home near Houston, Texas, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in the city of Katy.

Officials say the show has grown over the years and because of that, the 2022 NRBC was bursting at the seams. The increased number of entries is precisely the reason that the NRBC Board of Directors made the difficult decision to move the event to Tulsa beginning next year. 

“The Great Southwest Equestrian Center has been like home to us,” NRBC President Tom McCutcheon said in a statement announcing the move. “We thank Jeff Hildebrand (GSEC owner), manager Amy Uniss, and the entire staff for being great partners, and we know this unique facility will continue to present exceptional events in the future.”

Officials say Expo Square in Tulsa was a logical choice for the move. In April of 2020, when the COVID-19 protocols caused the NRBC to be cancelled, the show was held in Tulsa.

As in 2020, the Ford Truck Arena will be the center-stage venue for the NRBC. There are multiple other competition and warmup arenas, which allowed the show to become the first reining event in history to have four competition arenas running simultaneously in 2020. 

“Expo Square is excited that the NRBC Board of Directors has selected our facility to host their event,” said Brandi Herndon, Chief Agribusiness Officer of Expo Square. “We were fortunate to have the opportunity to do so in 2020 and look forward to working with the wonderful staff again. Expo Square is dedicated to positive and progressive movement for the success of all our equine partners and we look forward to NRBC being here through 2027.”


Added Money Increase

With the news of the venue change comes the announcement of new benefits and increases for exhibitors and owners.

The NRBC Board has noted the first of several changes that will begin with the 2023 event, including an increase in added money for the Open Development Division (novice horse) plus the addition of the Non-Pro Development division. The Open Development Division added money has tripled, increasing from $10,000 to $30,000 and the new Non-Pro Development Division will debut with $20,000 added!

Both the Open and Non-Pro payouts have been elevated as well. Beginning in 2023, the show’s Level 4 Open Champion will receive $100,000 and the Level 4 Non-Pro Champion will earn $50,000, officials say. 

“I’m excited about the future of the NRBC going forward,” McCutcheon said. “The entire NRBC Board is looking forward to sharing more announcements of enhanced benefits for riders and owners soon as we move into this new era for the NRBC!”

For information on the NRBC, visit www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.