Red tape down the back gates of the Coliseum marks 10 feet each side of the center of the arena.Red tape has led to quite a conversation at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby in Oklahoma City. This isn’t the kind of “red tape” that involves mounds of paperwork or proverbial hoops to jump through. No, this red tape is the literal, sticky-on-one-side kind. And it’s got a lot of folks asking questions.
At this year’s Derby, show officials elected to mark the center region of each show arena with red tape down the walls and/or gates. According to Chairman of the NRHA Judges Committee Jody Brainard, the tape marks an area 10 feet either side of the center of pen. It serves as an aid to demonstrate to riders and judges the area considered the “center” of the arena.