Major Horse Show Brings Thousands To Tulsa's Expo Square

A major horse show is bringing equestrians from 42 states and Canada to Tulsa.

It is the 12th year the Color Breed Congress has been held at Expo Square. The event is put on by the Pinto Horse Association of America.

"This is probably the greatest facility for the horse show world. Everybody loves to come to Tulsa," said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Darell Bilke

Showing horses is a sport, but for many of the riders, it is also a way of life.

"I have never done anything but this, I love it," said Katelyn Connolly. "I am 33, so I guess I have been riding since I could walk."

Connolly is from Linwood, Kansas, and competed with her horse, Jones, in the Cash Challenge Trail.

"It is kind of like driving a car with its own mind a little bit," she said, "You have to learn how to think how they think and work how they work."

Color Breed Congress features multiple divisions and breeds, including Palomino horses, Buckskin horses, Pinto horses, mules, and donkeys.

"I think we are probably the only group that brings all the different breeds together," said Bilke.

Some of the riders, like Connolly, also train their horses.

"It is a lot of fun, but it is a 7-day-a-week job," she added, "You have got to care for the animals, you have to be patient, you got to have the love for it because it is a lot of work."

Work that can be rewarding in the end.

"The better the horse, the better the prizes, the more money you can win so it is just how competitive are you," said Bilke.

This year the prize money for Color Breed Congress increased from $90,000 to $200,000 in total awards.

Connolly said while it is fun to win, the camaraderie at the event is also one of the most rewarding parts.

"My favorite thing about this horse show is the atmosphere," she said. "I show at a lot of different horse shows and the atmosphere here is laid back, everybody is nice, everybody supports each other, and that is huge."

Color Breed Congress runs through Saturday, November 11th. The event is free to attend and starts each day at 7:30 a.m.