The 2023 Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows will feature a variety of events and activities in and out of the arena for competitors and spectators.
The 2023 Nutrena AQHA World Championship Show and AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), make up an exciting event that you won’t want to miss. Top athletes from around the globe will compete for over $3 million in purse and prizes at this year’s event October 26 – November 15 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Plus, general admission is free!
Not only can attendees look forward to watching the top equestrians and American Quarter Horses compete in the arena, but this year’s show is also filled with receptions and exciting special events.
Free Ride the Pattern Clinics, presented by Nutrena
AQHA Professional Horsemen from around the country are teaming up to provide free Ride the Pattern Clinics, presented by Nutrena. During the clinics, AQHA Professional Horseman explain their interpretation of the pattern, and how riders might garner the best score. The clinicians and tentative schedule for the Ride the Pattern clinics will be available soon!
Special Events
A variety of special events will also take place during the show. Be sure to mark your calendar before traveling to Oklahoma City.
- October 26 – November 14: Visit the AQHA World Show Trade Show daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Trade Show will be open until the end of the show on November 15.
- October 26-28: 44th Annual Triangle Fall Sale. The sale has more than 400 consignments and is anticipated to attract the finest cutting, reined cow horse, reining, roping, barrel racing, trail and family horses once again, creating an amazing marketplace during the show. Learn more.
- Tuesday, October 31: Be sure to wear your best Halloween costume for our Halloween reception! A prize will be awarded to the best costume. There will also be trick-or-treating for kids!
- Thursday, November 2: Join AQHA for Wrangler Day, a special event where the Association will recognize the 2023 AQHA Team Wrangler members during an afternoon finals. Time will be announced at the show.
- November 2-4: AQHA World Championship Collegiate Horse Judging Contest November 2, followed by the Reining Championship Judging Contest hosted by the National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association (NHJTCA) in cooperation with AQHA and NRHA November 3. The AQHA contest also features the opportunity for AQHYA members to audit the contest at no charge.
- November 5: Don’t forget to set your clocks and watches back an hour for daylight saving time!
- Tuesday, November 7: It is Pink Day at the show. Be sure to wear pink to support the horsemen and -women who have fought cancer and take part in the Rein In Cancer frisbee toss for the chance to take home a 100x Shorty’s Caboy Hattery custom hat. Frisbees will be sold on the fairgrounds during the show to benefit Rein In Cancer.
- Saturday, November 11: Wear red for Veteran’s Day to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country.
- Saturday, November 11: Pleasure Versatility Challenge, brought to you by Super Sires, slated for 6 p.m. in the Jim Norick Arena. Attendees are also invited to the Pleasure Versatility Challenge reception, sponsored by The Equine Chronicle, at 5 p.m. on the Jim Norick Concourse before the action begins in the arena.
- Sunday, November 12, Tribute Night: AQHA will pay tribute to the American Quarter Horse Hall of Famers, past presidents, directors and AQHA Professional Horsemen we have lost since the 2022 World Show.
We are also excited to offer a slate of receptions at this year’s show:
- Friday, October 27: Welcome block party, sponsored by OKC CVB, located on Barn Row
- Wednesday, November 1: Fiesta Celebration, sponsored by Las Tunas Cattle Co., Miguel and Ana Guerro, located in the Adequan Performance Arena Warm Up Area
- Friday, November 3: Sliders and Sips, sponsored by NRHA, located in the Gold Globe Lounge
- Saturday, November 4: The Art of Horse Reception, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, located in the Gold Globe Lounge
- Sunday, November 5: Pro Horsemen of the Year Reception: time and location TBD
- Tuesday, November 7: Social Mixer and Youth Fundraiser, sponsored by Kent Ray Taylor Show Horses, located in the Gold Globe Lounge
- Friday, November 10: The Kathy Smallwood Bubbles, Barista and Brunch, located in the AQHA Member Lounge (Section 300 in the Norick arena)
- Saturday, November 11: PVC Reception, sponsored by The Equine Chronicle and AQHA, located in the Gold Globe Lounge
- Sunday, November 12: VS The Fireman Party, sponsored by Bob & Ingrid Miller, located in the Gold Globe Lounge
- Tuesday, November 14: Thank You Happy Hour, sponsored by Show and Event Sponsors, located in the Gold Globe Lounge
The Gold Globe Lounge will be in the Super Barn and will be open with a cash bar daily.
Times, dates and locations are subject to change at the discretion of show management.
For more information on events, receptions and parties, view the tentative schedule.
Top Awards
During the show, AQHA will also crown the 2023 AQHA Superhorse, All-Around Amateur, Select All-Around Amateur, Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition Award recipient, Oklahoma City Leading Owner, Nutrena Senior Athletes of the Show and the top AQHA Ranching Heritage-Bred horses in the Level 3 and Level 2 open and amateur and Level 3 Select divisions.
2022 Year-End High-Point Presentations
The top Level 3 open, amateur and Equestrians With Disabilities year-end high-point winners; AQHA All-Around Amateur; AQHA Select All-Around Amateur; AQHA All-Around Junior Horse; AQHA All-Around Senior Horse; AQHA Exhibitor of the Year; amateur Justin Boots Level 2 Exhibitor of the Year in each age division; Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year; Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year; and Most Valuable Professional will be recognized throughout the 2023 Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World. All recipients have been contacted to confirm presentation time. If you are a 2022 year-end high-point winner and have additional questions or were not contacted, email highpoint@aqha.org.
Can’t Make It to Oklahoma City?
Be sure to tune in to the free live webcast to watch all the action from the Jim Norick and Performance arenas at www.aqha.com/worldshow. You’ll also find the best coverage of the show, results and more!
Like and follow the AQHA Showing Facebook page for tailored showing content covering AQHA events, including the Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows.
About the Show
The Nutrena AQHA World, Adequan® Select World and Adequan® Level 2 Championships are the premier events in the equine industry for amateur, Select and open exhibitors. The show includes Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes, as well as Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. The shows feature nearly three weeks of exciting competition, educational opportunities and a bountiful trade show. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.
About the Sponsors
Nutrena feed isn’t just grown, it’s crafted. Real science goes into putting the nutrients animals need into each Nutrena feed product. Quality is so important because we know people are relying on us to stand up to our exacting standards each and every time. What’s inside the bag counts. That’s why you can count on Nutrena feeds for the animals you care for. For more information on Nutrena brand products, visit www.nutrenaworld.com.
Adequan®, the official equine joint therapy of AQHA, is the proud title sponsor of the Adequan® Select World and the Adequan® Level 2 Championships. When you choose a joint therapy for your horses, choose Adequan®.
AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information visit www.aqha.com/news or tune into our Podcast, “Let’s Talk AQHA.”