Tulsa Hosts 9-Day Color Breed Congress, Uniting Horses & Riders Nationwide

Thousands of people and their horses, from nearly all 50 states, are in Tulsa this week for the Color Breed Congress horse show.

The nine-day event began on Friday, Nov. 1, and runs through Saturday, November 9th.

It is put on by the Pinto Horse Association and has been held in Tulsa for more than a decade.

"Tulsa is the equine capital of the world as far as we are concerned," said Executive Secretary and COO Darrell Bilke.

Color Breed Congress is unique in that it welcomes all breeds of horses and even some donkeys.

"This show is the world's largest multi-breed show," said horse trainer and judge Merle Arbo. "You name it, if it has got four legs, a head, and a tail, it is probably here."

He traveled in from Kansas City and is training Daisy, a 7-year-old Quarter horse, solid Pinto, and Buckskin mare.

"She does the showmanship, the pleasure, the horsemanship, the trail, the English even though she is on the smaller side and does well at everything. Her disposition is great," said Arbo.

He started riding horses when he was a little kid and said horse shows have brought him many of his best friends.

"We come to the horse show, we all get to hang out, and it is a really fun, family environment," Arbo said. "The competition is good, and we all want to do our best, but I think the friendships that you make are probably more rewarding."

Many of them rode out the storm early Sunday morning together.

"The fairgrounds had everything opened up for us when the sirens sounded everyone got to the pavilion out of the RV park, so we are blessed, everyone is safe, and all the horses are safe," said Bilke.

He credits the Oklahoma Weather Experts for that.

"Thank you, Travis Meyer, for giving us the warnings, for keeping our heads up, thank you, partner. I appreciate it," Bilke added.

Color Breed Congress continues daily through Nov. 9 inside the Mustang Arena, Ford Truck Arena, and Ranger Arena. The event starts each morning at 7:30 a.m.

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