At the historic third closed-to-fans PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast event inside Lazy E Arena in Logan County, Oklahoma, the world’s Top 35 bull riders continued to pioneer the return of professional sports in an empty arena on a night where the bovine athletes reigned supreme.

With bull power in full force, only six cowboys recorded qualified rides on the opening night of the two-day PBR Lucas Oil Invitational, presented by U.S. Border Patrol.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to affect people’s lives around the world, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are strengthening their efforts to promote healthy lifestyles including physical activity, sport, and active recreation, as a tool for health across the globe.

AQHA Executive Committee approves modifications to frequently touched surfaces, including the mandatory gate obstacle in trail and Versatility Ranch Horse trail and the obstacle drag in open, cowboy and amateur VRH trail, until further notice to protect the safety of exhibitors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The AQHA Executive Committee and AQHA leadership are currently evaluating protocols and recommendations to implement when local, state and federal mandates are lifted and the impact of any new guidelines on AQHA shows and programs. The Executive Committee recently approved waiving the gate as a mandatory obstacle in trail, AQHA Rule SHW 466.1, and Versatility Ranch Horse trail, in addition to the obstacle drag in open, cowboy and amateur VRH ranch trail, AQHA Rule SHW561.7.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Executive Committee and Board are pleased to announce that the 2020 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel looks to be on track to take place at the Oklahoma City at State Fair Park June 13–21.

 It’s the good news reiners have been looking for after the long hiatus from the show pen. The green light to proceed follows the announcement on May 14, 2020, of Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt’s proclamation regarding the city’s COVID-19 regulations. With this announcement, the NRHA Derby Presented by Markel's entry deadline has been extended to May 20, the same deadline date for the stabling reservations. Ancillary entries are still due on June 1.

In a spectacular start to the Europe Division 1 series, Switzerland pipped reigning series champions Belgium in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of France 2019 at La Baule (FRA) today where the host nation lined up third. Clear rounds are key to success, and there were plenty who managed to leave all the poles in place on the track set by crack French course designer Frederic Cottier despite a testing time-allowed of 75 seconds. But double-clears are even better, and when the Swiss posted two of the the five recorded this afternoon, thanks to superb efforts from team pathfinder Niklaus Rutschi (53) and anchorman Steve Guerdat (36), they beat the Belgians by a single penalty point.

World leader Jose Vitor Leme won his PBR-leading fourth event of the season with a flawless 3-for-3 showing at the PBR Cooper Tires Invitational, presented by Ariat, at the Lazy E Arena.
Leme now has a season-high 235-point lead atop the world standings on No. 2 and reigning World Champion Jess Lockwood. Lockwood is not expected to return to competition until the middle of September as he continues to recover from surgery on his left hamstring.

The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) announces the next NCHA Vice President will be Ted Sokol from Seville, Florida. Sokol will take on his new position as Vice President starting June 2, 2020.
Sokol has been an NCHA member since 1982 and has been operating Ted Sokol Cutting Horses along with his wife, Kathy, for the past 34 years.

The most anticipated Monday of the year in Western sports will still happen – it just will not occur on June 22 nor will it be in Reno, Nevada.
Organizers of the world’s richest Open roping – the Bob Feist Invitational – have for decades worked closely with the Reno Rodeo, held on the same grounds each June. This spring, the Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West has taken the lead on decisions forced this year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are saddened to announce that we are unable to host Road to the Horse 2020 as scheduled on June 18-21. The event was originally rescheduled from March to June as we boldly and optimistically moved forward, but due to the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19 this is not possible.

As the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast’s Cooper Tires Invitational, presented by Ariat, came to a close Sunday evening inside Lazy E Arena, viewers around the globe witnessed further league history.

While the seemingly unstoppable Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) further tightened his hold on the world No. 1 ranking, three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) claimed sole ownership of a league record, and Air Support (Braun/Cooper), the son of a legendary bull, took the lead in the intensifying YETI PBR World Champion Bull race.