Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - November 13, 2001 - 4-H and FFA students from all over the state of Oklahoma will attend the National Reining Horse Association Futurity on Friday, November 30, as special guests of the NRHA.

According to Oklahoma State Extension Equine Specialist, Dr. David Freeman, invitations were distributed to 4-H and FFA students through County Extension offices and High School Agriculture Education Departments all over the state, and the response has been overwhelming.

"We have had requests for over 1,000 tickets," Freeman noted, then added. "The response was four or five times what we expected and we're excited to be able to offer this opportunity to Oklahoma youth."

4-H and FFA attendees will attend a seminar with United States Equestrian Team Reiner and 1999 NRHA Futurity Champion Dell Hendricks. They will be special guests of the NRHA at the Friday evening performance which features the popular freestyle reining event, as well as the Cinch Non Pro Futurity Finals.

The NRHA Futurity begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs through December 1st at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. The show is the richest reining event in the world, where 3-year-old horses compete for a $150,000 first place and the show's total payout will likely exceed $1.3 million. Over 1,800 participants are expected.