LOVETT, YURMAN, Proctor and Dickerson TO RIDE FOR MAKE-A-WISH
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – October 28, 2009 – Since 2007, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) has hosted a unique, entertaining event to help the children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma – the 4R Performance Horses Celebrity Slide. The location is Oklahoma City; the venue is the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show; and the date is Friday, December 4. Competing will be some of the world’s greatest bull riders and celebrities who’ve taken time from their busy schedules to help some of their most ardent fans and the local chapter of the largest wish-granting organization for children. Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett, founder of one of America’s leading fine jewelry companies David Yurman, TLC’s Trading Spaces star Christi Proctor and Tulsa Morning Anchor Kristin Dickerson have thrown their hats into the ring as the first confirmed celebrity Reiners.
Lovett has recorded his own brand of music, a unique mix of blues, R&B, jazz, gospel and country, since 1980 with more than a dozen albums to date. He has earned four Grammy Awards including Best Country Album and Best Male Country Vocal Performance. His 2007 release, It’s Not Big, It’s Large, once again showcases his talents as an American musical artist. Look for his latest album, “Natural Forces,” which was just released on October 20 of this year. Visit Lovett’s web site and learn more about his music at lylelovett.com.
CELEBRITIES TRY THEIR HAND AT REINING
Yurman is the founder of the David Yurman Jewelry Company, which is internationally recognized for its “cable” designs created from sterling silver twisted ropes. Major retailers such as Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus proudly carry his collections. In his own words he seeks to create designs that “fuse art, fashion and fine jewelry.” Get more information at davidyurman.com.
Designer Christi Proctor brings a Texas-size imagination and a winning personality to TLC’s Trading Spaces. While Trading Spaces is her national television debut, Christi also has a background in performance, having been a singer her entire life. Proctor’s design work displays a mix of charm from varied Texas cultures, the old west, and Europe. Find out more about Proctor’s work and background at christiproctor.com.
Local news celebrity Kristin Dickerson wakes up Oklahoma’s Green Country as a Tulsa News Channel 8 Morning anchor. Dickerson came to the Sooner State from Las Cruces, New Mexico on an athletic scholarship to ride for the Oklahoma State University’s Women’s Equestrian Team where she earned an individual national championship. Visit ktul.com to find Dickerson’s biography in the “News Team” area.
These celebrities will swap the familiar tools of their trade for the best reiner finery along with other celebrities and famous Bull Riders to test their skills on some of the premier athletes of the equine world – reining horses.
TOP NAMES, YOUNG FRIENDS
Last year, Lovett marked the highest score in the field of celebrities including Bull Riders Matt Bohon, J.W. Hart, Cody Lambert, Justin McBride, Cord McCoy, McKennon Wimberley, plus five-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Billy Etbauer and Oklahoma City’s own Emmy-nominated and national award-winning journalist Robin Marsh.
Moving out-of-their-comfort-zone, the celebrity competitors will get a crash course in the sport from some of the best reiners in the world. Last year’s coaches included – NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Tim McQuay; Million Dollar Riders Dell Hendricks, Craig Schmersal, and Tom and Mandy McCutcheon; and NRHA Professional Casey Hinton. Assisting will be their young friends from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma, serving as honorary coaches.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND GET TICKETS
Tickets for the Celebrity Slide are $8 and can be purchased in advance at nrha.com. Avid bull-riding fans who want a chance to meet their favorite bull rider “up close and personal” can attend a VIP Reception at the conclusion of the competition. Tickets to the VIP event may be purchased from the Foundation through RHSF Coordinator Krissy Colbath for $100 each (limited tickets available).
So, get ready for a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat event and join us for an evening of excitement and help make some worthy youngsters’ “wishes come true”. Mark your calendar for Friday, December 4 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds beginning at 6 pm! There’ll be opportunities for autographs and photographs, so come prepared. General admission tickets will be available online in November.
RHSF
The Reining Horse Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and enhancing the sport of Reining worldwide. The RHSF accomplishes this through their five core programs: NRHA Hall of Fame, Crisis Fund, Research, Development & Education, Youth Programs and International Development. For further information about the Foundation, contact rhsf@nrha.com or 405-946-7400, ext. 137, or visit the RHSF web site at reininghorsesportsfoundation.com.
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma serves children ages 2 ½ to 18 living throughout Oklahoma and has granted more than 1,600 wishes since its inception in 1987. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma please visit oklahoma.wish.org or contact Whitney Moss at 405-286-4000 to find out how you can share the power of a wish®.
4R PERFORMANCE HORSES
The RHSF is grateful to event sponsor 4R Performance Horses and the many volunteers who’ve given so generously of their time and resources to make this “wish” come true. 4R Performance Horses is owned and operated by Dwaine & Judith Rivers, together with their two daughters. They are located just minutes north of San Antonio in Boerne, Texas and specialize in raising, showing & selling reining horses. They have paid special attention to selecting top quality broodmares, with each of them performing in the show pen, and stallions that are proven performers, with some of the best bloodlines the industry has to offer. 4R Performance Horses can be found on the web at 4rperformancehorses.com.
