FORT WORTH, Texas — The National Reined Cow Horse Association is moving its first Premier Event of 2014, the Celebration of Champions, to Fort Worth, Texas. The event will take place Feb. 14 – 22, 2014, in the Will Rogers Equestrian Center.

“One of our primary goals for growth in the NRCHA is increased participation at our Premier Events,” NRCHA Executive Director Jay Winborn explained. “We anticipate that the appeal of Fort Worth and the Will Rogers Equestrian Center, along with the convenience of the new date later in February, will substantially increase the number of entries at the Celebration of Champions next year.”

In previous years, the Celebration of Champions schedule had overlapped the popular Arizona Quarter Horse Association Sun Circuit show and Super Bowl weekend. Winborn said the new dates will allow competitors to attend both.

Established in 1988, the Will Rogers Equestrian Center hosts some of the most prestigious equine events, including the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity. The complex includes 843 permanent stalls, with the ability to increase to 2,200 stalls during large events. The center is comprised of several arenas and buildings, including a 215,000 square foot building containing the 1,946 seat John Justin Arena and the 640-seat West Sale Arena. The Moncrief Building, built in 1996, houses the 1,100 seat Watt Arena and space for up to 650 cattle or 260 horses.

The Will Rogers Equestrian Center’s location in family-friendly Fort Worth, known as “the City of Cowboys and Culture,” adds to the NRCHA Celebration of Champions event appeal. Fort Worth is one of the largest cities in Texas and the 16th-largest city in the nation.

“Fort Worth extended a very warm welcome to the NRCHA, and we look forward to an unforgettable Celebration of Champions in 2014,” Winborn said.

The Celebration of Champions includes a Derby for 4- and 5-year-old reined cow horses, as well as the World Championship Show, featuring the top qualifying horses and riders from the NRCHA’s eight geographic regions. Those riders will compete for World and National Championships in 12 different divisions.

A signature highlight of the Celebration of Champions is the World’s Greatest Horseman competition, a grueling four-event contest in which a single horse-and-roder vie in herd work, reined work, roping and fence work. California trainer Ron Emmons and Olena Oak are current two-time defending champions.

The NRCHA also announced that its Hackamore Classic will return to Pueblo, Colo., for 2014 and 2015 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds.

“The Pueblo facility is popular for its central location,” said Winborn, pointing out that five NRCHA regions are within a 15-hour drive.

“It makes the event more accessible to competitors who live farther east,” he said. “Colorado State Fairgrounds staff have been supportive and excellent to work with, and the facility has a relaxed, fun atmosphere that our members enjoy.”

THe NRCHA Hackamore Classic, first held in last year at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, the second stage of the traditional California Vaquero training style whereby 4- and 5-year-old horses are shown in the hackamore, the bit-less headgear consisting of a braided bosal noseband and horsehair mecate rein. Horses are shown in herd work, rein work and fence work, with single go-round determining champions in nine Open and Non-Pro divisions. The 2013 event paid out more than $141,000, and featured two full slates of NRCHA -approved horse show classes.