The National Day of the Cowboy is being celebrated in Amarillo on Thursday.
According to a press release from the American Quarter Horse Association, the seventh annual event is being held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Amarillo’s American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum.
A highlight of the event will be the chance to ride an American quarter horse. This event has given more than 1,200 children, over the the past seven years, the opportunity to experience their first ride on an American quarter horse.
This year’s test rides are part of a national Time to Ride marketing initiative by the American Horse Council called the 100-Day Horse Challenge, the goal of which is to increase awareness of the benefits of horse activities across the U.S. by engaging at least 100,000 new people with an introductory horse experience.
The following are other activities and events taking place during the celebration:
- Barrel racing on the lawn from 10 a.m. to noon
- Watch charro demonstrations on horseback from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Charros are skilled horsemen who proudly carry on early Mexican traditions.
- Ride an American Quarter Horse between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sign-up starts at 10 a.m.
- Listen as employees of the Amarillo Public Library read children stories about cowboys, with readings at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Make your own stick pony or cowboy trail mix
- Listen to cowgirl and cowboy poetry with the Southwest Cowboy Poet Society at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
- Employees from the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum will show young visitors how to create their own brand from noon to 2 p.m. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Director Curator of Art and Western Heritage Michael Grauer is also a history interpreter and he will appear as an 1890’s cowboy and teach visitors about the real west.
- Meet the horses and actors from the “Texas” outdoor musical
- Take a tour of the Hall of Fame
- Explore the Nacidos Charros: Born Charro exhibit
- Make your mark on a Center City stallion statue
There is no admission fee and free food and drinks will be provided as long as supplies last.
In addition to the Hall of Fame, local partners include the Amarillo Public Library, country music station 97.9 KGNC FM blakefm.com, American Charro Association, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Center City, Southwest Cowboy Poet Society and the Amarillo Convention & Visitors Council.
