Unique Sports in Oklahoma That Must Include An Animal

We're not just talking your traditional baseball or football - these team sports have to include an animal in Oklahoma.

Playday Horseback Riding

This week in Lawton, Oklahoma, you'll see a ton of horses walking around the Comanche County Fairgrounds. Every year, different horseback riders (of ALL ages) from all over Oklahoma prepare for Finals, a week-long competition for the fastest riders in the state. Playday riding is a series of patterns that the rider must complete correctly and quickly.

There are districts all across Oklahoma, but you don't have to be in the club to learn the sport. If you have a horse and would be interested in learning, reach out to the Grand National Horseman Association (GNHA) to find out about their open playdays.

This week's Playday Finals is open to the public and free to attend.

Polo

While we're talking about horseback riding, this sport is a true test to partnership with your animal. Think of cricket on horseback, if you will. To explain the sport shortly, riders are trying to score points by knocking the wooden ball into the opposing team's goal with a long mallet carried on horseback.

Even Oklahoma's popular college, Oklahoma State University (OSU) has their own polo team. Your best bet is to catch one of their games, posted on their social media.

Bull Riding

If there was any sport that was truly a sport, it has to be bull riding. It isn't just about staying on for 8 seconds, either. If you watch a bull rider, they have to ride the animal properly, not just floundering around. When you see the scores for bull riders, it's based on the bull, the rider and the performance time.

Bull riding happens all year long in Oklahoma; at rodeos, independent contests and at one of Oklahoma's longest-running clubs in Oklahoma City.

Flyball

Dogs sometimes have so much energy, it's hard to keep up. But with flyball, they get every bit of it out with a fast-paced competition between two teams. Its a race over jumps to pick up the ball at one end, bring it back over the jumps and get through the team of four pups before the opponent does.

Flyball is becoming more popular here in Oklahoma and there are several clubs throughout the state that offer classes to teach and competitions to watch. Even just watching the videos get your heart racing.

Barrel Racing

There's no way you can live in Oklahoma without hearing about this sport. It's another rodeo favorite, also known as "chasing cans." Riders have seconds to run the barrel pattern around 3 barrels in the arena, competing to be the fastest of everyone entered.

@barrelracingdotcom We swung by the Better Barrel Races Finals in Oklahoma City just in time to watch Team @Equinety‘s Marne Loosenort clinch the 1D championship on Pt Love Tabea Blazin in 15.190 seconds. So…that was fun. #BlazinJetOlena #PtLoveTabeaBlazin #MarneLoosenort #BarrelRacing #BBRFinals ♬ Up To No Good - Warren Zeiders

Barrel racing also happens all year long, not just during rodeo season. Oklahoma City is actually one of the places that world-class competitions for the sport happen, so keep an eye out on the fairgrounds social media.

Roping

Cowboys are important to Oklahoma's history. When it comes to doing chores, it's easier to do things when you make it fun - the roping sport is a result of cowboys taking their chores and making them fun. There are variations of the sport, including team roping and calf roping.

@nhsra 2021 NJHFR Ribbon Roping World Champions, Chizm Kuykendall and Kennadee Bickerstaff from Oklahoma #NHSRA #highschoolrodeo #njhfr #worldchampion ♬ Catch Me If You Can - UNSECRET & Vo Williams

You can probably guess that this is another rodeo favorite. Ultimately, riders try to be the fastest to rope their calf correctly, with the rope going completely over the calf's head. If the rider misses the calf, time doesn't matter at all.

Livestock Showing

Here in Oklahoma, children and young adults are encouraged to rear animals and train them in groups like FFA and 4-H. Students pick a livestock animal to "show," or prepare to be judged. Kids of almost all ages handle cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens and many others.

@cattlemenscongress Get up, steers are here! #cattlemenscongress #okc #marketsteers #prospectsteers #cattleshow #aifilter #speed #livestockshow #agriculture #showcattle #oklahomacity ♬ Zach Bryan Revival MC4D Remix - MC4D

When it comes to livestock showing, kids have to learn how the showing process works, which is different for each species. They not only learn to care for their animal, but they have to work the animal, building muscle and temperament. While in the ring, the animals are judged based on age, class and purpose: meat market or breeding.

@darren__lucas A record breaking night here at @okyouthexpo! #livestock #livestockshow #oklahoma #oye ♬ Cinematic Epic - AudioCoffee

You'll see livestock shows at county fairs and free fairs across Oklahoma, most are free to watch and learn about. Please bear in mind not to feed or touch the livestock without owner's permission.

Which of these sports is your favorite? Is there one that should come to Oklahoma? Tell us what you think on our app.

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