Battle in the Saddle Competition Heats Up

Step back in time to the days of the Old West at the Battle in the Saddle’s chuck wagon cook-off competition in Oklahoma City. The competition will heat up July 10 as competitors from across the United States will travel to battle it out with their authentic chuck wagons and campfire cooking for a share of the $7,500 purse.

The winning chuck wagon team will also receive prizes valued at $2,500 that includes a full-page ad in The American Quarter Horse Journal, a write-up in America’s Horse magazine, four tickets to Saturday’s Battle in the Saddle finals performances, a commemorative plaque and specially designed trophy spurs. Tickets can be bought on the grounds to enjoy old-time western cuisine.

The cook-off will be held in conjunction with the inaugural Battle in the Saddle competition. The world’s most talented horses and cowboys will take center stage from around the world to shoot it out in five fast-paced, exciting equestrian events: reining, working cow horse, roping, cutting and ranch remuda. More than $130,000 in added money is up for grabs at this one-of-a-kind event.

The chuck wagon cook-off is being sponsored by State Fair Park, the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Chuck Wagon Association. The competitors will be judged on authenticity of the wagon, campsite and chuck box, as well as the presentation and taste of the food prepared with campfire cooking. The meal will include chicken fried steak, gravy, fried potatoes and peach cobbler. The event is free to the public for viewing of the different campsites, but for only $10 you can enjoy a hardy cowboy meal from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 10.

Saturday will be themed “Western Day” to celebrate Western heritage. In addition to the chuck wagon cook-off, Native American performers, western craftsmen and a western trade show will be part of the festivities. The trade show will feature vendors selling an array of products.

The American Quarter Horse Journal, a publication of AQHA, is offering free tickets to watch the Battle in the Saddle Ranch Remuda Challenge. Working ranch cowboys will compete on their ranch-raised American Quarter Horses in this special event showcasing how the traditions from the Old West are still being used today on ranches across America.

Entry fees for the Battle in the Saddle Chuck Wagon Cook-Off are $250 and are limited to the first 25 chuck wagons. Visit www.battleinthesaddle.com or contact Kim George at (806) 378-4338 for an entry form and more information.

To purchase general admission tickets, visit http://www.tickets.com/browseother.cgi?minpid=6765354 or contact State Fair Park at (405) 948-6704. Tickets for the evening performances July 7-8 are $10 per person. Tickets for the July 9-10 evening performance is $15 per person. Tickets for the Chuck wagon Cook-off will be available at State Fair Park for $10 a plate on July 10.

Early entry deadlines for equine events are June 20. For more information on Battle in the Saddle events, visit www.battleinthesaddle.com.

In 1996 at a chuck wagon competition in Amarillo, Texas, a small group of Old West enthusiasts and wagon masters talked about forming an association. The mission would be to preserve the heritage of the chuck wagon and its use in the short, but significant, era of the cattle drives. In 1997, in Bryson, Texas, by-laws and articles of operation were adopted, and the American Chuck Wagon Association was formed. Today ACWA has members in 31 states, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. Members participate in cook-off competitions, demonstrations, catering, charity events, school visits and many other activities to fulfill that original mission. Visit www.americanchuckwagon.org/ to learn more about the American Chuck Wagon Association.

For more information, or to enter, visit www.battleinthesaddle.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

Oklahoma City, June 14, 2010

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