During the summer of 1963, three gentleman met for dinner in a central Arkansas steak house. They discussed establishing a Labor Day weekend horse show for the whole state of Arkansas. A competitive weekend for families to celebrate and display their love of the horse. 

 

They each put $1,000 on the table, shook hands, and paved the way for thousands of entries to pass through the gates of the Arkansas State Championship Horse Show. Boyce Cook of Hillbilly, Sonny Noble of Central, and Trigger Walls of NECA created a long-standing event that is the heart of the Arkansas horse industry. 

 

The “State Show” is a truly special atmosphere. We have four-generation families sitting in the same section of stands for the past 60 years. There are families raising their children in the same horse barns that they were raised. 

From a steak lunch over 60 years ago, to a modern showcase of the equine athlete, the Arkansas State Championship Horse Show is a true example of the western heritage that bring us all together.