Groundbreaking news
Posted: February 23, 2023

Oklahoma City Officially Breaks Ground on The New Coliseum

Officials broke ground on Wednesday for the new $126 million-dollar state-of-the-art coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.  The new building is expected to take two years to complete.  The current Jim Norick Arena will remain operational throughout construction with a small portion of the concourse to be demolished to make room for the new building.

Mayor David Holt was joined by local leaders and fairgrounds officials on Wednesday morning as the project officially began.  Holt pointed out the enormous economic impact the coliseum has on the area with some of the country’s leading equine events such as the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®.

 “It is very exciting to see this project finally get underway,” said AMHECT President C. A. Lee, III.  Lee, along with Administrative Assistant Kelly McFaul, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.  “This October will mark the Morgan breed’s 49th year in Oklahoma City.  We have been a part of this city’s growth through the years and look forward to being a part of the many exciting new things the future holds for this venue.”

The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® committee is hard at work to make sure the next two years are as painless as possible as we work toward a grand new arena in 2025.

We invite you to REACH FOR THE STARS in 2023 at the 51st Annual Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®.   Plans are underway for another great show in Oklahoma City showcasing some of the greatest Morgans in the world.             

Competition begins Saturday, October 7 with three shows daily through Saturday, October 14.  Show times will be at 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. each day.

A Tradition of Excellence  

For more information on this exceptional animal, check out the breed’s website at www.morganhorse.com. Or, for more information on the 2023 horse show, you can log on to www.morgangrandnational.com.