The 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel is back at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, bringing together the sport’s top horses and riders for 12 days—June 10–21, 2026—of elite reining competition.
With the Open Derby alone carrying $473,000 in added money and a newly expanded 4-Year-Old Stakes program now surpassing $300,000, this year’s Derby is one for the record books.
Whether you’re heading to OKC or following along from home, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 6666 NRHA Derby.
Table of contents
Event Details
What: 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel
When: June 10–21, 2026
Where: OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Move-In: Noon, Tuesday, June 9
What’s New in 2026
The biggest news heading into this year’s Derby is a $150,000 increase to the 4-Year-Old Stakes, bringing total added money for that program to over $300,000. Previously limited to Level 4 Open and Level 4 Non Pro, the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes and Colston Paving Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes now include Levels 1 through 4 in both Open and Non Pro competition — opening the Stakes to a much wider field of competitors.
Also running concurrently: the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC), June 12–18, incorporating affiliate-level competition across multiple divisions.
Classes & Added Money
Open
| Class | Added Money |
|---|---|
| Open Derby — Levels 4, 3, 2, 1 | $473,000 |
| Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes — Levels 1–4 | $205,000 |
| Novice Horse Open Derby | $15,000 |
| Open Prime Time Derby | $7,500 |
| APHA Open Chrome Cash | $2,500 |
Non-Pro
| Class | Added Money |
|---|---|
| Non Pro Derby — Levels 4, 3, 2, 1 | $212,500 |
| Colston Paving Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes — Levels 1–4 | $105,000 |
| Elementa Amateur Division | $15,000 |
| Novice Horse Non Pro Derby | $10,000 |
| Non Pro Derby Prime Time | $7,500 |
| Youth Non Pro Derby | $7,750 |
| Non Pro Derby Masters | $2,000 |
| APHA Non Pro Chrome Cash | $2,500 |
Additional Classes
The Derby also features the $20,000 NRHA Invitational Freestyle Reining Presented by Visit OKC, Jackpot Classic Equine Green Reiner Levels 1 & 2, Rookie divisions, AQHA and APHA concurrent classes, and the full NAAC competition schedule.
Schedule at a Glance
| Date | OG&E Coliseum | Adequan® Arena |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, June 10 | Move-In | AQHA/APHA Open & Amateur Section 1 |
| Thu, June 11 | Move-In; Rider’s Meeting 3 PM | AQHA/APHA Open & Amateur Section 2 |
| Fri, June 12 | Open Derby Go 1, Section 1 | Non Pro, Rookie, Green Reiner |
| Sat, June 13 | Open Derby Go 1, Section 2; Buckle Ceremony 6:30 PM | Int./Ltd. Open, Rookie Pro, Green Reiner |
| Sun, June 14 | Open Derby Go 1, Section 3* | Ltd. Non Pro, Rookie, Cowboy Church 5 PM |
| Mon, June 15 | Non Pro Derby Go 1, Section 1 | Open, Int./Ltd. Open, Maturity |
| Tue, June 16 | Non Pro Derby Go 1, Section 2; Ice Cream Social 1 PM | Novice Horse Open; Para-Reining |
| Wed, June 17 | Non Pro Derby Go 1, Section 3; Draw Party 6:30 PM | Rookie divisions |
| Thu, June 18 | Int./Rookie Showdowns; Freestyle 6 PM | Novice Horse Non Pro; Youth |
| Fri, June 19 | Non Pro Derby Finals Sect. 1 (8 AM); Sect. 2 (4 PM) | Novice Horse Open Section 2 |
| Sat, June 20 | Open Derby Finals Sect. 1 (8 AM); Sect. 2 (5 PM) | Novice Horse Non Pro; Youth Short Stirrup |
| Sun, June 21 | Non Pro, Int. Non Pro, Maturity | Youth, TRFAM Youth Semi-Finals |
*Novice Horse Open Derby and Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes awards presented after Section 3 on Sunday, June 14.
Where to Watch
Watch live on Ride TV or the NRHA’s website.
Watch the NRHA Derby live on Ride TV.
Hotels
Multiple hotel options are available near the OKC Fairgrounds, most within 2–4 miles of the venue and several offering special NRHA group rates with complimentary breakfast, parking, and airport shuttle service. Options include Embassy Suites, DoubleTree, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, LaQuinta, and more.