Next time you�re looking to get away, to find someplace new and unique, then come to Amarillo�and bring your horse! Horse owners travel extensively to equine events, from horse shows to rodeos. But more and more they are traveling with their favorite steed for personal enjoyment. In Amarillo, once you�ve found a stall for the night (try Amarillo�s Tri State Fairgrounds, 806-376-7767, Creekwood Ranch, 806-622-0092, or Tascosa Stables, 806-342-9061), get set to see a town with a unique equine focus. Start with an early morning trail ride in Palo Duro Canyon State Park (806-488-2227). About 25 miles southeast of Amarillo, it is the largest canyon in the state and the park has over 18,000 acres to explore. There�s even a special equine camping area for overnight stays. There�s enough to see in this park that you may want to plan an evening ride one day and a morning ride the next. Check with the park for special horse rules and restrictions. Next, give your mount a rest while you take in the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum (806-376-5181 or www.aqha.org) along Interstate 40 in Amarillo. AQHA has more than 330,000 members and over 4 million registered horses. And the museum includes facts and history about America�s most popular horse breed. In the summer, you may see a horsemanship demonstration in the museum�s outdoor arena. If you own an American Quarter Horse, come in July to celebrate the second annual American Quarter Horse Association Member Appreciation Month. Allow a few hours to follow the Hoof Prints of the American Quarter Horse, a public art display throughout Amarillo. More than 30, life-size fiberglass horse replicas, painted and adorned by area artists, are placed around town, with plans to add up to 20 more in the coming year. For a map and information, contact the Amarillo Convention & Visitor Council or see the web site at www.amarillo-cvb.org. If you�re lucky enough to visit during the summer, make plans to see the outdoor musical drama TEXAS Legacies (806-58TEXAS or www.epictexas.com), every night except Wednesday in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The 2003 season is June 5 through August 16. This drama is about the Texas Panhandle pioneers and major stars of the show are the horses and riders that carry the flags at the beginning and ending of the show. You and your horse might not compete in rodeos but horses do steal the show in these western extravaganzas. And Amarillo has a non-stop list of top quality rodeos and eqine events all year round. National Cutting Horse Association World Finals- Amarillo- January Top of Texas Rodeo- Pampa- April Coors Ranch Rodeo- Amarillo- June World�s Greatest Horseman Competition- Amarillo- June World Championship Chuckwagon Roundup- Amarillo- June Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo- Amarillo- July Cal Farley�s Boys Ranch Rodeo- Boys Ranch- September Tri-State Fair PRCA Rodeo- Amarillo- September US Team Penning Association National Finals- Amarillo- November World Championship Ranch Rodeo- Amarillo- November National Finals Steer Roping- Amarillo- November

Enjoy cowboy cooking, and a horse-drawn wagon ride to the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, at Cowboy Morning breakfast (800-658-2613 or www.cowboymorning.com) . Held daily in the summer, this chuckwagon breakfast featuring eggs, sausage, sourdough biscuits and cowboy coffee, is straight off the area ranches to give you a true Western experience. An evening steak dinner is available. Reservations are needed for either the breakfast or dinner.

When horses in this part of the world are working, chances are they are working livestock. So, take in the Amarillo Livestock Auction (806-373-7464), held every Tuesday year round, to see the livestock that your horse might be working if he or she was living in the Texas Panhandle. Just keep your hand down, otherwise you may have to make room for a few head of cattle in your horse trailer! If you don�t own a horse, then check one out once you arrive. Several stables rent horses for trail rides. Try Old West Stables in Palo Duro Canyon State Park (806-488-2180) or Palo Duro Stables, just outside the park. While you can�t bring your horse to Midnight Rodeo, it�s a great place to go in the evening to scoot your boots, and maybe meet a cowboy or cowgirl in town for some dancing.

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Media Contact: Eric Miller +1 806-374-1497 eric@amarillo-cvb.org