PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 16, 2026

CVB Contact: Scott Bruscato
Phone: 318.387.5691
E-mail: sbruscato@monroe-westmonroe.org

Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance Hosting 4th Annual Louisiana Classic

WEST MONROE, La. ─ The Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance (SRCHA) has saddled up for its 4th Annual Louisiana Classic, bringing more than 900 entries and competitors from 25 states to the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe. The event is underway and continues through Sunday, September 20, 2026, with competition daily from 8 am to 9 pm.

The 2026 Louisiana Classic represents a significant year of growth for the event and for equine sports tourism in Monroe-West Monroe. What began as a four-day event has expanded to six days of competition, while entries have grown from 338 in 2025 to more than 900 this year. The number of states represented has also increased from 15 to 25.

Overall, the 2026 event is up approximately 30% from last year's competition and is expected to generate just under $1 million in economic impact for the Monroe-West Monroe community.

"We are excited to welcome competitors, families, trainers and spectators from across the country to Monroe-West Monroe for this year's Louisiana Classic". "The growth of this event demonstrates the tremendous potential of equine tourism and the ability of our community to host large-scale competitions that create an economic impact for our hotels, restaurants, businesses and attractions,” said Scott Bruscato, Executive VP, Discover Monroe-West Monroe.

As with last year's event, the Louisiana Classic features the LOUISIANA LAGNIAPPE – EASTERN CIRCUIT JACKPOT, attracting participants from throughout the eastern United States and further expanding the event's reach.

Reined cow horse is a growing equine sport that combines multiple disciplines designed to showcase the athleticism, responsiveness, and cow sense of the horse and rider. Competition can include herd work, rein work, cow/fence work, and cutting, giving spectators a variety of fast-paced, highly skilled equestrian competition.

The Louisiana Classic is made possible in part through a grant from Discover Monroe-West Monroe and the Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board. Their support helps bring the event to Ouachita Parish and contributes to the continued growth of equine tourism throughout the region.

The SRCHA is also celebrating national recognition following the National Reined Cow Horse Association's selection of the Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance as its 2025 Chapter of the Year. The honor recognizes the alliance's efforts and contributions to the sport throughout the 2025 season.

Locate times and the final schedule of the 4th Annual Louisiana Classic here.


About Discover Monroe-West Monroe

Discover Monroe-West Monroe promotes Ouachita Parish as a destination for leisure travel, conventions, meetings and sporting events, creating a positive economic impact for our local community through increased visitor spending and sales tax collections. For more information about Discover Monroe-West Monroe, visit https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/