During its meeting on October 31, the United States Team Penning Association's (USTPA) Board of Directors voted to accept the bid from the City of Amarillo to host the USTPA National Finals and World Championships for 2006, 2007 and 2008.

"We were pleased to receive proposals from the cities of Amarillo and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and be able to evaluate the value of our event to these two great locations." said USTPA President Gary Stanfill. "However, Amarillo's proposal strongly indicated the dedication and interest this city has in supporting the events that come to the Amarillo National Center. We are delighted to be returning to Amarillo for another three years."

Competitors come to Amarillo from all states in the continental United States and from as far north as Canada. And, according to the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) formula, this means big bucks for area businesses.

Based on the number of horses entered in the show, the number of days competitors are in Amarillo and the average number of dollars spent by competitors, the DMAI formula estimates that Amarillo will feel a direct economic impact of $3.1 million this week, while the turn over of dollars in the city will result in a $6.2 million impact.

Stanfill continued to laud the assistance provided to the USTPA through Coors Distributors of Amarillo and the Coors Cowboy Club in hosting competitors during the show.

"I challenge anyone to show me a more hospitable city than Amarillo, Texas, and a lot of the credit for that goes to the Coors Cowboy Club," he said. "The men who spend hours helping in check in our exhibitors, unloading their trailers and best of all, cooking a prime rib dinner, is incredible and we truly appreciate all they do to make our stay here a memorable one."