Preparation is underway. The reining industry’s elite are hard at work. There are some prestigious titles up for grabs in Katy, Texas.

The National Reining Breeders Classic doesn’t truly kick off until Monday, April 15, but the Great Southwest Equestrian Center is already a hive of activity. Much of the event staff moved in a week ago and paid warm-ups have been going on in the arena since Wednesday, as the facility’s ambiance is transformed with red carpets, live flowers, and of course, the signature royal blue drapes and curtains.

Special activities take place throughout the week, and those begin Sunday morning at 10 a.m. with the Church Service, officiated by Pastor Ed Harrison. An Open Riders Meeting, with all owners welcome, will be held at 3 p.m. The day concludes with the SmartPak Texas Hold’Em Tournament at 7 p.m. All events will be held upstairs in the Texas Children’s Hospital Arena Club.

For a complete schedule, visit www.NRBC.com, and follow the NRBC on Facebook.