The Riata Championships welcomes qualified news media, broadcast journalists, and industry
publications to cover the 2026 event at the Lazy E Arena. Coverage falls into three tiers —
Visitors & Spectators, Commercial Photographers & Content Creators, and Credentialed Media
— each with its own rules on equipment, fees, and content use. This page covers who qualifies
for a Press Media Credential, how to apply, and what’s expected once you’re credentialed.
- Application Deadline
- Monday, September 21, 2026
by 11:59 pm CT
- Decision Timeline
- By email, Sept 22, 2026
- Media Fee
-
$300 base + $50/client (commercial)
No fee — credentialed press
Credential Tiers
Tier 1
Visitors, Spectators & Exhibitors
No credential required
- Personal photos & video allowed
- No commercial use (websites, social media, publications, etc.)
- No professional equipment — lenses longer than 4″, tripods/monopods, or stabilizers
- Violations = ejection and/or ban from future events
Tier 2
Commercial Photographers & Content Creators
$300 base + $50 per client
- Media fee paid before the event
- Applying after September 21: $400 base + $50 per client, subject to availability
- Images should carry the photographer’s own watermark or credit
- Violations may result in removal from the event and/or a permanent ban
Tier 3
Credentialed Media (Press)
No media fee
- Credentials issued at Riata’s sole discretion via the Media Credential Request Form
- Proof of assignment may be required
- Freelancers & content creators: content limited to the approved assignment; must disclose their client
- Selling images/footage outside the approved assignment is prohibited
Application Requirements
- Full name & the publication, horse owner, or roper you represent
- Mailing address (city/state/zip) & phone number
- Email address, and website if applicable
- When and where your coverage will appear
- List of horses/trainers/ropers you wish to cover
- Proof of assignment (freelancers, upon request)
Application Checklist
- Complete the Media Credential Request Form below with your contact & coverage details
- Riata reviews all applications — credentials are limited and awarded at Riata’s sole discretion
- Receive your decision by email by September 22, 2026
- If approved, sign the form certifying you’ve read and agree to the Media Policy
- Wear your credential visibly, September 23–27, 2026
Access & Restricted Areas
Permitted
- ✓Designated media work areas
- ✓Approved public event spaces at Lazy E Arena
- ✓Main Arena, Outside Arena, Stalls at the Lazy E (no access inside any arena during competition)
Not permitted without prior approval
- ✗Production, staging, and interview areas
- ✗Private events, hospitality areas & after-hours functions
Conduct & Equipment
- ✓All approved media must follow Riata guidelines and wear credentials visibly at all times.
- ✗Professional equipment — lenses longer than 4″, tripods/monopods, stabilizers, or mounted video cameras — requires an approved Commercial or Credentialed Media pass; not permitted for personal/spectator use.
- ✗No blocking, roping off, or reserving seating, aisles, or concourse areas.
- ✗No standing on Main Arena gate platforms or obstructing arena gates.
- ✗No shooting or filming in warm-up areas or back gates without written approval.
Content Usage Policy
- ✓Approved editorial, association, broadcast, magazine, or industry coverage on behalf of the credentialed outlet or client.
- ✗Selling, licensing, or distributing content outside the approved assignment or client engagement.
- ✗Private, promotional, client-based, sponsor, or commercial use without the appropriate fee or credential.
- ✗Real-time livestreaming, social live coverage, webcasts, or podcasts.
- ✗Content that portrays the event in a negative, misleading, or unsafe light.
Dual-use disclosure: Commercial images should carry the photographer’s own watermark or
credit. Credentialed press media are not charged a media fee but must disclose their client/assignment on the
application — selling or licensing content outside that assignment is prohibited for every tier.
Approval Priority
- Outlets with large national audiences
- Local Oklahoma / regional media
- Previous Riata coverage history
- Roping & western performance horse publications
- Recognized breed & discipline associations
- Demonstrated professional event-coverage record
Any violation of Riata’s Media Policy — by visitors, commercial photographers, or credentialed
media — may result in removal from the event and/or a permanent ban. Credentials are issued at
Riata’s sole discretion and may be revoked at any time for misuse.
