The Barrel Futurities of America World Championships held November 15 – 22 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, was cancelled November 18 through the remainder of the event due to a confirmed positive case of EHV.
In a statement posted to its social media platforms, the BFA made the call to cancel the remainder of the BFA World Championships after receiving an update from the Oklahoma State Vet of a confirmed positive EHV.
“We just received an update from the Oklahoma State Vet. There has been a confirmed positive EVH [sic]. BFA feels that it is in the best interest of all the contestants to cancel the remainder of the show. The state has not quarantined the Lazy E, so it isn’t urgent to leave now, but it is suggested to go within the next 24 hours,” the statement read.
A strain of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) — including neurological cases classified as equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — was confirmed by multiple equine veterinary clinics in Texas on November 18. Several cases have been traced to horses attending major events in early November, including the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals and Elite Barrel Race held November 5–9, 2025, in Waco. The WPRA was notified on November 18 by the Texas Animal Health Commission that equine attendees at the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race have exhibited clinical neurological signs of EHV-1 after the event. The WPRA confirmed in an official announcement made on their social media pages and website that prior to the start of the WPRA World Finals on November 5, no livestock — including equine — had been on the event property since October 12, 2025.
At approximately 7 p.m. central time on November 18, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry confirmed via a social media announcement that the Oklahoma State Veterinarian was monitoring the possible exposure of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalophathy at the BFA World Championships at the Lazy E.
“The Oklahoma State Veterinarian has been made aware of a possible Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy exposure at the WPRA event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5 through Nov. 9. We are working closely with Lazy E Arena, as some of the horses from the WPRA event could be in Guthrie this week for the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship.
“If you are from Oklahoma and were at the WPRA event – it is recommended you go home and quarantine your horse. If EHM is confirmed, horses who were in the Waco event will be required to quarantine at home. Owners should monitor the temperature of their horse for spikes of 101.5 or above and increase biosecurity measures.
“For questions about quarantine or EHM exposure, call the Oklahoma State Veterinarian’s office at 405.522.6141.
“Updates will be provided as they become available,” the statement read.
At the conclusion of the BFA Super Stakes the BFA announced that the remainder of the event would be cancelled after they heard from Oklahoma State Vet of a confirmed positive EHV.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information is made available.
To obtain the latest information on equine disease events or to find resources visit talc.texas.gov/animal_health/equine, www.equinediseasecc.org/alerts, or call the Oklahoma State Veterinarian’s office at 405-522-6141.
