by Ashley Daily
In 1984, the Lazy E Ranch and Arena opened its gates, cementing its place in both Oklahoma and rodeo history. “The Fabulous Lazy E,” located in Guthrie, was the brainchild of E.K. Gaylord II, whose family was dedicated to the horse industry and Western lifestyle.
The primary goal of the Lazy E Arena was to host the PRCA’s National Finals Steer Roping (NFSR) in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), which was held in Oklahoma City at the time. The NFSR was Lazy E’s first major event. The events were only held in conjunction once, however, as the NFR was moved to Las Vegas in 1985. But the change didn’t hamper the Lazy E. The arena smoothly transitioned into hosting prestigious events, such as concerts, the Cinch Timed Event Championship (launched in 1985 and known as the Ironman of Pro Rodeo), the Western Dressage World Championship and the Bob Feist Invitational.
In 2005, Gaylord sold the Lazy E to a Nevada-based partnership. In 2013, the property changed hands again, this time to the McKinney family of Reliance Ranches, who continue to operate the Lazy E with the same high standards set by the Gaylord family over four decades ago.
In July 2025, the Lazy E Arena announced it would undergo a major expansion. These expansion plans include adding five new horse barns (with a total of 426 stalls), office spaces designed for event promoters, a laundry area, and showers and restrooms for those staying on the grounds. Lazy E Arena General Manager Dan Wall notes that the crown jewel of the expansion will be a new 30,000-square-foot multi-purpose event center that can be used for trade shows, banquets, concerts and horse sales. A 30,000-square-foot covered competition arena will also be added, featuring a high-tech sound system, fans for air circulation, a screen to block out the elements and the same world-class footing Lazy E is known for. The new horse barns and shower areas have completed construction, and the full expansion is expected to be completed by January 2026.
Lazy E Arena is an important asset for the Edmond and Guthrie communities. The Edmond Economic Development Authority calculated that Lazy E Arena was responsible for generating a total economic impact of $41,502,769 in 2022 alone. Competitors and spectators from all over the world come to visit the Lazy E, with the arena hosting people from several different countries, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil and China.
“When people come that far and plan on staying that long, they generally make a summer vacation out of it or a family trip, and they end up spending way more time and more of their entertainment dollars with us in Oklahoma,” Wall says.
He adds that with the arena’s new business model — incorporating larger, longer events — an increase of infrastructure was needed.
“The addition that the Lazy E is making will create exciting new opportunities for more events, especially for ropers who enjoy staying on-site,” says Kami Peterson, co-owner of the Bob Feist Invitational, an event Lazy E began hosting in 2020 when the BFI’s former Reno, Nevada, residence was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Enhancing such an iconic facility will only strengthen BFI Week as a premier destination for team ropers,” Peterson adds, noting that since moving to the Lazy E, BFI’s payouts have increased from $1.6 million in Reno to $5.3 million as of 2025.
Lazy E prides itself on being a family-friendly facility and hosts several youth events, including the National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals. Recently, the Lazy E signed a 10-year deal to host the National Junior High Finals Rodeo, beginning in 2026 — a history-making agreement, as the NJHFR has traditionally rotated between host cities every two years.
The Lazy E Arena, nestled on 400 acres of privately owned land, provides an excellent setting for families to gather. “We have a very family- and pet-friendly, park-like atmosphere,” says Wall. “If you’re coming to an event for a week or 10 days, and you can turn your kids loose and let them ride their bikes, let them go down to the lake and go fishing, just let them play and have fun, it makes for a good family-friendly experience.”
When it comes to future events planned after the additions are complete, Wall is open-minded: “In five or ten years, we’ll see where the vision takes us and what opportunities develop.”
Rodeo fans and Western lifestyle enthusiasts can be confident: the Lazy E Arena will remain true to its mission as “the world’s premier Western entertainment facility.”
For more information and upcoming events, visit lazye.com.
