Sulphur Springs Department of Tourism

Until recently, Hopkins County has been one of the best-kept secrets in the equine industry. Not anymore. A few months ago a combination of business owners, horse owners and community leaders formed the Northeast Texas Horse Committee. The mission of the committee is to bring forward the opportunities available in Hopkins County to the equine industry.

The county is centrally located on Interstate 30 in Northeast Texas. An easy 1-hour drive east from Dallas. Its convenient location, to many major equine events and racetracks in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, makes Hopkins County prime location for all equine related activities.

The folks in Hopkins County love horses, and the businesses and activities associated with the horse industry. It is already home to many horse ranches, large and small. Almost every breed of horse can be found in this area. Hopkins County and the surrounding area are home to many equine champions and riders. Whether your interests are professional, amateur or pleasure, this is the place to be.

Recently horse lovers have relocated from Arizona, Iowa, California, Florida, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Montana, to our beautiful Northeast corner of Texas. There is still plenty of room for more. Land and ranches are available and affordable.

The area is covered in sandy loam soil, perfect footing for all horses. The hay production is magnificent and plentiful. The moderate climate allows for year round training. It truly is the perfect place to call home for all who own horses or make their living in the horse industry.

The commitment of the county is evident. Sulphur Springs, the seat of Hopkins County, is host to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. This facility has an indoor air-conditioned arena/coliseum, a 40,000 square foot livestock pavilion, and a 7,500 square foot exhibit hall. In deepening the county's commitment to the equine industry, the County Commissioners Court has just approved the expansion of the complex with an additional 66,000 square foot pavilion complete with 300 new stalls. Ground breaking is scheduled for the latter part of this year, with completion expected in the spring of 2005.

The Civic Center is host to equine events each and every week. There are monthly cutting events, barrel racing events and rodeos just to name a few. Due to the growth in the equine industry in Hopkins County, and the increased demands on the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center facilities, the County Commissioners and the Civic Center Board have expanded the facilities to include a 300 stall pavilion with warmup arena, washracks and restrooms, to enhance our already in place air-conditioned and heated coliseum area. This new facility will be completed by the end of summer 2006.

Cooper Lake, located in Hopkins County, is an established haven for trail rides. Small cabins and campsites are available for riders to bring their horses and spend time in natural surroundings not found in many places. The county has also been selected by "The Best of America by Horseback" members to be a part of their program, to be held at Cooper Lake for Spring 2005. The event will include a trail ride, a big Texas BBQ and an evening of entertainment. All will be filmed and televised to share with others our experience.

Not to be overlooked are the educational programs available in Northeast Texas. For those looking to make their careers in the equine industry or ranch management, we have excellent opportunities. Texas A & M University-Commerce has a campus just a short 20-minute drive. Majors in Animal Science with a Minor in Equine Science are available. Northeast Community College campus is east of Hopkins County, approximately 40-minutes drive. This campus offers Associate of Applied Science in both Agriculture and Agriculture Tech-Prep. A Certificate in Farm and Ranch Management is also available.

The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce and the Northeast Texas Horse Committee extend an open invitation for all to come visit and to consider being a part of this wonderful community. For more information, please contact the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce 888-300-6623. Better yet, come for a visit. The welcome mat is always out.

Area Highlights

• Moderate Climate
• Sandy Loam Soil with Good Footing
• Year-round Training
• Weekly Shows and Events
• Centrally Located to Five Racetracks
• Conveniently Located to Major Events in Ft. Worth and Oklahoma City
• Concentrated Representation of All Equine Breeds and Interests.
• Strong and Enthusiastic Support of Youth
• A Highly Rated School System
• Affordable Land, Ranches and Homes

Agricultural Business Climate

• High Quality Hay Production
• Year Round Grazing
• Large Agriculturally Based Labor Pool
• Property Tax Exemption for Agricultural Use
• No Sales Tax for Farm Use Purchases
• No State Income Tax
• Enthusiastic Chamber of Commerce

Climate and rainfall make for a year-round, prosperous growing season for both winter pasture and hybrid Bermuda grasses.

	Avg. Temp (F)	High Temp (F)	Low Temp (F)	Precipitation (inches)	Sunshine (%)
Jan	42.5	53.8	31.1	2.9	52
Feb	47.5	59.1	35.7	3.2	55
Mar	55.2	66.8	43.6	4.3	58
Apr	62.7	74.5	50.7	4.3	61
May	71.1	81.9	60.1	5	58
June	78.8	89.7	67.8	4.6	68
July	83.2	94.7	71.6	3.2	75
Aug	82.9	95.5	70.4	2.3	73
Sept	76.2	88.9	63.4	3.4	68
Oct	65.5	78.8	42.1	5.2	64
Nov	54	65.7	42.2	4.7	58
Dec	45.4	56.7	33.9	4.4	52

Dietze Champion Horse

Dr. Bill Dietze, and his wife Peggy, recently earned a small accolade, but it's a big thing to be proud of. Rockin' D's "Angelina," a 3 year-old miniature mare, owned by Bill and Peggy, won National Grand Champion in the Liberty Class at the National Miniature Horse Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in September 2004. The Dietze's have been raising miniature horses for the past five years and have won championships at regional shows in both halter and liberty classes. With the national championship win, "Angelina" will now go into the National Miniature Horse Hall of Fame for the points accumulated on the show circuit. Dr. Dietze said the construction of the new equine arena and facilities at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center will enable the center to host a sanctioned miniature horse show in Sulphur Springs within the year. Interest in raising miniature horses has increased considerably in the county in the past five years, with several families now owning quality miniature horses.