where
Fort Worth, Texas
what
Big Guns in Cowtown
when
October 21, 2026
Going down the fence is one of the most exhilarating parts of reined cow horse. Put that action inside a compact, electric venue in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards—all while raising money for the NRCHA Foundation and charities selected by the competing athletes—and you have the makings of a home run.
That is the promise of Big Guns in Cowtown, a one-night reined cow horse showdown coming to the historic Cowtown Coliseum on October 21, 2026.
A New Kind of Challenge
For the first time, the NRCHA Foundation is inviting horsemen and -women from outside the reined cow horse world to step into the arena and try their hand at one of the sport’s biggest tests.
Each athlete will be paired with an NRCHA professional who will serve as their coach as they prepare to compete aboard a borrowed bridle horse. Once it’s their turn in the arena, they’ll box a cow, head down the fence, and circle up—all in the name of friendly competition and helping charity.
And there’s plenty on the line. NRCHA is putting up $30,000 in prize money for the competitors and $40,000 for charities selected by the athletes, with proceeds from the event also benefiting the NRCHA Foundation and its efforts to support the future of reined cow horse.
118 Years of History
The Cowtown Coliseum was built in 1908 in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards. It hosted the first-ever indoor rodeo in 1918, and was the home of the Southwest Exposition and Fat Stock Show until it was moved to the Will Rogers Coliseum in 1943. During World War II, the building was used as an airplane factory.
Once the final cow clears the arena, the night isn’t over. The Kimes Ranch After Party will follow the competition, with Texas artist Josh Weathers performing live. Admission to the after party is included with a Big Guns in Cowtown ticket.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through AXS or NRCHA.
Meet the Big Guns
They’ve won gold buckles, made NFR runs, and built careers across the rodeo world. Now, they’re trading their usual events for a trip down the fence. Meet a few of the Big Guns stepping into the cow horse arena.
Shad Mayfield
The 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion and 2024 All-Around World Champion took the first part of 2026 off for surgery in both hips. Now, he’s ready to add another event to his stacked resume.
Jackie Crawford
A 24-time WPRA World Champion, Crawford has roped her way into the history books, becoming the first breakaway roper to earn $1 million in WPRA earnings. She maintains a string of breakaway and head horses to compete on.
Fallon Taylor
Known for her flashy style and megawatt smile, Taylor is the 2014 WPRA Barrel Racing World Champion, entrepreneur, and stallion owner. She’s also the owner of cow horse stallion Baddies Only.
Paden Bray
Raised in a family of horsemen and women, Bray is the 2019 PRCA Rookie Heeler of the Year, a three-time NFR qualifier, and the 2020 NFR Team Roping Average Champion. He has also earned all-around titles at ProRodeos across the country.