With $490,519 in lifetime earnings, Hazardouz Material continues to add lines to his resume, now boasting the title of highest-earning Metallic Cat Stallion following a $27,258 performance at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes with Erin Taormino in the saddle—qualifying her for The Run For A Million.
For Taormino, the significance of “Skeeter’s” latest achievement took a moment to fully register.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Taormino said. “Metallic Cat himself is incredible, and for Skeeter to have the status as his highest-earning stallion—especially when the [NCHA] pays so much—it’s fulfilling.”
Taormino and Skeeter finished No. 3 in the Run For A Million qualifier with a 440 composite, earning $4,750 and locking in their spot for the Las Vegas showcase. The pair also placed No. 3 in the Open Bridle with the same 440 composite, worth $8,568, and captured the Open Bridle Spectacular, which includes the cutting as well as the reining and fence work with a 661 composite (cut 221/rein 219.5/cow 220.5), collecting $13,940.
The victory further highlighted Skeeter’s versatility across the cow horse bridle progression. Over the course of his career, the stallion has now captured major Stallion Stakes titles in the derby, two rein, and bridle.
Find NRCHA Stallion Stakes results here.
A Stallion Built for the Big Moments
Even as Skeeter’s accomplishments have piled up, Taormino said riding a horse with that kind of reputation brings its own pressure.
“I think I get more nervous to show this horse now than I ever have before,” Taormino said. “Probably because I know what he can do, and everyone else knows what he can do. The last thing I want to do is let him down if I do something silly.”
The nerves stem from a deep appreciation for what Taormino believes is a rare kind of athlete.
“This horse is one of those once-in-a-lifetime horses,” Taormino said. “I just want him to have the utmost success all the time. Just when I think this horse can’t get any stronger or be any better, he proves me wrong.”
That physical ability was evident throughout the Stallion Stakes finals.
In the cutting, Taormino navigated a pen of “sensitive” heifers to mark a 221. The stallion followed with a 219.5 reining run, punctuated by his powerful stops.
“He stopped harder than I’ve ever had him stop,” Taormino said. “When I watched the video back, I was just like, ‘Whoa.’”
That strength carried into the fence work, where difficult cattle challenged competitors.
“The cows were very opinionated that day,” Taormino said. “They were making you work for it. You’d think you had them, and then all of a sudden you didn’t.”
Still, Skeeter handled the pressure, delivering a 220.5 fence score that secured the Bridle Spectacular win and helped lock in their Run For A Million qualification.
Hazardouz Material’s Redemption in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas results were refreshing following a heartbreaker in Fort Worth a little more than a month ago.
At the World’s Greatest Horseman preliminary steer stopping, Taormino’s steer ducked unexpectedly under Skeeter’s neck, leaving her without a catch. For the 2025 World’s Greatest Champion, it was devastating.
But by the time she arrived in Las Vegas, she had put the setback behind her.
“In Vegas it was a 100% clean slate,” Taormino said. “Skeeter felt phenomenal, and I knew we were in the best position to do really good.”
That confidence proved justified.
With the Run For A Million qualification secured and another major title added to his résumé, Hazardouz Material continues to cement his place among the most accomplished horses in the sport.
For Taormino, the opportunity to keep competing with him—especially on one of the sport’s biggest stages—is something she doesn’t take lightly.