The Run For A Million returns to Las Vegas for nine days of reining, cutting and cow horse competition, culminating in the richest single night in reining history. Created by Taylor Sheridan in 2019, the event has grown into a week-long gathering for the western performance horse industry, drawing top riders from reining, cutting and cow horse to South Point Arena and Equestrian Center.
This year’s field for the Million Dollar Competition includes Andrea Fappani, Cade McCutcheon, Casey Deary, Jason Vanlandingham and Kole Price, along with international riders Alessandro Frassa and Martin Muehlstaetter, all chasing a share of the $1 million purse.
The Basics
What: The Run For A Million, a nine-day western performance horse event spanning reining, cutting and cow horse, headlined by the $1 million Million Dollar Competition
When: Aug. 7-15, 2026
Where: South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
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The Marquee Nights
Three nights under the lights crown three champions.
Thursday, Aug. 13, is Cutting Night, headlined by the $250,000 Cutting Horse Challenge and the $125,000 Added Non Pro Cutting Challenge.
Friday, Aug. 14, shifts to cow work, with the $250,000 Cow Horse Challenge, the Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge and the Youth Cow Horse Challenge.
Saturday, Aug. 15, closes the week with the Million Dollar Night: the $70,000 Added Race to the Slide, opening ceremonies, the Million Dollar Competition and the buckle ceremony.
The full week also includes the Open Shootout, Non Pro Challenge, Rookie 1 and Rookie 2 Challenges, Youth Reining Challenge and the Breakaway Roping Showcase, along with draw parties and autograph signings on the Live Festival Stage.
New This Year
The Run For A Million adds a new event for 2026: the $50,000 added Breakaway Roping Showcase, presented by Shorty’s Caboy Hattery in partnership with Premier Women’s Rodeo and Ultimate Calf Roping. It’s the event’s first foray into rodeo, bringing 20 of breakaway roping’s top female athletes to the South Point on Cow Horse Night, Friday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m.
The field is set with eight invited champions, including 2026 PWR World Champion Martha Angelone and 2025 WPRA World Champion Taylor Munsell, plus 12 ropers who qualified through the Hamilton LCQ and PWR Championship in Fort Worth.
Schedule
Full schedule of events: https://therunforamillion.com/schedule/
Where to Watch
Watch live through the event’s livestream packages, starting at $29.
Highlights from the Million Dollar Competition will also air on CBS Saturday, Aug. 22, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT, with Sheridan calling the action alongside Gunny Mathison, Steve Ross and Francesca Sternberg. The special will also stream on Paramount+.
Follow Performance Report all week for live coverage from Las Vegas.