The Run For A Million Cow Horse Night is bringing a full evening of cattle-focused competition to South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. The lineup features the $250,000 Cow Horse Challenge, along with the Breakaway Roping Showcase, Youth Cow Horse Challenge and Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge.
$250,000 Cow Horse Challenge
The centerpiece of Cow Horse Night is the $250,000 Cow Horse Challenge, where 15 of the sport’s top open reined cow horse riders will compete for one of the richest prizes on the reined cow horse calendar. The field includes multiple World Champions, with each rider earning a spot through the season’s qualifying events.
The Cow Horse Challenge begins Thursday, Aug. 13, with the rein work portion. Open riders will compete on NRCHA Pattern 12, with their rein work scores carrying over to Friday’s fence work. The two scores will be combined to determine the overall champion.
The 15 spots in the field are earned through three qualifying events:
- National Stock Horse Association Pre-Futurity, Las Vegas, Nevada
- NRCHA Stallion Stakes, April 26, 2026, Las Vegas, Nevada
- NRCHA Derby, June 26, 2026, Scottsdale, Arizona
The fence work portion takes place Friday, Aug. 14, during Cow Horse Night. Riders are judged through three phases: boxing the cow at the end of the arena, turning the cow at least once in each direction down the fence and driving the cow in controlled circles in the open. The highest-scoring runs combine control, a high degree of difficulty and proper form throughout.
More Action on Cow Horse Night
The Cow Horse Challenge is just one of several cattle events on the Cow Horse Night schedule. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with the Breakaway Roping Showcase before moving into the Youth Cow Horse Challenge and Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge.
Breakaway Roping Showcase
The newest event on The Run For A Million lineup in 2026, the $50,000-added showcase brings together 20 of the sport’s top breakaway ropers. The field includes eight invited champions and 12 competitors who earned their spots through the Hamilton LCQ and the PWR Championship.
Youth Cow Horse Challenge
Eleven young riders qualified through the 2026 World’s Greatest Youth Horseman in Fort Worth for their opportunity to compete under the lights at South Point Arena. Like the open division, the youth event pairs Thursday’s rein work on NRCHA Pattern 12 with Friday’s cow work, with an awards ceremony to follow on the Live Festival Stage.
Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge
The $30,000 Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge brings together one cowboy from each of 10 working heritage ranches, including 6666 Ranch, Pitchfork Ranch and Wagonhound Ranch. Competitors will take on a traditional reining and cow work run, along with steer stopping.
With four events spanning multiple disciplines and levels of competition, Cow Horse Night offers a full evening of action for fans of reined cow horse, breakaway roping and working ranch traditions at The Run For A Million.
>>> Find all the horses entered at The Run For A Million <<<
Meet the Cow Horse Challenge Roster
Boyd Rice | My Boots Are Royal
- Royal Fletch x My Boots Are Tuff
- 2018 Stallion
- Owned by Moncrief Quarter Horses
Chris Dawson | Zak 34
- Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda
- 2018 Stallion
- Owned by Melissa Fischer
Erin Taormino | Hazardouz Material
- Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes
- 2016 Stallion
- Owned by Linda Mars
Jake Telford | RTR All Rise
- Judge Boon x Foxy Little Remedy
- 2018 Stallion
- Redtail Ranch Perf Horses LLC
Jordan Williams | Jaymes Bond
- Metallic Cat x Shortys Jay Ray
- 2018 Stallion
- Owned by Bonds Ranch
Justin Wright | Snapdragons
- Gunnatrashya x Catnaps
- 2017 Stallion
- Owned by Snapdragons Partners
Kelby Phillips | Kreyzy Horse
- Dual Rey x Shes Twice As Smooth
- 2015 Stallion
- Owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses
Kyle Trahern | A Starlights Magnum
- Magnum With A Dream x Shiny Starlight
- 2017 Gelding
- Owned by Kyle Trahern
Nick Dowers | Cabanna Boy
- WR This Cats Smart x Shining Madonna
- 2019 Gelding
- Owned by Triple D Ranches LLC
Juliette Jonez | Sarah Dawson
- Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter
- 2018 Mare
- Owned by Linda Mars
Shadd Parkinson | Whose Tuff
- Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow
- 2015 Gelding
- Owned by Christa Hampton
Shane Steffen | Sprinkld Confetticat
- WR This Cats Smart x PPH Especial Nitro
- 2015 Mare
- Owned by South Cove Ranch
Shawn Hays | Cats Tell Secrets
- WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel)
- 2018 Gelding
- Owned by Katalyst Performance Horses
Todd Crawford | CRC 1942
- Dual Smart Rey x Some Kinda Merada
- 2019 Gelding
- Owned by Wade or Timmi Jo Lisac
@horseandridermag How did Todd Crawford come to ride the Lisac families’ CRC 1942 in the World’s Greatest Horseman? It was an organic process that was set in motion by his wife and Timmi Jo Lisac. The gelding was originally trained by Todd Bergen, signaling a solid foundation. Todd admits some “conning” of Landri on his part, wanting to ride the gelding himself. Landri conned him right back, though, entering a class at the Celebration the same day Todd had to ride him in a World’s Greatest prelim. These behind the scenes moments are brought to you by @Classic Equine ♬ Background Music(815729) – Pavel
Tucker Robinson | Smooth Outta Style
- Smooth Talkin Style x Dualin Curly Pep
- 2017 Gelding
- Owned by Julie Weinhardt & Frank Velazquez
- 2024 TRFAM Cow Horse Challenge Champion