Our Mars Hackamore Classic event coverage is brought to you by Bimeda, makers of Equimax and Polyglycan.

The Boxing Battle in the Saddle Spectacular was new this year at the 2024 Mars Hackamore Classic. And it was a smashing success. With the absence of Non Pro Boxing horse show classes, the NRCHA added in this fantastic event, giving non pro riders the chance to compete for great payouts.

[Read: The World’s Greatest Non Pro Takes the Arena]

What is Boxing?

In a nutshell, boxing is all about controlling a cow, and doing it with correct fundamentals. This event gives non pro’s the chance to get in the arena with a cow. And most importantly, do it in a controlled fashion. The NRCHA developed these classes to help non pro’s gain confidence and learn skills as they continued their reined cow horse journey. So, organizers created boxing to set up riders for success when they start going down the fence.

In the cow work, contestants must hold a cow at the end of the arena for a prescribed amount of time, (about 50 seconds.) This demonstrates the horse and rider’s ability to maintain control of a cow, along with prepping them for the adrenaline rush that is going down the fence.

Boxing Battle in the Saddle

Non pro boxing entries at the 2024 Mars Hackamore Classic were automatically entered into all Non Pro Boxing divisions for which they were eligible. In turn, the NRCHA offered over $8,000 in payouts across the divisions in the Boxing Battle in the Saddle. Alongside fantastic prizes and awards. Riders showcased their horse’s talents throughout herd work, reining, and cow work.

When the dust settled, three contestants rose to the top of each division. Here are those results.