If you didn’t know, the 2024 Mars Hackamore Classic is underway, and we’re bringing you updates, coverage, and results. Our Mars Hackamore Classic event coverage is brought to you by Bimeda, makers of Equimax and Polyglycan.

Performance horse fans love the annual World’s Greatest Horseman event, where competitors ride one talented horse in four events. But Bimeda and NRCHA had a vision that would include the Non Pros and their horses as well. When Clark Weaver, the Equine Business Unit Manager for Bimeda sat down to consider how the board could create a spot for other talented horses to shine, it hit him.

“We’re in it for the horse. Those are the most special horses, horseman respect those horses, and we just wanted to have a place to spotlight the four-event horses.” And that opened a new door to showcase the great horses and riders in the non pro as well.

What is a Non Pro?

Non Pro riders are those who meet certain guidelines to obtain and keep their non pro certification. The NRCHA divides the Open and Non Pro groups based on remuneration. To get a clearer idea of eligibility, check out this great source from NRCHA HERE. This link also provides common scenarios where competitors might question if they can maintain their non pro status.

A simple distinguisher from the NRCHA is “a rider who is to be paid for a service can mean a member is no longer considered a “non-professional” in the industry.”

Why the World’s Greatest Non Pro?

When it comes to the World’s Greatest Non Pro, Weaver said the team wanted to create a space for these talented riders and horses to showcase their skills in a four-event class. The 2024 Mars Hackamore Classic features the 2nd year of this great event, and will continue to spotlight the talents of non pro riders.

Weaver, NRCHA, and the board worked through committees to get the event approved, after hearing from the non pro community that they would love a chance to compete in such a great event. And it’s not just about entries and numbers. It’s about giving non pro’s a chance to showcase the talents of one horse, in four events. It’s about spotlighting a field of incredible horses and riders, at every level. And as Weaver so astutely states, “It’s highlighting the special horses in a special event. We just wanted to make room to showcase these special horses and riders. It’s not about numbers. It’s about the horses.”

What is the World’s Greatest Non Pro?

The breakdown of this event is featured on the NRCHA website, and states, “The NRCHA World’s Greatest Non Pro is a category 1 special event that will consist of four go rounds – herd work, reined work, cow work and steer stopping. There will be a cow work only finals to determine the final placing. It is open to all breeds of any age regardless of show history.”

Now here’s another cool thing about this event. Competitors must only use one horse for all go rounds. That means they’re mounted on horses that can rope, rein, stop, and read a cow. In a world of specialized events, the World’s Greatest spotlights the horse that can do it all. The horse must also be shown in the same bridle for each event. Tie-downs aren’t permitted, and a traditional bridle setup with romal reins must be used, although roping reins are optional for the steer stopping.

For it’s 2nd year, the World’s Greatest Non Pro will see added money of $20,000, along with other prizes.

World’s Greatest Horsepower

This year’s field of horses and riders features a lengthy list of champions. And like Weaver says, it takes a special horse to compete in four events. The event also means that certain horses get to shine as open competitors and with a non pro rider. Myles Brown is aboard One Time Legend, owned by Larry Hall Cutting Horses. Enthusiasts might recognize this horse from his run in the 2024 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman, with the great Todd Crawford at the reins.

Monster Truk and Morgan Holmes will ride into the arena this year, with a solid win record under their belt. And last year’s World’s Greatest Non Pro Champ, Debbie Crafton, will ride Foundloveathooters, after the duo won the 2022 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Non-Pro. Check out the rest of this talented field, below.

Stay tuned as we continue to break down the horsepower that will take the arena by storm. The World’s Greatest Non Pro event kicks off Thursday July 25th, with the herd work.

[Learn all about the 2024 Mars Hackamore Classic HERE]