All eyes turn to Las Vegas as one of the most anticipated performance-horse events of the year gets underway. The Run for a Million takes over the South Point Arena, and the horsepower headed for the bright lights is second to none. From seasoned world champions to up-and-coming phenoms, this year’s lineup of reining horses promises a showcase of talent.
The competition draws the best reiners in the sport, each relying on a carefully chosen mount to give them the winning edge. These Run for a Million horses are more than just entries on a draw sheet; they’re trusted partners, finely tuned athletes, and the product of years of training and teamwork.
Here’s a closer look at the horses heading to the Million Dollar Competition
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Reining Horses:
- Casey Deary
- Andrea Fappani
- Magnums Custom Dream
- Luca Fappani
- Gunna Be First
- Arnaud Girinon
- Flexing Guns N Town
- Casey Hinton
- Mega Mag
- Arno Honstetter
- McNastyy
- Matt McAuslan
- SS Tricky Step
- Cade McCutcheon
- Americas Gunslinger
- Wade McDonald
- Gunnawinabigchex
- Matt Mills
- Wallas First Gun
- Nathan Piper
- Shes Got Magnitude
- Kole Price
- Golden Coins
- Marco Ricotta
- Savage Love
- Craig Schmersal
- Thischichasbigdreams
- Dany Tremblay
- All Guns On Crush
- Jason Vanlandingham
- Best Shine
The Pattern
These horses and riders will put their athleticism to the test as they work through the NRHA Pattern 9.
This pattern starts with a run down the center of the arena into a sliding stop past the center marker. They will then back up to the center marker and hesitate.
They will complete four spins to the right followed by four and one-quarter spins to the left so the horse is facing the left wall.
On the left lead they will complete three circles to the left, the first small and slow and the next two large and fast. They will then change leads in the center of the arena and complete three circles to the right.
After the circles to the right they will change leads in the center of the arena and begin a large circle to the left but will not close this circle.
They’ll run up the right side of the arena past the center marker and do a
right rollback and continue back around the arena on their previous path.
They’ll run up the left side of the arena past the center marker and do a left rollback and continue back around the arena on their previous path.
They’ll run up right side of the arena past the center marker and do a sliding stop before hesitating to demonstrate completion of the pattern.
—H&R—