The Run For A Million returns to South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas Aug. 11-15, billed as the richest event in the history of reining and one of the biggest weeks on the calendar for cutting and cow horse. Qualified fields are now set across four marquee competitions: the Million Dollar Competition, the $250,000 Cutting Horse Challenge, the $250,000 Cow Horse Challenge and, new this year, the Breakaway Roping Showcase.
Qualifiers:
The Cutting Horse Challenge opens the week’s marquee nights Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at South Point Arena, following the Non Pro Cutting Challenge at 6 p.m. The purse stands at $250,000, run as a single go-round with no averaging.
Each rider walks to the herd once, under the lights, with judges weighing degree of difficulty and how well the horse anticipates and reacts to the cow’s movement.
The 15-rider field qualified at the 2025 Brazos Bash at Bosque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, where the top 15 finishers punched their tickets to Las Vegas.
Qualified riders:
The $250,000 Cow Horse Challenge takes the arena Friday, Aug. 14, with the cow work portion beginning at 7 p.m. at South Point Arena. The night also includes the Youth Cow Horse Challenge at 6:30 p.m. and the Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge at 6:45 p.m. ($30,000 purse).
Qualifying spots were split across three events:
Competition culminates in the fence work. Each rider enters the arena as a single cow is released, boxing it at the arena’s end to establish control before letting it run the fence. Riders must turn the cow at least once in each direction, then circle it in the center of the arena both ways, with judges scoring for control, difficulty and form.
Qualified riders:
New in 2026, the Breakaway Roping Showcase joins The Run For A Million lineup in partnership with Premier Women’s Rodeo and Ultimate Calf Roping. Twenty competitors will chase a $50,000 added purse Friday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m. at South Point Arena, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and an awards ceremony following at 8 p.m.
The 20-woman field is split between eight invited champions and 12 qualifiers:
Invited:
Qualified:
The Million Dollar Competition caps the week Saturday, Aug. 15, at 6:15 p.m. at South Point Arena, with $1 million on the line and $500,000 going to the champion. The field is capped at 16 riders, each of whom had to qualify through one of three routes over the 2025-26 show season:
A 16th rider, Fernando Salgado, advanced through the 2024 CRC.
Qualified riders:
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