The Run For A MillionThe richest event in the history of reining and the most exciting and thrilling new event in cow horse and cutting.
Hosted by the prestigious South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from August 11-16, 2025.
The Run For A Million has evolved into the premier event in western equine sports, with the mission of promoting the very best horses in the world.
Sixteen riders, including some of the most accomplished NRHA Professionals in the history of Reining, will compete for a purse of $1,000,000. In addition to the MILLION DOLLAR Competition, there is the Cow Horse Challenge, Cutting Horse Challenge, Youth Reining Challenge, Youth Working Cow Horse Challenge, Rookie Level 1 Challenge, Rookie Level 2 Challenge, Non Pro and Amateur Challenge, Open Shoot Out and Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge.
The goal of THE LAST COWBOY and THE RUN FOR A MILLION is to celebrate the growth of the western lifestyle and western performance equine industry. The inaugural RUN FOR A MILLION has generated an excitement that has spread beyond the world of reining to all western performance horse disciplines — it can be felt at cutting events, cow horse events, and even in the world of rodeo.
Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena. In National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Competition, contestants are required to run a pre-selected, approved pattern, included in the NRHA Handbook.
Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360-degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.
Cutting is a western-style equestrian competition in which a horse and rider work together before a judge or panel of judges to demonstrate the horse’s athleticism and ability to handle cattle. Competition utilizes a 2+1⁄2 minute performance, called a “run.”
Each contestant is assisted by four helpers and is required to make at least two cuts from the herd, one of which must be a cut from deep inside the herd while the other(s) can be peeled from the edges. Once the selected cow has been driven clear of the herd, the contestant commits the horse by dropping the rein hand to feed slack and give the horse its head.
The cow work is an adrenaline-fueled stage of reined cow horse competition. Fortunes can rise and fall in a split second during this fast-paced event. The key to a good score is maintaining control of the cow at all times.
After horse and rider enter the arena, a single cow is pushed through the gate at the opposite end. The horse must first “box” the cow, or hold it at the end of the arena, maintaining control and staying in proper working position. Next, the rider allows the cow to run down the long side of the arena. The horse and rider must turn the cow at least one time each direction on the fence before taking the cow into the middle of the arena and driving it in a circle each way.
The South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa is located on the South end of Las Vegas Blvd away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, but still close enough to get to the action if you want to. With 64 lanes of bowling, 16 movie screens, 9 restaurants, 400 seat showroom, luxurious spa and more, the South Point is definitely “Where the Action is”.
Event Venue
South Point Casino Arena& Equestrian Center, 3385 W Meranto Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89139-8301, United States
