The first qualifier for the 2023 Run For A Million cutting competition will be held at the upcoming Brazos Bash held at Bosque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, from October 4 through 17, 2022.
This innovative event will showcase the sport of cutting on a new level while introducing the sport to a fresh audience through the fan base the Run For A Million has developed over the years since its inception with reining horses. The sport of cutting is the pinnacle of Western sports and being showcased on this stage will offer the sport tremendous growth opportunity both in and out of the arena.
“The Run For A Million has positively impacted our entire industry,” said Gary Carpenter, National Reining Horse Association commissioner. “Although there was skepticism at first, it has taken its place among the majors in [the sport of reining]. It is no longer being questioned; it is being exalted for the impact it has had on our horses, on our industry, and on the calendar. What Taylor Sheridan has done [for our sport] is remarkable.”
This qualifier is open to all competitors, and horses of all ages are invited to compete. Horses ages 3-year-old, 4-year-old, 5 and 6-year-old, and 7-year-old will use their first go-round score in the Open as their qualifying run. All horses that are older than 7-years-old will compete concurrently in the 7-year-old Open first go-round.
The top 10 scoring riders from the qualifier will advance to the 2023 Run For A Million cutting competition. The entry fee for the qualifier is $1,500, and there will be no monies paid out during the qualifying event as the entry fees will be rolled over to the Run For A Million purse to be paid out at the event in 2023.
Earnings from the 2023 Run For A Million cutting competition will count for the 2023 Open division world standings as voted on by the NCHA Executive Committee. These world standings are used to determine the top 15 horses that will qualify for the Open division only of the 2023 NCHA World Finals. This 2023 Run For A Million event will solely impact the Open division of the NCHA world standings, no matter what classification the rider is. For example, if an Amateur competitor qualifies for the 2023 Run For A Million cutting competition, their earnings from the 2023 Run For A Million event will count towards Open world standings earnings for the 2023 competition year only. This will not impact the standings in any of the other weekend classes. Additionally, the 2022 NCHA World Standings are not impacted in any way.
The 2023 Run For A Million payout is currently slated at $200,000, with the top placing paying out $50,000. As an added benefit to this, numerous shows around the country have already commented with plans to raise their payouts for the 2023 show year to make the hauling year more competitive all season long. Additionally, discussions are underway on the possibility of hosting additional qualifying events as the program evolves. The future of this event could include a Non-Pro and Amateur specific division.
“Taylor Sheridan has a proven ability to draw positive attention to our industry from the general public,” said Jay Winborn, NCHA executive director. “While changes are sometimes hard to understand, the growth and continuation of the sport of cutting is our primary goal, and events like the Run For A Million have a unique way of growing the sport in a substantial manner that no other event can.”
All horses and all riders are welcome and invited to enter the first qualifying event. The entry deadline for the Run For A Million qualifier has been extended to September 29, 2022.
Sarah Jones
Mar 19, 2023
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