Las Vegas, August 18—It’s time to ride at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center where the third edition of The Run For A Million welcomed the first set of competitors vying for first place in the world of reining’s premier event.
Opening the games yesterday was the Bloomer Trailers Rookie Invitational. Taking the win with a 217.5 score was Kelsey Flessner riding her own Chics Guna Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Gun Whiz It). The young competitor, who rides under the guidance of NRHA Professional Dany Tremblay, took home a paycheck worth $1092.50, a Bloomer Trailer, a saddle, a buckle, and more! Today it’s time for the $50,000-Added Non Pro Championships.
Kelsey Flessner & Chics Gunna Dream – Photo Courtesy Chelsea Schneider Media
The goal of The Run For A Million, presented by Teton Ridge, is to celebrate and grow the sport of reining. The inaugural edition in 2019, generated excitement that spread beyond the world of reining to all western performance horse disciplines — it could be felt at cutting events, cow horse events, and even in the world of rodeo.
The Run For A Million is the richest event in the history of reining. This year, the event hosted by the prestigious South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from August 17 – 20, 2022, will see 16 riders, including some of the most accomplished NRHA Professionals in the history of reining, competing for a purse of $1,000,000 in the Million Dollar Competition.
2022 Million Dollar Qualified Riders
JOSH TISHMAN – Whitesboro, TX
ANDREA FAPPANI – Scottsdale, AZ
DANY TREMBLAY – Overbrook, OK
MATT PALMER – Campbell Hall, NY
FRANCESCO MARTINOTTI – Whitesboro, TX
JORDAN MCBURNEY – Arlington, WA
SEAN MCBURNEY – Arlington, WA
ARNO HONSTETTER – Scottsdale, AZ
CASEY DEARY – Weatherford, TX
NATHAN PIPER – Pilot Point, TX
FERNANDO SALGADO – Gainesville, TX
CRAIG SCHMERSAL – Scottsdale, AZ
SHAWN FLARIDA – Springfield, OH
CADE MCCUTCHEON – Aubrey, TX
JASON VANLANDINGHAM – Whitesboro, TX
BILLY WILLIAMS – Aubrey, TX
In the inaugural Invitational Million Dollar Rider completion in 2019 saw NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cade McCutcheon & Custom Made Gun, owned by Elementa ‘s Maria Cecilia Fiorucci, and NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal & No Smoking Required, owned by Wranglen Partnership, opted for the Co-Championship.
Riding to the top of the leaderboard in 2021 NRHA Million Dollar Rider Kole Price aboard Amber Gokey’s, Gunna Stop.
Cade McCutcheon & Custom Made Gun – Photo by Bee Silva/International Horse Press
Craig Schmersal & No Smoking Required – Photo by Bee Silva/International Horse Press
In addition, there will be a $170,000 Cow Horse Challenge, presented by Teton Ridge, $150,000 Open Shoot Out, $50,000 Bull Fighters Only Fight For Fifty, $30,000 Cowboy Invitational presented by XIT Ranch, $50,000 Non Pro Championship and Bloomer Rookie Championship.
$170,000 Cow Horse Challenge
Riders qualified to compete in the $170,000 Cow Horse Challenge. The top eight riders from each event qualified to compete at TRFAM in the one-horse, one-rider fence work competition open to Bridle horses only, based on NRCHA rules.
In 2021, fifteen of the top cow horse riders in North America received invites to the inaugural $150,000 Invitational Fence Work Challenge at The Run For A Million.
Taking the inaugural event’s title was clinched by Zane Davis riding Rubys Radar for owner C Ranches Inc.
Zane Davis & Rubys Radar – Photo by Carolyn Simancik
The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge, BFO’s “Fight for Fifty”
Four freestyle bullfighters, one bull each, $50,000 in prize money!
On Saturday, August 20th at South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, four BFO athletes will compete for the largest single go-round purse in freestyle bullfighting history. In partnership with the richest event in the history of Reining, The Run for a Million presented by Teton Ridge, BFO’s “Fight for Fifty” will be broadcast LIVE on Cowboy Channel and streamed around the world.
“From BFO’s inception, the goal has been to build the biggest platform in the history of the sport. From stadium shows to our World Championship in Las Vegas, that journey has been full of milestones,” explains Joey Austin, Bullfighters Only CEO. “But four fighters competing on one-head for their share of fifty grand? That’s definitely a high-water mark. I’m extremely thankful The Run For A Million believes in our ability to deliver a thrilling competition for their global audience.”
Scheduled to compete: Weston Rutkoswki, four-time defending BFO World Champion, the all-time winningest freestyle bullfighter; Aaron “Mercy” Mercer – the one bullfighter to beat Rutkowski for a BFO World Title. The 2x World Champion is looking to prove he’s back in elite form after a serious injury sidelined him in 2021; Tyler Mansell who is on a hot streak with big wins in Fortuna, CA and Ogden, UT. Only a few years removed from being a student in the BFO D-Camp system, Mansell has proven he now belongs at the sport’s highest level; Alex McWilliams, a fan favorite who won two BFO events this summer, including the prestigious Salinas title in his home state of California. The 23-year old is looking to claim his first World Championship.
$30,000 Cowboy Invitational Presented by XIT Ranch
Ten cowboys from United States Heritage Ranches listed below, one cowboy per ranch, will compete for $30,000 in prize money. Using the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s (NRCHA) Cowboy class format, the competitors will compete a traditional reining and cow work run, and then come back for a second turn in the arena for steer stopping.
The following historic ranches are among those that have been invited to send cowboys for the inaugural event.
6666 Ranch (Guthrie, TX) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | COTTON LEATHERS
Bogle Ltd. (Dexter, NM) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | DON BOGLE
R.A. Brown Ranch (Throckmorton, TX) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | RA BROWN
San Lucas Ranch (Santa Ynez, CA) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | CODY CONZALES
Singleton Ranches (Lamy, NM) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | BRAD SHADLE
Stuart Ranch (Caddo, OK) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | CLAY FORST
Tongue River Ranch (Paducah, TX) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | ELWYN MCCLESKEY
Wagonhound Land & Livestock (Douglas, WY) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | BROC SCHWARTZKOPF
Waggoner Ranch (Vernon, TX) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | HEATH OWNBEY
King Ranch (Kingsville, TX) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | LEEROY MONTALVO
Pitchfork Ranch (Guthrie, TX) – REPRESENTED EXHIBITOR | CLINT JONES
Academy-Award nominee Taylor Sheridan, writer of HELL OR HIGH WATER and SICARIO, WRITER/DIRECTOR of WIND RIVER and co-creator of YELLOWSTONE, wanted to design a venue that showcased the talent of both horse and rider in one of the most demanding equine sports in existence: Reining. Sheridan has partnered with Amanda Brumley, Brumley Management Group, producer of three National Reining Horse Association leading events world-wide, to create and produce this one of a kind event.
Livestream: https://horseshowglobal.com/
For the draws: https://www.trfam.com/draws.html#/
THE SCHEDULE:
For further information: TRFAM.com
By Simona Diale/TRFAM Media Partner International Horse Press
