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
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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.