Cow Horse Challenge

The Run For A Million

COW HORSE CHALLENGE

The National Stock Horse Association Pre-Futurity in Las Vegas, Nevada, will take five qualified riders. The NRCHA will host two qualifiers, each of which will take five qualified riders. The two qualifiers will be held at the Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona and Hackamore Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Run For A Million event will also host the second Youth Cow Horse Challenge. This youth event will invite the top finalists from the 2026 Western Bloodstock World’s Greatest Youth Horseman to compete in Las Vegas in August.

About the National Reined Cow Horse Association
Based in Pilot Point, Texas, the National Reined Cow Horse Association was formed in 1949 in California, with the goal of preserving and educating the public about the rich history of this traditional horsemanship. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport and ensuring high standards of competition and continuing to work to keep the Vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. The NRCHA also supports numerous affiliate clubs across the United States, Europe and abroad. These groups serve as the association’s backbone, holding many NRCHA-sanctioned competitions and events each year. For more information on these events and reined cow horse, visit nrcha.com.

What is Cow Work?

The cow work, also called the fence work, is the final, adrenaline-fueled stage of reined cow horse competition. 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 most controlled cow work, with the highest degree of difficulty and the best form, scores the highest.