Hold the end
The horse must first box the cow, holding it at the end of the arena while maintaining control and staying in proper working position.
13181 Hwy 177
Byars, OK 74831
Office: (580) 301-6969
8am to 4:30pm CST
Friday Night • South Point Arena, Las Vegas
Cow Horse Challenge
$250,000 • Cow Work Under The Lights • August 14
The best in reined cow horse bring the fence work to Friday night, going head-to-head down the wall for lucrative prize money and awards.
$250,000On The Line
15Qualified Riders
3Qualifying Events
Aug 14Friday • 7:00 PM
The Format
Fifteen riders. One cow. The fence decides it.
In 2026 the Cow Horse Challenge brings the best riders and horses in reined cow horse to Las Vegas, with the cow work headlining Friday night at South Point Arena and $250,000 on the line.
Friday stacks four events under the lights: the Breakaway Roping Showcase presented by Shorty's Caboy Hattery at 6:00 PM, the Youth Cow Horse Challenge Cow Work at 6:30 PM, the $30,000 Cowboy Heritage Ranch Challenge presented by Markel at 6:45 PM, and the Cow Horse Challenge Cow Work at 7:00 PM.
The field of 15 earned its way here five at a time, through three of the biggest stages in the sport.
The Field
Qualified riders
Fifteen earned the trip to Las Vegas.
15 Qualified • Three Events, Five Spots EachTC
Todd Crawford
CD
Chris Dawson
SD
Sarah Dawson
ND
Nicholas Dower
SH
Shawn Hays
SP
Shadd Parkinson
KP
Kelby Phillips
BR
Boyd Rice
TR
Tucker Robinson
SS
Shane Steffen
ET
Erin Taormino
JT
Jake Telford
KT
Kyle Trahern
JW
Jordan Williams
JW
Justin Wright
The Sport
What is cow work?
The cow work, also called the fence work, is the final, adrenaline-fueled stage of reined cow horse competition. After horse and rider enter the arena, a single cow is pushed through the gate at the opposite end, and the clock on control starts immediately.
The key to a good score is maintaining control of the cow at all times.
Down the wall
The rider allows the cow to run down the long side of the arena. Horse and rider must turn the cow at least one time in each direction on the fence.
Take it to the middle
They take the cow into the middle of the arena and drive it in a circle each way, proving control in open ground.
The most controlled cow work, with the highest degree of difficulty and the best form, scores the highest.
About the NRCHA
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 promotes the sport, ensures high standards of competition, and works to keep the Vaquero tradition alive in today's equine industry, supported by affiliate clubs across the United States, Europe, and abroad. Learn more at nrcha.com.
Friday • August 14 • 7:00 PM
One cow through the gate. A quarter million down the fence.
Every run streams live from South Point Arena.