With the addition of China, The Run For A Million is expected to have qualifying events on five continents. The European qualifier has already been held, a schedule is in place for Australia, and plans are underway for a South American qualifier.
Reining China is led by Liu Xiaoou, known as “Oli,” and her partner Chen. The organization has been hosting approximately two shows per year along with clinics as they continue building the sport in their country. Many of the horses shown in China are American-trained reiners.
Lizelle Garland of Garland Equine, who serves as Show Manager and Show Secretary for the China qualifier, has worked with Reining China for the past three to four years. Garland, who resides in South Africa, first met Liu and Chen in 2019.
“I first met Liu and Chen at the NRHA Futurity with (NRHA Hall of Famer) Doug Milholland,” Garland recalled. “We set up a meeting to discuss starting an NRHA Affiliate in China.”
Reining China recently hosted World Reining qualifiers ahead of the 2025 World Reining competition and sent a team to Switzerland. To field that team, they purchased multiple horses in Europe and leased others. Their Non Pro and Open riders both advanced to the finals, showing measurable progress on the international stage.
Beginning with the 2026 season, qualifying for The Run For A Million in the Rookie 1, Rookie 2, Non Pro, and Youth divisions became a two-step process. Riders must first qualify at designated events and then compete in the Semi-Finals held in Oklahoma City during the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel. From there, finalists earn their place in Las Vegas.
An exception has been made for international qualifiers outside North America. The Run For A Million will accept the top five riders per division per continent from approved international qualifiers to advance directly to Las Vegas, bypassing the Oklahoma City Semi-Finals. That includes the riders who qualify in Beijing.
The May 1–2 qualifier gives competitors in China a direct path to Las Vegas and places Beijing among the official stops on the road to The Run For A Million.
