Bridle & Bit Magazine August 2025

HORSE POWER

The South Point Hotel Casino Has the Premier Equestrian Center in the Country. We Have 11 Great Restaurants, Spa Costa Del Sur, Headliner Entertainment, a Full-Service Casino, Race and Sports Books, 30-Table Poker Room, Bingo Hall, 64-Lane Bowling Center and a 16-Screen Movie Theater, Plus 46 Weeks of Equestrian Events!

Coming up at the South Point:

August 11-16 • The Run for a Million

August 14 • The Run for a Million Cutting Horse Challenge

August 15 • The Run for a Million Cow Horse Challenge

August 16 • The Run for a Million Reining Championship

August 19-24 • National Stock Horse Assn. Futurity & Derby

August 29-31 • Buckles & Barrels for Bailey

September 5-13 • High Roller Reining Classic Horse Show

September 18-27 • PCCHA Holy Cow Performance Horses & Super Futurity

October 14-18 • INFR Indian National Finals Rodeo

Where Cowboys & Their Horses Stay & Play

As the developer of Racehorse Strength Equi-Block® and LaKOTA®, one of Canada’s top joint supplement and topical pain relief brands, as well as the co-developer of Magic Cushion®, SLIDE™ founder Rick Stewart knows a thing or two about combating joint pain. “I grew up in horse racing. We had one of the top standardbred racing stables in California and western Canada”, he states. Being in the racehorse business Stewart has dealt with his share of joint, ligament, tendon, hoof and back problems in his horses. “Lameness is the biggest thing that racehorse trainers deal with. It’s a never ending battle”, he says.

According to Stewart, feeding 200 mg a day of hyaluronic acid didn’t produce any noticeable benefits in his horses; neither did 500 mg or even 1,000 mg of hyaluronic acid daily. “It wasn’t until I starting feeding my horses 2,500 mg of hyaluronic acid a day that I began to see some pretty decent results”, he says. “I finally settled on 2,500 mg of hyaluronic acid twice a day for a total of 5,000 mg

In the early 1990’s, Stewart began feeding hyaluronic acid to his horses hoping to prevent joint problems from occurring. “I developed the first capsaicin based topical pain reliever for horses (Equi-Block®) and I was probably the first to feed hyaluronic acid, too. It wasn’t in any equine joint supplements back in the 90’s, but veterinarians were injecting it into painful joints and it seemed to work pretty good for a short period of time. I started feeding my sore horses 200 mg a day of hyaluronic acid. I did that for a couple of months and then gauged the results”.

daily and I’ve been feeding those dosages to my horses for three decades now. I put all my young horses on SLIDE™ and I’ve never had any of them develop joint problems as they got older. And it seems to stop degeneration of cartilage in horses with existing joint problems as they all improve on SLIDE™. I’ve seen some very profound results in horses that were already suffering from joint pain after feeding them SLIDE™ for less than 30 days, and so have many others that have used SLIDE™ on their lame horses”.

Stewart says that the majority of equine joint supplements on the market today with hylauronic acid are mainly glucosamine based with very small amounts of hyaluronic acid added for marketing purposes. “Hyaluronic acid at the doses that SLIDE™ provides absolutely works. But existing equine joint supplements with hyaluronic acid don’t have enough in them to see any benefits from the hyaluronic acid. The amount of hyaluronic acid in equine joint supplements averages about 200 mg per recommended daily serving; those small amounts won’t do anything for joints, or for intervertbral disc health”, he says. “SLIDE™ works as good as it does because it contains 5,000 mg of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid per recommended daily serving. That’s 4,800 mg MORE hyaluronic acid per day than the average equine supplement containing hyaluronic acid. No other equine supplement with hyaluronic acid comes anywhere close to providing the amount of hyaluronic acid found in SLIDE™”.

According to Stewart, keeping joints healthy and pain free is all about maintaining and increasing lubrication inside joints. “Having sufficient lubrication within the joint is actually what protects the cartilage. It’s like the oil in your vehicle engine; it’s the oil that protects the moving parts. If there isn’t enough oil then the parts wear down faster and eventually disintegrate. Same thing goes for protecting joint cartilage, you have to keep sufficient lubrication in the joint at all times as that’s what protects the cartilage on the bone ends”.

He continues; “Hyaluronic acid is the major compound that creates synovial fluid, which is the lubrication found inside joints. Race and performance horses need more joint support and

lubrication than a horse ridden for pleasure because of the workloads they place on their joints. There are some really good horses that have had their competitive careers cut short due to joint damage. But it doesn’t have to be that way anymore if horse owners take a preventative approach using SLIDE™”.

In his 30 years of using high doses of hyaluronic acid Stewart has never seen any ill effects, just a multitude

of incredible therapeutic benefits. “Hyaluronic acid has a great safety profile. It’s water soluble and doesn’t build up or get stored in the body. It’s constantly being used up and replenished. In humans, our bodies naturally make 5,000 mg of hyaluronic acid per day when we’re in our 20’s, but internal production begins to decline dramatically in our 30’s. At age 50, our bodies are only making 2,500 mg a day of hyaluronic acid; just half the amount it made when we were

in our 20’s. And at age 75, we only have one quarter the amount of hyaluronic acid in our body that we had in our 20’s”, he points out. “It’s no wonder our joints and intervertebral discs fall apart and we get joint and low back pain as we get older; there’s not enough hyaluronic acid being produced by our bodies anymore in order to maintain sufficient lubrication in our joints or the gel-like fluid inside the discs of the spine. Don’t kid yourself that there isn’t a correlation between

From previous page

hyaluronic acid levels and cartilage and intervertebral disc degeneration as we age - there is”.

Stewart maintains the same holds true for wrinkles and crepey skin as people grow older, that there isn’t sufficient amounts of hyaluronic acid in the body to keep the dermis and epidermis nourished and healthy. “If you bring your hyaluronic acid levels back up you’ll see some magical things begin to happen. I personally take 2,800 mg of hyaluronic acid every single day and I have no joint or back pain and great skin and I’m 60 years old”.

Stewart says the hyaluronic acid supplements currently on the market for people are no better than existing equine supplements. “Depending on the brand you buy the daily recommended amount of hyaluronic acid is 100 to 200 mg a day; basically about the same amount as most equine supplements recommend. These amounts are way too low to see any noticeable benefits. If you’re 50 or older and your daily internal production of hyaluronic acid is down by 2,500 mg or more from what your body produced in your 20’s, do you really think you’re going to see great results on 100 or 200 mg a day? No, you’re not. I have long maintained that hyaluronic acid is the ‘fountain of youth’ nutrient that mankind has long been searching for, but you have to take enough of it if you want to see real benefits”.

A palatable powder that horses eat right up, SLIDE™ isn’t just hyaluronic acid, it’s a joint supplement unlike anything ever put on the market for horses. The two recommended daily servings not only provide your horse with an incredible, industry leading 5,000 mg of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid per day, but also 5,000 mg of N-acetyl glucosamine (a precursor for hyaluronic

acid synthesis), 5,000 mg of glucosamine HCL, 5,000 mg of hydrolyzed collagen and 2,000 mg of unhydrolyzed collagen type II (this is the major collagen found in articular cartilage and intervertebral discs of the spine. SLIDE™ is the only equine hyaluronic acid supplement that contains this im-portant form of collagen). None of the ingredients are banned substances for equine competition.

SLIDE™ also provides many other great health benefits for horses besides joint support, including helping heal and prevent ulcers. We encourage you to read the SLIDE™ equine and human eBooks online at slidejointcare.com as it describes in detail what makes SLIDE™ the premier hyaluronic acid joint supplements in the world today. It’s well worth the read and full of great information many people don’t know about hyalu-ronic acid.

Now affordably priced so equine owners and trainers can reap its incredible benefits on their own horses, SLIDE™ is available in 4.4 lb ($120.00 USD) and 22

lb ($400.00 USD) sizes. The larger size is an incredible value and treats 5 horses for 30 to 60 days for just $40.00 to $80.00 USD per horse depending on whether it’s fed once or twice daily. Even with just a single daily serving, SLIDE™ still provides far more hyaluronic acid (2,500 mg a day) than any other equine supplement containing this important and vital compound for equine health and well-being.

SLIDE™ is also available in human ($60.00 USD) and canine ($70.00 USD) versions, both contain the highest amounts of hyaluronic acid you will find in any human or canine HA supplement on the market today.

SLIDE™ is available at your local tack store on online at www.SlideJointCare.com

DEBUTS OCT 19th

THE ROAD

Co-created by Taylor Sheridan and Blake Shelton for CBS

The Road is Taylor Sheridan’s first venture into unscripted television, a bold departure from his Yellowstone universe that blends his signature authenticity with the high-stakes world of country music touring. Co-created with country music superstar Blake Shelton, this upcoming CBS and Paramount+ series reinvents the music competition format by ditching the standard soundstage for the unpredictability of real-life touring. The show follows 12 up-and-coming artists as they travel across Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, performing as opening acts for headliner Keith Urban at real venues. Rather than being judged in a controlled environment, contestants must prove themselves in front of live audiences, facing the same pressure and spontaneity professional musicians experience on the road. The show will debut on Sunday, October 19, 2025, on CBS, with episodes streaming the next day on Paramount+.

The production team behind The Road is stacked with toptier talent. Taylor Sheridan, known for cinematic drama and gritty realism, brings his narrative power and dedication to authenticity to the unscripted space. His co-creator, Blake Shelton, brings deep experience from his years as a coach on The Voice, along with a producer’s eye through his company, Lucky Horseshoe Productions. Keith Urban not only stars as the musical headliner but also serves as an executive producer, shaping the creative arc of the competition. Gretchen Wilson, a Grammy-winning artist with real-world touring chops, serves as both the tour manager on camera and an executive producer behind the scenes, bringing a no-nonsense perspective to what it takes to survive the road.

Joining them are key figures from Sheridan’s trusted circle: David C. Glasser (101 Studios), a longtime Sheridan collaborator and co-producer of Yellowstone, and Lee Metzger, a former Voice executive producer and showrunner with deep roots in liveformat television. The series is a joint production by 101 Studios, MTV Entertainment Studios, Lucky Horseshoe Productions, and Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions. Their combined pedigree spanning blockbuster dramas, music industry expertise, and live network television positions The Road as one of the most ambitious and authentic music competitions ever attempted.

Filmed earlier in 2025, the show’s stops included Fort Worth, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Memphis, and the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Contestants will face elimination not from judge panels alone, but from real-time crowd reaction, production feedback, and the pressures of nightly performances. This raw, boots-on-the-ground approach mirrors the way working musicians actually earn respectand offers viewers a front-row seat to the making of the next generation of country stars. Sheridan has described the show as part of a “revolution” in country storytelling, taking the audience backstage, on tour, and into the emotional grind of earning the spotlight night after night.

With Shelton guiding the artist development, Urban shaping performances, and Wilson pushing authenticity, The Road delivers not only entertainment, but a visceral education in the music business. For fans of country music, aspiring artists, or viewers looking for a new kind of reality TV grounded in grit and truth, The Road is set to be a standout offering in fall 2025.

BOSQUE RANCH LIVE BENEFIT

September 13, 2025 – Weatherford, Texas

When Taylor Sheridan does something, he doesn’t do it halfway. From crafting television’s biggest modern westerns to reshaping the cultural frontier with series like Yellowstone, 1883, and Landman, Sheridan has consistently proven he’s more than just a filmmaker. He’s a builder of experiences. Now, with Bosque Ranch Live Benefit, his creative empire gallops into uncharted territory: live country music.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Sheridan’s 1,000-acre Bosque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, the inaugural Bosque Ranch Live on September 13, 2025, is more than a concert. It’s a celebration of Western heritage, musical storytelling, and the visceral, wide-open spirit of ranch life. A curated blend of performances, cowboy culture, and unforgettable cuisine, the event promises guests an intimate and immersive day on the land where Yellowstone and 1883 were filmed.

A Legendary Location: Bosque Ranch

Bosque Ranch isn’t just a location it’s a living, breathing character in Sheridan’s universe. Purchased in 2013 and painstakingly developed into a state-of-the-art equestrian and filming venue, the ranch has hosted cutting horse events like the NCHA Brazos Bash, rodeos, and countless film scenes. With sweeping Brazos River views, working cattle, and cinematic landscapes, it’s both the muse and the medium of Sheridan’s storytelling.

The ranch is evolving once again this time into a music venue. But true to Sheridan’s form, Bosque Ranch Live Benefit isn’t a stadium blowout. It’s a high-end, tightly curated event capped at just 500 attendees, where every element, from food to campfires, is an extension of the Western mythos he champions.

The Artists: Voices That Echo the Land

Sheridan didn’t pick these artists randomly. Each of the three headliners has been featured in his shows, their songs serving as soundtracks to cowboy dreams and frontier struggles.

Drayton Farley

Opening the festival with a midafternoon set, Drayton Farley brings his Alabama-born blend of Americana and grit to the Bosque stage. Known for tracks like “American Dream,” featured in Landman, Farley’s music embodies working-class struggle, resilience, and raw introspection. His voice is weathered yet hopeful the kind of voice that belongs on a ranch.

Live, Farley delivers lyrical authenticity over stripped-down instrumentation. His songs don’t just entertain; they evoke images of dusty highways, heartland heartbreak, and the dreams of those who still believe in simpler values. A perfect match for the ranch’s spirit.

Kaitlin Butts

Taking the stage in the late afternoon, Kaitlin Butts offers a hauntingly beautiful counterpoint to the masculine terrain of the day. Her song “How Long,” featured in Yellowstone, highlights her emotionally nuanced voice and masterful songwriting. A Texas

Jackson Dean

native, Butts blends traditional country with modern storytelling, crafting songs that delve into personal reckoning, longing, and strength.

Her live set promises moments of reflection and resonance, as the sun dips behind the Brazos River and her voice carries through the hills. Expect tears, goosebumps, and an emotional connection to the land itself.

Closing the night under the stars, Jackson Dean brings the firepower. Best known for the breakout hit “Don’t Come Lookin’,” which gained prominence via Yellowstone, Dean’s voice is equal parts gravel and gold. His music, a mix of Southern rock swagger and country soul, is built for big moments and bigger emotions.

Dean’s live shows are electric. He’s a rising star with the confidence of a veteran, and his prime-time performance will bring the crowd to its feet. His closing set will be the exclamation point on a night where myth meets melody.

Ticketing Tiers: A Cowboy Experience

Bosque Ranch Live Benefit isn’t about crowd control or chaos. It’s about crafted experiences, and Sheridan’s team has designed packages that reflect varying levels of immersion.

General Admission - $500

Includes full access to the day’s performances, open ranch experiences, and a commemorative Bosque Ranch hat. Perfect for music lovers who want to soak in the atmosphere without frills.

Nic’s Bar & Saloon - $800

Named after the popular Yellowstone character, this tier adds luxury: lunch and dinner catered by Hurtado BBQ (one of Texas’s best), four drink tickets, and access to an exclusive bar setting.

Tent Camping - $1,200 (Sold Out)

Get closer to the stars—literally. This tier includes all meals (including a Cowboy Breakfast), 10 drink tickets, a ranch gift collection, and the unforgettable chance to sleep under the Texas sky.

RV Cowboy Campfire - $1,200 (Sold Out)

Beyond the Music: Ranch Culture Come to Life

Bosque Ranch Live Benefit is immersive by design. Attendees will enjoy: Ranch Tours aboard Kubota RTVs. Cutting Horse Demonstrations with NCHA champs. Live Roping Exhibitions and Western artisan displays. Cowboy Mixology Demos and handcrafted hat fittings. Barbecue Masterclasses with Hurtado BBQ. Wellness Booths and animal rescues from Saving Hope Sheridan has designed a day that captures the full flavor of ranch life sights, sounds, smells, and spirit.

Bosque Ranch Live Benefit is more than an event. It’s the next great American experience. And on September 13, 2025, 500 guests will become part of that story, set to songs that will echo in the dust and stars long after the final chord fades.

INTERVIEW - TAYLOR SHERIDAN

Q - What’s new in the Sheridan Universe?

BY TRACY WAGER

TS - The plan always was that as the Run for a Million becomes bigger and more popular, which means it’s going to generate more money, then those funds are funneled directly back into the purses to make them bigger and to make the show bigger. Because the bigger the Run for a Million is, and the more exciting it is, it’s a template for other events to borrow from and they have. Right? We’ve seen it across all the events. It doesn’t matter whether it’s what’s happened with the rope horse futurities, the scale of the reining futurity now, as well as the cutting futurity everything, all these events are bigger. The prize money is bigger. Stud fees have gone up. Everything has gone up, and that’s what it’s supposed to do, right?

So, I had to streamline and sort of refocus my team in a way that could remember that that’s the only goal. It can’t become a horse show like every other horse show, where we’re arguing about stall fronts and paid warmups and bags of shavings. It has to be a celebration of the competitors who have dedicated their life to this, whether they do it professionally or as non-pro. If you’re a competitive non-pro, it’s pretty safe to say you’ve dedicated your life to this. There’s no way around it. And so, it’s supposed to be this thing where we can all get together and just revel in the magnificence of these athletes, right?

Yeah, so let’s say you recognize that right off the bat that none of the horse shows made money, and in your mind, they really shouldn’t be making money on the horse people or off the horse people. They’re really not designed to make money. And you said, “I’m going to design something different that I could grow and it could make money, but not because it’s a horse show.”

You know, we live in a capitalistic society, and it has to pencil, so to speak. Cowboys love cowboying, but at the end of the day, if you can’t make it pencil, you ain’t gonna be cowboying for very long. So, when everybody leaves and they can still eat, right?

Yes, for sure. And we’ve seen other things that have been, you know, if you look at the 100x, they’ve been inspired to try to do some new things, and some of the things they’ve done have worked really well, and some they’ll rethink and maybe do differently. I do the same with my show. You look at the American Performance Horseman I mean, they had a big event, and I think that event is improving and becoming something that’s really special. These are all great things for our industry.

Yeah, no. I mean, look, horse shows have to make money, or the people who put them on aren’t going to put them on anymore. And I put them on, at Bosque Ranch, I put on them. I have a cutting about every four to five weeks, and those shows are actually quite profitable. What I do with those profits is put them all in the purses at the Brazos Bash. The Bash loses tons of money because I’m giving away so much money, and I have concerts, and it’s, again, it’s a celebration, and it’s not designed for profit.

I’m fortunate enough to have another job so I can afford to have a break-even goal on a horse show. But there are certainly event producers who do not have that luxury. That is the way they make a living. What I’m trying to do is make it much more of a spectator sport number one, bring more people to it; number two, allow it to be something that when a vendor comes, they actually make money.

If you look at rodeo, rodeo has proven that more rodeos and the more opportunities, the bigger the rodeo gets, right? So, there’s room for a Fort Worth and a Houston and a Calgary and a Frontier Days, and they’re their own unique thing, and they all sell the cowboy a little differently. But they still celebrate him and the cowgirl.

So, there’s lots of places to look. The NFR is as well-produced a product and entertainment as there is. And so, there’s lots of places that a show producer can turn to and ask, “How can I improve this?” For the show producers that aren’t doing that, they are hurting right now because there is so much money at some of these other events. If these other guys don’t keep up with the times, they’re going to get put out of business. That’s just the nature of anything, right?

Q -So, it’s tough for some people. They’re riding an old, tired horse that’s been rode hard and put up wet too many times, and they have an outdated model. The only new model that came in until us was the NRBC, and that’s dating back decades of time. And then you come in, Taylor can think outside the box.

TS - I think incentives are also having a big impact on the industry and the growth. If you look at what they’re doing in the barrel racing world and the team roping world with these various Ruby Buckles and the Gold Buckles, the Pink Buckles—those things have really focused the barrel racers. They were always pretty picky about their breeding, right? They’re looking for that straight-line speed that can still get around a barrel quickly. So, racehorse blood, and then something that’s got some agility and some lateral movement.

But these incentives are also really impacting in a positive way. Incentives only work if the industry is growing as a whole, right? You need more people wanting to get into the business, not just as a casual, “Oh, I’m going to show a horse here or there,”

but you got to want to breed, right? And we’re starting to see that.

I think a lot of that is one of the byproducts of the popularity whether it’s a combination of Yellowstone and, you know, COVID got people going outside and got them interested in doing things with their family. Horses are one of the few things you can go do as a family.

We have a much more sophisticated amateur and non-pro than we did even 10 years ago. And because the price of horses has gone up so much, people do the math. They go, “Well, gosh, I’m just going to breed them.” So, the backyard breeder is getting smarter and better, and the quality of livestock is getting better exponentially.

I mean, a 75 run in 2010 is a 72.5 to a 73 today. There were times when you could go win a non-pro event with a 219.

Q - I won the affiliate in 2001 with a 71.5. You’re not going to win the Level 4 non-pro now at a big event unless it’s a big score.

TS - To go win an L4 Open event in the reining, you need to be a 28 or a 29, and you’re still not super safe, right? And the judges know. The judges have gotten tighter because everyone’s gotten so much better.

Everybody’s horses are better, everyone’s riding is better, everyone’s more skilled. It’s happened over a very narrow window, really in the past 15–18 years. It’s fascinating to watch. People showing in the rookie are scoring legit 73s and 74s.

We’ve watched it grow. In the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, everybody wanted to breed their baby horse to be a champion. A lot of negative things in my business have happened since the internet and social media took off. It really hurt my business, but now I think it’s perfectly aligned to bring back breeding because of the access to information.

and see if I can say something that makes sense.

Q - Bosque Ranch is more than a venue. It’s a cultural vision. What kind of legacy are you hoping to create with this space, musically and beyond?

TS - Well, you know, Bosque is the first ranch I ever bought. What I really wanted was simply a place of my own. I did the math on how much I was spending keeping horses in training, and it made more sense to buy a ranch than to keep sending them out. So that’s what I did, I wanted to be able to keep them at home.

I stumbled into Bosque, and coincidentally, it already had a great arena and an existing horse show. I inherited a venue and learned the horse show business through trial and error. I kept building: first a cow horse pen, then a cutting pen. Before long, I’d upgraded the place enough that, with the Brazos Bash, I could create something special for the cutting industry. My focus was on making it fun because honestly, sometimes it’s not.

Around the same time, I was beginning to film 1883. By then, I’d made a rule for myself: I needed to go home at night. The film business can take you far from home, and I’d be gone three months at a time without seeing my family. I was done with that. Bosque Ranch became not only a place to work and ride at lunch breaks, but also a place that allowed me to live by that rule.

Everything is data-driven. You can data-dive now and find out factually who are the best horses to breed to. You can rent a mare. There are so many things you can do now you don’t even have to have a horse in your backyard to get a new baby.

Q - I’d love to talk to you all day, but your team gave me great topics, and I have 13 questions based on what they sent me. We may have to continue this another time. Maybe we can have an adult beverage at South Point, and I can listen to you, because I learn every time. You see things similar to me but a little bit different. There’s that little twist that makes my head say, “Oh, he sees something I missed.”

So, it’s very interesting to listen to what you have to say and your take on things, because I actually am learning from it. It’s along the same lines, but you see things I haven’t seen.

TS - Well, I’ll take you up on that beverage

People say I have a grand vision. I don’t know about that. I have a lot of small dreams, and I’m an opportunist. When I see an opportunity, I take it and then I build off it. After buying the ranch, I was raising Wagyu cattle there. When the Cattlemen’s Steakhouse came up for sale, I saw another opportunity. I realized the restaurant didn’t need to make money it just needed to break even, because I could sell my beef at a premium and be my own wholesaler.

The restaurant had opened in the 1940s and needed a serious facelift.

Once I got into the renovation, my artist side took over. One idea led to another, and before long I had the Four Sixes and a much bigger cattle operation. That meant I needed a bigger restaurant. I approached the Wynn Hotel and asked if they wanted to carry my beef. They tried it, loved it, and soon asked if I wanted to open my own restaurant there. I said, “Why not?”

It’s like stacking opportunities one on top of another. They start to form an arrow, and that arrow points you toward

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

MORE TAYLOR SHERIDAN

the vision. Once you see that direction, you just stay on the path and keep stacking opportunities. That’s what vision is, in my opinion: being able to see in a linear fashion, to adjust the pieces as you go, and to keep your eye on the horizon.

Most people stop at that first step. They open the small restaurant and never take the next leap. For me, it’s about always building on what I’ve started. fashion, to adjust the pieces as you go, and to keep your eye on the horizon.

Q - For Bosque Ranch Live Benefit, you chose Drayton Farley, Caitlyn Butts, and Jackson Dean for the inaugural year. What drew you to these artists, and what kind of emotional tone are you setting with them?

TS - Well, emotional tones change a little bit. But what I really wanted to do. There are so many people who want to come to Bosque and see it, right? But we’re also a working cattle ranch, and there are three different trainers working out of there. There could be a movie shooting in the back of it at any time. I’m not really set up to give tours, not that that’s anything I really wanted to do.

When I was a kid—this dates me, I went to a concert at Will Rogers and saw Stevie Ray Vaughan. I can always tell people I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan play at Will Rogers, not just in Will Rogers. I can’t remember exactly which hall it was in, maybe 2,000 people, maybe 1,500, maybe 700. I was a kid.

To give people the opportunity to say, “Hey, Taylor turned his cow horse pen into a concert venue, and you’ll never guess who I saw there five or eight years ago” that was the impetus.

I’m also always trying to find something that excites my partners. These are the companies who have supported me since the beginning, when I was nobody, hauling my own horses to shows in a junky trailer. This event felt like the perfect marriage.

I’m a huge fan of, obviously through Yellowstone and everything else, finding the next big thing. Who is the next Lainey Wilson? Who’s the next Chris Stapleton? Who’s the next Tyler Childers? Who’s the next of these? I’ve been fortunate enough to come across all of their music very early in their careers, especially Lainey. It’s incredibly rewarding to give artists that kind of opportunity.

Much like you were talking about with journalism, the business of music has changed so much with the internet and how to navigate and evolve with it. Music, perhaps more than any other art form, has been the most shaken by technology starting in the late ’80s with Napster and it just keeps evolving. There happen to be a few reliable outlets for artists who don’t fit the corporate, cookie-cutter mold of what labels are looking for.

The industry is very top-heavy. There’s a machine and structure in music that focuses on a very small group of very successful performers. With Yellowstone, I decided I wasn’t going to use any music that anyone had heard before, and I didn’t want artists who were signed to big labels. I wanted the music to be as fresh as the show itself.

That approach worked really well for both the artists and Yellowstone, and I’ve continued that in on all my TV productions and movies. These three individuals are, in my opinion, the next to really explode into what people call the Americana or altcountry scene. I call it the authentic country scene. Kaitlyn may have already beaten me to the punch with her latest album, but I feel like I’m giving people an opportunity to discover them early.

Now, specifically, what happened this year that makes it slightly different is the floods in the Hill Country. That’s an area where I spend a lot of time, and I know people who we lost there. It was a really painful thing to witness such a tragedy.

So now the Bosque Ranch Live event has become the Bosque Ranch Live Benefit. We’re donating all the proceeds from it to help the families of those victims, and we’ll come up with a few other things we can do during that show. Everyone who bought a ticket, who just bought a ticket to see these great bands, can know their money is going to help people who were truly affected by this.

Q - Bosque Ranch blends Western tradition with artistic culture. Do you see it becoming a long-term home for storytelling through music, horses, or something else? I think you kind of explained that, but maybe you’d like to condense it right there.

TS - Yeah, I think. Look, I think music is the most visceral art form there is. What I do storytelling with a camera is the most transcendent because I’m creating another world. With a movie, you get to look through a window into this other place, and you trust that film to take you on a journey.

That journey could be funny, terrifying, cathartic, emotional it could be all of those things. With a song, you’re imagining. With a movie, you’re trusting.

And then I think about how horses pick the discipline, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing on horses now. I’ve seen things on horseback at the Sixes that are some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. A sunrise vista on horseback can be breathtaking, but beyond that, the art of the rider and horse coming together is its own art form.

When you watch Andrea, Casey, Aaron, Tom, Austin Shepherd any of them, they’re artists. The horses express that as well. For me to be able to create an outlet for all of those different expressions at the same place that’s what Bosque Ranch is about.

Also, while everyone talks about how hard I work, I’m naturally very lazy. So, if I can have all of that right out my back door and I don’t have to drive anywhere selfishly, I’m a pretty happy guy.

Lainey Wison

Casey Deary, Don Austin Shepherd, Andrea Fappani,

Q - The Brazos Bash now serves as a qualifier for the Run for a Million Cutting Horse Challenge. How did that come about?

TS - Well, I had to do it somewhere, and the Bash is my horse show. So, I don’t have to ask anyone’s permission. I can just do it. That’s what I did. I said, “Here’s the perfect place to have an open cutting in the middle of the event,” and it’s worked really well.

Q - And you don’t have to get in a truck and drive anywhere.

TS - Nope.

challenges of being a businessman, attracting clients, and getting good horses. You have to understand every element: breeding, veterinary care, finances, and then spend 8–12 hours a day in the saddle. It’s physically grueling, and you’re working from two-year-olds all the way up. It’s a tough, tough way to earn a paycheck.

So, you’d better love it. And they do. They want to win because they’re so competitive, and it means that much to them. To have created an event where they care enough to show up in the first place—and then care enough to try that hard and be that motivated and moved when they do well to me, that’s the greatest compliment I could receive.

Q - You’ve created one of the most prestigious events in western sports. How do you personally measure success for the Run for a Million?

TS -Well, I measure it in a few different ways. The most tangible way to measure it is to see the event continue to grow. And by grow, I don’t mean selling more seats we already sell the thing out, so I can’t sell any more than I already have.

What can grow is the excitement around it. What can grow is the prize money. What can grow is the way we can reach more people. For the first time this year, the Run for A Million will not only be livestreamed like always, but after the live stream, in addition to The Last Cowboy on Paramount+, you’ll be able to go to the Run for aA Million site and rewatch any run you want in its entirety.

My goal is ultimately to expose more people to the Run for A Million and to reining. That’s going to get people intrigued, excited, and wanting to try a horse or buy a horse and help grow the industry.

Because they could just as easily say, “You know what, guys? I don’t want to mess with it. It’s Vegas in August, and we have Tulsa in two or three weeks. Let’s just skip it.” But they don’t.

I judge the success of the Run for A Million by the fact that they care enough to show up, they care enough to compete, and people care enough to sit in the stands and cheer for them. All of those things are measures of success.

The other way I gauge success is emotional. Don’t mind the noise I’m building a fire. I’m up at my place in Wyoming, and I cook everything outside because the kitchen is so small in the house. We just chuck-wagon cook everything.

When Jason won and then when he won a second time and got emotional… when I see people win the Rookie and cry, or win the Non-Pro and get emotional, that means a lot. I see these competitors care so deeply, and it’s more than just the money. Sure, the money’s great, but there’s a lot of money in a lot of events now.

The trainers in this industry care so deeply, and it’s such a tough way to make a living. People don’t fully understand how hard it is to make your living as a horse trainer. It’s not just the

TS - It sure is.

Q - On a side note, I agree with you. As a competitor myself, the reason you get emotional is because when you do something like that, it’s everything at that moment. Whether it’s just qualifying for the Run for a Million or actually winning or having a fun time with your horse, that moment is everything.

I even got upset with my trainer once because he said, “You haven’t been riding enough, you can’t compete.” And I said, “I have to have a dream and a goal, and if that’s my dream and my goal and my money to enter, then I’m going to do it. Because that’s the first step to the next step.”

At that moment whatever it is, qualifying, winning, or just getting to run in that arena, it’s everything.”

Q - Yeah, okay absolutely. So, the Race to the Slide presented by ThorSport is a new addition. What was the motivation for adding this event to the lineup?

TS - Um, so I, you know, I’ve seen some of these slide contests, and one of the great challenges to reining is it’s so subjective, right? You’ve got five judges in five distinct spots around the arena, all judging the same horse. Depending on your vantage point in whichever one of those chairs, that’s going to determine, in large part, what you’re able to see and what you’re able to mark.

Francesco Martinotti

Jason Vandlandingham

Marco Ricotta

MORE TAYLOR SHERIDAN

And then there are different preferences. Some judges like to see a really smooth and correct run. Some judges really reward degree of difficulty, which essentially means speed.

I’ve seen sliding contests, and they’re trying to judge them under the same parameters. And I said, “Well, that’s… no. Can’t we just, once, take the judges out of this? How can we make this a timed event? How can we just let everyone rip down there and have fun kind of like the cowboys do drinking beers on Friday night, saying, ‘What’s the trick we’re going to do?’”

So, I came up with the idea: I’m just going to get an Arizona highway patrolman to sit down in the corner with a speed gun, a radar. We’re going to take the speed of the horse, measure the longest slide track, and add them together and that’s your score.

I just thought that would be fun. It’s probably going to get a little Western, but that’s okay.

The first year of the Run for a Million, we did a freestyle. A lot of the competitors in the Run for A Million entered it, and they did it for a couple of reasons: Number one, there was more money there. Number two, they were going to Vegas for this show they didn’t know much about, but we were giving away a lot of money, so they figured, “Heck, we might as well just have fun.”

And it was fun. Andrea came out dressed up they played the Rocky theme and he was dressed up in this big, puffy muscle costume. Cody on the Lioness… it was fun, right?

Q - I think that’s hilarious—the cop with the radar gun, anyway. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

South Point Arena plays a big role in making this event what it is. Can you speak to the partnership with the Gaughan family and that venue’s importance to the Western world?

TS - Oh, I mean, it’s the most important venue in the Western equine world west of the Mississippi or west of Fort Worth, anyway, right?

Q - West of the Pecos?

But the Run for A Million got so serious that none of those guys really had the time to dedicate to getting a freestyle horse together. That meant I was now having a freestyle reining for the freestyle reiners. That’s a different group, and I have great respect for them, but it’s a whole different thing.

So, I thought, look, everybody’s got that horse in the barn that’s the biggest stopper they own but they don’t show him because he’s absolutely cooked in the show pen. He’s done. But he can run and stop. That’s the one thing he can do.

Everyone’s got that horse where they say, “Man, if I could just get this thing to change leads… if I could just get this thing to do that…” But they all have one that will run down there and stop. The rundown may not be pretty, but it doesn’t have to be.

So, this event is just a little cowboy. It’s a little punchy. And it should be a lot of fun.

TS -Yeah, there you go. What they’ve done, it’s an incredible venue. It’s a great place to show.

They are horse lovers. They are horse owners. Paul’s daughter is married to a horse trainer. They’re deeply invested in the industry itself, and I think they love it. They sure act like they love it.

The South Point goes out of its way to welcome us and to be as helpful as possible not just in supplying us a venue, but in helping us design banners and work with us on how we’re going to build out the stage and come up with creative solutions to make it feel special and grand.

They are fantastic partners in every way. They’re really great people, and they’ve been that way for quite a while.

Q - The Run for a Million continues to set the gold standard for Western horse sports. What do you think makes this event different? Why does it bring out so much emotion in people—even the attendees?

TS - Well, I just think at the end of the day, it’s not a very big horse show. And what I mean by that is, think about it, you’ve got the rookie one day.

It’s really fun. It’s set up to have fun. Next year, I’m going to make it even better. For the past four or five years, I’ve been a little more forgiving with the rookies and non-pros than the open riders. The open riders have it rough.

There are only five qualifiers in the shootout, and then the top 16 running for all that money. That’s rough. I’ve had all these qualifiers and taken the top five from each of these events and let them come to Vegas. I think we’re going to change that.

We’ll have a semifinal if you were at the Derby and take the top 20 rookies and the top 20 non-pros. We’ll make it as tough for them as it is for the open riders. That allows us to celebrate them more.

Because I think what makes it special

Andrea Fappani

is everything else surrounding it. You’ve got all the vendors you see these guys over here and those guys over there and now they’re all together. There’s a concert every afternoon or every night.

It’s just a big, stinking party. You get to see the best cutters in the world, the best cow horses in the world, the best youth cow horse riders in the world. You get to see the best cowboys in the world and the best horse trainers in the world.

It builds itself up into a Super Bowl atmosphere that came about very organically. It just worked out that way. And I think it makes for a really special experience.

Every year I meet people who came in for the entire week from Europe, from Massachusetts, from Israel, from everywhere. People rearrange their summer vacations around it. That’s their one trip for the year to go to the Run for A Million.

I always said that the Run for A Million needs to be a spectator sport first. That’s how we attract more people, and that’s how we continue to grow the industry.

Q - I think the limiting the entries to 20 is a really good idea.

TS - That’s a very good idea.

questions. When people are curious, they investigate, which means they watch.”

So, I don’t like to talk about them, because I’m not going to cut a trailer that’s really exciting and intriguing, make you wonder, and then hopefully you’ll go to the movie theater and see it. And I really hope you’ll like it when you do.

Q - Now I understand, because all your shows are tantalizing you really don’t know what they’re about until you watch. You know what the number one rule at Bridle & Bit is? I tell people in marketing all the time: you can’t put everything in an ad, either electronic or print. If you put everything in there, there’s no reason for people to call. That’s why Yellow Pages worked you had to call.

You know, it’s my horse show, and when I find myself at a paid warm-up at 12:30 at night, that’s when I said, “You know what? This is becoming a horse show.”

‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff

‘The Madison’ Casts Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Beau Garrett

And it’s not supposed to be that. It’s supposed to be a celebration of the horse show. So, we’re refocusing efforts to make sure that it’s as elite as it can possibly be.

Q - All right, your newest film project, F.A.S.T., is in production and set to release in 2026. It follows a former U.S. Special Forces officer who is recruited by the government’s Drug Enforcement Agency to take down drug dealers protected by the CIA. I think that’s very interesting. What inspired this storyline involving the DEA, CIA, and covert military ops? I’ve never heard anyone do that before.

TS - Um, yeah, no, it’s a pretty wild thing that’s rooted in some truth. I didn’t just make it up. Yeah, there’s always truth that’s why there are conspiracy theories.

You want me to leave my answer there, or do you want more?

You know, I’ve always been it’s funny, I’ll talk about horses all day—but when it comes to the movies, I’ve always felt like… and it’s a great challenge in my business.

I’ll give you a little window into it. The movie studios and TV networks, which we can really look at as investors, are investing in a project with the hope that once they get this project, they can market and sell it.

They’re so worried they won’t entice an audience enough to watch a TV show or a movie that in the movie trailers and press releases; they end up telling you the entire story. So now you don’t even need to go because they just told you everything.

I never like to talk about what the movie is. When I did 1883 and they were trying to do a poster with all these people’s faces on it, they said, “How will people know if we don’t put their faces on it?” I said, “No one cares about their faces. I’m going to take a covered wagon, set it on fire, and take a picture. That’s your movie poster. It tells everybody everything they need to know, and it asks

The Madison is a heartfelt study of grief and human connection, following a New York City family that moves to the Madison River Valley of central Montana. What drew you to that story?

TS - What’s that now? What drew me to that?

Well, another secret covert op. They’re all secret covert ops.

You know, people loved Yellowstone because it was a peek into a world they didn’t know. They saw this arch about a ranching family and these stereotypes that were then broken, and it was a fascinating window into a world people knew nothing about.

But Yellowstone was also very stylized and dramatized - train stations, gunfights, all this romanticized Old West modern-day stuff.

Okay, well, The Madison is that same window into an alien world, but through the eyes of the alien, the people who have never been there, the people for whom the world is foreign. To see it from their fresh perspective.

And there’s something incredible about this: the one thing we all have in common, every single one of us, is that we’re all going to know grief. Everybody is going to lose somebody.

How we deal with that or don’t deal with that determines the course of the remainder of our lives, at least our enjoyment of it. There’s so much unrequited grief in the world right now, magnified by the isolation that social media and the electronic world creates.

I felt like the world needed a good cry and a good catharsis. And that’s what The Madison is.

Q - You assembled a powerhouse cast. Side note: I really recognize—and tell people all the time—how you pick actors that are fabulous. Maybe the roles aren’t good enough elsewhere, or maybe they do this because it’s you, but these are incredibly talented actors who haven’t had a great movie or TV. show in years.

Like Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell. How did this cast come together?

Kurt Russell

WHO’S COMPETING IN 2025

The Run for a Million 2025 will feature sixteen elite qualifiers competing in reining as well as the included Cutting Horse Challenge and Cow Horse Challenge, plus new competitive formats like the Race to the Slide. The outing is set for August 11–16 at Las Vegas's South Point Arena & Equestrian Center

Meet the 2025 TRFAM Qualifiers

Among those who earned their place in the 2025 TRFAM are:

Fernando Salgado aboard Spook Lil Whiz – 228.50

Andrea Fappani aboard Hypnotyze – 228.00

Dany Tremblay aboard All Guns On Crush – 226.50

Luca Fappani aboard Gunna Chic Dream – 226.50

Arno Honstetter aboard Ss Whatcha Gun Doo – 226.50

Marco Ricotta aboard Savage Love – 225.00

Casey Hinton aboard Magnums Custom Dream – 225.00

Nathan Piper aboard Shes Got Magnitude – 224.50

Matt Mills aboard Wallas First Gun – 224.50

Matt McAuslan aboard Ss Tricky Step – 224.50

Previously Qualified Riders

Additionally, the following riders had already secured their spots for the 2025 The Run For A Million after qualifying at the $100,000-Added Shootout at The Run For A Million in 2024:

Casey Deary

Cade McCutcheon

Kole Price

Craig Schmersal

Jason Vanlandingham

What This Means for The Last Cowboy Season 6

The 2025 Run for a Million competition is part of the show's forthcoming Season 6, which will chronicle the training, qualifiers, and build-up to the event Though CMT has not disclosed a specific premiere date, the series is expected to air later in 2025, following the live event consistent with past rollout patterns.

New Features & Format Tweaks

The 2025 event introduces fresh elements to the Million competition: Race to the Slide: A separate contest evaluating the longest continuous slide, adding a visual and competitive edge.

Jump for a Million: A fun, dog-based dock-diving competition featuring 16 dogs representing each Million‐event rider, held August 14.

MORE TAYLOR SHERIDAN

TS - I knew roughly what the story was, and then I thought, “Who embodies those characters?” Then I reached out and said, “Hey, do you want to come do this thing with me?”

I’ve earned a reputation for writing very actor-friendly but also actor-demanding roles, and actors want to be challenged.

A lot of stuff today, if you think about it, the actors I write for are actors. They don’t want to go stand in front of a green screen with a giant dinosaur. That’s not what they want to do. They want to be challenged. They want dramatic, emotional, impactful stories they can sink their teeth and heart into.

If you look at who I’ve been blessed enough to work with from Kevin Costner to Billy Bob Thornton, Zoë Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Sam Elliott, Billy Bob Thornton, Jeremy Renner they feel like the throwback actors I grew up watching.

A lot of them are exactly the actors I grew up watching. They mean a tremendous amount to me, and they helped shape me as an artist, whether they realize it or not.

So, to get a chance to work with them now is a real privilege.

Q - That was, I think, one of your coolest answers today. Two more questions. The TS Universe you just reopened the Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Fort Worth. What does that landmark mean to you, personally and culturally?

TS - Well, look. Fort Worth, it’s my home. It means a great deal to me. It is the Paris of the Western world, for lack of a better way to describe it, and it’s one of the few large cities that still embraces that heritage.

It’s a fascinating heritage. This is where the cattle drives began. It’s where people heading west not just during the 1870s but all the way through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl the trail began there. The city has always embraced that reality.

And the Cattlemen’s has been an institution for a very long time. It needed to be freshly loved. But I didn’t want to change it. I just wanted to make it: What if I was building this restaurant in 1947 with today’s materials?

And so that’s what we did. Then it was about bringing in the very best chefs that I could. In the 1940s, the Cattlemen’s was the number one steakhouse in Texas. There were various iterations of it across the Midwest. There were even some in California—not affiliated, but similar in spirit for sure.

That’s where the cattleman and the cowboy went with their wives on Friday and Saturday night. I wanted to bring that back.

You know, John Dutton had a line I want to say it was in Season 4 where he says he’s the opposite of progress. He is the rock that progress shatters itself against. I’m not saying I’m that, but I am a bit of a nostalgic.

I want to embrace that element of our past, and when I say that I’m talking architecturally. I wanted it to look like you just walked into the fanciest brand-new restaurant in 1947 Fort Worth, Texas.

Q - That is awesome. Because one of the things I like is when there’s authenticity. When you take something old and worn out, and you give it a spit shine, and you clean it up and give it some love and care, you can keep that authenticity. If you remodel it, it’s not the Cattlemen’s anymore.

TS -Yeah, well, we didn’t spit shine it, and we didn’t remodel it. We took it down to the studs and then rebuilt it. We rebuilt it as if we were masons and bricklayers in 1947.

I did what they did in 1947. They didn’t hang a bunch of TVs behind the bar. They went to the best cowboy artist they could afford and had them paint a mural.

So, I had Teal Blake paint about a nine-foot mural that runs the length of the bar.

We did it like they did in 1947, and we just did it with 2025 technology.

Q - Some would say you’ve redefined the modern cowboy. Do you agree? Or are you just telling the stories no one else was willing to tell?

TS - That’s a question some people ask me about, and that’s why it’s in there. Um, well, I think I don’t know that the cowboy has changed very much. Most people don’t actually know what a cowboy is, right?

They assume if somebody wears a cowboy hat, or they live in Texas or Nevada or New Mexico or parts of Arizona or Montana or Wyoming, that they’re a cowboy. That is not true.

I didn’t want to disrespect them, so great care was taken to get the best horses, to teach the Hollywood actors how to look as good on a horse as possible, and to have horses that were great representatives of the breed.

We didn’t just buy a bunch of saddles at a flea market or prop house. We went to the saddle makers we all rely on today: Bob Marr Saddles, Andy Maschke Saddles, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Martin Saddles. We used what everybody actually uses.

Same with jackets, spurs, bits. Those spurs didn’t come from a prop house. They came from Faulkner, Clapper, or Kerry Kelley, just like the pros use.

A cowboy is somebody who makes their living horseback, working cattle. That is a cowboy.

Now, is a cutting horse trainer a cowboy? Absolutely. He gets up every morning, gets on his horse, and he’s got to bring in the cattle they’re going to work. He’s got to take care of those cattle. He’s going to train his horse on those cattle.

So, is the cow horse guy a cowboy? Is the reiner a cowboy? I know Andrea says he’s not a cowboy, he’s a horseman. But I think under the big umbrella, absolutely. Most of our reining horse trainers either started out as cowboys or colt starters. They work themselves up.

They all embody the cowboy code.

The amount of trust in that world is remarkable. I could call any one of these guys whether it’s Corey Cushing or Andrea or Casey and a handshake is the only contract we need. There’s no purchase agreement. There’s no win-loss clause. It’s a handshake, and then it’s done. That’s very rare in today’s world.

So, I tell stories through that lens.

What is a modern-day cowboy? A modern-day cowboy is somebody who has managed to find a way to make a living horseback in the 21st century. And it turns out there’s a lot more of them than we thought, if you look at the popularity of the horse shows.

The authenticity in a show like 1883 or Yellowstone was critical to me. Whenever anybody was on a horse, I filmed it and treated it with respect because it’s true. Every trainer I know in the horse industry would call me and tell me every single thing I did wrong if I didn’t.

I did that because I knew 20,000 people on this planet would notice out of the 20 million who watched the show. They’d say, “That’s a Clapper bit,” and they’d know it was authentic.

And the people who don’t know would still know it feels right, even if they don’t know why.

You can tell. I could take two cowboys and 10 random people, stick them all on a horse, and put 20 people from New York City in the stands who’ve never seen either. They’d pick out the cowboys every time.

Q - I think you have redefined the modern cowboy. Because, number one, you’ve shown people who that really is at different levels between the reining and the cutting and the cow horse.

You’ve also shown people who the modern cowboy really is by having Rocker Steiner win the bareback at your event last year, which was spectacular, and by showing the ranch teams doing their thing.

By giving them space on television and in movies, you’ve shown a world that didn’t even know what a real cowboy was. I think you’ve redefined, for America and maybe the world, what the modern cowboy is by showing them who the modern cowboy really is, not the stereotype of the “chewing-tobaccospitting dumbass” movies often portrayed.

TS - Well, I think better than saying I redefined it, I think we had never been accurately defined to begin with.

Everybody who was making westerns, they were from Hollywood. They didn’t know, and they didn’t care to know. They weren’t trying to make it look authentic.

What they were trying to do was twist it to the narrative that fit their story, as opposed to twisting the story to fit the narrative of the cowboy, which is what I always strive to do.

I think that’s palatable now.

There was the original cowboy work, and then in the middle it was disregarded it wasn’t going to be entertaining.

We figured out how to make it entertaining and realistic, and true to the subject matter.

Q - Final thoughts?

TS - I do things differently. I don’t have creative producers. No one tells me what to write. But I have no ego. If I don’t know something, I ask experts. I care about accuracy. That’s what matters.

Isabel May - 1883

Before Taylor Sheridan became the creative force behind Yellowstone and a rising empire of gritty Western storytelling, he was just another actor hustling for screen time in Hollywood. One of his very first roles?

A guest appearance on Walker, Texas Ranger and fans might be surprised to learn just how strong his debut was.

In Season 3’s episode titled “War Zone,” Sheridan plays a small but memorable role as a local named Vernon. Airing in the mid-1990s, the episode marked his television debut years before he’d become a household name.

Triannon Jareb in ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’ (2004)

Before cowboy hats and cattle drives, Taylor Sheridan took a detour through deep space. In 2004, he appeared in Star Trek: Enterprise as Jareb, a fanatical follower from the alien planet Triannon.

The episode Season 3, Episode 12, “Chosen Realm” centered on a group of religious extremists who hijack the Enterprise, intending to use the

THE ACTOR

David Hale in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008-2010)

Danny Boyd in ‘Veronica Mars’ (2005-2007)

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

Taylor Sheridan stirred up serious trouble as Danny Boyd in Veronica Mars, appearing in five episodes throughout Season 2. As a rough-edged enforcer tied to the Fitzpatrick crime family, Danny wasn’t just a hired thug he was smart, calculating, and dangerous in all the quiet ways that make a character memorable.

NCIS Captain Jennings in ‘NCIS: Los Anglese’ (2011)

NCIS: Los Angeles thrives on espionage and fast-paced twists, and guest stars often play pivotal roles in unraveling complex cases. Sheridan’s performance as Jennings was a textbook example: brief, focused, and straight to the point.

Long before Yellowstone and 1883, Taylor Sheridan took one of his first steps into Western TV on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and in hindsight, it feels like destiny.

In Season 6, Episode 3 (“A Matter of Conscience”), Sheridan appeared as Corporal Winters, a uniformed military man tangled in the town’s politics during a tense sheriff transition.

Hell or High Water (2016)

Hell or High Water marked a revival for the modern Western. Sheridan’s writing stripped the genre down to its raw essentials grit, loss, and honor and breathed new life into it. The film opened the gates for what would become his storytelling empire: Yellowstone, 1883,

Before Yellowstone crowned him as the king of modern Westerns, Taylor Sheridan was patrolling the gritty streets of Charming as Deputy David Hale on Sons of Anarchy. With his pressed suit, polished badge, and unshakable moral compass, Hale stood tall in a world drowning in gray areas and biker chaos. In a show built on outlaw brotherhood, gun deals, and backroom power plays, Hale was a rare constant a symbol of order trying to stand firm in a town built on compromise. Chief Unser nicknamed him “Captain America,” and it fit. Hale believed in the rule of law.

1923, and more.

Off camera, Sheridan walks the talk. He supplies horses for his productions, trains actors in cowboy craft, and created The Last Cowboy, a competitive reining series showcasing real riders. He doesn’t just write about cowboys he is one.

His cameo in Hell or High Water may have lasted seconds, but it felt personal. A quiet nod to his roots, and a reminder that behind every Sheridan script is a man who’s lived the life he’s putting on screen.

Charles Goodnight in ‘1883’ (2022)

Taylor Sheridan’s cameo as Charles Goodnight in 1883 may have been brief, but it was unforgettable. Appearing in Episode 7, “Lightning Yellow Hair,” he rode in like a frontier avenger cool, commanding, and perfectly timed to rescue the Duttons from certain danger. It was a bold move, and yes, it was every bit as badass as it sounds.

Goodnight wasn’t just a fictional hero. He was a real-life cattleman and bison rancher who earned his reputation chasing down rustlers and defending the open range.

Cody Spears in ‘Lioness’

Lioness already delivered high-stakes drama, but Sheridan’s appearance gave it an extra layer of weight. It was a reminder that he doesn’t just write the action he’s more than willing to jump into the fire himself.

Travis Wheatley in ‘Yellowstone’ (2018-2024)

THE MOVIES

Taylor Sheridan’s most recognizable and arguably most iconic on-screen role is Travis Wheatley in Yellowstone. It’s a character that mirrors his real life almost too perfectly. Sheridan owns and operates the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Texas, and on the show, he plays the sharp-tongued, nononsense horse trader who runs that very ranch. Travis rides into the story in Season 4 at the request of John Dutton, tasked with mentoring Jimmy on the rodeo circuit and breaking him into the harsh realities of ranch life. Whether he’s training highdollar horses or trading quips in graphic tees that read

“Your girlfriend keeps looking at me,” Travis radiates the unfiltered grit that defines Sheridan’s cowboy brand. Travis only appears in nine episodes, but he leaves a lasting mark.

Sicario (2015) FBI agent joins a government task force to combat Mexican drug cartels.

Hell or High Water (2016) Two brothers rob banks to save their family ranch. Nominated for 4 Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay.

Wind River (2017) Written and Directed by Taylor Sheridan

A tracker and FBI agent investigate a murder on a Native American reservation.

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) Directed by Taylor Sheridan

A firefighter protects a boy pursued by assassins in the Montana wilderness.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) Sequel to Sicario; escalates U.S.Mexico drug war.

6666 BEVERAGES

Taylor Sheridan’s 6666 Grit & Glory craft beers are brewed with simplicity and quality in mind, grounding each can in traditional ingredients elevated by regional character. The core components across the lineup include pure spring water reportedly sourced from Texan springs on or near the ranch malted barley (locally sourced), and noble and Texas-grown hops. For example, the classic Pilsner is hopped with Saaz hops, lending it a crisp, mildly bitter profile, while the Hazy Session IPA uses Azacca hops along with tropical mango and citrus flavor notes

Each beer is brewed employing traditional lagering and fermentation techniques, with careful attention to malt-to-hop balance. The Amber Lager features Vienna-style malts that produce caramel and toasted bread aromas, balanced by noble hop bitterness. Minimal adjuncts or artificial additives are used these are straightforward, malt-driven beers with pure water and hops doing most of the legwork.

In short, Grit & Glory beers are crafted with water, malted barley, hops, and yeast only, staying true to format styles like Pilsner, Amber Lager, and Hazy IPA without fancy extras just honest beer with ranch heritage.

Availability has grown rapidly since the brand’s 2023 launch. 6666 Grit & Glory is now sold in more than 38 states through major retailers like Kroger, Albertsons, Tom Thumb, Ralph’s, Jewel-Osco, and Sprouts. Walmart recently signed on for nationwide distribution.

Taylor Sheridan’s 6666 Grit & Glory

Vodka Cocktails are ready-to-drink, canned cocktails that embody the rugged spirit of the ranch lifestyle. Crafted with a premium, 7×-distilled vodka base, these drinks prioritize smoothness and refreshment while staying true to classic flavor profiles.

The lineup includes beloved favorites like the American Mule, which combines the vodka with spicy ginger and tangy citrus for a crisp, effervescent finish, and the Paloma, offering the refreshing blend of grapefruit and lime with an underlying warmth typically associated with tequila though this version is uniquely vodka-based.

Each cocktail clocks in at about 5.9% ABV and is presented in a 12 oz can for convenient enjoyment.

These cocktails use pure vodka, natural flavors, real fruit juice, and just a touch of caramel color (in some varieties)

. They’re light, refreshing, and effortlessly portable ideal for sipping by the fire, at rodeos, or anywhere you want a no-fuss, ranch-inspired cocktail in a can.

Ranch Water from 6666 Grit & Glory is a nod to cowboy tradition with a bold modern twist, born straight from the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. Developed under Taylor Sheridan’s lifestyle brand, 6666 Ranch Water captures the spirit of West Texas grit and hard-earned refreshment. This ready-to-drink canned

THE WHISKEY

THE AUTHENTIC, AWARD-WINNING WHISKEY INSPIRED BY THE AMERICAN COWBOY

Four Sixes Whiskey is thrilled to celebrate several recent awards since its December 2024 debut; most recently bestowed a Double Gold Medal from The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) as well as named as a finalist for Best of Class American Blended Whiskey: recognizing the whiskey’s unique quality, craftsmanship, and distinction in the spirits industry. In addition to these prestigious honors, the Four Sixes Whiskey received a Silver Medal from the Denver International Spirits Competition.

Inspired by the cowboys of the Four Sixes Ranch, the Four Sixes Whiskey is a part of a new line of premium spirits to carry the iconic Four Sixes brand name. Taylor Sheridan, in partnership with the leading global spirits producer, Sazerac Company, crafted Four Sixes Spirits with the intention of showcasing “...an artistry that is essential to a life lived [on] horseback.”.

Recognizing both globally renowned distilleries and rising small-batch producers, SFWSC stands as the most prestigious competition in the world. Through an expert panel of seasoned judges from The Tasting Alliance, SFWSC sets the industry standard for excellence. The winner will be announced at the Top Shelf Awards Gala on Sunday, November 9th.

The Four Sixes Whiskey offers notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, dark fruit, and toasted marshmallow. Its aroma combines honey, caramel, brown sugar, leather, tobacco, vanilla, and oak, leading to a velvety, sweet finish with hints of honey, maple, toasted marshmallow, and roasted chestnut. Stored in 750mL glass bottles, and made with an intentional 46% ABV, the whiskey bottle pays tribute to champion Quarter Horse, Quahadi, a notable horse from the Four Sixes Ranch.

The Four Sixes Spirits (Vodka & Whiskey) are currently being sold at retail price to retailers, bars and restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma and Nevada. By the end of 2025, the Four Sixes Spirits are expected to expand distribution throughout the United States.

cocktail blends sparkling water, premium tequila, and natural lime flavor to create a clean, crisp drink that’s as refreshing as a cold breeze across the plains after a long day in the saddle.

Unlike sugary seltzers, 6666 Ranch Water keeps things simple and authentic just three ingredients, no nonsense. It’s low in calories, gluten-free, and designed for those who prefer their drink like they prefer their cattle: no fluff, all substance. Whether you’re kicking back around the campfire, tailgating before a rodeo, or relaxing after a long ride, Ranch Water delivers a taste that feels right at home in the American West.

6666 BEEF

6666 Beef – The Four Sixes Ranch Brand Beef this premium direct-to-consumer meat offering from the historic Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas has quickly become one of the most respected names in the high-end beef market. Founded on the legendary legacy of the Four Sixes, which dates back to 1870, the brand has been elevated under the broader vision of Taylor Sheridan, who has brought its heritage, craftsmanship, and grit to a national audience. Today, the Four Sixes name stands as a symbol of unwavering quality and authentic Western traditionqualities now embedded in every steak, brisket, and ground beef package that leaves their ranch.

YELLOWSTONE CROSSWORDS

The 6666 Beef program is dedicated to delivering restaurantgrade beef directly to consumers’ doorsteps, bypassing middlemen and ensuring unparalleled freshness and quality control. Sourced from cattle raised on the ranch’s sprawling 260,000-acre West Texas operation and carefully selected partner ranches who share the same exacting standards, the program represents a thoughtful balance of tradition and innovation. In recent years, the operation has leaned heavily into Angus-dominant genetics, prized for their exceptional marbling, consistency, and flavor profile. The result is USDA Prime and Choice cuts that embody the craftsmanship the Four Sixes brand has stood for over 150 years.

A cornerstone of their commitment to excellence is the brand’s USDA “Certified Tender” designation. This prestigious certification means each cut has passed rigorous standards for texture and consistency—without the use of chemical tenderizers or mechanical processing. Each cut is also dry- or wet-aged for at least 21 days, allowing flavors to develop fully while achieving the buttery tenderness you would expect at the nation’s top steakhouses. This careful approach to breeding, feeding, and aging creates beef that stands apart for its depth of flavor and guaranteed tenderness.

The product line, available exclusively online at 6666steak.com, offers an extensive variety to satisfy both everyday cooks and seasoned pitmasters. Customers can choose from beautifully cut ribeyes, striploins, tomahawk steaks, filets, and briskets to premium ground beef, sampler boxes, and curated BBQ packs designed for entertaining. Each order ships directly from the ranch in eco-friendly, temperature-controlled packaging that ensures your beef arrives in peak condition, no matter where you live.

ACROSS

2. Western sport often featured on the show.

3. Fierce daughter of John Dutton, known for her sharp wit and loyalty.

4. The state where Yellowstone is set.

6. What the Duttons protect at all costs.

9. Last name of the show’s creator and writer.

11. Remote ranching post where Rip tests new recruits.

16. Chief of the Broken Rock Reservation.

17. Kayce’s wife and Native American educator.

19. Euphemism for where Yellowstone sends traitors to disappear.

20. Adopted Dutton son with a troubled relationship with his family.

25. The network that airs Yellowstone.

29. Young ranch hand who gets sent to the Four Sixes Ranch.

30. Cowboy who causes conXict at the bunkhouse.

31. A ranch gate design to prevent livestock from crossing.

33. Longtime cowboy at the Yellowstone ranch.

34. Former rodeo cowboy turned reluctant ranch hand.

36. The land everyone is Yghting over.

37. Market Equities operative who manipulates Jamie.

39. Tough female ranch hand with a thick accent.

DOWN

1. The rough and ready men working the Dutton land.

3. Mark of loyalty burned onto the chest of Yellowstone ranch hands.

5. Core skill required for every Yellowstone ranch hand.

7. Name of the iconic ranch and the TV series.

8. Political role pursued by John Dutton.

10. Last name of the powerful ranching family at the heart of Yellowstone.

12. Powerful company trying to take Yellowstone land.

13. Jamie’s biological father with a violent past.

14. Land governed by Chief Rainwater and the Broken Rock tribe.

15. Troubled teen taken in by Beth and Rip.

18. Seasoned cowboy and trusted Dutton family friend.

21. Ritual to induct loyalty among ranch hands.

22. Former rodeo queen turned political candidate.

23. Chief Rainwater’s trusted driver and advisor.

24. Legendary Texas ranch where Jimmy is sent to mature.

26. Market Equities executive and powerful antagonist.

27. Love interest of Jimmy while training in Texas.

28. Where the Yellowstone ranch crew lives and blows off steam.

32. Former Navy SEAL and John Dutton’s youngest son.

35. Kayce and Monica’s son, the youngest Dutton heir.

38. Ranch enforcer and Beth’s love interest.

THE BIG HOUSE

On the sun-drenched plains of Guthrie, Texas, nestled deep within the 260,000acre expanse of the legendary Four Sixes Ranch, stands the imposing yet inviting Big Housea ranch mansion as storied as the land it commands. Built to endure the harshness of the West and the weight of legacy, the house has watched over generations of cowboys, cattle drives, and quiet revolutions in American ranching. But what makes this house more than just an icon of Texas architecture is who has walked through its heavy oak doors; ranch hands, presidents, Hollywood producers, and even a Native American figure of extraordinary significance whose visit left a permanent mark on the land’s cultural memory.

Quanah Parker was uniquely suited to navigate the cultural crosscurrents of his time. He visited the Four Sixes not as a conquered enemy but as a respected leader and personal friend to Burk Burnett, the ranch’s founder. Burnett and Parker had forged a rare bond one based on mutual respect, land stewardship, and shared ties to the rugged terrain of the

The House Itself: More Than Bricks and Beams

Constructed in the early 20th century, the Four Sixes Ranch headquarters often simply called “The Big House” was designed to be both stately and functional. Built of solid red brick with wide porches and tall windows to capture the sweeping breeze, the home is a monument to the grit, ambition, and enduring spirit of West Texas. Inside, hardwood floors creak with stories, and the walls are lined with aged photographs, hand-woven rugs, and relics of a bygone era tools, saddles, and documents that trace the transformation of the ranch from a cattle empire into a cultural symbol.

Though the Four Sixes has become closely tied in recent years to Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, its legend stretches back well before television fame rooted in a brand first registered by Samuel Burk Burnett in 1870. The house has long served as the nerve center of the ranch’s operations and a gathering place for conversations that helped shape the cattle industry, and at times, the wider American West.

The Visit of Quanah Parker: Chief, Ranch Guest, Bridge Between Worlds

they were personal. They included long talks on the porch, shared meals, and discussions of cattle, water rights, and the future of Native lands.

Their friendship was so influential that President Theodore Roosevelt another guest at the ranch once joined them both for a historic hunting trip in the Wichita Mountains. That gathering symbolized something profound: a moment in time when a Comanche chief, a Texas cattle baron, and a U.S. president could sit side by side in a shared respect for land, tradition, and the evolving American identity.

Among the most famous visitors to the Four Sixes was Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche and a figure who bridged the old world of the Plains and the new America that rose after the Indian Wars. A skilled warrior, master diplomat, and the son of a Comanche chief and a white settler woman (Cynthia Ann Parker),

A Living Symbol of the West

Today, the Big House stands not just as a relic, but as a living embodiment of what the Four Sixes has always represented; resilience, reinvention, and reverence for history. Its rooms have echoed with the laughter of cowboys, the clink of branding irons, the scratch of pens signing land deals, and the soft creak of leather boots pacing out tough decisions. It’s a place where hard work is honored, legends are welcomed, and the land itself is given a voice.

The legacy of Quanah Parker’s visits still whispers through the halls—a reminder that the story of the American West is not one of a single culture or creed, but of complex relationships, unlikely friendships, and a shared destiny written on the open range.

As the Four Sixes continues to evolve under Sheridan’s watchful eye and in the bright light of global attention it’s worth remembering that the Big House is more than a set piece. It’s a sanctuary of history, a quiet witness to monumental change, and a place where Texas and American history continue to ride side by side.

Taylor Sheridan acquired the movie rights to ‘Empire Of The Summer Moon’, Expected to Write & Direct Epic On Comanche Leader Quanah & Rise And Fall Of Old West’s Fiercest Tribe

MS Diamonds TX: A Passion, A Vision, and a Dream Come True

By Simona Diale, International Horse Press

Since 2019, Oded Fein of MS Diamonds TX has been adding an extraordinary touch to The Run For A Million – Million Dollar Competition by presenting the owner of the Champion horse with the “yellow stone” trophy ring, honoring their dedication, passion, and triumph.

Fein — raised with a passion for horses and owner of the 2018 NRBC Open Classic Champion, Modern Gun — presented the idea of a trophy ring, the first in equestrian sports, early in 2016 to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) honoring both the horse and the owner of the NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion. When he first heard about the concept of The Run For A Million, he immediately envisioned what the Champion’s Trophy Ring would look like.

“First of all, I am thrilled that the collaboration between us has come such a long way thanks to Taylor Sheridan who believed in us since the very beginning,” says Fein. “It has been quite a ride since we first offered this one-of-a-kind, unique, handcrafted ring inspired by the deep traditions of the Western horse, Yellowstone, and The Last Cowboy, here in Vegas. By adding reining to the list of professional sports where the ring symbolizes victory, we’ve created a lasting testament to the dedication of riders and owners alike on the stage of the richest event in the history of reining.”

Involved in the jewelry and equestrian world, Fein finds his inspiration in designing the custommade pieces from his passion for both. The vast inventory of MS Diamonds TX jewelry tells a story, as does the TRFAM Championship ring. Nearly 10 carats of diamond brilliants, anchored by a 1.58 carat cushion yellow stone — tribute to the show that started it all — features a spinning central ring inspired by the reining horse spins. The shape of the outside ring symbolizes a motion picture camera:

“We wanted to set a new award in the performance horse industry with 121 diamonds for a total of 10 carats of commitment to the sport of reining and I believe we did,” says Fein who personally contributed to the design. “As a horse owner, I felt that it was essential to recognize the vital role owners play behind the scenes, which is why the ring here goes to the owner of the Champion horse.”

Building on this commitment to the sport, Fein also took his contribution on a global level in 2022 by creating a custommade trophy ring for the NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Open Champions, rider and owner. “We felt it was important to sponsor international events, and the European Futurity was a perfect start,” Fein explained.

Through the years, Fein has been quick to expand MS Diamonds TX’s impact in the western realm, continuously seeking new ways to honor excellence and dedication within the sport. Last year, Fein took his vision even further by awarding the Champion Trophy Rings to the riders of The American Performance Horseman winning team. The event, which brings together the disciplines of reining, cutting, and reined cow horse, celebrates the collaborative spirit and multi-discipline talent that define western performance sports. Never one to rest on his accomplishments, Fein once again elevated the brand’s presence in 2025 by producing The American Rodeo’s first Million Dollar Contender Champion’s ring. This addition solidified MS Diamonds TX’s commitment to recognizing the achievements of top competitors in one of the most prestigious rodeo events: “Being part of these incredible sports is a great honor, and I am blessed to be able to share my passion for horses, diamonds, and handmade jewelry with the industry.”

About MS Diamonds TX

MS Diamonds TX by Sleipnir is an international company specializing in handcrafted and custom-made jewelry. Each piece, made with passion by expert artisans, tells a story, and the vast inventory of diamonds, cut and polished at the highest standards of craftsmanship, crowns each piece. The renowned company offers a large inventory of jewels at their booth at The Run For A Million, as it does at other major events. The MS Diamonds TX by Sleipnir showroom, located in Dallas, Texas, displays the passion behind each piece of jewelry. View the collections online at SLEIPNIRWORLD.com

Fein at the 2024 Ring Presentation

Fein with his daughter Darya

The first draft of TRFAM ring

Lyle Lovett - the Singing Caballero

A caballero is a horseman. Lyle Lovett has won four Grammy Awards, including Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Album.

The first time I saw Lyle he was walking between Barn 1 and Barn 6 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, but I wasn’t sure it was him.

It was 2006 at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) futurity. This guy that looked like Lyle Lovett wore a cowboy hat. He was walking north next to barn 6.

He was walking fast, but he had a hitch in his get along - a bit of a limp. More on that later. I was in the veterinarian office next to barn 1 across the street.

Now, when I say “office” I say that facetiously. The OKC fairgrounds “vet office” was an old, and I mean old, 2 stall MD barn with a 12 by 12 exam area and a palpation chute.

It was torn down in the early 2010’s along with barn 1 and 2 to build the 1000 plus stall “superbarn” of today. Good riddance!

By Joe Carter DVM

into the barn door only to reappear again after a few minutes. It was November. It was cold. My feet were wet and it was the end of the day. I was ready to head home.

It was cold and rainy. I was a hunkered down. Because of the weather, things were kinda slow meaning there was not much vet work to do.

Being a bit bored, I watched the guy in the cowboy hat with a bit of a limp. I thought to myself, “that guy looks like Lyle Lovett.”

You see, you see a lot of “movie stars” at the horse shows in Oklahoma City so nothing surprises me. I was kinda use to it. Everyone around Oklahoma talks about OU football games and the Thunder basketball games, but I would bet you lunch more movie stars and Billionaires have come thru the doors of the “Horse Show Capital of the World” aka the OKC fairgrounds than any other event venue in Oklahoma.

I kept watching the guy and soon he disappeared into barn 9 at the north end of the showgrounds. I shrugged my shoulders, kinda blew the sighting off, shook off the cold and tried to move around a little bit. But a few minutes later here he comes again. Now he has left barn 9 and is walking south on the sidewalk back towards Barn 6.

He walked the entire length of the complex, which is a good quarter mile long. As he gets to the south end, he disappears

When he emerged from Barn 6 he looked my way. I didn’t want to be perceived as rude so I quickly turned.

I didn’t want him to think I was staring, because I was staring.

I said to my assistant, “that guy that looks like Lyle Lovett is heading this way.”

Sure enough, when I turned back around he was standing at the “door.” And when I say door I mean the 12 foot by 12 foot gap in the wall that let the northwest wind blow into the “office” with all its might.

“Excuse me, do you know where Tim McQuay’s stalls are located?” he said.

“Yes, they are across the way in Barn 1 about 1/2 way down on the left,” I said. He tipped his hat and smiled this huge smile and was about to say, “thank you.”

With that smile, that’s when I knew I had just informally met Lyle Lovett.

LYLE LOVETT

Lyle Lovett has won four Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album (1996 for The Road to Ensenada), Best Country Duo/Group with Vocal (1994 for “Blues For Dixie” with the Texas swing group Asleep at the Wheel), Best Pop Vocal Collaboration (1994 for “Funny How Time Slips Away” with Al Green) and Best Country Male Vocal (1989 for Lyle Lovett and His Large Band) according to Wikipedia.

Esquire magazine once said: “The secret of Lyle Lovett’s endurance comes down to the three C’s: class, charisma and consistency. In the studio and on stage with his giant orchestra, he’s spent decades gracefully matching genuine songcraft with A-list musicianship.”

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band played in Oklahoma City last month before a packed house at The Criterion. They played for almost three hours and were delightful.

COACH SWITZER

Legendary University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer has been a Lyle Lovett fan since

L -R Lyle Lovett, Truman Arnold (9), Joe Carter DVM, Hudson Carter (9), Coach Barry Switzer.

MORE Lyle Lovett

1986. In ‘86 he met him at - where else? - the OKC Fairgrounds.

“They had Lyle in a little old travel trailer stuck behind the stage at the state fair. I was a big fan of his so I went up and knocked on his door,” said Switzer. And so began a friendship that has lasted 40 years.

“After the show I took him around and introduced him to people. I even helped him sell his t-shirts,” said the guy with 3 NCAA and 1 Super Bowl ring. That story says a lot about both of these guys.

Switzer introduced Lovett on stage that night.

SMART AND SHINEY

SMART AND SHINEY

(SMART SHINER out of TRONAS PEARL by DOCS

HICKORY) was born in 2003. He is Lyle’s stunning Palomino Stallion that was shown by famed reining horse trainer Tim McQuay. He had made the finals of the 2006 NRHA futurity. That’s why Lyle had flown into Oklahoma City. He wanted to see them.

As Lyle was about to say “thank you” I interrupted him and asked, “aren’t you Lyle Lovett?”

I could immediately tell this guy had a sense of humor and

loved his horse. SMART AND SHINEY ended up top 10 at the futurity and before his show career was over he earned over $150,000. He has gone on to become one of the industry’s top sires with his offspring earning over $1.1 million.

They even made a Breyer Horse model in his name and likeness.

Lyle never seems to be in a hurry. Even though he is spread thin. He’s a travellin’ man you can’t tie him down.

After a few minutes of conversation I asked him, “do you have a rock in your boot or do you need a good vet?”

He laughed, “oh my Uncle Calvin’s bull got me down a couple years ago. Messed my knee up, but I could always use a good vet!” So began not just a friendship, but a professional relationship that carries on to this day.

If you ever get the chance to see Lyle Lovett live and in concert just go do it. The class, the humor, the storytelling and music is unparalleled. He’s a horseman’s horseman - a Caballero’s Cantador - which makes it even better.

Joe Carter

New documentary “LANE: Life Legend Legacy”

By James Phillips | COO & Co-Founder, Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation

As someone who grew up watching “8 Seconds” – the 1994 movie that introduced so many of us to the life of Lane Frost – I had no idea back then just how deeply his story would become part of mine. I was about eight years old when it came out, and little did I know that I would end up watching that movie so many times I could quote it nearly word for word.

Brings depth and perspective to legendary bull rider’s impact

Lane was the 1987 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, and Red Rock was the 1987 PRCA World Champion Bucking Bull. In 1988, stock contractor John Growney—who owned Red Rock—put together the Challenge of Champions, a seven-match series between the two reigning world champions on each side of the bull rope. Until that point, Red Rock had been attempted 309 times without ever being ridden for a full eight seconds in any professional competition.

As I got older, my interest in bull riding only grew. In middle and high school, some of my closest friends began attending practice pens and bull riding schools, and I devoured every instructional VHS and DVD I could find. I wanted to learn everything there was to know.

The summer before my sophomore year of high school, my family and I, along with a few friends, made a sixhour drive to Lane, Oklahoma, to visit the Frost Handy Mart, which was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frost. I had a speech assignment coming up on someone famous that I admired, and Lane Frost was at the top of my list.

Miss Elsie welcomed us with kindness, gave us a few Cowboy Bibles, graciously answered what must have been the millionth round of questions she’s received over the years, and even took a picture with me. That was a moment I’ll never forget.

Fast forward to 2016. On our way to the PBR’s Last Cowboy Standing and The American at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a traveling companion and I made a detour to Hugo, Oklahoma, to pay our respects at the resting places of both Lane Frost and Freckles Brown— two legends whose names still echo through the rodeo world.

The best documentary ever made on a Western icon who continues to influence today’s stars.

You see, Lane’s story is personal to me. I’ve seen every film, every interview, every documentary I could get my hands on. I’ve studied his instructional videos. I’ve watched Bull Talk and heard his voice share the techniques and mindset that made him great. I’ve seen “A Mother’s Story” told by Elsie Frost, and I’ve watched “The Challenge of Champions,” which chronicles one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of rodeo.

That all changed on May 20, 1988, in Redding, California, where Lane Frost finally conquered Red Rock in the first event of the Challenge of Champions. He would go on to ride Red Rock successfully in four of the seven matchups. The Challenge of Champions was more than entertainment— it was history in the making, and Lane added yet another jewel to his crown.

I don’t need to describe my excitement in learning that a new documentary, “LANE: Life Legend Legacy” is available for fans to stream.

In short, this film, in my view, is the best documentary that I’ve personally ever seen on Lane Frost.

It’s also one of the finest pieces of storytelling I’ve ever seen in the Western sports industry. Featuring modern bull riding stars like Sage Kimzey, Josh Frost, and two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney, as well as country music superstar Cody Johnson—himself a former bull rider—the film bridges generations beautifully.

It was moving to hear incredible stories I’d never heard before, and to meet new faces through the screen who were impacted by Lane’s life and legacy. The documentary also shows the men who influenced Lane: his father, Clyde Frost; his mentor, Freckles Brown; and even Donnie Gay, the only eighttime world champion bull rider in the history of bull riding to date, who shared a touching memory of a 10-year-old Lane telling him he wanted to grow up to be just like him. Years later, Donnie would say he wished he could be more like Lane.

We hear from Wes Ward, who traveled with Lane early on and maybe even competed alongside him professionally. It was great to meet Lane’s brother-in-law for the first time and to see Kellie on screen for the first time as well. Hearing about how their relationship began as friends, endured the ups and downs of marriage, and how God drew them closer together before Lane’s death was incredibly moving.

As I sat and watched, one thought kept coming to mind: Every professional athlete in every sport should learn about Lane Frost. He set the standard not just in performance, but in character. Lane understood that if people didn’t buy a ticket, he couldn’t make a living. He treated fans with kindness, respect, and always greeted them with a smile—no matter how tired or beat up he might’ve been.

That’s one of the biggest takeaways from this documentary: to always be kind, always be respectful, and never forget where you came from.

It’s safe to say that legends like Jim Sharp, Tuff Hedeman, Clint Branger, Ty Murray, Cody Lambert, and others recognized—at least somewhere in the back of their minds—that bull riding could eventually stand alone as its own sport. Would the PBR still have happened without Lane Frost? Oh yeah, most likely. But would it have had the heart, humility, and approachability we see in our athletes today? That’s hard to say—and thankfully, we don’t have to.

There were a lot of things I didn’t know about Lane until watching this film— for example, that he was dyslexic and couldn’t spell well. I did know that Kellie had a miscarriage, but it’s something that hasn’t been talked about much outside of maybe “A Mother’s Story.” This documentary doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—and that’s one of its many strengths.

Hearing from people like Kendra Santos as she recalled that tragic day—July 30, 1989—was heartbreaking. We also hear from Dr. Skip Ross and others who were working in the arena that fateful day in Cheyenne. One of the most difficult moments in the film is when Tuff describes having to tell Lane’s mother that her son had passed… and then having to tell Kellie that she’d lost her husband. The pain in his voice still cuts deep, all these years later.

riding and his passion for helping others learn the fundamentals needed to succeed as professional riders.

His cousins Joe and Josh Frost—who are brothers and both National Finals Rodeo qualifiers—are now carrying the torch. Lane is no longer the only world champion in the Frost family. Josh is the reigning 2024 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider and will compete as a key rider for Oklahoma Wildcatters in the 2025 PBR Teams league. The Frost Legacy Bull Riding Schools are offered online and occasionally in person, preserving Lane’s legacy through education and mentorship.

One thing I wish this documentary had included—because it was such a remarkable and often overlooked moment—is the fact that Lane, along with Tuff Hedeman and others, participated in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. To my knowledge, it’s the only time rodeo has ever been featured in any form at the Olympics. It was a major step forward in showcasing our sport to the world, and of course, Lane was right in the middle of it.

This July will mark 36 years since Lane’s passing in Cheyenne, but his name still echoes far beyond the chutes. Even people who don’t follow rodeo know who Lane Frost is.

Yes, Hollywood and “8 Seconds” played a big role in that—but for those who want to dig deeper, to hear the real stories from the people who lived them, this documentary is the way to do it.

Whether you’re a diehard fan or someone who just stumbled across “8 Seconds” for the first time, this film belongs on your watchlist. It’s not just a documentary—it’s a living tribute. It’s something you’ll want to revisit again and again.

One thing the Frost family is most proud of is the fact that Lane accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior about a year prior to his death.

After “8 Seconds” came out, the Frost family was overwhelmed with phone calls and messages from people saying the film made them rethink their relationship with someone—whether it was a father, a mother, a sibling, or a friend. The impact was so strong that a church reached out to the family asking permission to produce a Bible with Lane’s picture on the front. They’d call it a “Cowboy Bible.”

I also loved how the film transitioned between the original Bull Talk footage and interviews from today—showing how Lane’s kindness and riding style still inspire the likes of J.B. Mauney and Cassio Dias, who wore the chaps of his idol, Lane Frost, during his 2024 Championship run, and others.

The arena where the famous Bull Talk instructional video was filmed still stands today and was Lane’s personal practice pen. The next generation of Frosts have continued Lane’s love of bull

Though it’s officially a Living New Testament, the message remains timeless. Lane wasn’t perfect – no one is – and the Frosts want people to understand that while his photo is on the cover it is not to glorify him, but to offer something meaningful. It’s for folks who might never pick up a Bible until they see Lane’s face and feel inspired to read it.

Learn more about Lane Frost and request a free Cowboy Bible at lanefrost.com, where you’ll also find official apparel, cologne, and more.

Jim Paul Sr.: A Lasting Legacy in the Reined Cow Horse World

The legacy of Jim Paul Sr. is etched into the very foundation of reined cow horse history. His influence spans generations of riders and horses, with many of today’s top Non Pro and Open competitors tracing their success back to Jim’s expert mentorship.

Born June 1, 1937, in Sacramento, California, to Henry and Edna Paul, Jim began riding at an early age. He spent his childhood at the stables of Hall of Fame horsewoman Barbara Worth Oakford, eager to mount any horse she would let him ride. That early exposure shaped the beginning of a lifelong devotion to horsemanship.

At age 22, Jim launched his public training career in Scottsdale, Arizona. By the mid-1960s, he was a key leader in the development of reined cow horse events in the Southwest, serving as President of the newly formed Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association. In the 1970s, Jim was a driving force behind the first Arizona Snaffle Bit Futurity. He and fellow horseman John Hoyt not only organized events but even hauled their own cattle to shows to ensure cow horse classes could be held.

Jim was present at the pivotal 1968 meeting where the Snaffle Bit Futurity was born. He served on the NRCHA Board of Directors from 1968 to 1971, and later joined Bobby Ingersoll, Smoky Pritchett, Skip Brown, and Dema ClarkPaul in developing the first NRCHA Case Book. His expertise made him the natural choice as the first judge’s monitor at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity in 1983, and he played a foundational role in the first judges’ seminar in Gridley, California.

His judging résumé is second to none. Jim judged the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity four times, the World’s Greatest Horseman three times, and

the Magnificent 7 twice. His judging talents took him across the country to prestigious events including the NRCHA Derby, Hawaii Snaffle Bit Futurity, High Desert, Wyoming, and Idaho Futurities, as well as the inaugural All-Around Stock Horse Contest in Long Beach, California.

More than a trainer or judge, Jim Paul was a gifted teacher. Many well-known trainers apprenticed under him, including Al Dunning, Cal Cooper, Debbie Phelan Cooper, Jimmie Paul, and Randy Paul. But the rider who may have benefited most from Jim’s instruction was his wife, Dema Paul. Until the 1980s, she had never made the Open Finals at the NRCHA Futurity. With Jim’s help and the training of standout horses like Missy Tucker, Tuckers Bayou, Cant Find My Sock, and Shiners Dulena, she rose to become a force in the arena— something she credits entirely to Jim’s guidance.

Jim’s horses were shown successfully by a long list of accomplished riders, including Bobby Ingersoll, Jane Tatum, Brenda Brown, Jimmie Paul, Sherri Gilkerson, and Randy Paul. His far-reaching impact on the sport is matched only by the respect he earned throughout the industry.

In addition to his horsemanship, Jim was a master craftsman. His finely forged bits and spurs are prized by top riders and are part of what made his contributions to the sport so unique. His artistry in metalwork was as precise and respected was his eye for a horse.

Reflecting on his induction into the NRCHA Hall of Fame, Jim said, “I would like to thank the committee and the directors for considering my nomination, and for accepting me into the Hall of Fame. I am very honored that they chose me.”

From his early days in Sacramento to the pinnacle of cow horse competition, Jim Paul Sr. remained a true pioneer, mentor, and master of his craft—leaving an enduring legacy on the sport he helped shape.

“Where Champions Are Crowned”

Arizona Fall Championship Awards Highlight

There’s a reason the Arizona Fall Championship is known across the country as The Show That Delivers. With tens of thousands of dollars in added money, exquisitely crafted buckles, high-end tack, and exclusive gifts from the industry’s most respected brands, the 2025 edition once again raised the bar— and then some. Exhibitors from every level and background came to Scottsdale to compete, connect, and claim their share of one of the most rewarding prize lineups in the western show circuit.

Saddles, Cash & Prestige: High Point Honors

Among the most coveted prizes at this year’s event were the Superior Saddles awarded to top High Point competitors in several divisions. Sponsored by Roberts Ranch, Beth Clemons Performance Horses, and Sarah Faught Performance Horses, these beautiful saddles were awarded to Level 1 Non-Pro, Amateur, and Select Amateur High Point riders who showed excellence across a broad range of halter, rail, and pattern classes.

Ranch Horse Riches

Ranch horse

competitors had more opportunities than ever before to show and earn.

The Markel Insurance $10,000 3-Year-Old Ranch Horse Sweepstakes and the Kimes Ranch $10,000

4 & 5-Year-Old Ranch Riding Derby saw top-tier competition from across the country. Buckles, spurs, and bronc halters went to the best of the best, with generous

payouts to the top five. The Chas Roberts Non-Pro Derby, Marler Performance Sr. Sweepstakes, and multiple sweepstakes for Amateur, Select, and L1 divisions offered more ways to win for ranch exhibitors of all stripes.

Kimes Ranch also stepped up bigtime, sponsoring custom buckles and leather halters for the Ranch High Point Awards across youth divisions—Small Fry, 13 & Under, L1 Youth, and Youth 18 & Under—ensuring young riders were just as celebrated as the pros.

Cow Horse, Cutting & Roping Thrill Crowds

DT Horses’ $15,000 Last Stop Cow Horse Futurity lit up the arena with fierce herd, rein, and cow work. Awards for Limited Riders, sponsored by SJ Ranch and Sami Fine Jewelry, ensured broad recognition. Amateur Boxing and Bridle Spectacular events, backed by Bella Vista Ranch and Bimeda, gave amateur horsemen a taste of elite-level competition with $2,500 in added

When the PBR introduced the draft, giving top riders the power to choose their bulls, JB didn’t look for the easy way to the podium. He picked the bulls nobody wanted—the rankest, wildest, meanest on tour. Why? Because greatness isn’t built on safe rides. It’s forged in the moments when no one else dares. That’s what JB was after: a legacy, not just a scorecard.

the Best in the

West

money each.

Ropers also had a reason to saddle up, with added money in Open and Amateur Team Roping, including $250 bonuses for both heading and heeling on two head. The high-energy, jackpot-style format and 100% payback made every throw count.

All Around Excellence

From trail to pleasure to horsemanship and everything in between, the All Around divisions brought forward Arizona’s most versatile horse and rider teams. Rod Patrick Boots, Cinch Jeans & Shirts, and Professional’s Choice gift certificates from the Bob Avila Collection were awarded to Best of Show Champions and Reserves across all Open, Amateur, Select, L1, and Youth 18 & Under divisions. Even the Green Horse division had its own Best of Show buckle and boot awards, honoring the up-and-comers in style.

Circuit Champions & Vendor Bucks

With six judges on the roster, the show made sure every class had meaningful recognition. Circuit Champion buckles, Equine Oasis gift certificates, and custom outerwear adorned winners and reserves, while Vendor Bucks ($3 for 1st, $2 for 2nd, $1 for 3rd-6th) added a little extra incentive to place under every judge.

Even the Small Fry Walk-Trot division was honored with a full All Around award package—Champion Buckle, Reserve gift certificate, and class prizes—further proving this show is truly “for everyone.”

Learn more at www.azfallchampionship. com

Should he have more than two world titles? Without question. But when you spend your career taking on the nastiest bulls in the game, you’re not padding points— you’re chasing something bigger. That’s why JB isn’t just remembered—he’s revered.

His rivalry with Bushwacker deserves a documentary of its own—a modern-day “Lane vs. Red Rock.” JB squared

off against that legendary bull 13 times during the Built Ford Tough era, never backing down, always looking for another shot at the best. .

Today, JB’s not in the chute— but he’s still in the fight. After earning the PBR Ring of Honor in Oklahoma City, he’s now leading the Oklahoma Wildcatters as head coach, guiding the next generation in the 2025 PBR Team Series. The jersey’s changed, but the fire? Still burns just as bright.

Randy Ratliff with AQHA joins the American Horse

Council Board of Trustees

Randy Ratliff with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), will join the American Horse Council (AHC) Board of Trustees, filling the seat previously held by Ward Stutz of AQHA.

Randy and his wife, Susan, reside in Glencoe, Oklahoma. Ratliff is an AQHA life member, served as a director from 2011-2022 and has served on the AQHA Show and Public Policy committees, as well as chairman of the Nominations and Credentials Committee. He also served on the Affiliate Advisory Board and was elevated to director-at-large in 2023 and is newly elected to AQHA Executive Committee.

Ratliff received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University and recently retired from Syngenta, a global agribusiness corporation. Outside of the horse world, he had served in several positions on agriscience boards, such as the Southern Weed Science Society, where he received a distinguished service award; and the Political Action Committee at Syngenta. He is a pilot and past president of the Shiloh Pilot Association.

In the equine industry, Ratliff is a National Snaffle Bit Association life member and served in leadership positions in the North Carolina Horse Council and the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association, where he was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame.

BENNY BINION AND SHAWN DAVIS JOINS DAN MORTENSEN AS 2025 VEGAS NFR ICONS

LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Events announced today that three Vegas NFR Icons will be honored at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® in Las Vegas. This distinguished list of Vegas NFR Icons includes contributors Benny Binion and Shawn Davis, as well as seven-time PRCA World Champion Dan Mortensen.

The 40th Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas will run from Thursday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 13. During the Dec. 5 and 6 performances, each of the Vegas NFR Icons will be honored on the hallowed dirt of the Thomas & Mack Center. The presentation will include each receiving a commemorative bronze statue and a ceremony to unfurl a banner in the rafters.

The in-arena schedule for the icons is as follows: Friday, Dec. 5 –Dan Mortensen

Saturday, Dec. 6 – Benny Binion and Shawn Davis

"As we are celebrating 40 years of the NFR in our city, it seems only appropriate to honor two individuals that were instrumental in bringing the rodeo to Las Vegas, along with a great rodeo champion in Dan Mortensen," said LVE President Tim Keener. "Las Vegas Events and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association are committed to continually recognizing the legends who have defined what it means to be a champion, as well as those who laid the groundwork for our incredible 40-year run in Las Vegas. We're proud to continue to grow this program in Las Vegas by honoring the history and legacy of the NFR's great champions and contributors."

said Jack Binion, Benny's oldest son. "My Dad always wanted to bring the NFR to Las Vegas. Both Shawn and Benny knew that December was a slow time in Las Vegas, and while the NFR had been successful in Oklahoma City, it needed new energy. Our family has witnessed how the NFR has transformed the city every December, and I know he would have been thrilled and honored to see what the NFR has become and to receive this recognition as a Vegas NFR Icon."

Hailing from Whitehall, Mont., Davis is one of the most influential individuals the sport of rodeo has ever known. Davis qualified for the NFR seven straight years beginning in 1963 and went on to claim the coveted Gold Buckle in saddle bronc riding three times in 1965, 1967 and 1968. Despite suffering a fractured and dislocated spine during competition and undergoing 13 months of physical therapy, he returned to the NFR as a qualifier five times. In 1982, Davis was named the president of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. During that tenure, it is well known that he cast the deciding vote to move the NFR from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas. Davis later became the general manager of the NFR in 1986, a position he held through 2018. His importance in growing the sport of rodeo and the NFR in Las Vegas can never be underestimated. He introduced interactive fan elements, keeping entertainment fresh and modernizing various aspects of the look and feel of the rodeo – all while fitting it neatly into a two-hour television time window.

For each icon, LVE will develop a promotional campaign to promote the three legends and build a daily activation calendar to build anticipation for the ceremony inside the Thomas & Mack Center that evening

In addition to the banner ceremony during the second and third Wrangler NFR performances, several events are planned for the Icons, including appearances at Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo. LVE also will host a special reception for the Vegas NFR Icons. Additional details about the reception will be announced at a later date at www.NFRexperience.com.

Binion, born on a farm in Texas, was a man of many talents and interests. At a young age, he was exposed to the world of gambling and horse trading. Through the years, he raised some of the best bucking and pickup horses in rodeo. ProRodeo Hall of Fame stock contractors such as Harry Knight, Lynn Beutler, Harry Vold and Mike Cervi have owned Binion horses. In 1951, he made his way to Las Vegas and soon after opened the famous Binion's Horseshoe Casino. He later started the World Series of Poker. Binion was instrumental in bringing the NFR to Las Vegas. The event has now sold out 369 consecutive performances and continues to transform the city each December. In 1985, the PRCA named Binion ProRodeo Man of the Year. He passed away at the age of 85 in 1989.

"Given his experience in hospitality and business, Benny Binion had so much vision for how to make things work and succeed,"

"It is a great honor to be named as a Vegas NFR Icon, along with other highly respected honorees this year and in the past," said Davis. "I am especially proud to be included with Benny Binion because, with his support and guidance, it really helped in making the decision to move the NFR to Las Vegas. Looking back, it took a few years to finally achieve a sell out at the Thomas & Mack Center. That was a very exciting and special moment and one of the highlights of my career. The NFR has been sold out every year since 1987 and reinforced the decision.

"The NFR has been the most stabilizing event for the PRCA," added Davis. "Many of the production elements and synchronization that was developed in Las Vegas have spread throughout the country and changed the sport of rodeo."

A native of Billings, Mont., Mortensen is simply one of the best bronc riders of all time. His six saddle bronc riding world championships (1993-95, 1997-98 and 2003) tied the legendary Casey Tibbs for the event record. He also won the all-around world championship in 1997. During his career, he qualified for the NFR 16 times, the first in 1990 when he was the PRCA Rookie of the Year. The only NFR he missed in his 17 full seasons as a PRCA member was in 2004 when he broke his ankle late in the season – while leading the world standings. During his final world championship season of 2003, Mortensen became the first roughstock cowboy to surpass $2 million in career earnings, finishing his career with $2,555,716.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting

Until August 24

Scottsdale, Arizona

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Scottsdale, AZ

Experience the untold visual history of the American Southwest through the eyes of 25 groundbreaking women artists in “Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting,” on display through August 24. This sweeping exhibition features nearly 200 works spanning oil, watercolor, pastel, and mixed media from early 20th-century pioneers like Lillian Wilhelm Smith, Jessie Benton Evans, and Ethel Murray Richardson—artists who lived and painted in Arizona, New Mexico, and beyond.

West of Center 12th Annual Wickenburg

Art Club Exhibition & Sale

Until October 19, 2025

Wickenburg, Arizona

Desert Caballeros Western Museum

Celebrate the creative spirit of Arizona’s West with the 12th Annual “West of Center” Exhibition & Sale, hosted at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in collaboration with the Wickenburg Art Club. This juried showcase highlights the talents of over 40 local and regional artists working in a variety of Western-inspired mediums—oil, watercolor, bronze, fiber, wood, photography, and mixed media. westernmuseum.org.

Lainey Wilson Whirlwind Tour 2025

August 14

Phoenix, Arizona

Get ready for a boot-stompin’ night of country music with CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson as she brings her “Whirlwind Tour” to the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix on Thursday, August 14. Known for her powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and chart-topping hits like “Heart Like a Truck”, “Things a Man Oughta Know”, and “Watermelon Moonshine”, Lainey’s concert promises a night packed

with emotion, energy, and down-home fire. Special guests and rising stars on the country circuit will join her for this one-nightonly Arizona stop.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, with the show starting at 8:00 PM. Tickets available now via Ticketmaster.com and at the Footprint Center box office.

NSHA Futurity, Derby, Two Rein Spectacular & War Horse Challenge

August 19–24, 2025

Las Vegas, NV

South Point Hotel, Arena most exciting weeks in reined cow horse sport as the NSHA Futurity, Derby, Open Two Rein Spectacular, Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular, NP Boxing Spectacular, World’s Richest Horse Show, and War Horse Challenge. For reservations, call 866-791-7626.

Coconino County Fair

Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 2025

Flagstaff, AZ

Celebrate Labor Day weekend under the pines at the Coconino County Fair, held at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff. This long-standing tradition features livestock shows, youth exhibits, arts and crafts, a bustling carnival midway, live music, fair food, and cultural performances that highlight Northern Arizona’s diversity.

NRCHA Hoppin in Hamilton

Sept 4–7

Hamilton, Texas

Get ready for a high-energy weekend at Hoppin in Hamilton, taking place September 4–7 in Hamilton, Texas. This NRCHA-sanctioned event draws riders from across the region for a showcase of reined cow horse talent and tough competition in the heart of Texas.

Yavapai County Fair

September 4–7, 2025

Prescott, AZ

The annual Yavapai County Fair returns to the Prescott Rodeo Grounds September 4th through

7th, 2025, with the playful theme “Country Pride, County Wide –One Duck at a Time.” This longrunning event celebrates over a century of tradition with four full days of livestock shows, youth exhibits, home arts, vendors, live music, food, carnival rides, and more. For tickets and the full schedule, visit yavapaifair.com.

Arizona Mutton Bustin’ State Championships

September 6, 2025

Payson, AZ

Payson Event Center

Northern Gila County Fair

Get ready for the First Annual Arizona Mutton Bustin’ State Championships, happening September 6, 2025, at the Payson Event Center during the Northern Gila County Fair. Young riders will compete for buckles, cash prizes, and a place in Arizona rodeo history. The $25 entry fee includes a t-shirt, with limited spots available. Riders must weigh 55 lbs or less. For details and to register, contact Emma Bridwell at (928) 238-7020.

Fall Works Ranch Horse Extravaganza

September 12–14, 2025

Chino Valley Chino Valley Equestrian Park, The Arizona Versatility Ranch Horse Association (AZVRHA) presents Fall Works, a dynamic weekend experience designed for riders of all levels. This exciting event features a one-day clinic followed by a double show and includes $500 in added money for the Open Cutting. New this year is an optional Ranch Riding Jackpot open to all participants. Held at the beautiful Chino Valley Equestrian Park, this show promises competitive spirit, camaraderie, and skill-building opportunities. Entries open August 1 online at www.azvrha.com. Sponsored by the World Ranch Horse Association, this is one fall event you won’t want to miss!

Tracy Lawrence Live in Concert

September 12, 2025

Desert Diamond Casino, Sahuarita, AZ

Country music legend Tracy Lawrence takes the stage at the Diamond Center inside Desert Diamond Casino in Sahuarita on Friday, September 12, 2025. The concert kicks off at 8 PM and promises an unforgettable night of hit songs and timeless storytelling from one of Nashville’s most enduring voices.

Vera Earl Ranch Circuit

September 13–14, 2025

Sonoita, Arizona

The Vera Earl Ranch Circuit returns to the Sonoita Fairgrounds for two days of NCHA-sanctioned cutting and boxing action. Hosted by SACHA, the event features full circuit points and offers a wide range of fresh cattle and rerun classes. Fresh cattle classes include Open, Non-Pro, $25K Novice Horse, $5K Novice Horse, $5K Novice Non-Pro, $35K Non-Pro, and 15 AM Rider—all with $300 added. Rerun classes include Youth, $2K Limited Rider, Beginner Cutter, Ranch, and Boxing. For questions, email southernazcha@gmail.com.

Arizona State Fair

Sept 19–October 26, 2025

Phoenix, AZ

The Arizona State Fair returns to the fairgrounds in Phoenix with six weeks of agriculture, entertainment, and equestrian highlights from September 19 to October 26, 2025. The fair opens with September Nights (weekends only) followed by the full fair Thursday through Sunday throughout October. Horse and livestock enthusiasts can enjoy junior livestock shows, daily equine exhibits, and 4-H and FFA competitions that showcase Arizona’s next generation of stockmen and women. Held at 1826 W. McDowell Road.

Ranch Added Money

AZ Fall Championship

September 17–21, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

WestWorld of Scottsdale

The Ranch classes at the Arizona Fall Championship are bigger and better than ever with over $28,000 in added money across premier

SPECIAL EVENTS

Ranch Horse and Ranch Riding events. Held September 17–21, 2025, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, the lineup includes $10,000 added to the Markel Insurance 3-YearOld Ranch Horse Sweepstakes and another $10,000 to the Kimes Ranch 4 & 5-Year-Old Ranch Riding Derby. Additional highlights include $3,000 added to the Marler Performance Horses Senior Ranch Riding

Cow Horse Added Money

AZ Fall Championship

September 19–28, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

WestWorld of Scottsdale

The Arizona Fall Championship at WestWorld delivers serious incentives for cow horse competitors with over $25,000 in added money across multiple classes. Featured events include the $15,000-added Last Stop Cow Horse Futurity sponsored by DT Horses, awarding through fifth place. Additional highlights include the Amateur Boxing Spectacular, Open Bridle Spectacular, and Amateur Bridle Spectacular—each with $2,500 added.

Maricopa County Fair

Sept. 19–Oct. 26, 2025

Phoenix, AZ

The Maricopa County Fair returns to the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix for a five-weekend run of big thrills and agricultural tradition. Held every Thursday through Sunday from September 19 to October 26, the fair features a full carnival, livestock shows, baking and arts contests, petting zoo, rodeo events, and nationally recognized concerts.

Arizona Fall Championship

September 18–21, 2025

WestWorld, Scottsdale, AZ

Featured highlights include the $15,000 DT Horses Cow Horse Futurity, $10,000 Kimes Ranch Riding Derby, and $10,000 Markel Ranch Horse Sweepstakes. . The Show That Delivers returns September 18–21, 2025!

Saddle Up 2025 Horse Camp & Trail Ride

October 10–12, 2025

Prescott, Arizona

Held at Buckin’ Burro Ranch & Events in historic Prescott, this three-day horse camp is a benefit for Animal Guardian Network. The weekend celebrates the Western spirit with trail rides, live music, catered meals, and both silent and live auctions. The Saturday night gala includes a concert by Colton Burris from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. The Full Rider Pass is $325, and gala-only tickets are available for $125. Add-ons include dry camping for $25, RV hook-ups for $70, glamping options at $100, and stall rentals for $50, all for two nights. Chairperson Carrie Singer can be reached at (602) 568-5636. Ticket release begins in early September. For details, visit animalguardiannetwork.org.

Highlining Clinic with Chris & Marisa Clark

October 12, 2025

Buckin’ Burro Ranch, AZ

Join C&M Mule Packing Services for a hands-on two-hour clinic on Sunday, October 12 at 12 PM, focused on how to properly and safely highline your horse or mule. Hosted at Buckin’ Burro Ranch & Events during the Saddle Up 2025 weekend, this practical clinic is ideal for trail riders, campers, and packers. Led by seasoned packers Chris and Marisa Clark, the session costs just $25 per person— with a $5 discount for Saddle Up 2025 attendees. Learn the fundamentals of highlining, To register, contact Marisa at (928) 713-7261. For Saddle Up 2025 questions, call Carrie at (602) 5685636.

meals, live music, and plenty of fun around the campfire. Participants will enjoy raffles, door prizes, and opportunities to relax or explore the ranch’s trails with their horses. For more information, contact event host Carrie Singer or visit the Buckin’ Burro Ranch and Events Facebook page.

Saddle Up 2025

Horse Camp & Trail Ride

October 10–12, 2025

Prescott, AZ

Buckin’ Burro Ranch & Events

Saddle Up 2025 is a three-day horse camp and trail ride event benefiting the Animal Guardian Network, held at the scenic Buckin’ Burro Ranch in Prescott. Riders from across Arizona are invited to enjoy a weekend filled with trail riding, live music, good food, and western camaraderie. The event features catered meals, both silent and live auctions, and a Saturday night gala with live music by Colton Burris from 7:30 to 9:30 PM

Hualapai View NATRC

Competitive Trail Ride

October 11–12, 2025

Kingman, AZ

Unforgiven Ranch

Kick up your heels in Kingman, Arizona, at the Hualapai View NATRC Competitive Trail Ride, happening October 11–12, 2025. This leisure division-only ride is NATRC sanctioned and welcomes riders of all experience levels. Junior riders with NATRC membership ride free, or just $20 without. emai - HualapaiView@yahoo.com.

Boots in the Park

October 18, 2025

Tucson, AZ

Rillito Park

ing diverse terrains from grasslands to ponderosa pine forests. Website: https://managainsthorse. com/

RODEOS

Payson Pro Rodeo

The World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo

August 15–17, 2025

Payson Event Center, Payson, Arizona

Saddle up for the 141st Annual Payson Pro Rodeo, the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, bringing three days of nonstop Western action to Arizona’s Rim Country. Held at the Payson Event Center, this historic rodeo is a beloved summer tradition that draws top Tickets available online at: www.paysonprorodeo.com

Location: Payson Event Center, 1400 S Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ

Don’t miss one of Arizona’s most treasured traditions—where rodeo never took a year off.

Arizona Invitational Black Rodeo

August 29–30, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

WestWorld of Scottsdale

The Arizona Invitational Black Rodeo returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale for a two-day celebration of heritage and horsemanship on August 29–30, 2025. This powerful community event honors the legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls while showcasing today’s top rodeo talent. Hosted by the Black Rodeo USA Foundation, the weekend features live rodeo action, cultural presentations, and family-friendly entertainment.

The 2025 Arizona Fall Championship lives up to its reputation as The Show That Delivers with over $60,000 in added money, saddles, buckles, custom spurs, and elite sponsor awards. Held at WestWorld in Scottsdale, this premier multi-breed event showcases top-tier AQHA, NRHA, NSBA, NRCHA, and Ranch classes.

Horse Camp and Trail Ride

October 10–12, 2025

Williamson Valley, AZ

Buckin’ Burro Ranch

Join fellow riders for a weekend of scenic adventure, connection, and cowboy camaraderie at the Horse Camp and Trail Ride 2025, held on a private 220+ acre ranch in Arizona’s beautiful Williamson Valley. Hosted at Buckin’ Burro Ranch and Events, this two-day getaway features guided trail rides, catered

A major outdoor country music event featuring Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, Tucker Wetmore, Avery Anna, and more. For tickets and details visit BootsInThePark. com

Man Against Horse Race

Saturday October 18, Prescott, AZ

Celebrating its 41st year, this unique event features runners and endurance horses competing on the same course. Participants can choose from 50-mile, 25-mile, and half-marathon distances, travers-

For more details and tickets, visit blackrodeousa.yapsody.com.’

Sonoita Labor Day Weekend GCPRA Rodeo

August 30 – September 1

Sonoita, Arizona

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Celebrate the end of summer with the 110th Annual Sonoita Labor Day Weekend GCPRA Rodeo, one of Arizona’s most beloved

PAGE 130

RODEOS

town rodeos. Hosted at the scenic Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, visit www.sonoitafairgrounds.com/ labor-day or call (520) 455-5553.

The Navajo Nation Fair hosts the All Indian Rodeo

September 2–7, 2025

Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena in Window Rock, Arizona. With over $60,000 in added money, the rodeo features Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding, Tie Down, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Ladies Team Roping, Breakaway, and Barrel Racing. Contestants must enter via NextGenRodeo. com between August 1–29. Events include multiple go rounds and finals with top payouts. Open to all ages with a NextGen Rodeo account. For more info, visit nnfair. org or email nnfair@navajo-nsn.

Junior Roughstock Wild Card Qualifier

September 6–7, 2025 Scottsdale, AZ

WestWorld of Scottsdale

riding, barrel racing, team roping, and more as top Arizona cowboys and cowgirls compete. Stick around for the fair’s familyfriendly atmosphere, carnival rides, livestock exhibits, live music, and food vendors all weekend long.

Tickets: Available at the gate or online at yavapaifair.com

Creek Bash Rodeo

September 19–20, 2025

Queen Creek, AZ

Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre – 20464 E. Riggs Road

Youth contestants compete in mutton bustin’, calf riding, and steer riding with themed events like Halloween, Cowboy Christmas, and Donate Life.

Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo

October 31–Nov 1, 2025

Cave Creek, AZ

Cave Creek Rodeo Grounds

Whether you’re hauling in for a jackpot, clinic, or rodeo, your stalls and hookups can now be reserved quickly and conveniently online.

Roping Practice

Every Thursday Queen Creek

The 7th Annual Creek Bash Rodeo returns to Horseshoe Park in Queen Creek, Arizona, on Friday and Saturday, September 19–20, 2025. This fanfavorite event, produced by Rodeo Naked Co., promises two nights of adrenalinepumping rodeo action, high-energy crowds, and an unforgettable western atmosphere. Tickets and full details are available at www.creekbash.bammtickets.com.

The top rodeo athletes from across Arizona and New Mexico will converge in Cave Creek, Arizona, for the 2025 Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo—one of the premier end-of-season events on the PRCA calendar. Set for October 31 through November 1. Tickets, reserved seating, and VIP passes are now available at www.TurquoiseCircuitFinalsRodeo.com.

Every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 7XL Ranch hosts This practice session features live steers at slow to medium speed, making it an ideal setting for beginners and experienced ropers looking for a no-pressure environment to refine their skills. The drop-in price is $40 per session. For location details or questions, text Nathan at 480-235-2970.

Camp Verde Arena Association – Scholarship Breakaway Roping Buckle Series

Sept 6 & 27

Camp Verde, Arizona

The Hondo Rodeo Fest

November 7–9, 2025

Phoenix, AZ

Chase Field

Get ready for a wild weekend of youth rodeo as the Junior Roughstock Association brings its Bareback & Saddle Bronc Wild Card Qualifier to WestWorld of Scottsdale on September 6–7, 2025.

The action kicks off Saturday at noon and continues Sunday at 10:00 AM. This two-day event features young roughstock athletes from across the region competing for coveted qualification spots in the Junior NFR in Las Vegas and the Wickenburg finals. Riders ages 6 to 8 will advance to Wickenburg, while contestants ages 12 to 18 aim to punch their ticket to Las Vegas. Events also include 9 & Under Mini Bulls.

Yavapai County Fair Rodeo

Saturday–Sunday, September 6–7, 2025

Prescott, AZ

Prescott Rodeo Grounds

As part of the annual Yavapai County Fair, the GCPRA-sanctioned rodeo returns with two days of thrilling competition and hometown excitement. Rodeo fans can enjoy classic events like bull

Indian National Finals Rodeo

October 14–18, 2025

Las Vegas, NV

South Point Arena

Celebrate Native American culture, community, and championship-caliber rodeo at the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR), taking place October 14–18, 2025, at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas. This premier event brings together top Indigenous athletes from across North America to compete in bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, barrel racing, and more—all culminating in the crowning of the 2025. For event details, contestant info, and tickets, visit www.infr.org.

HFF Youth Rodeo Series

Oct 18, 2025 – May 9, 2026

Florence, AZ

Charles Whitlow Arena

The HFF Youth Rodeo Series returns to Charles Whitlow Arena in Florence, Arizona, with two seasonal circuits running from October 2025 through May 2026.

The Hondo Rodeo Fest rides into downtown Phoenix for three electrifying days of rodeo action and live music at Chase Field. This major arena event blends elite rodeo competition with powerhouse music performances in a one-of-akind celebration of western culture and country rock. The festival will feature headline performances from chart-topping artists including Nickelback, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, Jon Pardi, Riley Green, and Treaty Oak Revival. Each night promises a unique mix of live concerts and arena-style rodeo thrills, all set against the iconic backdrop of Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

ROPING

Linden

Valley

Arena

Show Low, AZ

Ongoing – All Events

Linden Valley Arena is now booking all stall and RV reservations online for every upcoming event. Attendees are encouraged to secure their accommodations in advance at LindenValleyArena.com.

The Camp Verde Arena Association presents its Scholarship Breakaway Roping Buckle Series this summer and fall at the Hideout Arena in Camp Verde. Held on Saturdays, the series includes four events: August 9th, September 6th, and September 27th. Books open at 6:00 PM, close at 7:00 PM, and roping begins promptly at 7:15 PM. The series features a Ladies Open (2-head progressive format) with a $150 entry fee and option to enter three times. The top ten fastest times return to the short round. For location and directions, head to 1495 E Hideout Arena Lane, Camp Verde, AZ 86322.

S&S Summer Jackpot

August 23, 2025 Williams, AZ

The S&S Summer Jackpot returns to the S&S Arena in Williams, Arizona, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Books open at 8:00 AM, close at 9:00 AM, and roping starts promptly at 9:30 AM. Events include Ladies Breakaway with an $80/run entry (enter 2x) and $25 buybacks in the first round. Team roping divisions include the #12.5 and #9.5 (capped at #5.5), each with $150/man entry fees. Ropers

ROPING

can pick 1, draw 1 or draw 2, with 3x entries for 6 runs. Buckles will be awarded to average winners in all divisions. Must be current with NTR, WSTR, or USTRC. All ropings are progressive after 1 with a 1/3 stock charge and WS barrier. Electric eye and bell collar catch apply in Breakaway. Cash only. Arena is located at 8058 E. Old Rte 66, Williams, AZ. Cattle provided by SB Cattle & Bryson Productions. For details call Cody at (928) 266-8226.

Navajo County Roping

August 23, 2025

Holbrook, AZ

Head to the Navajo County Fairgrounds in Holbrook, Arizona, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, for a full evening of competitive roping action. The event features an #11.5 Pick & Draw and a #10.5 Coats Saddle Roping, both offering no-cap entries at $120 per roper. Participants may enter the Pick & Draw twice and the Saddle Roping up to four times. Buckles will be awarded to the highest placing #9.5 and under team in the Coats Saddle Roping. Additional prizes include High-Point Coats Saddle awards for the top four finishers: buckles, breast collars, headstalls, and ropes—plus cash. Books close at 6:00 PM sharp before the first roping begins. All ropings are three-steer, handicapped, with 2/3 cash and prize payback. For more details, visit Ropingco. com or contact Cory at (480) 5408405. Credit cards accepted with a 5% fee. USTR and WSTR numbers required.

Match Roping Showdown

September 13, 2025

Prescott, Arizona

Prescott Rodeo Grounds

Get ready for a battle of champions as Tuf Cooper and Riley Webb go headto-head in a Match

world-class horsemanship. Held at the historic Prescott Rodeo Grounds, this event is part of the Legacy Ranch Horse Sale and showcases two of the most elite tie-down ropers in professional rodeo today.

Tuf Cooper is a 4x World Champion Cowboy and the youngest millionaire in PRCA history. Known for his precision, speed, and legacy as the son of legendary roper Roy Cooper, Tuf brings a fierce competitive edge and undeniable star power. Facing him in this thrilling match is Riley Webb, the 2022 Resistol Rookie of the Year and reigning PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper. At just 20 years old, Webb is considered the future of the sport — fast, fearless, and already rewriting the record books. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the rodeo scene, this matchup is a must-see. For more information, tickets, or Legacy Sale details, visit www.ranchhorsesale.com.

Olsen’s Events Jackpot Ropings

September 28

Chino Valley, Arizona

REINING

The Run For A Million –Presented

by Teton Ridge

August 11–16, 2025

South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, NV

Roping event that promises to deliver lightning-fast action and

High Roller Reining Classic Horse Show

September 5–13, 2025

Las Vegas, NV South Point Arena

Olsen’s Events will host a five-date jackpot roping series at 344 S Hwy 89 in Chino Valley. Books open at 8:00 AM with roping starting at 9:00 AM.

The series includes #11.5, #9.5, and #7.5 ropings with various heeler caps and formats. Contestants may pick one, draw one or draw two, and enter up to three times. Fees range from $120 to $150 with a 1/3 cattle charge. Buckles will be awarded to winners of each roping. Cattle are provided by TR Roping Cattle. Contestants must have a current global handicap number; W-9s and number verification are required for payout. The event is produced by Carrie Gross. For more information, contact Shyan Ingrao at (928) 202-2003.

This landmark event, created by Academy Award–nominated director Taylor Sheridan and featured in The Last Cowboy on CMT, draws the finest riders, trainers, and horses in reining and Western performance to compete for a purse that exceeds $1,000,000—making it the most prestigious payday in the sport. The week also includes elite-level disciplines across a broader spectrum of Western sport, such as: Cow Horse Challenge Open Bridle Spectacular Ranch Riding Invitational Open ShootOut, which offers an open path for any rider to qualify into next year’s Million Dollar class $200,000 Non-Pro Championship, highlighting the top amateur riders in the nation Vendors, autograph sessions, industry panels, and exclusive meet-and-greets with top riders round out a week that has become the Western world’s “Super Bowl.” Fans, horse buyers, and industry players from across the globe attend for the electric atmosphere and the chance to witness future legends in the making.

NRHA South Central Affiliate Finals

August 23–31

Tulsa, OK

Held at Tulsa Expo Square, the South Central Affiliate Finals bring together top regional riders for Adequan® NAAC qualification with competitive classes in Open, NonPro, Rookie, and Youth.

Experience one of the world’s premier reining events at the High Roller Reining Classic, taking place September 5–13, 2025, at South Point’s climate-controlled Arena and Priefert Pavilion in Las Vegas. Now in its 18th year, this top-tier NRHA-sanctioned competition draws elite reining horses and riders from around the globe to showcase precision maneuvers—spins, sliding stops, and fluid circles—across open, non-pro, youth, rookie, derby, and futurity divisions.

NRHA Mountain Affiliate Finals

September 24–28

Loveland, CO

Held at The Ranch Events Complex, this Mountain region qualifier features top-tier Open, Non-Pro, Rookie, Para-Reining, and Youth reining talent from Colorado and surrounding states.

NRHA Southwest Affiliate Finals

September 30–October 5

Scottsdale, AZ WestWorld of Scottsdale hosts the Southwest Affiliate Finals. One of the season’s top shows, it’s a must-attend qualifier for NAAC hopefuls across the western U.S.

NRHA Northwest Affiliate Finals

October 4–11

Nampa, ID

Ford Idaho Horse Park sets the stage for the Northwest Affiliate Finals. Riders compete for national qualification in green, Non-Pro, Rookie, Youth, and Novice Horse classes.

Best Of The West

October 1–6, 2025

Scottsdale, Arizona WestWorld of Scottsdale

A premier reining show featuring top competitors and significant prize money, serving as a highlight of the AzRHA calendar.

HORSE SHOWS

Chino Valley Open Schooling Show

Buckle Series

August 30, October 4, 2025

Chino Valley, AZ

Chino Valley Equestrian Park –2208 Equestrian Way

This five-part buckle series invites riders of all levels to compete in Halter/Showmanship, English, Western Pleasure, Ranch Riding, Trail, Walk/Trot, and EQWD classes. All shows start at 8:00 AM, with overnight camping available for participants. Whether you’re schooling a green horse or chasing a year-end buckle, this welcoming and versatile series offers a great competitive environment. Contact: events@cvequestrianpark.org Register: cvequestrianpark. org/2025openschooli

Scottsdale Saddle Club Gymkhanas

Multiple Dates in 2025 Cave Creek Memorial Arena Cave Creek, AZ

Hosted in the heart of Burbank, this event brings together riders, trainers, and horse lovers for a vibrant and competitive summer show in one of California’s most iconic equestrian venues. ion, visit westpalmsevents.com.

Arabian National Breeder Finals

Sept. 10–13, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

The Arabian National Breeder Finals returns to the Equidome at WestWorld in Scottsdale for its 15th anniversary, showcasing the beauty, elegance, and athleticism of the Arabian horse. Produced by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, this elite competition features Breeders Club, Egyptian Heritage, Emirates Global Cup Championships, Performance, Scottsdale Signature Stallion, Silver Sire Futurity, Weanling Open & AOTH, and Yearling classes. Visit www.scottsdaleshow.com for details.

Scottsdale Saddle Club Horse Shows

September 14, October 4, November 9, December 6, Cave Creek, AZ

Cave Creek Memorial Arena –37201 N. 28th St

The Last Stop Cow Horse Futurity

September 17–19, 2025 Scottsdale, Arizona

WestWorld of Scottsdsale

a range of divisions for amateur and professional riders. usef.org/compete/competitions

ADA October Schooling Show

October 19, 2025, Phoenix, AZ

Carefree Farms Arena

DT Horses presents The Last Stop Cow Horse Futurity, held in conjunction with the Arizona Fall Championship at WestWorld in Scottsdale. With $15,000 added and over $10,000 to the purse, this premier event celebrates the final major cow horse futurity stop of the season. Riders will compete in herd work, rein work, and cow work, with $1,665 awarded to the winner of each individual phase. For details, follow the AZ Fall Championship online or visit DTHorses.com.

Scottsdale Classic Hunter Jumper Event

Wed–Sun, Oct 22–26, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

WestWorld of Scottsdsale

From 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Carefree Farms, 36412 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Entries close on October 5, 2025, and timely submissions are highly recommended to avoid missing the deadline. .

Sonoran Desert Classic

October 22–26, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

WestWorld of Scottsdsale

A fall hunter/jumper show featuring a range of divisions for amateur and professional riders. usef.org/compete/competitions

Tucson Fall Dressage

Nov 5–8, 2025

Tucson, AZ

A late-season dressage competition offering opportunities for riders to qualify for regional championships. www.usef.org

The Scottsdale Saddle Club invites riders of all levels—from leadline to open—to participate in their 2025 season of horse shows and gymkhanas. Now held at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena, these well-organized events offer a friendly and competitive environment with pre-entry options and full access to event patterns online

2025 Gymkhana Dates: May 10 (Date Change) September 13, October 5 November 8, December 7 All shows are open to various age groups and skill levels. For full schedules, registration, and entry details, visit: www.scottsdalesaddleclub.com

LA Summer Classic

August 14–17, 2025

Burbank, CA

Los Angeles Equestrian Center

The West Palms LA Summer Classic returns to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center from August 14–17, 2025, for four days of toptier hunter/jumper competition.

The Scottsdale Saddle Club hosts a welcoming series of all-breed horse shows throughout the fall at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena. Open to riders of all levels, each show features a full slate of classes including Halter, Showmanship, Mini Driving, Western Pleasure, English Equitation, Handy Hunter, Ranch Riding, and Trail.

For more information and entry details, visit scottsdalesaddleclub. com or follow the club on Facebook.

Arizona Fall Championship Multi-Discipline Horse Show

September 17–21, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

WestWorld of Scottsdale

Experience one of Arizona’s top horse shows at the Arizona Fall Championship, taking place September 17–21, 2025, at the premier WestWorld equestrian complex in Scottsdale. This exciting event draws top-tier competitors and horses in AQHA, NSBA, NRHA, NRCHA, cutting, Versatility Ranch Horse, reined cowhorse, and ranch classes

USEF National ‘A’ / Jumper 2 | USHJA Zone 8 Championship CEP Horse Shows presents this rated competition featuring Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation classes at one of Arizona’s premier facilities. The event is both USEF-licensed and USHJA-approved, drawing top riders from Zone 8 for the year-end championship. Spectators welcome, vendors on site, and online entries available via HorseShowsOnline.

DRESSAGE

ADA October Schooling Show

October 19, 2025, Phoenix, AZ

Carefree Farms Arena

BARREL EVENTS

Summer Nights Open 5D Barrel Series

August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025 Queen Creek, AZ

Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20464 E Riggs Rd Join BR Diamond Spur Barrel

From 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Carefree Farms, 36412 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Entries close on October 5, 2025, and timely submissions are highly recommended to avoid missing the deadline. .

Sonoran Desert Classic

October 22–26, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ

Westworld of Scottsdale, AZ

A fall hunter/jumper show featuring

Production for a summer of highspeed runs, prizes, and family fun at the covered arena at Horseshoe Park in Queen Creek. The Summer Nights Open 5D Series runs every Friday night from early June through the end of August, with a full lineup of divisions and side events designed to reward riders of all levels.

This is a cash-only event. For questions or more details, contact Ron Phelan at 602-432-4382 or

5:30 PM. Races begin at 6:00 PM

sharp. August 14, 21 • September 11, 18, 25

Jinia Root at 480-788-5509, or email racebrds@gmail.com.

Flying E Arena Summer Barrel and Pole Bending Series

August 16, and September 6 Races

Safford, AZ

Flying E Arena, 445 W Old Country Club Rd, 85546 Barrel racing returns to Safford in a laid-back, rider-friendly setting at the Flying E Arena’s 2025 Summer Schedule, featuring three evening events under the lights on July 12th, August 16th, and September 6th, each beginning at 7:00 PM.

Scholarship Barrel Buckle Series

–

August 8 and Sept 5, 26, Camp Verde, Arizona

Camp Verde Arena

The Camp Verde Arena Association presents a four-race Scholarship Barrel Buckle Series at 1495 E Hideout Arena Lane in Camp Verde. Races are held Friday evenings, with books opening at 4:00 PM, exhibitions running from 4:15 to 6:30 PM, and racing beginning at 7:00 PM. For details, visit www. campverdearena.com.

Olsen’s

Summer

Series

Thru September 2025

Chino Valley, Arizona

Olsen’s Arena

Time Onlys 4:00–5:30 PM

Events Start at 6:00 PM

Chino Valley, AZ 344 S Hwy 89

One of Northern Arizona’s favorite barrel and pole racing series returns! Hosted at Olsen’s Arena, this summer-long competition features 5 progressive series with multiple dates each month. Riders must attend a minimum number of races per series to qualify for awards. Order of Events: Peewee Poles, Open Poles, Peewee Barrels, Combined Draw Open Barrels. Time Onlys available from 4:00–

Contact: Shyan – 928-202-2003 Register at: Saddlebook.com

3 Cans Up Summer Gymkhana Series

August 9 • September 6

Olsen’s Arena, Chino Valley, AZ 344 S Hwy 89

The 2025 3 Cans Up Summer Gymkhana Series returns to Olsen’s Arena in Chino Valley, Arizona, with six exciting dates with two remaining on August 9, and September 6. Events begin at 9:00 AM, welcoming riders of all ages and skill levels in a fun, familyfriendly setting. Lil’ Wranglers (10 & under) and Leadline riders kick things off with three events run together in the arena before aged class divisions begin. For more information, contact Chris at (928) 716-2362 or Jessica at (928) 727-5377.

Sunset Showdown Barrel Racing Jackpot

August 16, 2025

Ramona, CA

So-Cal Speed Events presents the Sunset Showdown, a barrel racing jackpot with $1,000 added money, happening Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Neal’s Arena, 3664 Highway 67 in Ramona, California. Exhibitions start at 3:00 PM, followed by Pee Wee Lead Line Barrels at 5:30 PM and the Open Jackpot at 6:00 PM. This WPRA Divisional Circuit and WCBRA co-sanctioned event also includes Outlaw Barrel Races. Come hungry—the snack bar will be grilling up burgers!

Buckles & Barrels for Bailey Charity Barrel Racing Benefit

August 29–31, 2025

Las Vegas, NV

South Point Arena

Support an inspiring cause at the Buckles & Barrels for Bailey™ charity barrel race, returning to the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas from August 29–31, 2025.

Now in its 15th year, this volunteer-driven event raises funds to aid families with sick, injured, or terminally ill children, continuing the legacy of Bailey Stevens, whose battle with Batten disease inspired the race. Registration details open soon via

the official website or by calling (702) 461-0468

BR Diamond Spur Summer Nights Open 5D Series

August 29, 2025

Queen Creek, AZ

Horseshoe Park, 20464 E. Riggs Rd

Barrel Racing Series 2025–2026

Oct 8, Nov 15, Dec 13, Jan 10, Feb 21, March 7, April 11 Cottonwood, Arizona

Verde Valley Fair Arena

Join the BR Diamond Spur team under the lights for a Friday night summer buckle series in a covered arena at Horseshoe Park. With 12 jackpots, this series rewards consistency and performance with 5 custom saddles, 13 buckles, and plenty of swag. To qualify for series-end awards, riders must attend 8 of 12 jackpots and be entered in the final event.

Divisions & Fees: Open 5D – $50 Youth 4D – $40 Rookie 2D – $20 (21 seconds or slower, 1-second split) Arena Fee – $15/run

Exhibitions: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM | $10 Unlimited per horse Start Time: 6:30 PM Cash Only Contacts: Ron Phelan – 602-432-4382

Jinia Root – 480-788-5509

Email: racebrds@gmail.com

Horses with Heart – 10th Annual Ride A Heart Open 4D Barrel Race & Poles

September 27, 2025

Chino Valley, AZ

Olsen’s Arena

Join the community at Olsen’s Arena in Chino Valley, Arizona, for the 10th Annual Ride

A Heart Open

4D Barrel Race & Poles on Saturday, September 27, 2025. With $750 in added money and divisions for Peewee, Youth, and Open riders, this event draws riders of all ages for a full day of action and giving back. Buckles will be awarded to division champions, including the “Horse with the Most Heart,” honoring the spirit of the day. Pre-registration required by September 26 at midnight to avoid late fees. Full details and entry form available at horseswithheartaz.org.

Join us for the 2025–2026 Verde Valley Fair Arena Barrel Racing Series featuring 5D Open ($50), 4D Youth ($35), 4D Senior ($35), Peewee (8 & under, $10), and 4D Green Horse/Novice ($30 – must not run faster than 20.000). A $15 arena fee per horse applies unless you’re a current Verde Valley Fair Association (VVFA) member. Memberships are $25 individual or $35 family.

All events are CASH ONLY. Follow Verde Valley Fair Arena on Facebook or call 928-202-9001 for more information. Live results will be posted on RodeoGo.com.

CUTTING

PCCHA Holy Cow Performance Horses & Super Futurity

September 18–27, 2025 Las Vegas, NV South Point Arena

This premier event by the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association features career-making opportunities in divisions like Futurity, Super Futurity, Classic/Challenge, and Cutting Stakes. Renowned for its world-class competition.

. South Point is offering a special group hotel rate—use code PCC0915 to reserve a room by August 25, 2025.

Happy Fall Y’All Cutting Horse Show

October 11–12, 2025

Cave Creek, AZ Cave Creek Memorial Arena Celebrate the start of fall with two full days of cutting horse action at the “Happy Fall Y’All” show. The weekend schedule includes Open, Non-Pro, $50K Amateur, Youth, and Limited classes, along with Boxing and Ranch Cutting divisions. Cattle are in the pen by 8:00 AM sharp both days, and riders are encouraged to pre-enter by Tuesday, October 7, especially if needing fresh cattle.

For entries and class info, visit www.cavecreekcutting.com.

AZCHA Oktoberfest Cutting Horse Show

October 14–19, 2025

Queen Creek, AZ

Horseshoe Park

VETERINARY NUTRACEUTICALS

Pellet & Powder

Promote and maintain digestive support in the presence of colic.

Leverage rich and diverse bioactive components from colostrum to help boost recovery and performance.

For Easy Keepers - fortifies the daily ration with essential vitamins and minerals needed for optimum wellbeing.

For Hard Keepers - provides a source of cool calories, nutrients and ingredients to improve overall body and coat condition.

Unique electrolytes to maximize hydration when your horse needs it most.

Helps improve joint health, strengthen hooves, promote a healthy coat, and support immunity.

25 billion live bacterial cells per ounce supports gut health.

Horses encounter a wide range of challenges requiring supplemental support. Our revamped and robust line of veterinary nutraceuticals provides just what horses need for wellbeing and performance. Visit our website to learn more.

20464 E Riggs Rd Riders will compete in Open, NonPro, $50K Amateur, $15K Novice, and Unlimited Amateur classes, along with Senior and Youth divisions. Special highlights include the AZCHA Bridleless Cutting Challenge and a festive Westernthemed social night mid-week featuring live music, dinner, and giveaways. For entries, stall reservations, and prize list, visit www. azcha.com or contact the show office at (602) 743-9020.

End of the Trail

October 28 – November 2, Queen Creek, AZ

Horseshoe Park

Conclude the cutting season with this event, featuring a variety of classes and year-end awards. azcha.com/shows

BULL RIDING

Where They Buck Bull Riding Days

Sept. 26–27, 2025

Sierra Vista, AZ

Where They Buck Bull Riding Days returns to Sierra Vista with adrenaline-pumping action and serious payouts. Set for September 26–27, the event features $5,000 added money for bull riding and $2,000 added for the bull team competition. Bull riders will compete for buckles, skull trophies, and even a car for the overall champion. The bull team challenge offers a 20-point system with a three-bull team format and four-judge scoring. For entry details, text 520-352-9329 and get ready to ride.

PBR Ridge Rider Days – Arizona Ridge Riders Homestand

Friday, October 10 – Sunday, October 12, 2025

Glendale, AZ

Desert Diamond Arena –The Arizona Ridge Riders return to Glendale for their 2025 PBR Camping World Team Series homestand: Ridge Rider Days. This threeday event at Desert Diamond Arena marks the final regular-season stop before the league championship in Las

Vegas. Event times are as follows:

Friday, October 10 – 7:45 PM

Saturday, October 11 – 6:45 PM

Sunday, October 12 – 1:45 PM

Tickets range from $35 to $130 and are available through Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com.

PBR Challenger Series Championship

October 22–23, 2025

Las Vegas, NV

South Point Arena

Join the ultimate showdown of grit and determination at the PBR Challenger Series Championship, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, October 22–23, 2025, at South Point Arena in Las Vegas. This two-night finale pits the top competitors from the summer–fall Challenger Series against each other for the coveted championship title, just ahead of the PBR Camping World Team Series finale at T-Mobile Arena ticketmaster.com

Legacy Ranch Horse Sale (10th Anniversary) Featuring K4 Ranch & Diamond A Cattle Company

September 13, 2025

Prescott, AZ

Prescott Rodeo Grounds

840 Rodeo Dr

Celebrate a decade of partnership and premium ranch horse offerings at the Legacy Ranch Horse Sale, held Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds in Prescott, Arizona.

Produced in conjunction with Olsen’s Equifest, this one-day event showcases top-quality geldings, mares, and ranch employee consignments from the historic K4 Ranch and Diamond A Cattle Company—renowned for bloodlines rooted in rugged, real-world ranch performance Event Schedule: 10:00 AM: Public preview begins— view working, seasoned ranch horses up close Noon: Live sale kicks off with consignment lots, including performance-proven and ranch-ready horses

Admission: Free and open to the public—no reservation required Livestream: Available online for remote bidders via webcast worldsoldestrodeo.com Horse Highlights: Selling trained geldings & mares

suited for rugged terrain and everyday ranch use

Includes “ranch employee consignments”—reliable, seasoned horses ready to go to work Immerse yourself in the heritage of two legendary Arizona ranches, delivering horses with intelligence, conformation, and proven performance. For sale catalogs, horse videos, and bidding details, contact the sale office: Legacy Ranch Horse Sale LLC | (928) 925-8939 legacyhorsesale@icloud.com For more information, contact: Chip Merritt: (970) 215-6137.

Absolute Dispersal Sale of Teton Ridge Performance Horses

September 28–29, 2025 Weatherford, TX

TR9 Ranch – 1899 N FM 52 Prepare for an industry-changing event as Western Bloodstock

Public horse preview & buyer check-in

Sunday, Sept 29 – 9 AM gates open; 11 AM Hard Eight BBQ lunch; 1 PM live auction begins Stallard veterinary repository services and online bidding will be offered—sale catalog and digital bidding details to be released soon This is a rare, once-in-a-generation dispersal of one of Western performance’s benchmark programs—don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this legacy . For updates, catalog access, and buyer info, visit Western Bloodstock’s event page.

Return to the Remuda Sale

Legacy Auction

September 26–27, 2025

Guthrie, TX

Four Sixes Ranch 1102 Dash For Cash Rd

presents the Absolute Dispersal Sale of Teton Ridge Performance Horses, set for September 28–29, 2025, at TR9 Ranch in Weatherford, Texas

. This two-day sale offers over 100 head drawn from one of the most respected programs in Western performance, including elite stallions, broodmares, embryos, and competition horses across multiple levels. Featured Highlights Championship-level bloodlines, including: Smooth Talkin Style (LTE $305K+; sire of $9M+ offspring)

All Spice (LTE $570K+)

Third Edge (LTE $342K+, NCHA Open Horse of the Year) Babe On The Chase (“Birdie”; over $550K earnings) and her daughter Tres Chasin Babe PZ (barrel earnings $546K+)

Schedule: Saturday, Sept 28 – 9 AM–5 PM:

Celebrating 26 years of excellence, the Return to the Remuda Sale brings together six of the most respected ranches in the country for a truly iconic offering of working ranch horses. Held September 26–27, 2025, at the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas, this twoday event features geldings, mares, yearlings, and stallion prospects bred and raised in real-world ranch environments.

Participating ranches include Four Sixes, Pitchfork Land & Cattle, Tongue River, Beggs Cattle Company, Wagonhound Land & Livestock, and King Ranch. Buyers from across North America travel to this event for its reputation of producing sound, dependable, and well-started horses that are ready for the arena or the ranch.

Expect live previews, a relaxed

social atmosphere, and a sale experience rooted in integrity, grit, and generational horsemanship. For sale catalogs and livestream details, visit: returntotheremuda. com

U.S. Jumping Team Wins in FEI Jumping Nations Cup Caledon

Caledon, Ontario, Canada – The U.S. Jumping Team finished an excellent week of competition in at the Caledon Equestrian Park, in Caledon, ON, Canada, earning a victory in the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Caledon CSIO3* and securing an individual win in the $90,000 Grand Prix of Caledon CSIO3* with Marilyn Little and La Contessa stealing the show. The team was led by Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski and Team Leader Erin Keating throughout the week.

“We had a very memorable week in Caledon and our CSIO3* athletes came together to create a remarkable team atmosphere. They were focused under pressure and rode like pros. In the Nations Cup, both the Canadian and Irish teams had strong experienced riders. Our team fought for it after the first round and were just unbeatable. The team camaraderie with the riders, grooms, and trainers back at the stable and up at the ring was awesome and very genuine,” said Kursinski.

The team started strong right off the bat, jumping to a win in the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Caledon CSIO3* on Thursday, July 17,

finishing with a two-round team total of just one fault. Canada finished in second place, with Ireland taking third.

Both Sloane Coles (The Plains, Va.) and Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve, a 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare (Elvis Ter Putte x Kashmir van Schuttershof) owned by The Ninja Group, and cared for by Stephanie Koerner, and Marilyn Little (West Palm Beach, Fla.) aboard La Contessa, produced two faultfree rounds for the team, marking a successful start for both horses in their Nations Cup debuts.

Elena Haas (Oakland, Calif.) and Claude, a 2012 Westphalian gelding (Captain Jack 44 x Cefalo) owned by Elena Haas and cared for by Rachel Mikoff, added just a single time fault in the first round and jumped a beautiful, quick clear in round two. Alexandra Worthington (Wellington, Fla.) and De L’Oiseliere, a 2013 Selle Français gelding (Kapitol d’Argonne x Oberon du Moulin) owned by Turn a Blind Eye LLC, and cared for by Kate McKeown, finished a strong second round, adding just a single rail to successfully mark their first occasion representing the United States in team competition.

“I’m so thankful to have an impressive CSIO3* Nations Cup like Caledon for our team here in North America. It is extremely valuable to help develop our younger athletes and horses to jump the format of two round team competitions,” added Kursinski. “The experience of feeling the pressure and excitement of representing your country in international competition is a necessary building block looking towards the future, and these CSIO3* competitions are critical in preparing for senior CSIO5* and championship teams as we look ahead.”

In the Grand Prix on Saturday evening, Marilyn Little and La Contessa, a 2015 Mecklenberg mare (License x Cornet’s Prinz) owned by Marilyn Little LLC, and cared for by Raven Alfieri, impressed again, with the pair notching a fast clear in the first round to secure their spot in the jump-off. The duo finished with the quickest round across the fast track in round two, stopping the timers in 47.05 seconds to earn their second podium-topping performance of the week for the red, white, and blue.

Tanner Korotkin (Wellington, Fla.) and Kinmar Quality Hero, a 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Obos Quality x Moujik de Sohan) owned by Sandalwood Farms, and cared for by Hadden Frost, who jumped as the fifth combination selected to the team, earned fifth place in the class, while Worthington and De L’Oiseliere finished in sixth.

PHOTO ©KimGaudry

When Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing galloped into Dickey’s Arena for the 2025 The American Performance Horseman, they weren’t riding alone. The hearts of everyone in the packed venue were in the saddle, too, as the horseand-team pursued a three-peat title and a never-before-accomplished million-dollar milestone. After their 229 score posted—and held for the field of eight top National Reining Horse Association professionals— the crowd went wild as Down Right Amazing became the first reining horse to win over $1 million in lifetime earnings.

Down Right Amazing hits Million-Dollar milestone at 2025 The American Performance

Before 2025 The American Performance Horseman on July 19, the 8-year-old sorrel overo stallion was about $50,000 away from millionaire status. Amazing’s last time in the show pen was August 2024, at The Run for a Million; the stallion had since been focused on breeding duties, not staying tuned up for competition. Yet Casey and owner Debbie Good knew Amazing’s story wasn’t done.

“His biggest paycheck [has been] $100,000. You can go back and count how many times that horse showed up and gave his heart,” he said. “I think that’s what will set him apart.”

Horseman

That heart showed up again July 19 in Fort Worth. With ears pricked and eyes bright, Amazing spun, circled and slid his way to a 229 score and the top of the leaderboard. The team captured a $100,000 paycheck as reigning—reining—champions of this year’s The American Performance Horseman.

“We are living a dream that we didn’t even know was a possibility. He’s a fullblown soldier. He likes his job, and I love him,” Casey said. “Everybody’s asked if he’s done—I don’t know. I don’t want to close the door on the blessing Gd has for that horse, so we’ll just leave it open and see how it goes.”

Congratulations

to the 2025 The American Performance Horseman Champions:

Cutting: James Payne & Nice Work Babe (QH)

Reining: Casey Deary & Down Right Amazing, a 2017 sorrel overo stallion by Colonels Smokingun x Shesouttayourleague (QH) Reined Cow Horse: Boyd Rice & My Boots Are Royal (QH) Team Champions: Team Purple—Austin Shepard, Trevor Dare and Veronica Swales

Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted. Please credit the Paint Horse Journal and provide a link provided back to apha.com.

Simply Amazing

Mechanisms controlling satiety and feeding behavior are complex and may involve physical feedback, such as chewing and stomach distention, as well as feedback from nutrients absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The study objectives were to examine feed intake behavior when horses are fed concentrates with different energy densities

Fed Different Feeds with Free Access or Restricted Access to Hay Feeding Behavior of Horses

and sources, and to determine how restricting hay intake would alter feed behavior.

Eight Thoroughbred geldings (12 ± 3 yr; 596 ± 36 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design over four 30-d periods with no washout periods. The concentrate treatments were 3 kg of high-

energy, high-starch (HS), 3 kg of high-energy, low-starch (LS), 2 kg of high-fiber pellet (FP), and 0.55 kg of ration balancer pellet (RB). Daily concentrate amounts were split into 2 equal meals fed 12 h apart.

Each period consisted of 5 d of feed adaption, 14 d of ad libitum hay access, and 10 d

of restricted hay (1.5% BW). Horses were housed in stalls for individual measurement of feed behavior and feed intake. They received group turnout in dry lots for 5 h daily. Horses were observed around meals during d 6–30 of each period to record the time to finish the meal and time to begin consuming hay. Hay intake was recorded daily from d 6–30. Behavior data were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA with treatment, period, and hay access as main effects and day as the repeated measure. Ad libitum hay intake was greatest for RB (2.1% BW), followed by FP (1.9% BW), and lowest for HS and LS (1.8% BW; P < 0.05).

Overall, the time to finish the meal was slowest for LS, followed by HS, then FP, and fastest for RB (P < 0.05). With restricted hay, the time to finish the meal increased for HS but was unchanged for other treatments (P < 0.05). Following a meal, horses fed RB started consuming hay the quickest, followed by HS, and slowest for LS, with FP not different from HS and LS (P < 0.05).

The time to start consuming hay following a meal decreased across all treatments when hay was restricted (P < 0.05). Restricting hay intake shortened the time between finishing a grain meal and consuming hay, suggesting horses had decreased satiety, regardless of concentrate treatment. Despite FP being a smaller meal size, horses fed FP, HS, and LS took the same amount of time to consume hay following a meal, which suggests FP may have characteristics that affect satiety similarly to a larger, more energy-dense meal.

Author:

A. Arredondo, A.L. Fowler, C. Guinard, E.D. Robyn, I. Robinson, J.D. Pagan, O. Montgomery