The 2025 MARS EQUESTRIAN™ National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Hackamore Classic turned out to be the final premier event NRCHA Non Pro Debbie Crafton needed to accumulate more than $1 million in NRCHA lifetime earnings. Crafton is only the second non pro to achieve this status.
“I initially thought it was far-fetched,” Crafton revealed, pointing at the fact that non pro riders compete for smaller purses than open riders. “I thought I’d accomplish some goals and wins, but I thought I was too old to make it happen in the non pro. Then my career kept momentum. Once I hit $500,000, I thought I could make it happen. Then it became an achievable goal.”
Crafton won the Hackamore Classic Non Pro title, along with riding horses that placed second and fifth in that event, and she won the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular to help push her past the milestone. Crafton is a lifelong horsewoman, having competed in everything from roping to reining to jumping, but she only dabbled in cow horse locally until her first premier event in 2018. Her biggest wins on her road to one million in earnings include:
- 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Champion aboard Biscuits R Smokin (Hickory Holly Time x IC The Biscuits x Dual R Smokin); $40,000
- 2019 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Champion aboard Dualin Alittle Time (One Time Pepto x ARC Little Dualena x Dual Pep); $25,058.21
- 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro third place aboard Reyv On Cat (Stevie Rey Von x Boons Cat x Peptoboonsmal); $20,000
- Lifetime earnings with SJR Diamond Luna (CD Diamond x SJR Smooth Gina x Smooth As A Cat) of nearly $100,000, achieving premier event finalist or higher in every event
“This is such an exciting moment in NRCHA history as we celebrate only the second non pro ever to reach Million Dollar Rider status,” shared NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel. “It’s a milestone that so many strive for, and we’re thrilled to welcome Debbie Crafton—an incredibly talented and dedicated horsewoman—into the prestigious NRCHA Million Dollar Club. Her achievement is a testament to her hard work, consistency and passion for the sport of reined cow horse. Congratulations, Debbie!”
For a complete list of NRCHA Million Dollar Riders, visit www.nrcha.com/nrcha-million-dollar-riders/.
