The National Reined Cow Horse Association is proud to announce the latest qualifiers for the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge at The Run For A Million, following an action-packed week at the 2025 NRCHA MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Shawn Hays claimed the Tulsa Qualifier win, earning his third career trip to the prestigious Las Vegas event. Hays previously competed at The Run For A Million aboard MoonshineAndTwoAdvil before retiring the gelding after their 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman® victory.
“I didn’t make it last year, so it’s good to get to go back,” Hays said. “It’s a great event they put on out there, and I’m just happy to be amongst all the other top 15 riders. This will be the third time going, I went twice on MoonshineAndTwoAdvil and I didn’t have a horse for it last year, so it’s good to finally have another horse that’s good enough to go back and compete after him.”
Joining Hays from Tulsa are:
- Kyle Trahern – The 2024 $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge Champion
- Matt Koch
- Shadd Parkinson
- Chris Dawson
They will compete alongside previously qualified riders:
- Boyd Rice
- Erin Taormino
- Sarah Dawson
- Abbie Phillips
- Shadd Parkinson
- Clay Volmer
- Corey Cushing
- Clayton Edsall
- Zane Davis
- Brendan Clark
The $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge at The Run For A Million showcases the very best in reined cow horse, bringing together elite riders and world-class equine athletes in an event that has become a highlight of the western performance horse industry. The NRCHA is proud to have all 15 riders representing our association at an event of this magnitude.
