The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) is proud to welcome Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa into the elite NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Club.
Jones crossed the million dollar mark at the South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Association Road to Texas show at the end of August. Going into the event, Jones was just shy of $1,500 from the milestone. After winning both the Futurity and Derby events, Jones brought his lifetime earnings to $1,009,932.79.
“This has been a goal of mine and something I hoped to accomplish this year. Going into the South Dakota show, I honestly thought I needed to win a lot more to cross but my wife, Erin, had been in contact with NRCHA and when I won the Derby on Blinded By The Boon, she told me I did it,” Jones recalled. “It is still sinking in.”
After watching the cow horse events at the AQHA shows and watching the World’s Greatest Horseman competition, Jones became interested in trying the reined cow horse. Although Jones first began his career as a professional in the roping pen, he quickly found success in the reined cow horse industry, with the help of Dell Hendricks, Jay McLaughlin, Don Murphy and Les Vogt.
Jones made his first Snaffle Bit Futurity® Limited Open Finals in 2007 and since then he has been multiple-finalist in the Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® and the World’s Greatest Horseman, along with qualifying for The Run For A Million in 2022, placing 5th, and has won multiple AQHA World Championships in the Working Cow Horse.
“I would not be here without my faith in God, the support of my family, and my customers that have been with me throughout my career,” Jones said. “Erin has always encouraged me and believed in me through the years, and I have been extremely fortunate in having clients like David Pratt, Kenny Schueller, and the Hockenson’s who have been with me since the early 2000’s.”
When asked about his future plans, Jones explained that he wants to continue to ride and train good horses. Jones and his wife Erin are enjoying watching their children follow their dreams in the arena and are looking forward to what God has in store for them.
The NRCHA will induct Jones along with Ken Wold, and John Swales in to the NRCHA Million Dollar Club at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Finals, Saturday, October 21, at the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.
About the National Reined Cow Horse Association
Based in Pilot Point, Texas, the National Reined Cow Horse Association was formed in 1949 in California, with the goal of preserving and educating the public about the rich history of this traditional horsemanship. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport and ensuring high standards of competition and continuing to work to keep the Vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. The NRCHA also supports numerous affiliate clubs across the United States, Europe and abroad. These groups serve as the association’s backbone, holding many NRCHA-sanctioned competitions and events each year. For more information on these events and reined cow horse, visit nrcha.com.
National Reined Cow Horse Association
Callie McCarthy-Boevers
Media & Communications Manager
callie@nrcha.com