The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) has added more money than ever before to the upcoming Ray Shell Ranch and Western Bloodstock World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition. This year, there will be $80,000 up for grabs in preliminary go-round money alone.
The new go-round money in the prelims will now payout $20,000 per event, nearly doubling the prize money from 2023. This increase in money is largely due to the support of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the American Rope Horse Futurity Association (ARHFA), and One Time Pepto, who will be sponsoring the rein work, steer stopping, and cow work, respectively. The winner of each event in the preliminary go-rounds will now take home $10,000, with second place paying $6,000 and third paying $4,000.
“The goal of adding the money to the prelims was to incentivize those riders who excel in the cutting, reined, and roping portions and who have wanted to enter the World’s Greatest Horseman,” Emily Konkel, NRCHA executive director. “They now have a way to earn a significant amount of money before even getting to the finals. With the help of the NRHA, ARHFA and One Time Pepto, we are able to offer competitive payouts for the most exhilarating event in the performance horse world!”
Since its inception in 1999, this event has showcased the true versatility of the bridle horses and the cowboys and cowgirls that compete with them. In 2024, the NRCHA will crown the 25th champion of the World’s Greatest Horseman, with the winner taking home a check for $150,000.
The World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition will be held in conjunction with the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions, February 11-24, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Entries for the World’s Greatest Horseman™ will open on Tuesday, January 9. For more information, visit nrcha.com/events/celebration-of-champions/.
National Reined Cow Horse Association
Callie McCarthy-Boevers
Director of Media & Communications
callie@nrcha.com