From the Sale Ring to the Million-Dollar Arena
Every year, horses purchased through the Old West Rope Horse Sale are eligible to return and compete in the 4-year-old division of the Old West Rope Horse Futurity for a shot at $1,000,000.
It’s more than a prize—it’s a legacy.
How It Works: (Buy Any horse in the sale, all sale graduates are eligible *see rules for details.)
Step 1: Buy a Horse from the Sale
Purchasing a horse through the Old West Rope Horse Sale (OWRHS) qualifies you for a shot at the $1 million bonus. For example, if you buy a 3-year-old in the 2025 sale, that horse becomes eligible to compete in the 4-year-old division in the 2026 Old West Rope Horse Futurity (OWRHF) for a chance at the $1 million.
Step 2: Win the Futurity
To win the $1 million bonus in 2026, your horse must meet two requirements:
1. It must be a graduate of the 2025 OWRHS.
2. To claim the Million-Dollar Bonus, your sale graduate must win 1st place in the main pot of the 4-Year-Old Futurity Division in:
- Heading
- Heeling
- Breakaway (eligible if the number of Breakaway entries equals Heading & Heeling entries).
This opportunity is available every year—each OWRHS graduate can return to compete in the 4-year-old division for a shot at the million.
If both a graduate head horse and a graduate heel horse win 1st in the main pot, the $1 million bonus will be split between them. And if you win the $1 million, you’ll also collect your main pot winnings and additional money from the guaranteed graduate side pot.
Sale graduate horses will also be eligible for side pots in the 6 and under division.
What If I Don’t Win First, But Place High?
Even if your horse doesn’t win the main pot, you can still win big.
All sale graduates are automatically entered into a guaranteed side pot—a prize pool reserved exclusively for OWRHS graduates. For example, if your horse places 3rd overall but is the highest-placing graduate. You win 1st in the graduate side pot!
Quick Eligibility Checklist
- Horse must be purchased from the Old West Rope Horse Sale.
- Horse must win the 4-year-old division main pot in heading, heeling or breakaway.
Why This Changes the Game
- Encourages elite breeding and training
- Drives the value of performance horses
- Creates long-term investment value for buyers
- Makes Old West the premier place to find your future champion
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay extra to enter the Million Bonus competition?
Do I have to pay extra to enter the Million Bonus competition?
No. If your horse is purchased at the Old West Sale, it’s automatically eligible.
Can I enter multiple horses?
Can I enter multiple horses?
Yes! Many buyers purchase multiple horses for their shot at the bonus.
Can I resell the horse before it returns to the Futurity?
Can I resell the horse before it returns to the Futurity?
Yes. The horse is still eligible for the bonus.
Ready to Play the Long Game?
The path to a million starts with the right horse—and the right moment.
That moment is the sale night at the Old West Sale.
