March 14 – 22: 20th Annual Cactus Reining Classic Comes to WestWorld of Scottsdale

He’s almost singlehandedly reinvigorated the nation’s love affair with Western and cowboy culture, and now, Taylor Sheridan, the hitmaker behind the likes of “Yellowstone,” “Landman” and “The Last Cowboy” is bringing the grit, drama and high-stakes cowboy competition to “The West’s Most Western Town,” WestWorld of Scottsdale for the Cactus Reining Classic, on March 14- 22, 2025.

Broadcast on CMT and co-owned by Academy Award nominee Sheridan and Scottsdale resident Amanda Brumley, the Classic is the lone qualifying event for August’s “Run for a Million,” an elite-level reining, cow horse and cutting competition in Las Vegas dubbed the “the richest event in the history of reining.” 

Viewed by audiences in 55 countries last year, the Cactus Reining Classic is both a career-defining event for youth, amateur and professional participants and a full-scale spectacle of horsemanship and showmanship, granting attendees a firsthand look at the struggles, triumphs and rivalries that shape and drive the sport’s most famous faces.

“If you’ve been craving more Western content and culture since “Yellowstone” ended, this is a great opportunity to see top industry talent, including Taylor Sheridan, himself, and stars from “The Last Cowboy,” take the reins and put on a show unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” said Brumley. “This action-packed event is a must-attend, whether you’re an established equestrian enthusiast or someone looking to experience the thrill of reining for the first time.”

Featuring 30 different Western and reining competitions, the Cactus Reining Classic differs from more traditional equestrian events because there are multiple components that help determine who reigns supreme. Unlike in, say, barrel racing, where the fastest horse and rider take home the top title, the winners of these events must showcase their skills in a broad range of areas, performing a precise set of maneuvers including spins, sliding stops, circles, rollbacks and lead changes without error. Judges then score each horse and rider in terms of speed, flow, accuracy and smoothness, among other areas, with the top 10 finishers (out of an estimated 85 – 100) joining six already-qualified participants at the Run for a Million event in Las Vegas Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. 

In addition to a chance to check out the fast-paced, high-stakes competition, attendees at this year’s 20^th annual Cactus Reining Classic may also be able to score autographs and meet-and-greets with the “Yellowstone” showrunner and some of the most famous faces from recent seasons of “The Last Cowboy.” Drawing more than 15,000 attendees, the Cactus Reining Classic has cemented itself one of the NRHA’s top 10 annual events, uniting elite riders, up-and-comers and fans of cowboy culture alike for an unforgettable celebration of culture, tradition and sport.

While the intensity of the competition is the Cactus Reining Classic’s main draw, event-goers will also find an expansive assortment of Western-inspired vendors onsite selling everything from tack, art and clothing to food, drink, home goods and jewelry. Attendees will also have a chance to see some of the top working ranch and show horses from the reining world, some of which have amassed as large a fanbase and following as their riders.

“As the influence of Western culture continues to grow, we’re seeing more and more Hollywood celebrities attending and fueling the sport’s popularity,” Brumley said. “Stars like Taylor Sheridan are making Western performance disciplines more mainstream, and you never know who you might spot on the sand or in the stands.”

For more information regarding vendor spaces, sponsorships or to view a full event schedule, visit https://brumleyevents.com/cactus-reining-classic/#.