Site design by Horse Alley.
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA · 2026
THE MAIN EVENT
FUTURITY & MATURITY
A Northern Alliance for Breeders, Trainers & Barrel Racing Enthusiasts
Main Event
September 23–27, 2026
Futurity & Maturity Run
Thursday & Friday, Sept 24–25
Today's Horse West Fest
Rapid City, SD
About
What Is The Gold Rush?
The Gold Rush is a northern alliance for breeders, trainers, stallion owners, and barrel racing enthusiasts bringing one of the largest paying futurities and maturities to South Dakota. In 2026 we launch with five $25,000 added open 4D sidepots across the northern region, culminating in our Main Event — a $150,000 added 2D Futurity and a $100,000 added 3D Maturity. With growth from nominations, we plan to increase sidepots and added money every year.
* All numbers based on all 75 slots being sold.
◆
Main Event · September 24–25, 2026
The Big Paydays
2D Futurity
$150,000
Added Money · Full Second Split
- Entry fee: $500
- Full 2D format — 1 full second split between divisions
- Times from Thursday carry to Saturday Open at West Fest
- Times from Friday carry to Sunday Open at West Fest
- Open to all eligible nominated horses
3D Maturity
$100,000
Added Money · .75 Second Split
- Entry fee: $400
- .75 second splits between 3D divisions
- In 2026: all nominated horses grandfathered in regardless of age
- Consecutive years: must have run futurity OR entered maturity before age 8
- Maturity buy-in for life: $1,500 if eligibility not otherwise met
West Fest Carryover
BONUS RUNS
Carry Your Times to Open Races
- Futurity / Maturity contestants get the option to carry times to West Fest
- 1st go-round (Thursday) → Saturday Open Race
- 2nd go-round (Friday) → Sunday Open Race
Maturity Eligibility Note: All eligible horses are grandfathered into the maturity in year one regardless of age with a paid nomination and $400 maturity entry fee. In consecutive years, the horse must have been entered in the futurity OR entered in the maturity before age 8 to be eligible for life. If neither condition is met, the $1,500 maturity buy-in for life applies.
2026 Season
$25,000 Added Sidepots
Five stops across the northern region. 4D format with ½ second splits. Both of your runs from the weekend event count. $100 entry per stop.
01
Colorado
Colorado Classic
Montrose, CO
June 13–16, 2026
$100 Entry
02
Minnesota
Minnesota Breeders Futurity
Winona, MN
July 9–12, 2026
$100 Entry
03
Montana
Glacier Chaser
Joliet, MT
July 9–12, 2026
$100 Entry
04
South Dakota
Dash N Dance Futurity
Spearfish, SD
July 23–25, 2026
$100 Entry
05
Wyoming
Fizz Bomb Futurity
Gillette, WY
September 8–13, 2026
$100 Entry
How Sidepot Payouts Work: 100% of added money paid out. Of entry fee totals, 20% goes to THM Productions and 80% is added to the pot. Of the total payout pool, 20% goes to slot holders and 80% to the owner/rider. Enter via the Gold Rush Portal at goldrushincentive.com
Membership
Slot Ownership
Slot Investment
$6,000
PAYOUT PRIORITY ORDER
1
Breeder on registration papers (if active slot holder)
2
Stallion owner (if active slot holder)
3
Horse nominator
- Anyone can purchase a slot — open to breeders, stallion owners, and enthusiasts
- Makes your entire breeding program eligible: offspring by your stallions, plus any horse you own or bred (must be in your name or immediate family's name per AQHA)
- Each slot owner receives $1,000 worth of complimentary nominations annually (must be used by September 1st each year)
- Stay in for 3+ years and receive lifetime payout on your horses
- Once purchased, your slot is yours — you can sell it down the road (all sales handled through Gold Rush management)
- Slot holders receive 20% of total sidepot payout pools
NON-SLOT HOLDERS CAN STILL NOMINATE
If you don't own a slot, horses you own that are sired by a slot holder's stallion — or bred by a slot holder — are eligible for nomination.
◆
One-Time Lifetime Fee
Nomination Fees
Once nominated, your horse is eligible to run for all Gold Rush incentive money for life. Nominations open April 15, 2026 at 8AM MST.
Any Age · 2026 Only
$250
Intro rate for all ages — deadline September 1, 2026
2-Year-Olds & Younger
$250
Must be paid by Sept 1 of their 2yo year
3-Year-Olds
$350
One-time lifetime nomination
4-Year-Olds
$500
One-time lifetime nomination
5-Year-Olds
$750
One-time lifetime nomination
Maturity Buy-In
$1,500
For life — if maturity eligibility not otherwise met
Must nominate first. Nominations must be paid before entering any side pots or the Main Event. Fill out the foal nomination form on the Gold Rush Portal at goldrushincentive.com
Transferring ownership? If you purchase an already-nominated horse, fill out the Owner/Transfer Gold Rush Portal to be eligible for owner/rider winnings.
Nomination money grows the future. Funds are used to grow The Gold Rush — expanding added money and sidepots in future years.
2027 and beyond. Nominations open March 1 each year after a finalized list of slot holders is posted. In 2026, slots open April 15.
Sidepot Money Flow
How Payouts Work
100%
Added Money
Paid Out
Paid Out
All $25,000 added money is paid out in full every sidepot
20%
Entry Fees →
THM Productions
THM Productions
Operations & management. Remaining 80% of entry fees added to pot.
80% / 20%
Owner-Rider vs.
Slot Holders
Slot Holders
Of the total prize pool: 80% to owner/rider, 20% to slot holders
Official Rules
Rules & Guidelines
01
Once you purchase a slot, you own it. The spot is yours to sell down the road if you choose. All sales must be approved and handled through The Gold Rush owners.
02
Slot owners must stay in for three years to be paid for lifetime on your horses. If the 3-year requirement isn't met, that slot money goes to the next slot in line.
03
Main event 2D Futurity entry fee: $500. 2D format with full second splits.
04
Main event 3D Maturity entry fee: $400. 3D format with .75 second splits.
05
The Gold Rush is focused on the breeder. Payout goes to the breeder on registration papers (if active slot holder), then stallion owner, then nominator.
06
If you own a slot, anything you own, progeny by your stallion, or anything you are the breeder of, is eligible for nomination.
07
All horse ownership/breeding must be in your name or immediate family's name per AQHA records. List all immediate family members on your signed contract.
08
In 2026, all nominated horses are grandfathered into the maturity regardless of age, with a paid nomination and $400 maturity entry fee.
09
Gold Rush Management reserves the right to change or amend any rules at any time and to refuse entry to any individual, stallion, LLC, or party for any reason.
10
The Board has final say on all matters: Lee & Hallie Hanssen, Cally Kindred, and Maegan McPherson.