September 23–27, 2026

THE MAIN EVENT

FUTURITY & MATURITY

The culmination of the Gold Rush season. $250,000 in added money across two premier competitions — the 2D Futurity and the 3D Maturity — held in conjunction with Today’s Horse West Fest in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Event Dates
Sept 23–27, 2026
Futurity & Maturity
Thurs & Fri · Sept 24–25
Venue
Rapid City, SD
In Conjunction With
Today's Horse West Fest
$150,000
Added · 2D Futurity
+
$100,000
Added · 3D Maturity
=
$250,000
Total Added Money
Main Event Competitions

The Big Paydays

Two separate competitions. Two massive purses. Both run Thursday and Friday, September 24–25, giving contestants the chance to carry their times into the West Fest Open races over the weekend.

2D Futurity
$150,000
Added Money · Full Second Split
  • Full 2D format — one full second split between divisions
  • Open to all nominated horses with a paid Futurity entry
  • 1st go-round Thursday carries to Saturday Open at West Fest
  • 2nd go-round Friday carries to Sunday Open at West Fest
  • Payout goes first to breeder, then stallion owner, then nominator
$500 Entry Fee
3D Maturity
$100,000
Added Money · .75 Second Split
  • .75 second splits between 3D divisions
  • In 2026: all nominated horses grandfathered in regardless of age
  • Future years: must have run Futurity OR entered Maturity before age 8
  • 1st go-round Thursday carries to Saturday Open at West Fest
  • 2nd go-round Friday carries to Sunday Open at West Fest
$400 Entry Fee
2026 Maturity Grandfather Rule: In year one, all eligible horses are grandfathered into the Maturity regardless of age with a paid nomination and $400 Maturity entry fee. In consecutive years, horses must have been entered in the Futurity — or entered in the Maturity before age 8 — to remain eligible for life. If neither condition is met, the $1,500 Maturity buy-in for life applies.
Bonus Opportunity

West Fest Carryover

Every Futurity and Maturity contestant has the option to carry their times into the West Fest Open races on Saturday and Sunday — giving you two extra shots at the open race purse on top of your Futurity and Maturity placings.

Thurs
24
1st Go-Round — Futurity & Maturity
Run your first go-round on Thursday, September 24th as part of the Gold Rush Futurity & Maturity competition.
↓ Time carries to Saturday
Sat
26
Saturday Open Race — West Fest
Your Thursday 1st go-round time automatically carries into the Saturday Open Race at West Fest, giving you a placing without an extra run.
Optional carryover
Fri
25
2nd Go-Round — Futurity & Maturity
Run your second go-round on Friday, September 25th to complete your Futurity & Maturity competition.
↓ Time carries to Sunday
Sun
27
Sunday Open Race — West Fest
Your Friday 2nd go-round time carries into the Sunday Open Race at West Fest. Four competitive placings from two runs.
Optional carryover
◆
Week of September 23–27

Full Event Schedule

The Gold Rush Main Event runs inside Today's Horse West Fest — five days of competition in Rapid City with the Futurity and Maturity anchoring Thursday and Friday.

WED
23
Wednesday, September 23
West Fest Opens
Today's Horse West Fest begins in Rapid City, SD
THU
24
Thursday, September 24
Gold Rush Futurity & Maturity — 1st Go-Round
$150,000 added 2D Futurity · $100,000 added 3D Maturity · Times carry to Saturday Open
FRI
25
Friday, September 25
Gold Rush Futurity & Maturity — 2nd Go-Round
Finals for Futurity & Maturity · Times carry to Sunday Open
SAT
26
Saturday, September 26
West Fest Saturday Open Race
Futurity & Maturity contestants may carry Thursday's 1st go-round time
SUN
27
Sunday, September 27
West Fest Sunday Open Race
Futurity & Maturity contestants may carry Friday's 2nd go-round time
Before You Enter

Entry Requirements

Make sure your horse is set up before the Main Event. Every entry requirement below must be satisfied before competing in the Futurity or Maturity.

Paid Nomination
Your horse must have a paid, active nomination on file through the Gold Rush Portal before you can enter the Main Event. The $250 intro rate is available for any age through September 1, 2026.
Futurity Entry Fee
The 2D Futurity entry fee is $500. Full second splits between divisions. Open to all nominated horses that meet eligibility requirements.
Maturity Entry Fee
The 3D Maturity entry fee is $400. .75 second splits. In 2026, all nominated horses are grandfathered in. Future year eligibility requires prior Futurity entry or Maturity entry before age 8.
Eligibility & Ownership
The horse must be sired by a slot holder stallion, or bred by a slot holder. Transferred horses must complete the Owner Transfer form on the Gold Rush Portal.
Ready for the Main Event?

Nominate your horse and secure your entry on the Gold Rush Portal. The $250 intro rate is available for any age through September 1, 2026.

Nominate on the Gold Rush Portal