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THE GOLD RUSH
NOMINATIONS
One nomination. Lifetime eligibility. Nominate your horse once and they’re eligible to compete at every Gold Rush sidepot and the Main Event — forever.
$250
Intro Rate · Any Age
Lifetime
Eligibility · One-Time Fee
Sept 1
2026 Deadline
Apr 15
Nominations Open
One-Time Lifetime Fee
Nomination Fees
Fees are based on the horse's age at the time of nomination. Pay once — your horse is eligible for life. In 2026, any horse of any age can nominate at the $250 intro rate through September 1, 2026.
★ 2026 Intro Rate
Any Age · 2026 Only
$250
Available for every horse regardless of age — deadline September 1, 2026
2-Year-Olds & Younger
$250
Must be paid by Sept 1 of their 2-year-old year to avoid price increase
3-Year-Olds
$350
One-time lifetime fee
4-Year-Olds
$500
One-time lifetime fee
5-Year-Olds
$750
One-time lifetime fee
2026 Nomination Deadline: September 1, 2026. Nominations open April 15, 2026 at 8AM MST on the Gold Rush Portal. Starting in 2027, nominations open March 1 each year after the finalized slot holder list is posted.
Getting Started
How to Nominate
Nominating is straightforward. Complete the foal nomination form on the Gold Rush Portal, pay the one-time fee, and your horse is set for life.
01
Visit the Gold Rush Portal
Head to goldrushincentive.com and find the nomination form. Nominations open April 15, 2026 at 8AM MST — after the finalized list of slot holders is confirmed for the year.
02
Complete the Nomination Form
Fill out the foal nomination form with your horse's information. Make sure the horse is registered under your name or an immediate family member's name per AQHA records.
03
Pay the One-Time Fee
Submit the nomination fee based on your horse's age — or take advantage of the $250 intro rate available for any age through September 1, 2026. Slot holders receive $1,000 in complimentary nominations annually.
04
Compete for Life
Once nominated, your horse is eligible to enter any Gold Rush sidepot stop and the Main Event Futurity & Maturity — for life. No annual renewal, no additional nomination fees.
Slot Holders: $1,000 in Complimentary Nominations Annually
Each slot owner receives $1,000 worth of complimentary nominations every year as part of their slot. Complimentary nominations must be used by September 1 of the year you're paid in — they do not roll over. If you don't own a slot yet, learn more about slot ownership on the Gold Rush Portal.
Who Can Nominate
Eligibility
The Gold Rush is built around breeders and stallion owners. Nomination eligibility is tied to the slot holder network — here's how it works.
Slot Holders
If you own a slot, any horse you own, any progeny by your stallion, or any horse you are listed as the breeder of on AQHA papers is eligible for nomination. The horse must be in your name or an immediate family member's name recorded by AQHA — list all family members on your signed contract.
Non-Slot Holders
You don't need to own a slot to nominate. If you own a horse sired by a slot holder's stallion — or bred by a slot holder — that horse is eligible for nomination. You can nominate and compete without holding a slot yourself.
Transferred Horses
Purchased a horse that's already nominated? Complete the Owner Transfer form on the Gold Rush Portal to transfer eligibility and be listed as the owner/rider for winnings. The nomination itself stays with the horse — it doesn't need to be repaid.
Payout Priority
Slot holder earnings from your nominated horse go to: 1) the breeder on registration papers (if an active slot holder), then 2) the stallion owner (if an active slot holder), then 3) the nominator of the horse.
Maturity Eligibility
Maturity Access Rules
The $100,000 added 3D Maturity has its own eligibility path. Here are the three ways your horse qualifies — for life.
01
2026 Only
Grandfathered In — Any Age
In year one, all nominated horses are grandfathered into the Maturity regardless of age — as long as their nomination and the $400 Maturity entry fee are paid for the Main Event.
02
2027 & Beyond · Path A
Run the Futurity
If your horse is entered in the Futurity, they are eligible for the Maturity for life — no additional steps required in future years.
03
2027 & Beyond · Path B
Enter Before Age 8
If a horse was not entered in the Futurity, they must be entered in the Maturity before age 8 to maintain lifetime Maturity eligibility.
—
If Neither Path Is Met
$1,500 Maturity Buy-In
If a horse did not run the Futurity and was not entered in the Maturity before age 8, the $1,500 maturity buy-in for life applies to gain Maturity eligibility going forward.
Good to Know
Nomination Rules
Nominate before you enter. Nominations must be paid before entering any Gold Rush sidepot or the Main Event. No exceptions.
One-time fee, lifetime access. Once a horse is nominated, they are eligible to run at all Gold Rush incentive events for life — no annual renewal required.
Nomination money grows the program. All nomination fees are reinvested to grow The Gold Rush — expanding added money and the number of sidepot stops year over year.
2-year-old early bird. 2-year-olds and younger nominating at the $250 rate must be paid in by September 1 of their 2-year-old year to lock in that price before it increases.
Slot holder complimentary nominations are worth $1,000 annually and must be used by September 1 of the year you're paid in — they do not roll over to the following year.
Buying a nominated horse? Fill out the Owner Transfer form on the Gold Rush Portal at goldrushincentive.com to be eligible for owner/rider winnings. The nomination transfers with the horse.
Ready to Nominate?
The $250 intro rate is available for any age through September 1, 2026. Nominate on the Gold Rush Portal — nominations open April 15, 2026 at 8AM MST.
Nominate on the Gold Rush Portal