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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 / $350
2 & Under · 3 & Up
Lifetime
Eligibility · One-Time Fee
Oct 1, 2027
Nomination Deadline
One-Time Lifetime Fee
Nomination Fees
Fees are based on the horse's age at the time of nomination. Pay once and your horse is eligible for life. Current rates are $250 for 2-year-olds & younger and $350 for 3-year-olds & older.
★ Current Rate
2-Year-Olds & Younger
$250
One-time lifetime fee
★ Current Rate
3-Year-Olds & Older
$350
One-time lifetime fee
Future Rate Schedule · Effective Date To Be Announced
2-Year-Olds & Younger
$250
Must be paid by Oct 1 of their 2-year-old year to avoid price increase
✓ Same in 2027
3-Year-Olds
$350
One-time lifetime fee
✓ Same in 2027
4-Year-Olds
$500
One-time lifetime fee
2027 · $350All Ages · 2027 Only
5-Year-Olds
$750
One-time lifetime fee
2027 · $350All Ages · 2027 Only
Nomination Deadline: October 1, 2027. Nominations stay open until then. Nominate any time on the Gold Rush Portal.
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 are open now through October 1, 2027.
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, currently $250 for 2-year-olds & younger and $350 for 3-year-olds & older. 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 October 1 of the year you're paid in. They do not roll over.
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(s), 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 3D Maturity has its own eligibility path. Here's how your horse qualifies for life.
01
2026 Only · Ended
Grandfather Rule Has Ended
In year one (2026), all nominated horses were grandfathered into the Maturity regardless of age. Starting in 2027, horses qualify through Path A or Path B, or the $1,500 buy-in.
02
2027 & Beyond · Path A
Run the Futurity
If your horse is entered in the Futurity, they are eligible for the Maturity for life, with 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.
04
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, with no annual renewal required.
Nomination money grows the program. 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 October 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 October 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?
Current rates are $250 for 2-year-olds & younger and $350 for 3-year-olds & older. Nominate on the Gold Rush Portal.
Nominate on the Gold Rush Portal