2026 SEASON

OPEN SIDEPOTS

Five $25,000 added stops across the northern region — 4D format, ½ second splits, both of your runs from the weekend count.

5
Stops
$25K
Added Per Stop
4D
Format · ½ sec splits
$100
Entry Per Stop
2026 Locations

The Five Stops

Each stop runs in conjunction with an existing event. Enter individually or hit every stop — your paid nomination covers all of them for life.

$100 entry per stop
Both runs from the weekend count
4D format · ½ second splits
Paid nomination required
01
Colorado
Colorado Classic
Montrose, CO
June 13–16, 2026
$100 Entry · $25,000 Added
02
Minnesota
Minnesota Breeders Futurity
Winona, MN
July 9–12, 2026
$100 Entry · $25,000 Added
03
Montana
Glacier Chaser
Joliet, MT
July 9–12, 2026
$100 Entry · $25,000 Added
04
South Dakota
Dash N Dance Futurity
Spearfish, SD
July 23–25, 2026
$100 Entry · $25,000 Added
05
Wyoming
Fizz Bomb Futurity
Gillette, WY
September 8–13, 2026
$100 Entry · $25,000 Added
At a Glance

Season Schedule

From June through September, leading into the Main Event at West Fest in Rapid City.

01
June 13–16, 2026
Colorado Classic
Montrose, Colorado
02
July 9–12, 2026
Minnesota Breeders Futurity
Winona, Minnesota
03
July 9–12, 2026
Glacier Chaser
Joliet, Montana
04
July 23–25, 2026
Dash N Dance Futurity
Spearfish, South Dakota
05
September 8–13, 2026
Fizz Bomb Futurity
Gillette, Wyoming
★
September 23–27, 2026
Main Event — Gold Rush Futurity & Maturity
Rapid City, South Dakota · Today's Horse West Fest
Money Breakdown

How Payouts Work

Every dollar of the $25,000 added money is paid out in full. Entry fees are split between operations and the prize pool, then distributed between owner/riders and slot holders.

Entry Fee Distribution
THM Productions
Operations & management 20%
Added to prize pool
Combined with $25K added money 80%
100% of the $25,000 added money is always paid out in full — guaranteed.
Total Prize Pool Distribution
Owner / Rider
The competitor on the horse 80%
Slot Holders
Breeder, stallion owner, or nominator 20%
Slot holder payout goes to the breeder first, then stallion owner, then nominator — in that priority order.
Getting In

How to Enter

Three steps to compete at any Gold Rush sidepot stop. Nominations are a one-time lifetime fee per horse — pay once, run everywhere.

01
Nominate Your Horse
Submit your horse's nomination and pay the one-time lifetime fee on the Gold Rush Portal. A paid nomination is required before entering any sidepot. The $250 intro rate is available for any age through September 1, 2026.
02
Register for the Stop
Once nominated, enter any sidepot stop through the Gold Rush Portal. Entry fee is $100 per stop. You can enter one stop or all five — your nomination covers them all.
03
Compete & Get Paid
Both of your runs from the weekend event count toward your 4D placing. Payouts go out after the event — 80% to owner/rider, 20% to the slot holder associated with your horse.
Nominations Are Required Before Entering
Every horse must have a paid nomination on file before they can be entered in any Gold Rush sidepot or the Main Event. Nominations are a one-time lifetime fee — once your horse is nominated, they're eligible to run at all Gold Rush incentive events forever. The $250 intro rate is available for any age in 2026 through September 1, 2026. Starting in 2027, fees are based on the horse's age at time of nomination.

Nominate on the Gold Rush Portal
Who Can Enter

Eligibility

The Gold Rush is built around breeders and stallion owners. Here's who qualifies to nominate and compete.

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 per AQHA records.
Non-Slot Holders
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. You don't need a slot to compete, just a nominated horse with a connection to the program.
Transferred Horses
If you purchase a horse that is already nominated, complete the Owner Transfer form on the Gold Rush Portal at goldrushincentive.com to be eligible for owner/rider winnings.
Slot Holder Payout Priority
Slot holder earnings go to: 1) the breeder on registration papers, 2) the stallion owner, or 3) the nominator of the horse — in that order, based on active slot holder status.
Sidepot Quick Rules

Both runs count. Both of your runs from the weekend event are scored and paid out in 4D format with ½ second splits.

One nomination covers all. A paid horse nomination makes you eligible to enter any Gold Rush sidepot or the Main Event — for life.

$100 entry per stop. Owner/rider must have a paid nomination per horse to be eligible to compete at any sidepot location.

Gold Rush management has final say on all matters and reserves the right to refuse entry to any individual or party for any reason.

All numbers are based on all 75 slots being sold. Added money and the number of sidepots will grow as nominations increase year over year.