Dawsons reach $2 Million, Sires and Dams Cross New Milestones

The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) announced two new riders to cross the $2 million threshold. During the 2024 Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions, Chris and Sarah Dawson each surpassed that threshold.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think it would happen at the same horse show, which blows my mind that two people’s careers have come to the same point at the same exact time,” expressed Sarah.

Chris crossed the $2 million point during the Tres Osos Derby, where he placed third on Nu Passport (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark), owned by Kalpowar Quarter Horses, and fourth on Itchin Ta Shine (Call Me Mitch x Sheza Shinette x Shining Spark), owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses.

Sarah Dawson became the first female NRCHA professional to cross the two-million-dollar mark when she won the Open Hackamore on Juliette Jonez (Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart), owned by Linda Mars.

“The million was a huge thing for me! After I reached the million, I just enjoyed things a little bit more and let the chips fall where they may at those horse shows. I didn’t realize until the fall that the two-million-dollar mark was so close,” said Sarah.

Chris and Sarah Dawson are the first husband-and-wife pair to reach the $2 Million club together.

“We had a neat little competition between us. We have been battling at each other, trying to get there first. It was special to get there at the same time,” explained Chris.

This duo took their rivalry to the next level as they competed against each other in the 2024 Ray Shell Ranch and Western Bloodstock World’s Greatest Horseman finals. Chris rode Holy Cow Performance Horses’ Reyzinette (Dual Rey x Sheza Shinette x Shining Spark), finishing third. Sarah, in her first World’s Greatest Horseman finals, showed You May Be Wright (Hes Wright On x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark), owned by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, finishing fourteenth.

“We prepare for horse shows together; we are a team,” shared Chris Dawson.

In addition to Chris and Sarah, four horses reached new milestones at the February event as well: Metallic Cat, One Time Pepto, Katie Starlight and Isabellena.

Metallic Cat, owned by the Rocking P Ranch, once again broke an NRCHA record by becoming the first sire to reach $7 million in offspring earnings. Metallic Cat had over 60 offspring competing at this year’s Celebration of Champions. During the event, his offspring earned over $230,000 and took home numerous titles, including the 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman champion captured by MoonshineAndTwoAdvil.

One Time Pepto continues his legacy in the reined cow horse industry by becoming the newest $5 Million Sire. The late stallion, owned by Mathews Cutting Horses, secured over $50,000 in offspring earnings during the event.

Earning their spots in the $500,000 Dam Club, were Katie Starlight (Grays Starlight x Colonel Gunsmoke x Colonel Freckles), owned by Cinder Lakes Ranch, and Isabellena (Quejanaisalena x Safari Belle x Little Safari Badger), owned by Rocking BS Ranch. Both mares produced 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman finalists.

“It is remarkable to see these horses and riders cross major milestones after each premier event. The NRCHA and our sponsors have been committed to increasing the payouts for our reined cow horses and riders,” Emily Konkel, NRCHA Executive Director said. “It is life changing money for these incredible athletes. Congratulations to the Dawsons and these outstanding stallions and mares.”