header photography credit: chris bienko

JULY 24 & 25 2026

NIOBRARA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
LUSK, WYOMING

PAYOUT & AWARDS

100% of the entry fees will be paid back out in prize money.

Entries will be capped at 100 teams, so all prize money amounts are subject to change, based on number of teams entered.
All payout splits shown below are based on 100 entered teams.


LONG ROUND PAYOUT

Payouts for rounds 1 & 2 (long rounds) will be 30% of entry money = $30,000 each round

1st = 25% = $7,500/team ($1,875/man)
2nd = 20% = $6,000/team ($1,500/man)
3rd = 17.5% = $5,250/team ($1,312.50/man)
4th = 15% = $4,500/team ($1,125/man)
5th = 12.5% = $3,750/team ($937.50/man)
6th = 10% = $3,000/team ($750/man)

SHORT ROUND PAYOUT

Payouts for short round will be 40% of entry money = $40,000



1st = 40% = $16,000/team ($4,000/man)
2nd = 30% = $12,000/team ($3,000/man)
3rd = 20% = $8,000/team ($2,000/man)
4th = 10% = $4,000/team ($1,000/man)

Event winners will be presented with a variety of hand-crafted, high-quality award items.

AWARDS

OVERALL CHAMPIONS

1st place overall team (Short Round Champion) will receive 4 vouchers for custom saddles from McMillen Saddlery

LONG ROUND CHAMPIONS

1st place teams in each of the 2 long rounds will receive M Slash Bar back cinch buckles.

TOP HORSE

Top Horse winner will be presented a custom-made bit, crafted by Gary Johnson.

TOP HORSE PAYOUT

Top Horse will pay 3 places, paying out 100% of entry money back to participants

1st = 50%
2nd = 30%
3rd = 20%

TOP HAND

Top Hand will be presented a custom-made spur set, crafted by Gary Johnson.

In addition, a yearling colt from AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder Diamond 7 Livestock & West Brothers will be presented to Top Hand.

TOP HORSEMAN

An additional award will be presented to a contestant selected as Top Horseman. Spurs crafted by Gary Johnson. Donated by The Wade Family.