Top Stock Horse Trainers to Compete in Magnificent 7

The nation's top trainers and cow horses will compete for All-Around Stock Horse Champion title at the Magnificent 7 June 10 during the Western States Horse Expo.

April 26, 2005 — The nation’s top trainers are headed to Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento, Calif., for the premier stock horse competition known as the Magnificent 7, June 9-10, at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds.


For two days, horses and riders will put themselves to the test in a series of four events that will showcase their athletic ability and stock horse talent. The skill and versatility of both rider and horse will be challenged in herd work, rein work, steer stopping and fence work. By Friday night, only seven horse and rider teams will remain to compete for the title of All-Around Stock Horse Champion.


Based on the historical 1972 event called the World’s Championship All-Around Stock Horse Contest, the Magnificent 7 is a revival of the first one man, one horse competition created by Pro Rodeo Hall of Famers Cotton Rosser and Benny Bennion. The idea arose over drinks in Bennion’s Horseshoe Club in Las Vegas, Nev., when the two men started talking about putting together a competition showcasing horses that ranchers would love to have; horses that could rope, cut, rein and run a cow down the fence.


The contest was held periodically over the years until Western States Horse Expo CEO and founder Miki Cohen and others gave the event a permanent home.


According to Cohen, this year’s Magnificent Seven is expected to double in size. Thanks to a shuffle in venues within the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), the number of entries and the amount of prize money winnings has dramatically increased.


Spectators are invited to watch for free on June 9 when the elimination go-round starts at 8 a.m. Autographs will be available from the final seven at the Horse & Rider booth on June 10 at 11 a.m. The final Magnificent 7 will compete for the title on Friday night at 8 p.m. Admission to the final is $10.


The 2005 Western States Horse Expo is June 10-12. Tickets are available online at www.horsexpo.com or at the gate.

What did you think of this article?

Thank you for your feedback!