The Horse Nominator
The Nominator of record for the horse — the person who nominates the horse into its division. The Horse Nominator is always eligible for their share of the incentive payout.
The Crown Jewel Futurity Incentive Program
How the program works
Simple, transparent, and inclusive — rewarding the Nominators of horses that place in The Crown Jewel Futurity at the High Roller Reining Classic.
Overview
A platform, not a club.
No stallion roster requirement. A horse can compete in The Crown Jewel Futurity without a stallion nomination — and horse nomination fees fund The Crown Jewel Incentive Fund.
The Crown Jewel Futurity is an NRHA-approved Category 6 event for 3-year-old horses — a Level 4 Open with $100,000 in added money and a Level 2 Open with $10,000 in added money, both with zero competition retainage and long-term purse growth. It is the competitive stage where Nominator incentives are offered, anchoring the Crown Jewel ecosystem by rewarding stallions, horses, owners, and competitors.
Who earns incentive payouts
Eligibility for payouts
When a horse places Top 5 in an eligible division of The Crown Jewel Futurity, incentive payouts are awarded to its Nominators.
The Stallion Nominator
Eligible as the Stallion Nominator of record, provided the annual stallion participation requirement has been met for the competition year (see below).
For stallion owners
The annual participation requirement
Commencing in 2027, a stallion satisfies the annual participation requirement through one of three approved methods. Stallion owners hold the exclusive right to participate through August 15; after that, a third party may nominate the stallion.
Stallion Sponsorship
Provide a minimum sponsorship of $2,500 to The Crown Jewel Futurity, executed in the name of the participating stallion.
- Recognized as an Official Crown Jewel Stallion Sponsor for that competition year.
- Paid in full by August 15.
Stallion Service Donation
Donate one (1) breeding service to The Crown Jewel Futurity Stallion Service Auction during the calendar year preceding the competition.
- Offered through the online auction with a $2,500 minimum value.
- If it sells below the minimum, the owner may pay the difference by August 15; if it does not sell, the requirement may be met through sponsorship instead.
Third-Party Nomination
If a stallion has not satisfied the requirement by August 15, any individual or entity may nominate it by satisfying the $2,500 participation requirement one of two ways:
- Direct payment — submit the $2,500 participation fee through the official Crown Jewel website; or
- Auction credit — if the stallion is entered in the Stallion Service Auction, the sale price is credited toward the $2,500 (pay the balance if it sells for less).
- The Third-Party Nominator of record then receives the stallion incentive payouts. Deadline September 1; +$1,000 late nomination fee afterward.
Heads up: for stallion-based incentive payouts, only the Nominator of record is eligible to
receive distributions. If the stallion owner is not the Nominator, the owner has no claim to that stallion's
incentive payout for the applicable year.
The payout schedule
How payouts are distributed
Incentive payouts are issued following verification of results, eligibility, and required tax documentation. The Incentive Fund is awarded by placing across the Top 5.
| Placing | Share of Incentive Fund |
|---|---|
| 1st | 35% |
| 2nd | 25% |
| 3rd | 20% |
| 4th | 15% |
| 5th | 5% |
The Incentive Fund is distributed across the Top 5 by these percentages.
Funding structure
Where the fund
comes from.
Incentive funds are generated from horse nomination fees collected at the time of entry.
Beginning in 2026, offspring nominations position offspring to compete in dedicated Crown Jewel Nominated divisions beginning in 2030. Those nomination fees support increased added money, expanded division offerings, incentive payouts, and the continued growth and sustainability of the program.
See the Nominator IncentiveThe fine print, in plain terms
General rules
Questions?
We're here to help you participate.
For questions regarding the program, participation requirements, or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to The Crown Jewel Incentive management.