The National Reining Horse Association is proud to announce that Kaci J. O’Rourke of Cross Roads, Texas, has officially become the association’s newest Million Dollar Rider. O’Rourke reached this career milestone following her performance at the 2025 NRHA Futurity®. O’Rourke rode A Black Tie Affaire (A Vintage Smoke x Shesouttayourleague) owned by 13Moonstruck, and nominated by breeder Brooke Wharton and Gunnabegreatagain (Gunnatrashya x Jills Remedy) owned by Peter and Courtney Morgan and nominated by breeder Samantha Tully, in the Open Finals for a total check of $50,000 – pushing her lifetime earnings to over $1 million and signing her ticket to an elite group of NRHA Professionals.
O’Rourke has already made history in her career, most notably as the first woman to ever win the NRHA Futurity. She claimed the 2024 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Championship aboard The Firemen (Inferno Sixty Six x Rehot Walla), owned by Peter and Courtney Morgan, bred and nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC. The duo captured an impressive $350,000 for the Level 4 title, while also taking the Level 3 Championship for an additional $70,000. The victory was made even more historic as O’Rourke became the last Futurity Champion crowned in the iconic Jim Norick Arena.
Highlights of O’Rourke’s career include:
- 2024 NRHA Futurity Level 4 OpenChampion & Level 3 Champion: The Firemen (Inferno Sixty Six x Rehot Walla), earning $421,250 combined.
- 2025 The American Performance Horseman: Individual Reining Reserve Champion aboard Mr Farenheit (Magnum Chic Dream x Wimpy Little Girl), owned by Morin and Vandorp, bred and nominated by Peter Morgan, earning $75,000.
- 2022 The Invitational – Level 4 Open 3rd place on Slick Tricks (Tricked Out Spook x Too Spooked To Drive), owned by Sara Linnes, bred and nominated by Cayce Bennett, earning $24,333.
- 2025 100X Reining Classic – 4-Year-Old Stakes: Level 4 Open 3rd place with The Firemen, earning $19,401.57.
- 2025 NRHA Derby Open L4: 6th place with The Firemen, earning $17,212.67.
With a career already defined by historic firsts and major event wins, O’Rourke’s Million Dollar Rider status underscores her position as one of reining’s most dynamic competitors.
