Rodeo Daily

The Diamond Classic Releases $1.1 Million Payout For Main Event in Abilene, Texas

The Diamond Classic, a game-changing incentive, has released the payout information for their $1.1 million Main Event barrel race in Abilene, Texas, April 12-21, 2024.
Madi Roelofsen|
The Diamond Classic Releases $1.1 Million Payout For Main Event in Abilene, Texas
The Diamond Classic Releases $1.1 Million Payout For Main Event in Abilene, Texas

Incentives have played a significant role in generating money for barrel racing. One of the latest incentives is The Diamond Classic. This exclusive program offers only 150 farm slots and 25 stallion station slots, but it is highly diverse and offers many opportunities.

What sets this incentive apart from others is the eligibility of foals. Unlike other incentives, every stallion does not need to have an individual spot. Stallion owners can purchase a "farm" slot, which means that all foals of all stallions owned by the slot holder or even foals bred by the slot holder are eligible.

Another aspect that distinguishes this incentive from others is that foals require only one nomination payment of $250 by their three-year-old year. No yearly nominations are necessary. The money is then split up across the nation for different side-pots at large races. 

The country is divided into the same regions as the Women's Professional Rodeo Association circuits. However, this is only to ensure that equal money opportunities are available in all regions. Anyone can run their nominated horses in any of the races.

The Diamond Classic has announced its main event race in Abilene, Texas, which will be held on April 12-21. The warm-up race will be held first on April 13-14 to work the ground beforehand. 

"We don't want the futurity colts to be the guinea pigs," said Kinnon Peck, President of Diamond Classic. 

Peck's goal has been to put horses and slot holders first throughout the establishment of this incentive. One way he has shown this is by having an exclusive side-pot for slot holders at no additional fees, with a guaranteed payout of $75,000. Horses must be owned by the slot holders and entered in the Open 4D.

"We genuinely believe that we have the most unique incentive out there. We have structured our incentive around the breeders to help grow and change the industry for the better," says Eric De La Rosa, VP of Diamond Classic.

The Diamond Classic recently announced its substantial payout and classes that will be held during this lucrative race.

For more information, please visit thediamondclassic.com.

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Madi Roelofsen
MADI ROELOFSEN

Madi Roelofsen is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Madi not only writes about the western lifestyle and rodeo world but lives it daily. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and competed in the barrel racing as part of their rodeo team. Roelofsen graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in animal science. Madi enjoyed not only competing in rodeo events but also spectating the greatest sport on dirt. In 2017, while on vacation attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she met her husband Tim Roelofsen. They got married a few years later in 2020. Tim had already established TVR Working Horses but together they grew their program and enjoy raising foals, training colts, barrel racing, team roping and standing their stallions (TVR Eye Needa Corona and CR Baron Bee Joy "Big Sexy") in both Texas and Iowa. They stay busy with the horses, farming alfalfa and raising their baby girl, Texi. Madi has always been passionate about horses, from learning about different bloodlines, breeding the foals themselves to training and competing. She expresses that passion within the articles she writes to open up the world of horses and rodeo to everyone.  Twitter-@Madi_Roelofsen  Facebook- @TVR Working Horses

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