Teen Girl Arrested After Horses are Stabbed in Their Stalls at Las Vegas Barrel Racing Event

A shocking attack at a major Las Vegas barrel racing event has left the horse community horrified after multiple horses were allegedly stabbed inside their stalls in the early morning hours.

The incident happened Saturday at the 2026 NBHA Professional’s Choice Vegas Super Show, held at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas.

According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, officers received a report at around 2:07 a.m. that a horse had been injured inside a barn near South Point Casino. When officers arrived, they learned that three horses had been intentionally injured with a sharp object believed to be a knife.

Police said the horses’ injuries were not considered life-threatening, but they were serious enough to prevent the horses from competing.

The case was investigated by the LVMPD Animal Cruelty Section. Detectives later identified a teenage girl as a possible suspect. Police said the teen had access to the barn.

She was taken into custody and booked into Clark County Juvenile Hall.

According to police, the teen faces 12 counts of willful, malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal, along with three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000.

The National Barrel Horse Association also acknowledged the incident in a public statement, saying it involved “the mistreatment of a limited number of equine athletes” by an event competitor.

“The situation was addressed immediately in coordination with the National Barrel Horse Association, the South Point Hotel & Casino Security, Metro Police, and all appropriate parties,” the association said.

NBHA added that the person involved had been removed and placed in the care of authorities.

“There is no ongoing threat of any kind,” the organization said.

The news spread quickly across the barrel racing world, with several horse owners and competitors posting emotional updates on social media.

Among the affected horses was Saaul Good, better known as Sully, who had just won the Open 1D on Friday with rider Hailey Krahenbuhl. The pair finished with a blazing time of 14.418 and earned a $1,805 check.

Krahenbuhl later confirmed on social media that Sully was one of the horses injured.

The attack was especially devastating because Krahenbuhl and Sully had recently competed at The American Semi-Finals in Arlington, Texas, during Championship Weekend. The duo had qualified and battled through multiple runs, proving themselves as one of the standout teams in the sport.

Another competitor, Arielle Phillips, also posted that her horse had been stabbed multiple times. According to her account, the suspect had allegedly spoken to her earlier that night before the attack.

A third report came from competitor Keira Weisbart, whose horse Rocket was also named in social media posts connected to the incident.

The attack happened at South Point, a venue known for hosting major equestrian events and for having security and cameras throughout the property. For many competitors, that made the alleged attack even harder to process.

Horses in barrel racing are not just animals used for competition. They are trusted partners, family members and, for many riders, the center of their livelihood.

That is why the incident has shaken the rodeo and barrel racing community so deeply.

The 2026 NBHA Professional’s Choice Vegas Super Show began Friday and was scheduled to run through Sunday. The event brings together top riders and horses from across the country for a high-stakes weekend of competition.

Instead, many participants woke up to fear, confusion and heartbreak.

Still, the response from the horse community has been immediate. Riders, owners and fans have flooded social media with prayers, support and messages of encouragement for the affected horses and their teams.

Current reports indicate that the injured horses received professional veterinary care and are recovering.

While police say there is no further threat to the horses at this time, the emotional impact of the attack will likely last much longer.

For competitors who spend their lives caring for these animals, the idea that someone could enter a barn and allegedly harm horses in their stalls is almost impossible to understand.