A teenage girl who was competing in a national barrel racing event in Las Vegas has been arrested after authorities say three horses were intentionally stabbed during the competition. Investigators believe the suspect used a sharp object, possibly a knife, to injure the animals while they were housed in a barn at the event venue. The horses survived the attack, but officials said their injuries were severe enough to prevent them from competing.
According to police, the incident happened shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday during the 2026 National Barrel Horse Association Professional’s Choice Las Vegas Super Show, which was being held at the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa on Las Vegas Boulevard. Officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded after receiving a report that a horse had been injured at a nearby barn. When investigators arrived, they discovered that three horses had been intentionally wounded.
The case was turned over to the department’s Animal Cruelty Section, which launched an investigation into what happened. Detectives quickly identified a teenage female competitor as a possible suspect because she had access to the barn where the horses were being kept. Authorities later located the girl at a nearby hotel and took her into custody without incident.
Police said investigators believe the suspect may have used a knife to inflict multiple injuries on the horses. While the wounds were not considered life-threatening, officials said the injuries would prevent the animals from participating in the remainder of the competition. The horses had been scheduled to compete in one of the nation’s largest barrel racing events, which ran from Friday through Sunday.
Following her arrest, the teenager was transported to Clark County Juvenile Hall. Authorities said she was booked on 12 counts related to animal cruelty, including allegations of willfully or maliciously killing, maiming, or torturing an animal, as well as three felony counts of malicious destruction of private property exceeding $5,000 in value. Because she is a juvenile, police have not publicly released her identity or age.
The National Barrel Horse Association confirmed the incident in a public statement. Organization officials described the event as an isolated situation involving the mistreatment of a limited number of horses by a competitor. The association said the matter was addressed immediately in coordination with event organizers, South Point Hotel and Casino security personnel, local law enforcement, and other appropriate parties.
Association officials emphasized that the suspect had been removed from the event and turned over to authorities. They also stated that there was no continuing threat to participants, horses, or spectators attending the competition. Organizers said steps were taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all horses involved and asked the public to be respectful toward everyone affected while the investigation continues.
The South Point Hotel Casino and Spa also issued a statement after the incident. Representatives said the safety and well-being of guests, competitors, and horses remains a top priority. Officials expressed gratitude that all of the horses were expected to survive and thanked law enforcement and event organizers for their rapid response. The venue said it is fully cooperating with investigators as they continue examining the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Competitors attending the event expressed shock and concern after learning about the incident. Some participants described the attack as disturbing and difficult to understand, noting that horse shows are generally considered close-knit environments where owners and competitors share a deep commitment to animal welfare. Several riders said they had never witnessed anything similar at a national barrel racing event.
Authorities have not announced a possible motive for the stabbings, and investigators continue working to determine exactly why the horses were targeted. Police have not released additional details regarding the suspect’s relationship to the animals or their owners.
The incident drew national attention because of the popularity of barrel racing and the significance of the Las Vegas Super Show within the equestrian community. The competition attracts riders and horses from across the country and is considered one of the premier events on the barrel racing calendar.
Despite the traumatic incident, officials said all three horses are expected to recover. Veterinary teams treated the animals after the attack, and organizers said the focus remains on their recovery and ongoing care. While their injuries prevented them from continuing in the competition, authorities indicated that none of the wounds were believed to be life-threatening.
Source: Fox10 Phoenix
