Teen Competitor Arrested After Horses Stabbed At Las Vegas Barrel Racing Competition

A barrel racing competition over the weekend in Las Vegas is upended after several horses are stabbed.

Teenager Arrested in Las Vegas Following Late-Night Attack on Competition Horses

The 2026 NBHA Professional's Choice Las Vegas Super Show at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center was disrupted by violence over the weekend. Police say a teenage girl has been arrested and charged after several horse were stabbed with a knife.

Early Morning Violence

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call that came in around 2am at a stabling facility on South Las Vegas Boulevard regarding a severely injured animal. According to People.com, when police got to the scene, they found it was actually three competition horses that had been stabbed.

Investigation and Apprehension at South Point

The agency's Animal Cruelty Section immediately assumed control of the active crime scene. Investigators quickly narrowed their focus to a teenage female suspect who was a competitor in the competition and had access to the horses. By 5am, the teenager was located at a nearby hotel and was arrested and booked into the Clark County Juvenile Hall.

Severe Charges Filed in Juvenile Court

The teenager faces multiple charges. It is unbelievable that someone who interacts with horses each day has it in them to harm other horses. It is vile and every charge against this person is valid. The teenage girl, who probably will not be named because she is a minor, is charged with the following:

12 Counts of Willful/Malicious Maiming or Torturing of an Animal-Statutory Cruelty

3 Counts Malicious Destruction of Personal Property- Felony

Impact on the National Barrel Horse Association Super Show

While veterinary teams confirmed that none of the stab wounds are considered fatal, the physical trauma has effectively sidelined the animals from active arena competition, which was probably the reason they were stabbed in the first place. The affected horses were scheduled to run in the 2026 NBHA Professional's Choice Las Vegas Super Show, a barrel racing competition.

Venue and Event Officials Issue Security Clearances

In the wake of the arrest, the National Barrel Horse Association published a public safety statement across social media channels, assuring participants that the violent assault was handled with South Point resort security forces and local municipal police.