The National Reining Horse Association is proud to welcome Matthew Palmer of Elverson, Pennsylvania, to the prestigious group of NRHA Million Dollar Riders.
Palmer, a 43-year-old NRHA Professional, surpassed the million-dollar mark during The Homecoming Reining Series 1 after earning top placings in Levels 4 and 3 of the Open Derby.
Aboard Late N Hollywood, Palmer marked a 223 to claim reserve champion honors in both levels. The 2020 stallion is owned by Leonard Truck & Trailer Inc., bred by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Marc Gordon, and sired by Late Nite Stopper out of Hollywood Barbie. Palmer also piloted Mark Hurd’s TR Rule Breaker (A Vintage Smoke x Wallawhizagun, bred by Tamarack Ranch LLC) to third place in both levels with a 220, pushing his lifetime earnings past the $1 million milestone.
This achievement is even more remarkable following a challenging year for Palmer, who suffered an accident in 2024 that sidelined him for half the season. “When I got hurt, I never dreamed I’d have to learn to walk again,” remarked Palmer. “I feel fortunate and humbled and blessed to continue to do what I love and to be successful doing it.”
Palmer’s journey in the sport began in 1991 as a National Reining Horse Youth Association member. He earned his first NRHA paycheck in 1995 at the Heritage Acres show in North Jersey, where he rode Chrome Plated Berry to a reserve championship in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 division. In 2004, he transitioned to the professional ranks, steadily building his career and reputation as a skilled trainer and competitor.
Reflecting on the milestone, Palmer shared how meaningful it is to reach this level as an NRHA Professional based on the East Coast. “We all know it’s a little bit hard from the East Coast with the dynamics of travel,” he said. “To even be in the category of guys that I idolize [NRHA Hall of Fame inductees Bill Horn, Shawn Flarida, and Rocky Dare] shows that when you’re kicked down, you just keep getting back up.”
Top-earning finishes in the show pen for Palmer include:
- 2021 The Run For A Million Open Shoot Out fourth place aboard Gunnatrashtheplace, earning $11,990
- 2017 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open fourth place aboard Boom Shine Boom, earning $9,996
- 2020 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open 13th place aboard Gunnatrashtheplace, earning $9,875
- 2021 NRBC Level 4 Open Challenge Champion aboard Gunnatrashtheplace, earning $9,374
- 2013 Ohio Valley Reining Horse Association Blue Grass Reining Stakes Wimpys Little Step Level 4 Open Derby Champion aboard Legends Lil Squeeze, earning $9,146
NRHA congratulates Palmer on this impressive career milestone and looks forward to his continued contributions to the sport of reining.
For more information about NRHA Million Dollar Milestones, visit nrha.com.