The National Reining Horse Association welcomes Carol Bell of Smithfield, North Carolina, as the newest NRHA Million Dollar Owner. Her path to this remarkable achievement reflects a deep dedication to the sport of reining and a commitment shared with her family.
A member of NRHA since 2009, Carol has amassed more than $65,000 in personal lifetime earnings. Yet, her legacy in the reining community has been defined by the horses she has owned and the success they’ve brought to the pen. With 130 horses on her NRHA owner record—many co-owned with her husband, NRHA Million Dollar Owner George Bell—Carol’s contributions have left a lasting mark on the sport.
The Bell family’s impact is truly a collective effort, with the majority of Carol’s ownership earnings coming through horses she’s ridden and those piloted by George and her stepson, NRHA $3 Million Rider Brian Bell. Together, they have developed a powerhouse program that has produced consistent performers on reining’s biggest stages.
Among those standout athletes is Mr Royal Hollywood, a 2012 stallion by NRHA $4 Million Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Cee Miss Hollywood. Bred by Brian, the stallion has earned nearly $175,000 with top 10 finishes at prestigious events including the NRHA Futurity, the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, the National Reining Breeders Classic, and The Run for a Million.
Another star in the Bell program is Vintage Couture, a 2018 gelding by Platinum Vintage and out of Couture Tag, who is also owned by Carol and George. Bred, nominated, and owned by the couple, Vintage Couture surged past the $100,000 mark in 2024 with a banner year. He won the North American Reining Stakes Level 4 Open Derby and competed at The American Performance Horseman, where he and Brian earned more than $75,000 that season alone.
“This wasn’t something I felt I could achieve in the amount of time that I’ve been owning horses and breeding them,” remarked Bell of the accomplishment. “I am thrilled, and of course I feel that to be in that group of [NRHA] Million Dollar Owners is a privilege I don’t take likely. I am very proud of it.”
Carol Bell’s Million Dollar milestone not only highlights her personal success but also celebrates the strength of family in the sport of reining. NRHA congratulates Carol on this well-earned honor and looks forward to the continued success of the Bell family legacy.