Besides making some of the best on-screen Western projects, Taylor Sheridan is truly committed to uplifting the American West. Yellowstone fans know that he has this whole Cowboy energy in him. Sheridan recently became a ranch owner after purchasing the famous 6666 Ranch in north central Texas. Last year, the Wind River director claimed that he played a major role in reviving the Performance Horse Industry after the 2009 recession.
Sheridan shared that many of the performance horses were sold during the recession, and the industry took a hit. However, he personally made an effort to bring the Horse Reining and Cutting competition events back to the forefront of Western entertainment.
Taylor Sheridan’s TV Show Saved Performance Horse Industry
Taylor Sheridan appeared for an interview with Lippert during the events of Cactus Reining Classic 2023. Sheridan put on his Cowboy hat, both literally and figuratively, for the interview as he answered questions related to many topics, including the Performance Horse Industry. The interviewer stated that he was an industry leader who significantly helped the industry after the 2009 Recession.
Sheridan went on to explain his various commitments to uplift the industry, starting with introducing performance horses in his hit series Yellowstone. During this time, Sheridan met with several Reining experts, including Tim McQuay, who’s considered the ‘grandfather of Reining’, Andrea Fappani, and Tom McCutcheon.
They agreed that one thing the quality and number of performance horses drastically dropping because people couldn’t breed their horses or sell them. Sheridan shared that both the Reining and Cutting industries were failing. At this time, Sheridan shared that he came up with the idea of the TV show, The Last Cowboy.
His idea was to make an unscripted horse show, which would be centered around a Run for a Million reining completion. The 1923 creator convinced Paramount to put in a million-dollar prize money for the winners. While other people have tried the same route, Sheridan had the advantage of having a platform. He shared with Lippert:
So I decided to do a show which was the Run for a Million and created an unscripted show around that. I put on a horse show then I made a TV show about the horse show. I put up a million dollars… I didn’t. Paramount did. I asked them for a million dollars. It’s a giveaway prize money to the winners.
People have tried this before. I was lucky to have a platform most people don’t have. Most people don’t have a television series.
The Last Cowboy introduced horse reining’s top riders and trainers to the world. The show completed four successful seasons and awaits renewal for a fifth season. Sheridan’s show has put the Reining industry to the forefront once again, and more people have shown more interest in Western sports ever since.
Taylor Sheridan Shared That His Show Inspired Other Horse Shows With Attractive Prize Money
Taylor Sheridan revealed that the impact of his show began influencing other horse shows that boasted more prize money. Sheridan shared that Reining Futurity and Cutting for Charity have come up with horse shows that gave participants double the prize money that Run for a Million did. It was not just the payouts. The crowds were also starting to grow at these events. Sheridan shared:
But it’s a fantastic event that’s introduced a lot of people to the world and there are other people that have started to do the same thing. It’s increased the prize money at all of these events rather than everyone shuttering it. It’s double the prize money at the Reining Futurity, it’s doubled it at The Cutting for Charity.
You’re starting to see massive payouts at the Cow Horse events and you’re starting to see the crowds. That’s the most important thing because you know you start curious as a spectator then you decide if you want to be a participant.
Sheridan also mentioned several companies, including Lippert, who stood behind him for his TV venture. He shared that both he and the companies provided the help without expecting to make any money out of it. Sheridan also thanked the support of the organizations, including the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), and National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).
Besides Reining and Cutting, Sheridan shared that there were people who were investing their money in Horse Roping events. The Special Ops: Lioness creator may not be wrong in taking the credit for reviving the industry after all.
The Last Cowboy is now available for streaming on Paramount+.
