One thing I’ve learned in this business is that great programs aren’t built overnight – they’re built one foal, one breeder, and one program at a time. That’s the vision behind the SDP Breeders Bonus.
Starting in 2026, every foal by a participating SDP stallion will be automatically eligible for a new purse structure designed to reward breeders in a way this industry has never seen before. This isn’t just another incentive, it’s a system designed to grow with our foals, protect stallion owners, and create lasting value for everyone who believes in Western performance horses.
This is the first international, multi-discipline structure ever launched. USA, Australia, Brazil, and the European Union – breeders everywhere now have a shot. Cutting, Cowhorse, Roping, Barrel Racing, and Campdrafting are all in play. More ways to win than one, more opportunity than ever before.
We’ve also introduced a bridge program so past foal crops don’t get left out. Foals sired by SDP stallions from crops 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 can be OPTED IN for eligibility with a one-time fee. Those funds go directly into the purse for that crop year, and they’re placed in an interest-bearing account so the value compounds. The math is simple: 100% of what’s contributed goes back to the horsemen.
Here’s what makes this different:
· Transparency. Every dollar collected for a foal crop stays with that crop. OPT IN fees + interest – only bank fees = purse money.
· Eligibility. Stallion owners contribute in the bridge years in order for their stallion’s foals to be eligible. That eligibility list is growing.
· Sustainable Model. No “Peter to pay Paul” transfers from today’s breedings to foal crops years past. Each crop stands on its own.
· Longevity. If an event doesn’t meet minimum participation, that purse allocation rolls into the same foal crop’s other awards. Nothing is wasted.
· Low Cost – Breeder Value. It is easy to build a large incentive with increased costs, passed onto breeders. We want our incentive to be as large as possible, but not with heavy burden passed through. Economics will always be a driving force for us.
We’re not building this for one year, we’re building it for decades. Projections already show the purse growing from $135,000 in 2026 to more than $330,000 by 2030. And the earlier you get involved, the stronger the foundation becomes.
I believe in stacking the odds in favor of those who put their faith, money, and time into this industry. That’s what the SDP Breeders Bonus is about: giving breeders a reason to dream bigger, stallion owners a reason to commit deeper, and the entire industry a reason to pay attention.
Western performance is more than just competition – it’s heritage, it’s legacy. And now, it’s also opportunity.
