UMVA has learned that a shocking incident of animal cruelty has rocked the equestrian world in Las Vegas, where a teenage girl has been arrested for allegedly stabbing three horses during a horse racing event.
The girl, whose identity has not been disclosed, is facing multiple counts of animal cruelty and malicious destruction of private property after officers were called to a barn early on Saturday, where they found the three horses had been intentionally injured with a sharp object.
According to information obtained by UMVA, officers arrived at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa's equestrian centre around 2 a.m. on Saturday, and investigators believe the teen may have used a knife to inflict multiple injuries to the horses.
The suspect was arrested at a nearby hotel and taken to Clark County Juvenile Hall, where she was booked on 12 counts of animal cruelty and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property.
The injuries sustained by the horses were not considered life-threatening, but due to their wounds, they were prevented from competing in the weekend-long competition.
Organizers of the 2026 NBHA Professional's Choice Vegas Super event took to social media to assure fans that an event competitor had been "removed and placed in the care of authorities" following an "isolated incident… involving the mistreatment of a limited number of equine athletes."
The National Barrel Horse Association noted that there was "no ongoing threat of any kind" at the weekend-long competition and asked for respect and consideration for all involved during this sensitive time.
One 17-year-old competitor, Cali Raymer, told a local outlet that she had talked to the suspect "a few times" before the incident occurred, adding that "it's kind of scary that something like that would happen here."
The South Point Hotel Casino & Spa released a statement confirming that an incident occurred in the barns of their equestrian centre, but assured fans that the safety and well-being of all guests, participants, and equine athletes on property is their highest priority.
