Southwest Desert Classic - Family, Great Ground, and Fast Horses

The Southwest Desert Classic is a premier Utah barrel racing futurity series founded in 2012 to provide a welcoming, affordable, and competitive home for riders of all ages and levels. Held annually in Cedar City and South Jordan, the Classic draws competitors from across the Western U.S. with quality ground, generous payouts, a strong breeders incentive program, and a family-oriented atmosphere that supports Peewees through world-class professionals.

“There wasn’t any futurities in Utah to speak of, so we decided to open up the breeders option, generate some money, and create a fun futurity for the riders here.”
Vickie Solmonsen

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Southwest Desert Classic

The Breeders Incentive Program

The Classic’s incentive program is what keeps the community coming back year after year. Stallion owners either sell through the annual auction or pay in as a reference sire, making their offspring eligible for big payouts at any age. Twenty percent of auction proceeds go straight back to the stallion owners, while the rest adds to the race’s prize pool.

“Most of them do it out of the goodness of their heart. They get advertisement, a chance for payback, and help grow the industry.”

The result is a fair, affordable way to compete and a strong incentive to breed, train, and run quality barrel horses in the West.

Affordable, Welcoming, and Worth the Trip

The Southwest Desert Classic is known for affordable entry fees, generous payouts, and a welcoming atmosphere, making it a barrel race truly worth the trip. Riders travel from across the U.S., Canada, and beyond to compete on safe, consistent arena ground they can trust. With Paul Solmonsen personally overseeing arena footing at every event, competitors know they’ll find quality ground, fair costs, and a friendly, rider-focused experience every time they haul in.

“We want to be known for good ground, affordable fees and stalls, and that everybody’s friendly and made welcome.”

The event isn’t just about times and payouts. It’s about gathering the people who love barrel racing and giving every rider, from the smallest Peewee to the toughest futurity contender, a place to shine.