A teenage girl has been arrested after allegedly stabbing three horses with a sharp object during the 2026 NBHA Professional's Choice Las Vegas Super Show at the South Point Hotel & Casino, according to Las Vegas police and event officials.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers were called just after 2 a.m. on May 30 to a barn area in the 9700 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard after a report of an injured horse connected to the barrel racing competition.
When officers arrived, they found three horses that had been "intentionally injured with a sharp object," prompting investigators from the Animal Cruelty Section to respond. Police say the horses were being housed at the venue as part of the official NBHA Professional's Choice Las Vegas Super Show, which was scheduled to run May 29–31, according to People.
Detectives identified a teenage girl who had access to the barn as a possible suspect and believe she may have used a knife to inflict multiple wounds on the animals.
The suspect, whose name has not been released because she is a juvenile, was later located at a nearby hotel and taken into custody without incident. She was transported to Clark County Juvenile Hall.
According to police, the teen has been booked on 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming, or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000.
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Officials say the property damage counts are linked to the horses' value and related expenses associated with the competition. No additional suspects are being sought at this time, and investigators have not publicly discussed a possible motive.
Veterinarians and owners report that the horses' injuries, while serious, are not considered life-threatening, but the animals are not expected to compete in the remainder of the event, Sports Illustrated reported.
Horse owners said the animals received immediate medical treatment after the attack and are continuing to recover under professional care. Police and event officials have not reported any other animals hurt in the incident.
The National Barrel Horse Association called the case an "isolated incident" involving the mistreatment of a limited number of equine athletes by a competitor.
In a statement, NBHA said the situation was addressed quickly in coordination with South Point security, Metro Police, and other authorities, and emphasized that the individual involved was removed from the competition and placed in the care of law enforcement.
Officials say there is no ongoing threat to participants, spectators, or horses at the Las Vegas Super Show, as per Ground.
