Teen Competitor Emily Grace Arrested After Shocking Horse Stabbings at NBHA Vegas Super Show at South Point Casino

A 17-year-old barrel racing competitor is in custody after three horses were stabbed inside their stalls early Saturday morning at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa barns in Las Vegas. The suspect, identified as Emily Grace, was a registered participant in the 2026 National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Professional’s Choice Vegas Super Show, granting her authorized access to the barn area. Following the incident, she has quickly become one of the most hated individuals in the entire equine industry.

The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on May 30, 2026. Because Grace was a registered competitor, she used her authorized access to enter the barn area. Security cameras and eyewitness accounts reported that she entered the stalls of at least three horses and repeatedly slashed or stabbed them with a sharp object, believed to be a knife. According to horse owners and social media reports, she allegedly lingered around the barn afterward, watching bystanders tend to the bleeding animals and even pretending to help as a concerned participant to mask her involvement.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police responded to the scene around 2:07 a.m. Following an immediate investigation, she was arrested by the LVMPD Animal Cruelty Section. Grace faces 12 counts of willful/malicious animal torture and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000. She is currently being held without bond at Clark County Juvenile Hall, and her initial arraignment hearing is scheduled for early June 2026.

On-site veterinary teams confirmed all three horses survived the attack. Three equine athletes were injured, including “Sully,” a champion gelding belonging to rider Hailey Krahenbuhl. Sully is stable after receiving emergency surgery and deep sutures to his flank and shoulder. A second affected mare underwent emergency muscle surgery and is resting comfortably in quarantine, while a third horse sustained minor superficial cuts and was cleared to return home. While the injuries required emergency surgeries and deep stitches, none of them were deemed life-threatening. However, the injuries immediately knocked the horses out of the weekend competition, preventing them from competing in the event.