Honoring Tradition: 2024 Gold Buckle Futurity Team Roping Recap

Renowned for its dedication to elevating the sport while safeguarding esteemed equine bloodlines, the Gold Buckle Futurity has become a beacon of tradition and excellence within the roping community. In the plains of Ardmore, Okla. the spring 2024 edition of the event took place this past weekend, May 11 and 12. Once again, the best equine athletes were showcased among the best trainers and ropers in the world.

Celebrating Roping Excellence

Gold Buckle Futurity Events have always been a testament to the dedication and skill of the contestants. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, these competitors continue to showcase their skills not only with a rope, but horsemanship abilities as well. This year proved to be no different, as new and old names were sketched onto leaderboards and in the history books. With practiced precision and agility, each team brought their A game to the arena to showcase themselves and their equine athletes to the best of their ability.

Preserving Equine Legacy

Central to the ethos of the Gold Buckle Futurity Team Roping is the preservation of exceptional equine bloodlines that have and will continue to shape the sport. Through different breeding programs across the country, steadfast commitment to quality is proven strong. A noble lineage of exceptional four legged athletes are ensuring future generations with inheritance of strength, speed, and looks. In the world of rodeo, these athletes are the heart of the competition. These animals have proved to be more than just athletes but champions in their own right showing the invaluable role they play and the heart they carry.

Uniquely, in futurity events, the horses are all young and new to the big stages. The Futurity events feature horses all under the age of four and in the Maturity events, horses are all under the age of six. This is where firm foundations and patience are proven to be especially important. This year we watched as remarkable equine athletes made their names known. With incredible bloodlines and phenomenal training, these horses have a bright future in the team roping world.

Unveiling the Champions - 2024 Gold Buckle Futurity Team Roping Results

Maturity Heading - 6 and under average

Tate Kirchenschlager, is no stranger to the winning circle. Over the years he has brought up and showcased exceptional talent in his horses. His horse DCC Fools Gold took the Maturity Heading title. With two go round wins and the average title, he racked up around $20,000, nearly doubling DCC Fools Gold's lifetime earrnings. The 2019 Palomino Gelding has been in Kirkenschlagers program for a little over a year where he continues to shine. He is by Metallic Echo and out of DCC Smooth Sugar. Back in August, Tate and DCC Fools Gold also won the Royal Crown Rock Springs Event.

Placing	Horse	Rider	Payout
1	DCC Fools Gold	Tate Kirchenschlager	$18,500
2	A Painted Sunshine	Tate Kirchenschlager	$6,500
3	Big Red Cat	Shane Phillip	$5,000
4	Notorious H I P	Jimmy Tanner	$4,000
5	Stevens Smokin Glo	Cade Rice	$2,500
6	Sheza Irish Treasure	Jaguar Terrill	$1,500

Maturity Heeling - 6 and under

SS Platinum Cat, aka Popcorn, gets some special treatment, by a 7 year old little girl. This heel horse is uniquely special as for most of the year he is a kids horse, but when it comes time, he can shine against the best of the best. The 2019 Palomino Gelding is by Platinum Vintage and out of Cat Can Boom. Kollin Vonahn also had others placing in the event, but SS Platinum Cat came out on top adding $20,000 to his lifetime earnings at only 5 years old.

Placing	Horse	Rider	Payout
1	SS Platinum Cat	Kollin Vonahn	$20,000
2	WDP Rey Jey	Kollin Vonahn	$8,000
3	Rockk Star	Hunter Koch	$6,500
4	Canterbury's Cherrey	Hunter Koch	$5,000
5	Rack City	Kollin Vonahn	$3,000
6	Mayhemm	Dakota Kirchenschlager	$1,900

Futurity Heading - 4 and under

Placing	Horse	Rider	Payout
1	Chex Out My Finey	Andy Holocomb	$17,000
2	DF Cols Holly Time	Billie Jack Saebens	$5,500
3	Relentless PYC	Miles Baker	$3,300
4	Revolutionary Outlow	Tate Kirchenschlager	$2,000

Futurity Heeling - 4 and under

Placing	Horse	Rider	Payout
1	Rockk Star	Hunter Koch	$16,500
2	Gunna Wanna	Hunter Koch	$5,500
3	Oops Im Fine	Andy Holocomb	$4,500
4	Dressin Trashy	Cade Rice	$3,500
5	Purposely Tagged	Joseph Harrison	$2,400

Limited Heading

Placing	Horse	Rider	Payout
1	Hello Lashes	Treston Brazile	$5,000
2	Celtic Ruff	Mike Kunzler	$3,500
3	Twister Enola Fame	CR Bradley	$2,500
4	One Smart Pistola	Cason Richey	$1,750
5	Midnight Patron	Clay Lewis	$1,000

Limited Heeling

Placing	Horse	Rider	Payout
1	Helluva Time	Clay Logan	$5,000
2	SJR Diamond Hoochie	Clay Logan	$4,000
3	First Class Vintage	Logan Anseth	$3,000
4	Seven Biggie	Clay Logan	$1,500