2024 Brings Exciting Barrel Futurities with Massive Payouts

November 15 might've kicked off the new futurity year for barrel racers but the start of 2024 brings quite a few futurities with significant money.

Futurities are designed specifically for four and five year old horses to showcase their athleticism and their trainer's ability.

Colts must not be entered in a barrel race that pays prior to Nov. 15. Owners also must choose during either their three-year-old year to run as a four-year-old, or their four-year-old year to run at five years old.

Riders may still run the younger horses in barrel exhibitions or practice runs to gain experience by preparing the young horses for futurities but can not compete for money prior to Nov. 15.

That means only four and five-year-old horses are eligible to run in futurities throughout the 2024 year.

With so many different barrel races coming up here, are some of the futurities that kick-off the year.

Lone Star Shootout

The Lone Star Shootout runs Jan. 4-7 at Circle T Arena in Hamilton, Texas. 70 Ranch Performance Horses is the main sponsor for this phenomenal multi-day race. Over $70,000 cash and prizes are up for grabs including the $25,000 added four and five-year-old futurity. There is are also a derby, high holler and open races. For more information check out their website.

Golden Buckle USA

Taking place Jan. 11-14 at the Extraco Event Center in Waco, Texas, the Golden Buckle is a European based race that created the Golden Buckle Cup which is compiled of Team Europe and Team USA. This race in Waco will have $350,000 in projected payout, $37,000 of that is the futurity. Also in conjunction with this race is the first qualifier of the year for the Breeder's Challenge incentive. Visit the Golden Buckle website to keep up with this event.

Texarkana Showdown

Jan. 24-27 at the 4 State Fairgrounds in Texarkana, Arkansas, Showdown Productions paid out a whooping $470,000 at their September race in 2023. This will be another high paying race with a four and five-year-old futurity that includes an additional run or time roll over to the High Stakes Race 2. This race's payout is growing with every single entry. Along with the futurity and high stakes race there will also be open, derby and two high stake races. Showdown Productions is updating their Facebook page as entries roll in.

Kinder Cup Barrel Racing Championship

Taking place Feb. 5-10 at the Coushatta Casino & Resort in Kinder, Louisiana, this is definitely a fan-favorite. Over $135,000 in cash, prizes and incentives are up for grabs at this race. The futurity is $25,000 added for four and five-year-old horses. Breeder's Challenge is having a qualifier with $32,500 added to their open, derby, amateur derby, youth, futurity and seniors. Other incentives that have added money are Triple Crown, Mare Power, Tomorrow's Legends and Legends of the South.

Royal Crown

Feb. 7-18 at the Buckeye Equestrian Center in Buckeye, Arizona, the Royal Crown is an exclusive incentive for only offspring of paid in stallions. This lucrative event will have calf roping, breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing. In the barrel racing there will be a $75,000 futurity and a $50,000 derby along with many other classes. They have also offered side pots for other incentives including Future Fortunes, Diamond Classic, Tomorrows Legends, and Top Shelf breeders. Check out their website for full list of events.