Riata Buckle: The Exclusive $2.5 Million Roping Futurity

In recent years the futurity rope horse industry has grown, with more competitors, larger payouts and selective breeding of horses, many new events have become available.

The Riata Buckle stallion incentive is working towards just that, created by the same forward thinkers as the Pink Buckle barrel incentive, the Riata Buckle was created for team ropers.

This prestigious incentive was formed with one goal in mind "To support and incentivize the breeding of elite rope horses" as said on Riata Buckle's website.

Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma is hosting the 2023 Riata Buckle event November 2-5.

The Riata Buckle is open to any roper as long as the horse entered is sired by one of the stallions on the approved list that pay a yearly nomination of $10,000.

The foals must have paid a yearly nomination of $200 to be eligible to compete. If all those requirements are met they have the opportunity to rope at this exclusive high paying event.

In addition to team roping, there is also a breakaway roping on Nov. 2 with $75,000 added, plus a $25,000 five-year old horse incentive roping ran in conjunction.

There are different classes and divisions along with guaranteed minimum payout within the Riata Buckle.

Pro Futurity (Head and heel horse are 5 years old or younger) $150,000

Open Futurity (Head and heel horse are 4 years old or younger, can also enter pro-futurity) $25,000

There are 14.5, 12.5, 10.5 and 9.5 numbered all aged ropings (All-age horses, riders must be over 21 years of age). The numbers are based on the combined number of the header's and heeler's roping ability according to the roping classification system.

Each of the all-aged ropings have an guaranteed minimum of $550,000 except the 14.5, with a guaranteed minimum of $100,000.

There are also junior divisions (age of rider) and futurity incentives within the numbered ropings, which can all be seen on Riata Buckle's roping information page.

With a guaranteed payout in 2023 of $2.5 million and a variety of divisions based on rider and horse age, there are numerous opportunities to add to life time earnings.