The goal of creating an effective stallion incentive for breakaway faces a tougher challenge than just your run of the mill breakaway,
namely the filter of contestants having to ride progeny of the stallions. So obviously finding a format that provides opportunity for
ropers of varying ability is the key to producing volume the program will need. We believe very strongly that there needs to be a way
to offer opportunity to competitors other than just an open rodeo format. Once that is achieved participation will rise, purses will
rise, and it will make perfect sense for breakaway ropers to seek a horse from a Riata Buckle stallion.
Riata Buckle's first event in 2022 presented a breakaway in the exact styling of those used in Pink and Ruby. That format did not provide
the magic we hoped for, so therefore this year Riata Buckle will depart from the "D" approach to a new approach which we will call the
"Riata Format." No doubt when The Riata Buckle ends this season there will be discussion, but at this time we feel that this structure
will give a broader range of breakaway ropers opportunity to earn higher payouts and thus the Riata format will have a greater chance
at success. If this format is accepted, then breakaway ropers can count on more financial support from Riata Buckle.
This format will be a three-head aggregate and is designed to reward consistency, promote Riata Buckle horses, increase the payoffs to
contestants, and thus grow Riata Buckle's breakaway competition. Obviously, a three-head aggregate is a much different game than a two-header.
Rules and Explanation
The Riata Buckle Breakaway is a single division event, women contestants only.
Entry fees are $500 per entry. Entries close October 2nd.
Entries:
- Women Only
- WPRA Top 30 Breakaway ropers as of August 1 may enter once in the all-age and once on a futurity horse.
- All other ropers may enter twice as all-age and once as futurity, or twice as futurity and once all-age.
- Futurity Age is 5YO and younger
The Futurity is an incentive within the roping. Since this is all in one division there is no time rolling, ropers entered in the
Futurity rope for the incentive pot, which is equal in payoff to each All-Age short round, and those entering in the futurity may
also double dip the All-Age short round.
Roping Format
This contest will be a three head aggregate. Two full rounds and a short round. At the end of the second round,
all ropers who have caught two calves will be separated equally into two short rounds based on time. When the total number of contestants exceeds
150, a third short round will be added.
- Silver Short Round - added as 3rd round is 150+ entries (bottom third run slow to fast)
- Gold Short Round - (middle third or bottom half - run slow to fast)
- Platinum Round - (top third or top half - run slow to fast)
Even though the Futurity pays the same as each short round, it is considered an incentive within The Riata Buckle Breakaway, and all
Futurity entries can double dip the pot within their respective short round.
Go-round money will be paid in the second round to allow ropers who missed the first calf an earnings opportunity.
Fast time in the short round will be paid to the fastest time not placing in the aggregate.
Barrier
- A rope barrier & electric eye will be used. All score lengths will be subject to Breakaway committee's approval.
- Two Timekeepers, a Field Judge, a Barrier Judge, and Spotter will be in the arena at all times.
Rules
- Bell Collar Catch only. Bell collar catch is defined as any loop passing over the calf's head and slack is drawn around
neck only. No other appendages of calf (i.e., front leg, tail, etc.) can be in loop when rope breaks from saddle horn.
- Ropes must be tied to the saddle horn of contestant's saddle with nylon string at the very
end of the rope. A cloth no shorter than six inches (6") must be tied to the end of the rope.
- Only one (1) loop can be carried. A dropped loop counts as a contestant's thrown loop.
- Rope must be released from the contestant's hand to qualify for catch.
- Contestant must pass thru barrier before loop is released.
- Contestant must be horseback when time is taken.
- Times are taken to the hundredths.
- It is at the judges' discretion to give a rerun.
