The National Rope Horse Rewards Program

The Evolution of the Riata Side-Pot Program


Introduction

Riata, in partnership with AQHA and Equine Network is launching a new program built around registered rope horses. For a $300 entry fee per horse/roper combination, every qualifying win at ropings across the country using Global Handicaps earns the horse/roper eligibility for the $20,000 to $25,000 monthly awards drawings. This is the evolution of the Riata side-pot program. Ropers who are already cashing checks can turn those results into additional money with added incentives for registered horse owners and competitors roping on a Riata horse. Those winners all receive additional qualification opportunities at the Special Rope horse Reward ropings at the 2026 Ariat WSTR Finale. The program rewards registered horses while documenting and tracking earnings, creating verified performance records that enhance recognition and build long-term value for rope horses competing in team roping.

$300,000 Awarded

If you win an aggregate check at any team roping event using Global Handicaps, up to 20 winners will be awarded based on the cash reward levels, up to $25,000 each month. By season's end, that will total $300,000 in FREE money paid out. NOTE: If a roper rides or wins on multiple horses, or horses are ridden by multiple riders, each combination of horse and rider must pay the yearly entry fee to be eligible.

Qualification Rope Horse Rewards Day

There will be a new roping day added at the Ariat WSTR Finale, Wednesday December 9th. Three divisions: #13.5, #11.5, and #9.5, limited to 100 teams per division, $2,500 per roper. First place teams in each division are guaranteed $150,000, plus eligible for an additional $25,000 for any first place roper riding a Riata rope horse. The three champion teams - six ropers will spin the Roulette wheel to determine the winner of a Custom Laredo 2027 F350 Dully 4x4 Diesel Lariat Pkg Conversion Truck.

STEP 1: Enter Your Horse

  • Registered AQHA horse required
  • $300 per horse/rider combination, enter once per year
  • Covers the entire 2026 season
  • Enter at RiataBuckle.com
Enter Rewards Online

STEP 2: Rope At Your Regular Events

  • Compete at Global Handicap System (GEMS) ropings
  • Win any aggregate check to be eligible for the monthly drawing
  • Earn a specialty roping qualification drawing per win
  • Earn one monthly cash drawing entry for every win
  • Multiple wins = multiple entries

STEP 3: Get Paid Monthly

  • $25,000 awarded each month
  • Up to 20 winners drawn monthly
  • Drawings streamed live on EQN Sports

CASH REWARD LEVELS

  • Level 1: $1,000 - Any entered AQHA registered horse
  • Level 2: $1,250 - If rider is the owner of record on the AQHA registered horse
  • Level 3: $1,500 - Current Riata-nominated horse

Monthly Drawing Rules:

  1. Monthly drawing will occur on or around the 15th of the month, live on EQN Sports, brought to you by Holiday Auto Group. The full annual monthly drawing schedule will be posted on the EQN Sports social platforms.
  2. Up to twenty winners are drawn each month from entered horses to disperse the monthly $25,000 payout.
  3. Participant-Directed AQHA Transfer. Ropers who have not yet transferred ownership papers may do so within 30 days of notification of a win and opt up to the Level Two payout.
    • The roper shall work directly with AQHA to submit all required transfer documentation, fees, and any applicable membership requirements within thirty (30) days from the date of notification of the drawing win to complete the ownership transfer. Neither Riata nor EN will facilitate or process AQHA ownership transfers or collect or remit AQHA fees.
    • Once AQHA completes the transfer, the roper shall resubmit the updated AQHA horse papers showing the roper as the recorded owner to Riata, as Program Administrator, for verification.
    • Upon Riata's verification of the updated ownership documentation, the payout will be adjusted to the Level Two award of $1,250 paid by Riata.
  4. Owners of Riata horses NOT nominated prior to monthly drawings will receive $1,000.
  5. The AQHA bonus applies only if the competitor is the owner of record, and the Riata bonus applies only if the horse has a current Riata nomination.

ROPE HORSE REWARD CHAMPIONSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

  • Monthly drawing winners receive qualification spots
  • Ariat WSTR Finale – Rope Horse Rewards Day is December 9, 2026. #13.5, #11.5, and #9.5. Enter once per division, and each qualification win qualifies a roper for one division only.
  • Up to $200,000 paid to each team of each of the three specialty divisions. First place teams in each division are guaranteed $150,000, plus eligible for an additional $25,000 for any first place roper riding a Riata rope horse.
  • Three Champion teams - six ropers spin for the Custom Laredo Conversion Truck at the Riata Showcase Horse Sale.

National Rope Horse Entry Specialty Roping hosted by the Ariat WSTR Finale Entry Rules

  1. Fee: $2500/roper
  2. Winning roper who qualified can invite a guest partner if the partner has an entered registered horse.
  3. Entries in each division will be awarded on a first come basis and will be available to horses/ropers who are eligible when qualified. Entries will be processed by WSTR along with the opportunity to reserve hotel room(s) and stall reservations if available.
  4. Capped at 100 teams
  5. Entry spot will not be held for incomplete teams.

ADDITIONAL ROPE HORSE REWARDS

The Rope Horse Reward program is designed to spotlight the stallions behind today's top-performing rope horses. Stay tuned for details on our prestigious horse of the year honors at multiple levels.

ALL HORSE EARNINGS TRACKED