Roping Information

The Riata Buckle - The 2024 Ropings

The event will be held at the Lazy E Arena, Guthrie, OK, September 25th – 29th, 2024. Mark your calendars as this date will be our home for at least the next three years. This is an attractive date as the weather will permit a two-arena set up.

Last year the event paid $2.6 million making it the fourth richest roping event in the world, with the most added money in cowboy history. Our goal this year is to cross the $3 million mark. Here are the primary changes for this season and main points of interest:

  • New! No proxy/helper horses in the Pro Futurity.
  • New! We have dropped the requirement that both horses meet the incentive age requirement in the futurity incentives. Instead, the futurity incentive money will be split evenly between head horses and heel horses, and positions paid based on their respective rankings.
  • New! For the 2024 season and beyond, the 10% Breeder Bonus changes to Nominator Bonus. The 10% Nominator Bonus is paid to the first person or entity that nominates a Riata Buckle eligible offspring.
  • New! Proxy/helper horses will receive equal payoff this year including added money, minus 20% commission.
  • New! Junior Roping age cap has been lowered to 16 years of age as of September 15, 2024.
  • New! Introducing our first Ladies Steer Stopping event, which is closely aligned with our team roping goals. The steer stopping is meant to be an addition to our ladies breakaway offering.
  • New! Experimental $250,000 Breakaway Roping. Breakaway ropers riding nominated progeny from any the Riata Buckle, Pink Buckle, or Ruby Buckle may compete. The real potential in a stallion incentive for breakaway roping horses should become obvious as we double our 2023 guarantee to $200,000. In addition, $50,000 guaranteed money will be paid in the 5-year-old incentive. This most certainly will be one of the richest breakaway ropings in the country.
  • New! The Riata Buckle Cowgirl Steer Stopping. This is a specialty roping that aligns well with our team roping program. This will be capped at a 5.5 header.
  • New! 8.5 Riata Fifty Plus Roping is a specialty roping that has been added to accommodate lower numbered, older ropers. Riders of Riata Buckle horses are welcome to enter with any partner who is riding a registered horse.
  • These will be online pre-entry events requiring both sides to be paid at time of entry.

We hope you like the layout and hope you will join us!

Riata Buckle Pro Futurity

$200,000 Added
Four-Year-Old Riata Buckle Incentive
$50,000 Guaranteed

Open Roping Format

  • Entry Fee $1000/roper. May enter up to three times in combinations as described below:
  • The event will be a WSTR 2024 Open Finale Qualifier
  • This premier division has no handicap or age restrictions for the contestant.
  • Five-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • Traditional Barrier.
  • Riata Buckle horses only, no proxy/helper horses!

Pro Futurity - Both Ends 5-Year-Old or Younger Horses

  • Unless up and back, ropers and horses may enter only once in the Pro Futurity. If entered up and back in the Pro Futurity, then ropers may enter a third time in the 4 YO incentive.
  • Unless up and back, ropers entered may enter only once in the 4 YO incentive. If entered up and back in the 4 YO incentive, then they may enter the Pro Futurity only once.

Four-Year-Old Incentive

  • 4-year-old incentives may double dip the Pro Futurity payout.
  • The 4-year-old incentive is paid individually and only one side is required to be on 4 a year old.
  • The 4-year-old incentive is paid to the roper(s) riding a 4-year-old Riata horse. Half of the incentive money will be paid to the highest placing head horses and half to the highest placing heel horses.

Riata Buckle #14.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Five-Year-Old Riata Buckle Incentive
$50,000 Guaranteed

#14.5 Roping Format

  • Entry Fee $800/roper.
  • Four-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • May enter up to three times: Ropers and horses may enter twice in the 14.5 All-Age and once in the futurity incentive, or twice in the futurity incentive and once in the 14.5 All-Age. Enter up to three times provided at least one is an incentive. Up and back is permitted but there shall be NO duplicate teams (same header and heeler twice).
  • Team may consist of two nominated Riata Buckle horses, or one nominated Riata Buckle horse and one proxy/helper horse (substitute horse, see description of proxy/helper horse in Rules section).
  • The event will be a WSTR 2024 Finale Qualifier (WSTR qualification rules apply except maximum $2500 winnings applied to accumulated earnings, $5000 if Key Card Max holder).
  • No age restrictions for the contestant.

#14.5 Futurity Incentive

  • Riata Buckle Horse must be a 5-year-old or younger horse.
  • Futurity incentive horses are eligible for #14.5 All-Age payout (may double dip).
  • The 5-year-old incentive is paid to the roper(s) riding the Riata Buckle horse and only one side is required to be on 5YO.
  • Half of the incentive money will be paid to the highest placing head horses and half to the highest placing heel horses.

Riata Buckle #12.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Five-Year-Old Riata Buckle Incentive
$50,000 Guaranteed

#12.5 Roping Format

  • Entry Fee $800/roper.
  • Four-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • May enter up to three times: Ropers and horses may enter twice in the 12.5 All-Age and once in the futurity incentive, or twice in the futurity incentive and once in the 12.5 All-Age. Enter up to three times provided at least one is an incentive. Up and back is permitted but there shall be NO duplicate teams (same header and heeler twice).
  • Team may consist of two nominated Riata Buckle horses, or one nominated Riata Buckle horse and one proxy/helper horse (substitute horse, see description of proxy/helper horse in Rules section).
  • The event will be a WSTR 2024 Finale Qualifier (WSTR qualification rules apply except maximum $2500 winnings applied to accumulated earnings, $5000 if Key Card Max holder).
  • Must be 21 years of age (WSTR Rules, year of birth).

#12.5 Futurity Incentive

  • Riata Buckle Horse must be a 5-year-old or younger horse.
  • Futurity incentive horses are eligible for #12.5 All-Age payout (may double dip).
  • The 5-year-old incentive is paid to the roper(s) riding the Riata Buckle horse and only one side is required to be on 5YO.
  • Half of the incentive money will be paid to the highest placing head horses and half to the highest placing heel horses.

Riata Buckle #10.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Six-Year-Old Riata Buckle Incentive
$50,000 Guaranteed

#10.5 Roping Format

  • Entry Fee $800/roper.
  • Four-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • May enter up to three times: Ropers and horses may enter twice in the 10.5 All-Age and once in the futurity incentive, or twice in the futurity incentive and once in the 10.5 All-Age. Enter up to three times provided at least one is an incentive. Up and back is permitted but there shall be NO duplicate teams (same header and heeler twice).
  • Team may consist of two nominated Riata Buckle horses, or one nominated Riata Buckle horse and one proxy/helper horse (substitute horse, see description of proxy/helper horse in Rules section).
  • The event will be a WSTR 2024 Finale Qualifier (WSTR qualification rules apply except maximum $2500 winnings applied to accumulated earnings, $5000 if Key Card Max holder).
  • Must be 21 years of age (WSTR Rules, year of birth).
  • #6 Heeler Cap

#10.5 Futurity Incentive

  • Riata Buckle horse must be a 6-year-old or younger horse.
  • Futurity incentive horses are eligible for #10.5 All-Age payout (may double dip).
  • The 6-year-old incentive is paid to the roper(s) riding the Riata Buckle horse and only one side is required to be on 6YO.
  • Half of the incentive money will be paid to the highest placing head horses and half to the highest placing heel horses.

Riata Buckle #9.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Six-Year-Old Riata Buckle Incentive
$50,000 Guaranteed

#9.5 Roping Format

  • Entry Fee $800/roper.
  • Four-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • May enter up to three times: Ropers and horses may enter twice in the 10.5 All-Age and once in the futurity incentive, or twice in the futurity incentive and once in the 10.5 All-Age. Enter up to three times provided at least one is an incentive. Up and back is permitted but there shall be NO duplicate teams (same header and heeler twice).
  • Team may consist of two nominated Riata Buckle horses, or one nominated Riata Buckle horse and one proxy/helper horse (substitute horse, see description of proxy/helper horse in Rules section).
  • The event will be a WSTR 2024 Finale Qualifier (WSTR qualification rules apply except maximum $2500 winnings applied to accumulated earnings, $5000 if Key Card Max holder).
  • Must be 21 years of age (WSTR Rules, year of birth).
  • #6 Heeler Cap

#9.5 Futurity Incentive

  • Riata Buckle horse must be a 6-year-old or younger horse.
  • Futurity incentive horses are eligible for #9.5 All-Age payout (may double dip).
  • The 6-year-old incentive is paid to the roper(s) riding the Riata Buckle horse and only one side is required to be on 6YO.
  • Half of the incentive money will be paid to the highest placing head horses and half to the highest placing heel horses.

#8.5 Riata Buckle Fifty Plus Roping

$40,000 Added

#8.5 Roping Format

  • One side must be a Riata Buckle horse.
  • Entry Fee $500/roper.
  • Enter three times. Up and back is permitted but there shall be NO duplicate teams (same header and heeler twice).
  • Partner horse need not be a proxy but must be registered.
  • Four-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • Age caps: men must be 50+ (born in 1984 or earlier) or ladies 40+ (born in 1994 or earlier)
  • #4.5 Roping Cap

#10.5 Riata Buckle Junior Championship

$20,000 Added

#10.5 Junior Roping Format

  • Pre-Entry Fee: $500/roper.
  • On-Site Entry Fee: $600/roper.
  • 80% Payback
  • Draw-in available, draw-in fees apply.
  • Four-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • Enter three times. Up and back is permitted but there shall be NO duplicate teams (same header and heeler twice).
  • One end must be 16 or younger: (16 age as of Sep 1 or later)
  • Junior must be on a nominated Riata Buckle horse. The other end can be any registered horse.
  • #6 Heeler Cap
  • WSTR, USTRC, Key Card, Key Card Max or Global Membership Required.

Riata Buckle Cowgirls Steer Stopping

$40,000 Guarantee

Steer Stopping Format

  • Riata Buckle horses only.
  • Entry Fee $500/roper.
  • Enter two times. Two different horses.
  • Four-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • Capped at #5.5 Header.

Entry Deadlines & Draw-Outs and Refunds

  • Entry Deadline – September 1st.
  • Entry Fees: As posted in the event description
  • Draw-Outs and Refunds - Draw-outs and refunds will be paid directly to the payer of the entry fee.
  • Horse and Rider Changes
    • Draw-outs may occur at any time prior to the roping without penalty,
    • Any rider or horse changes or draw-outs made the day of the roping must pay a $100 change fee, per entry.

Payoffs

Contestant Winnings

  • Unless otherwise designated, payouts and 1099s will be paid and issued directly to the winning contestant regardless of who owns the horse. We are not responsible for private financial arrangements between horse owners, trainers, or lessors. However, if designated with a signed consent by the contestant, up to two payees (individuals or entities) can be paid for any win. The designation may be split in any percentage with both parties providing a signed form, and a W9 form within 48 hours of the win.
  • Payouts will be mailed to the designated recipient(s) within 5 days after the last day of the event.

Payout Percentages

  • 80% paid to ropers. Number of places paid based on WSTR payout scale.
  • 10% paid to stallion owners of the designated championship payouts.
  • 10% paid to the first person or entity that nominates a Riata Buckle eligible progeny.
  • Any winning team containing a proxy/helper horse:
    • Ropers on proxy/helper horses will receive aggregate payback, minus 20% commission.

Roping Rules

  • Winning Teams – Nominated Riata Buckle or proxy/helper horses, may be DNA tested at Riata Buckle's discretion.
  • Horses must have a current registration with a breed association.
  • WSTR arena roping rules will apply.

Nominated Horses

  • Ropers, trainers, or agents riding nominated Riata Buckle horses must submit registration documentation on or before time of entry.
  • All Riata Buckle horses, and proxy/helper horses must provide a current stock horse registration that shows ownership or current transfer application.
  • All leases, shared entry fees arrangements or any arrangement with owners are considered private, and any monies won will be paid to the winning ropers only. Payouts will not be split and 1099s will be issued to the winning roper.

Proxy/Helper Horses

If either member of a team is the owner of record of a nominated Riata Buckle horse 3-years-old or younger, including weanlings, they will be allowed to ride a proxy/helper rope horse. Only one proxy/helper horse is permitted per nominated Riata Buckle horse. Only one rider is permitted per proxy horse. There are only two potential riders for a proxy/helper horse, one family member or in the case of a futurity horse, only one futurity agent or trainer.

Proxy/Helper Horse Rules:

  • The proxy/helper horse is required to have a current stock horse registration.
  • A proxy/helper form must accompany roping entries that include the name and registration number of the young, nominated Riata Buckle horse they are substituting. If the nominated Riata Buckle horse is “pending,” proof of birth with dam/sire information is required along with the proxy/helper horse registration information that is being used in place of the 3-year-old or younger nominated Riata Buckle horse.
  • No proxy horses in the Open Futurity.
  • Only one nominated Riata Buckle horse, 3-year-old or younger, is allowed for each proxy/helper horse.
  • Only one proxy is permitted for each 3-year-old or younger nominated Riata Buckle horse.
  • Only one proxy rider is permitted for each proxy/helper horse.
  • There are only two potential riders for proxy horses, one family member or in the case of a futurity horse, only one futurity agent or trainer.
  • Ropers on proxy/helper horses will receive their winnings, minus 20% commission.