Roping Information

The Riata Championships - 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 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 25, 2024.
  • New! Experimental $250,000 Breakaway Roping. Breakaway ropers riding nominated progeny from the Riata, 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 Cowgirls Steer Stopping. This is a specialty roping that aligned with our team roping goals. The steer stopping is meant to be an addition to our ladies breakaway offering. This will be capped at a 5.5 header.
  • New! 8.5 Riata Roping is a specialty roping that has been added to accommodate lower numbered ropers. Riders of Riata 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 Pro Futurity

$200,000 Added
Four-Year-Old Riata 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 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 a 4-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 #14.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Five-Year-Old Riata 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 horses, or one nominated Riata 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 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 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 #12.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Five-Year-Old Riata 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 horses, or one nominated Riata 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 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 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 #10.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Six-Year-Old Riata 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 horses, or one nominated Riata 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 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 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 #9.5 All-Age Championship

$200,000 Added
Six-Year-Old Riata 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 9.5 All-Age and once in the futurity incentive, or twice in the futurity incentive and once in the 9.5 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 horses, or one nominated Riata 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).
  • #5.5 Heeler Cap

#9.5 Futurity Incentive

  • Riata 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 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 Roping

$30,000 Riata Horse Bonus

#8.5 Roping Format

  • One side must be a Riata horse.
  • Entry Fee $500/roper.
  • Ropers must be 21 years old.
  • 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.
  • #4.5 Roping Cap

#10.5 Riata 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 years of age or younger as of September 25, 2024)
  • Junior must be on a nominated Riata horse. The other end can be any registered horse.
  • #6 Heeler Cap
  • WSTR, USTRC, Key Card, Key Card Max or Global Membership Required.

Riata Cowgirls Steer Stopping

$40,000 Guaranteed

Steer Stopping Format

  • Riata horses only.
  • Entry Fee $500/roper.
  • Enter two times. Two different horses.
  • Must dally, no tie-on.
  • Three-steer aggregate, progressive after one.
  • World Series Barrier.
  • Capped at #5.5 Header.

Entry Deadlines & Draw-Outs and Refunds

  • Mail-in Entry Deadline – August 31st, both sides paid at entry.
  • Late Entries - Online only, September 1st – 15th. $100 late fee per side.
  • 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
    • Any rider or horse changes made after September 20th, without vet docs, must pay $100 change fee, per entry,
    • 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 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 or proxy/helper horses, may be DNA tested at Riata'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 horses must submit registration documentation on or before time of entry.
  • All Riata 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 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 horse. Only one rider is permitted per proxy horse. Riders for a proxy/helper horse can be family members.

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 horse they are substituting. If the nominated Riata 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 horse.
  • No proxy horses in the Open Futurity.
  • Only one nominated Riata 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 horse.
  • Only one proxy rider is permitted for each proxy/helper horse.
  • Riders for a proxy/helper horse can be family members.
  • Ropers on proxy/helper horses will receive their winnings, minus 20% commission.