American Rope Horse Futurity Association: Onwards and Upwards

NWARDS AND UPWARDS O

Returning for its sixth year, the ARHFA World Championship had fast steers, handy ropers and a pile of cash to award competitors.

By Lillian Kent

The American Rope Horse Futurity Association joined forces for the sixth year with the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® , presented by Metallic Cat. Spanning three days, October 20-22, Open and Non Pro headers and heelers had the chance to swing at more than $800,000.

Event founder Jay Wadhams worked alongside Dean Tuftin, of DT Horses, to pair the then-12-year-old roping futurity with the Snaffle Bit Futurity when it

RULES OF PLAY

The event has three ‘judges.’ Two people and the clock. Starting with a score of 70, horses are evaluated on their ability to stand in the box, rate, turn and handle the steer. The time component is subtracted from 80, meaning a 7-second run earns riders a 73. All three scores are combined for the total.

“It’s very prestigious to win this event because it’s so hard to win. Just like the Snaffle Bit over here, it’s not easy to win,” Wadhams said.

moved to Texas in 2016. Since then, the growth had been undeniable.

“Every year it’s gotten bigger. The first year [in Fort Worth] we paid out $232,000 and this year our final payoff was $812,000. In six years, it’s close to quadrupled,” Wadhams said.

Though there was initially some apprehension about bringing the ropers into cow horse territory, Wadhams described it as a symbiotic relationship with ropers venturing into the sale arena and barns to buy prospects and well-broke horses alike.

“The growth is all because of the money. If you add money, they will come,” Wadhams said. “The best way I can keep this moving forward is paying the intermediates and limited [open] guys. I have to keep those guys winning [money] because it’s a tough roping in the open.”

Wadhams has his eyes set on the $1,000,000 mark in prize money, and plans of reaching the figure by 2024.

OPEN HEADING CHAMPION Chics Magic Corona (Furyofthewind x JRS Chics Smart Lena x Chics Magic Potion) and Rhen Richard bagged the Open Heading Championship with a 238.44 in the finals for a 948.34 total, earning $25,000 for owner A&C Racing and Roping.

OPEN HEELING CHAMPION Sevens Star Glo (CSR Dual Glo x Sevens Tootsie Time x Hes Dun His Time) and Cade Rice earned $28,000 for the Open Heeling Championship, scoring a 240.22 in the finals for a total of 952.11. Sevens Star Glo is owned by Marshall Wier.

NON PRO HEADING CHAMPION Makenzie Cowan and the Cowan Select Horses’ Seven S Blackjack (Catty Hawk x Seven S Cattle Kate x Peptos Stylish Oak) earned the Non Pro Heeling Championship with a score of 236.7 in the finals for a total of 704.93, winning $8,040.

NON PRO HEELING CHAMPION Lucas Willeford and his gelding Bertie Five (Bars Ninety Five x Prepared For Success x Bertie De Badger) put together a score of 236.34 – total 698.83, for $6,170 in winnings.