What breakaway futurities are available?
While this list isn’t exhaustive, here are some of the places breakaway futurity horses can compete:
- Gold Buckle Futurities
- Riata Buckle
- American Rope Horse Association Futurity – Old West Futurity
- Royal Crown
- Roping Futurities of America (RFA)
- Coming in 2025, Solo Select Futurity
What are the judges looking for?
The judges are looking for a quiet and willing horse in the box that leaves flat and tracks the calf well, adjusting for its speed (rate). Then, a responsive stop that breaks the rope off in a timely fashion. Most futurities have a timed component in addition to scoring.
According to McCartney, a good futurity horse will make the ropers’ job look easy.
What kind of horse do I need for the breakaway futurities?
McCartney says the No. 1 thing she looks for in a breakaway futurity prospect is their eligibility and nominations into futurity programs like the Riata Buckle.
While there are some places that don’t require a horse to be sired by a specific stallion, like the RFA, most programs have enrolled stallions who’s offspring are eligible for the futurity.
The more futurities a horse is eligible for, the more opportunities they have to win money and grow their record.
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