The Gold Buckle Futurities is an organization focused on the roping industry. This program is designed to showcase the future of elite roping horses, elevating the roping industry and fortifying futurity horses. Our goal is to create an organization that exhibits the future elite prospects of the Tie Down, Breakaway, and Team Roping industry – conclusively, advancing training programs and the rope horse industry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Scoring and Review
How are re-runs determined?
Re-runs may be granted in certain circumstances based on the event. For instance, in Tie Down and Breakaway Roping, re-runs are given if a calf ducks back, falls before the score line, or if there’s interference with the rider or horse by something outside the arena. In Team Roping, re-runs are given if a steer stops on its own, trips leaving the chute, drags excessively, or if the rider or horse experiences interference.
What triggers a review of scores?
If there’s a 5-point or greater difference between judges’ scores, an automatic review occurs to ensure accuracy and consistency across scoring.
Specific Scoring Criteria
What factors are judged in Tie Down Roping?
In Tie Down Roping, judges evaluate the horse’s behavior in the box, running and rating, stopping, and rope work. Each maneuver is scored from -3 (Extremely Poor) to 3 (Excellent), with penalties for various infractions like breaking the barrier or excessive schooling during the run​.
How is scoring conducted in Breakaway Roping?
Scoring in Breakaway Roping focuses on the horse’s behavior in the box, running and rating, stopping, and overall run quality (including eye appeal and difficulty). Each maneuver is scored on a -3 to 3 scale, with specific penalties for issues like squatting in the box, blatant disobedience, or failure to catch legally.
What are the main scoring elements in Team Roping?
Team Roping is judged on quietness in the box, running and rating the cow, handling control (heading), and finishing actions like maintaining tight rope and controlled stopping (heeling). Additional factors include eye appeal and the smoothness of the overall run.
Penalties
What types of penalties can affect scores in Tie Down Roping?
Penalties in Tie Down Roping range from 3-10 points for:
3 Points
- 2 hands in box
- Running into or stepping on calf
- Nervous in box
- Turning head severely in box
- moving feet in box
- Squatting in box
- Head shaking during run
- Out of control during run
3 Points
- Moving hind end out of corner (1 time)
- Running into steer
5 Points
- Moving hind end out of corner (this does not include riding up to reset)
- Squatting in box
- Coming off of the front end in the box
- Broken barrier (5 points per judge)
10 Points
- Breaking the barrier (time score)
- Refusing to enter the box (locking up, turning around before entering the box, etc.)
- Blatant disobedience at any time during the run (defines as kicking, biting, bucking, rearing or striking)
You may also receive a 0 score from:
- Fall of horse or rider
- Excessive schooling during any point of the run
- Failure to work in the proper working order
- Failure to get horse into corner (3 attempts)
- Failure to get horse into box (3 attempts)
- Competitor strikes horse with rope in the box
- Rider touches the rope after the calf has been tied
What are common penalties in Breakaway Roping?
Penalties can range from 3-10 points, which include:
3 Points:
- 2 hands in the box
- Running into or stepping on calf
- Nervous in the box
- Turning heads severely in the box
- Moving feet in box
- Squatting in the box
- Head shaking during run
- Out of control during run
5 Points:
- Moving hind end out of corner (this does not include riding up to reset)
- Squatting in the box
- Coming off of the front end in the box
- Broken barrier (5 points per judge)
10 Points:
- Breaking the barrier (time score)
- Refusing to enter the box (locking up, turning around before entering the box, etc)
- Blatant disobedience at any time during the run (defined as kicking, biting, bucking, rearing or striking)
A 0 score will be given for:
- Failure to catch legal
- Fall of horse or rider
- Excessive schooling during any point of run
- Failure to work in the proper working order
- Failure to get horse into box (3 times)
- Failure to get horse into corner (3 attempts)
- Competitor strikes horse with rope in the box
How are penalties handled in Team Roping?
Penalties in Team Roping vary from minor 1–3 point deductions for issues like nervousness in the box or head shaking, to more significant 5–10 point penalties for breaking the barrier, blatant disobedience, or refusal to pull the steer. Time penalties also apply, such as a 5-second penalty for catching only one hind leg. All penalties listed below and on the scorecard sheet.
1-3 Points
- 2 hands in the box
- Nervous in box
- Turning head severely in box
- Moving feet in box
- Squatting in box
- Head shaking during the run
- Out of control during the run
- Refusing to face (heading)
- Not holding the stop (heeling)
- Quartering in the stop (heeling)
- Not gaining on the steer (heeling)
3 Points:
- Moving hind end out of corner (once)
- Running into steer
5 Points:
- Moving hind end out of corner (2 times)
- Refusal to enter box and locking up
- Rearing in box
- Refusing to pull steer (heading)
- Blatant disobedience, defined as kicking, biting, bucking, rearing, striking or obviously insubordinate
5 Second Penalty:
- 1 hind leg catch
10 Second Penalty:
- Breaking the barrier
A 0 score will be given for:
- Failure to obtain legal head catch
- Fall of horse or rder
- Cross fire (at flagger discretion)
- Excessive schooling
- Failure to work in the proper working order
- Failure to get horse in corner (3 attempts)
- Failure to get horse into box (3 attempts)
- Helper touches horse with rope in box
