Hickory Holly Time was named the Gold Buckle Futurities Sire of the Year presented by EquiStat after his offspring earned a combined $165,795 across the Spring Showdown and World Finals. This total reflects all eligible earnings, including round wins, averages, and both halves of the stallion and breeder incentive checks, and highlights the consistency and depth of his program across the season.
Nine Hickory Holly Time offspring contributed to the Sire of the Year total, with the majority of earnings coming from the heeling, where his horses delivered some of the most dominant performances at the World Finals.
The leading contributor was DT Hickorys Stinger, who earned $37,800 in the Futurity Heeling at the World Finals with Jeremy Buhler. The pair won the first round, captured the average, and claimed both the stallion incentive and breeder incentive, completing a clean sweep of the division.
“What stands out to me is their demeanor. They want to work, they only get better when the pressure’s on, and they just keep progressing as they get older,” said Jeremy Buhler of his experience with this bloodline.
“The Hickory Holly Time horses have the kind of attitude and grit that lets them be something really special.”
Another major contributor was DT Get Yer Mask On, who earned a total of $30,730 across both events. At the World Finals, the horse earned $17,733 in the Maturity Heeling with Buhler, finishing fourth in the average and second in the stallion incentive. Earlier in the season at the Spring Showdown, DT Get Yer Mask On added $12,997 in the Limited Heeling with Stran Pollitt, placing third in the average and second in the stallion incentive.
SLR Swinging Hickory added $27,700 with a standout performance in the Maturity Heeling at the World Finals. Ridden by Buhler, the horse won the average and the stallion incentive, further cementing Hickory Holly Time’s strength in the heeling divisions.
DT Hickorys Angus contributed $20,016 in the Maturity Heeling at the World Finals with Buhler. The horse finished fifth in the average, placed third in the stallion incentive, and claimed the breeder incentive.
Beyond the heeling, Hickory Holly Time offspring contributed across multiple disciplines. Time To Glo earned $18,849 across both events. With Cheyanne McCartney, Time To Glo earned $10,312 in the Maturity Breakaway at the Spring Showdown, winning the first round, finishing fifth in the average, and placing third in the stallion incentive. The horse added $2,241 in the Maturity Breakaway at the World Finals and $6,296 in the Maturity Heeling at the Spring Showdown with Trevor Brazile.
Hickory Glo Time earned $14,311 in the Limited Tie-Down across the two events. With Cody Marx, Hickory Glo Time earned $9,093 at the Spring Showdown, finishing fourth in the average and winning the stallion incentive, which added $7,650 to the total. The horse added $5,218 at the World Finals, placing fifth in the average and third in the stallion incentive.
Additional earnings came from the heading divisions. DT Corona Mist earned $8,921 in the Limited Heading at the Spring Showdown with Stran Pollitt, finishing seventh in the average, third in the Non Pro, and second in the stallion incentive. DT Blackjack Time added $6,468 in the Limited Heading at the Spring Showdown with Pollitt, placing ninth in the average, fourth in the Non Pro, and third in the stallion incentive.
Rounding out the Sire of the Year contributors was DT Whiz Kid Time, who earned $1,000 in the Limited Heeling at the Spring Showdown with Pollitt after winning the first round.
“2025 was an extraordinary year for our stallion, Hickory Holly Time. His progeny saw tremendous success in the rope horse futurity world, and the Gold Buckle Futurities was no exception. We’ve really appreciated how they structure their payouts for stallion owners, as it provides a meaningful way to recoup some of the investment we’ve made in him,” says Dean Tuftin, owner of DT Horses and Hickory Holly Time.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has bred to him and put the time and work into developing these horses into what they are today, and we truly value what GBF has built, as it’s been a real bonus for us as stallion owners. We’re looking ahead with a lot of excitement about where the rope horse futurities are headed, and we believe Gold Buckle Futurities has proven itself to be a first-class operation. We’re looking forward to seeing that continued growth into next year.”
With nine different offspring contributing across the Spring Showdown and World Finals, Hickory Holly Time’s Sire of the Year title reflects a season of steady results from start to finish. The earnings came from multiple riders, divisions, and stages of competition, showing the kind of consistency it takes to stay in the hunt all year and close the season at the top. When the totals were finalized, Hickory Holly Time led the standings, earning Gold Buckle Futurities’ Sire of the Year honors presented by EquiStat.
