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 0 (Extremely Poor) to 6 (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 0–6 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 5 to 10 points for issues like squatting in the box, coming off the front end, breaking the barrier, or blatant disobedience. A score of 0 may be given for failing to catch, falling, excessive schooling, or failing to work in proper order​.
What are common penalties in Breakaway Roping?
Breakaway Roping penalties include 5-point deductions for moving the hind end out of the corner or squatting in the box. Ten-point deductions occur for breaking the barrier or blatant disobedience. A 0 score is given for failing to catch legally, falling, excessive schooling, or failure to get the horse into the corner after three attempts.
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.
