Meet the Judges of the 2025 Gold Buckle Futurities Spring Showdown

These judges have spent decades in the saddle, in the practice pen, and in the winner’s circle. From AQHA World Champions and PRCA standouts to trainers, coaches, and international judges, this year’s panel brings a range of perspectives grounded in real-world experience. They understand what it takes to stand out—because they’ve been there.
“The people we selected to judge the Spring Showdown are horsemen first,” said Cole Davison, Coordinator of Judges for Gold Buckle Futurities. “They’ve competed, trained, and coached at the highest levels. They’re not just here to score. They’re here to reward the kind of work that elevates our sport.”

Breakaway and Tie Down

Gary Wells

Gary Wells is a distinguished horseman with extensive expertise in tie-down roping, team roping, working cow horse competitions, and colt training for over 40 years. Based in Oklahoma, he operates Gary Wells Performance Horse Training, where he focuses on developing versatile and competitive equine athletes.

A respected AQHA World Champion trainer, Gary’s resume includes training and winning with multiple AQHA and APHA World Champions in tie-down and team roping. Horses that have come through his program have gone on to help riders capture major wins at some of the most prestigious rodeos in the country.

In addition to training, Gary has served as an AQHA Roping Judge for more than 25 years and has judged rope horse futurities since the inception of the judged roping format. He’s played a key role in developing scoring systems used at many of the industry’s top events. His influence has even extended internationally, having judged major roping events in Brazil and conducted clinics there to educate others on judging rope horses.

Roger Branch

Roger Branch is a respected horseman, trainer, and rodeo judge with a decorated career in professional rodeo. A lifelong competitor, Roger has earned over $490,000 in career earnings and qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping in 2020. He has consistently ranked among the top steer ropers in the PRCA world standings, with notable wins at prestigious events like the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, the Lewiston Legacy Steer Roping, and the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping.

Roger’s rodeo roots run deep—he was the 1984 College National Finals Rodeo Tie-Down Roping Champion and the 1980 Oklahoma State High School Team Roping Champion. Today, he operates Roger Branch Performance Horses in Perkins, Oklahoma, where he trains and boards horses that have gone on to compete at the AQHA World Show finals. His contributions to the sport go beyond competition, as he continues to mentor others and judge events with the same passion and precision that defined his own career.

Doug Clark

A member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for nearly four decades, Doug Clark embodies the heritage of traditional horsemanship and rodeo excellence. He’s a fourth-generation PRCA member and one of the most respected rope horse trainers in the industry. A quiet gentleman known for his dedication, Clark has shown numerous horses to AQHA championships, qualified for the National Steer Roping Finals, and earned the All-Around Championship at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Clark spends countless hours helping children, primarily teaching roping and essential life skills. His greatest passion is pairing young cowboys and cowgirls with horses that help them thrive in the arena.

Clark has also served on the Rodeo Historical Society board of directors. His wife, Linda, is a former barrel racer, and his daughter, Darcy, competes in barrel racing, breakaway calf roping, and team roping.

CR Bradley

C.R. Bradley is a National Finals Rodeo qualifier and a 24-time AQHA Open World and Reserve World Champion. Known for his versatility and horsemanship, C.R. doesn’t just rope-he competes and wins at the highest level. A standout in his career has been his mare Roanie, whom he owned and rode throughout her life. Together, they earned AQHA World Championships in Senior Tie-Down Roping in 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2010, as well as Reserve World titles in Junior Heeling (1997) and Senior Tie-Down Roping (2005).

In 2014, C.R. made history by becoming the only breeder, owner, trainer, and exhibitor in AQHA history to win the Superhorse Award with Twisters Enola Rey, showcasing his comprehensive expertise in horse breeding and training.

Beyond his competitive accomplishments, C.R. is dedicated to educating others in horsemanship and roping. He has conducted clinics across the United States, Brazil, and Panama, sharing his knowledge and passion with aspiring equestrians.

Heading and Heeling

Doug Clark

Shannon Frascht

Shannon Frascht competed on the Northwestern Rodeo Team from 1985 to 1989, earning his induction into the Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding collegiate career. After graduating, Frascht transitioned successfully into professional rodeo, becoming a consistent competitor at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Prairie Circuit Finals, qualifying over 20 times between 1990 and 2024. He notably secured Prairie Circuit year-end titles in 1996-97 and again in 2002-03.

Frascht’s professional highlights include his best year in 2006, partnering with Nick Sartain to place in five of ten rounds at the Wrangler NFR, winning rounds five and seven, and finishing ninth in the world standings with earnings of $94,428.

After his competitive career, Frascht returned to Northwestern in 2011 as the rodeo coach, continuing his significant contributions to the sport.

James Davison

James Davison is a respected figure in the western performance horse industry, known for his deep expertise and decades of experience. He has served as a judge at the prestigious NCHA World Finals and currently holds the position of Area Director within the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA). James has also judged major events across disciplines, including the NRHA Futurity and Olympic trials, showcasing his versatility and respected judgment in roping, reining, and cutting competitions. His reputation extends internationally, having judged events in Italy, Japan, and Mexico. James Davison’s dedication and contributions have made a lasting impact on the global performance horse community.

Mark Wray

Mark Wray is the owner and head trainer at Wray Performance Horses, a reputable ranch and roping horse operation located in Ord, Nebraska. Specializing in training, showing, and selling honest and dependable roping horses, Mark caters to riders of all skill levels—from beginners to seasoned competitors.

With an equestrian career beginning in 2003 at AQHA horse shows, Mark now competes in more than 50 events each year. His impressive achievements include multiple AQHA World Show finalist and top-ten finishes, numerous top-five AQHA High Point horses, AQHA Reserve All Around High Point Senior Horse honors, and several first-place year-end titles with the Nebraska Roping Horse Association. Mark’s dedication and skill have earned him over 4,000 lifetime AQHA points, three AQHA Team Wrangler memberships, and recognition as the 4th Open Division Leading Exhibitor.

Beyond competitive arenas, Mark and his family also manage a robust cow/calf and yearling cattle operation, providing ample opportunities for practical ranch work such as branding, pairing out cows and calves, doctoring yearlings, and pasture checks—all done horseback.

The judging panel for the 2025 Gold Buckle Futurities Spring Showdown reflects the very core of western performance—integrity, experience, and a commitment to excellence. With backgrounds that span from rodeo arenas to AQHA and NCHA show pens, these judges bring the knowledge and perspective necessary to identify and reward the best in the business. As the action unfolds in the arena, competitors can trust that the decisions come from a place of deep understanding and respect for the game—and that the horses and riders who rise to the top are truly among the future elite.