Gold Buckle Futurities is proud to welcome an exceptional group of judges to the 2025 World Finals. Each brings proven experience, credibility, and a deep understanding of the sport—making them an integral part of what sets this event apart.
Breakaway & Tie-Down Judges
C.R. Bradley
A four-time AQHA World Champion in Senior Tie-Down Roping, C.R. Bradley has also captured Reserve World titles in both Heeling and Tie-Down. His Superhorse-winning Twisters Enola Rey and a decades-long list of champions stand as proof of his consistency at the highest levels. He has judged top futurities, conducted international clinics, and remains one of the sport’s most trusted evaluators of rope horses.
J.R. Myers
From Felton, Pennsylvania, J.R. Myers owns and operates J.R. & Jayme Myers Performance Horses and remains active in the PRCA circuit, in which he has been a member since 2005. As a multiple-time tie-down finals qualifier and strong team roping competitor, he continues to train and show top-level rope horses while managing a competitive program focused on developing reliable, athletic mounts. His combination of current competition experience and structured training knowledge adds valuable balance to the panel.
James Zant
A Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee, James Zant was the 1983 PRCA Rookie of the Year and one of only five left-handed ropers to compete at the NFR. A four-time NFR qualifier and 14-time Circuit Finals qualifier, Zant’s career is defined by consistency and technical roping skill. Based in Shiner, Texas, he has become a respected teacher and clinician, known for his precision in evaluating horses and timing.
Pete Fanning
Pete Fanning’s judging experience spans more than 750 NCHA-sanctioned events, including time as NCHA Director of Judges and Judges Monitor. He has also trained and owned competitive rope horses, including the NFR head horse shown by Nick Sartain in 2015. His career reflects a rare combination of judging expertise across disciplines and active roping experience, bringing sharp, consistent evaluation to every run.
Team Roping Judges
C.R. Bradley
A National Finals Rodeo qualifier and 24-time AQHA Open World and Reserve World Champion, C.R. Bradley has earned his place among the most decorated ropers and horsemen in AQHA history. His mare Roanie captured multiple AQHA World Championships in Senior Tie-Down Roping and Reserve World titles in Junior Heeling, while his homebred Twisters Enola Rey made him the only breeder, owner, trainer, and exhibitor in AQHA history to win the Superhorse Award. C.R. has judged and taught across the U.S., Brazil, and Panama, known for his technical accuracy and deep understanding of what makes a rope horse great.
Gary Wells
With more than 40 years in performance horse training, Gary Wells has developed and shown multiple AQHA and APHA World Champion rope horses in both tie-down and team roping. Horses from his program have gone on to win major titles at top rodeos nationwide. A certified AQHA Roping Judge for over 25 years, he has been involved in shaping scoring systems for futurities since the judged format began and has judged internationally in Brazil. His record reflects a lifetime dedicated to developing and evaluating elite rope horses.
Jay Wadhams
An NFR heeler and BFI Champion, Jay Wadhams competed at the 1993 and 1996 National Finals Rodeos, roping for Jay Ellerman and J.D. Yates. In 2007, he founded the American Rope Horse Futurity Association (ARHFA), establishing one of the leading platforms for judged roping competition. Wadhams’ background spans producing major events, training competitive rope horses, and mentoring riders, giving him a unique grasp on both the competitor’s and judge’s perspectives inside the arena.
Lari D. Guy
Lari Guy is a WPRA World Champion breakaway roper and Abilene native with nearly $600,000 in career earnings. Her resume includes titles at the WPRA World Finals, Wildfire Open to the World, and Spicer Gripp Memorial. Beyond the arena, she has judged multiple team roping futurities and trained competitive roping horses, combining professional-level precision with firsthand experience under pressure.
Proven. Experienced. Respected.
As the 2025 Gold Buckle Futurities World Finals get underway in Abilene this week, these judges will oversee some of the best young rope horses in the industry. Their experience spans every corner of the sport—from the rodeo arena to the breeding pen—and their combined insight ensures each run is evaluated with accuracy and fairness.
Gold Buckle Futurities is proud to have this level of talent in the judge’s chairs as the next generation of rope horses and riders take center stage at the Taylor County Expo Center.
For full event details for the 2025 Gold Buckle Futurities World Finals, click here.
