INCENTIVES: Gold Buckle Futurities, Royal Crown Roping, Riata

Starlight Oak 017 may have taken an unconventional path to roping futurity success—moving from ranch work with owner Tyler Schaffner to showing just a month after roping his first steer—but the talented 2017 son of Starlights Gypsy quickly caught up to his competition.

“He just kind of used him as a ranch horse,” Tate Kirchenschlager said. “Then the futurity deal was here and he thought, well, we better get to roping on him. He didn’t have a fair shake at being a futurity horse.”

Despite the late start, “Pocket” has quickly racked up big wins, including the 2023 Intermediate Heeling title at the Royal Crown Rock Springs with Schaffner and the 2024 AQHA World Championship in Senior Heading with Kirchenschlager. With lifetime earnings topping $109,000, Pocket recently took the 2025 AQHA Reserve World Championship in Senior Heading. 

A full sibling to roping superstars American Greed and Parker County Oak, Starlight Oak 017 has also shined as a help horse for major events like the ARHFA Championships while continuing his day job on the ranch.

With an outstanding work ethic, disposition and ability, Starlight Oak 017 is already passing his best to his offspring in his two foal crops.