Dear Roper,

This issue’s cover is a special one for me. 

Heading into the ARHFA’s World Show in October, the association announced that DT Horses’ Hickory Holly Time was its leading stallion. Earlier the same month, the Riata Stallion Incentive also publicized Hickory Holly Time as its leading sire of 2025. 

Then, a few weeks later at the Gold Buckle Futurities World Finals in Abilene, Texas, Jeremy Buhler once again dominated the heeling, claiming both the junior and senior titles aboard Hickory Holly Time offspring DT Hickorys Stinger and SLR Swinging Hickory. 

These final wins of 2025 mark a new milestone for rope horse sires, as Hickory Holly Time surpassed $1 million in QData offspring earnings in 2025—a feat never before accomplished in the sport of team roping. 

Hickory Holly Time owner Dean Tuftin has long been one of the roping industry’s biggest fans. In turn, he’s been a willing guide and mentor for me, too—and for many others in the sport—as we’ve worked together to grow the rope horse business. When our Breeder’s Guide debuted in 2020 with just 24 studs, DT Horses stepped in to support us. And they haven’t missed a guide since. Tuftin has relentlessly supported the industry, and he’s shared wisdom with anyone with enough humility to listen. 

So when I asked Tuftin if I could shoot some fresh photos of Hickory Holly Time at Oswood Stallion Station, and he hopped on a flight to come help me, I couldn’t resist asking him to step in for a few pictures to capture the historic achievement. 

Thanks for smiling for the camera, Dean. 

And thank you all for spending some time with this Breeder’s Guide—our sixth edition and the biggest one yet. 

—TRJ—