Dollar for dollar, there is no higher leveraged roping than the 2025 Riata Championships. Set for September 24–28 in Guthrie, the Riata is the richest and largest Ariat World Series of Team Roping qualifier on the calendar, offering $1.8 million in added money and more than $4 million projected in total payout.
This is the event that blends horsepower and high-stakes roping into one elite arena (well, two arenas, technically, to make things move quickly). Whether you’re a breeder, trainer or everyday team roper, there’s money on the line and opportunity at every turn.
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Table of contents
What Makes It Different
The Riata isn’t just big—it’s smart. With stallion nominations driving the incentive pool, Riata has created a system that pays off across divisions. You don’t have to be a pro to win big. These ropings are timed, and all ages of horses are welcome.
This is a roping that:
- Pays deep, with $200,000 added in every Riata Championship
- $50,000 added to each first-place Riata Champion team
- Gives $50,000 guaranteed incentives to 6 & Under and 7 & Under horses in the #10.5 and #9.5
- $20,000 to high-earning Riata horse in every Ariat WSTR Super Qualifier
2025 Riata Championships Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 24
- Riata Pro Futurity (5 & Under) – $200K added
- #14.5 Championship – $200K added
- 6 & Under Incentive – $50K guaranteed
- #13.5 WSTR Super Qualifier – $20K to top Riata horse
Thursday, Sept. 25
- #12.5 Championship – $200K added
- 6 & Under Incentive – $50K guaranteed
- #11.5 WSTR Super Qualifier – $20K to top Riata horse
Friday, Sept. 26
- #10.5 Championship – $200K added (6-Year-Old & Under Incentive – $50K guaranteed
- #9.5 Junior Championship – $20K added
- #10.5 WSTR Super Qualifier – $20K to top Riata horse
Saturday, Sept. 27
- #9.5 Championship – $200K added (6-Year-Old & Under Incentive – $50K guaranteed
- Cowgirl Steer Stopping – $10K added
- #9.5 WSTR Super Qualifier – $20K to top Riata horse
Sunday, Sept. 28
- #8.5 Championship – $200K added
- #8.5 WSTR Super Qualifier – $20K to top Riata horse
The Formats
Riata Pro Futurity (5 & Under)
- $1,000/roper, five-steer aggregate
- 100% payback
- Riata horses only, no proxies
- Enter twice heading and twice heeling
Riata Championships (#14.5–#8.5)
- $1,000/roper, four-steer aggregate
- 90% payback
- World Series barrier
- Except in the #14.5, must be 21+, heeler caps vary
- Proxy/helper horses allowed on one side
- No duplicate teams
WSTR Super Qualifiers
- $500/roper, 80% payback
- Open to all WSTR members
- Pick or draw formats
- $20K bonus to high-earning Riata horse
Cowgirl Steer Stopping
- Riata horses only
- $500/roper, enter twice on two horses
- Must dally, capped at #5.5 header
- Three-steer aggregate
2025 Riata Championships Payouts
This isn’t just hype. No roping in history has grown this fast. The payout structure speaks for itself:
- $200,000 added per Riata Championship
- $50,000 added to first-place teams
- $50,000 incentives for 6 & Under and 7 & Under Riata horses
- $20,000 to high-earning Riata horse in each WSTR qualifier
- 90% payback across most divisions
- 100% payback in the Open Futurity
When you add up all entry fees, payback and added money across the five days, the total projected payout tops $4 million—making Riata the most lucrative roping of 2025, bar none.
What’s New for 2025
• Expanded age eligibility: The 7 & Under incentive opens more doors in the #9.5
• Three total entries allowed per roper per Championship (with at least one incentive entry)
• Refined formats across divisions to keep rounds moving and horses fresh
• $50,000 guaranteed to first in incentives
FAQs
Q: Who can enter?
A: Riata Championships require at least one Riata-registered horse. WSTR members can enter the Super Qualifiers on any horse.
Q: What’s a proxy/helper horse?
A: Teams must include at least one Riata horse to be eligible. A non-Riata horse can be used on one end of a team, if one member of the team owns a 3yo nominated Riata. The helper horse is called a proxy as it proxies for the 3yo.
Q: Can my horse earn incentive money and place in the main roping?
A: Yes. Horses can “double dip” by winning incentives and placing in the primary Riata division.
Q: Is there a limit on how many times I can rope in each Championship?
A: Yes—up to three entries per roper, but one must be in an incentive. No duplicate teams. This is the first year for the #8 Division and it has a straight enter three times.
Q: Do you have to be 21 to enter?
A: Yes, for most divisions. The #14.5 has no age restriction, and the Junior #9.5 is for 16 or younger.
Important Info
Current List of Riata Stallions | Riata Championship Formats | Riata Rules
Final Word
The Riata Stallion Incentive has rewritten the playbook for what a roping can be—part futurity, part team roping jackpot and all business. With more money, more horses and more chances to win than anywhere else, this is the roping that pays you back for riding the right horse, entering smart and staying sharp.
—TRJ—
