With two futurities and an American Quarter Horse Association show in Arizona in February and March and plenty of horse sales to go around, the state has become the epicenter of the rope horse world in the winter.
Trevor Brazile’s family is building a place there for a winter hangout with room for the entire Relentless Remuda, and the Richards’ A&C Racing and Roping facility is top-notch, too. Dean Tuftin also built a state-of-the-art facility there, with easy access to get to all of the ropings and horse shows.
Here are the rope-horse hot spots for the winter of 2024:
Royal Crown
Produced by Matt Zancanella and Levi O’Keeffe
Dates: Feb. 7–21, 2024 (Roping will either be Feb. 7–11 OR Feb. 19–21. Check website for details.)
Location: Buckeye
More info: royalcrownrace.com
Formats: 6-&-Under Heading and Heeling, All-Ages Heading and Heeling, 4-&-Under Heading and Heeling, Semi-Pro sidepots, Intermediate Heading and Heeling, Limited sidepot
2023 Payout:
$376,000 (owner payout)
$54,752 (stallion payout)
$54,752 (breeder payout)
American Rope Horse Futurity Association’s Sun Circuit
Produced by Jay and Lindsay Wadhams
Dates: March 4–5, 2024
Location: Scottsdale
More info: americanropehorse.com
Formats: 6-&-Under Heading and Heeling, 4-&-Under Heading and Heeling, Intermediate sidepot, Limited sidepot, Non-Pro Heading and Heeling
2023 Payout:
$207,000 with $35,000 added
AQHA Sun Circuit
Produced by Arizona Quarter Horse Association
Dates: March 4–6, 2024
Location: Scottsdale
More info: suncircuit.com
Formats: Senior Heading and Heeling, Junior Heading and Heeling, Amateur Heading and Heeling
2023 Payout:
Option jackpot with AQHA points classes
Royal Crown Feb. 7–21
(Either 7-11 or 19-21)
