Fresh off his second consecutive NFR qualification, 26-year-old Coleby Payne added another career milestone to the books: the top 25 heelers in the world voted his 16-year-old gelding “Coon”—registered as Cut Off My Spots—the 2025 PRCA Heel Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association.
Payne had just stepped off Coon when he got the call with the news.
“I thought he had a pretty good chance to win it, but now that it’s official, it’s pretty special,” Payne, of Stephenville, Texas, said. “We’ve always taken pride in having good horses, and with the history I have with Coon—it means everything.”
With most of his runs on Coon in 2025 thus far, Payne is sixth in the PRCA world standings heading back to his second straight NFR with $149,293.26 won.
Cut Off My Spots and Coleby Payne’s Long History
Coon’s journey to Horse of the Year is anything but typical. Payne first bought him as a green 3-year-old from Rhen Richard, then sold him at age 6 to Dustin Davis, who seasoned the horse before selling him to eight-time World Champion Rich Skelton. In 2022, Payne bought Coon back at 13—just in time for the next big chapter of both of their careers.
“It wasn’t like I bought him and just started setting the world on fire,” Payne explained. “But the next year, I got with him—and in 2023, all my biggest wins came on that horse.”
Coon’s defining traits, according to Payne, are his forgiveness, foot speed and staying power.
“He’ll let you make a mistake and still give you another chance,” Payne said. “He’s got as much gas as anything, and he’s better the more you haul him. At places like Cheyenne and Salinas, he’s an absolute weapon.”
Coon doesn’t just shine on the rodeo trail—he’s also got a standout personality.
“He’s kind of a pest,” Payne said. “He’s full of energy, always wants to play, always feels good. But that’s probably part of what makes him great.”
Between Coon and the three-time reigning Horse of the Year Kadabra King—who Payne purchased from Patrick Smith in 2024—Payne now finds himself in the enviable position of having two world-class heel horses. He leaned on Coon for most of the 2025 summer run, while Turbo handled the faster setups and one-headers.
“Turbo’s incredible too, but Coon’s probably the more forgiving horse,” he said. “To have them both—it’s the best of both worlds.”
As for the NFR, Payne confirmed that reigning and three-time World Champion Wesley Thorp will be back on Turbo in Las Vegas, while Payne will once again back into the Thomas & Mack on Coon.
“Coon’s simple, solid, and he’s all heart,” Payne said. “This award just proves what I already knew—he’s the kind of horse that gets you there and gives you a shot every time.”
Full Horse of the Year Results 2025:
Team Roping Header
1. Mr. Joes Shadow Bar “Joe” ridden by Clint Summers, and owned by Clint and Darren Summers
2. RK Tuff Trinket “Bob” ridden and owned by Riley Minor
3. Espuela Bro “Spur” ridden by Tyler Wade, and owned by Tyler and Jessi Wade
Team Roping Heeler
1. Cut off My Spots “Coon” ridden and owned by Coleby Payne
2. Oz Ona Hot Streak “Oz” ridden by Lane Mitchell and owned by Nate Ozentowski
3. Bodak Yello “Bodak” ridden and owned by Jade Corkill
Tie-Down Roping
1. Marked Up Cat “Rudy” ridden and owned by Riley Webb
2. Haidas Texas Jewel “Bird” ridden by Tanner Green, Quade Hiatt and others, and owned by Tanner Green
3. Daddys Shiner Cat “Peso” ridden by Ty Harris, Logan Bird, Joel Harris, Kyle Lucas and Shad Mayfield, and owned by Logan Bird
Pick Up Man
1. Baby Hes Hot “BABY” ridden by Tyler Kraft and owned by Vanessa Kraft
2. Sundayredwood Breeze “Badger” ridden by Matt Twitchell and owned by Clegg Livestock Co Inc
3. Jack On Moon “Spyder” ridden by Matt Twitchell and owned by Clegg Livestock Co Inc
Steer Roping
1. Son Ofa Glo “Junior” ridden and owned by Slade Wood
2. Unbreykable “Big Country” ridden and owned by Kelton McMillen
3. JS Frosty Badger “Goose” Ridden by Scott Snedecor and owned by Scott and Kelli Snedecor
Barrel Racing
1. DM Sissy Hayday “Sister,” ridden and owned by Hailey Kinsel
2. Seis Corona “Jagger,” ridden and owned by Megan McLeod-Sprague
3. Force The Goodbye “Jarvis,” ridden and owned by Kassie Mowry
Breakaway Roping
1. Stylish Drifter “Dutch,” ridden and owned by Josie Conner
2. Aladdins Approach “Lexus,” ridden and owned by Cheyanne McCartney
3. Jigsaw Wildcard “Jigsaw,” ridden by Aspen Miller and owned by Craig Miller
