Trevor Brazile won the 2025 American Rope Horse Futurity Association (ARHFA) World Championship in Amarillo, Texas, riding Vintage New York, a 6-year-old gelding by Platinum Vintage out of Lil Sugbaby Gun.
Brazile marked a 928.79 to take the win and earned $22,180, plus $3,000 in round money.
Naturally Gifted with Presence
Vintage New York was bred by Ingrid Rund and is owned by the Relentless Remuda. Though reining‑bred, the gelding has emerged as a top‑level head horse with a smooth stride, strong scoring ability, and effortless speed.
“This one’s a freak,” Brazile said. “He’s borderline big enough, but can really run. And when he does it, he does it pretty. That applies across the board—Gold Buckle, World Show, anywhere.”
A Second Consecutive Title
This is Brazile’s second consecutive ARHFA world title after first winning in 2024. Since 2018 he’s been showing horses at the futurity, but he didn’t break the championship ice until last year.
“I hope I’ve gotten better,” Brazile said. “But when you get that many horses of that quality together, a lot has to go right. Since 2018, we’ve given ourselves a chance every year. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But we always leave with performances we’re proud of. If I show four, I want all four to finish at the top—not just swing for the fences with one.”
Strategy and Preservation
Brazile deliberately kept Vintage New York out of jackpot competition for now, in order to preserve his sharpness and show appeal.
“As much as I want to, I haven’t jackpot on him,” he said. “Sometimes when a horse gets too solid, it gets vanilla. But this horse has presence. He’s naturally a sleek mover. I don’t have to do much to keep that look.”
The horse has more than just a showy look—he scores with the best of them.
“He scores really good. When you know you can go whenever you want and you’re not worried about getting outrun, it makes it easy. I just cruised up there and roped—no extra riding.”
Versatility and Cross‑Over Potential
Vintage New York began his career as a switchender with X Performance Horses before settling into the head end. Both Cody Snow and Cody Wheeler headed on the horse, and JD McGuire and Hunter Koch heeled on him, before X Performance Horses traded him to the Relentless Remuda for RO Roll Tide Dually, an aged-out, Bama-Cat bred gelding Brazile showed.
“He was a good head horse and a good heel horse, but everything changed when we let him just be a head horse,” Brazile said.
Evolving Horse Program and Buying Strategy
Behind the success is a deliberate and evolving horse program. Brazile said his approach to horsemanship, gear and bit selection has changed over the years—though the fundamentals remain consistent.
“It always evolves a little,” he said. “Someone comes up with something new, you try it, and maybe you don’t land on it, but you find a variation that works. At the end of the day, a good horseman can do just as much with three or four bridles in the tack room. I stick with bridles I know I ride well.”
What’s Next
Vintage New York is both Gold Buckle eligible and qualified for the AQHA World Show. With a major world title behind him and a wide‑open future ahead, Brazile believes the gelding is just getting started.
“When he does it, he does it pretty. And that matters everywhere.”
