Jay Wadhams is a hired gun, a jack of all trades, and a businessman. The NFR heeler and BFI Champ from Pueblo, Colorado, has made his name in the AQHA show-horse game, most recently winning the senior heeling on the stallion Smart Nu Shiner in 2017.

His famous partnership with his cousin JD Yates has built a dynasty of great horses, and now he’s expanding even farther to build the American Rope Horse Futurity Association and its World Championships—coming up this October 16 through 18 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Casually called the Rope Horse Futurity, the event adds at least $100,000 and pays a $25,000 check to the winning 4 to 6-year-old on each end. It’s got a 4-year-old incentive and an incentive division for lower-numbered ropers, as well as a non-pro held Saturday, October 19.

The event is a must-see, and I hope this interview tells you why.