Fresh off their record-setting season, Riley Webb and Marked Up Cat, “Rudy,” added another special award to their resumes: the top 25 tie-down ropers in the world standings voted Rudy the 2025 PRCA Tie-Down Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association.
The 12-year-old gelding has been Webb’s cornerstone since 2022, carrying him to two gold buckles and now the sport’s most coveted horse award.
“This is really exciting,” Webb said. “It’s super cool. It’s hard to put into words, really, to own a Horse of the Year. I thought Rudy was the horse I needed to change my career, and he’s been that.”
Bloodlines Built to Win
Rudy is sired by Metallic Cat, the legendary stallion with $637,711 in lifetime earnings and more than $75 million in offspring earnings. His dam, HA Gay Freckles, was a money earner herself with $54,948 won in the NRCHA.
HA Gay Freckles’ pedigree is equally remarkable. Her dam, Gay Freckles Rio (Colonel Freckles x Bissie Gay Bar x Johnie Gay Bar), produced two World’s Greatest Horseman money earners, one of whom was HA Gay Freckles herself. Bred by Mark and Wendy Froman, HA Gay Freckles has been a prolific producer of cutting, cow and rope horses, including other calf horses like BFB Yippy I O, who placed fifth at the 2021 ARHFA Redbud Spectacular Futurity.
Already a Contender
Rudy had already proven his caliber before Webb bought him in 2022. With former owner Lane Livingston, he was named the Reserve Horse of the Year and carried several calf ropers to big wins. Webb had his eye on him long before he had the opportunity to purchase him.
“To own a horse that already had that recognition, and now to see him win it outright, it’s pretty special,” Webb said. “He’s my livelihood and I care about him so much. For my peers to vote him in shows how much they respect him too.”
Consistency in Every Setup
Rudy’s explosive first step makes him a winner in any setup, from short-start winter buildings to long-score rodeos like Cheyenne. Webb leaned on him at nearly every rodeo in 2025 after letting him sit out the majority of 2024 because of an injury.
“He got hurt on the first summer run calf I ran on him in 2024 at Greeley and was out until mid-August,” Webb said. “Me not having Rudy was like Caleb not having Pockets or Shad and Lollipop or Haven and Lil Punch. The horses that fit us—we have to give all the credit to them. I haven’t ridden any horse like him and I’m not the same roper without him. Cheyenne, Calgary, the NFR—whatever it is, I know I’ve got a chance to win if I’m on Rudy.”
Rudy’s Personality
Webb jokes that Rudy isn’t the friendliest horse in his barn. Known for pinning his ears back, Rudy is all business, but his talent and temperament make him one of a kind.
“He’s a jerk,” Webb laughed. “He pins his ears back, doesn’t like anyone to mess with him. I mean, he’s got an awesome personality. He’s so broke—you can walk him around, put a kid on him, and then ask him for his life in the Thomas & Mack. He’s a really special horse, and I’m so thankful for him.”
Despite Rudy’s quirks, Webb credits the gelding with shaping him into a better horseman and giving him the confidence to win two world titles.
“Growing up, I wasn’t the best horseman,” Webb added. “I’m still learning every day. But to take care of Rudy and see him become Horse of the Year—it’s a huge accomplishment for both of us. At any rodeo, no matter what calf I draw, I feel like I can win if I’m on Rudy.”
A Barn Full of Winners
Adding to the moment, Webb’s girlfriend Josie Connor received her own call less than an hour after Webb—her gelding Stylish Drifter, “Dutch,” was named the Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year for a second time.
“It’s pretty cool to have two Horses of the Year in the same barn,” Webb said. “It’s special to share that moment with her.”
For now Rudy is turned out at home alongside Webb’s other horses, resting up before NFR preparation begins next week.
“He’s going to get some extra loving tonight for sure,” Webb laughed. “But he’ll still pin his ears back at me.”
Full 2025 PRCA Horse of the Year Results
Steer Wrestling
1. Telle Em PYC “Banker” ridden by Justin Shaffer, Tucker Allen, Jesse Brown, Holden Myers and Jace Melvin, and owned by Justin Shaffer
2. Off the Fence “Swamper” ridden by Will Lummus, Dakota Eldridge and Winsten McGraw, and owned by Broom Tree Ranch LLC
3. Finding Meno “Crush” ridden by Ty Erickson, Stetson Jorgenson and Rowdy Parrott, and owned by TC Equine LLC
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