Each year, the top 25 calf ropers in the PRCA world standings vote for the AQHA Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year, awarding the bronze to one standout calf horse. The Tie-Down Breakdown asked some of the best in the business who they believe deserves the title.
Horses are nominated in early September when the top 25 ropers submit three names apiece. From there, those same ropers vote on which horses they believe should win. Results are announced in mid-October, with the top three honored.
After visiting with Shad Mayfield, Haven Meged, Marty Yates and Shane Hanchey, one horse consistently rose to the top—Riley Webb’s Marked Up Cat, “Rudy.” Rudy has been in the mix before, finishing second in 2022 when Lane Livingston owned him.
Listen to The Tie-Down Breakdown
Shad Mayfield’s Horse of the Year Picks
Mayfield knows what it takes to own a Horse of the Year—his mare Figure To Fly, “Lollipop” earned the honor in 2024. For him, consistency across every stage of the season is the standard.
“I believe Riley Webb’s horse Rudy should win Horse of the Year,” Mayfield said. “That horse has been consistent from the winter buildings to the big outdoor arenas, and 90% of Riley’s money this year has been won on Rudy. That’s the kind of horse that deserves it.”
He also pointed to Tanner Green’s gelding, Haidas Texas Jewel, “Bird,” who has packed Green and other ropers to big checks this summer.
“I didn’t ride one horse all year like Riley did with Rudy or Tanner did with Bird,” Mayfield said. “For me, Horse of the Year should go to the one that’s been everywhere and won everywhere.”
Haven Meged’s Horse of the Year Picks
Meged has a proven Horse of the Year contender in Seven S Tomahawk, “Smoke,” who was reserve Horse of the Year in 2024 and third in 2023. Smoke has been his main mount this summer while For Goodness Shakes, “Lil Punch,” is sidelined with an injury.
“I’d say Smoke, Shad’s Lollipop, Riley’s Rudy, Tanner’s Bird and Logan Bird’s Peso are the top five this year,” Meged said. “Fast setup, long setup, turn ‘em around, jerk ‘em down—those horses have done it everywhere.”
“These horses are freaks,” Meged said. “Out of a hundred horses, you might find one. Rudy, Peso, Lollipop—those are all freaks. And when you’ve got one, you better take care of them, because you might not get another in your lifetime.”
Marty Yates Horse of the Year Picks
For Yates, the conversation boils down to three.
“How can you not say Rudy with how much Riley’s won on him,” Yates said. “Then there’s Lollipop—she speaks for herself. And Smoke. Those are your three Horses of the Year.”
Yates acknowledged Lane Livingston’s horse, Annies NU Boy, “Tom,” but kept circling back to the importance of staying power.
“You can have a great young horse, but if it hasn’t been out here at all the setups, from the winter buildings to the big rodeos, it’s tough to put them in that Horse of the Year category,” Yates said.
Shane Hanchey’s Horse of the Year Picks
Hanchey has owned two different Horses of the Year himself, and for him the award comes down to longevity, versatility and horsemanship.
“I’m biased—I’ve got Bugsy (Stylish Bugsy) in there,” Hanchey said. “But if you look at it, Rudy has been at every major rodeo and carried Riley all year. Peso has carried Kyle Lucas to the NFR and helped me get there too. That’s what a Horse of the Year is—a horse that makes the biggest impact across the whole season.”
For Hanchey, the definition is clear.
“The Horse of the Year has to start in Houston and San Antonio, go through the spring, the summer, the fall, and be good in every setup,” Hanchey said. “It’s not about just one stretch of the season—it’s about proving it all year long.”
To him, the award is personal.
“To me, Horse of the Year is the ultimate reward for being a horseman,” Hanchey said. “It shows you’ve put in the work with your horse and that they can shine in the biggest moments.”
Behind the Bloodlines
Marked Up Cat, “Rudy”
Rudy is a 12-year-old gelding by the legendary Metallic Cat and out of a NRCHA money-earning mare, HA Gay Freckles. Metallic Cat has $637,711 in lifetime earnings and over $78 million in offspring earnings. Rudy’s dam, HA Gay Freckles, earned $54,948 in the NRCHA. Both Rudy and his dam were bred by Mark and Wendy Froman of Cameron, Texas.
Seven S Tomahawk, “Smoke”
Smoke is a 9-year-old gelding by Mr Playinstylish and out of the Seven S Zanaday mare Seven S Sassy Zan. Mr Playinstylish is an AQHA World Champion and Riata stallion who stands at the 6666 Ranch and is owned by Moncrief Quarter Horses. Smoke was bred by the AQHA Best Remuda-winning R. T. Stuart Ranch in Waurika, Oklahoma.
Figure To Fly, “Lollipop”
Lollipop is a 15-year-old mare by Popular Resortfigure, the same sire as Trevor Brazile’s great calf horse Deputy. Popular Resortfigure, raised at the Lazy E, is by Dual Pep out of Bar J Jackie and is known for siring standout calf horses. On the bottom side, Lollipop is straight racehorse—her dam, Fastino, is a granddaughter of Easy Jet and Hempen. Lollipop was bred by Marty and Felicia Miller of Devol, Oklahoma.
Daddys Shiner Cat, “Peso”
Peso is a 14-year-old gelding by Shiners Black Cat and out of Paddy Lena’s Twist. Shiners Black Cat is an own son of Shining Spark, owned by Logan Bird. Shining Spark retired with $62,674 in earnings and has progeny earnings of more than $10 million. Both Shining Spark and his dam, Diamonds Sparkle, are in the NRHA Hall of Fame. Peso was bred by Garry Charles of Grovedale, Alberta.
Stylish Bugsy, “Bugsy”
Bugsy is a 13-year-old gelding by A Dera Dual Lena and out of A Stylish Junebug, by Docs Stylish Oak. A Dera Dual Lena is by the iconic Smart Little Lena. Bugsy was bred by Louis and Karen Smith of Newkirk, Oklahoma. Hanchey purchased him from six-time NFR qualifier Adam Gray.
Haidas Texas Jewel, “Bird”
Bird is a 7-year-old gelding by South Texas Acre and out of VP Peppy Olena, by Haidas Viper. South Texas Acre is a NCHA money earner, world show finalist and sire of earners in multiple events. Bird was bred by Tom Detloff of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
