Solo Select will offer its own exclusive stallion incentive for 2025, making available hundreds of thousands of new dollars to ropers, owners and breeders.
The event—held Oct. 1-2, 2025—will pay out an estimated $330,000 in added money in its first year.
The heading, heeling, breakaway and calf roping futurity—held October 1-2, 2025, during the Clay Logan Open to the World at 377 Arena in Stephenville, Texas—is open to 4-year-olds only whose AQHA-registered owners or riders have purchased a breeding to one of the stallions standing at Solo Select. Beginning with bookings for the 2025 breeding season, a portion of each stud fee will go into a dedicated account for the Solo Stallion Incentive.
"Our core motivation is to bring more money to the rope horse industry for the breeders and owners and trainers," Ty Smith, Solo Select CEO, said. "We want this to be simple: A portion of each stallion fee at Solo will go to the added money. To enter, you must buy a breeding to a Solo Select stallion. Ride any horse that you want as long as it’s 4 years old, and each rider can only enter four horses on each side."
"This takes a lot of the burden off of the idea of a stallion incentive, and, in a world of complicated futurity systems, it makes it simple," 26-time PRCA World Champion Trevor Brazile said. "Just by buying a breeding to any of those studs, you’re eligible to run at a lot of money. As much opportunity as there is in the futurity industry, there are a lot of stipulations. This incentive seems to be one of the simplest. They're thinking about the future. You don’t have to buy a prospect and be held hostage—you can ride what you have and invest in the future by buying those breedings."
Clay Logan will play host to the event at his Clay Logan Open to the World that runs Oct. 1-5.
"This is a new venue to put a lot more money out there for these horses, breeders and ropers their 4-year-old years," Logan said. "It makes the value of these horses higher. Once they go to that show, they’ll be able to go to other events their 5-year-old and 6-year-old years, too, but this will showcase the best 4-year-olds there are for esimated $70,000 checks on each end."
Book to a Solo Stallion now to secure your 2025 entry.
Southern Ranches' Shane Boston, who owns The Notorious BIG, has worked with Smith and Logan to make this futurity come to life because he's passionate about the long-term growth of the rope horse business.
"If we can get more of these higher-dollar futurities, and get more people coming to see what we offer, and take care of the sponsors and the VIPs, we'll see real growth," Boston said. "We’re a lot closer than we were five years ago. We’re another five away from really seeing the big money and big players. The payouts have to be big. I’m not going to spend $5,000 for a chance to win $15,000. I’m going to put $5,000 down if I can win $100,000."
A breeding to any stallion in the Solo lineup will allow one entry to the futurity. The entry fees will be $1,000, with three judges and a fourth score based on time. With both an Intermediate and Open short rounds, the payout will be based on four head. The intermediate will be capped at a 6.5 header, 8 heeler. It will be $500 to enter the intermediate, and they will be roping for 100% of their money. If a horse makes it back in the Open short round but the rider is also eligible for the Intermediate short round, the horse will go straight to the Open short round with his score rolling into the Intermediate.
"We've worked tirelessly to make sure we've got the very best stallions, vets, breeding specialists, mare offerings, recips, marketing and customer service in the industry," Melanie said. "So providing an incentive for customers who truly believe in maintaining that level of excellence in partnership with us is the next step. If you believe in doing your business this way, we want you to be part of our program, too."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone enter the Clay Logan Futurity?
Yes! Anyone can enter the futurity. However, to be eligible for the Solo Select Stallion Incentive money, you must purchase a breeding to a participating Solo Select stallion for the 2025 breeding season. Each entry must have a corresponding paid-in-full breeding. For example, if you enter both heading and heeling, you will need two paid breedings to qualify for the incentive.
Do rebreeds qualify as paid breedings?
No. Rebreeds used in 2025 do not count as paid breedings. To qualify, you must purchase an additional breeding for the 2025 season.
Does an ICSI breeding qualify?
Yes, but the ICSI contract must be for the 2025 season. The embryo must be implanted, and the breeding fee paid in full per the ICSI contract. Frozen embryos created before July 15, 2024, do not qualify.
Do my colts born prior to 2024 qualify for the incentive?
No, this incentive applies only to breedings purchased now, not to foals already born. In the future, as more Solo Select stallions’ offspring reach show age, the program will likely shift to include only horses sired by Solo Select stallions.
If I buy a 2025 breeding but don’t have a four-year-old to show, what’s the point?
Great question! The value of a 2025 breeding goes beyond just having a horse to show immediately. Imagine you're looking at yearlings—one by Stallion A (not paid in) and one by Stallion B (enrolled in the Solo Select Futurity). Why wouldn’t you choose the one eligible for huge potential payouts as a four-year-old? By purchasing a breeding now, you’re setting yourself up to have prospects that are eligible for significant futurity money, adding tremendous value to those young horses. Whether you're breeding, buying, or selling, having a horse that is eligible for the Solo Select Futurity makes it more desirable in the market, ensuring better returns and opportunities when they turn four.
Is a breeding contract required during Phase 1, even if the horse is by a current Solo Select stallion?
Yes, a breeding contract is required for each entry during Phase 1, regardless of the stallion involved. This helps ensure every entry is aligned with the goals of our futurity and incentive program, and that the entire process is equitable and straightforward for all participants.
Will a 2025 breeding contract allow a proxy horse to compete in 2025, or is a new breeding needed every year?
A 2025 breeding contract will cover one entry for the 2025 futurity. For subsequent years, a new breeding contract is required for each year you wish to enter the futurity. For example, if you want to enter in 2026, you will need a corresponding 2026 breeding contract. If you want to enter both the heading and heeling, you will need two breeding contracts. Each entry requires a paid contract. This structure encourages ongoing engagement with our breeding program while maximizing the potential of future prospects.
Who can ride the horse in the futurity?
The horse can be ridden by anyone—the owner, a trainer, or any chosen rider—as long as there is a paid breeding contract on file for either the owner or the rider. This flexibility allows participants to make the best choices for showcasing their horse's skills and abilities.
Will the futurity be expanded to include different age classes, or will it always be limited to four-year-olds?
Currently, the Solo Select Futurity is focused solely on four-year-olds, similar to other major single age-group futurities like NCHA and NRCHA. Our goal is to make this the premier event for four year olds, ensuring a strong payout structure that adds significant value to prospects. We may consider expanding age eligibility in the future, but for now, we believe this focus will have the greatest impact on the market.
Is the $500 intermediate entry fee a payout?
Yes, the $500 intermediate entry is a 100% payout to that class. We want to ensure that all participants see meaningful rewards for their efforts, and the intermediate class offers another exciting opportunity to compete and win.
If I purchase a 3-in-1 package that includes a 2025 breeding, will that breeding cover the entry requirement?
No, a 3-in-1 package does not qualify for entry into the futurity. A paid breeding contract must be in the name of either the owner or the rider. This ensures that each entry meets the criteria needed to compete and helps maintain a consistent level of commitment from all participants.
Quality. Value. Excellence.
We believe the Solo Select Futurity offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the industry by focusing on quality, value, and excellence. We look forward to seeing the incredible talent that will come forward as part of this event. If you are interested in participating or have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!