Munsell Rakes in $73K at Roping Futurities of America

Taylor Munsell cashed in big at the RFA in Waco, Texas, securing a $50,000 check for clinching the average win in the slot race. With a total haul of $73,000 across two days, she dominated as the week's top earner.

Breakaway roper Taylor Munsell. / Nathan Meyer for SI Rodeo

Under the new ownership of Latricia Duke, the Roping Futurities of America (RFA) found a new venue and dates in Waco, Texas, March 26-30. The event paid out large amounts across the futurity, derby, and slot race events to the best breakaway and tie-down ropers in the business. 

The association was founded in 2022 to ensure the prosperity of trainers and promote growth within the rope horse industry. The inaugural event paid out over $800,000 to trainers and owners, and the growth has continued ever since.

This year, breakaway roper Taylor Munsell stole the show, winning $73,000 riding Rey O Grand Cat, a 4-year-old bay gelding sired by T Reyx (son of Dual Rey). Dubbed "Miles," the gelding is owned and trained by Lex Christie from Anson, Texas.

Munsell and "Miles" were 2.77 seconds in the first round of the slot roping to win the round and secure their first check of the day, totaling $18,000. By the time all was said and done, the two were 6.31 seconds on two head, which was good enough to win the average title and the $50,000 check that comes with it. 

The roping offered a winner-takes-all invitational shootout round worth $5,000 to the fastest time, and wouldn’t you know that Munsell and "Miles" stepped up yet again to take home another win for the week? 

Although the two stole the spotlight from the rest of the contestants, there were plenty who took home large amounts of cash on great horses and received top honors for their efforts. 

Justin Mass, of Giddings, Texas, was bestowed the RFA Trainer of the Year award and, in addition to beautiful prizes and memorabilia, was handed a check worth $40,000 to honor the great contribution he has made to the rope horse industry. 

Freakin StreakinJaney, owned and ridden by Blake Ash, was deemed the RHA “Super Horse” and awarded an additional $18,000 check. “Janey” placed third in the tie-down slot roping average and fourth in the first round with Ash. "Janey" was also ridden in the breakaway slot roping, which made her eligible for the "Super Horse" award. Her earnings for the week totaled $36,000, including the award.

2024 RFA Waco Winners:

Breakaway Futurity

Round 1: Beau Peterson riding CR Pepto Tuff Lena, Owned by Walter Johnson, 2.65 seconds, $2,500
Round 2: Emilee Charlesworth riding DS Ace Cat T, Owned by Emilee Charlesworth, 2.53 seconds, $2,500
Average: Beau Peterson riding Bout Miller Time, Owned by Walter Johnson, 9.21 seconds on 3 head, $6,000

Breakaway Derby

Round 1: Cheyanne McCartney riding Countin Junes Checks, Owned by Mia Davis, 2.5 seconds, $3,500
Round 2: Beau Peterson riding Rollin On The River, Owned by Walter Johnson, 2.49 seconds, $3,500
Average: Cheyenne McCartney riding Countin Junes Checks, Owned by Mia Davis, 9.48 seconds on 3 head, $7,500

Breakaway Slot Roping

Round 1: Taylor Munsell riding Rey O Grand Cat, Owned by Lex Christie, 2.77 seconds, $18,000
Round 2: Tiada Gray riding Metallic Rosa Cat, Owned by Bailey Swaim Meyer, 2.59 seconds, $18,000
Average: Taylor Munsell riding Rey O Grand Cat, Owned by Lex Christie, 6.31 seconds on 2 head, $50,000

Breakaway Shootout Round

Taylor Munsell riding Rey O Grand Cat, Owned by Lex Christie, $5,000

Tie-Down Futurity

Round 1: Sam Lewis riding Royal DNA, Owned by Brent Lewis, 8.81 seconds, $2,500
Round 2: Shane Hanchey riding Mighty Fine Talker, Owned by Shane Hanchey, 8.39 seconds, $2,500
Average: Chance Thiessen riding Boon Swinger, Owned by Vaughn Turner, 28.55 seconds on 3 head, $5,000

Tie-Down Derby

Round 1: Beau Cooper riding Itty Bitty Fiesta, Owned by Bruce Robinson, 7.98 seconds, $3,000
Round 2: Hunter Herrin riding AWholeLottaHottness, Owned by Cody McCartney, 7.6 seconds, $3,000
Average: Riley Pruitt riding Trouble At The Rodeo, Owned by Riley Pruitt, 24.97 seconds on 3 head, $6,000

Tie-Down Slot Roping

Round 1: Chance Oftedahl riding Zanits Chic Olena- Owned by Chance Oftedahl, 8.99 seconds, $12,000
Round 2: Caleb Smidt riding Shoulda Been Blu- Owned by Sonny Owen, 8.22 seconds, $12,000
Average: Riley Pruitt riding SmokinHot Gunslinger- Owned by Zeke Griffith, 19.38 seconds on 2 head, $30,000

Tie-Down Shootout Round

Gio Piloto riding JOSEPH, Owned by Trevor Hale, $5,000