Ruby Buckle Kicks Off in Memphis

Ruby Buckle East Race starts Oct. 25 with the Futurity. Take a glance at what the next few days looks like in Memphis, Tennessee.

Madi Roelofsen | Oct 25, 2023

Ruby Buckle Kicks Off in Memphis /

Another busy week for barrel racers kick off today, this time in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Ruby Buckle, little sister to the Pink Buckle, is hosting their East Race this weekend. Just like how Pink Buckle is an exclusive incentive that is open to horses that are sired by one of the 50 stallions that pay the yearly nomination of $25,000, Ruby Buckle includes those same stallions along with 100 more that pay a yearly nomination of $7,000.

The foals still must have paid a yearly nomination of $200 to be eligible to compete in any of the Ruby Buckle races. If those requirements are met they have the opportunity to run.

There are three Ruby Buckle Races each year, an East, West, and Central race paying out an impressive $3,160,000.

A grand total of $1,020,000 will be paid out to barrel racers during the East Raced Oct 24-28. Here's a look at what the competition schedule looks like the next few days.

Wednesday October 25

8 a.m. Round 1 Futurity (4 & 5 year old horses who have not competed prior to Nov 2022)

Followed by Round 1 Derby (Horses are eligible for the next 3 years after their futurity year)

Thursday October 26

8 a.m. Round 2 Futurity

Followed by Round 2 Derby

Friday, October 27

Noon Round 1 Youth (Riders must be 16 years old or younger)

Followed by Round 1 Open (all ages of riders and horses)

Saturday, October 28

8 a.m. Round 2 Youth

Followed by Round 2 Open

If you would like to see full results, rules and eligible stallions go to the Ruby Buckle website.

Published Oct 25, 2023

MADI ROELOFSEN

Madi Roelofsen is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Madi not only writes about the western lifestyle and rodeo world but lives it daily. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and competed in the barrel racing as part of their rodeo team. Roelofsen graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in animal science. Madi enjoyed not only competing in rodeo events but also spectating the greatest sport on dirt. In 2017, while on vacation attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she met her husband Tim Roelofsen. They got married a few years later in 2020. Tim had already established TVR Working Horses but together they grew their program and enjoy raising foals, training colts, barrel racing, team roping and standing their stallions (TVR Eye Needa Corona and CR Baron Bee Joy "Big Sexy") in both Texas and Iowa. They stay busy with the horses, farming alfalfa and raising their baby girl, Texi. Madi has always been passionate about horses, from learning about different bloodlines, breeding the foals themselves to training and competing. She expresses that passion within the articles she writes to open up the world of horses and rodeo to everyone. Twitter-@Madi_Roelofsen Facebook- @TVR Working Horses