2025 Ariat WSTR Finale at the South Point Arena- Set Payout Records!
By Dee Yates
Photos by: Jennings Rodeo Photography
The World Series of Team Roping closed out its 19th season with the 2025 Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, December 5–14, delivering the richest roping event in history. The Finale paid out a record-setting $20,427,600 in cash, along with more than $600,000 in additional prizes, marking the highest-paying Quarter Horse roping ever held. More than 5,000 teams competed across every level of the sport, with the Ariat #9.5 division again standing as the highest-paying roping of the event. Attendance and digital viewership reached new highs, reinforcing the WSTR Finale’s position as the premier destination in team roping as the organization approaches its 20th anniversary season.
Leadership of the World Series of Team Roping remains under the direction of Connie Gentry, President of Equine Network’s World Series of Team Roping. Since assuming leadership in 2020, she has continued to guide the organization’s culture, consistency, and long-term vision. Under her direction, the WSTR program has expanded steadily while maintaining a roper-first approach focused on opportunity, operational reliability, continued innovation, and delivering an unmatched experience for every competitor. While the WSTR is often associated with the Gentry name, its success reflects the work of a broad leadership team and management structure that extends well beyond any single family.
Arena production and cattle flow during the Finale were led by John Johnson, whose oversight played a key role in maintaining the pace and consistency required for an event of this magnitude. Both Denny Gentry and Ty Yost now operate in consulting roles, providing valued support and trusted guidance drawn from decades of experience in the sport. Their insight continues to contribute to the professionalism and execution of the Finale from start to finish.
In addition to his consulting role, Denny Gentry continues to influence the industry through the development of the Riata Stallion Incentive Program, which once again added significant value to the Finale. The program contributed $50,000 to sponsor the Open Finale, added an additional $30,000 incentive for ropers competing on Riata horses, and presented the second annual Riata Showcase Horse Sale. That sale proved to be a success, reinforcing a long-term investment in the future of team roping and the rope horse market while strengthening the connection between elite competition and quality horseflesh.
A significant portion of the Finale’s success is credited to the more than 180 WSTR event staff members who work throughout the year to bring the event to life. From the moment competitors arrive on the grounds, the focus is on execution, service, and experience. An event of this scale requires nearly a full year of planning, including sourcing more than 1,000 head of premium cattle for the indoor events and another 1,000 head for the outdoor events, underscoring the logistical effort behind the scenes to deliver a seamless 10-day competition.
Alongside the Finale, the WSTR South Point Qualifier also took place in Las Vegas, paying out $2,696,200 across Super Qualifiers and WS Qualifiers, while the Finale itself paid a total of $17,731,800 across championship finals, invitationals, add-ons, and Key Card Advantage events.
With another record-setting Finale in the books, congratulations go to the World Series of Team Roping leadership, staff, and production teams for delivering an event of this scope with consistency, efficiency, and a clear focus on the competitors. Congratulations also go out to the thousands of ropers who competed throughout the week, whose performances across every division defined the depth and competitiveness of the 2025 Finale. Complete results, including full payouts and additional placings, are available at wstroping.com.
#7.5 Finale – Average, total payout $1,088,000: Antonio Siller from Elmendorf, TX, and Clemente Sanchez from San Antonio, TX, first with a 43.53 on 4, $184,000. Myron Charleston from Bloomington, TX, and Val Perez from Meyersville, TX, second with a 44.85 on 4, $142,000. Joe Tovar from Rockdale, TX, and Lee Weathers from Bay City, TX, third with a 44.99 on 4, $100,000.
#8.5 Finale – Average, total payout $2,253,000: Dylan Martin from Evanston, WY, and Clay Martin from Evanston, WY, first with a 35.1 on 4, $329,000. Enrique Mendoza from Garden City, KS, and Cason Webb from Fallon, NV, second with a 39.08 on 4, $254,000. Wes Osborn from Imlay, NV, and Russ Jackson from Tuscarora, NV, third with a 39.82 on 4, $180,000.
#9.5 Finale – Average, total payout $2,661,000: Garrett Lefebvre from Morristown, AZ, and Clancy Wilkerson from Wittmann, AZ, first with a 32.71 on 4, $407,000. Elmer Fernandez from Maricopa, AZ, and Gustavo Moreno from Rio Rico, AZ, second with a 34.44 on 4, $315,000. Denton Hulme from Montpelier, ID, and Chase Hulme from Montpelier, ID, third with a 35.8 on 4, $222,000.
#10.5 Finale – Average, total payout $2,475,000: Chance Hanna from Lumberton, TX, and Dalton G Miller from Buna, TX, first with a 32.44 on 4, $362,000. Breanna Jenkins from Rexburg, ID, and Wyatt Lloyd from Apache Junction, AZ, second with a 32.6 on 4, $280,000. Alexis Betancourt from Midland, TX, and Nufo Natividad from Midland, TX, third with a 32.97 on 4, $198,000.
#11.5 Finale – Average, total payout $2,029,250: Jim Breck Bean from Alpine, TX, and Jasper Klein from Alpine, TX, first with a 29 on 4, $306,000. Junior Cervantes from Odessa, TX, and Javier Zamarripa from Cuero, TX, second with a 29.05 on 4, $236,000. Jeff Schieber from Newkirk, OK, and Justin Fox from Huntsville, AR, third with a 30.63 on 4, $167,000.
#12.5 Finale – Average, total payout $1,543,750: Michael Ortiz from Las Vegas, NM, and Adrian Martinez from Los Lunas, NM, first with a 29.94 on 4, $225,000. Michael Angell from Terrell, TX, and Clint Crawford from Royse City, TX, second with a 30.33 on 4, $175,000. Troy Brown from Stephenville, TX, and Riley Kittle from Woodland, AL, third with a 30.4 on 4, $123,000.
#13.5 Finale – Average, total payout $1,404,900: Brady Pitchford from Spanish Fork, UT, and Clint Robinson from Spanish Fork, UT, first with a 28.79 on 4, $230,000. Skye Valdez from Decatur, TX, and Blaine Vick from Dublin, TX, second with a 29.46 on 4, $178,000. Joel Colgrove from Boligee, AL, and Dave Daube from Ardmore, OK, third with a 29.79 on 4, $126,000.
#14.5 Finale – Average, total payout $902,400: Rayson Hillman from Dayton, ID, and Colter Buttars from Lewiston, UT, first with a 28.68 on 4, $147,000. Tristin Barton from Hope, AR, and Daniel Barton from Washington, AR, second with a 28.83 on 4, $114,000. Mitchell Wagner from Winnsboro, TX, and Ty Arnold from Midway, TX, third with a 28.98 on 4, $80,000.
Open Finale – Average, total payout $325,000: Coy Rahlmann from Mineral Wells, TX, and Logan Medlin from Stephenville, TX, first with a 37.58 on 6, $100,000. Kash Bonnett from Ponoka, AB, and Logan Cullen from Casa Grande, AZ, second with a 38.78 on 6, $70,000. Riley Kittle from Woodland, AL, and Josh Patton from Shallowater, TX, third with a 38.97 on 6, $50,000.
#15.5 Finale – Average, total payout $342,800: Denton Parish from Perrin, TX, and Colby Corkill from Stephenville, TX, first with a 27.29 on 4, $57,000. Brayden Grashuis from Wickenburg, AZ, and Brock Grashuis from Broken Bow, OK, second with a 27.89 on 4, $44,000. Clay McNichol from Okotoks, AB, and Luke Atchison from Russellville, AR, third with a 29.07 on 4, $31,000.
#16.5 Add On – Average, total payout $106,200: Billy Bob Brown from Carbon, TX, and Whip Peterson from San Simon, AZ, first with a 25.16 on 4, $28,800. Bridger Ketcham from Yeso, NM, and Jake Edwards from Fort Ann, NY, second with a 25.57 on 4, $19,600. Jason Stewart from Pendleton, OR, and Cade Passig from Las Vegas, NM, third with a 25.7 on 4, $15,500.
#9.5 Laredo Custom Haulers Invitational – Average, total payout $340,000: Lewis Perry from New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Keith Heritage from Alachua, FL, first with a 34.32 on 4, $100,000. Dusty Leatherwood from Clovis, NM, and Randy Knight from Portales, NM, second with a 37.72 on 4, $95,000. Clay Overson from Kingman, AZ, and Matt Simpson from Chino Valley, AZ, third with a 37.97 on 4, $70,000.
