GUARANTEED SALE GRADUATE SIDE POT
The Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot is a separate incentive payout available exclusively to horses purchased through an official Old West Horse Sale that compete in the 4 and Under Division of an Old West Futurity. This Sale Graduate Side Pot is paid in addition to the Main Pot. Payouts are awarded independently in Heading, Heeling, and Breakaway.
Payout tables shown below apply per event and are discipline-specific.
Eligibility Summary
To be eligible for the Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot, all of the following must apply:
- Be purchased through an official Old West Horse Sale
- Compete in the 4 and Under Division of an Old West Futurity
- Horse is entered in Heading, Heeling, or Breakaway
- Horse qualifies for the short round
- Breakaway entries are limited to women competitors only, in accordance with Old West Futurity rules.
*Eligibility applies to the horse, not the rider.
*Horses not purchased through an Old West Horse Sale are not eligible.
Payout Structure
The Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot pays five (5) places deep in each discipline at each eligible Old West event.
- Heading
- Heeling
- Breakaway
In addition, there is a bonus Graduate Side Pot payout for Heading & Heeling Only at the Arizona Sun Circuit in Scottsdale, AZ (Feb. 28–Mar. 2). Each discipline is paid independently using the payout tables listed above.
Important Notes
- Payouts are made only to eligible sale graduate horses
- Horse must qualify for the short round
- If fewer than five eligible horses qualify, payouts stop at the last qualifying position
- No ground money will be paid
MAIN FUTURITY POT IS SEPARATE
The Main Futurity Pot is completely separate from the Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot.
- Main Futurity Pot is funded by entry fees
- Pays back 80% of collected entry fees
- Open to all horses, not limited to sale graduates
A horse may earn money in both the main futurity pot and the Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot.
OWNERSHIP TRANSFERS
Sale graduate horses transferred after an Old West Horse Sale and prior to competition must receive written approval from Old West to remain eligible for the Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot.
- Transfers approved by Old West → eligibility remains intact
- Transfers not approved by Old West → horse becomes ineligible
2027 EXPANSION FOR SALE GRADUATES
2027 Sale Graduate Side Pot Expansion: 5–6 Year Old Sale Graduate Division
Heading • Heeling • Breakaway
Beginning in 2027, Old West Futurities will expand the Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot to include a combined 5–6 Year Old Sale Graduate Division across Heading, Heeling, and Breakaway. This expansion allows eligible Sale Graduate horses to compete for Guaranteed Side Pot payouts not only during their 4-year-old season, but also during their 5- and 6-year-old competition years.
Expanded Payout Structure (2027)
In 2027, Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot payouts will continue to be offered in the Open Futurity class and will now also include Intermediate and Limited divisions. Each division will pay five (5) positions deep, per discipline, per event.
Eligibility (2027)
All eligibility requirements for the Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot remain unchanged, including:
- Horse must be purchased through an official Old West Horse Sale
- Eligibility applies to the horse, not the rider
- Horse must qualify for the short round
- Ownership transfers must be approved by Old West
- No ground money is paid
- Breakaway entries are limited to women competitors only, in accordance with Old West Futurity rules
The only change beginning in 2027 is the expanded opportunity for Sale Graduate horses to compete for Guaranteed Side Pot payouts as 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds.
2027 Payout Disclaimer
2027 Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot payout amounts are based on the total number of horses sold through the official Old West Horse Sale. Sale volume will determine the final payout structure and payout totals for 2027 graduate incentives.
Additional Disclaimer: All payouts, eligibility, and class placement are subject to official Old West Futurity rules and verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Sale Graduate eligibility determined by year?
How is Sale Graduate eligibility determined by year?
Sale Graduate eligibility is based on the horse’s foaling year and applies to the horse regardless of rider or ownership changes (pending transfer approval). Eligibility is tied to the horse’s eligible competition year within the Old West Futurity program.
What happens if I buy a sale graduate after the sale?
What happens if I buy a sale graduate after the sale?
Sale graduate horses transferred after an Old West Horse Sale and prior to competition must receive written approval from Old West to remain eligible for the Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot. Transfers approved by Old West maintain eligibility. Transfers not approved by Old West result in the horse becoming ineligible.
Do I have to qualify for the short round to receive graduate payouts?
Do I have to qualify for the short round to receive graduate payouts?
Yes. To receive Guaranteed Sale Graduate Side Pot payouts, the horse must qualify for the short round and meet all Sale Graduate eligibility requirements. If fewer than five eligible horses qualify, payouts stop at the last qualifying position and no ground money will be paid.
