A New Chapter for the Rope Horse Industry
Old West Futurities & Horse Sales Acquires the American Rope Horse Futurity Association (ARHFA)
Old West Futurities & Horse Sales is proud to announce the acquisition of the American Rope Horse Futurity Association (ARHFA), marking a significant step forward in the continued growth and evolution of the rope horse industry.
For more than two decades, ARHFA has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern rope horse industry. Through their vision and dedication, founders Jay and Lindsay Wadhams built a platform that created opportunity for trainers, breeders, owners, and competitors while helping elevate the value and development of rope horses across the industry.
Old West Futurities & Horse Sales recognizes the importance of that legacy and is honored to build upon the foundation ARHFA established.
“This moment is really about respect for what came before us,” said Redgie Probst of Old West Futurities & Horse Sales. “Jay and Lindsay laid the foundation for what’s about to come. We’re grateful they trust us and believe in the vision for Old West. When the right people come together, 1 + 1 doesn’t equal 2 — it equals 5, maybe even 11.”
The acquisition brings ARHFA’s membership and program into the rapidly expanding Old West platform, creating new opportunities for competitors, breeders, owners, and trainers across the rope horse industry.
Chad Richard, one of the owners of Old West, reflected on the significance of the partnership.
“I’ve known Jay and Lindsay from the beginning and have watched them build ARHFA over the years,” Richard said. “The work they’ve put into this industry deserves a lot of respect, and it’s exciting to see that foundation become part of what Old West is building.”
But the story of ARHFA — and the impact it has had on the rope horse industry — began long before this moment.
THE STORY OF ARHFA
Built From the Ground Up
The story of ARHFA began more than twenty years ago when Jay and Lindsay Wadhams, along with Clay Logan and Robert Gifford, set out to build something the rope horse world had never seen before.
Originally launched as the National Rope Horse Futurity Association, the organization later evolved into ARHFA as the program grew.
In the early years, the vision was simple — but ambitious.
The rope horse industry at the time had two very different worlds:
• Rodeo and jackpot roping
• Judged horse show competition
What didn’t exist was a program that blended the two.
“We wanted to create an event where both worlds could come together,” Lindsay Wadhams explained. “A horse that could be judged for quality, but also go rope and compete in a real performance setting.”
That combination would ultimately become the foundation for the modern rope horse futurity system.
But success didn’t come overnight.
“We lost a lot of money early on,” Jay said. “For a long time we didn’t have the added money or the support yet. We just had people who believed in what we were trying to build.”
For the first decade, the Wadhams continued running the association largely on passion and persistence.
“For ten years we didn’t take a salary,” Lindsay said with a laugh.
What kept them going was the belief that the industry needed something more — and that if they kept building, the right people would eventually show up.
One of those key moments came in 2017, when Dean Tufton secured a rope horse futurity in Fort Worth and asked Jay and Lindsay to run the event. The opportunity helped bring new momentum to the program and expand its reach.
“Dean really helped us take it to a new level,” Jay said.
They were right.
CHANGING THE ROPE HORSE INDUSTRY
Over time, ARHFA helped reshape the market for rope horses.
Where rope horses once struggled to find consistent value outside of rodeo competition, futurities created a structured pathway for horses to develop, compete, and earn.
“I think what we’re most proud of is what it’s done for the industry,” Lindsay said. “We’ve taken horses that might have been $20,000 horses and turned them into $100,000 horses.”
The futurity system also opened doors for a new generation of trainers and competitors.
Young horse trainers could now build careers developing rope horse prospects, while riders transitioning from rodeo found a competitive arena where their skills translated naturally.
“It created a place for people to make a living training horses,” Jay said. “And for the younger generation coming up through high school rodeo and college rodeo, now there’s another avenue for them.”
Today, many of the rope horses seen at the highest levels of competition — including rodeo and the NFR — have passed through futurity programs like ARHFA.
WHY OLD WEST
As ARHFA continued to grow, the Wadhams began thinking about the long-term future of the association they had built. When conversations began with Old West, the alignment became clear.
“The vision they have for the industry is amazing,” Lindsay said. “It’s way beyond anything we ever dreamed could happen.”
Old West has rapidly become one of the most innovative brands in western performance events, combining elite futurity competition with premier horse sales, media platforms, and industry storytelling.
For Jay and Lindsay, the decision ultimately came down to trust.
“We had been approached by people about selling before,” Jay said. “But it just never felt like the right fit. These guys are passionate about it, and they’re going to take it to a whole other level that we couldn’t.”
“They’re going to take it to another level,” he added. “And we’re excited to still be on the train.”
Looking Ahead
Under the Old West umbrella, the ARHFA program will continue to grow while benefiting from expanded resources, marketing reach, and event infrastructure.
Competitors can expect:
Larger purses and added money.
Expanded horse sale opportunities.
Greater visibility through media and digital platforms.
Continued innovation in futurity competition.
But according to the Wadhams, the most important thing won’t change.
The focus will remain on the horses, the competitors, and the community that built the industry.
“We love this industry,” Lindsay said. “And we’re not ready to walk away from it. We want to keep building it.”
Other Old West partners say the partnership reflects a shared vision for the future of the sport.
“ARHFA helped shape rope horse futurities,” said Rhen Richard. “Bringing that legacy into Old West creates incredible opportunity for competitors, breeders, and owners moving forward.”
“The rope horse industry is built on great horses and great people,” added Miguel Guerrero. “What Jay and Lindsay built with ARHFA is special, and we’re proud to welcome them and their team into the Old West family.”
Jerad Wittwer emphasized the long-term impact the move could have.
“Old West is about building something bigger for the industry,” Wittwer said. “Bringing ARHFA into the Old West platform creates momentum and opportunity that will benefit horsemen for years to come.”
With ARHFA now part of the Old West platform, the future looks bigger than ever.
And for Jay and Lindsay, the journey is far from over.
“We’re excited about where this is going,” Jay said. “There’s no telling how big this could become.
