The Tie-Down Breakdown: Who Should Win the 2026 Tie-Down Horse of the Year Award? - The Breakdown — Horse Radio Network All Shows Feed

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Each year, the top 25 tie-down ropers in the PRCA world standings vote to award the AQHA/PRCA Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year bronze to one outstanding calf horse. On this episode of The Tie-Down Breakdown, we asked three of the best calf ropers in the world who they think deserves the title in 2026.

Riley Webb, whose Marked Up Cat, "Rudy," won the award in 2025, talks about what it means to own a Horse of the Year and to have two in the same barn. 2024 Horse of the Year owner Shad Mayfield shares his top five picks, from a horse he says works in every setup to a young gelding he thinks will only get better. Haven Meged explains how Lil Punch came back from a year off and why a great horse can make a bad calf good.

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