Vegas Futurities Feature New Judge Incentive at 2026 All-Star Super Sort
Debuting Nov. 20–22 at the South Point, the Judge Incentive brings updated Pro and Non-Pro Futurity rules, including one-futurity-horse teams, new ride limits and $3,000 added in each class.
By RSNC Staff
The Format
The Pro and Non-Pro Futurities at the Cinch RSNC All-Star Super Sort add an optional Judge Incentive this year, built to reward both production and stockmanship. Head count is still the primary factor, but execution, positioning, cattle control and the overall quality of the run all shape the final score.
The system pairs objective production scoring with a judge's evaluation of horsemanship and cattle management, marking individual moments of execution as well as the overall quality and difficulty of each run.
Class Information
The All-Star Super Sort runs Nov. 20–22, 2026, at the South Point in Las Vegas, with two futurity classes.
Team Rules
- Each team is one futurity horse and one Futurity Partner, whether or not the futurity horse is entered in the Judge Incentive.
- The futurity horse must sort the first cow.
- A futurity horse may be ridden only once per futurity.
Pro Futurity | Non-Pro Futurity | |
|---|---|---|
Team Handicap | #18 HC | #10 HC |
Rider Ratings | #7 floor (contestants can ride up) | #6 cap |
Entry Fee—Futurity Horse | $100 per ride | $100 per ride |
Entry Fee—Futurity Partner | $75 per ride | $75 per ride |
Ride Limit (per rider) | 4 on futurity horses + 4 as a Partner | 4 on futurity horses + 4 as a Partner |
Added Money (Average) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Class Payback | 60% | 60% |
Places Paid | 1 per 10 teams | 1 per 10 teams |
Side Pots
Scoring Summary: 100 Points
| Category | Maximum | Base Score | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Count | 40 | — | Objective—cattle sorted |
| Gate Work | 20 | 10 | +1 / 0 / −1 per gate opportunity |
| Sorting / Herd Work | 20 | 10 | +1 / 0 / −1 per herd opportunity |
| Eye Appeal | 10 | 5 | Single overall mark, +3 to −3 |
| Degree of Difficulty | 10 | 5 | Single overall mark, +3 to −3 |
| Total Possible | 100 |
Head Count: 40 Points
Head count points are awarded solely on the number of cattle correctly sorted within the time limit.
Gate Work: 20 Points
When Is Gate Work Scored?
A scoring opportunity occurs each time the futurity horse actively controls or defends the gate position. Gate scoring ends when the futurity horse transitions into the sorting position.
| Mark | Criteria |
|---|---|
| +1 | Above-average move with good positioning, handle and smooth execution. |
| 0 | Functional and adequate execution. |
| −1 | Excessive force, poor position, poor handle or panic. |
Sorting / Herd Work: 20 Points
When Is Sorting / Herd Work Scored?
A scoring opportunity occurs each time the futurity horse actively establishes and holds the sorting position to separate or control a cow from the herd. Herd scoring ends when the futurity horse transitions back to the gate position.
| Mark | Criteria |
|---|---|
| +1 | Above-average move with good positioning, handle and smooth execution. |
| 0 | Functional and adequate execution. |
| −1 | Excessive force, poor position, poor handle or panic. |
Eye Appeal: 10 Points
How Is Eye Appeal Scored?
The judge evaluates the overall visual quality and presence of the run.
| Mark | Criteria |
|---|---|
| +1 | Polished, confident, controlled and smooth execution. |
| 0 | Functional and adequate presentation. |
| −1 | Rough, chaotic, stiff or visibly unorganized execution. |
Degree of Difficulty: 10 Points
The judge awards a single overall mark based on the overall degree of difficulty of the run.
| Mark | Criteria |
|---|---|
| +3 | Exceptional difficulty—extreme cattle pressure or highly challenging situations handled with complete control. |
| +2 | Well above average difficulty—significant cattle pressure or challenging situations handled successfully. |
| +1 | Above average difficulty—higher-level cattle pressure, challenging situations or strategic difficulty handled successfully. |
| 0 | Average level of difficulty. |
| −1 | Below average difficulty, or failure to manage challenging situations effectively. |
| −2 | Well below average difficulty—minimal challenge presented, or repeated failure to manage cattle pressure. |
| −3 | Very low difficulty—little to no challenge presented, or loss of control in challenging situations. |
Calculating the Final Score
The final score is the sum of all five category scores, for a maximum of 100 points. Here's how a sample run adds up (for illustration only):
Category | Calculation | Score |
|---|---|---|
Head Count | 8 head sorted | 36 |
Gate Work | Base 10, three +1 marks, one −1 mark | 12 |
Sorting / Herd Work | Base 10, two +1 marks, one −1 mark | 11 |
Eye Appeal | Base 5, +1 | 6 |
Degree of Difficulty | Base 5, +2 mark | 7 |
Total Score | 72 / 100 |
Ready for Vegas?
Check the event flyer and reserve your stalls.
Rules are subject to change at the discretion of RSNC management. The judge's decision is final.
