The Richest Roping in the West: The Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale XIX

Las Vegas, Nevada – Forget the cold – December in Las Vegas holds a powerful, electric warmth, signaling the return of the world’s elite ropers and animal athletes. It’s the feeling of ultimate opportunity and earned exhilaration finally within your grasp. The time is now, from December 5-14, 2025, the South Point Equestrian Center hosts the 19th Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale. You are about to witness the moment of ultimate release, watch the sheer grit of these dedicated team ropers instantly transform years of sacrifice into spectacular, life-changing financial winnings, validating every hour they spent training, before you fuel your passion with the world’s best at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale XIX
December 5-14, 2025
South Point Hotel and Casino-South Point Equestrian Center
9777 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89183

The Richest Payoff for the Hardest Work

These athletes have invested heavily in their roping, and they deserve a return that reflects that dedication. Since 2006, the Ariat WSTR Finale – the premier event for the amateur handicapped roper, has perfected the philosophy of maximizing your results while minimizing your stress. Held annually at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the Ariat WSTR Finale provides easier logistics, a smaller, more influential competitive field, and the richest payouts in the sport. For 18 seasons, they’ve prioritized this elite group because your success is their goal. This isn’t just the second-largest equestrian event in the world; it’s the most rewarding.

Most Trusted Payout in Team Roping

For the past decade, the Ariat WSTR Finale has proven its unwavering commitment to the recreational roper through one reliable metric: the payout. The cash reward has consistently surged, growing by a minimum of $1 million every year until last season, when it defied all expectations and increased by $2 million, setting the new standard at over $18 MILLION. This monumental growth is fueled by the dedication of 4,400 ropers and 5,894 teams, and it means the prize money is distributed where it counts: five ropings paid out over $1 million, and three divisions delivered over $2 million apiece. Trust the momentum. The stakes are life-changing. Don’t miss the intensity of the Finale when these athletes pour every ounce of heart and skill into the arena.

Photo Courtesy of Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale

The Nowlin Family Built a Championship Legacy

True championship success isn’t luck; it’s consistency forged by dedication-and the Nowlin family proves it. Born, raised, and rooted in Casa Grande, Arizona, this generational farming family-Daniel, and his twin sons, Trevor, and Trey Nowlin all bring a legacy of unwavering commitment to the Ariat WSTR Finale every single year at the South Point. Father Daniel started the tradition with a championship win in 2006, and his sons, Trevor and Trey, have since solidified the family’s dynasty. Daniel’s simple pre-rope advice to his sons: “Ride those horses and get into position.” Trevor and Trey didn’t just win the high-stakes #12.5 Finale once; they secured the $272,000 championship two years in a row (2023 and 2024), sealing their last win with a blazing 6.85 seconds. Their continued participation is proof that true champions return to the Finale.

Last Updated on 12/06/2025 by Megan deFabry

About the Author:

Megan deFabry

Biography:

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music.

For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys.

I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI.

Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.

CLN Community Sponsor