Fort Worth, Texas — Teton Ridge, the premier western sports, entertainment and lifestyle brand, announced top-ranked professionals in the western equine sports of cutting, reining, and reined cow horse are set to ride in the highly anticipated third edition of The American Performance Horseman on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The American Performance Horseman, the highest-attended single-day Western performance event in the world, will be held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas for 2025.

Previously held at Globe Life Field as part of The American Rodeo weekend, The American Performance Horseman will be a standalone event in 2025 and will now feature 24 competitors spanning the three disciplines (cutting, reining, reined cow horse).

With $1,000,000 up for grabs, the event will feature an individual and team competition, with 8 teams consisting of one cutter, one reiner, and one reined cow horse competitor. The competition promises to be fierce as industry athletes push the boundaries of their disciplines. Eligible competitors will be the highest money-earning athletes from the NRHA Level 4 LAE, NCHA Open LAE, and NRCHA (All Open Money) of the 2024 show season.

All the on-the-dirt action will be paired with live performances, with entertainment details to be announced in the coming months.

“Expanding the number of teams from five to eight marks an exciting evolution as the change not only intensifies the competition but also highlights more of the incredible talent and dedication within the Western equine sports community,” said Josh Valdez, Director Teton Ridge. We are thrilled to provide a larger platform to celebrate Western heritage, culture, and entertainment.”

Cutting horse trainer Adan Banuelos, two-time Cutting Champion of The American Performance Horseman, expressed his excitement, “Incredible is an understatement when describing the energy and talent showcased at this event. This is an arena full of talent, and it’s unbelievable to be on a stage like this and have the world see what we do.”

Deirdre Lester, CEO of Teton Ridge, added, “The American Performance Horseman celebrates the tradition of Western horsemanship and offers an unforgettable experience for cutting, reining and reined cow horse fans alike. It’s more than just a competition—it’s an immersive experience that connects audiences worldwide to the legacy and skill that define these Western sports.”

Launched in 2023 by Teton Ridge, The American Performance Horseman made history by bringing together top professionals from the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) for the first time, with support from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and American Paint Horse Association (APHA). This event is the first to spotlight all three Western performance disciplines on the same night, at the same venue. The 2025 competition at Dickies Arena promises another groundbreaking showcase of equine excellence.

Ticketing information for The American Performance Horseman 2025, headlining music talent lineup, and ticket on-sale dates for July 19, 2025, will be announced at a later date. Fans can subscribe to Teton Ridge Plus for alerts, advance ticketing offers, and exclusive presales.

For more information, visit www.theamericanperformancehorseman.com.

— Edited Press Release | Source: National Reined Cow Horse Association

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A creation of Teton Ridge, The American Performance Horseman takes place during The American Western Weekend — a multi-event western showcase known for its title event, The American Rodeo. With support from the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association, The American Performance Horseman remains the only event to showcase each of these three western performance disciplines in the same night at the same venue. 

Following the same format as its debut last year, The American Performance Horseman saw the top five horsemen from the NCHA, NRHA and NRCHA battle head to head. A team format sent one horse and rider pair into the ring per discipline, with five horses and horsemen facing off per event for a total of fifteen performances. An individual winner was crowned for each respective discipline, and the cumulative final of all three disciplines determined the winning team.

2024 American Performance Horseman Teams

Burnt Orange Team

1. Morgan Cromer and Cool Guitar – Cutting
2. Brian Bell and Gunna Whoa – Reining
3. Corey Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds – Reined Cow Horse

Racing Green Team

1. Wesley Galyean and Nineteen 42 – Cutting
2. Andrea Fappani and All Bettss Are Off – Reining
3. Matt Koch and Smart Ladies Sparkle – Reined Cow Horse

Royal Blue Team

1. Adan Banuelos and Storyteler – Cutting
2. Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing – Reining
3. Clayton Edsall and Bet He Sparks – Reined Cow Horse

Imperial Purple Team

1. James Payne and Summer Time Fun – Cutting
2. Jason Vanlandingham and Gunnabebigtime – Reining
3. Justin Wright and Scooter Kat – Reined Cow Horse

Regal Red Team

1. Austin Shepard and Kittennish – Cutting
2. Cade McCutcheon and Finals Bound – Reining
3. Sarah Dawson and Smart Chic An Tari – Reined Cow Horse

Cutting

The cutters were the first up to bat, delighting the crowd with their athleticism as they separated cattle from the herd. The audience roared with cheers and whistles as the cutting horses dug deep in the dirt and turned on the dime while working the cattle.

Ultimately, it was Adan Banuelos who defended his title as The American Performance Horseman Cutting Champion. Banuelos clenched the victory with a score of 230 aboard the AQHA/APHA double-registered stallion Storyteler, an eye-catching sorrel whose agility in the cutting pen was remarkable.

At the awards ceremony as a large crowd gathered, Banuelos was clearly touched by what this fan-focused event has done for western performance sports.

“Thank you for acknowledging the fact that horses are the original athlete in here,” Banuelos said. “I’m very grateful. I love you guys very much.”

Reining

After an intermission that featured a performance from jazz-infused rock band Ghost Hounds, reining was on deck. Performing NRHA Pattern 10, each horse and rider team galloped down the center of the arena before coming to a sliding stop at the beginning of their individual performances, setting up the excitement.

Medleys of classic rock and current pop hits roared through the ballpark as each horse displayed their athleticism and ability to be willingly guided. The audience howled at the thrilling maneuvers of sliding stops, electric spins, brisk circles and powerful rollbacks.

Yet again, a title from the original 2023 event was redeemed in 2024 — this time aboard the same horse. Last year’s The American Performance Horseman Reining Champion Casey Deary aboard the AQHA/APHA stallion Down Right Amazing performed an outstanding pattern, earning a score of 226.5.

For Deary, it was all about protecting the talented horse’s reputation. When asked what makes Down Right Amazing so special, he had nothing but admiration for the flashy sorrel stallion.

“His temperament is fantastic,” Deary said. “Nothing rattles him. He shows up to work and is just a real honest horse.”

Reined Cow Horse

The final inning of The American Performance Horseman featured the reined cow horse competitors, where horse and rider must prove their ability to work a cow. Though this event combines reining and cow work, the reined cow horse competitors performed their rein work earlier in the day, saving the exciting cow work for the Friday night crowd.

The tension in the air was palpable as the crowd watched each horse and rider team maneuver their assigned cow, first holding it at one end of the arena (boxing), before then running the cow down the rail of the arena and turning it back (fencing), and finally pushing the cow into tight circles (circling).

The athleticism of these western performance horses was vividly on display in this event, and one gleaming palomino stood out from the others. Wowing both the crowd and judges was the duo of SJR Talkin Diamonds, an AQHA/APHA stallion, and Corey Cushing, a legendary name in the reined cow horse industry with more than $3 million in earnings and a collection of important titles to his name.

Though their first cow required a call by the judges to reassign a new cow, that official performance from Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds was stellar, scoring a 220.5 (for a total of 439) to claim the win.

“I believed in that horse ever since I started taking him down the fence as a 3-year-old,” Cushing said in his winning interview. “We’ve been the bridesmaid quite a few times but never the bride, and tonight was his night. If I had to do it all again, I’d turn right around and call on him again to give me everything he got again.”

Team Results

With repeat wins in their divisions, Adan Banuelos and Casey Deary yet again boosted their team — Team Royal Blue — to victory. Joined by reined cow horse rider Clayton Edsall, who had a good start in his cow work but unfortunately ended up with a bumpy performance, the trio stepped on stage before the large crowd to accept their hardware and give a nod to the horsemen they’ve had the chance to work with and learn from.

“Just on our way up here, I learned a reminder that we all have ups and downs,” Banuelos said. “[Edsall] is one of the best horsemen I know, and him handling a day like today and supporting us the way that he did. I know that it wasn’t a good go at it, but he made the most of it and got us a win. And that’s what it’s all about to me. It’s all about family, it’s all about keeping your chin up, about making somebody feel good on their way out of the arena. And we’re very grateful for this man right here.”

Deary also acknowledged the teamwork that went into play with this event.

“Every single point counts toward that deal,” Deary said. “The first one counts just as much as the last one.”

This article about the 2024 The American Performance Horseman is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated and Western Life Today magazines. Click here to subscribe!

The post 2024 The American Performance Horseman Results: A Championship Night appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In an atmosphere that can only be described as electric, the top horsemen and equine athletes in the sports of cutting, reining and reined cow horse took to the diamond of Globe Life Field for the first-ever The American Performance Horseman on March 10, 2023. Before a crowd of 18,000, the horse and rider teams pursued a prize pool of $1 million.

A creation of Teton Ridge, The American Performance Horseman was held during The American Western Weekend—a multi-event western showcase known for its title event, The American Rodeo. With support from the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association, The American Performance Horseman was the first event of its kind to shine the spotlight on each of these three western performance disciplines in the same night at the same venue.

The top five horsemen from the NCHA, NRHA and NRCHA battled head to head, offering fans the chance to see the most elite of these unique disciplines compete. The team format sent one horse and rider pair into the ring per discipline, with five horses and horsemen facing off per event for a total of fifteen performances. 

The teams were as follows:

Burnt Orange Team

1. Austin Shepherd – Cutting
2. Matt Mills – Reining
3. Lee Deacon – Reined Cow Horse

Racing Green Team

1. Lindy Thorn – Cutting
2. Casey Deary – Reining
3. Chris Dawson – Reined Cow Horse

Royal Blue Team

1. Adan Banuelos – Cutting
2. Fernando Salgado – Reining
3. Sarah Dawson – Reined Cow Horse

Imperial Purple Team

1. Wesley Galyean – Cutting
2. Andrea Fappani – Reining
3. Corey Cushing – Reined Cow Horse

Regal Red Team

1. Lloyd Cox – Cutting
2. Shawn Flarida – Reining
3. Justin Wright – Reined Cow Horse

Cutting was the first on deck and after the herd of cattle had been settled, the cutting team members were up to bat as ‘80s rock medleys set the tone. The crowd delighted in the athleticism of the cutting horses, erupting with cheers as the cutters dug deep in the dirt while working their selected cattle.

The Royal Blue Team’s Adan Banuelos, aboard Teton Ridge’s mare All Spice, lit up the scoreboard with a 229. This clenched a win in the cutting, and following the event, Banuelos admitted to the crowd that the only love letter he has ever written in life was for the talented red roan mare. He had won the 2020 National Cutting Horse Futurity Open with All Spice, but soon had to say goodbye to her when Teton Ridge made the decision to retire her. However, he had the chance to be reunited with her for this groundbreaking event and the two did not disappoint.

“Whenever I won the Futurity, I didn’t know what was next,” said Banuelos. “And Teton Ridge came out with something that created a bunch of energy and nerves, and it was fresh ground per se. I can’t tell you how blessed and lucky we are. This was an arena full of talent.”

Once the cutting was over, Sheryl Crow took to the stage as the arena crew worked to prepare the ring for reining. The crowd delighted in the Grammy Award-winning artist’s performance before turning their attention to the prowess of the reining athletes.

Whistling and howling as the reiners performed their exciting maneuvers of sliding stops, rapid spins, speedy circles and powerful rollbacks, the audience was enthralled by all five reining performances. 

Ultimately, it was Casey Deary aboard Down Right Amazing, a stallion double-registered with the AQHA and APHA, that most impressed the judges. With a score of 231.5, Deary and the bald-faced sorrel stallion took the reining title for the Racing Green Team.

“The reason that I do what I do is because I love that horse,” said Deary after his big win. “Everything that we do daily is about preparing that horse to handle any situation that we put him in—down to the daily care that he gets. Those horses are treated better than I am.”

The last event of the night displayed the fence work of the reined cow horse, a nail-biting performance in which horse and rider prove their ability to control a cow at a fast pace. Having already completed the rein work stage of the reined cow horse discipline earlier in the day, the teams saved this exciting portion of the event for the crowd—and they certainly did not disappoint. From the edges of their seats, spectators watched as horse and rider teams boxed their cow before running it down the side of the arena and then circling it each way—all performed at a quick pace. 

The final rider of the night was also the only female rider in the competition, Sarah Dawson aboard Shine Smarter. Dawson saved the best for last, guiding the sorrel mare through an eye-catching run. Together, Dawson and Shine Smarter marked a 226.5 for their fence work, with their 226-point rein work score from earlier in the day giving them a composite score of 452.5. With Sarah Dawson’s win in the reined cow horse discipline, her score pushed “Team Blue” to victory. 

One by one, each individual discipline winner entered the arena to accept their awards, including a $100,000 check and a Rolex watch. Then, Team Blue—consisting of Adan Banuelos, Fernando Salgado and Sarah Dawson—gathered before the crowd to celebrate their victory as a team and accept their awards: Lesley Rand Bennett hand-crafted rings and individual $25,000 checks. Every rider was outwardly emotional about their achievements and expressed gratitude toward their equine athletes.

Following the awards ceremony, it was clear the energy of the night and the significance of their accomplishments still had not sunk in.

“Honestly, I haven’t even wrapped my mind around the money yet,” said Dawson. “I just can’t get over the feeling that I have that this mare has accomplished what she accomplished tonight.”

At the conclusion of the night, it was evident something special had been born. Each horseman seemed to feel the momentum that the atmosphere the first-ever The American Performance Horseman had produced and was eager to see where it could take these western performance disciplines.

“We’ve always kind of talked amongst ourselves, knowing that our sports are so cool but that the biggest problem that we’ve had is that they haven’t been spectator sports,” said Dawson. “We kind of get the same people seeing them again and again, and I think Teton Ridge has just come in and proved that we can turn this into a spectator sport. I’m just excited to see what it’s gonna turn into from here, because I think they’ve just opened a door that we didn’t know we could open.”

This article about the first-ever The American Performance Horseman is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The American Performance Horseman Shines Spotlight on Western Performance Sports appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“He is a thousand miles from kids who have gone through the same thing,” expressed Janet Carver when discussing the extraordinary journey her son, Jeffrey Carver, has endured. If anyone had told her over ten years ago that Jeffrey Carver would become an American Quarter Horse Congress cutting champion and would be hauling across the country to horse shows, away from their farm near Cleveland, Ohio, she may not have believed them.

Overcoming Obstacles

When Jeffrey was merely four years old, his parents, Tim and Janet Carver, received staggering news—a brain cancer diagnosis. Doctors discovered that a tumor was rooted in a brain stem and grew through the fourth ventricle, impacting Jeffrey’s speech development and causing head pain. After significant bedside crying and the help of countless wonderful people along the way to push through 19 hours of brain surgery, Jeffrey endured 33 radiation treatments, as well as an eye surgery, to defeat the cancer—all by the age of six.

Now at 17, he is one of the oldest survivors of his diagnosis. To top off his remarkable recovery, Jeffrey Carver is a force to be reckoned with in the cutting pen and wears a smile wherever he goes, radiating positivity. His passion for horses did not start with cutting, though. When Jeffrey was working to regain his health as a child, he could not walk in a straight line. As a result, his grandfather suggested riding in hopes that it would help him regain balance. Horses quickly became a way for Jeffrey to heal both psychologically and physically. Even though there is a possibility that his cancer could return at any time, Jeffrey has not left the saddle since.

A New Passion for Cutting Horses

Growing up, Jeffrey competed in team penning and western pleasure, but he eventually wanted to find something else to do with horses. He soon attended a clinic that was held in honor of his grandfather, known as the Jeff Carver Memorial Clinic, with Scott Amos, a cutting trainer from Loma, Colo. Jeffrey quickly formed a bond with Amos, who lost part of his leg a long time ago and understood what it is like to overcome obstacles in life. This clinic, held by Amos, quickly got Jeffrey hooked on cutting horses.

Over two years ago, Jeffrey Carver and his parents were in Fort Worth, Texas, for the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity. Before they went to the event, his parents contacted Amos, who had maintained a connection with Jeffrey, that they were in search for his first cutting horse. While him and his parents were in Texas, Amos lined up some horses for Jeffrey to try, leading to his current mount, Whiskey Cat. “Whiskey” put a huge smile on Jeffrey’s face as soon as they started practicing on cattle, a sign that the High Brow Cat gelding, now 11, was destined to be his partner in the show pen.

Together, Jeffrey and Whiskey have traveled across the country to various NCHA shows, primarily under the guidance of his trainer, Tyler DeLange of Fort Gratiot, Mich. Similar to the way Jeffrey and Amos bonded, Jeffrey and DeLange share a special connection through a “big brother, little brother” relationship. Jeffrey spent many weeks at a time during the last show season with DeLange and his family in Michigan as they hauled around. He even mentioned that Amy DeLange, Tyler’s mother, is his “Michigan mom,” and that he enjoys watching football with the people who have become his second family.

Success on the Road

With the help of DeLange, Jeffrey and Whiskey showed locally across Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Indiana, with goals of entering larger scale NCHA shows. Jeffrey is homeschooled, allowing him to learn at his own pace and maintain a busy show schedule. Local schools were unable to provide him with appropriate support, so his parents stepped in to be his current teachers. Janet mentioned that showing has interrupted his intervention time with specialists, but Jeffrey has seemingly not lost progress. His positivity at horse shows radiates throughout the grounds, where he continues to talk with everyone and absorb the surrounding environments, boosting both his confidence and learning.

Jeffrey kicked off the 2021 season at Eastern Nationals in Jackson, Miss., as his first big show with Whiskey and with multiple judges scoring. By the second day, Jeffrey made it to the top ten in the Senior Youth class.

A few months later, Jeffrey competed at the National High School Rodeo Association Finals in Lincoln, Neb. He won his first go, putting him fourth in the first go-round of the boys cutting and landed in the top 20 overall. This show was one of Jeffrey’s favorites due to the experiences outside of the show pen, like meeting riders from all across North America, including Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Jeffrey credited cutting horse trainer Mitch Farris, of Midway, Texas, with coaching him at the finals and convinced him to enter in the NCHA Foundation Scholarship Cutting event held that summer in Fort Worth. The Scholarship Cutting was also fun for the time spent away from competing, such as learning how to two-step by one of the other youth riders.

A Local Cutting Win for Jeffrey Carver

By fall, Jeffrey and Whiskey were an unstoppable team. Adding to his expanding list of NCHA achievements, he walked into the Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center at one of the most esteemed breed shows in the country, the American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. Jeffrey felt a wave of almost every emotion possible, ranging from nervousness to excitement. Yet, Congress was his favorite, and for good reason. Jeffrey Carver’s commitment to his cutting career lit up the show pen the day he went in for the $35,000 Non-Pro event.

“When I walked in that pen and I started cutting, there were points when I could not hear people cheering for me, or the music playing,” Jeffrey explained. “The only people I could hear were the people helping me.”

Jeffrey’s deep focus certainly paid off with a massive score of 150. He referred to his ride as an “Oh, my gosh, I did it moment.”

No one was prouder than Tyler or Jeffrey’s parents. At his very first Congress, Jeffrey was crowned champion, marking a monumental step in his journey.

The adventure did not end at Congress. Immediately after, Jeffrey and his father trailered straight to Casey Crouch’s barn in Corsicana, Texas. Crouch was DeLange’s trainer, so Jeffrey felt comfortable showing under the guidance of his own trainer’s mentor in order to allow for a few more showing opportunities before the next big competition.

Over a month post-Congress, Jeffrey was back in Fort Worth to show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center once again. This time, he was prepared for the NCHA World Finals. All of Jeffrey’s hard work, endless miles on the road, reminders to “breathe” from Crouch, and many walks to the herd qualified him for Finals in the $35,000 Non-Pro division. Like Congress, this show was his first time at the NCHA World Finals. Looking back on his runs, he remembered the second go-round as his best with a stunning 225 score. Jeffrey left the show as seventh in the world for his class.

At only 17 years old, with less than a couple years’ experience, he became a Congress champion and placed in the top ten in the world as a non-pro/amateur, a feat not easy for anyone.

Looking to the Future

“As a parent, how do we top this for next year? It has been a truly amazing, wild ride,” says mom Janet. He is not exactly certain about topping it, but he is continuing to aim high for 2022. Jeffrey has new plans to show in Houston, Texas, and then go back to Easterns before heading home. Likewise, he has his eyes set on National High School Rodeo Association Finals again, and wants to add Youth World Finals to his show list. He is currently staying in Texas to show with Crouch until the season picks back up in Ohio, which will help Jeffrey qualify for Youth Finals. More than anything, he wants to improve on his consistency in the show pen, which will aid him in reaching each goal.

After high school, Jeffrey is hoping to assist a cutting trainer with possible ambitions to become a trainer. Although his plans are not set in stone, he knows that he wants to work with horses or work on a large equine operation in the future. Horses have helped Jeffrey heal from cancer, playing an integral role in his road to recovery as well as the path he wants to embark on later.

Along the way, Jeffrey credited Amos for inspiring him to pursue his adventure in the cutting horse industry. They share a unique understanding that cannot easily be replicated. Amos overcame childhood issues and challenges, helping Jeffrey realize that whatever he puts into something, he will get out of it.

Jeffrey discussed that his journey would not have been complete without DeLange, either. They understand each other well and can relate on a level beyond horses. DeLange discussed that Jeffrey is his “partner in crime,” who taught him increased patience and has made him a better person at the same time. As his main trainer, DeLange could not be prouder of the progress his student has undergone in such a short amount of time.

DeLange believes that Jeffrey’s success is amazing for the Carver family and that Whiskey is a “phenomenal horse, who is a great teacher and takes care of him.” Whiskey has found his forever home with the Carvers.

Jeffrey’s journey in life serves as another reminder that one never truly knows what can happen in the future. The best we can do is support each other and offer help when needed. Jeffrey is a testament that commitment to one’s passion can reach unimaginable heights. He does not live in fear. Instead, Jeffrey Carver continues to walk back to the herd time and time again, ready to fulfill his life’s passion in the cutting pen and cheer everyone else on.

Further Reading

• Western Lesson: Cutting Challenge

The post Jeffrey Carver’s Journey: Cancer Survivor to Cutting Champion appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.