Category: Shows

The National Reining Horse Association, in conjunction with Teton Ridge, has announced a competitor update for The American Performance Horseman, taking place July 19 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

NRHA Million Dollar Rider Fernando Salgado, of Gainesville, Texas, was injured in a riding accident on Tuesday, July 8, during the SERHA Main Event in Williamston, North Carolina. Salgado was transported to ECU Health Beaufort Hospital for evaluation and will be unable to compete in this year’s team competition.

In accordance with event procedures, NRHA $3 Million Rider Brian Bell will step into Salgado’s place on Team Red, joining National Cutting Horse Association rider Tosten Peterson and National Reined Cow Horse Association rider Nick Dowers. Bell, of Pilot Point, Texas, is no stranger to The American Performance Horseman stage, having competed in the inaugural event in 2024.

The American Performance Horseman, now in its third year, showcases the three Western performance horse disciplines—reining, cutting, and reined cow horse—in a team format in one arena, one night. The event brings top athletes from each association together under the lights in a groundbreaking display of horsemanship and athleticism.

“We wish Fernando a full and speedy recovery,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith. “While we will miss seeing him compete in Fort Worth, we know Brian Bell will represent NRHA and Team Red with the highest level of professionalism and talent.”

For more information on The American Performance Horseman and to view the full roster, visit theamericanperformancehorseman.com.

2025 NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo: Non Pros Hit the Ground in Cremona

NRHA European Futurity 2025: Europe’s Only $1 Million Reining Breaks Records Alongside Host Event ‘Salone del Cavallo Americano’

$1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo: Zehetbauer and SS Gunnafreezeya Top the $300.000-Added European Futurity Non Pro Qualifier

$1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo: Fappani and Hosss Take the Lead in the $700.000-Added Open Qualifier

$1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo.: Zehetbauer and SS Gunnafreezeya Soar To Victory in the $300.000-Added NRHA European Futurity Non Pro

They came, they rode, they conquered! Fappani and Hosss Win the $700,000-Added MS Diamonds TX NRHA European Futurity Open Championship

Visit nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com for more!

Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on July 19, 2025 to Host Western Sports Spectacle

Returning champions Adan Banuelos & Casey Deary set to defend titles as event grows to eight competitors per discipline; Tickets on sale beginning Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

(Fort Worth, Texas), February 24, 2025— Teton Ridge, the premier brand in Western sports and entertainment, has announced the official lineup of cutting, reined cow horse, and reining athletes set to compete at the highly anticipated 2025 American Performance Horseman. This groundbreaking team-formatted event is making history once again—this time as a standalone spectacle—set to take over Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, July 19, 2025. 

Created in 2023, The American Performance Horseman has quickly become the highest-attended single-day Western performance horse event in the world, drawing top-tier talent and passionate fans from around the globe. The 2025 edition marks a significant evolution, expanding the competition field from five to eight elite athletes per discipline, further amplifying the stakes and the excitement.

Among those returning to defend their titles are 2024 champions Adan Banuelos (NCHA), and Casey Deary (NRHA), each of whom took home over $100,000 in prize money last year. They will be joined by a star-studded lineup of riders who have dominated their respective disciplines, promising an electrifying night of Western sports like never before. 

Full lineup below. Tickets on sale beginning Tuesday, March 18 at 10AM/ET.

“This year’s expansion to eight competitors per discipline and moving to its own night at Dickies Arena is a monumental step forward for The American Performance Horseman and the future of equine sports,” said Josh Valdez, Director of The American Performance Horseman. “By broadening the field, Teton Ridge is providing more elite athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level while delivering an unforgettable experience for fans in a world-class setting. The American Performance Horseman remains the only event that brings these three disciplines together in one arena on one night, and we cannot wait to make history in Fort Worth.”

Tickets on sale beginning March 18. Entertainment lineup, and VIP experiences will be revealed soon. Fans eager to be part of this electrifying night are encouraged to check www.theamericanperformancehorseman.com for the latest updates. Don’t miss your chance to witness Western sports history in the making.

The 2025 American Performance Horseman Official Roster

Representing the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA):

• Kenneth Platt – 2024 NCHA Futurity Open Champion, LTE $4,250,424.97
• Austin Shepard – 2017 NCHA Futurity Open Champion & NCHA Open World Champion, LTE $11,013,335.38
• Adan Banuelos – 2023 & 2024 The American Performance Horseman Champion, LTE $7,171,647.31
• James Payne – 2024 NCHA Summer Spectacular 4 Yo Open Champion, LTE $5,973,484.98
• Michael Cooper – 2025 Ike Derby and Classic 4 Yo Open Champion, LTE $5,361,931.12
• Morgan Cromer – 2024 NCHA Futurity Open Finalist, LTE $5,632,943.40
• Wes Galyean – 2023 NCHA Futurity Open Champion, LTE $6,599,615.00
• Tosten Peterson – 2024 NCHA Futurity Open Finalist, LTE $6,599,615.00

Representing the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA):

• Chris Dawson – 2024 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion, LTE $2,517,260
• Justin Wright – 2024 The American Performance Horseman Reined Cow Horse Reserve Champion, LTE $3,050,058
• Sarah Dawson – 2023 The American Performance Horseman Champion, LTE $2,342,272
• Clayton Edsall – 2024 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finalist, LTE $1,747,804
• Boyd Rice – 2014 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman Champion, LTE $1,909,319
• Nick Dowers – 2024 NRCHA Open Western Derby Champion, LTE $1,909,319
• Matt Koch – 2024 Tres Osos Open Derby Champion, LTE $1,719,746
• Veronica Swales – 2024 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finalist, LTE $524,339.26

Representing the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA):

• Cade McCutcheon – 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Champion, LTE $2,860,279
• Casey Deary – 2023 & 2024 The American Performance Horseman Champion, LTE $4,900,756
• Trevor Dare – 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Reserve Champion, $1,777,046
• Andrea Fappani – 2023 & 2024 The American Performance Horseman Reserve Champion, LTE $9,104,471
• Kaci O’Rourke – 2024 NRHA Futurity Champion, LTE $827,816
• Manuel Cortesi – 2024 European Classic Derby Champion, LTE $1,053,105
• Fernando Salgado – 2024 Reining Classic Derby Champion, LTE $1,739,670
• Jason Vanlandingham – 2024 The Run for a Million Champion, LTE $4,610,903

About The American Performance Horseman

The American Performance Horseman is a premier event in Western equine sports, bringing together the best athletes from the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and horses from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). Founded in 2023, The American Performance Horseman highlights the artistry, athleticism, and heritage of Western performance horse disciplines through cutting-edge competition and entertainment. For more information, visit www.theamericanperformancehorseman.com

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Teton Ridge/ The American Performance Horseman Media Contact:

Mandi McCary / mandi@mmgnv.com

Holly Royal / holly.royal@tetonridge.com