Shows – NRHA News

March 5, 2025

The American Performance Horseman Expands for 2025 with Elite Roster and Standalone Event

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

December 1, 2024December 1, 2024

Futurity Impact Group: Driving Growth and Record-Setting Investments in Reining

In 2020, the late National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Famer Doug Carpenter and NRHA past president Frank Costantini challenged the NRHA Board of Directors committed to elevating the NRHA Futurity by increasing its purse with a vision for sustained growth over five years. Thanks to the determination of a small group of sponsors and leaders, over half a million dollars was raised to support this ambitious goal. Today, that vision has not only been maintained but has also been revitalized, with a dedicated team of supporters continuing to drive its success to include $475,000 investment earmarked for the 2025 Futurity purses.

On the same day the board increased its commitment to the 2025 Futurity purse, The Futurity Impact Group—comprising John and Nancy Tague, Bob Santagata, Rick Clark, Tim Anderson, Leonardo Arcese, and Jennifer Anderson—has already pledged an impressive $100,000 toward the 2025 Futurity. To date, members of the Futurity Impact Group have invested $500k directly into the futurity purse since the program began. This initiative adds another $300,000 over the next three years. The NRHA has added $50,000 annually, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the event’s future.

This combined investment ensures that every Level (L) 4 Open Futurity finalist in 2025 will take home a minimum of $25,000—a testament to the group’s unwavering dedication to supporting reining athletes.

The impact of these efforts is evident. In 2019, the L4 Open Champion purse stood at $142,500. By 2020, the contributions of original Futurity Challenge Donors had propelled it to $250,000. Since 2021, the L4 Open Championship prize has reached a record-breaking $350,000, making it part of the World’s Richest Reining.

NRHA’s overall annual investment in the Futurity has surpassed $800,000 since 2021, elevating the total event purse to over $3 million.

Looking ahead, planned investments of over $475,000 for the 2025 Futurity promise to further solidify its status as a premier event in the equestrian world.

For more details on these historic advancements and their transformative impact on the sport of reining, stay tuned for updates and announcements. Futurity purse here.

November 27, 2024December 1, 2024

NRHA to Invest $475,000 into 2025 Futurity Purse

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) will invest an additional $475,000 in its membership with added purse money into six levels of NRHA competition throughout 2025. Since 2021, NRHA’s total annual investment into the Futurity exceeds $800,000, making the total purse more than $3 million.

This investment is possible because of NRHA’s multi-year strategic initiative to improve effectiveness and efficiency in its operations, attracting new and innovative sponsors and partners.

“Our initiatives over the last few years have allowed us to reward our members at every level,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.

Of the total $475,000 investment earmarked for the Futurity purses, $200,000 is designated to Open Levels [L] 1-3.

“This makes a more compelling value proposition deeper in the Open field,” said NRHA President Mark Blake.

To ensure a minimum of $25,000 for all Level 4 Open Finalists, $150,000 is earmarked specifically for the L4 purse. “Anyone who makes it to the L4 finals has accomplished the very rare and needs to be rewarded for it,” said Smith.

In addition, NRHA is also investing $100,000 in the Non Pro Futurity, which includes the grassroots and majority of NRHA membership. In addition, NRHA’s Prime Time riders, those 50 and older, will earn an additional $20,000. NRHA will be investing $5,000 in added money for the Youth Non Pro as well.

The NRHA Board and Executive Committee are motivated by the consistent growth experienced over the last few years and are dedicated to continuously creating positive momentum and opportunities for the NRHA membership as seen by these initiatives.

November 24, 2024December 8, 2024