The American Performance Horseman

Expanding upon its commitment to elevate and positively impact the western industry, Teton Ridge unveiled an unprecedented new event, The American Performance Horseman, that will make its debut on Friday, March 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas, during The American Rodeo.

For the first time ever, the top five year-end money-earning professionals in cutting, reined cow horse and reining will come together to compete for $1 million in prize money in a competitive exhibition format. The American Rodeo will provide a global stage for the athletes of each western equine sports discipline to compete not only for individual prize payouts, but also a first of its kind team format as well. The American Performance Horseman is a prestigious competitive exhibition that is supported by the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association and National Reined Cow Horse Association, with all associations excited for their respective communities to be celebrated and showcased to the world in this unparalleled and innovative format.

The American Performance Horseman will consist of the top five riders from each discipline, with the highest show earnings from the 2022 show season as tracked by each association. Standings were finalized and announced following each discipline’s 2022 Futurity event.

The American Performance Horseman Teams

Team Red: Lloyd Cox (cutting) | Shawn Flarida (reining) | Justin Wright (reined cow horse) – view Team Red horses

Team Burnt Orange: Austin Shepard (cutting) | Matt Mills (reining) | Lee Deacon (reined cow horse) – view Team Burnt Orange horses

Team Green: Lindy Thorn (cutting) | Casey Deary (reining) | Chris Dawson (reined cow horse) – view Team Green horses

Team Blue: Adan Banuelos (cutting) | Fernando Salgado (reining) | Sarah Dawson (reined cow horse) – view Team Blue horses

Team Purple: Wes Galyean (cutting) | Andrea Fappani (reining) | Corey Cushing (reined cow horse) – view Team Purple horses

How to Watch The American Performance Horseman

Tickets: Purchase at americanrodeo.com/tickets and use promo code AQHA23 to save 25%.

Livestream: Watch live on tetonridgeplus.com at 6:45 p.m. CST.

Opening Ceremony Featuring the American Quarter Horse

The American Quarter Horse takes center stage during The American Performance Horseman's opening ceremony, featuring a special performance by Double Dan Horsemanship's Dan James. 

Competition Format: The American Performance Horseman

Fusing the elements of history and competition, The American Performance Horseman is an ode to the past, present and future of western performance horse sports. Riders will compete for team and individual prize money, but most importantly the prestigious title of champion as part of The American Rodeo weekend festivities in Arlington, Texas.

“The American Rodeo is an unrivaled celebration of the American West and represents the richest weekend in all of western sports,” said Joe Loverro, president of Teton Ridge Sports. “As Teton Ridge continues to make great strides to bring the iconic events in the western industry to a broader audience on an elevated platform, it was only natural to create an event to pay homage to the most prestigious competitors in western performance sports and their incredible equine athletes.”

The American Performance Horseman is the creation and vision of Teton Ridge. It exists to elevate western equine sports through multiple platforms, with innovative and interactive technology.

The American Performance Horseman will offer fans a groundbreaking new way to embrace and support the legacy of the American West on the eve of The American Rodeo as a celebration the 10th anniversary of the world’s richest rodeo.

Entertainment

The American Performance Horseman will feature a live concert from Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow and Ghost Hounds. 

About The American Rodeo

Hailed as The Crown Jewel of Rodeo™, The American Rodeo is an unrivaled celebration of the pioneering spirit of the American West. The national sporting event offers fans a unique choice – to cheer on western sports’ finest champion athletes or root for the underdog “contenders” chasing a $1 million bonus – through every rodeo, roping and riding effort. For the first time ever, a new competitive exhibition called The American Performance Horseman brings together the western equine sports disciplines of reining, reined cow and cutting for a $1 million prize. All combined with star-studded music, a western festival and more. Acquired by Teton Ridge in 2021, The American Rodeo is an annual western sports and entertainment celebration that matches professional rodeo’s top athletes against the world’s most aspirational cowboys and cowgirls, who have put up their own money to bet on themselves in this high-stake’s showdown. For more information on The American Rodeo, please visit www.americanrodeo.com or @TheAmerican.TR on Instagram @TheAmericanTR on Facebook and Twitter.

About Teton Ridge

Teton Ridge is a multi-platform, wholly American-owned brand and media company devoted to the iconic American western way of life and western sports. Teton Ridge’s Sports division was created with the singular focus of elevating classic western sports and America’s western culture on the world stage, while broadening audiences around the globe as well as at home. In 2021, Teton Ridge acquired The American, the iconic event of the rodeo circuit, to continue to expand the audiences for rodeo sports and make it the world’s premier western culture event. For more information about Teton Ridge, please visit www.tetonridge.com or @tetonridge on Instagram @tetonridgeusa on Facebook.