Think you’ve seen Western horse sport? Not like this. On July 19, Dickies Arena in Fort Worth becomes the battleground for the fiercest showdown in Cutting, Reining, and Reined Cow Horse — where eight teams of elite riders and their legendary Quarter Horses chase $1 million and the glory that comes with it. This isn’t just a competition; it’s a full-throttle, no-holds-barred Western spectacle that rewrites the rulebook on horsemanship.
The American Performance Horseman pits the best riders head-to-head in a one-night extravaganza. Teams are made up of the highest earners from the 2024 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Level 4 Limited All Age (LAE), National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Open Limited All Age, and National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) circuits — eight squads battling for supremacy as part of The American Western Weekend.
These three elite disciplines showcase the art and athleticism of Western horsemanship: Cutting tests a horse and rider’s ability to isolate and control a single cow with razor-sharp reflexes and seamless partnership; Reining — Western dressage with a twist — challenges riders to execute spins, stops, and circles with precision and finesse; while Reined Cow Horse blends reining maneuvers and cattle work into one ultimate test of versatility and horsemanship.
Judges run a tight points system scoring every move. Cutting rewards control of the cow, difficulty, and rider command, with bonuses for style and risk and penalties for mistakes. Reining scores hinge on clean execution of spins, sliding stops, and rollbacks, with penalties for breaking gait or straying off pattern. Reined Cow Horse combines both elements, with judges seeking fluid transitions and expert cattle handling. Combined team scores crown the American Performance Horseman champions.
This year’s lineup boasts the cream of Western horsemen and women — including two-time Cutting champ Adan Banuelos, who calls the event “incredible” and “unbelievable.” Expect some of the finest horses and riders, all pushing Western tradition to new heights.
Launched in 2023, the American Performance Horseman made history by uniting these three premier disciplines under one roof. Created by Teton Ridge — a Western lifestyle powerhouse spanning media, apparel, breeding, and more — the event celebrates culture as much as competition. Supported by the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, and major horse sport bodies, it’s the first event to spotlight Cutting, Reining, and Reined Cow Horse in the same arena on the same night.
Adding to the energy, Grammy Award-winning duo Brothers Osborne will light up the arena with live music, keeping the crowd buzzing all night long.
Tickets start around $40 for general admission, with VIP packages north of $150. Parking is plentiful, with general lots running $15–$25, plus VIP and drop-off zones. Dickies Arena is easy to reach via I-35W and Loop 820, with rideshare and public transit options available.
Josh Valdez, the event director, sums it up: “Expanding the number of competitors from five to eight marks an exciting evolution for The American Performance Horseman. This change not only intensifies the competition but also highlights more of the incredible talent and dedication within the Western equine sports community.”