Arlington, Texas – The top performance horse athletes in the world are set to make a grand entrance on Friday, March 8 at Globe Life Field, alongside an equally impressive lineup of competition horses at The American Performance Horseman’s second annual event.

Comprising some of the industry's most accomplished riders representing the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), National Reined Cow Horse (NRCHA), and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), The American Performance Horseman will also showcase the world’s best western sport horses, including:

Wes Galyean & Nineteen 42 (Photo courtesy NCHA)

Representing the National Cutting Horse Association:
1. Austin Shepard will bring Kittennish back to Globe Life Field, owned by Wolf Livestock
2. Morgan Cromer on Cool Guitar, owned by Pinwheel Partners
3. Wes Galyean showcasing Nineteen 42, owned by SMF Cutting Horses
4. Defending Champion Adan Bañuelos will ride Storyteler, owned by Double Dove Ranch
5. James Payne astride Summer Time Fun, owned by Ty Moore

Andrea Fappani & All Bettss Are Off (Photo courtesy Chelsea Schneider)

Representing the National Reining Horse Association:
1. Andrea Fappani showcasing All Bettss Are Off, owned by Rancho Oso Rio
2. Cade McCutcheon partnering with Finals Bound, owned by Burnett Ranches LLC
3. Jason Vanlandingham competing on Gunnabebigtime, owned by Tami Nelson
4. Brian Bell riding Gunna Whoa, owned by Catherine Crandon and David Maynard
5. Casey Deary astride Down Right Amazing 2023 American Performance Horseman Champion, owned by DAG Ventures LLC

Sarah Dawson & Smart Chic An Tari (Photo courtesy  Anna Krause Photography)

Representing the National Reined Cow Horse Association:
1. Sarah Dawson, the returning champion will ride Smart Chic An Tari, owned by Aaron Ranch
2. Justin Wright returns with Scooter Kat, owned by Scooter Kat Partners
3. Matt Koch competing on Smart Ladies Sparkles, owned by XIT Ranch
4. Corey Cushing showcasing SJR Talkin Diamonds, owned by San Juan Ranch
5. Clayton Edsall aboard Bet He Sparks, owned by Kathryn and Layn Phillips

The American Performance Horseman is an integral part of The American Western Weekend, a celebration of Western heritage, culture, and entertainment, featuring the 11th anniversary of The American Rodeo on Saturday, March 9.

Launched in 2023, The American Performance Horseman brings together top professionals from NRCHA, NCHA, and NRHA for a groundbreaking event at the 42,000-seat Globe Life Field. For the 2024 event, the unprecedented team concept will see five teams competing for a $1 million prize, supported by AQHA, APHA, NCHA, NRHA, and NRCHA.

Deirdre Lester, CEO of Teton Ridge, stated, “The American Western Weekend is a true celebration of Western heritage, culture, and entertainment. This event celebrates the rich tradition of precision Western horsemanship and offers an unforgettable experience and insight into the world of performance horse competitions.”

For more information and tickets, visit www.americanrodeo.com

VIP tickets, offering premium experiences, can be purchased at www.axs.com/americanrodeo.com,with parking details available at www.globelifefield.com/parking.

To apply for media credentials to cover the March 8 & 9 events, please visit www.americanrodeo.com/media-credentials.   
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Teton Ridge/ The American Western Weekend Media Contact:
Mandi McCary / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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About The American Western Weekend Rodeo:
The American Western Weekend March 8th & 9th, 2024 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas features action-packed entertainment, world-class talent and western sports that culminates with 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. Added to the festival line-up in 2023, The American Performance Horseman brings together the western equine sports disciplines of reining, reined cow horse and cutting for a $1 million prize. All combined with star-studded music, a western festival and more.  For more information on The American Western Weekend, please visit americanrodeo.com or @TheAmerican.TR on Instagram @TheAmericanTR on Facebook and Twitter.
 
About Teton Ridge: 
Teton Ridge is the first omnichannel Western lifestyle and entertainment company that brings the best the American West has to offer, altogether in one place. Teton Ridge brings audiences and businesses together through content, products and experiences originating from the great American West. Teton Ridge operates across several business lines including a 24/7 digital media network with www.tetonridgeplus.com at the company’s core; content production and distribution for scripted and non-scripted programming; print publishing through Cowboys & Indians magazine; fantasy gaming with Professional Fantasy Rodeo; apparel and fashion including Hyer Boots; western sports experiences with featured event The American Rodeo, ownership of the Arizona Ridge Riders Professional Bull Riding team, and Rodeo Vegas, the premier after-party of National Finals Rodeo; an exceptional American Quarter Horse breeding and training program informed by technology-leading equine genetics from Etalon Diagnostics; and a dedicated commitment to youth and indigenous-focused initiatives. For more information about Teton Ridge, please visit tetonridge.com or @tetonridge on Instagram @tetonridgeusa on Facebook.

By The American Western Weekend Press Release