The American Performance Horseman (TAPH) is making its return in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas. For the first time, the Western performance horse event, produced by Teton Ridge, will take place at the iconic Dickies Arena on July 19, 2025. The event brings together the top riders from the NRHA, NCHA, and NRCHA, all vying for both individual glory and coveted team titles.
This year’s lineup features an incredible roster of elite athletes from legendary riders and hall of famers to record-setting horses that have dominated their disciplines. From the reigning queen of cutting to the highest-earning reining and cow horses in history, these athletes represent the pinnacle of Western performance.
Reining Horses
Down Right Amazing | Casey Deary
Team: Orange, Draw: 2
Owner: DAG Ventures
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $950,400+
Career Highlights: Highest earning NRHA horse, 2024 and 2023 TAPH Reining Champion, 2024 and 2023 NRBC L4 Open Classic Champion, 2023 NRHA Derby L4 Open Champion, 2022 Run For A Million Reining Open Shootout Champion
Returning to TAPH for a third time, Down Right Amazing enters the pen with one goal: a third reining championship title. Guided by NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary, the 2017 sorrel stallion has already left a lasting mark on the reining world, and now he’s chasing history as the first reining horse to surpass one million dollars in lifetime earnings.
“We are going for more than just a three-peat win of The American Performance Horseman July 19th at Dickies Arena! We are going to make Down Right Amazing the first reining horse in history to pass a million dollars in earnings!”
— CASEY DEARY
Varsity Blu | Trevor Dare
Team: Purple, Draw: 1
Owner: Clark Reining Horses
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $188,000+
Career Highlights: 100x Cowtown Classic Open Champion, 2x Run For A Million Qualifier
All eyes will be on Varsity Blu as the 2018 bay stallion makes his TAPH debut with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Trevor Dare in the saddle. It’s a first for both horse and rider on the TAPH stage, and expectations are high as this duo steps into the spotlight.
Magnums Custom Dream | Andrea Fappani
Team: Gold, Draw: 5
Owner: Casey and Kathy Hinton
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $200,000+
Career Highlights: 2024 Cactus Reining Classic L4 Open Derby Co-Reserve Champion, 3x Run For A Million Qualifier, 2022 NRHA L3 Open Derby Champion
When NRHA Nine –Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani rides into an arena, expectations are high, and Magnums Custom Dream doesn’t disappoint. Partnered with ‘Rocky,’ the 2017 bay stallion, since June, Fappani is aiming for a golden finish to match his team’s legacy.
Gunnabebigtime | Jason Vanlandingham
Team: Blue, Draw: 3
Owner: Tami Nelson
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $865,200 +
Career Highlights: 2024 Run For A Million Champion, 3x Run For A Million Qualifier, 2023 NRHA L4 Open Derby Reserve Champion, 2020 NRHA Futurity L4 Open Reserve Champion
NRHA Four –Million Dollar Rider Jason Vanlandingham and the 2017 chestnut stallion, “Big Jake,” are back in the TAPH pen with unfinished business. Following a disappointing finish in 2024, the duo is focused on redemption, determined to reclaim their momentum and make a run for the top spot.
Mr Farenheit | Kaci O’Rourke
Team: Silver, Draw: 6
Owner: Vandorp and Morin
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $380,800+
Career Highlights: NRHA Open L4 Futurity Co-Reserve Champion, Run For A Million Qualifier, 2024 NRBC L3 Open Derby Champion, 2x 2024 100X L3 Open Derby Champion
Fresh off her 2024 NRHA Futurity Championship, Kaci O’Rourke is setting her sights on new ground, this time aboard Mr Farenheit. Making their TAPH debut, the 2018 sorrel stallion and the trailblazing O’Rourke are drawing serious attention. With momentum on their side, the pair is poised to make a strong run straight to the top.
Listen to The Ride Podcast with Kaci O’Rourke about her
groundbreaking NRHA Level 4 Futurity win
Froze | Brian Bell
Team: Red, Draw: 4
Owner: ThorSport, Inc.
Career Highlights: 2023 NRHA Non Pro Futurity Level 3 Co-Champion
Finals Bound | Cade McCutcheon
Team: White, Draw: 7
Owner: FB Brazile Partners
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $274,400+
Career Highlights: NRBC L3 Reserve Champion, Run for a Million Top 6
July Joe Snap | Manuel Cortesi
Team: Green, Draw: 8
Owner: Impr Agr Cuoghi/Arcese E
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $236,100+
Career Highlights: 2022 IRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion, 2023 NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Open Champion, 2023 IRHA 4 Year Old Futurity Level 4 Open Champion, 2024 IRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion, 2024100X European Classic Derby Level 4 Open Champion
Cutting Horses
Kittenish | Austin Shepard
Team: Purple, Draw: 6
Owner: Wolf Livestock
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $779,000 +
Career Highlights: 2024 Run For A Million Cutting Horse Challenge Champion, 2023 NCHA Horse of the Year, NCHA Futurity Open Reserve Champion
This 2019 mare needs no introduction. The ‘Queen’ of cutting returns to the TAPH cutting pen with NCHA 11 Million Dollar Rider Austin Shepard. Together, the duo is poised to add yet another prestigious accolade to their already impressive résumé.
Cool Guitar | Morgan Cromer
Team: Green, Draw: 1
Owner: Pinwheel Partners
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $342,000 +
Career Highlights: 2024 Cascades Futurity Open Derby Reserve Champion, 2023 NCHA Open Futurity Finalist
TAPH will see a familiar pair as ‘Gibson’ and NCHA Five –Million Dollar Rider Morgan Cromer team up again to make their bid for the championship. This duo will be the first draw in the cutting pen and set the pace for how the event’s cutting will play out.
Armour | Wes Galyean
Team: Gold, Draw: 7
Owner: Glover/Galyean Partnership
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $228,000 +
Career Highlights: 2025 Breeders Invitational Open Champion, 2024 NCHA Open Futurity Finalist
A rising contender in the cutting world, the 2021 red roan stallion is turning heads under the guidance of NCHA Six Million Dollar Rider Wes Galyean. With Galyean’s experience and the young stallion’s undeniable presence, the pair are setting their sights on the top of the leaderboard, aiming to add another prestigious title to an already impressive résumé.
Phil N Dangerous | Tosten Peterson
Team: Red, Draw: 2
Owner: Misty Greeson
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $480,000 +
Career Highlights: Run For A Million Qualifier, 2022 NCHA Futurity Champion
Fresh off his induction into the NCHA Hall of Fame, ‘Phil,’ a 2019 sorrel stallion, is making a bold entrance at TAPH. With NCHA Million Dollar Rider Tosten Peterson in the saddle, this debut duo is wasting no time turning up the heat and setting their sights on the top.
LBR Hangem | Kenny Platt
Team: Orange, Draw: 8
Owner: Solo Select
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $189,000 +
Career Highlights: NCHA Super Stakes Co-Reserve Champion, Breeders Invitational 5/6 Reserve Champion
NCHA Four Million Dollar rider Kenny Platt plans to pilot the 2020 sorrel stallion straight to the top of the TAPH leaderboard. With an expert aboard, the rising star, ‘Shotty,’ has what it takes to walk away from Dickies Arena with another championship title under his belt.
Reyzin The Limit | Adan Banuelos
Team: Blue, Draw: 3
Owner: Kate Banuelos
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $400,100 +
Career Highlights: NCHA 2025 Super Stakes Open Derby Reserve Champion, NCHA 2024 Futurity Open Top Five
Bella Louella | Michael Cooper
Team: White, Draw: 4
Owner: Michael and Jennifer Cooper
Nice Work Babe | James Payne
Team: Silver, Draw: 5
Owner: Kathleen Moore
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $400,000 +
Career Highlights: NCHA Super Stakes 5/6-Year-Old Open Co-Reserve Champion
Reined Cow Horses
Bet He Sparks | Clayton Edsall
Team: Green, Draw: 2
Owner: K& L Phillips
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $298,000 +
Career Highlights:
Riding high off last year’s TAPH team win, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Clayton Edsall returns with his sights set on back-to-back victories with Bet He Sparks. With experience on their side, the duo is aiming to leave Dickies Arena once again at the top of the leaderboard.
Watch Clayton Edsall’s cow horse masterclass on Roping.com
Reyzinette | Chris Dawson
Team: White, Draw: 7
Owner: Holy Cow Performance Horse
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $210,000 +
Career Highlights: World’s Greatest Horseman Reserve Champion
The 2014 sorrel gelding is back in action with NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider Chris Dawson aiming for the top. A seasoned and proven team, this duo is ready to make a statement and make this year’s TAPH one to remember.
You May Be Wright | Sarah Dawson
Team: Blue, Draw: 4
Owner: Hartwood Farms
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $500,000 +
Career Highlights: 2022 World’s Greatest Youth Horseman Reserve Champion
NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider Sarah Dawson is teaming up with the seasoned 2012 gelding, You May Be Wright, for a run at the top of the TAPH leaderboard. With years of experience and proven talent on their side, this veteran duo knows exactly what it takes to compete—and win—at the highest level.
MPH Voodoo Badger | Matt Koch
Team: Orange, Draw: 1
Owner: Bar One Land & Cattle LLP
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $160,000 +
Career Highlights: 2023 NSHA Open Two Rein Champion
Leading off as the first draw in the reined cow horse pen, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Koch is looking to set the tone aboard his 2018 gelding. With focus and determination, this duo is aiming to make an early statement and ride straight to the top of the TAPH leaderboard.
Check out how Matt Koch prepares for The American Performance Horseman
Smart Shiney Playboy | Nick Dowers
Team: Red, Draw: 8
Owner: Clinton Marshall
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $120,600 +
Career Highlights: 2019 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion, 2020 Benny Guitron Memorial Open Hackamore Champion
NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Nick Dowers is set to make his TAPH debut aboard Smart Shiney Playboy, a 2016 sorrel standout. Known for their steady performance and undeniable chemistry, this duo’s consistency makes them one to watch as they enter the spotlight at Dickies Arena.
My Boots Are Royal | Boyd Rice
Team: Gold, Draw: 6
Owner: Moncref Quarter Horses LLP
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $82,000+
Career Highlights: Run For A Million Qualifier
NRCHA Hall of Fame member and NRCHA and NCHA Million Dollar Rider Boyd Rice brings an unmatched level of experience to the TAPH arena. Partnered with the talented 2018 sorrel gelding, this seasoned duo is ready to take on the best in the field, with their sights set firmly on the top and gold in their team’s future.
Spanish Nights | Veronica Swales
Team: Purple, Draw: 3
Owner: Bar One Land & Cattle LLP
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $116,400+
Career Highlights: 2024 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Derby Champion
Veronica Swales and 2019 bay mare, Spanish Nights, are making their TAPH debut. Bringing the girl power, they hope to climb to the top and leave their impression on Fort Worth.
Scooter Kat | Justin Wright
Team: Silver, Draw: 5
Owner: Scooter Kat Partners
Horse Lifetime Earnings: $628,000+
Career Highlights: Highest Earning NRCHA Horse, 2019 and 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Champion, 2020 NRCHA Derby Champion, 2018 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Reserve Champion
NRCHA Three Million Dollar Rider Justin Wright and 2015 sorrel stallion Scooter Kat are no strangers to the TAPH cow horse pen. After narrowly missing the top spot last year by just half a point, the veteran duo is back with unfinished business and a clear focus on taking the lead in Fort Worth.
— H&R —
