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As the second installment of The American Performance Horseman kicked off two full days of nonstop western sports action at The American Weekend on Friday, March 8, 2024 the top professionals from the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) standings put it all on the line for $1,000,000 and one-of-a- kind MS Diamonds TX championship rings.
The fast-paced compeition began with the cutting followed by a dynamic performance by The Ghost Hounds. Then moving into the reining pattern the action continued and was then closed out with the reined cow horse athletes and performances from Allie Walker as well as five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan.
The Top 5 placing athletes in each disipline were as follows:
CUTTING:
PLACING | ATHLETE | EQUINE PARTNER | SCORE | TEAM |
1 | Adan Banuelos | StoryTeler | 230 | Royal Blue |
2 | James Payne | Summer Time Fun | 226 | Imperial Purple |
3 | Austin Shepard | Kittennish | 223 | Regal Red |
4 | Morgan Cromer | Cool Guitar | 219 | Burnt Orange |
5 | Wesley Galyean | Nineteen 42 | 208 | Racing Green |
REINING:
PLACING | ATHLETE | EQUINE PARTNER | SCORE | TEAM |
1 | Casey Deary | Down Right Amazing | 226.5 | Royal Blue |
2 | Andrea Fappani | All Bettss Are Off | 225 | Racing Green |
3 | Cade McCutcheon | Finals Bound | 223 | Regal Red |
4 | Brian Bell | Vintage Couture | 216 | Burnt Orange |
5 | Jason Vanlandingham | GunnaBeBigTime | 0 | Imperial Purple |
REINED COW HORSE:
PLACING | ATHLETE | EQUINE PARTNER | SCORE | TEAM |
1 | Corey Cushing | SJR Talkin Diamonds | 439 | Burnt Orange |
2 | Justin Wright | Scooter Kat | 438.5 | Imperial Purple |
3 | Sarah Dawson | Smart Chic An Tari | 429.5 | Regal Red |
4 | Matt Koch | Smart Ladies Sparkle | 425 | Racing Green |
5 | Clayton Edsall | Bet He Sparks | 417.5 | Royal Blue |
The unprecedented team concept saw five teams of three athletes, partnered with some of the most well-known and respected Quarter Horses in the industry. Each team consisted of a reiner, reined cow horse professional and cutting professional.
The Royal Blue Team, as drafted in late February, of cutter Adan Banuelos, reiner Casey Deary and reined cow horse professional Clayton Edsall swept the night in first place.
The team placements within the Top 5 were as follows:
TEAMS:
PLACING | TEAM | ATHLETES | SCORE |
1 | Royal Blue | Adan Banuelos, Casey Deary & Clayton Edsall | 661.5 |
2 | Regal Red | Austin Shepard, Cade McCutcheon & Sarah Dawson | 656 |
3 | Burnt Orange | Morgan Cromer, Brian Bell, Corey Cushing | 653.5 |
4 | Racing Green | Wesley Galyean, Andrea Fappani & Matt Koch | 650.5 |
5 | Imperial Purple | James Payne, Jason Vanlandingham, Justin Wright | 442 |
As the official jewelry company of The American Performance Horseman, MS Diamond TX proudly handcrafted one-of-a-kind, unique trophy rings for the champion athletes of the night. In 2016, owner Oded Fein produced the very first championship ring offered in Western equestrian sports and from there the company has been involved in the most high profile events in sports.
For more information on The American Performance Horseman or the excitement throughout The American Western Weekend 2024 please visit www.americanrodeo.com.
