American Performance Horseman: A Night of Triumph for Team Blue and Their Exceptional Quarter Horses

Kicking off The American Western Weekend, the American Performance Horseman brought first-class athletes paired with exceptional AQHA stand-outs to the floor of Globe Life Field, where they wowed the crowd.

Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

The American Performance Horseman was full of quick cutting horses and super sliding reining horses. Each team consisted of a reiner, cutter, and a reined cow-horse rider who chose a top-notch horse to bring to Globe Life Field. The incredible American Quarter Horses showcased in this event are excellent examples of the breed. Here's a look at how they ended up at the conclusion of the night. 

Starting off in the cutting, Team Blue member Adan Banuelos showed up to defend his 2023 American Performance Horseman Cutter title. Banuelos and the stunning stallion, Storyteler, scored a 230 to win the cutting and a nice paycheck of $100,000. This is the second year in a row for Banuelos to take home the title. Storyteler not only won the cutting event but also won fan favorite AQHA Horse of the Day. 

"Storyteler thinks it's a game," said Banuelos. "I want to keep it that way. The horses are the original athlete here." 

Banuelos credited the American Quarter Horses for being the entire reason cutting exits; without them, he wouldn't be here.

Staying with Team Blue in the reining, Casey Deary and his bald-faced stallion Down Right Amazing spun and slid their way right to the top of the leaderboard. This duo scored a 226.5 in the event, winning the $100,000 and adding to the overall score for Team Blue. Deary is the reigning champion in the reining, so he was glad to be back and hopes to be back again next year. 

In the reined cow horse, the riders and their equine partners were scored on both their reining pattern and fence work. The total reining and fence work scores were counted towards the individual scores, but only the fence work score was counted towards the team score. 

Three-time World's Greatest Horseman, Corey Cushing, came into Globe Life Field, showing everyone exactly why he earned that title. Cushing on TJR Talkin Diamonds laid down beautiful fence work, and the crowd was entranced by every turn the golden stallion made. They scored a 218.5 in fence work along with a 220.5 in the reining work, for a total score of 439 points and the $100,000 for winning the reined cow horse. 

"Thank you, Teton Ridge, for having this," said Cushing. "Let's not forget these incredible athletes either." 

With the help of the win from Banuelos and Deary, as well as the fence work score from Clayton Edsall, Team Royal Blue landed at the top of the leaderboard. Each of the three competitors took home an additional $25,000 to add to their individual wins. The three celebrated on stage, drinking champagne from their trophy. 

Team Royal Blue 

Adan Banuelos, 230 points — Storyteler, 2019 stallion by Smooth Talkin Style out of Show Biz Kitty (LTE of $181,256)

Casey Deary, 226.5 points — Down Right Amazing, 2017 stallion by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Shesouttyourleague (LTE of $607,867); Customize My Dream, 2019 stallion by Magnum Chic Dream out of Gunna Be Custom

Clayton Edsall, 417.5 points — Bet He Sparks, 2014 stallion by Bet Hesa Cat out of Sparking Train (LTE $248,000) A Starlights Magnum, 2013 mare by Magnum With A Dream out of Shiney Starlight (LTE of $144,455)

Team Racing Green

Wesley Galyean, 208 points — Nineteen 42, 2019 stallion by Hottish out of Lil Rattler. (LTE of $218,571)

Andrea Fappani, 225 points — All Bettss Are Off, 2017 Stallion by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Wimpys Little Chic (LTE of $422,757)

Matt Koch, 425 points — Smart Ladies Sparkle, 2015 mare by WR This Cats Smart x Shiners Diamond Lady (LTE $107,066)

Team Imperial Purple

James Payne, 226 points — Summer Time Fun, 2015 mare by Metallic Cat out of Hey Georgy Girl (LTE of $418,002)

Jason Vanlandingham, 0 points — Gunnabebigtime, 2017 stallion by Gunnatrashya out Big Time Jazzy (LTE of $303,938)

Justin Wright, 438.5 points — Scooter Cat, 2015 stallion By Kit Kat Sugar out of Scooters Daisy Dukes (LTE of $513,556)

Team Burnt Orange

Morgan Cromer, 219 points — Cool Guitar, 2020 stallion by Stevie Rey Von out of This Kats Kool (LTE of $87,686)

Brian Bell, 216 points — Gunna Whoa, 2017 stallion by Inferno 66 out WhoaWhiz (LTE of $47,877)

Corey Cushing, 439 points — SJR Talkin Diamonds, 2017 stallion by Smooth Talkin Style out of Shiners Diamond Girl (LTE of $94,266)

Team Regal Red

Austin Shepard, 223 points — Kittennish, 2019 mare by Hottish out of Show Biz Kitty. (LTE of $544,123); Wood She B Magic, 2018 mare by Woody Be Tuff out of Metallic Magic (LTE of $326, 289)

Cade McCutcheon, 223 points — Finals Bound, 2018 stallion by Gunnatrashya out of Wimpys Little Chic (LTE of $88,975)

Sarah Dawson, 429.5 points — Smart Chic An Tari, 2017 mare by Smart Chic Olena out of Shiney Tari (LTE of $198,790)

For the most up-to-date data, refer to QStallions.com.