Incredible! Back-to-Back American Wins for Down Right Amazing & Casey Deary

If The American Performance Horseman reining is any indication, Down Right Amazing could be in for another huge year.

The royally-bred and flashy sorrel stallion kicked off the 2024 show season in the same way he did the previous year—winning under the bright lights of The American Performance Horseman. Even with his experience, the atmosphere of Globe Life Field was a challenge for “Amazing.”

“The environment running through the gate was a little bit different with the noise and the people banging around above us. He was a little bit apprehensive. He got just a little anxious backing up and you can see tried to roll back there. Like I said, he’s broke enough that he stayed underneath my hand. So he kind of saved himself.”

Deary, an EquiStat Elite $4 Million Rider, said his goal going into the competition was to get four good stops with the stallion. While he didn’t get all four, he did enough to win — marking a 226.5.

Casey Deary pats Down Right Amazing for a job well done after their run. * Photo by Amy Olson

“The first stop was good. The second stop I thought was fantastic. I mean, I thought he ran good. He made a great move to the ground and he rolled back right over his hocks—he was really really good [turning] to the right. And the last run down he kind of said, ‘I’m gonna drive a little bit on this one.’ But, he’s such great stopper that he can he can have those little deviations and still get paid.”

Show Pen Success

With Casey Deary aboard, the son of Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner) and out of 2015 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity Champion Shesouttayourleague (by Walla Walla Whiz) marked a 226.5 to win the American Performance Horseman Reining competition at the event held Friday, March 8, in Arlington, Texas.

In addition to The American Performance Horseman, Down Right Amazing won the 2023 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Championship and the 2023 National Reining Breeder’s Classic Level 4 Open Championship. He also won the Open Shootout at the 2022 The Run For A Million, in addition to earning numerous Open Reserve titles and top placings at other major reining events.

The American win earned $100,000 for owner DAG Ventures LLC, of Crowley, Texas. Bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, of Weatherford, Texas, Down Right Amazing now has lifetime earnings of more than $707,867, according to EquiStat.

American Performance Horseman Reining Reserve Champions

The Individual Reining Reserve Champions at the American Performance Horseman were All Bettss Are Off and Andrea Fappani. Owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, of Scottsdale, Arizona, All Bettss Are Off is by Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner] and out of Wimpys Little Chic (by Wimpys Little Step).

There’s a strong family connection between Down Right Amazing and All Bettss Are Off. Shesouttayourleague is a maternal half sister to All Bettss Are Off — both are out of legendary reining competitor and EquiStat Elite $1 Million Dam Wimpys Little Chic.

The Reserve Championship paid $75,000. All Betts Are Off was bred by Arcese Quarter Horses, of Weatherford, Texas.

Andrea Fappani and All Betts Are Off * Photo by Amy Olson