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Andrea Fappani is the quintessential example of a reining professional, and now, he's all in in the reined cow horse arena.

- BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS

When Andrea Fappani rides into the show pen he's known for perfectly choreographed reining runs, and a relentless drive to win. But at the 2023 National Reined Cow Horse Association Western Derby, Fappani rode into the pen two-handed in a snaffle bit, ready to call a cow. That's right, the $9 Million Dollar National Reining Horse Association rider is all in on cow horse competition.

Instead of placing his reining horse's feet exactly where he wants them, Andrea Fappani found himself showing Derby-age YaketyYakDontTalkBak, owned by Teton Ridge, in an event that demands a horse take control to work a cow through boxing and down the fence. Fappani piloted the gelding to an Open Novice Horse title and continued building momentum with 3-year-old Lectrifyn Metallic at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.

Now, with a top 10 finish aboard DT Lil Big Time at the 2024 Snaffle Bit Futurity, Fappani is nearing $100,000 in NRCHA earnings.

“I'm 46, and I've achieved every goal I put in front of myself in the reining,” Fappani says. “I just wanted to do something different. Some people didn’t understand and thought it was for the money. But the horse industry is my love and my passion, and I wanted to push myself with something new.”

Ten years ago, Fappani considered trying his hand at cutting, but ultimately chose cow horse, due to his proximity to major NRCHA events and steady access to cattle. To say the change has been challenging garners a laugh from the horseman.

“I jumped in way too deep, but I've been famous in my career for doing things like that,” he says. “When I look back, it has always been for the better. The minute you get comfortable, you get stagnant.”

So why would one of the most recognized names in reining step into another arena? Challenge, change, and personal growth.

MAKING A CHANGE