SJR Talkin Diamonds & Corey Cushing Shine at The American Performance Horseman
SJR Talkin Diamonds picked a good time to step up to the plate.
With the lights of Globe Life Field shining down on his glistening palomino coat, SJR Talkin Diamonds earned the biggest paycheck of his life with a winning performance in The American Performance Horseman. With EquiStat Elite $4 Million Rider Corey Cushing aboard, the San Juan Ranch homebred won the Individual reined cow horse competition Friday, March 8 in Arlington, Texas.
They marked a winning composite of 429 (220.5|218.5).
The 2017 stallion had earned approximately $94,000 prior to becoming The American reined cow horse champion, with his career highlight being the 2022 Tres Osos Derby Open Reserve Championship. The $100,000 he earned on Friday pushed his lifetime earnings to more than $194,000.
“I’ve had him in my barn since he was 2 years old,” Cushing said. “He’s got so much class, he’s got so much presence. He’s a true fence horse. He knows the positions that he needs to go. He knows how to put his body in the places he needs to be.”
Corey Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds * Photo by Amy Olson
Held in conjunction with The American rodeo, The American Performance Horseman offers Individual and Team competitions for reining, reined cow horse and cutting riders. Cushing was thrilled to be able to compete in front of thousands of people in an arena with such energy and excitement.
“To be competing here at Globe Life Field, I feel that the American Performance Horseman is nothing but a celebration,” he said.
Sired by EquiStat Elite $5 Million Sire Smooth Talkin Style, SJR Talkin Diamonds is one of several top performers out of Shiners Diamond Girl (by Shining Spark). Now his dam’s leading money earner—she has offspring earnings of $697,331 in EquiStat—SJR Talkin Diamonds is a maternal half brother to 2012 National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion CD Diamond ($153,320, by CD Olena) and 16 other money earners.
Livestreaming and live coverage of The American Performance Horseman was not available. Officials say the event will be broadcast on March 16 by Fox Sports 1.
Corey Cushing hugging his wife Kristen after hearing his winning score. * Photo by Amy Olson