“The horses I trained and showed at the beginning of my career are the ones that I give a lot of credit to. Maybe they were not the most talented of the horses that I have ever ridden but they had a tough life. I practiced everything that came to my mind on them and they got ridden hard a lot, harder then what I ride my horses today and they still ended up showing good for me and putting my name on the map.”
In 2025, National Reining Horse Association inducted Andrea Fappani into the NRHA Hall of Fame—an honor that reflects more than two decades of excellence, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the sport of reining.
Andrea is the NRHA’s all-time leading rider and one of the most influential professionals the sport has ever known. His success in the show pen is matched by his impact beyond it. In addition to being a $10 million rider, Andrea is also a $1 million breeder and owner, a testament to his long-term vision and consistency across every level of the industry.
Born in Italy in 1977, Andrea brought an international perspective to reining that helped shape the modern era of the sport. His commitment to education and growth extends far beyond competition. Through his widely respected podcast, Along For The Ride, international symposiums, and comprehensive training video libraries, Andrea continues to share knowledge with horsemen and women around the world.
Above all else, Andrea remains a lifelong student of the horse—continually learning, refining, and raising the standard. He shares that journey with his wife, Tish, and their two sons, each of whom pursues excellence in their own chosen paths.
With humility, focus, and a deep respect for the horse, Andrea Fappani’s legacy is defined not only by what he has accomplished in the arena, but by how he continues to shape the future of reining—one ride at a time.
