For immediate release                                                                    March 21, 2001

 

 

Brannon Breaks Out with the $10,000 Amateur Win at Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships

 

Sandy Brannon, of San Antonio, Texas, captured her first Championship title riding Montanas Mark in the $10,000 Amateur division during the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships at Jackson, Mississippi on Monday, March 19. The pair posted a 222-point score, putting a four-point margin between them and second-placed Quinn Collins, 17, of Springfield, Illinois, riding Oh Cay Shorty.

 

"The horse was just great," said Brannon of her 10-year-old gelding. "You know you're mounted when you are on him. He gets you out of (difficult) positions that you don't think would be possible to get out of."

 

Brannon is also entered in the $50,000 Amateur and the $20,000 Non-Pro competition this week with her mount, Montanas Mark.

 

The Reserve Championship went to Quinn Collins who scored 218 points aboard his 10-year-old mare. Collins and Oh Cay Shorty are also entered in the Non-Pro competition, which begins with a first go-round on Friday, March 23.

 

The Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championship competition will continue daily beginning at 8AM and culminate with the Non-Pro and Open Finals beginning at 8AM on Saturday, March 24. The competitors at this event have qualified to participate through the affiliates or regional cutting competition. More than 900 entries will be vying for more than $90,000 in cash and prizes.

 

For more information contact the NCHA media office at (601) 948-0511 or visit NCHA's website at www.nchacutting.com