July 16, 2001
Immediate Release
(Fort Worth, TX) – Hope Justice of Canton, Texas marked an impressive score of 223 ½ to take the Championship title of the Non-Professional division of the National Cutting Horse Association Class/Challenge at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Ft. Worth on July 16. The Classic/Challenge is restricted to five and six-year-old horses.
Justice earned a winner’s check of $22,520 from the total purse of $255,063. She rode a quick-moving mare appropriately named Bambi to her victory. Bambi scored a solid 222 in the first go-round of competition and a 212.5 in the second to send her in the finals. Points accumulated in the first two go-rounds determine which competitors make it to the finals. Once they enter the final go-round, each competitor begins with a clean slate.
Justice a Canton, Texas native, showed the crowd a stellar performance in the final go-round to out-score Mary Ann Rapp aboard Ruby Tuesday and Jill Long aboard Diamond J Starlight each with a 221. As Non-Pro Champion, Justice will receive a Gist trophy buckle, Jim Reno bronze and a Cowboy Tack woven saddle blanket. As co-reserve champions, Rapp and Long will receive Cowboy Tack custom stirrups and Gist trophy buckles.
Ruby Tuesday is a daughter of Peppy San Badger and is owned by Rapp and her husband Phil of Weatherford Texas. Diamond J Starlight is sired by Grays Starlight and is owned by Jill and her husband Tom of Gardnerville, Nevada.
The NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular competition will continue through July 29. Other special events during this year’s spectacular competition include the Sean Ryon /East-West Shoot-out on July 17, the Annual NCHA Sponsor Cutting July 27 and the NCHA Derby beginning on July 20.
For up-to-date scores, information and streaming competition video of the Summer Cutting Spectacular, please go to www.nchacutting.com .
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