Press Release

July 12, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Clay Murray - 817-244-6188 (817-781-0883 cell)

Veteran Cutting Horses Take On The NCHA Classic Challenge

Competition for five- and six-year old horses showcase sport's stars

(Fort Worth, TX) ¾ Veterans to the cutting horse arena showed they still had the right stuff during the 2001 National Cutting Horse Association's Classic Challenge division of the Summer Cutting Spectacular, limited to five- and six-year old cutting horses.

"The Classic Challenge is also a great opportunity for horses to compete who may not have been ready at a younger age or who are just coming to their prime in competition," said Clay Murray, NCHA Director of Marketing. "NCHA has long held to the fact that providing competition for older horses that offers good cash incentives is good for the industry."

Leading after two go-rounds of competition with an impressive combined score of 440.5 was Desire Some Freckles owned by Rockin 5 Ranch LLC of Fairhope, Alabama. Ridden by Sam Shephard of Magnolia Springs, Alabama, the mare, by Freckles Playboy and out of Genuine Desire, posted a 224 in the first-round, followed by a scorching 226.5 in the second to take the top spot.

Four horses share the runner-up position with each posting a cumulative score of 439.5 going into the final round. Included among them is Bowmans Little Jewel, piloted to a first go-round score of 220.5 and a second go-round score of 218 by rider Phil Rapp. GCH Land & Cattle Company of Weatherford, Texas, owns the mare, sired by Smart Little Lena and out of Bowmans Fancy. That Cool Cat, a stallion by High Brow Cat and out of That Smarts, owned by Joe Montana of Calistoga, California, posted identical scores with rider Kobie Wood in the stirrups to make it to the final round. Power Proof followed their lead to make his way to the second round under the guidance of Tim Delagardelle. Owned by Bob and Lajuan Mayfield of Wills Point, Texas, the stallion is sired by Grays Starlight and out of the mare I Am So Wild. Swinging into join the crowd is Weatherford, Texas, owner Betsy Mecom's Mighty Aphrodite who scored a 217 in the first round, but came back strong in the second with a 222.5. All horses will enter the final round Tuesday, July 17, with a clean slate score for a head-to-head bid for the championship.

NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular competition will continue through July 29 and will include the NCHA Derby for four-year-old horses that begins July 20. Special events will include youth competition for more than $15,000 in scholarships July 13-14, and a Sponsor's Cutting July 27. Admission is free to all daily go-round competition as well as to the event trade show featuring more than 200 vendors.

For up-to-date scores, information and streaming competition video, go to www.nchacutting.com.