Press Release

July 29, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Super Stakes Winner Repeats Performance in Non Pro Derby

Bonelli settles for second place

(Fort Worth, TX) - Lurking like a stealth bomber in the middle of the pack, Kevin Arnold and his stallion, Riosmysister, were not considered the favorite by a long shot to win the National Cutting Horse Association's Non Pro Derby, but he proved the odds-makers wrong during the event finals held July 29 at Will Rogers Coliseum.

Having entered the clean-slate finals with a score of 215 from the semi's, Arnold, of Kermit, Texas, lay in the shadows of perennial non-pro favorite and veteran, Sandy Bonelli of Petaluma, California. Bonelli, already a winner of lifetime earnings of more than $2 million, was riding Soula Julie Star, the son of Belle Coquette who Bonelli rode to win the NCHA Non Pro Futurity in 1989. In the semi-finals, Bonelli and Soula Julie Star scored a 222 to solidify the favorite's position going into the finals. The fifth horse to work in the finals, Bonelli scored a 218 to take hold of the lead after the first cattle change, but Arnold was waiting.

As the first horse to work in the second herd, Arnold decided it was now or never. Riosmysister, by King Of Clarks and out of Oaks Rio Quixote, has a solid record of earnings, having already amassed a total of $57,596. More than half of those earnings came from his win in the NCHA Non Pro Super Stakes earlier this year with a score of 224. Arnold, the winner of more than $134,000, decided a repeat performance was in order as the duo scored a 219 to steal the win from Bonelli by a scant point.

With a total purse of $268,097 up for grabs, Arnold earned a check for $16,338 while Bonelli took home $15,716. Third place went to Lach Perks of Rockford, Illinois, riding Stella Starlight, the winner of the 2000 Limited Non Pro Futurity. That pair earned a check for $15,094 for their 217.5 score. Dean Sanders of Anderson, Texas, piloted Swinging Little Gal to a fourth place finish with a score of 217 and earnings of $14,472, while Julie Hansma of Weatherford, Texas, earned $13,850, riding Tinas New CD to a score of 216.5.

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