Press Release

July 28, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Semi-Finals Brings 22 Riders to Finals

222.5 Tops Semis, 214.5 To Make

(Fort Worth, TX) - With 2000 Futurity winner Royal Fletch scoring a solid 219 under rider Kathy Daughn to return to the NCHA Derby Open Finals, it was Matt Gaines riding Nu I Wood taking the top spot in the semi-finals with a 222.5 to compete in the final segment of the National Cutting Horse Association's Summer Cutting Spectacular July 28.

Leading into the finals, Gaines found the judges' sweet spot riding as one of the last five to compete in the 63-rider semi-finals. Owned by Crystal Creek Ranch of Aledo, Texas, Nu I Wood brings the breeding of Zack T Wood and Baby Nu Bar with her. The judges also found favor in Playin N Fancy Peppy owned by Glade M. Knight of Richmond, Virginia, and ridden by John Mitchell, as well as Stylish Play Lena owned by Linda Holmes of Longmont, Colorado, and ridden by Lloyd Cox. The pair scored back-to-back 220's to tie for the second-place berth going into the finals. Sharing Daughn's 219 score was trainer Ronnie Rice riding Eddie Godfrey's Squeaky Clean. Amateur Derby Champion Starring CD is showing his stamina by following close behind with a 218.5 under trainer Paul Hansma. The gelding carried 15-year-old Mica Motes to the amateur win earlier in the Summer Spectacular competition.

A total of 22 riders will return to vie for a total purse of $365,014 in the finals that follows the Non Pro finals starts at 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for the finals performance that begins at 11 a.m.

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