March 2, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Megan Darnell

817/244-6188 Ext. 125

Jackson, MS ready to host National Cutting Horse Association

Jackson, Mississippi will host the 24^th Wayne Hodges * Outlaw Conversions/NCHA Eastern National Championships

(Fort Worth, TX)—The entries have been tallied for the 2004 Wayne Hodges * Outlaw Conversion/NCHA Eastern National Championships to be held in Jackson, MS. There are a total of 845 participants traveling from across the country to compete for $336,021 in prize money. The competition will be held at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds from March 7 through 19.

Jackson, MS has hosted this event since its inception, 24 years ago. Past studies have shown that the 12-day event brings an estimated $8 million impact to the local economy. With the addition of a new title sponsor, Wayne Hodges & Outlaw Conversions, the event appears to remain strong.

The owner of the highest scoring horse at this year’s competition will take home a brand new, deluxe 3-horse slant load horse trailer compliments of Wayne Hodges Trailer Sales. The winner will have one-year use of the trailer. If there is a tie for the highest score of the show, the horses will be included in a drawing to determine the winner.

Cutters and their families always enjoy the annual catfish fry when they catch up with friends, eat over 400 pounds of catfish, and dance into the night. This year, two Catfish Fries will be held during the Eastern National Championships. The first will be on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. and the second will be on Monday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. The Taste of Mississippi will be held on March 8 at 7:00 p.m. The public is welcome to attend all three of these special events.

This year, the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge will again bring the team concept to the competition. This added challenge allows competitors to compete for team points as well as individual recognition. The North Mississippi Cutting Horse Association has won the $5,000 cash prize the previous three years and currently leads the competition with 570 participation points.

NCHA is honored to have the support of Wayne Hodges Trailer Sales & Outlaw Conversions, Gist Silversmiths, Mississippi Department of Tourism, the Jackson Metro Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Murray Leather, AQHA, Teskey’s, and KO Trading in hosting this event.

Admission to the cutting competition is free to the public. Each day the competition will begin at 8 a.m. There will be plenty of cutting horse action to entertain the entire family as well as a unique western trade show.

The sport of cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. The National Cutting Horse Association was formed in 1946 by a group of cowboys and ranchers who wanted to promote cutting competition, standardize rules and preserve the cutting horses' Western heritage. Today, the Fort Worth-based NCHA represents over 16,000 people and oversees more than 2,200 NCHA-approved shows with more than $35 million in total prize money awarded annually. For more information about the NCHA, the Wayne Hodges*Outlaw Conversions / NCHA Eastern National Championships, or the sport of cutting, please call 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.

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