Jackson, Mississippi (March 17, 2000)-

Widows Freckles owned by Dr. Robert and Debbie Middleton of Summit, Mississippi proved a champion on hometown territory taking home the $10,000 Novice division of the Chevy Trucks Eastern National Championships at the Mississippi State Fair Grounds Equestrian Center presented by the National Cutting Horse Association.

Ridden by Robert Rust of New Ulm, Texas the duo scored a 218.5 after a heated work-off with two other horses and riders for the win. All three horses and riders scored a 220 to advance to the work-off.

Regarding the work-off Rust commented, "It was fun!"

And of the horse he said, "This stud needs a fairly tough cow," he added. "He's better on a tough cow."

A veteran of the Chevy Eastern Nationals, Rust also competed a few days prior in and won the reserve championship in the $3,000 Novice aboard Miss Freckles Boon.

Additionally, Widows Freckles carried Dr. Middleton to the 1999 Southern Cutting Horse Futurity for five and six-year-olds non-pro championship also held in Jackson.

Chevy Trucks Eastern Nationals $10,000 Novice co-reserve champions are Last Little Lena owned and shown by Punk Carter of Celina, Texas and Little Blue Lynx owned by Joy Smith and ridden by Mike Chrustawka.

The $10,000 Novice division is open to horses having lifetime earnings of $10,000 or less, excluding money won in limited age events. The Chevy Trucks Eastern National Championships and its sister event, Chevy Trucks Western National Championships (Ogden, Utah), are open to top cutters around the world through qualification-based events. In order to participate, competitors must rank within the top 10 in any NCHA-approved division in their local Area or Affiliate, and they must compete in that division in the championships. Qualifying competitors are eligible to compete in either or both Jackson and Ogden, with winners from each event going on to compete in the Chevy Trucks/ M.L. Leddy’s National Championships at the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular.

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