Patterson and Mowery Repeat, Race Heats Up In Open Division

At John Deere / NCHA World Finals

Houston, Texas, February 16 --- In what seemed liked a repeat performance from the opening night's go-round, a 17-year-old gelding named Gun Smokes Wimpy took Debbie Patterson to her second go-round win in as many nights, and Mike Mowery rode Miss Reylena, working last in the Open Division, to a score of 229, winning his second go-round at the John Deer / NCHA World Finals in Houston, Texas.

Patterson and Guns Smokes Wimpy scored 226 to win the go-round and earn another $6,410, bringing their total earnings to $42,968. Leading the Non-Pro Division is Don Boone of West Columbia, Texas and the horse owned by he and his wife, Kathy, Bayou Shorty, who have $66,018 in total earnings through the two nights. In third place is Mary Jo Milner of Southlake, Texas riding Red White And Boon, who have earned $61,363 this year.

While Mowery and Miss Reylena continue to electrify the crowd with stellar performances each night, the hottest race is still between Lindy Burch and Bet Yer Blue Boons and Kay Floyd's Dont Hava Cow, ridden by Glen Blankenship. Floyd, from Stephenville, Texas and Dont Hava Cow trail Burch and Bet Yer Blue Boons by just $2,877 after tonights' performance, which was won with a solid 224 marked by Burch. Blankenship and Dont Hava Cow marked 223.

Mowery's two go-round wins have added more than $12,000 to his total for the year, good enough to move Miss Reylena into fourth place. The horse is owned by John Harrah of Reno, Nevada.

The John Deere / NCHA World Finals, held in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, runs through Sunday, February 18. The event features the top fifteen Non-Professional and top fifteen Open Division money earners from NCHA competition through the previous year. The Non-Pro NCHA World Champion and Open NCHA World Champion will be determined based on total money earnings for the point year and money won during the John Deere / NCHA World Finals event.

For complete standings or more information on the John Deere / NCHA World Finals, visit the National Cutting Horse Association website at www.nchacutting.com.