FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From the NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION

CONTACT:  Amy Vorhes 817-244-6188 ext. 113

(Fort Worth, TX) — The Abilene Spectacular kicked off on January 1, 2002, and continued through January 13. It was the first show since the NCHA World Championship Futurity. Many of the same horses were shown at the Spectacular, except this time as 4-year-olds as January 1 is the official birthday of all American Quarter Horses.

Futurity favorite Merada Clone won the Open Derby with a 225. Since the Futurity, Merada Clone has been sold to C Bar S Ranch in Aledo, Texas, and is in training with Matt Gaines. Dandy Darlin Bee, ridden by Brady Bowen and owned by Brenda Micheal, won the Open Classic with 223.5 points.

In the Non-Pro classes, another Futurity favorite rose to the top. Hope Justice redeemed herself and won the Non-Pro Derby on Freckles Lena Boon with a score of 225. Tom Loeffler rode Malenas Gun to win the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge in Abilene with 224 points.

And in the Amateur, Carol Anderson Ward rode her horse, Miss Dualin Hickory to win the Derby while Bret Parsons rode his father's horse, Haley Bop Hickory to win the Classic/Challenge.

The excitement of the show was quieted, though, on January 7. On that day, NCHA member, son, husband, father and friend John Add Creacy died in the arena after riding in the Open Derby class. Creacy, 30, had a known heart condition, and lived every day to the fullest. His funeral was held on January 9 in Stephenville, Texas.

For complete show results and more information about all of the NCHA's 1,400 shows, please visit www.nchacutting.com or call the NCHA office at 817-244-6188.