FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2005 Contact: Kristina Gardner (817) 244-6188 x 121
Western
Bloodstock and Breeder’s Invitational will each add $20,000 to Limited Classes
at NCHA Shows
(Fort Worth, TX)—Two new sponsorship agreements will mean a
big boost to added money for the Limited classes at the National Cutting Horse
Association Triple Crown events, beginning in 2006. Western Bloodstock and the
Breeder’s Invitational will each be contributing $20,000 annually to the added
money at the shows.
Western Bloodstock
will add $20,000 per year for three years to the Limited classes at the Super
Stakes and Super Stakes Classic. In a similar three-year agreement, the
Breeder’s Invitational will donate $20,000 to the Limited classes, to be
utilized at the NCHA Futurity and/or the NCHA Summer Spectacular, beginning with the 2006 events.
“The Limited Open
and Limited Non-Pro classes are an excellent stepping stone between entry-level
classes and the stiffer competition of the Open and Non-Pro ranks,” said NCHA
Executive Director Jeff Hooper. “We are pleased to have Western Bloodstock and
the Breeder’s Invitational show their support of these classes, and are excited
to be able to offer greater rewards to NCHA members who take advantage of the
Limited division.
“Beginning in 2004,
the NCHA Executive Committee enhanced the purses at the NCHA Triple Crown
events by guaranteeing a $75,000 winner’s paycheck at the NCHA Super Stakes,
guaranteeing $50,000 in first-place
prize money at the five/six-year-old Open divisions at the Super Stakes and Summer
Spectacular, and ensuring that many finalists and semi-finalists received
larger checks than in previous years,” hooper added. “With continued purse
enhancements as one of our primary goals, the Limited classes were the
appropriate divisions to address at this time. Having partners like the
Breeders’ Invitational and Western Bloodstock step up and support this effort
shows the level of commitment they have for the entire cutting horse industry.”
Western Bloodstock
is the premiere sales company in the cutting horse industry. The Weatherford,
Texas-based company runs auctions at the three major NCHA-produced cuttings—the
Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic, the Summer Cutting Spectacular and the
NCHA Futurity. In addition, Western Bloodstock produces the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Futurity and Gelding
Stakes Sale, as well as the EE Ranches Production Sale.
“The Limited classes
are very important to our industry, and need added money,” said Milt Bradford,
of Western Bloodstock. “Western Bloodstock wanted to help sponsor the Limited
classes, in addition to the $25,000 we add to the gelding class at the Super
Stakes. It’s all a part of the ongoing partnership between Western Bloodstock
and the NCHA.”
The Breeder’s
Invitational is an innovative stallion progeny program that hosts a major
cutting event each Spring. Stallions are nominated into the Breeder’s
Invitational program, and only progeny from those stallions are eligible to
compete at the Breeder’s Invitational cutting. In addition to rewarding owners
with high purses, the Breeder’s Invitational also pays money to the Stallion
Owners and Mare Owners of Open, Non-Pro and Amateur Derby finalists. This
year’s Breeder’s Invitational, which runs from May 25 through June 3 in Reno,
Nevada, boasts more than 800 entries in nine classes for 4-year-olds and
5/6-year-old horses.
“The Limited classes
offer a great opportunity for up-and-coming competitors. We are thrilled to be
able to support what we to believe is an essential part of NCHA shows,” said
Bob O’Bannon of Breeder’s Invitational.
The
National Cutting Horse Association is made up of 16,500 members across the
United States with a wide range of backgrounds. The sport of cutting has roots
in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday
ranch work and cattle handling. From cowgirls to CEOs, from firefighters to
professional football players, the common ground is often in the cutting arena.
Each year more than 2,200 NCHA-approved events are held throughout the country
with more than $35 million in prize money awarded.
To learn more about
the National Cutting Horse Association and the sport of cutting, call
817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.
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