Jackson, Mississippi (March 26, 2000)- A fabulous closing to an extraordinary cutting horse event, Alotta Merada owned by Washington, Texas resident Anthony Caporina took the championship title in the open division of the Chevy Trucks Western National Championships presented by the National Cutting Horse Association, Metro Jackson and the State of Mississippi.

Ridden by Kenny Pugh of Brenham, Texas the pair marked a 219 for the win and a check for more than $3,100, a NCHA trophy, Gist buckle, Stetson hat, Professional's Choice Products package, Cowboy Tack hand-woven saddle blanket, and a Chevy Trucks duster.

"Everything just turned out great," Pugh said. "I was just fortunate to have a really good draw, and be able to go cut the cows that I wanted."

"She's a big stopping mare," Pugh said of Alotta Merada's strengths in the competition arena. "She's got a lot of moves to her and she just fits what I like a horse to do."

Chevy Eastern National Championship Open Reserve Champion Mr Smoke Hickory is owned by Marcus and Rosanne Haggard of League City, Texas and ridden by Bryant Slaughter of Waller, Texas.

The Chevy Trucks Eastern National Championships and its sister event, Chevy Trucks Western National Championships held in 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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