Jackson, Mississippi (March 26, 2000)- Lee Garner of Batesville, Mississippi received his first pony from his grandfather at the age of 4. Decades and many horses later Garner has numerous National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) titles to boast including most recently at the NCHA/ Chevy Trucks Eastern National Championships where he took home the Non-Professional title in front of a hometown crowd at the Mississippi State Fair Grounds Equine Center in Jackson, Mississippi.

Riding Peponitas Acre, a horse that has carried him to numerous NCHA World Top 10 placings as well as the 1990 NCHA World Champion Non-Professional title, carried Garner to a score of 218 for the championship.

In addition to receiving a check for more than $3,900, Garner received an official NCHA trophy, Gist belt buckle, Cowboy Tack blanket, Stetson hat, Professional Choice products and a Chevy jacket.

Reserve Champion in the Non-Pro division was 16-year-old Tennessee Walker of Tehuacana, Texas riding High N Fancy to a score of 216.5

Walker previously won the senior youth division of the Chevy Trucks Eastern National Championships for the 1998 and 1997 point years aboard High N Fancy. Additionally, Walker is the Lonestar Cutting Horse Association Youth Champion.

For the reserve championship Walker received a check for $3,153, a Gist buckle, Cowboy Tack breast collar, Professional's Choice products and a Chevy jacket.

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