The first class of the day was the $10,000 Novice, which brought 33 entries back for the finals from an original group of 104. Only the top ten horses from each affiliate were qualified to enter the Chevy Trucks Eastern Nationals, so the competition was understandably tight.

However, when the scores were all settled, it was the two EE Ranches horses that finished 1 - 2 with only one point separating the stallmates. Guy Woods, who was inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame at the 2001 Futurity, rode Raked In Satin for 224 points and the win in the $10,000 Novice. John Wold rode the Ellard's second horse, Goran, for another 223 points and second place in the class.

The $3,000 Novice finals were next on the day's schedule. Once again, it was the 2001 Music City Derby Champion, Raked In Satin, that earned first place. This time the score was 223.5 points, which was followed by Austin Shepard riding Benjie Neely's mare, Missis Trona, for 222 points. Third in the $3,000 Novice, though, was Goran again. This time, the EE Ranches horse was ridden by owner Jo Ellard.

Before their checks today, Raked In Satin and Goran had combined lifetime NCHA earnings of $133,045. Raked In Satin's double wins added $8,223 to the horse's career earnings for a total of $70,803 while Goran's earnings jumped $5,678 to $76,143.

Thanks to the tremendous support of NCHA's sponsors, the group of riders from Pilot Point, Texas, made a haul in prizes, as well. They'll fill their trailer with two NCHA trophies, five Gist buckles, two Cowboy Tack saddle blankets, a Cowboy Tack breast collar, two Walls jackets embroidered by Chevy Trucks, and lots of Cinch Jeans gift certificates.

The new AQHA Affiliate Challenge adds another dimension to the excitement of winning at the Area Work-Offs. The North Texas AQHA CHA added 365 points to the 460 they started with, which moved the group within 95 points of the North Mississippi CHA. Ten points are given for entering and showing in a class, 25 points for making the finals of a class, 25 points are given for placing 3^rd - 10^th in the finals, 40 points are given for finishing as reserve champion in a class, and each champion earns 50 points for their affiliate under the Affiliate Challenge format. The AQHA will award $27,000 to affiliates at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships, and again at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships.

The cutting event will take place at the Jackson, Mississippi, Fairgrounds from March 12-23, 2002. Thanks to all of the added money and the potential to win a championship title in top-end competition, 979 entries were taken for the 12-day show. That number marks a strong increase in last year's numbers.

The City of Jackson, Mississippi, has been home of the Eastern Nationals cutting for 21 years. Past figures credit the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships for bringing an economic impact to the city of $8 million.

The nature of the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships is traditionally competitive, yet fun for the whole family at the same time. The AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge program will only enhance that feeling. The Affiliate Challenge format encourages affiliates to send as many entries as they can to the Jackson cutting. In addition to the individual competition, which will pay out $286,043, all entrants in the show will also compete on behalf of their local NCHA Affiliate.

The NCHA and HorseCity.com have developed an interactive, educational site about the sport. Visit and learn more at www.horsecity.com/NCHAcutting/nchacutting.shtml. For more information about the sport of cutting, the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships, the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, or the National Cutting Horse Association, please contact the NCHA at 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.