FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From the NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION

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

Earnheart, a resident of Hernando, Mississippi, rode her gelding Zipa Freckles to tie Guy Woods as the highest-scoring riders of the 12-day cutting. Woods rode Raked In Satin for EE Ranches of Pilot Point, Texas, for 224 points in the $10,000 Novice finals early in the show, while Earnheart's 224 points came on the last day of competition. The Mississippi cutter picked up the Senior Youth championship title during her stay in Jackson, as well. It is the latest in an already lengthy list of accomplishments in the cutting pen for Earnheart, the daughter of 2001 NCHA Reserve World Champion rider Pat Earnheart. Kelle earned $4,945 for herself and 50 points for the North Mississippi Cutting Horse Association in the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge.

The Reserve Champion title in the Non-Pro class of the 2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships was taken by three riders this year. Ronald Barrow and Smart Tempra Tantrum, Michael Akin and Jazzy Chic Olena and Playboy McCrae and April Deanna Hames all completed their finals work with 218 points from the five-judge panel.

Each Reserve Champion received a check fro $2,918 and 40 points for their affiliate. Barrow, of Williamston, Michigan, rode for the Central Michigan CHA; Akin, of Counce, Tennessee, rode for the West Tennessee CHA and Hames, of Weatherford, Texas, rode for the West Central Texas CHA.

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 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 prizes awarded to the champions and reserve champions at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships include NCHA trophies, Gist trophy buckles, Cowboy Tack saddle blankets and breast collars, Walls jackets provided by title sponsor Chevy Trucks, and Cinch jeans gift certificates.

The 2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships are taking 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. Additionally, over $4,000 was raised by the NCHA for the Orthopedic Division of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

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.