FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From the NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION
CONTACT: Amy Vorhes 817-244-6188 ext. 113
Son Of Olena/Brett Davis wrap up 2001 Eastern Nationals as Open Champions
Ollies Combo Man/Gaylon Wells follow as Reserve Champions
(Fort Worth, TX)
— Brett Davis rode Son Of Olena in the 2001 Chevy Trucks/National Cutting Horse Association Eastern Nationals Open class for Jackie Sue Watlington of Texarkana, Texas. Davis and the stallion drew first in the first bunch of the finals on Saturday, March 23 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson.The Open finals marked the finale of the 12-day show, which began on March 12. The Open class is traditionally the toughest, most competitive of the 11 NCHA classes because it allows professional trainers to show seasoned horses. Son Of Olena was the first horse of 27 that earned the right to compete for the $29,582 purse, and the cattle were not going to make it easy. The 222-point ride Davis accomplished turned out to be the strongest of the group, but he had to wait for all of the other horses to complete their works before he knew his score would hold. Davis, of Texarkana, Texas, has NCHA earnings of $777,076 while Son Of Olena's earnings are nearing $13,000.
The Reserve Champion horse at the 2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern Nationals was Ollies Combo Man, ridden by Gaylon Wells for owner Sharon Sigler of Kansas City, Missouri. While Davis, who rode first, wound up as the Champion, Wells rode last and found enough cow for the Reserve title with 216 points.
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.