FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2004

Contact: Clay Murray

(817) 244-6188 Ext. 120

Merrill Lynch signs on as NCHA event sponsor

A new agreement offers benefits to all

(Fort Worth, TX)—The National Cutting Horse Association is proud to welcome Merrill Lynch to its core of nationally recognized sponsors. The new agreement includes event sponsorship during the three Fort Worth cutting horse events.

“We are very excited about the addition of Merrill Lynch to our group of sponsors,” said Jeff Hooper, NCHA executive director. “We continually strive to expand our elite group of sponsors while also expanding our membership. Merrill Lynch is a welcome addition to that group.”

Merrill Lynch and cutting are mainstays in the city of Fort Worth. Many cutting enthusiasts enjoy doing business with nationally recognized names and the financial component is no different. The relationship makes a lot of sense. NCHA membership’s average annual income is substantial and so are their investment portfolios, making this a great target market for Merrill Lynch.

Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) is one of the world's leading financial management and advisory companies, with offices in 35 countries and private client assets of approximately $1.5 trillion. As an investment bank, it is a leading global underwriter of debt and equity securities and strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide. Through Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, the company is one of the world's largest managers of financial assets, with assets under management of $513 billion. For more information on Merrill Lynch, please visit www.ml.com.

The National Cutting Horse Association is made up of 16,000 members across the United States with a wide range of backgrounds. The sport of cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. From cowgirls to CEOs, from firefighters to professional football players, the common ground is often in the cutting arena. Each year more than 1,400 NCHA-approved events are held throughout the country with more than $30 million in prize money awarded.

To learn more about the National Cutting Horse Association and the sport of cutting, call 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.

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