FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Judy Mayes

817-244-6188

Young Cutting Stars Shine At The Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships

Odgen, Utah (April, 28, 2001)-- Seventy- seven National Youth Cutting Horse Association competitors proved that the sport of cutting will continue for generations to come while vying in the Junior and Senior divisions at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships at the Golden Spike Arena in Odgen, Utah. Each participant received a gift certificate from Miller Clothing Company makers of Cinch and Cruel Girl jeans. In additional to Gist trophy buckles, the top place competitors received scholarships from Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc and Bobby Pigeon's Bar H Ranche.

Taking top honors in the Senior division finals was Sarah Beyer, 16, of Missoula, Montana aboard Tizza San with a top score of 219. This is the first time this year Beyer and Tizza San have teamed up to compete. Sarah's stellar ride put her in front of Kerri Fenimore, 18, of Bend, Oregon. Fenimore riding Rena Dry took the Reserve Champion place with a score of 217.5.

Following the Senior division competition, Hailey, Idaho, native Kade Smith and his horse Dual Play Lena scored the top score of the evening 221, and won the Junior division Champion title. Dual Play Lena and Smith brought the crowd to a roar while showing their ability to cut a cow. Andrea James from Daniel, Wyoming scored a 218.5 to take the Junior Reserve place aboard San Tenino.

The Chevy Trucks / NCHA Western National Championships is an invitational event for top-ranking contestants, who have qualified in 11 divisions during the NCHA regional competition. Qualifier are eligible to show in the Western National Championship in Ogden and it's sister event - the Chevy Trucks / NCHA Eastern National Championships, held in Jackson Mississippi.

The sport of Cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. "Cutting" horses specialized in their ability to separate or "cut" one cow from a herd of others, for branding, doctoring or shipping. The National Cutting Horse Association was formed in 1946 by a group of cowboys and ranchers, who wanted to promote cutting competitions, have standardize rules and preserve the cutting horse's Western heritage. Today, the Fort Worth based NCHA represents more than 12,000 members in 22 countries and oversees more than 1,400 NCHA-approved shows with more than $22 million in total prize money awarded annually.

For more information, please contact Judy Mayes at 817-244-6188, or visit the NCHA website at www.nchacutting.com