(Fort Worth, TX) — The road to the 2001 National Cutting Horse Association's Open World Championship was a close race between Rosies Lena and Christys Acre until February's John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals in Houston, Texas.

Rosies Lena, a 10-year-old Lenas Jewel Bars gelding owned by Ken Sitton, was ridden by Robert Rust throughout the 2001 cutting season. Sitton, of Lake Jackson, Texas, sent his horse on the road with Rust, of New Ulm, Texas. Rust has career NCHA earnings of $868,507 and rode 1998 World Champion Go Little Lena.

The team was challenged at every turn by Pat Earnheart riding Christys Acre for owners Robert and Andrea Finger of Houston, Texas. Christys Acre is a 13-year-old Bob Acre Doc stallion that garnered $65,369 on the road to the World Championship title.

At the close of the regular season of weekend cutting, Rosies Lena lead the 2001 NCHA Open World Standings with $71,055 -- just $5,686 more than Christys Acre in a race that had been as close as $63 at one point during the year. Unfortunately for Earnheart and the Fingers, Christys Acre was unable to compete at the John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals on February 14, 15, 16 and 17 in Houston, Texas.

Rust rode Rosies Lena to fourth place in the first round of competition at the World Finals on February 14, third in the second round, and sixth in round four for fourth in the average at the John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals for a final total on the 2001 year of $82,080.

The National Cutting Horse Association's weekend cutters who advance to the World Finals are dedicated competitors with a deep love of the sport. "Haulers," as they are called, spend months at a time traveling from one cutting to the next with hopes of being the highest-earning competitor in their division, and thus a World Champion.

For more information about the NCHA, John Deere, the World Championship Finals or any of the association's 1,400 shows, call 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.