FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Fort Worth, TX) — James Vangilder of Jackson, Missouri, was just getting started when he won the Derby Amateur class at the 2002 National Cutting Horse Association Summer Cutting Spectacular nine days ago on Merada Clone.

Vangilder and his Merada Money Talks gelding added another notch to their limited age event record with their win today in the Derby Limited Non-Pro class. Ten finalists in the Limited Non-Pro class, which is strictly for non-professional cutters with less than $100,000 in earnings, cut for $22,497 first thing this morning. Vangilder topped the class with a score of 220 points. The first-place check was for $4,091.

Second place was a tie between Jaime Renee Smith and Sarah Warren, each with 216 points. Smith, of College Station, Texas, was the 2001 Futurity Limited Non-Pro winner on the same horse she rode today, Peporitas Twist. Warren, of Weatherford, Texas, rode Mr CD Perry. Each received a check for $3,477.

The 2002 NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular began July 9 and will conclude on Sunday, July 28, 2002, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The Summer Cutting Spectacular is the third portion of NCHA's Triple Crown of Cutting, which are limited age events beginning with the Futurity in December, the Flowmaster Super Stakes in April, and concluding with the July Summer Cutting Spectacular.

Thanks to the support of the Emison Insurance Agency and the Insurance Corporation of Hannover, added money for the 2002 Summer Cutting Spectacular will reach $221,000.

Among a host of insurance services provided worldwide, the Insurance Corporation of Hannover writes policies for livestock mortality through agent and NCHA member Ben Emison. ICH is a niche, special-program insurance company that carries a rating of "A" from A.M. Best rating services, and are the fifth largest reinsurer in the world. Currently, ICH insures roughly 20,000 horses ranging from miniature breeding animals to cutting horses to Grand Prix jumping horses.

During the 20 full days of cutting at the 2002 Summer Cutting Spectacular, special events like the youth scholarship cuttings, the East/West Work-offs, the Sponsors cutting and the Sooner Trailer/NCHA Day Work-off offer something for everyone involved with NCHA cutting. Plus, there will be lots of great shopping next door to the cutting at the Coors Light Trade Show.

Awards for class finalists and champions will be presented by NCHA sponsors including Cowboy Tack, Gist Silversmiths, M.L. Leddy's, Cinch Jeans, Sean Ryon Western Store and Saddle Shop, Walls, Stetson, Sooner Trailers, and KO Trading.

For a schedule of events at the 2002 NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, hours for the Coors Light Trade Show, to learn more about the sport of cutting, how to get tickets for the finals, or for more information about the sport of cutting, please call the NCHA office at 817-244-6188 or visit our website at www.nchacutting.com.