FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Fort Worth, TX) — Just 23 horses of the initial 242 passed the three stringent tests necessary for the right to compete in the 2002 National Cutting Horse Association Summer Cutting Spectacular Derby Open finals Sunday evening.

Today's Derby Open semi-finals were the third test in the quest for the four-year-old Open championship at the Summer Cutting Spectacular. Returning champion trainer/rider Matt Gaines of Weatherford, Texas, led the charge with a score of 222 points under the NCHA's five-judge system on Zacks Lena. Zacks Lena is a four-year-old registered American Quarter Horse mare sired by Zack T Wood and owned by James Vangilder of Jackson, Missouri.

Following closely behind in today's class of 64 world-class horses was Troy Riddle of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, riding Red Valley Ranch's Smart Mate mare, Runnin Mate. Riddle and Runnin Mate scored 221.5 points for a ticket to the finals.

The final day of the 20-day show will begin tomorrow at 3 pm with the Derby Non-Pro finals to be immediately followed by the Derby Open finals. Tickets are available for the finals at the Will Rogers Coliseum box office.

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.