FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Judy Mayes

817-244-6188

Doug Smith Wins NCHA Super Stakes Classic Amateur Finals

Fort Worth, TX (April 7, 2001)-- The top three finalists for the NCHA Super Stakes Classic Amateur Finals traveled several thousand miles to try their luck at the more than $75,000 available during the competition at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum. Champion Doug Smith a resident of Sedro-Woolley, WA and his mount Tamalight George came out on top with an impressive score of 220 to win $5,566 in the competition. Smith and Tamalight George successfully cut the right cows to edge out the reserve champion team, Nelson Knight of Richmond, VA and his horse Bobs Smart Chance. After their victory, Smith and Tamalight George increased their NCHA lifetime earnings to over $15,000 and $9,000, respectively. During their reserve champion performance, Nelson Knight, who took home $5,332, increased his lifetime earnings to nearly $46,000 and Bobs Smart Chance increased his lifetime earnings to more than $196,939.

Third place went to Maben Thompson from Crossville, TN, who picked up a check for $5099, with a score of 218.5. Lee Tennison from Fort Worth, TX followed closely behind with a score of 218, which earned him $4,866. Fifth place went to Julie Ann Wrigley of Ketchum, ID with a score of 217.00 and she will go back home with a check for $4,632.00.

In order to compete in the Amateur division, NCHA members must have lifetime earnings under $50,000 and not work professionally as a trainer. The NCHA Super Stakes continues with daily go-rounds through April 14 and offers a purse of over $1.8 million. The NCHA Super Stakes showcases 4-year-olds and the Super Stakes Classic encompasses 5 and 6-year olds. Only horses sired by stallions subscribed to the NCHA Super Stakes program may compete in the event.

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.