FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2000

SPONSORS TRY THEIR HAND AT CUTTING

From first time cutters to avid horsemen, competitors representing 24 of the NCHA sponsors demonstrated their own cutting ability Friday evening, July 21, in a cutting held only for its sponsors. Prior to the competition, the representatives were each assigned a trainer/coach who helped them practice in preparation for the cutting.

John Bernheim, representing Sam’s Club, set the stage for the sponsors cutting. Drawing 6^th in the first set of cattle, Bernheim rode Poetry By Peppy owned by Julie Wells in a fast-action run that earned him a score of 149. Bernheim’s coach was Mark Lavender.

Debra Furst, a regular competitor in the cutting ring followed right behind Berheim. Representing Stetson Hats, Furst showed her own 8-year-old gelding and past Derby Champion, Play My Dream. Furst, who was coached by John Wold, cut 2 cows, holding them in the middle of the arena. With the clock running out, she returned to the herd for her 3^rd cow and successfully chipped it from the outside edge to finish her run on a high note. Furst earned a score of 154 that held throughout the remainder of the cutting to win her the championship title.

Linda Armand riding Clarks Tenderfoot, a horse owned by Judy Conrad was the final horse to compete in the first bunch of cattle. Representing American Airlines and coached by Chubby Turner, Linda scored 151 to set in second place.

Professional’s Choice Sports Medicine Terry Estes drew 4^th in the second bunch of cattle. Estes, also a cutter showed his gelding, Playboys Illusion to tie Armand’s score of 151. Three horses later, another familiar face in the cutting arena, Bob Kingsley rode to the herd. With Ian Chisolm as his coach and representing American Country Countdown, Kingsley competed on his own horse, Little N Dry to inch ahead of Estes and Armand with a score of 152. Kingsley’s score like Furst’s score of 154 held throughout the remainder of the cutting to earn him the reserve championship.

For her winning run, Furst received a Kelly Graham trophy and a Gist champion belt buckle. Kingsley received the reserve champion buckle while Armand and Estes won Gist buckles for tying for 3^rd place. Cutting horse trainer Chubby Turner emceed the event.

The NCHA Summer Spectacular, a go-round and finals event for 4, 5&6 year-old horses kicked off July 13 at the Fort Worth Will Rogers Coliseum. During the 18-day show, which will end July 30, over 1000 competitors will compete for more than $1,200,000.

During the first week of competition, competitors showed 5 &6 year old horses. Four-year-old horses with open competitors, non-professional competitors and amateur competitors showing them will be featured July 22-July 30. Daily go-rounds are free beginning each morning at 8:00 a.m. The ticketed finals performances on July 29 and July 30 are only $5.00 for general admission and $8.00 for reserved seating.

For more information on the NCHA and The Summer Spectacular, call (817) 244-6188 or visit the NCHA website at www.nchacutting.com.