FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Judy Mayes

817-244-6188

Shania Cee Wins NCHA's Super Stakes Classic Open Finals

Fort Worth, TX (April 5, 2001)-- Shania Cee, past NCHA Futurity winner, scores another victory today with rider Shannon Hall as she wins the NCHA's Super Stakes Classic Open Finals with a score of 224.5. The horse now has lifetime earnings of over $375,000.

"I took her to the practice pen and she cut one cow dead on; therefore, I knew she was ready to go so I felt good going into the herd," said Shannon Hall, who now has NCHA lifetime earnings of over one million dollars. Billy Cogdell, the horse's owner, commented, "she's a once in a lifetime mare and I feel very fortunate that we won today because there was so many good horses in the finals."

Smart Like Dusty came in second place with a score of 222 with rider, Russ Westfall. "To be second to Shania Cee and next to my best friend, Shannon Hall, was incredible," exclaimed Russ. The horse is owned by Carlos and Kathleen Fandino of Palmdale, CA. "I owe Russ, he's the CEO of our horses," said Carlos, "we are like father and son." Smart Like Dusty has NCHA lifetime earnings of over $150,000.

Third place went to Desire Some Freckles with a score of 220.5 ridden by Sam Shepard and owned by Rockin 5 Ranch LLC. Smart Lookin Hi Brow with a score of 219.5 came in fourth place ridden by Lloyd Cox and owned by Lannie Louise Mecom. Rounding out the top five was DJ Tracker with a score of 218.5 ridden by Guy Woods and owned by Bill J & Jo Ellard.

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.