FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jr. Youth Wins Largest Youth Class

Fifty eight youth qualified to compete in the 1999 Chevy Trucks Western National Championships held in Ogden, Utah. This is the largest group of youth competitors this event has hosted. The event sponsored by the National Cutting Horse Association was held at the Golden Spike Arena in Weber County.

To qualify to compete, the youth members had to place in the top ten in their local Area or Affiliate. The youth competition was equally split with 29 entries in both the junior and senior divisions.

Amanda Archuleta scored a 218.5 on Honkey Tonk Hickory to become the Western Junior Youth Champion. Amanda is the 13 year old daughter of Joe and Anne Archuleta of Fort Lupton, Colorado. When she is not cutting she enjoys singing and socializing.

For her Junior Youth Champion title Amanda received a NCHA trophy, a Gist buckle, a Cowboy Tack blanket, a Stetson hat gift certificate, Professional Choice products, and a Chevy Trucks jacket. As the Junior Youth Champion Amanda also received a $500 scholarship that was sponsored by Bobby Pidgeon and the Bar H Ranch which is the home of CD Olena and Dual Pep.

Only one half of a point behind, Ashley Smith took Reserve Champion honors with a score of 218. Ashley, the daughter of Greg and Chris Smith, has been cutting for five years. A 13 year old Youth Director from Hailey, Idaho, stays active with volleyball, basketball, and other sports when she is not in the cutting arena.

The Junior Youth Reserve Champion received a Gist buckle, a Cowboy Tack breast collar, and a Chevy Trucks jacket. Amanda also received a $500 youth scholarship sponsored by Bobby Pidgeon and the Bar H Ranch, home of CD Olena and Dual Pep.

Winners of both the Junior and Senior youth divisions at the Chevy Trucks Western National Championships are now eligible to go on to compete at the Chevy Trucks/M.L. Leddy's National Championships at the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular held in Fort Worth, Texas.