Finally … NCHA World Finals Champions and Year End Champions Crowned

After a late start, champions crowned early Monday morning

(Fort Worth, TX) — Four National Cutting Horse Association Champions and four Reserve Champions were crowned at the 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Finals early Monday morning.

The start time of the NCHA World Finals cutting was moved back due to the large number of entries during the American Quarter Horse Association cutting that took place Sunday. The first World Finals cutter rode to the herd at 9:40 pm CST.

The World Finals cutting was crucial in deciding the 2002 Open World Champion. After much back and forth, and jockeying for position all through the top fifteen, Harriott Playgirl and Allen Crouch were named Open World Finals Champions for the second year in a row. Harriott Playgirl is a 10-year-old AQHA mare sired by Case Of Freckles out of Kitten Sidewinder, and owned by Lee Garner of Batesville, Mississippi.

Reserve in the World Finals cutting was Quixote Mac and Don Pooley. Their check for second place in the average gave the pair enough money to claim victory in the 2002 Open World race, as well. Quixote Mac is a 14-year-old AQHA stallion sired by Doc Quixote out of Spooky Sophie, and owned by Dave Behnen of Chesterfield, Missouri. Doc Quixote amassed $74,396.41 during the 2002 NCHA season.

The Open World Reserve Champion was Rosies Lena. Twelve-year-old McKenzie Mullins rode the 11-year-old AQHA gelding during the World Finals cutting in Houston after her step-father, Robert Rust, campaigned the horse through the 2002 season. Rosies Lena is owned by Donald Mullins of New Ulm, Texas. The horse was sired by Lenas Jewel Bars out of Rosies Playboy Lena. In sum, Rosies Lena earned $73,353.39 during 2002.

The Non-Pro World Finals Champion was Debbie Patterson and her 19-year-old AQHA gelding, Gun Smokes Wimpy. Debbie’s horse, Gun Smokes Wimpy, is by Gun Smokes Pistol out of Lacy Jo Whipple. Debbie, of Weatherford, Texas, is a three-time World Champion.

The World Finals Reserve Champion was Amy Welch King and CJ Sugar Lena. Amy and her 10-year-old AQHA stallion sired by CJ Sugar out of Little Sugar Lena, moved from 15^th place to 6^th during four days of cutting at the World Finals. Amy and her husband, Josh, are expecting their first child in June.

Mary Jo Milner and Red White And Boon earned the 2002 NCHA Non-Pro World Championship. This makes a record fifth World Championship for Mary Jo, who lives in Southlake, Texas. During the course of the 2002 NCHA cutting season, Mary Jo accumulated $97,611.96. Red White And Boon is a 15-year-old AQHA gelding sired by Smart Little Lena out of Royal Blue Boon.

The 2002 NCHA Non-Pro Reserve World Championship title was earned by Mary Jo’s son, Joey Milner, also of Southlake. Joey rode Pappion Cat at the John Deere World Finals, and finished off the season with a total of $84,941.70. This is his second such title in the last two years. Pappion Cat is a 9-year-old AQHA stallion sired by High Brow Cat out of That Smarts.

The John Deere/National Cutting Horse Association World Finals are a culmination of the year’s efforts for thirty of the sport’s best. Fifteen of the top Open horses and fifteen of the top Non-Professional riders in the 2002 NCHA point year have confirmed their plans to make one last push for a World Champion title February 27 through March 2 during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

Through the course of four rounds and an average non-working round, $256,400 was distributed among the World Finalists. Should one horse or rider win every round, their money for the year will increase by $32,050 as $25,640 will be paid out in each round and each division daily.

John Deere’s financial contribution to the World Finals comes in the way of $100,000 added to the Open purse and $100,000 added to the Non-Pro purse for a total of $200,000. Their outstanding support of the World Finals paves the way for stronger competition throughout the year, as well. It takes a lot of showing, a lot of miles, and a tremendous amount of heart to become a World Champion cutter. Each of the shows on the circuit benefit from the race to be World Champion, and in the Top 15, as well. The World Champion race in the 11 classes recognize by the National Cutting Horse Association is in large part responsible for the success of the NCHA’s 1,400 approved weekend cuttings throughout the year.

The 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Finals began at 7 pm on Thursday, February 27 and followed every evening through Sunday, March 2. The cutting was held in the Reliant Arena in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Complex in Houston, Texas.

The National Cutting Horse Association is made up of over 14,000 members across the United States with a wide range of backgrounds. The sport of cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. From cowgirls to CEOs, from firefighters to professional football players, the common ground is often in the cutting arena. Each year more than 1,400 NCHA-approved events are held throughout the country with more than $28 million in prize money awarded.

To learn more about the National Cutting Horse Association and the sport of cutting, call 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.