Names and faces at the 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Finals

Thirty of the sport’s best set to meet in Houston for World cutting

(Fort Worth, TX) — 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 will be 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.

Who will be there? Following is the most up-to-date listing of Open horses and Non-Pro riders ranked from highest to lowest as they go into the 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Finals.

OPEN:

1 – Rosies Lena ($60,918.39) / o. Donald Mullins, New Ulm, TX / r. McKenzie Mullins

2 – Quixote Mac ($57,729.91) / o. Dave Behnen, Chesterfield, MO / r. Don Pooley

3 – Stylish Pepper ($53,121.93) / o. Tim Brewer, Weatherford, TX / r. Robert Rust

4 – Harriott Playgirl ($37,320.42) / o. Lee Garner, Batesville, MS / r. undetermined

5 – Oh Cay Liberty ($30,638.44) / o. Lee Garner, Batesville, MS / r. undetermined

6 – Smart Little Jaebar ($29,933.74) / o. Lonnie & Barbara Allsup, Clovis, NM / Glen Blankenship

7 – Doc O Wena ($26,518.08) / o. Leonard Whitney, Exeter, CA / r. David Costello

8 – Young Gun Classic ($25,933.62) / o. Billy Strohm, Clarksdale, MS / r. Todd Gann

9 – Stylish And Foxie ($23,876.66) / o. Glenn & Debbie Drake, Napa, CA / r. Bill Riddle

10 – The Hollywood Buster ($23,394.45) / o. Curtis Burlin, Navasota, TX / r. Chubby Turner

12 – Uno Palomino ($21,079.53) / o. Debbie Patterson, Weatherford, TX / r. Chris Benedict

13 – JB Fletch ($20,709.09) / o. Kelly & Donna Graham, Weatherford, TX / r. Kelly Graham

14 – Flites Riata ($20,259.31) / o. Bob & Mary Fish, El Dorado, CA / r. Rock Hedlund

15 – Starlights Gypsy ($18,673.98) / o. JoAnn Parker, Dallas, TX / r. Mike Mowery

16 – Shesgottobesmooth ($17,283.98) / o. Lonnie & Barbara Allsup, Clovis, NM / r. Hans Buth

NON-PRO:

1 – Mary Jo Milner of Southlake, TX ($80,689.46) riding Red White And Boon

2 – Joey Milner of Southlake, TX ($69,686.20) riding Pappion Cat

3 – Lee Garner of Batesville, MS ($67,614.37) horse undecided

4 – Debbie Patterson of Weatherford, TX ($60,532.00) riding Gun Smokes Wimpy

5 – Joe Howard Williamson of Archer City, TX ($36,354.45) riding The Squeaker

7 – Kelle Earnheart of Hernando, MS ($32,270.12) horse undecided

8 – Lonnie Allsup of Clovis, NM ($27,152.75) riding Clays Little Kit

9 – Ronald Barrow of Williamston, MI ($27,110.48) riding Smart Tempra Tantrum

10 – Lauren Middleton of Summit, MS ($24,700.65) riding Colonel Lil Pepper

12 – Dave Behnen of Chesterfield, MO ($22,819.96) riding Mae Bea Marie

13 – Bobby Kennedy of Prineville, OR ($22,697.62) riding Hes A Missouri Doc

14 – Bobby Ray Hawkins of Sequin, TX ($22,276.93) riding Tinas Little Peppy

15 – Amy Welch King of Baird, TX ($21,726.93) riding CJ Sugar Lena

16 – Heidi Hadlock of Ogden, UT ($21,084.86) riding Cats Summertime

17 – Dean Holden of Marietta, OK ($20,900.17) riding Smart Cat Wilson

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 will begin at 7 pm on Thursday, February 27 and follow every evening through Sunday, March 2. The cutting will be held in the Reliant Arena in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Complex in Houston, Texas. Tickets are still available for this historical event -- $11 for reserved seating and $6 for general admission. Tickets are available at the HLSR Reliant Arena box office the day of the show, or by calling Kathryn Hawthorn (832-667-1000) at the HLSR office.

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.