Show leaders hold strong in second round of 2002 John Deere World Finals

Year-end standings in state of flux with $256,400 up for grabs

(Fort Worth, TX) — The contestants were settled in for the second round of the 2002 John Deere / National Cutting Horse Association World Finals cutting at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas.

Harriott Playgirl and Allen Crouch made it a double in the Open cutting. For the second night, their score held top position in the field—tonight with a score of 225 points. Harriott Playgirl is a 1993 AQHA mare sired by Case Of Freckles out of Sidewinder. The mare, who was the 2001 World Finals winner with Crouch, is owned by Lee Garner of Batesville, Mississippi.

Shesgottobesmooth and Hans Buth finished second for the evening in the Open cutting. Shesgottobesmooth is a 1994 AQHA mare sired by Smooth Herman out of Miss High Brow that is owned by Lonnie and Barbara Allsup of Clovis, New Mexico. Buth rode the mare to a score of 223 points.

In second round of the Non-Pro World Finals cutting, 16-year-old Lauren Middleton proved that she is in Houston on business. She rode Colonel Lil Pepper, a 12-year-old AQHA son of Cols Lil Pepper out of Dixie D’Or, for the high score in the division of 224 points. Lauren is the daughter of Robert and Debbie Middleton of Summit, Mississippi.

Placing second in round two’s Non-Pro cutting was Amy Welch King and CJ Sugar Lena. The Baird, Texas, team earned 222.5 points this evening, which also put them in the lead for the 2002 World Finals Non-Pro average after two go-rounds. CJ Sugar Lena is a 10-year-old AQHA stallion sired by CJ Sugar out of Little Sugar Lena, and is owned by Amy and her husband, Josh.

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.

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 will 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.