From the NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION
CONTACT: Amy Vorhes 817-244-6188 ext. 113
Bob Lundgren/PCR Clarks Dual Pep make it a win in $20,000 Non-Pro work-off
Tracy Ellwein/Stylish Lil Cowgirl gave them a run for the money
(Fort Worth, TX) — It took two tries, but Eltopia, Washington, cutter Bob Lundgren finally won the $20,000 Non-Pro after an exciting work-off with Tracy Ellwein and Stylish Lil Cowgirl on May 2nd's class finals. Lundgren's second cut in the finals was good for 221 points and a championship title at the 2001 Chevy Trucks / National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah. Lundgren also earned an extra 50 points in the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge for the leading team, the Northwest Cutting Horse Association.
Ellwein, of Boise, Idaho, gave Lundgren a run for his money aboard Stylish Lil Cowgirl, the horse Lawson Hadlock rode to victory in the $3,000 Novice division earlier in the week. Ellwein's Affiliate Challenge points were designated to the Idaho Cutting Horse Association.
Finalists at the Chevy Trucks Western Nationals receive awards from NCHA sponsors Gist silversmiths, Cowboy Tack, Murray Leather, Cinch jeans, Chevy Trucks and Walls outerwear.
In a continuing trend, entries for the 2001 Chevy Trucks / NCHA are up 6 percent from last year's numbers. At final count, this year's Ogden, Utah, cutting will host 631 entries, as opposed to last year's 595. In addition to the overall increase in entries the NCHA has been experiencing as a whole, one new program developed by the NCHA and the American Quarter Horse Association has added a whole new level to competition at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships. The program is called the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, and it was designed to provide greater structure and a "team" concept to the NCHA National Championships. The Western Nationals will take place April 27 - May 5 at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden, Utah.
Each of the National Cutting Horse Association's 120 different affiliate organizations can send their top 10 competitors from 11 different classes to compete in both the Western National Championships and its sister event, the Eastern National Championships, held earlier in Jackson, Mississippi.
The nature of the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships is traditionally competitive, yet fun for the whole family at the same time. The AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge program will only enhance that feeling. Points will be awarded for both participation and for excellence of performance. The affiliates whose members accumulate the highest scores will receive cash prizes of up to $7,500 with a total of $27,000 to be awarded to the top ten NCHA affiliates at the Western National Championships.
While the NCHA cutters are in Ogden, they will be the guests of honor at a welcome reception, and will have a chance to show their versatility at the annual Cutter's Team Roping at the Hadlock ranch. At the party on Saturday, May 4, one lucky person will win a year's use of a new Sooner three-horse trailer.
The public is welcome to come out and see what the sport of cutting is all about at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships. Admission is free to watch the top cutting horses and riders from across the western United States.
The NCHA and Horsecity.com have developed an interactive, educational site about the sport. Visit and learn more at www.horsecity.com/NCHAcutting/nchacutting.shtml. For more information about the sport of cutting, the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships, the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, or the National Cutting Horse Association, please contact the NCHA at 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.