(Fort Worth, TX) — LL Playing Leopard and Gerry Hansma were not playing around when it came time for the Open finals of the 2001 Chevy Trucks / National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championships on Sunday afternoon. Canadian NCHA cutting horse trainer Hansma rode LL Playing Leopard for a score of 222 points for owner Kim Cote, also of Canada.

Their score was 6 points ahead of the reserve champion, Little Mo Flo ridden by Jack Hitchings of Clements, California. Little Mo Flo, whose 216 points were good for a $2,348 check and reserve title from the Chevy Trucks Western Nationals, is owned by Alex Long and Marilyn Harvey of Mariposa, California.

The Open finals had a three-way tie for third through fifth place between Smokin Manzana ridden by Barbara Halligan of Draper, South Dakota, Little Lena San ridden by Guy Heintz and Ms King Brow ridden by Scott Martin. Each horse and rider combo earned 215 points in the finals.

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.