November 14, 2003 - The championship competition at the National Reined Cow Horse Association's first-ever World Championship Show will not be the only exciting cow horse action taking place in Stephenville, Texas February 25-28. The First Annual Circle Y Ranch Derby for 4- and 5-year-old reined cow horses will debut during world show week.

NRCHA and Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Director Larry Bell announced in mid-November that Circle Y Ranch of Aubrey, Texas, had come on board as the naming sponsor. "We're very excited about having the support of Circle Y Ranch," said Bell. "This came about through the efforts of NRCHA Sponsor Committee Chairman Carol Rose and we're proud to say that the Derby will feature $25,000 added."

Circle Y is a division of Youngblood, Ltd. of Dallas, Texas. Gerald Crosby, Ranch Manager, noted, "Our main interest and objective is to further Reined Cow Horse activities in the southwest."

Along with owner Penny Youngblood, Crosby, who has been with the ranch over 20 years, directs the breeding and training of colts by Circle Y's Deluxe Doc (by Peppy San). Formerly the ranch owned and was home to Pawnee Eagle.

According to Bell, the decision to host a Derby in conjunction with the World Championship Show was made to give trainers and exhibitors an additional competition opportunity. Bell commented, "The World Championship Show provides our owners and exhibitors a unique opportunity to showcase the best of their Hackamore, Two Rein and Bridle Horses. By adding a Derby, owners and trainers can take advantage of the opportunity to fill their trailers with all the top horses in their training programs, no matter their age, for this very special trip to Stephenville.

Larry Bell explained that the Circle Y Ranch Derby will start at 8 on Wednesday (February 25) morning. The Rein work will get going the next afternoon at 3:00, and the Derby Fence Work is slated for Saturday, February 28, at 9 am.

The Circle Y Ranch Derby is a one-go event. Thirty percent of the purse will be paid in the go-rounds (10% to herd, 10% to rein, 10% to cow) and the balance to the composite champions.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bayer Corporation, Bailey Hat Company, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers and Coachmen RV's, horsecentral.com, Rios of Mercedes and the Silver Legacy, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.