National Reined Cow Horse Association World Championship Show Continues

Stephenville, Texas – February 27, 2004 - With another day of competition, the list of NRCHA World Show finalists has firmed up and the finals rounds for several events are slated for Friday.

One of the contestants making the cut in the Non Pro Bridle Class was Tammy Jo Hays of St. Joe, Texas. Even though Hays is a former American Quarter Horse Association Amateur World Champion, she's enthusiastic about this reined cow horse show and its future.

"I decided as soon as I read about the World Show in Stock Horse News that I would try to qualify," she said. "I was excited about it from the start." She added, "This event is really growing – plus it's so much fun to watch!"

Moving to Texas a couple of months ago, Hays became a member of the Board of Directors of the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association, the show's host organization. "It's great to see this show unfolding and even the snow didn't really matter. We talked about it before the show and we thought that the worst thing that could happen would be that the weather might get bad. Then it did snow and it was still a great event. Today when it warmed up, it was even better."

Like most of the world show entries, Tammy Jo was enjoying the chance to visit with her fellow exhibitors from around the country. "I've met new people and I'm getting to spend time with others that I don't get to see very often."

The Circle Y Ranch Derby continued on Thursday and the Rein Work results were a repeat of the day before. Once again Anne Reynolds on Legendary Colonel and Robbie Boyce on Richie Bell's Shiney Tari posted identical scores – this time ultra high 150's to remain tied for the lead in the event. Both have a 298 composite and it will all come down to the cow work on Saturday to decide the winners of the $25,000 added competition. Glen Aspinol of California leads the Limited Open Derby on Pepinic Chex, owned by Victoria Lingua.

In the Non Pro Derby, another Californian, Allison Trimble and Cow Cuttin Colonel lead and they also are topping the Amateur ranking with a composite score of 283.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the 55-year-old 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.