Katy, TX - April 23, 2004 - Lance Griffin of Dewinton, Alberta, Canada and his flashy sorrel stallion Whiz N Tag Chex once again dominated a strong field to win their second consecutive Non Pro Classic Championship at the 2004 National Reining Breeders Classic.

“He was very good today,” said Griffin during a press conference following the event. “He felt good and strong and just did whatever I asked him.”

Griffin and Whiz N Tag Chex scored 221 to win a championship check for $26,690. The title also garnered a $2500 check for Bob Loomis, owner of Whiz N Tag Chex' sire, Topsail Whiz.

Just two points behind was Reserve Champion Lisa Cover who was riding Just Gotta Shine (Shining Spark X Zans Pretty Penny). Cover is from Ardmore, Oklahoma, and has been a finalist in Non Pro competition at the NRBC for the last four years.

In third place was Sally Broten, of River Falls, Wisconsin riding Mega Ditto. Sally has finished in the Top Ten during previous appearances at the NRBC and is the owner of the 2002 Open Champion Starlights Wrangler.

In his first appearance at the NRBC, Frank Bolea of Gilroy, California claimed both the Intermediate and Prime Time Non Pro championships riding Easy Otie Whiz, a 5-year-old gelding by Topsail Whiz. The pair scored a 221.

“This is the best horse I have ever had, “ said Frank after he received his awards. “We’ve been working with our trainer Jon Schmidt and everything just came together.”

Bolea plans to head for the NRHA Derby, and show Easy Otie Whiz for one more year before standing him at stud.

The Reserve Championship in both divisions went to Steve Harris, a veterinarian from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, riding Good Time Show Girl, a 5-year old mare by Hollywood Dun It that was the NRHA Futurity Intermediate and Limited Non Pro Champion.

Kim Dooley, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Yankee Bambino, a 5-year old stallion by Rowdy Yankee, scored 220 to win the Limited Non Pro Championship. Kim purchased the horse in November from former owner Keith Crawford, who had shown him in the Non Pro Finals of the 2003 NRBC.

“I rode this horse to warm him up at a show last fall and he just fit me like a glove” said Kim. “I kept calling my trainer John Slack and told him this was the one.”

Reserve Champion in the Limited Non Pro Division was a tie between Fred Christen, of Whitehouse, Ohio, on Heza Bigtime Bingo, and Elaine Latimer of Marietta, Oklahoma, riding Get On Whiz It.

Arena action at the NRBC continues Saturday with the Intermediate and Limited Open Finals starting at 1 p.m. and the Open Finals beginning at 6 p.m.