NRCHA Cow Plus! Development Continues

Byars, OK - August 13, 2004 - Development continues on the National Reined Cow Horse Association's Cow Plus! program, the new operating system for the association’s records, according to Heather Hayes of the NRCHA Records Department.

Hayes, who worked in developing the program along with Cheryl Magoteaux and programmer John Phillips of Norman, Oklahoma, is enthusiastic about the progress and the new abilities the technology has given to the association.

"We've completed the first phase of creating this program," Hayes noted. "Cow Plus! has given us the ability to receive and record results which are automatically posted to regional and national standings, rider eligibility and horse earnings. It also now formats that information so it posts to the web site and is ready for inclusion in Stock Horse News. Another component is its ability to track the amount of shows that people have entered as far as eligibility for World Championship show qualification. Finally, it manages the upcoming show schedule."

The next phase of development for the program will enable the NRCHA staff to begin entering historic show data, a first step in finally creating a comprehensive computer data base for NRCHA events, riders and horses.

Phase II will also bring the Merit Awards program into the system, so that more accurate information is readily available for charting horses' accomplishments.

Another enhancement will be increased reporting ability for assessing horse and rider earnings. Synchronization of membership data will allow faster determination of competition eligibility for members, as well.

Hayes noted, "As our shows have grown in numbers – from a total of 96 last year to over 110 already scheduled for 2004, these new processes and reporting capabilities will allow us better management of results information and a better overview of the association

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, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, 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.