Reno, NV - September 21, 2004 - The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity is poised to begin at 8 am on Tuesday, September 21 with the Non Pro Preliminary Herd Work.

The event, which will continue through October 3 at the Reno Livestock Events Center, offers $100,000 to the Open Champion. In its 35-year history, it has become one of the most prestigious events in the western horse world.

There is much that makes the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity memorable. The quality of competition, the caliber of horses and skill of the riders all combine to create magic moments and memories.

This year’s Futurity is already memorable in one unique aspect. A surprise late summer snow storm created a totally different traveling environment for several Snaffle Bit Futurity contestants.

Among those traveling Interstate 80 through California’s Blue Canyon were Winston and Ginger Moore of San Juan Batista, California. Upon their Sunday afternoon arrival at the Reno Livestock Events Center, Ginger reported on the snow storm in the pass. “The trees were covered with snow, it was just beautiful. Although the temperature was freezing, there wasn’t anything sticking on the roads. We didn’t have any trouble driving through the storm, but it could have gotten worse later in the day.”

Although there was talk of closing some passes coming in to Reno, the roads never got bad enough to warrant those extreme measures and exhibitors traveling to the Futurity all arrived intact.

The change in the weather promises to be short lived. Forecasts for Tuesday has the temperature back in the 80’s.

One exhibitor’s early arrival got her in ahead of the weather. Patrice Menini arrived in Reno on September 17, 2004, earning the distinction of being the first exhibitor to arrive for this year’s Futurity..

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.