Reno, NV - September 25, 2004 - Boyd Rice of Spearman, Texas, scored 221 points in the last Open Herd Preliminary set of the day on Friday, with Talk Dont Cry. Owned by Gary and Kathy Benton, the stallion is by Meradas Money Talks out of Biggirlsdontcry. That lead and score held throughout the completion of the go all day Saturday and earned Boyd the NCHA Trophy from the National Cutting Horse Association for Open Herd Preliminary High Score. He also earned a check for $1500 and a buckle sponsored by the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association, of Rancho Murietta, California, and another $1,000 for topping the Intermediate division field.

Jon Roeser, of Lemoore, California, on Mister Smart Remedy, (Mister Dual Pep X Ima Smart Remedy) rode to a 220 score – good for a reserve Open Herd Preliminary finish. Mister Smart Remedy is owned by Larry Rose of Lindsay, California.

Lance Shields of Gainesville, Texas, topped both the Intermediate and Limited divisions on Trulena Light with a score of 218.5 to earn $1,000 for each division. Trulena Light, by Grays Starlight and out of Trulena Deville, is owned by Black Rock Ranch, LLC of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Steve and Dana Cole of Malibu, California were surprised to see Dana's brother, Richard Lawlor, when he and his friend, Winfield Thome, arrived at the Reno Livestock Events Center on Saturday afternoon. Dana had not seen her brother for three years. Both Richard and Winfield are Navy Seals who had just returned from Afghanistan. When Mark Thompson, the Futurity Announcer, told the crowd that the two soldiers were in the audience, the applause went on and on as the crowd showed their appreciation.

The Snaffle Bit Futurity continues on Sunday with the first section of Open Rein Work Preliminaries.

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 Gold & Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers and Fleetwood 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.