Tucson, AZ - March 30, 2005 - The National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes began Wednesday, March 30, with a four-way tie for first in the Stakes Non Pro after the preliminary Herd Work. The Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open Herd Work preliminaries followed the Non Pro, with John Ward taking the early lead. Stakes competition will continue Thursday, March 31, with the Rein Work preliminaries and will wrap up in Tucson, Arizona, with the Finals on Sunday.

Anne Reynolds, King Hill, Idaho, drew up seventh to set the winning pace with a 216 in the herd riding Shirley Shine (Shining Spark x Shirley McLain). Stacy Warnock, Ventura, California, and My Peppy Jeep (Genuine Jeep x Myrenes Badgerette) matched that in the second set, only to be tied again by Nelle Murphy, Valley View, Texas, riding Stylish Rey Gay (Playin Stylish x Tari Rey Gay) and Michelle Strickland, Taft, California, with Nimbus Two Thousand (Nu Cash x That Ladys Especial) in the third set. Stacey, Nelle and Michelle are also tied for the Intermediate Non Pro lead.

In Amateur Stakes competition, Laurel Morais and Laurie Bricker each received a 212 in the herd for a first-place tie. Laurel, Pleasanton, California, was riding Brooksinics Sis (Brooksinics Badger x Chantilly Lace), while Laurie, Temecula, California, was on Wrightway Mister (Mister Dual Pep x Double R Cody).

Lance Johnston, Lindsay, California, entered the Stakes Open as the first draw and set the pace with a 218. Riding Cee Mr Hickory (Docs Hickory x Miss Cee Nita) for JBD Family Enterprises, Lance finished the herd prelims leading the Intermediate Open and tied for third in the Open. John Ward, Kingsburg, California, took the lead as the last draw in the second of six sets, earning a 219.5 with Mister Smoking (Mister Dual Pep x Miss Smoking Leo) for owner Jennifer Klein, Pebble Beach, California.

In the Limited Open, Senorita Dual Pep (Mister Dual Pep x My Senorita Freckles) took over the late lead during the sixth set with a 213 in the herd. Senorita Dual Pep was ridden and is owned by Danny Morais, Pleasanton, California.

The NRCHA Stakes continues Thursday morning with the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Herd Work at 8 a.m., followed by the Open Bridle Spectacular Herd Work and the NRCHA Stakes Rein Work preliminaries.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the 56-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, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Great American Insurance Company 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.