Houston, Texas - March 3, 2003 - American Quarter Horse Youth Association member, McKenzie Mullins is walking tall today, after claiming the reserve champion title at the 2002 National Cutting Horse Association Open World Championships held at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Sunday, March 2.

The 12-year-old cowgirl is the youngest ever to show in the event. Riding her father's 1992 American Quarter Horse gelding, Rosies Lena, Mullins fell into second place behind Don Pooley during the first two nights of competition.

"I was hoping to get first place," McKenzie Mullins said early Monday after the world finals at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. "I am very excited. It means a lot to me. I enjoyed the competition in the show. I did really well and I am very happy."

Rosies Lena was the 2002 NCHA World Champion. Rosies Lena came to the four-day NCHA World Finals with an edge on second-place Quixote Mac, a 14-year-old American Quarter Horse stallion owned by David Behnen of Chesterfield, Missouri, and it was a cliffhanger until the end. Quixote Mac got the jump on Rosies Lena in the first two rounds, but Rosies Lena reclaimed the lead with a rousing 225.5-point performance in the third round. Working last in the herd on Sunday, Rosies Lena split second and third places and out-scored fourth-placed Quixote Mac 221 to 220. But it was the phantom fifth round, or non-working finals, that saw Quixote Mac prevail by $1,034.

Mullins led more than a dozen men three times her age in year-round earnings going into the final round at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. According to AQHA records, her NCHA earnings as of February 1 were nearly $240,000. The Gordon, Texas, native won a saddle, trophy, buckle - and a place in the history books.

The 2003 NCHA World Finals is sponsored by John Deere, the official equipment provider of the NCHA and title sponsor of the John Deere/NCHA World Finals.

For more information on the NCHA World standings, log on to www.nchacutting.com.