Tulare, California - October 24, 2001 - The introduction of Lesa Osterholm as the National Reined Cow Horse Association's new Executive Director in late September ushered in a new era of history for the 52-year-old organization.

Presenting Osterholm to the audience of the annual NRCHA Awards Banquet during the GMC Sierra World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity, President Howard Erenberg stated, "After an extensive 8-month search by the NRCHA Finding Committee, I am pleased to introduce you to the new Executive Director of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. She brings to the table a wealth of experience handling corporate sponsorships as well as major event management experience. We're fortunate to have a person of Lesa Osterholm's experience running the Association".

Osterholm, who came to the NRCHA following several years as an Equine Specialist with Purina Mills, Inc., brings an abundance of experience to the position. After attending Cal Poly State University, she managed breeding and training operations and worked with Thoroughbred sales before becoming the Director of Racing at The California Exposition and State Fair Race Track. She was the Equestrian Event manager at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Race Track and was also the manager of the 1992 Volvo World Cup Finals in Show Jumping. She served as the manager to the very prestigious Del Mar National Horse Show.

A long-time fan of cow horse events, Osterholm is enthusiastic about the future of the western world's most tradition-based equine discipline and already looking ahead to the future to expand all the facets of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. "My personal goals for the association are to continue to increase the quality and number of shows, to increase the number of spectators and to have our sponsors more involved with our events. I look forward to working with all the newly formed affiliates across the country and increasing our support to them.”

She also plans to develop programs and incentives to grow the membership, and encourages individuals - even non-riding ones - to volunteer and become more involved in the sport."