Saltgrass Steak House National Reining Breeders Classic Returns to Katy, Texas

March 21, 2002 - Spectators at the Saltgrass Steak House National Reining Breeders Classic, will be treated to an exciting five days of horse show competition April 17-21 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.

The Saltgrass Steak House National Reining Breeders Classic is the premiere showcase for 4-and 5-year-old reining horses. With its purse in excess of half a million dollars and a first place check of $50,000 to the winner, the event is the largest added money reining in the world.

At last year's Classic, the hometown favorite, Smartest Chic Olena, earned the Saltgrass Steak House NRBC Championship and $50,000 for owner Terry Owens of Houston, as rider Tom McCutcheon rode him to best an international field of entries.

Not all the action during Saltgrass Steak House NRBC week takes place center-stage in the Great Southwest Coliseum Arena, however. Other classes occur concurrently at the facility's Mansion Arena. The event also boasts a western trade show offering a variety of shopping opportunities with vendors displaying a range of wares from artwork to tack, western clothing to jewelry.

The first round of competition begins on Wednesday morning, April 17, at 8 am, with the qualifying round for the Classic Open division.

On Friday night, the highlight event is the Intervet/United States Equestrian Team Reining Championship qualifying event. Reining, the only western riding event recognized by the international governing body for equestrian competition, will be a part of this year's World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, and the Katy event is part of the qualifying process for USA team selection.

Saturday evening showcases the Saltgrass Steak House National Reining Breeders Classic Open Finals at 7 pm, where the top qualifiers will vie for the $50,000 first place check. Following the finals is the Quarter Horse News Victory Party featuring Country Recording Artist Brian Black that will take place on the arena floor.

The National Reining Breeders Classic is the most successful stallion incentive program in reining history. In just four years, the NRBC has grown to include over 220 subscribed stallions and over 6,700 enrolled foals, and the payout at the 2001 Saltgrass Steak House National Reining Breeders Classic was over $630,000. For information on the NRBC, visit the web site at www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.