Santa Ynez, CA - July 30, 2003 - The National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby, slated for August 15-17 at the San Lucas Ranch in Santa Ynez, California, will feature 4 and 5-year-old reined cow horses in one exciting competition.

Tagged "Where the Best Go Next" the NRCHA Derby is a must-attend event for reined cow horse enthusiasts who enjoy seeing horses compete in herd, rein and cow work. This year, the event precedes the San Lucas Ranch Cow Horse Classic, the "Pre-Futurity" event for 3-year-old reined cow horses that will begin in the same facility on August 18 and run through the 24th.

The Derby will pay well over $100,000 for one round of competition. As has become customary at NRCHA-produced events, the fruits of in-arena labors are plentiful at the Derby. NRCHA Sponsor Tom Balding is providing hand-engraved silver-mounted Tom Balding Avila K2 Equalizer Bits to be awarded to the 2003 NRCHA Derby Champions in all six divisions. Reserve Champions in all divisions will receive Tom Balding silver-mounted heavy loose ring snaffle bits.

NRCHA Corporate Partner Sundowner Trailers is providing monogrammed jackets to the top three in the herd, rein and cow work in Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Non Pro, $50K Non Pro and Amateur competition.

Another NRCHA Corporate Partner, Nutrena, will present the Open Derby Champion saddle and Nutrena representative James Henderson will attend to present the Bob's Custom saddle to the winner.

Howard Erenberg, NRCHA Executive Committee Member and driving force behind the Cow Horse Classic, is quick to point out the benefits to exhibitors of having the two shows combined to provide ten days of competition. "Basically, you can go to one show and get the benefit of two Limited Age events, as well as two slates of horse show classes."

Like the Derby, the Cow Horse Classic has traditionally been an exceptional event, and the NRCHA's second-largest show in terms of entry numbers

And as is often the case, not all the action happens in the arena. In the just plain fun department, on August 22 Sherry Musgrove will host a Friday night Luau. The beautiful Musgrove Ranch overlooks the Santa Ynez Valley. A genuine "cooked-in-the-ground pig" as well as a live auction and around 300 guests will make this a party to remember.

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 Bailey Hat Company, Classic Equine, Bayer Corporation, Cinch, Inc., MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, Western Horseman magazine, Quarter Horse News magazine, the Reno Hilton, horsecentral.com, National Roper's Supply Company, Rios of Mercedes, Bob's Custom Saddles, 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.