National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby and Hackamore Classic Move to Paso Robles

NRCHA Headquarters - November 5, 2003 - The National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby and Hackamore Classic will move to Paso Robles, California in 2004. According to the NRCHA Headquarters Office, the two premier events will now be held at the California Mid-State Fair Equestrian Center. Located at the crossroads of Highways 101 and 46, Paso Robles is conveniently accessible from all points is the halfway mark between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The Hackamore Classic, held for the past two years in Winnemucca, Nevada, is set for April 30 – May 2. The NRCHA Derby will move from Santa Ynez, California to Paso Robles on July 7 – 11.

NRCHA Sponsor Committee Chairman Carol Rose was enthusiastic about the move and praised the Paso Robles business community for its support of the event. "The 1st of November I personally visited the Paso Robles facility to seek a "home" for future NRCHA Events. I met with California Mid State Fair CEO John Alkire, Board Chairman Mark Borjon, Board Member Dee Lacy, and Box Office Manager Kim Bianchi, along with Paso Robles resident and NRCHA Director of Judges, Bill Enk and my long time friend and local resident, JoAnn Switzer. We had a wonderful meeting resulting in a three-year commitment from the Paso Robles group to host the NRCHA Derby along with the 2004 Hackamore Classic."

“We are thrilled to welcome the NRCHA to Paso Robles and the California Mid-State Fair Equestrian Center,” said John Alkire, CEO of California Mid-State Fair. “Since the completion of our facility in 2000 we have hosted several top equestrian events and we are proud to have been selected to host the Hackamore Classic and NRCHA Derby in 2004.”

Rose noted, " The Paso Robles area is definitely horse country, loaded with western heritage. It's a great place to showcase the reined cow horses, where tradition is not forgotten."

Alkire added, “We believe the NRCHA events and the California Mid-State Fair Equestrian Center are a perfect fit. When you combine our Center with the attractions in and around Paso Robles, the event experience promises to be an enjoyable one for NRCHA participants.

The California Mid-State Fair Equestrian Center is situated in the center of Paso Robles and covers almost two acres. The Center is features two covered arenas - the Main Arena (measuring 200’ x 335’) and the Practice Arena (measuring 160’ x 240’). A third enclosed ring, the Livestock Show & Sale Arena, is currently under construction with a completion time of July 2004. It will measure 150’ x 200’. Supporting these three arenas are a show office, judge’s stands, announcers’ booth with audio equipment, arena panels, wash racks, a food concession booth, vendor display space and grandstand seating. There are 232 stalls within the Center and the capacity to add 800 additional portable stalls throughout the facility. The cattle pens provide convenient loading chutes and can hold up to 2, 500 head of cattle.

Called by Forbes Magazine the “next Napa”, Paso Robles is rapidly becoming known worldwide as a quality wine grape growing region, producing award-winning wines of all varieties. Home to over eighty wineries, the local landscape of Paso Robles has been transformed into an elegantly rustic destination complete with fine restaurants, boutique shopping and an eclectic assortment of lodging establishments. Additionally, Paso Robles is a portal to several central coast attractions including the Hearst Castle, the recreation of Lake Nacimiento, Morro Bay beaches and Pismo Beach.

The California Mid-State Fair Equestrian Center is considered by many to be one of the top equestrian facilities in the state and is rapidly becoming synonymous with some of the premier equestrian events in the country. For more information, please contact the CMSF Administrative Office at (805) 239-0655 or visit www.midstatefair.com.

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 Bayer Corporation, Bailey Hat Company, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers and Coachmen RV's, horsecentral.com, Rios of Mercedes 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.