John Ward Maintains NRCHA Stakes Open Advantage, Nelle Murphy Takes Non Pro Lead

Tucson, AZ - March 31, 2005 - Day two of National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes action started with the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Herd Work and finished with the second phase of the NRCHA Stakes – the Rein Work preliminaries. The NRCHA Stakes runs through Sunday, April 3, at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona.

John Ward, Kingsburg, California, returned to the Open Stakes earning a 218.5 in the Rein Work to maintain his lead. John has a 438-point composite going into the Cow Work prelims riding Mister Smoking (Mister Dual Pep x Miss Smoking Leo) for Jennifer Klein, Pebble Beach, California. Riding Cee Mr Hickory (Docs Hickory x Miss Cee Nita) for the JBD Family Enterprises, Lindsay, California, Lance Johnston maintained his lead in the Intermediate Open. Lance, also from Lindsay, marked a 214 in the pattern for a 432, two-round composite. In the Limited Open, Tommy Thompson, Shafter, California, picked up a late lead marking a 214.5 during the sixth and final set. Tommy is riding Risk Everthing (Docs Stylish Oak x Lil Star Dusty) for Lloyd Moore and Sylvia Riggs. The NRCHA Stakes Open will continue Friday morning.

Nelle Murphy earned a 219 in the Rein Work prelims to break a four-way tie for first coming into the second phase of the Non Pro Stakes. Nelle, Valley View, Texas, and Stylish Rey Gay (Playin Stylish x Tari Rey Gay) lead both the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Stakes with a 435 composite going into the Cow Work preliminaries. In the Amateur Stakes preliminaries, Irene Harris, Lemoore, California, marked a 202.5 to take the lead with a 413.5 composite riding Tangys Classy Master (Tangys Classy Peppy x Dot O Lena).

Dema Paul, Cave Creek, Arizona, currently leads the field of 16 Non Pro Bridle Horses after receiving a 221 in the Herd with veteran cow horse Primos Bob Acre (Teninas First x Bob Acre Angelena). The Non Pro Bridle Spectacular will resume tomorrow afternoon with the Rein Work and Cow Work.

The Open Bridle Spectacular followed the Non Pro with Jimmie Paul, Phoenix, Arizona, taking the early lead. Jimmie rode Rippin Reyner (Mr Solano Rey x Ripples Freckles) for owner Linda Mars, Jackson, Wyoming, to a 219 to take the lead in a field of 20 entries. Open Bridle Spectacular competition will continue Saturday morning with the Rein and Cow Work to determine the champion.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the 56-year-old 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, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Great American Insurance Company 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.