Carol Rose, Sponsor Committee Chairman of the National Reined Cow Horse Association, has announced that Krause Mecates will return as an NRCHA Sponsor for 2007.

Rose, who worked with owner Doug Krause to create the 2007 sponsorship, noted, “We’re thrilled to have Krause Mecates remain on board as an NRCHA Sponsor because of the very beautiful and traditional work that they do that really represents the tradition of the reined cow horse.”

The NRCHA Hackamore Classic is the premiere annual cow horse event where exhibitors compete in the traditional Vaquero hackamore headgear. In 2007, it is set for April 27-29 at the Paso Robles Events Center in Paso Robles, California. Krause Mecates, along with Sam Benito Braiding, will award the Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Amateur Champions with full handcrafted hackamores, including the bosal, hanger and Mecate.

Reserve Champions in each division will each receive a Krause Mecate.

Krause Mecates is also sponsoring the Open Hackamore, Limited Open Hackamore, Non Pro Hackamore and Open and Non Pro Two Rein classes at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, set for September 23-October 7.

Each of the top three in these classes will receive a Krause Mecate. Krause 100X mane hair Mecates are known to horsemen and collectors alike to be among the best made hair ropes available today.

Doug Krause is a native of Idaho who has also lived in northern Colorado, southern Wyoming, and now lives in Clements in central California. In 1973 Doug began braiding, which he incorporates into much of his work today. In 1981, Doug began a four-year saddle apprenticeship under master saddlemaker T. J. Holmes. Doug purchased T. J. Holmes’ Cheyenne, Wyoming shop in 1985 and in 2005, after a stint in Colorado Doug moved to Clements where he lives today.

In 1995, Doug purchased the mane hair rope factory belonging to Bob Mills, better known as "Blind Bob," and continues producing high quality rope products. Doug has been awarded Best of Show at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada in 1998 and the Will Rogers Award--Hitcher/Braider of the Year, Academy of Western Artists, 2001.

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, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel Casino, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and GASTROGARD, Great American Insurance Company and the Silver Legacy Hotel, 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.