American Quarter Horses Lead Strong Field in NCHA World Finals

The American Quarter Horse Journal, February 5, 2007 – The NCHA World Championship finals are heading back to Amarillo this year, and the best of the best, including many American Quarter Horses, will soon compete for top honors and a chance at the title of world champion.

The top 50 NCHA money-earners in each of the 12 NCHA-approved classes will make their way to Amarillo from all over the country.  Competition will be February 7-19 at the Amarillo National Center in the Tri-State Fairgrounds. Daily go-rounds will start at 8 a.m.  Scores and a live Web cast will be available each day through the NCHA Web site at www.nchacutting.com .

With entries reaching nearly 600 and a record purse of more than $670,000, this year’s event is shaping up to be the best World Finals yet. Spectators can expect to see some of the most exciting cutting competition all year with many eyes watching top American Quarter Horse Dual Rey Me in the open division, and top rider Joe Howard Williamson in the non-pro.

AQHA member Jeremy Barwick from Stephenville, Texas, will be riding his horse Dual Rey Me.  Dual Rey Me has already earned more than $94,700 going into the open finals. Also a favorite in the non-pro division, AQHA member Joe Howard Williamson of Archer City, Texas, looks to claim the non-pro title, as he has already earned $76,700 this year.

The National Cutting Horse Association is an alliance partner with the American Quarter Horse Association. NCHA comprises 17,000 members across the United States with a wide range of backgrounds. The sport of cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. From cowgirls to CEOs, from firefighters to professional football players, the common ground is often in the cutting arena.

Each year more than 2,200 NCHA-approved events are held throughout the country with more than $42 million in prize money awarded.  For more information about NCHA, or for World Finals information and scores, please visit www.nchacutting.com or call (817) 244-6188.

For more information about AQHA and its alliance partners, visit www.aqha.com .

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines .