March 20, 2003 - The 2003 National Reined Cow Horse Association's Stakes, slated for March 26-29 at Westworld in Scottsdale, is an exciting event with heart-stopping interaction between cow horse and cow, and it has a special mystique and history, as well.

Based on the traditional California Vaquero training progression, the Stakes features the world's finest 4-year-old cow horses shown in a snaffle bit and their 5-year-old counterparts in the next step of training, the hackamore.

The event, which showcases the progeny of NRCHA Subscribed Stallions, features three distinct competitions - herd work, rein work and cow work - and offers an unequalled challenge for equine talent and horsemanship skill. In the herd work, the horse must cut a cow from the herd and show its ability to keep it out with little assistance form his rider. In the reining, the horse is judged on precise maneuvers that include circles, sliding stops, spins and rollbacks. In the climactic cow work, the horse demonstrates the ability to control the movements of a cow down the fence and in the center of the arena, working at lightning speed.

The masters of this event are among the most elite in the horse world and nationally recognized superstar trainers who will compete include Ted Robinson, Bob Avila, Todd Bergen, Doug Williamson and others.

Local organizer Peggy Kimes is excited about the future for this event. "This is the second year to hold the NRCHA Stakes here and we look forward to seeing it grow."