Along with lofty titles and big paychecks, Champions at National Reined Cow Horse Association Premier events take home numerous prizes and awards. Winners are thrilled to receive beautiful Gist Silversmiths buckles, and wear them proudly as symbols of that achievement.

NRCHA Sponsor Committee Chairman Carol Rose announced that Ernie Beal, of Clovis, California, has came on board as the sponsor of the Amateur Reserve Champion buckle at all 2010 NRCHA Premier Events – the NRCHA Stakes, Hackamore Classic, Derby, and the Snaffle Bit Futurity.

“While I have not had the opportunity to meet Mr. Beal personally, he has been a tremendous supporter of the NRCHA for many years – even before my time as Sponsorship Committee Chairman,” noted Rose. “I truly appreciate Mr. Beal’s belief in our Amateur Program, I thank him for giving Amateurs a chance to be even more rewarded for excellent performances in the show pen.”

An avid reined cow horse competitor, Beal is a former Amateur Champion at the NRCHA Derby and the Amateur Reserve Champion at the NRCHA Stakes. “I’ve been an Amateur for a number of years, and sometimes there is a buckle for the Amateurs, and sometimes there is not,” he said. “And there is even less chance of the Amateur Reserve Champion to win a buckle. The contestants who are Reserve have worked extremely hard to get there to, and deserve that honor.”

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 61st year, is 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 Markel Insurance Company, Wide World of Horses, John Deere, AdequanR, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News, Pfizer Animal Health, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Running W Designs, 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.