The reined cow horse world will return to the center of California’s wine country and the focal point for cow work in California – the Paso Robles Events Center – for the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby June 15-20.

Tagged “Where the Best Go Next” the Derby features 4- and 5-year-old cow horses, and gives post-futurity horses a further chance for great earnings. They are shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore, whether or not they have been shown in a bridle elsewhere in their career, which is an exception to the normally strict bridle rule of the NRCHA.

Last year’s Derby proved to be an exciting event. Corey Cushing and Smart Boons, owned by Kevin and Sydney Knight of Peoria, Arizona, blew away the competition to win the Open Championship by eight points – a margin of victory almost unheard of in the elite competition of the Derby – and that win was worth $45,866!

In the Non Pro Derby, the name at the top of the list was Anne Reynolds. She rode Very Smart Flo Jo, by Very Smart Remedy out of Teena Cash Flo to the Derby Non Pro Championship with a 651 composite and earned $11,960.

Along with being one of the highest paying NRCHA Premier Events, the Derby also boasts a full-slate of NRCHA-approved classes. Beginning in 2010, the horse show will feature the $50,000 Added Holy Cow Performance Horses Open Bridle Spectacular, featuring the CD Survivor Memorial Trophy. Nancy Crawford-Hall and Holy CowPerformance Horses came on board as the sponsor of the class in late 2009, and the Memorial Trophy – a ¼ size replica of Doug Israelsen’s Great Western Tradition – was created to honor Crawford-Hall’s late stallion, the great bridle horse CD Survivor.

The Derby Open Champion saddle is sponsored by Centennial Cattle Co. while Target Constructors is sponsoring the Non Pro Champion Saddle.

With over 350 horses on the fairgrounds, the economic impact on the local economy, by standard economic impact formula, is over $1 million brought directly into the Paso Robles area. Considering the turnover multiplier, that translates to a total economic impact on the community of over $4 million!

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, Adequan®, 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.