March 21, 2003 - Byars, Oklahoma - With a purse that should well exceed $800,000 in 2003, the National Reining Breeders Classic management team takes seriously the job of hiring the individuals who will distribute that money as judges of the prestigious event.

At a show of this magnitude, having competent officials is a must, and the NRBC lets participants decide who they want as judges. Each year, exhibitors from past years receive a ballot that allows them to vote for their preferences as judges, and their choices are contacted by the NRBC.

Judges for the NRBC's annual show, scheduled for April 16-20 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, are Randy Cutbirth, Joe Hayes, Morgan Lybbert, Vic Clark and Steve Schwartzenberger who will judge the NRBC Classic. Terry Wegener, Flis Sassella will judge the NRHA classes, and Mark Miller and Wendy Bagley will serve as equipment judges.

NRBC Board Member and NRHA Leading All Time Rider Tim McQuay is proud of the judges the NRBC has chosen each year. "Letting the exhibitors participate in choosing the judges helps insure the quality of the officiating," he said. "We feel we've had excellent officials from many different backgrounds over the years and that's a direct result of responding to the professionals and exhibitors who have supported the NRBC by participating in our show."

Competent staffing has been a hallmark of the NRBC and the management team for the monumental show in 2003 shows both familiar faces and newcomers. Conducted under the direction of ProMotion Management, with supervisory staff Cheryl Magoteaux and Chris Potter, the show boasts a full battalion of professionals.

Mike Christian of C-Star Management will serve as Show Manager as he has since the event's inception. Assisting Christian will be Chad Vanderlinde of Mound, Minnesota.

Making her debut as secretary for the NRBC Show will be Denise Matsis of Aubrey, Texas. Long involved in the reining industry, Matsis, an avid Non Pro reiner, designed and populated the original National Reining Horse Association data base. For Matsis, who recently started Millenium Show Management after retiring from Lucent Technologies, service to exhibitors is job one. "I like to think of the show office as being a fun place for an exhibitor to go instead of a place to dread," she commented. "I try to take the best of all the shows I go to and incorporate what works into my office. From chocolate candy to a smile, we'll try our best to accommodate the needs of exhibitors."

Matsis will be assisted by Elaine Spear and Linda Kiser will return as well, to handle announcer stand record-keeping along with announcers Sam Smith and Jerry Briggs.

On hand from the NRBC headquarters office will be Bridget Bliss, Sue Karges and Wendy Crowder. Liz Younger of Reno, Nevada, will help coordinate media projects, along with Nelle Murphy. Rounding out the production crew will be Justin Kindley and Robert Barton, and Jeannie Bolton will return as awards coordinator.

Vickie Friedman of Oklahoma City has been a fixture at the National Reining Breeders with her herald trumpet since the very first show, and she'll be returning for the 2003 event. Dressed in her bright red uniform, Friedman performs the "call to the post" to start the finals performances.

The National Reining Breeders Classic, based in Byars, Oklahoma, is the most successful stallion incentive program in reining history. In just five years, the NRBC has grown to include over 220 subscribed stallions and the payout at the 2002 National Reining Breeders Classic was over $702,000. For information on the NRBC, visit the web site at www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.