Paso Robles, CA - April 30, 2004 - At the National Reined Cow Horse Association's Hackamore Classic in Paso Robles, California, the herd work ended up with a tie between two of the reined cow horse industry's premiere riders.

Both former Snaffle Bit Futurity Champions, John Ward and Jon Roeser posted identical 148 scores. Ward was aboard Reynin Rey (Mr Solano Rey X Ripples Freckles) owned by his wife Laurie's parents, Ronnie and Karin Richards. Roeser was riding Boons Royal Legacy (Peptoboonsmal X Smogy Doc) owned by Brian and Cynthia Holthouse. Jon also placed third on last year's Hackamore Classic Champion Very Smart Remedy, owned by Annie Reynolds.

Tied with Roeser for third in the open and leading in the Intermediate Open division with a score of 146 is Wayne Hinder on Plain Dual owned by Whitney's Wild Oak Ranch of Exeter, California.

In the Limited Open, the lead belongs to Ed Robertson on Pick N Shovel (Lena May Day X Athenas Minerva), with a score of 145.

Fresh off their NRCHA Hackamore Stakes win in Scottsdale a month earlier, Dema Paul and Primos Bob Acre (Teninas First X Bob Acre Angelina) worked late in the first set. Their 147 took the lead in the Non Pro division and became the first step on the way to trying to repeat their 2003 Hackamore Classic championship.

Cathie Twisselman was second in the Non Pro with a score of 146 with Pick N Shovel, the horse on which Ed Robertson is leading the Limited Open. Cathie's score gave her the lead in the $50K Non Pro and Amateur divisions, as well.

In the Open Bridle Spectacular Herd Work, there was a three-way tie for the lead at 146. Jon Roeser on Cuttin Diamonds owned by John & Loretta Showalter, Lance Johnston on SR Quanah Bevy owned by Winston Moore, and Jake Gorrell on SmartCashInvestment owned by Frank Lee.

The Non Pro Bridle Spectacular lead was secured by Laurie Black-Case with a 143 on Frosty Little Uno.

The show continues tomorrow at 8 am, with the second leg of Classic competition, the rein work.

In its first year at the California Mid-State Fair Arena, the Hackamore Classic is sponsored by John & Dee Lacey of Paso Robles, Krause Mecates and Classic Equine, as well as the NRCHA Corporate Partner family that includes Bayer Corporation, Bailey Hat Company, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, horsecentral.com, Rios of Mercedes and the Silver Legacy, 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.