February 16, 2005 - The Bayer Legend™ National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions is an event that has more than doubled in size since last year. The growth comes both from the show expanding to include the World’s Greatest Horseman competition and from the growing entry numbers for the World Championship Show and Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Derby.

Over 285 exhibitors from all over the United States have qualified for the NRCHA World Championship Show, and there are over 100 entries in the SRCHA Derby. Add another 35 or so entries in the World’s Greatest Horseman, and you get an idea of the magnitude of the eight-day event that begins on February 19 at the Lone Star Arena in Stephenville, Texas.

Using the Standard Equine Economic Impact Formula, that number of horses and that number of days translates to over $1.2 million dollars brought directly into the local economy!

The Bayer Legend™ NRCHA Celebration of Champions combines the popular World's Greatest Horseman with the National Reined Cow Horse Association World Championship Show and Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Derby. All the events run concurrently through February 26, giving reined cow horse fans a chance to see every facet of reined cow horse competition – from snaffle bit to bridle – from Limited Non Pro to the most elite of All-Around competition.

Reined cow horse competition is based on the traditional California training method of the vaqueros and highly trained cow horses are judged both in reined work and in cow work.

In the World’s Greatest Horseman competition, those events are joined by herd work or cutting and steer stopping. The theme, “One Horse, One Rider, and One Very Special Title”, perfectly illustrates this prestigious event.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the 56-year-old 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 Bayer Corporation, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Great American Insurance Company 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.