The 2006 National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby kicked off June 20 at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California.

A limited aged event specially designed for 4- and 5-year-old cow horses, the Derby will play host to some of the greatest young equine athletes in the country through June 25. These horses compete in the discipline’s traditional three phases of competition – the herd work, rein work and cow work – in preliminaries before the top horses and riders in each division advance to the finals on Sunday, the 25th. Last year’s Derby alone paid out more than $290,000 and with a 47 percent increase in Open entries (100 entries up from last year’s 68), the 2006 event is set for another substantial payout.

In addition to the limited aged event, the NRCHA Derby features a full slate of horse show classes that showcase horses and riders of all ages. Other special events include two complimentary barbeques – one Friday hosted by the Events Center and one Saturday sponsored by Mark Borjon’s Golden Hills Auto Center – as well as the NRCHA Cow Horse Team Tournament – an event featuring celebrities and sponsors from the cow horse industry.

For more information on the NRCHA Derby, including results and a complete schedule of events, please visit the Association’s official website at www.nrcha.com.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, 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 Bailey Hats, Bayer Corporation, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Reno Hilton, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and GASTROGARD, Great American Insurance Company 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 www.nrcha.com <http://www.nrcha.com> .