NCHA Super Stakes Has Begun in Fort Worth- $2.8 Million Payout!

Fort Worth, Texas, March 27, 2015 – The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) kicked off the NCHA Super Stakes, the second jewel of its “Triple Crown,” yesterday at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The event runs through April 18 and is slated to payout $2.8 million. NCHA is pleased to welcome Lucas Oil as the title sponsor of the event.

Lucas Oil manufactures and sells high quality products in consumer, industrial and agricultural markets around the world. Lucas Oil offers more than 100 oil, grease, and fuel additive products – all designed to improve performance and increase mileage in trucks, automobiles, heavy-duty equipment, tractors, boats, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. NCHA is pleased to partner with Lucas Oil in celebrating cutting’s important role within the cowboy traditions of horsemanship, ranching and the American West as well as welcome them to one of cutting’s premier events.

“We are excited about NCHA’s new partnership with Lucas Oil,” said NCHA Executive Director Jim Bret Campbell. “As a cattle rancher, Mr. Lucas understands the agricultural community and whole-heartedly supports it. We believe this this will be an excellent fit for both parties.”

The first part of the 2015 Lucas Oil/NCHA Super Stakes, the Super Stakes Classic, welcomes 5-and 6-year-old cutting horses and riders from numerous divisions including open, non-professional and amateur. This portion of the show offers more than $180,000 in added money and delivers impressive performances from the industry’s top horses and riders.

The second half of the NCHA Super Stakes caters to 4-year-old horses and tenders more than $800,000 in added money. This event serves as the second leg of NCHA’s Triple  Crown, which kicked off with the first jewel of the series in December at the NCHA Futurity. Those then 3-year-old horses will now return to Fort Worth for another shot claiming their portion of what is one of the largest payouts in equine history.

Slated to offer more than $2 million in cash and prizes, the Super Stakes focuses on the breeding of top cutting horses and all horses entered must have been sired by a prescribed stallion.

Finalists of both the Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic will also be granted numerous prizes and trophies with a chance at claiming a prestigious NCHA Triple Crown buckle. Spectators will enjoy high-energy performances on finals nights, western shopping at the Best of the West Trade Show and numerous parties and social happenings throughout the duration of the event. The Cajun Cutters Crawfish party, hosted by High Brow CD and Grace Ranch, is a favorite of visitors and will take place Sun., April 12 at 7 pm in the Watt Arena. On April 16, Cutting Horse Central will present a special clinic in the Watt Arena where Hayden Upton, one of the best colt-startes in the cutting horse industry, will demonstrate some of his tactics. Friday, April 17, visitor will enjoy a Brazilian BBQ and celebrate the Open finalists during the Open Draw Party, sponsored by Park Place Motors.

Cutting horses, which are typically American Quarter Horses, are termed as such because they have an instinct for “cutting” a cow from a herd and keeping it from returning to the herd for a prescribed period of time. The sport originated on Western ranches where cattle were cut and separated for management and health. Cutting is perhaps the only equine sport where the horse’s ability to think about its job is clearly demonstrated.

Admission to the Best of the West Lifestyle Show, which features, tack, jewelry, home decor and more is always free, while admission to the Super Stakes cutting events are free with the exception of the open finals on April 4 and April 18. Visit www.nchacutting.com for more information and to buy tickets for those events.