$1 Million Elite Rider Mandy McQuay McCutcheon to Compete at High Roller Reining Classic

The High Roller Reining Classic is pleased to announce that the only female $1 Million Elite Rider, Mandy McQuay McCutcheon, will be showing at this year's competition. The horse show will be held at the South Point Hotel and Casino September 4-12, 2009. McCutcheon is the only non-pro Elite Rider and the daughter of Elite Rider Tim McQuay, who will also be competing at this year's event. The High Roller Reining Classic is the international "crown jewel" of western riding competition, and features over $200,000 in added money and prizes.

This year McCutcheon will show two horses in the $50,000 Derby event, I Spin for Chics and Custom Made Dun it, and she will show The Royaltys Smokin in the $130,000 3-Year-Old Futurity. "I'm preparing for the High Roller Reining Classic the same way I prepare for all my events. I'm riding as much as I can and trying to get my dad to ride my horses as much as possible," explained McCutcheon.

McCutcheon is excited to have the opportunity to compete in a unique facility at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. "The facility is one of a kind because everything is right there," she noted. "The fact that you can't ride after 7 p.m. is great too, because that gives us all more time to enjoy everything it has to offer. I'm looking forward to being able to see all of my friends and hang out with them in Las Vegas."

Earning the title of a $1 Million Elite Rider was not an easy task for McCutcheon. Until four years ago she competed in reining events as well as hunter/jumper events, and just recently began focusing solely on reining.

"It truly is an honor to have earned the $1 Million Elite Rider title," said McCutcheon. "The guys in the group are amazing horseman and showman. I love showing, so being rewarded for something I love is just icing on the cake. I do miss the hunters and jumpers very much though, and someday I hope to do that again."

For McCutcheon riding and showing is part of the family business. Her father, Tim McQuay is one of the most successful reiners in the country and has represented the United States on numerous occasions. McCutcheon's husband, Tom McCutcheon is also a professional reiner, and will be competing at this year's High Roller Reining Classic.

"The great thing about our business is that it truly is a family business for us," smiled McCutcheon. "We are fortunate in the fact that we all love horses and enjoy riding and showing, so the fact that we get to do something as a family and make a living at it is wonderful."

McCutcheon's current focus is qualifying for the 2010 World Equestrian Games where she would like to represent the United States, and possibly compete with her father or husband. She has also opened the Equine Spa and Rehabilitation Center in Aubrey, TX, with her husband Tom, which offers the latest technology to help rehabilitate horses after injuries.

For more information about the High Roller Reining Classic please visit http://www.highrollerreiningclassic.com/