March 11, 2010 -- Local Equine Event Produces a Strong Economic Impact for Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi -- The National Cutting Horse Association’s Eastern National Championships has returned to Jackson, marking the largest event in its 25-year history.

A record 1,128 contestants will compete for more than $450,000. Entry numbers are up by more thank 24% from last year’s total of 909 entries. The event, presented by 6666 Ranch of Guthrie, Texas, is taking place in the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.The action began on Monday, and will continue through Saturday, March 20.

In a 13-day run, the competitors attending the NCHA Eastern National Championships produce over $7.6 million in total economic impact annually for Jackson.

The NCHA spends over $750,000 from its annual operating budget to stage the Eastern National Championships in Jackson. .

Visitors to Jackson each year include NCHA staff and officials, competitors, trainers, owners, judges, exhibitors, sponsors, news media, TV production personnel, and fans whose life revolves around cutting horses and the equine and agricultural industry.

The show generates significant revenue from extended stay tourism; over $3.8 million from competitors and associates alone.

NCHA produced shows are proven to stimulate spending generating advertising by and purchases from local merchants supplying tack, feed, veterinary services, western apparel and accessories and more.

A break down of expenditures is as follows:

• Competitors and associates (based on 3.28 people per horse) 3,608
• Hotel room nights (based on 5.5 room nights per person) 19,844
• Direct revenues to hotels/motels (at $75 per night) $1,488,300
• State local and city taxes from hotel room revenue $193,479
• Restaurant expenditures (at $34.59 per person per day) $686,404
• Sales taxes on restaurant purchases $48,048
• Other direct expenditures (at $66 per day per person) $1,309,704
• Sales tax on other expenditures by competitors and their associates $91,679
• Direct expenditures from competitors and their associates $3,817,614

Total economic impact with standard 2x direct NCHA Eastern National Championship $7,635,228

Daily go-rounds begin at 8 a.m. with free admission. There is an exhibit area offering the latest trends in horse tack, clothing, home décor, and more.

The NCHA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and has more than 20,000 members with approximately 8,000 of these members located within 12-hour radius of Jackson.

For more information visit www.nchacutting.com or call (817) 244-6188.

Calculations are based on statistical models developed through studies of Triple Crown of Cutting events in Fort Worth by Grotta Marketing Research, Inc.