Augusta, Ga. -The National Barrel Horse Association has named Rick Sykes the commissioner of the organization, and Sherry Fulmer its executive director. The promotions were announced today by Association President Pete May.

Sykes, the former NBHA executive director, has been with the organization since its inception in 1992. His new responsibilities will focus on marketing, long-range development and international relationships.

"Rick has been the soul of the NBHA since the very beginning," said May. "He's been on the front line and is one of the most respected people in barrel racing today.

Fulmer has been national show director for the NBHA since 1993, and was operations manager of the group's first world championship show. She continues to serve as operations manager for the annual Augusta Futurity, a cutting horse event also managed by the Morris event marketing division.

May said, "Sherry is truly the 'get-it-done' person in the association. She is highly qualified for this new challenge and very deserving as well."

The NBHA is a grass-roots, international sporting organization with 23,000 members in all 50 states, Canada, South America and Europe. With its roots in rodeo, barrel horse racing has become a cornerstone competition in the Western equine tradition.

The association originated in the event marketing division of Morris Communications Co., a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper and magazine publishing, outdoor advertis-
ing, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribu-
tion, and computer services. For more information visit the company's Web site at www.morris.com.