Pendleton Becomes the Official Spirit of the Inagural Texas Classic Ranch-A-Palooza

Fort Worth, TX- March 24, 2010- Pendleton Whiskey of Hood River Distillers has signed on as a major corporate sponsor of the Inaugural 2010 Texas Classic Ranch-A-Palooza. This exciting and innovative event is the first of its kind with approvals by four associations, The American Quarter Horse Assoc. (AQHA), American Stock Horse Assoc. and its very strong Texas affiliate Stock Horse of Texas (ASHA/SHOT) and the Ranch Horse Assoc. of America (RHAA). The Ranch-A-Palooza is the very first of its kind in the competitive ranch horse industry with the AQHA and SHOT classes running concurrently and the AQHA classes offering three full sets of points. The excitement and buzz for the new event has already made it a "must stop" for anyone looking to qualify for the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Show, SHOT year-end points earning and the family-fun atmosphere planned. Held at the prestigious Will Rogers Memorial Center, the inaugural Ranch-A-Palooza will have access to three arenas and hundreds of stalls. This three-day competition will occur over Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-31, 2010 in Fort Worth.

"Pendleton Whiskey was specifically created to celebrate the bold spirit of independence and hard work ethic of the American cowboy & cowgirl. The Texas Classic Ranch-A-Palooza is a perfect setting to demonstrate our support of these hardworking cowboys and cowgirls in action. Pendleton Whiskey is proud to partner with the Texas Classic in presenting the inaugural Ranch-A-Palooza." Said Tia Bledsoe, Director of Marketing, Hood River Distillery.

Pendleton is an oak barrel-aged whiskey distilled in Canada using the finest ingredients. Before bottling, Hood River Distillers of Oregon add only the purest glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood (Oregon's highest peak). Pendleton delivers an uncommonly smooth taste and rich, complex flavor.

Brad Ettleman of HorsePower and the show manager said, "The Texas Classic Ranch-A-Palooza could not have asked for a better partner than Pendleton. They embody the Western spirit like no other company out there. The Ranch-A-Palooza weekend will be a major ranch horse celebration and tons of fun for anyone interested in the ranching history of the American West. Welcome aboard to our newest partners!"

For more information about the TQHA Texas Classic or the Ranch-A-Palooza, held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX, click on http://www.texas-classic.com/. For more information on Pendleton Whiskey, please visit http://www.hrdspirits.com/brand_pendleton.cfm.