Andy Bylo of Sullivan, Missouri, and Matthew Dedden of Burlington, Kentucky both marked 218 to tie for the lead in the first round of the $15,000 Amateur at the NCHA Eastern National Championships, presented by 6666 Ranch, Thursday.

Bylo, 35, rode Wha Zupp, a 7-year-old son of Hyadualin out of Little Siren, an Open limited age finalist by Smart Little Lena.

Dedden, 13, rode A Cat Named Sue (P), and is also entered in the Junior Youth on the 11-year-old gelding by High Brow Cat out of Merada Hickory Sue. He rode A Cat Named Sue to a top 15 finish in the Junior Youth World standings in 2010.

It took a score of 211 or better to advance to Friday’s finals of the $15,000 Amateur in Jackson, Mississippi. The finals purse will be an all-time record of more than $46,000.