National Cutting Horse Association

In the news . . .

Tom Long and Sophia Smart win Open finals NCHA Hall of Fame trainer Tom Long and Sophia Smart marked 222 to win the Open finals Tuesday at the 6666 Ranch NCHA Western National Championships in Reno, Nevada. With prior earnings of less than $5,000, Sophia Smart was overshadowed by a field that brought average earnings of more than $90,000 to the finals. Bred by E.A. Schutts and owned by Scott Tate of Fallon, Nevada, Sophia Smart is a 10-year-old mare by Smart Little Lena. Read more . . . NCHA names Alan Steen new Executive Director Alan Steen of Georgetown, Texas, has been selected to be the new Executive Director of the National Cutting Horse Association. Steen, (pictured with his wife, Tandy) who has served as Administrator of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for the past nine years, will assume his new role at the NCHA headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas on June 1. Steen brings exceptional administrative and political experience and a proactive leadership style to NCHA. Steen has also been a successful cutting horse breeder and contestant himself and looks forward to serving the membership. Read more . . . Vice President Candidates Ballots for the Vice Presidential election will be mailed to all current NCHA members by no later than April 30, 2012. The ballots will be counted and audited under the supervision of the accounting firm of Whitley Penn on June 12, 2012. The new Vice President will take office during the 2012 NCHA Convention, June 22-24 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Vice President will become President-Elect the following year, and will become NCHA President in 2014. Click on a candidate's picture to read more about him, and watch his video. Re-Runs: 1998 Derby Open Horse: Shakin Flo Rider: Sandy Bonelli Watch Now
	The loss of land for horses and horse-related activity is an issue of increasing concern for all horsemen. Six thousand acres of farmland, forests and open space a day are lost. Where will you ride, drive, race, compete, raise foals, and grow hay in the future? Learn more about the issues and solutions from this video produced jointly by NCHA and the Equine Land Conservation Resource. You can find this video, runs/interviews, and more cutting horse action at nchatv.com.
	· Make your 2012 Convention plans now Make plans now to attend the 2012 NCHA Convention to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, June 22 – 24. Make your room reservations at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel by dialing 1-800-336-3335 and identifying yourself as attending the NCHA Convention or online. Be sure and book by June 2, 2012 to ensure the lower group rate. Watch for updates on a Nashville sites tour for Thursday, June 21. For more information, contact Pam Robison in the NCHA offices, or check out visitmusiccity.com for more information on your stay in Nashville.
	· NYCHA Levels of Excellence Awards Program (LEAP) The NYCHA Levels of Excellence Awards Program (LEAP) forms must be turned in by March 31st. Forms will not be accepted after the March 31st deadline. All forms mailed in must be postmarked by this date.
	· Get the latest news on nchatv.com Watch the week's top stories in the time it takes to show your horse on 2:30, the NCHA News show. Watch now . . .
	· New NYCHA point year and World Finals You've seen the excitement and hype of the Open and Non-Pro World Finals now it's the NYCHA's time! For details and more information on new youth point year and world finals click here
	· NCHA Judge's Applicant and Recertification There will be two European NCHA Judge's Applicant and Recertification Seminars in 2012. New European applicants and carded judges are required to attend at least one seminar. Judges who attended the seminar at the Mercuria in France in 2011 will not be required to attend another one in 2012. Bobby Hunt, NCHA AAAA Judge from Comfort, Texas will be the instructor at both seminars. Italy April 20 and 21 (in conjunction with the AICH Cutting Maturity) Contact Claudia Zanoni. More info Germany April 24 and 25 Contact Michael Ohlhoff. More info
	· Medication Rules and Guidelines The National Cutting Horse Association's medication rules and guidelines have been adopted to protect and prolong the health and welfare of the great horses exhibited in the cutting events. The NCHA believes that the safety of horses is a priority issue. To help promote horse safety, the organization will conduct random testing for medication and drugs at the 2012 NCHA-produced Triple Crown events. To find out more, see: NCHA Medication Rules and Guidelines NCHA Medication Fact Sheet Know Before You Show