Executive Committee actions

The NCHA Executive Committee met in Fort Worth August 23-24 to consider the recommendations developed by the Standing Committees at the 2010 NCHA Convention. Highlights of the meeting include a modernization of the Super Stakes program to be based on flat nomination fees for stallions and for foals; the introduction of a 4-year-old Gelding Class at the Summer Spectacular, phasing in a workable Medication Policy, and the introduction of a $1,000 Amateur class on a trial basis.

Super Stakes Nominations: A new stallion and foal subscription system will be phased in over four years beginning with foals conceived in 2012 and born in 2013, with added money projected to increase by as much as $400,000 with the 2017 show. (The 2011 Super Stakes will use the same subscription program it has in the past). The new structure is similar to that used successfully in Thoroughbred racing's Breeders' Cup, cutting's Breeder's Invitational and reining's National Reining Breeders' Classic.

Stallion owners will pay a flat $2,500 subscription fee by December 31, 2011 to make their offspring (of the 2012 breeding season) eligible for nomination to the 2017 Super Stakes.

Foal nominators will pay a $200 nomination fee by the end of the horse's weanling year (December 31, 2013). The normal payment schedule for nominated horses will then be in effect.

The transition in the purse from a program based on stud fees to one based on stallion and foal nomination fees will be smoothed out by an advance from collected fees.

Medication Policy: Phase I: A "blind" medication study will be conducted at the 2011 Super Stakes, taking blood and/or urine samples from Champions and Reserve Champions in all divisions, plus random samples from throughout the show. The results will be used to determine types and concentrations of medications now being used, in order to create a judicious and effective NCHA medication policy.

    Phase II: At the 2011 Summer Spectacular and the 2011 Futurity, the NCHA Medication Policy will be in place and random horses from go-rounds and the Champions and Reserve Champions in each division will be tested. Letters will be sent to owners and trainers of sampled horses which test positive for substances that will not be allowed in the future, but no penalties or repercussions will be enforced at these two shows.

    Phase III: The NCHA Medication Policy and Testing Program will be fully implemented in 2012 for NCHA-produced events as well as limited age and weekend shows.

Costs of the program will be covered by a $10 fee on entries in all stand-alone classes at the NCHA Triple Crown events, beginning with the 2011 Super Stakes.

Summer Spectacular Gelding Class: A third horse, which must be a gelding, and must be entered in a new Gelding Class, will be allowed to enter the 4-year-old division of the Summer Spectacular. The Summer Spectacular Gelding Class will be patterned after the Gelding Stakes at the Super Stakes. The top 30% of entries after two go-rounds will advance to the finals, with a maximum of 20 in the finals. The entry fee for the class-within-a-class will be $500. The Stallion Owners will provide $25,000 in added money to be split $15,000 to the Open Gelding Division and $10,000 to the Non-Pro Gelding Division.

A $1,000 Amateur Class will be introduced on a three-year trial basis. All Amateur rules will apply and show management will have the option of including this class. World standings will not be maintained, and there will be no year-end awards for this class.

Convention Location: In an effort to accommodate as many members as possible and help to increase Convention attendance, the 2011 NCHA Convention will be held in Oklahoma City June 17-19. NCHA staff is working with show management to coordinate with The Non-Pro and The Open show, which overlaps that time frame. The 2012 Convention will be held in Nashville, and the 2013 Convention will return to the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Following are other highlights of the Executive Committee meeting. Note that some recommendations were made by multiple committees.

Limited Age Events

  • An open horse's entry may be sold after the draw, but before the start of the go-round, of the Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular. This will be on a one-year trial basis. The fee will be $2,000, including $1,750 jackpotted and $250 office charge. A vet statement is required.
  • A horse's breeder (in addition to the owner and rider) will be noted on the scoreboard while that horse is competing at NCHA events.
  • The owners, breeders and riders of horses that make the Open finals of NCHA Triple Crown events will be invited to participate in introductions in front of the judges' stands.
  • Music will be played continually throughout the day at Triple Crown events.
  • Beginning with the 2011 Super Stakes, eligibility for the John Deere Division of the Open will be based on less than $200,000 in earnings in the past three years, with members of the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame ineligible to compete.
  • A tentative schedule for 2010 Futurity ceremonies was approved. A party and award presentation will begin immediately following the finals on the arena floor.
  • A letter will be sent to all riders at NCHA Triple Crown events soliciting a voluntary political action committee contribution of $100 per entry (not to exceed $1,000 total). PAC contributions will support NCHA's efforts which have resulted in more than $6 million additional purse money at Triple Crown events to date.

Long Range Planning

  • A General Membership meeting will be held Saturday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m. in the Round-Up Inn in the Will Rogers Memorial Complex in Fort Worth. The meeting will vote on ratifying the changes in by-laws approved by NCHA's Directors at the 2010 Convention.

  • Amateur

    • The 5-year/$5,000 Amateur Exception Rule will be changed to 5-year/$15,000.

    Professional Trainers

    • The Rider and Owner of the winner of the first go-round of the Open at the NCHA Futurity will receive a trophy and be recognized in the Chatter.

    Judges Rules

    • The requirements for judge applicants testing in the sixth box or otherwise will be updated to read, ". . . new applicants who have lifetime earnings of $250,000 or more . . ."
    • A fine of $500 per day will be imposed to major Limited Age Events with a five-judge system that do not have the required escort for the judges.
    • The wording of Judging Rule 16.b. was updated to say, "Tank tops, T-shirts and all types of sweatshirts are not permissible . . ." and "Under the advance approval of show management, safety helmets are permissible in place of a western hat."
    • All NCHA-approved shows, including jackpots, must use only approved judges.
    • The letter (g) will be added to the judges' scorecards to clarify "hand too far forward."
    • At NCHA-produced events in the first go-round only, it will take the score of 181 or higher to advance.
    • At all NCHA-approved shows, it will take a score of 60 or higher to receive a check. Scores of 0 or disqualifications will not receive a check. The amount of money to be recorded as earnings will be based on the original mandatory payout schedule for the class.

    Affiliate Officers/Secretaries

    • Standing Rule 14.d.has been reworded to include the following wording on the show application: "It is further agreed that the Show Producer and/or Affiliate whose signature appears below, herein are jointly and severally liable to the NCHA for the appropriate approval fee deduction."
    • Standing Rule 5.a. and Affiliate Guidelines 14.e.3 will be amended to state, "The bond must be in the amount of the maximum funds for the purse payout and appropriate approval fee for the largest show produced and include the producer's name and the individuals covered along with the expiration date."
    • Procedures for making changes to previously approved shows were outlined.
    • Secretaries must work at least one show within a 12-month period to maintain their certification. After 12 months of inactivity, they must take the certification test. If no show is worked for 24 months, they must go through the complete certification process.

    Non-Pro

    • Beginning with the 2011 Super Stakes, late penalties in the Limited Non-Pro class will mirror the current late penalty structure in the Amateur division.

    Horse and Cattle Welfare Task Force

    • The current Medication Policy that prohibits administration of any medications in the arena and public areas has been amended to include that the possession of any drug paraphernalia is also prohibited and subject to penalty.
    • A Kimzey Leg Saver Splint (to aid in removing an injured horse from the arena), will be purchased for use at all NCHA events.

    Youth

    • Scholarships at the Eastern and Western National Championships will be awarded to third through tenth places, instead of additional prizes.
    • Rule 4.b.3 will be changed to allow Youth classes during the week from December 28 through the first Sunday in January.
    • The Reserve Champion Rookies of the Year will be recognized in the Chatter.

    Open Show

    • The weekend show payout schedule for jackpot and added money classes was formulated to increase first-place checks, reduce the number of checks that fail to cover entry fees and correct other anomalies.
    Payout Schedule for Added Money & Jackpot Classes
    Percentage Payout by Places
    234567891011
    60514540353128252220
    40292420191917161513.5
    2017161515141312.512
    1413121111111111
    111099999
    988888
    77777
    6666
    555
    4.54.5
    4
    # Entries # Checks
    31
    4-72
    8-123
    13-174
    18-235
    24-296
    30-357
    36-418
    42-479
    48-5310
    5411
    • A new sentence has been added to Standing Rule 5, reading: "Applicants for NCHA approved weekend shows may be NCHA Affiliates, or may be Individuals, managers or organizations able to meet the pertinent requirements of these rules including the financial responsibility requirements as listed below" to be NCHA approved . . ."
    • Standing Rule 8 has been amended to require that three head of fresh cattle per entry be provided in the Open and Non-Pro classes at shows with $750 or more in added money.
    • For earnings to be included in Area Standings (page 71 of 2010 Rule Book), the limit has been raised from $500 in added money shows to $750.
    • A new rule states, "When determining points or money for NCHA Year End Standings and Annual Awards in any NCHA approved class that is eligible to add money, not more than 50% of a horse or rider's earnings may be won at shows produced by one affiliate, individual or organization or at one facility. A facility is defined as the physical location of the show regardless of the number of arenas. The World Series of Cutting shows are exempt from this earnings restriction."

    LAE Show Producers

    • If the management of a show's venue forces it to move its dates in a way that will affect other shows, the show producer must submit a letter from the venue substantiating this action. Upon receiving that confirmation, NCHA staff will work with the show producer to try to negotiate alternative dates. Because it is beyond the control of the show producer, this will not affect the status of the show when determining future schedules.
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