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*** Youth Cutting Schedule Update ****
Due to an overwhelming response to the call for entries, the tentative schedule for the Summer Spectacular has been amended to start the go-rounds for the John Roberts & Cole McGee Memorial Scholarship Cutting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12 (junior) and Wednesday, July 13 (senior) in the Watt Arena.

Don't miss NCHA Finals Friday
The Summer Cutting Spectacular will feature the first ever Finals Friday on Friday, July 15, 2005 at Will Rogers Memorial Center. The day’s activities begin with the Youth Grand Entry at 8 a.m. and will last all day long. Catch the first look at all the great shopping at the opening day of the Western Mercantile. There will also be a raffle for a $100 shopping spree to be chosen that day. In addition, there will be food and live music throughout the day. Admission is free, so bring your friends and stay all day.

Friday’s cutting events will include Youth Finals and the annual Sponsor Cutting Event, with a great team race in which Junior, Senior and Sponsor cutters will collaborate to win valuable prizes.

The day will conclude with the 5/6-Year-Old Open Finals. The Sponsor Cutting and the Open Classic/Challenge finals will be featured on the live Rancharrah Radio Program in Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum.

The system made its debut at the 2004 NCHA Futurity and has been hailed as one of the best innovations yet for promoting the sport, both to newcomers and to veteran cutting horse fans.

"Rancharrah is known throughout the cutting horse industry for its first-class breeding program," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "We're very excited that they have stepped in to bring the same type of quality to Rancharrah Radio at our major shows."

Summer Sale Coming Up
Following a record-breaking sale at the Super Stakes, Western Bloodstock has assembled a tremendous catalog for the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular Sale, which is scheduled for July 29-31.

NYCHA Scholarship Cutting and Convention
More than $28,000 in college scholarships will be awarded in the Junior and Senior Youth classes for the 2005 NYCHA John Roberts & Cole McGee Memorial Scholarship Cutting to be held July 12-15 in Fort Worth, Texas. The four-day event will include the annual NYCHA Convention featuring the NYCHA awards banquet, scavenger hunt, family fun night and the general membership meeting.

Nine Candidates for NYCHA National Office
It’s time to elect the 2005-2006 NYCHA National Officers. Nine candidates have placed their name in the hat for the five national offices. Candidates must first serve as an NYCHA Area Director in order to run for office. All NYCHA members are eligible to vote in the election and ballots have been mailed to all current members. Ballots must be received in the NCHA office by July 8, 2005 or members may cast their vote in person during the general membership meeting on July 14 at the NYCHA Summer Scholarship Cutting & Convention.

Save on Accommodations
The Green Oaks Hotel in Fort Worth, offers discounts to NCHA members who make their early reservations. Call (800) 433-2174 for more information.

Lucchese/NCHA Weekend Photo Album
An all-time record of 6,804 cutters competed for more than $550,000 on Lucchese/NCHA Weekend, held June 3-5 in 24 locations across the United States and Canada. Hosting affiliates received prizes from Lucchese Boot Company, Resistol Hat Company, Teskey's of Weatherford, Texas, and Purina Mills, as well as scholarships from the NYCHA, adding up to more than $5,500 in prizes at each location.. We've put more than 150 pictures from correspondents across North America online. Take a look now and check back later for updates.

Leddy Boot Sale
M.L. Leddy's is offering a free pair of smooth ostrich boots valued at $1,000 with the purchase of a pair of handmade full quill ostrich boots through July 15, 2005. Send an email to Leddys for complete details of this very special offer.

New Law Should Boost Triple Crown Purses
Texas Governor Rick Perry has signed into law a bill that will allow a portion of the state sales tax collected in connection with special events like the NCHA Futurity, Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular to be allotted to those events.

"(These) events have meant so much to Fort Worth, and Fort Worth means so much to the equine events," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "This bill is a win-win-win situation. It is a win for the events because we can make them bigger and better, a win for the city because the better the events, the more people are going to come here, and a win for the state because it means more sales tax money. It’s a matter of pride and tradition and dollars."

Western Bloodstock and Breeder’s Invitational will each add $20,000 to Limited Classes at NCHA Shows
Two new sponsorship agreements will mean a big boost to added money for the Limited classes at the National Cutting Horse Association Triple Crown events, beginning in 2006. Western Bloodstock and the Breeder’s Invitational will each be contributing $20,000 annually to the added money at the shows.

Western Bloodstock will add $20,000 per year for three years to the Limited classes at the Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic. In a similar three-year agreement, the Breeder’s Invitational will donate $20,000 to the Limited classes, to be utilized at the NCHA Futurity and/or the NCHA Summer Spectacular, beginning with the 2006 events.

“The Limited Open and Limited Non-Pro classes are an excellent stepping stone between entry-level classes and the stiffer competition of the Open and Non-Pro ranks,” said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. “We are pleased to have Western Bloodstock and the Breeder’s Invitational show their support of these classes, and are excited to be able to offer greater rewards to NCHA members who take advantage of the Limited division.

Wealth of Weekend Cuttings
July will be a month of opportunity for weekend cutters with 180 days of cutting scheduled at 82 locations across North America. As always, you can catch up with coming events online 24/7.

Texas VS Quarantine released
The Texas Animal Health Commission reports that the state's Vesicular Stomatitis quarantine has been released.

BSE Updates
Following the recent confirmation of a case of "Mad Cow Disease" in Texas, the Texas Animal Health Commission is maintaining links to frequent updates of epidemiological investigation and removal of cattle of interest. The link to the USDA's BSE web site contains fact sheets, transcripts of news briefings, releases and reports.

Futurity Tickets
Tier 1 and 2 Tickets will go on sale on July 15. See the order form, on page 350 of the June Cutting Horse Chatter, or on our website under "Ticket Information." Or, contact Ella Hood for more information.

Andrew Coates put a 227 on the board to win the Open Classic Challenge on Sandy Bonelli's 5-year-old mare Lizzys Got Style. Greg Coalson piled on another win with his stallion Quejanaisalena in the Non-Pro Classic Challenge, scoring 224.

World Watch
Bobs Hickory Rio, ridden by Boyd Rice for 91-year-old Hall of Famer James Kenney, has pulled away to a lead of more than $11,500 lead in the Open division of the World Standings, over Super Stakes Classic winner Dual Rey Me and Jeremy Barwick.

Loretta Jeppesen Joins Chatter Team
Publishing professional Loretta Jeppesen has been named Western Region Sales Manager for the award-winning Cutting Horse Chatter. She will be based in Eugene, Oregon to best serve the needs of advertisers in the western states.

“Loretta’s experience, knowledge of the cutting horse industry and strong ties to West Coast advertisers will make her a valuable addition to the Chatter team,” said NCHA Director of Publishing Alan Gold.

You can contact Loretta at (541) 461-5756 or (541) 225-7935 or by email.

Advertising Deadlines
The deadline for advertising in the special Baby Book issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is at hand. The special issue gives you the perfect opportunity to promote your breeding program with a full page ad or a place in our special 2005 Baby Section. Contact Shawn McCoy today at (817) 244-6188, ext. 160 or (817) 980-4754.

The Chatter's 2005 Media Kit and Rate Card and Advertising Contract are now online.

News from the Non-Pro
Abilene, Texas teen Cole Rothwell and Little Lena Telesis marked 222 for a five-point win in the 4-year-old Non-Pro at The Non-Pro show in Oklahoma City which concluded June 21. Purcell, Oklahoma cutters Frank Merrill on Smart Cokette and Bucki James on A Star N Jewels tied in the 5/6-year-old Non-Pro with 219 points.

Photo Contest Winners Announced
Hundreds of entries representing eight countries and 38 states were entered in the second equine photography contest sponsored by the Equine Photographers' Network. You can check out the winners online.

NCHA Membership Up to Date?
If you have not yet renewed your NCHA membership for 2005, hurry and do it today! Don't miss the next issue of the award-winning Cutting Horse Chatter magazine! And remember, if you are showing, be sure to pay your membership before you show!

You can renew online quickly and easily right now. If you have questions or need additional information about membership please contact the membership department at 817-244-6188 or email Julie Davis or Peggy Cox.

Ultimate Equine Experience Video
Bob Kingsley hosts "The Ultimate Equine Experience: Your Guide to Owning A Cutting Horse, a new, one-hour video that features professional and non-professional cutting competitors who provide expert, first-hand experience on how to get involved in cutting. How to select a trainer, purchasing a cutting horse, and what level of involvement best suits you are some of the issues addressed in this video.

This video can be yours for $14.95 plus $5.95 S&H.

You can also relive some of the great moments of cutting horse history with VHS tapes of many of the past Triple Crown events, available from the NCHA Video Library. Tapes are $29.95, plus $5.95 for shipping and handling. Call Dayna Smith at (817) 244-6188 for more information about ordering. And right now, there's a special, limited-time offer on the 2003 NCHA World Championship Futurity and 2004 Super Stakes videos together for $49.95 plus $5.95 shipping and handling.

Judges Rules Video
The popular Judges Rules Video is a must for every cutter's library. Order it now or contact Holly Davis for more information.

At its meeting in Fort Worth, Texas on April 18, the NCHA Executive Committee voted to continue using the same format for qualifying for the final round at the NCHA World Finals which has proven popular in the event’s first two years of expanded participation.

As in the shows held in Amarillo, Texas, in 2004 and 2005, in all classes except the Open and Non-Pro, the top 12 contestants based on their combined