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It's Summer (Spectacular) Time
The NCHA Summer Spectacular is underway and continues through July 31 in Fort Worth, Texas. The NCHA Summer Spectacular is presented by the Ben Emison Insurance Agency, underwritten by the Insurance Corporation of Hannover. As always, you'll be able to watch live performances online, keep up with the latest go-round scores and read great features in the online version of the Daily Chatter newsletter.

On July 15, the Summer Spectacular featured Finals Friday, with finals of the Youth classes, the Sponsors Cutting and the Open Classic/Challenge. Boon San Kitty, 2004 Horse of the Year ridden by Eddie Flynn for Alice Walton's Rocking W Ranch, marked 224 to win the Classic/Challenge over Super Stakes Classic champ Dual Rey Me, ridden by Jeremy Barwick. It was Boon San Kitty's first show since winning the Western Horseman Cup finals back in February.

The Junior Youth champion was Jake Milner of Southlake, Texas, who marked 226 on Boonsmart, while Cameron Thompson and Cats Rascal took the reserve title. In the Senior Youth, Clint Pooley rode Debbie Patterson's great Gun Smokes Wimpy to a half-point win with a 222. Cooper Cogdell and Work Smooth finished second. It was the final show of his career for 21-year-old "Gunner," a winner of more than $660,000 who came back to win in his first show since undergoing major colic surgery early this year

Nelson Knight, representing Marriott, marked 150 to top the Sponsors Cutting. The day's action was narrated on Rancharrah Radio, in the coliseum and on the internet by Jim Ware and Ben Emison of Western Bloodstock.

Finals of the Amateur Derby and the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge are scheduled for this afternoon.

Tune in to Rancharrah Radio
Rancharrah will sponsor the popular Smart Bug commentary during the Open and Non-Pro finals of major NCHA events, beginning with the debut of Rancharrah Radio at the NCHA Summer Spectacular on July 31. The cutting edge Smart Bug technology uses lightweight receivers so spectators in the coliseum can listen to expert and insightful commentary on the live action as it unfolds.

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.

EE Ranches Sale Shaping Up
EE Ranches of Texas will hold their second annual Breeders Production Sale at the ranch in Whitesboro, Texas on Labor Day, September 5. Activities begin September 4 with an open house, parade of stallions and a preview of sale horses on cattle.

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

More Accommodations
Don't miss more cutting specials at NCHA sponsor hotel properties. Courtyard West/Land's End at 6530 West Freeway, (817) 737-6923, or Spring Hill Suites at 3250 Lovell Ave., (817) 878-2554, and Residence Inn Cultural District at 2500 Museum Way (817) 885-8250 or call nationwide reservations at 1-800-321-2211. Be sure to ask about NCHA rates.

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.

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.

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

Western Horseman Cup Spring Season Wraps Up
The Horsecity.com Summer Season of the Western Horseman Cup sees Hickorysomebodysmart, ridden by Brad Vaughn for Clarence Williams of Vacaville, California, in the lead with 75 points, followed by KD Shorty and TF Smartlittle Linda. In the Non-Pro race, Matt Miller of Millsap, Texas has 75 points on Travs Smart Kit, followed by Dustin Adams, Jim Vangilder, Meredith McCullar and Skip Queen.

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 nearly $11,000 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 September issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is August 1, followed soon by the deadline for the popular Yearbook and Directory. Contact Shawn McCoy today at (817) 244-6188, ext. 160 or (817) 980-4754 or for Western states advertisers, Loretta Jeppesen at (541) 461-5756 or (541) 225-7935.

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

Cutting to Benefit Children's Hospital
A two-day cutting August 20-21 at the Wiens Ranch southwest of Castle Rock, Colorado will be held in conjunction with the Buckaroo Ball Colorado to benefit the Children's Hospital Research Institute in Denver. Now in its fifth year, the event also promotes cutting to the nearly 1,000 people who come to the ranch for the Buckaroo Ball. Featured entertainer at the $500 per person dinner will be Clint Black, but cutters can attend the concert portion of the event for only $50 and each class winner gets a free ticket.

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!

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.

NCHA World Finals Update
Successful format for qualifying for final round will remain unchanged

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 scores in the World Finals go-rounds will advance to the final round.

The Open and Non-Pro format will also remain unchanged, with four go-rounds, plus a non-working final.