Welcome to the National Cutting Horse Association's E-Chatter newsletter. We'll be bringing the latest NCHA news direct to your inbox every other week.

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A Rockin Good Time
Rockin By Choice, ridden by Paul Hansma for Skip and Elizabeth Queen of Lipan, Texas, marked 224.5 to win the 2005 NCHA Derby and take home a check for $75,000. The Open Derby was the grand finale of the NCHA Summer Spectacular which concluded 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.

Jim Vangilder of Jackson, Missouri, rode Quintan Blue, and Scott Ferguson of Hempstead, Texas, rode Coontail Cat to share the Co-Championship in the Non-Pro Derby with scores of 221.

The Open and Non-Pro Derby finals featured a live broadcast on Rancharrah Radio, with informed commentary from Hall of Fame trainer Tim Smith and pedigree expert Jim Ware. And throughout the show, the stories behind the scores appeared in the popular Daily Chatter newsletter.

The Finalist Unveiled
Sculptor Jim Reno, Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief and Dr. Glenn Blodgett, representing donor Anne Marion, attended the unveiling of Reno's latest life-size statue, "The Finalist," at the NCHA offices in Fort Worth, Texas on July 29.

Summer Sale Success
Western Bloodstock's NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular Sale, July 29-31 saw net sales average $14,555 on 311 head. You'll find complete results in the September issue of Cutting Horse Chatter.

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.

Sign Up Your Gelding
A nomination payment of $500 is due September 1 for the $50,000 Western Bloodstock Gelding Stakes to be held next spring during the NCHA Super Stakes. Don't miss your chance to enter this lucrative contest-within-a-contest.

Futurity Payments
September 1 is also the deadline for the fifth payment for the Open and Non-Pro classes of the 2005 NCHA Futurity, and for the first payment for the Amateur Futurity.

Leon Harrel Cutting Horse Experience
You can support the University of New Mexico Athletic Department and learn the art of cutting from Hall of Fame trainer Leon Harrel during a four-day clinic at the Galles Ranch in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. A four-day, 5-star clinic in the summer/fall of 2006, valued at $3,500 has been donated to the university's fund-raising auction. The clinic includes lodging, one-on-one instruction on the art of cutting horses, gourmet lunches and dinners, and evening activities for the family.

This auction will be held in Albuquerque on August 27, but you can place your minimum and maximum bids by contacting Michael Zoerb by phone (505) 925-5742 or e-mail. All proceeds from this auction go to student-athlete scholarships.

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.

“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.

Western Horseman Cup Summer Season Heats Up
The NCHA Summer Spectacular was the latest stop for the Horsecity.com Summer Season of the Western Horseman Cup. NCHA Derby champ Rockin By Choice has moved into the lead with 125 points in the Open standings, ahead of a four-way tie for second at 75 points among Boonbay Smash, Freckles Royally Doc, Mates Little Cokette and Hickorysomebodysmart.

In the Non-Pro ranks, Jim Vangilder of Jackson, Missouri, leads with 160 points earned on Quintan Blue and Freckles Royally Doc. Dustin Adams is next with 120 points, thanks to MH Lay Down Lady and Billies Smart Lena, while Scott Ferguson holds third place with 100 points earned on Coontail Cat.

West Texas Futurity Underway
The West Texas Futurity opened in at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo this week, with finals of the Amateur Derby and Classic scheduled for today. The action continues through Saturday.

Deanna Sparks Wins Membership Promotion
NCHA member Deanna Sparks of Jerome, Idaho, has won a $500 Gift Certificate for NCHA Logo Merchandise through Tioga Territory. Her name was drawn from the new NCHA members who responded to the request to fill out a new member profile for NCHA.

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
Cutters refer to their NCHA Yearbook and Directory all year long, making it the ideal place for your advertising message. The deadline for advertising in it is coming up fast. 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.

Join Us!
Get your NCHA membership today and receive a subscription to the NCHA's award-winning monthly magazine, Cutting Horse Chatter. You can join quickly and easily right now, just click on this link to join online. 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.

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.

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.