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Big Boost for Futurity Purse
Cutting's most prestigious event, the 2006 NCHA Futurity, will feature $500,000 in added money. At its September meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, the NCHA Executive Committee voted in favor of the 67% increase in added money for the sport's showcase event.

"As the first jewel in cutting's Triple Crown, the NCHA Futurity is well established as the most exciting event on the cutting horse calendar," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "With the upward trend in participation and purses at our Triple Crown shows in recent years, this is an ideal time to sweeten the pot. We anticipate that the total purse for the Futurity will exceed $3 million."

The NCHA Futurity, held in Fort Worth each November/December, is for 3-year-old horses which have not been shown before. The nomination payment for the 2006 NCHA Futurity is due October 1.

Important Decisions at Executive Meeting
The vote for a $500,000-added NCHA Futurity was just one of the highlights of a busy, productive Executive Committee meeting. Find out about the new way to advance at the NCHA World Finals, additional classes at both weekend shows and aged events and other important decisions here.

Mel Blount Honored
NCHA member and NFL Hall of Famer Mel Blount will be inducted into the Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas on October 20.

Anne Marion to Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Anne Marion, who donated the Jim Reno statue "The Finalist" to NCHA this summer, and a similar statue which is being unveiled at the American Quarter Horse Museum in Amarillo, Texas, today, will be inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame on October 27. Marion, president of Burnett Ranches Ltd., was previously the 1994 recipient of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame's special Fern Sawyer Award.

Can't Win If You're Not In
The first payment for the $500,000-added 2006 NCHA Futurity is due October 1. That's also the due date for the Super Stakes Stallion Subscription Fee.

Area Leaders Online
Now you can check out the latest standings in each class in each NCHA Area online.

Check Member Status Online
Now you can retrieve up to date information on membership and card status by entering just a portion of the member's name, similar to the way the horse and rider earnings queries work

Get the FAQs!
Want to know what class you should be showing in? Where weekend shows are being held? How to find a trainer? The answers to these and more Frequently Asked Questions are now available online.

Have You Been Denied Amateur or Non Pro Status?
The Exception Rules for Amateur and Non Pro status have changed for the 2006 point year. Please review Amateur/Non Pro application for detailed information regarding the rules and exceptions for Amateur and/or Non Pro status.

Amateur Exception Rule: The Amateur Exception Rule has been changed from a 10Year/$5,000 Rule to a 5Year/$5,000 Rule, allowing a shorter wait period for applicants to regain their amateur status under the Exception Rule.

Non Pro Exception Rule: The Non Pro Exception Rule has been changed from a 10Year/$5,000 Rule to a 5Year/$10,000 Rule, allowing a shorter wait period for applicants and increasing the earnings limit, however, the earnings limit in the past has been NCHA earnings only and now the earnings will be defined as: A person has not won in their lifetime more than 10 thousand dollars ($10,000) whether the earnings are in NCHA events (defined as NCHA lifetime earnings), or any other equine discipline excluding any Non-Pro money won in equine events other than in NCHA, or any combination of both.

You may reapply for your Amateur and/or Non Pro status for 2006, if you feel you qualify under the new rules.

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.

High Notes at Music City
Sudden Addiction, a gelding by Smart Mouth, shown by Jason Clark for Darren Blanton, marked 222 to win the 3-year-old open class at the Music City Futurity. Jim Vangilder took the non-pro title, riding Quixotes Catman.

A Corker at Wine Country
Two horses shared the top score at the Paso Robles Wine Country Futurity which wrapped up September 23. Nice N Smart, ridden by Rex Rossoll for Jim Spurlin, and Ricochet Rascal, ridden by Andrew Coates for Paulette Weill. each marked 220 to earn $8,000. Monte Lamb took the non-pro honors, riding Just As Smart.

Upcoming Aged Event Action
Meanwhile, the Brazos Bash is now underway in Weatherford, Texas, and will finish up October 3. The Canadian Supreme starts today in Calgary, and the Suncoast Futurity and the Millionheir Classic, which was re-scheduled due to flooding earlier this year, start in Las Vegas October 10.

Western Horseman Cup Summer Season Concludes
Mates Little Cokette led the open division of the Horsecity.com Summer Season of the Western Horseman Cup, while Skip Queen headed the non-pro ranks. The season concluded on the weekend of September 17-18 with the Idaho CHA Aged Event in Nampa, Idaho and the Dakota Classic in Platte, South Dakota. It had started with the Breeders’ Invitational Derby in May. In all, the Horsecity.com Summer Season encompassed 16 events in 13 states with total added money of nearly $1.3 million.

World Watch
Bobs Hickory Rio, ridden by Boyd Rice for 91-year-old Hall of Famer James Kenney, has romped to a lead of nearly $23,000 in the Open division of the World Standings, over Allen Crouch on Lee Garner's Show Biz Pep.

Meanwhile in the Non-Pro rankings, six-time World Champion Mary Jo Milner has jumped to a margin of just over $7,000 on her husband, Jim Milner, with Ed Blakey steady in third.

You'll also find the Rice and Milner names in front in the Senior Youth class. In a rare turn of events this late in the season, Jordan Milner, Mary Jo's granddaughter, and Tarin Rice, Boyd's son, are tied for the lead at 192 points each.

As always, you can keep a watch on the standings in all classes online.

Cutters Offer Hurricane Help
NCHA members are stepping forward to help in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. See how cutters and others have been helping out.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine has offered a hands-on look at horse rescue in the Bayou State.

Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow . . .
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have put an asterisk at the end of the Postman's Creed. Although the United States Postal Service has worked quickly to restore delivery to many affected areas, NCHA members in some ZIP codes will see interruption to the delivery of Cutting Horse Chatter and the Coming Events Supplement. Keep up to date with how the hurricanes are affecting the mail here.

Consignments Invited
Western Bloodstock is now accepting consignments to the 2005 NCHA Futurity Sales.

Advertising Deadlines
The NCHA Futurity is closer than you think. Get ready now to put your ad in front of the biggest, most avid market in the cutting horse world in the official NCHA Futurity Program. The deadline for booking space is October 10, and all materials must be in by October 15. 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.

And don't forget that the deadline for the November issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is October 1.

With the 2006 breeding season coming just around the corner, Shawn and Loretta can also help you plan your advertising campaign. Ask them about the new Stallion Owner Packages to get the best return on your promotional dollar.

The Chatter's 2006 Media Kit and Rate Card and Advertising Contract are now online.

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.

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.