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World Finals to Begin Tomorrow
Amarillo, Texas, throws open the doors tomorrow for the 2005 NCHA World Finals at the Tri-State Fairgrounds. Bobs Hickory Rio, ridden by Boyd Rice for the James Kenney Horse Trust, comes into the World Finals with a lead of nearly $22,000 in the Open division of the World Standings, over Allen Crouch on Lee Garner's Show Biz Pep.

Meanwhile in the NCHA Non-Pro rankings, six-time World Champion Mary Jo Milner finished the regular season with a lead over her husband, Jim Milner, of about $7,000.

The World Finals will run through February 20. Cutting horse fans at the Tri-State Fairgrounds will be able to tune in to a special in-house commentary during the Open and Non-Pro finals on Saturday, February 18, thanks to the Smart Bug technology of Rancharrah Radio. There will also be a live webcast of all the action, sponsored by Burnett Ranches. Read about the champs throughout the show in the Daily Chatter newsletter.

You can check out the Official Program of the NCHA World Finals online. As always, you can keep a watch on the standings in all classes online.

The Race Is On In 2006
As the 2006 point year begins to build up steam, Mississippi's Ted Berry and Our Little Highbrow have hit the lead in the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro class. This is the first year the class has gained official recognition, and it will be featured in the 2006 World Finals, along with the National Championships, to be held in the spring of 2007.

Eastern Nationals Around the Corner
The deadline for entering the Wayne Hodges Trailers * Outlaw Conversions Eastern National Championships is coming up fast. The draw will be held February 22 for the show that grassroots cutters look forward to all year long. The action is tentatively scheduled to start in Jackson, Mississippi, on March 6 and continue through March 18.

Catch the NCHA Futurity on TV
The 2005 NCHA Futurity was broadcast live on RFD-TV, presented by EE Ranches of Texas, whose showcase breeding facility in Whitesboro, Texas, is the home of such great stallions as 2004 NCHA Futurity Champion Spots Hot, 2004 NCHA Derby Champion Cat Ichi, prominent sire Dual Rey, and others.

Memphis Futurity
Fresh from his Western Horseman Cup success, Tag Rice piloted Jack and Susan Waggoner's Purdy Boy Flash, by Pretty Boy Cat, to a win in the Open division of the Memphis Futurity in Tunica, Mississippi on February 3. That came a day after he won the 5/6-year-old class on Reys Dual Badger for S&S Partners.

Hank Ack Dies
Cutting horse trainer and AAA judge Hank Ack, 64, of Marietta, Oklahoma, passed away at a show in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on February 3. The popular horseman was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association for 40 years. A silent auction to benefit his family is being organized in conjunction with next month's show in Ardmore. If you can donate an item or would like to help, contact Karen Harrison.

Finish Line Becomes Latest NCHA Sponsor
With its promise of the best quality products at the best value, Finish Line Horse Products has become the newest corporate sponsor on the NCHA roster.

Finish Line will provide products to competitors at all six major shows produced by the National Cutting Horse Association.
"We're extremely delighted to welcome Finish Line supplements to our NCHA sponsorship roster," said Jeff Hooper, NCHA Executive Director. "Finish Line is a great company because they believe in and fully guarantee all their products. Among other things, this sponsorship will enable cutters who haven't yet discovered the benefits of Finish Line supplements the opportunity to try the products for themselves."

Finish Line has been making natural horse supplements for every horse and discipline since the 1970's. Their products were developed by a family of horse trainers whose equine expertise dates back to Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the early 1900's.

NYCHA Stallion Program Fast Approaching
Members of the National Youth Cutting Horse Association are gearing up for the 2006 NYCHA Stallion Service Program. Stallion owners may donate one breeding per year per stallion to the program. Those breedings are then sold in a sealed bid auction. All proceeds benefit the NYCHA to support scholarships, awards, and educational activities. We hope you will consider donating a breeding to your great stallion for the coming year. If you would like to participate in the program, please fill out the 2006 donation form and return it to the NCHA office with a copy of the stallion's papers. If your stallion will be standing at a breeding facility, please be sure you notify them of your donation.

AHC Urges Action on Immigration Bill
The American Horse Council is urging citizens in the horse industry to contact their senators in support of comprehensive immigration reform that "ensures U.S. employers have access to a legal and stable workforce." HR4437, passed by the House of Representatives in December, is now in the judicial committee in the Senate, and the matter is expected to be considered in the coming weeks.

"The current H-2A and H-2B foreign worker programs do not adequately address the needs of the horse industry or other American businesses that depend on foreign workers for jobs that are not filled by American worker," said an AHC spokesperson. "Without provisions in place that address these needs, the horse industry could face a major labor shortage that will have severe affects on the industry and the U.S. economy."

Summer's Coming
There may be a chill in the air, but the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular is just around the corner. First payments of $400 for the NCHA Derby and NCHA Classic/Challenge are due February 15.

Judge Recertification Seminars
There will be a series of Judge Recertification Seminars in 2006 held in conjunction with three major shows starting with the Eastern National Championship in March. It is mandatory that all NCHA carded judges attend at least one of these recertification seminars in 2006.

• Jackson, Mississippi – March 2006 (Seminar date – March 11)
• Reno, Nevada – May 2006 (in conjunction with the PCCHA Derby/Classic/Challenge)
• Fort Worth, Texas – July 2006 (in conjunction with the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular)

Listen Up!
NCHA Director of Judges Russell McCord and announcer Tom Holt have recorded a new audio CD that examines NCHA's contest rules. The insightful commentary can help you show your horse better and improve your scores. The price for the Rules and Regulations Audio CD is just $10.00, or $10.83 for Texas residents (to cover sales tax). There are no shipping and handling charges except for foreign orders. Visa or MasterCard are accepted. Fax your order to Holly Davis at (817) 244-2015, or email Holly for more information.

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.

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 the NCHA Marketing Departmentat (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.