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It Was a Super Show!
Dual Smart Rey, ridden by Phil Rapp for D.R. Horton's Strawn Valley Ranch, marked 224 to win the NCHA Super Stakes Open Championship on Sunday as the $2.8 million show, for the progeny of subscribed stallions, concluded in Fort Worth, Texas. The show attracted 1,800 entries in 16 classes, and here's a look at the winners:

• Super Stakes Open: Dual Smart Rey, ridden by Phil Rapp
• Super Stakes Non-Pro: Skip Queen, riding Sister CD
• Gelding Stakes Open: CDs Nitty Gritty, ridden by Austin Shepard and Sister CD, ridden by Paul Hansma
• Super Stakes Novice Non-Pro: Bob Dualin, ridden by Julie Hansma
• Super Stakes Limited Non-Pro: Matt Miller, riding Hokies Cat
• Gelding Stakes Non-Pro: Kelle Earnheart, riding High Steppin Cat
• Super Stakes Limited Open: Playing On An Acre, ridden by Salvador Cabral
• Super Stakes Novice Open: Kittens, ridden by Russ Miller
• Super Stakes Amateur: Melissa Drummond, riding Stylaboon
• Super Stakes Classic Amateur : Deena Adams, riding Billies Smart Lena
• Super Stakes Classic Open: Widows Intentions, ridden by Austin Shepard
• Super Stakes Classic Non-Pro: Jim Vangilder, riding Quintan Blue
• Super Stakes Classic Novice Non-Pro: Play With Sugar, ridden by Glade Knight and Short An Acre, ridden by Suzan Cardwell
• Super Stakes Classic Limited Non-Pro: Julie Wrigley, riding Yabba Dabba Dual
• Super Stakes Classic Novice Open: Black N Beauty, ridden by Rodie Whitman
• Super Stakes Classic Limited Open: Shrimp On The Barbie, ridden by Geordie Richardson

Join the more than 14,000 people who have already read the stories behind the scores in the online version of the Daily Chatter newsletter.

Next Stop: Ogden
The 2005 Wayne Hodges Trailers * Outlaw Conversions NCHA Western National Championships get underway in Ogden, Utah, April 27 and continue through May 7. The show has attracted more than 700 entries in NCHA's approved weekend show classes. In addition, contestants will be vying on behalf of their local organizations in the $27,000 AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge. The owner of the high-scoring horse at the show will win one-year's use of a deluxe 3-horse slant load trailer, courtesy of Wayne Hodges.

Vice President Candidates Announced
Jo Ellard and Bronc Willoughby have announced they will run for the NCHA Vice Presidential Election. Ballots for the NCHA Vice President election will be mailed to all members on or before April 25, 2006 and the results counted in the NCHA offices on June 14, 2006. The new Vice President will take office during the 2006 NCHA Convention June 23-25 at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.

Important Change Made to Entry Schedules
Beginning with entries for the 2007 NCHA Futurity, payments must be postmarked or received in the NCHA office by the date listed in the payment schedule. There will no longer be a 10-day grace period for payments. The grace period will also be dropped for the 2007 NCHA Super Stakes and 2007 NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular.

For example, the initial payment for the 2007 NCHA Futurity is due October 1, 2006, so it must be postmarked or hand delivered to the NCHA office by October 1. Late entries will be assessed late fees according to published schedules.

2006 Futurity Payment Due
The third payment for the 2006 NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity is due May 1.

Great American Insurance Sponsors Summer Spectacular
With the first two jewels of cutting's Triple Crown completed, all eyes turn to the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, presented by Great American Insurance. Their Equine Farm Center is a leader in the specialty field of equine property and casualty insurance, and their Equine Mortality Division is one of the world's leading providers of mortality insurance and related coverage. They offer their services through professional equine independent agents, including businesses well known to cutters, such as Justin Insurance (940) 648-3567, Kay Cassell Equine Insurance (423) 477-8384 and Roger Peters Livestock Insurance (402) 494-4300.

Hotel Discounts Offered to NCHA Members
It's daylight savings time! That means more hours in the day and great travel savings at Choice Hotels International® National Cutting Horse Association members! The National Cutting Horse Association has partnered with Choice Hotels International® to offer you a great travel saving benefit. Take advantage of a 10% discount at over 5,000 participating Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn® and Suburban Extended Stay® brand hotels worldwide. Make reservations conveniently by booking online at www.choicehotels.com or by calling 800-258-2847. When making reservations remember to book in advance and reference the National Cutting Horse Association's Special Rate Identification Number 00217850. Look out for your personal National Cutting Horse Association S.O.S. Card, which should be in your mail shortly!

Additionally, take advantage of the benefits of our Choice Privileges® rewards program along with your National Cutting Horse Association's discount! Earn points towards airline miles or room nights at any Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, or MainStay Suites® properties in the U.S., Canada, Mexico or Caribbean! How? It is simple. Sign up to be a Choice Privileges® member by going to www.choiceprivileges.com or calling 800-770-6800. Membership is FREE! When making your reservations be sure to reference both your National Cutting Horse Association Special Rate Identification number 00217850 and your personal Choice Privileges® identification number. Join now and start earning points!

Where is your next travel destination...Choice Hotels Is There!

NCHA Cutting Academy
Join us in DuQuoin, Illinois., Saturday April 22 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for the inaugural NCHA Cutting Academy. NCHA President, Mike Mowery and NCHA Executive Director, Jeff Hooper will be on hand to meet members and give an overview of the association before we get started on Judging and Rules with Russell McCord, NCHA Director of Judges. The morning session is only $25.00 per person and includes a light breakfast and lunch.  Plan to stay for the Live Works Session in the afternoon, there is no additional cost to observe the live works session If you are interested in participating in the live works please contact Julie Davis at the NCHA office to see if space is still available. The live works session will be conducted by Ernie Beutenmiller, Jr. and Keith Deaville.

The NCHA Cutting Academy, a series of grass roots cutting clinics to be held throughout the country, will be launched on April 22 in DuQuoin, Illinois. Four clinics will be scheduled annually in different locations, with the emphasis on the education and presentation of showing horses. The second clinic will be held June 10 at Rivers Bend Ranch, Stanley, Virginia. The third clinic will be held August 24 right before the Crawfish Classic in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Watch our website for information on the upcoming clinic in California. Contact Julie Davis at the NCHA office for more information or if you are interested in attending one of these clinics.

NCHA & NYCHA Scholarship applications due June 1
Applications are due soon for the NYCHA/Walton Family Foundation Scholarships and the NCHA – CIA Charities Foundation Scholarships. More than $165,000 will be awarded for the 2006 – 2007 school year.  If you are a high school senior or currently enrolled as a full time undergraduate college student and plan to attend college in the fall of 2006 you might be eligible to receive a scholarship award.   The application and all application guidelines are available in the Youth section of the NCHA web site or by contacting the NCHA Youth Department.  Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2006.

National Velvet Screens Today
On Wednesday, April 19, the 1944 classic National Velvet, winner of two Academy Awards, will be shown at Fort Worth's Museum of Modern Art, a quarter-mile from Will Rogers Memorial Center, benefiting the Lone Star Film Society.

This is a rare opportunity to see the classic movie starring Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Angela Landsbury and more on the big screen. Children are encouraged to come, as the movie is about a young girl who takes a renegade horse and wins the Grand National Steeplechase. Admission is $7.50 Movie starts at 7 pm.

2006 NCHA Convention at Worthington in Fort Worth, Texas
The 2006 NCHA Convention will be held at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas on June 23-25. Located in historic downtown Fort Worth, the Worthington has hosted the NCHA Convention four times in the past.

You may book your hotel room reservations by dialing 1-800-433-5677 and identifying yourself with the NCHA Convention in order to get the discounted group rate. Please remember that the hotel rooms for the NCHA Convention are only being held under our group rate through May 24, 2006, so be sure to make your reservations early.

The Race Is On In 2006
CD Lights, owned by Danny Motes and Winston Hansma, is more than $9,000 in front of his nearest rival in the Open standings for the 2006 point year. Riding Could I Would I, Squeaks My Alias and Kit Dualena, two-time Non-Pro World Champion Joe Howard Williamson has a significant margin over Kathy Boone in the Non-Pro standings, while Williamson's daughter, Denver Jo, leads the $50,000 Amateur..

Remember, you can keep up with the standings in all NCHA-approved classes online every week.

Keep Your Membership Active
March 1 was the deadline for renewing your NCHA membership for 2006. If you had an active membership in 2005, but did not renew by March 1, you are no longer eligible to show horses in NCHA competition, and beginning with the April issue, you will no longer receive the award-winning Cutting Horse Chatter magazine until your membership is renewed.

Futurity Tickets
Select Tickets for the 2006 Futurity, and 2007 Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular, may now be purchased. Send orders to Ella Hood in the NCHA Marketing Department by fax (817-560-2288), or mail.

Triple Crown Accommodations
If you're headed to the NCHA Super Stakes, check out the Green Oaks Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. They offer a 10% discount to NCHA members who make their reservations 60 days out, and 5% for those who make reservations 30 days out. That deal works for all three NCHA shows in Fort Worth. Call (800) 433-2174 for more information. With the recent closing of several Fort Worth area hotels, it's especially important to book your rooms early.

NYCHA Stallion Service Program
Why spend more for breeding fees if you don’t have to? Breedings donated to the NYCHA Stallion Service Program can be purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis for 60% of the advertised breeding fees. Here’s a sample of the breedings we have available for purchase: Buckaroo Bueno Chex, Hickory Bar Bully, Lectric Playboy, Little Bit Of Smarts, Playin In Style, Whittle Wed Boon. To purchase any of the breedings, contact Danette McGuire, NCHA Youth Coordinator at (817) 244-6188. All proceeds benefit the National Youth Cutting Horse Association.

$100,000 Riders May Apply for Judges Card
Riders who have earned $100,000 are invited to apply for an NCHA Judges card. The Applicant Clinic will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2006 during the Summer Cutting Spectacular in Fort Worth, Texas. This clinic is specifically targeted to only those members who have won over $100,000 in lifetime earnings. If you meet this requirement and are interesting in attending, contact Holly Davis at 817-244-6188 extension 158 to register. The deadline to apply is July 10, 2006. The regular Judges Applicant Clinic for those winning $25,000+ in lifetime earnings will be held in the Spring of 2007.

Olan Hightower Benefit
Affiliates in Area 10 have organized a stallion auction to benefit Olan Hightower of Chappell Hill, Texas. The auction ends May 1.

Judge Recertification Seminars
Three more Judge Recertification Seminars will be held this year held in conjunction with major shows. It is mandatory that all NCHA carded judges attend a recertification seminar in 2006.

• Reno, Nevada – May 13, 2006, 1:00 p.m. (in conjunction with the PCCHA Derby/Classic/Challenge)
• Fort Worth, Texas – July, 28, 2006, 8:00 a.m. (in conjunction with the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular) for AA and AAA who have not judged a monitored LAE
• Fort Worth, Texas – July, 29, 2006, 8:00 a.m. (in conjunction with the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular) for AAA and AAA who have judged a monitored LAE

Horse Power Brochure Available
The American Horse Council offers a comprehensive and entertaining look at the economics of today’s horse industry in its new American Horsepower brochure. The full-color brochure is based on statistics and information from the Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study that was commissioned by the American Horse Council Foundation.

Contact the American Horse Council at 202-296-4031 to purchase copies of the brochure.

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 Department 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.