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Bill Riddle Installed as President
Bill Riddle of Ringling, Oklahoma was installed as President of the National Cutting Horse Association during the NCHA's Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, June 23-25. Bob Mayfield of Wills Point, Texas, is the President Elect, and Bronc Willoughby of Nocona, Texas, is the new Vice President.

In his address to the membership, Riddle cited the association's growth into a truly national organization since he joined NCHA.
"When I joined this association 29 years ago in 1977, there were 1500 members. There are 16,000-plus today. In 1977, Little Peppy won the NCHA Futurity and he won $48,000. The 18th place horse in our Futurity this year will win about $48,000. That first year, Matlock Rose was World Champion and the total purses for the year were somewhere around a million bucks. It's right at $36 million for this year. What a change in 29 years!"

In his keynote speech to the NCHA Directors, Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst traced the path of Senate Bill 1253 which has resulted in $1.2 million in new added money for NCHA's Triple Crown events to fuel the economic impact of cutting in the state..

"When you talk about more jobs in Texas, you talk about more opportunities for young people," he said. "You can improve public education in Texas. You can improve the quality of life in Texas. And you can improve this industry we all love called cutting."

See photos from the NCHA Convention online.

Grace Period Reinstated
At its meeting during the NCHA Convention, the NCHA Executive Committee reinstated the 10-day grace period for payments for all NCHA limited age events. As in the past, late fees will be assessed for entries which are not postmarked on or before the last day of the grace period.

The Lure of Lucchese NCHA Weekend
Lucchese NCHA Weekend drew 6,158 entries at shows held in each of NCHA's 25 Areas across North America on the first weekend in June. Cutters competed for $535,994 in purses. With boots and cash support from Lucchese, great awards support from Resistol Hats, Teskey's Saddle Shop, Purina Mills, Gist Silversmiths, and NYCHA's scholarship program, the show was the biggest cutting in the world for 2006.

Visit the online NCHA Weekend Photo Gallery.

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

NCI Building Systems Sponsors NCHA Futurity
With a brand new website for cutters, NCI Building Systems, Inc. will be the title sponsor of the NCHA World Championship Futurity. NCI's support of cutting's showcase event, along with purse enhancements already approved by the NCHA Executive Committee, will help raise the added money for the NCHA Futurity to more than $1,000,000, compared to $300,000 in 2005.

NCI Building Systems is the leading integrated manufacturer and marketer of metal building components, custom engineered metal building systems and metal coil coaters in North America.

Based in Houston, Texas, NCI Building Systems has 44 manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States, in Mexico and in Canada.

Non-Pro Wraps Up
The popular Non-Pro plus The Open Cutting concluded June 20 in Oklahoma City with John Wold marking 219 on Kit Kit to win the 5/6-year-old Open for Robert Ballard of Lake Jackson, Texas. Bruce Lusk of Weatherford, Texas, won the 5/6-year-old Non-Pro on CD Legacy, while Mica Motes, also of Weatherford, won the 4-year-old division on SL Jaybird. Reagan Lancaster of Whitesboro, Texas, won the popular Non-Pro Shoot-Out, riding Talamasca Cat.

Cotton Stakes Champions
The recent inaugural Cotton Stakes Classic at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe, Louisiana offered $210,000 in added money. Check out some of the big winners online.

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.

NCHA Cutting Academy
The NCHA Cutting Academy Clinics have received rave reviews from cutters. The next NCHA Cutting Academy, will be held August 24 right before the Crawfish Classic in West Monroe, Louisiana. Four clinics will be scheduled annually in different locations, with the emphasis on the education and presentation of showing horses.

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.

Summer Sales Expand to Three Days
The Western Bloodstock NCHA Summer Spectacular Sales will be held over three days at Will Rogers Equestrian Center. The dates will be Friday, July 28, Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30.

EE Ranches Breeders Production Sale
The third annual EE Ranches Breeders Production Sale will be held on Friday, September 22, 2006, at EE Ranches’ state-of-the-art stallion station in Whitesboro, Texas. The sale includes broodmares, yearlings, seasoned cutting horses, 2-year-olds in training and 3-year-old Futurity prospects representing EE’s outstanding stallion battery.

Owned by Bill and Jo Ellard, EE Ranches Stallion Station is the home of four of the Ellard’s stallions, including Cat Ichi, Laker Doc, DJ Tracker and Kodo, all with earnings of $100,000 or more and descended from the Ellard’s great producer Laney Doc. The EE stallion roster for 2006 also includes leading sire Dual Rey, 2004 NCHA Open Futurity champion Spots Hot, High Brow Cougar and Smart Little Levi.

While select consignments are still being accepted for this year’s EE Ranches Breeders Production Sale, the Ellards have already committed six three-year-old Futurity prospects, including a colt out of Laney Doc sired by Color Me Smart.

“This is the best three-year-old crop that we’ve ever had and we are offering six open finalist-caliber Futurity prospects,” said Jo Ellard.

The inaugural EE Ranches Sale saw a record price of $390,000 paid for a cutting horse yearling. Catalaney, by High Brow Cat out of $1.2 million producer Laney Doc, was consigned by EE Ranches and purchased by Three Trees Ranch of Georgia. The top broodmare at $125,000 was seven-year-old Shootin Poo, by Doc’s Hickory, consigned by Double Dove Ranch.

The EE Ranches Breeders Production Sale is produced by Western Bloodstock, the nation’s leader in performance horse sales and the official sale company of the National Cutting Horse Association. For additional information, call (817) 594-9210.

The Race Is On In 2006
CD Lights, owned by Danny Motes and Winston Hansma, is nearly $9,000 in front of his nearest rival, Falcon Seaboard Ranches' Playboy Boonsmal 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 holds a $5,000 lead over Kathy Boone and Mary Jo Milner in the Non-Pro standings.

In one of the closest races, Elizabeth Booth is just $150 up on fellow Californian Justin Farr in the $20,000 Non-Pro . But it's a long year, so keep up with the standings in all NCHA-approved classes online every week.

We Want You Back! 
If you have not renewed your membership for 2006 we want you to know that your membership is important to us.  Even if you are not actively participating at this time, renewing your membership keeps you informed of who is doing what in the world of cutting and keeps you involved with the association and this fantastic equine sport.  The award-winning Cutting Horse Chatter magazine is packed with entertaining features and articles about the world of cutting and NCHA events.  The publication is dedicated to preserving the history of cutting as well as keeping readers abreast of all the latest news. You can renew quickly and easily right now, just click on this link and return to the world of cutting!

Watch the Web this Summer
NCHA's website, www.nchacutting.com will be getting a make-over. We'll keep you posted on the update in the coming weeks.

Futurity Tickets
Select and Reserved 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. Reserved tickets for the Futurity will go on sale in July.

Chevy Keeps Rolling with NCHA
For nearly two decades, Chevy Trucks has been a corporate sponsor of the NCHA.  Chevy offers more full-size pickup models than anyone else that are the most dependable, long-lasting trucks on the road. So when it’s time to buy that new haulin’ rig, see your local Chevy dealer for a new Chevy Truck.

Green Oaks Hotel
Being the only full service property on the west side of Fort Worth, the Green Oaks Hotel has proudly served NCHA members for over 35 years. Stop by Horse Feathers for your favorite beverage. 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.

Apple Properties
While you’re staying in Fort Worth, don’t forget about Courtyard Fort Worth West/Land’s End, Spring Hill, and Residence Inn on 7th Street.  All of these locations feature a full service restaurant on site and they are proud to be associated with the National Cutting Horse Association.  You can visit them online.

Million Dollar Sweepstakes
How would like to win a million dollars this summer? Visit choicehotels.com between now and August 17 and enter the Key-to-a-Million Sweepstakes! You just might be the winner! Additionally, as an NCHA member you are able to take advantage of a 10% discount at over 5,000 participating Comfort®, Quality®, Sleep®, Clarion®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway®, MainStay Suites® and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel® properties worldwide! Make reservation via www.choicehotels.com or 1-800-258-2847. Reference the National Cutting Horse Association Rate Identification Number 00217850. Do you want to be kept current on the happenings with our partner Choice Hotels International? Subscribe to Choice's e-newsletter, the SOS Sentinel, to get news about promotions, Choice Hotels International property information, new choicehotels.com features and more! To be added to the SOS Sentinel subscription list, please send an email the ndija_kakumba@choicehotels.com. Use the subject 'Subscribe' and don't forget to note that you are a National Cutting Horse Association member. With over 5,000 Choice properties worldwide, Choice is where you are traveling this summer!

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!

Get Your Gear Here
Tioga Territory is the place for all of your official NCHA gear! Visit Tioga Territory at the Western Mercantile during the Summer Cutting Spectacular, or online at www.tiogaterritory.com.

A Fort Worth Stockyards Tradition
Sean Ryon Western Store and Saddle Shop is a family tradition that continues to flourish in the Stockyards of Fort Worth, Texas.  Sean carries on a tradition that would make his grandfather, Windy Ryon, proud.  Sean Ryon Western Store & Saddle Shop is the trophy saddle sponsor for the NCHA Super Stakes and Summer Cutting Spectacular.  Call 1-800-669 RYON .

$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.

Judge Recertification Seminars
Two 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.

• 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 AAAA who have judged a monitored LAE

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.

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.

Finish Line
Finish Line is owned by horsemen.  They have manufactured their own products for almost 30 years and they guarantee that they will work to your satisfaction or your money back. Call 1-800-762-4242.

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.