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NCHA Unveils New Website
NCHA's revamped website, nchacutting.com went online today. The popular website, which has received more than 3.5 million hits, has had a make-over with an updated look and enhanced navigation to help frequent visitors and newcomers alike find what they're looking for.

New Blog Emphasizes Cutting
Author, cutting horse historian and Daily Chatter editor Sally Harrison has launched a new blog with a heavy emphasis on the world of cutting horses. The blog, or "web log," for the uninitiated, is an online journal that features breaking news, profiles, historical pieces and observations from the most often quoted writer in the cutting horse business. Recent entries range from the North Texas Cutting Horse Association's round-the-clock show at Will Rogers Coliseum, to McKenzie Mullins' bid to become NCHA's youngest Non-Pro Hall of Fame member to the connection between a high-dollar racehorse yearling and Fern Sawyer, one of NCHA's founding members. Visit sallyharrison.com to read all about it.

Western Horseman Cup Updates
With a win at the Northwest CHA Ranch Festival in Fort Klamath, Oregon, Rey Jay Play, a Dual Rey mare owned by Lazy H Ranch and trained by Phil Hanson, will move into second place in the Western Horseman Cup Summer Season standings behind Paul Hansma on Skip & Elizabeth Queen's Sister CD. Dana Heinrich of Clovis, California, won the Non-Pro Derby at Fort Klamath on Precious Lil Pearl, a Travalena mare.

In the Western Horseman Cup Non-Pro race, Dustin Adams of Dublin, Texas, holds a 25-point lead with 225 points to 200 for Clay McCullar of Baird, Texas.

In other recent Western Horseman Cup events, Stan Bell won the State of Missouri Classic on Jerry and Diane Cunningham's High Brow Cat son Catto Boy, while Bret Parsons of Congerville, Illinois, won the Non-Pro on Fletchs First CD, by CD Olena.

At the Iowa CHA Futurity, Cara Barry riding DMI Land & Cattle's Copurr Cats and Dean Doman riding Jim and Linda Randall's Fuego Del Corazon, tied to win the 4-year-old Open division. Nick Pilcher of Martinsville, Indiana, won the Non-Pro on Oh Cay Snazzy Pep.

Music City Next on the Playlist
Two more big shows on the Western Horseman Cup schedule get underway this weekend. The ever-popular $187,000-added Music City Futurity starts September 9 in Franklin, Tennessee, and runs through September 19. There's a special concert for participants scheduled for September 15, and there will be a silent auction to benefit the Ronald McDonald House and Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

And the $128,000-added Idaho Cutting Horse Association Futurity runs from September 8-16 in Nampa, Idaho.

NCHA Cutting Academy
October 6 will be the date of the fourth NCHA Cutting Academy, to be held at the Tom Diaz Ranch, Woodland, California. Woodland is about 30 minutes from Sacramento and an hour and a half from San Francisco. The Gold Country CHA will have a club cutting on October 7-8 in Dixon, California, about half an hour from Woodland

Session I of the Cutting Academy includes segments on understanding rules, plus information on membership, amateur and non-pro status, equine nutrition and more. The cost, which includes a light breakfast and lunch, is just $25 at the door. Session II features live work critiques with some of the industry’s leading experts. Cost for Session II is $135, with prepayment required.

Contact Julie Davis (817) 244-6188 at the NCHA office for more information or for pre-payment of live works.

More Awards for Guide to Cutting
The National Cutting Horse Association's popular Guide to Cutting swept the Triple Crown when it received a first place award in the Special Issue category in the Livestock Publications Council's annual contest. The information-packed Guide to Cutting had previously won first-place awards in American Horse Publications and AQHA Marketing and Media competitions.

An updated and improved version of the Guide to Cutting will be sent to all NCHA members this fall, and thousands of extra copies will be distributed to introduce new and potential members to the sport. To reserve an ad in this special edition, 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.

Youth Seek Recipes for Success
Participate in the NYCHA Cookbook Fundraiser! By September 5, 2006, youth members can submit their favorite recipe for one of the following categories:   Appetizer, Soup or Salad, Side Dish, Entrée, Bread or Rolls, or Dessert.  Send your recipe to Heather Gentry by email to hgentry@consolidated.net or by mail to P.O. Box 813, Pattison, Texas, 77466.  We want all youth members to have their recipes included in the cookbook, so hurry to submit yours and earn LEAP points in the process!

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 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.

Secretary Handbook Available
NCHA's updated Secretary and Show Management Handbook is now available at no cost on the internet. It's the latest resource in the online toolkit for show secretaries.

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 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 2007 includes leading sire Dual Rey, 2004 NCHA Open Futurity champion Spots Hot, High Brow Cougar and Smart Little Levi.

Read more about the sale here.

The Race Is On In 2006
CD Lights, owned by Danny Motes and Winston Hansma, maintains a $3,000 over his nearest rival, Dual Rey Me in the Open standings for the 2006 point year. Meanwhile, Don Boone has pulled away to just over $4,000 ahead of Joe Howard Williamson in the Non-Pro race, with Mary Jo Milner, close up in third.

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!

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.

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. This location 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.

Historic Ranches to Hold Joint Sale
The W.T. Waggoner Estate and King Ranch, two of the most well-known names in ranching, are joining together for a production sale on October 8, 2006 at the Whiteface Division of Waggoner Ranch in Electra, Texas. Read more here, or contact, Western Bloodstock.

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 .

Listen Up!
NCHA Director of Judges Russell McCord and announcer Tom Holt have recorded a new audio CD that examines NCHA's contest rules. Read about it here or email Holly Davis for more information.

Judges Video and Audio CD Special
Don't miss the special multi-media package deal: get the Judges Rules and Guidelines in your choice of VHS or DVD, plus the Judges Rules and Regulations Audio CD for only $29.95. Find out more here or email Holly Davis for more information.

Ultium Competition Horse Formula
Purina Mills, a proud corporate sponsor of the NCHA, knows that all cutters have a choice of what to feed their equine athlete's to get top a top performance in the show pen. Ultium Competition Horse Formula delivers more than most performance feeds. It increases mental focus and manageability, promotes quicker recovery and muscle repair, prolongs stamina and causes less digestive upset. To try Ultium Competition Horse Formula or other Purina Mills products, consult your certified Purina Mills dealer or call 1-888-858-4861.

Advertising Deadlines
The deadline for the NCHA Yearbook & Directory, is September 8. 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.

Ultimate Equine Experience Video
Bob Kingsley hosts "The Ultimate Equine Experience: Your Guide to Owning A Cutting Horse," a one-hour video with tips 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. Read more about NCHA's videos here or call the NCHA Marketing Department at (817) 244-6188 for more information.