Welcome to the National Cutting Horse Association's E-Chatter newsletter. We'll be bringing the latest NCHA news direct to your inbox every other week.

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NCHA World Finals Begin Next Week
Competition in the highly anticipated 2003 NCHA World Finals begins Monday in Amarillo, Texas, but the festivities start even sooner. On Sunday, January 11, the American Quarter Horse Association will host a reception for cutters and their families at the AQHA Museum and Heritage Center from 6-8 p.m. RSVP to Kellye DeBord at AQHA (806) 376-4811. Other special events during the show will include:

• M.L. Leddy's Customer Appreciation Social with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar in the VIP Room of the Amarillo National Center, Wednesday, January 14, 6-8 p.m.
• Participant Appreciation Dinner, sponsored by Coors, in the Rex Baxter Building at the Amarillo National Center, Friday, January 16 at 7 p.m.
• Horsemen for Christ Youth Mixer with pizza, door prizes, games and entertainment for all youth and families in the VIP Room, Saturday, January 17 at 7 p.m.
• Horsemen for Christ chapel service, Sunday morning, January 18, VIP Room
• M.L. Leddy's Customer Appreciation Social with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, VIP Room, Monday, January 19, 6-8 p.m.
• Champions Party sponsored by Coors of Amarillo, VIP Room, Thursday, January 22, 5 p.m.
• In addition, a $5 catered lunch will be available at the show on January 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20.

If you can't make it to the show, you can watch the live webcast of all the action, keep up with the inside stories of the show in the Daily Chatter newsletter, and check scores and standings as they are updated throughout each day's competition.

All Roads Lead to Amarillo
More than 530 entries poured into the NCHA office as cutters from 34 states and Canada rev up their engines for the trip to the NCHA World Finals in Amarillo January 12-22.

"The response to our new, expanded World Finals format has been tremendous," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "The quality and depth of the fields in each class promise to make the World Finals an exciting show."

Working orders for the first round in all classes are now available.

If you haven't made your travel arrangements yet, find Amarillo's best hotel rates on the web or call (800) 692-1338 for more information.

Inaugural Western Horseman Cup Approaching
After a year of anticipation, the inaugural Western Horseman Cup will be held on January 29 during the Augusta Futurity. The top Open and Non-Pro riders of 2003 4-year-olds who qualified at existing aged events throughout the year will take part in the $250,000 finale.

The 2003 NCHA Futurity marked the beginning of the race for the 2005 Western Horseman Cup. We'll keep you updated throughout the season.

Abilene Spectacular Underway
The Abilene Spectacular crowned its first champions this week, with Paula Wood winning the Classic Non-Pro on My Blue Hagan and Scotty Rice taking the 4-year-old Non-Pro on Dees Cats Meow. The Classic Open finals will be held today, and the show continues through January 12.

Gelding Gold Mine
Geldings will get on the gravy train at the 2004 Super Stakes when the NCHA adds $20,000 to the Gelding Stakes. And that train really picks up steam in 2005 when NCHA and Western Bloodstock will begin pumping $50,000 annually into the Gelding Stakes program.

Everybody wins with the new purse structure, according to NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper.

"We'll be seeing substantial increases in purse money which will increase the value of geldings," Hooper said. "Hand-in-hand with that will be an incentive for people to have those geldings trained, and for trainers to be encouraged to ride them."

Western Bloodstock's Ben Emison added, "With this new program, a person will be able to ride three horses in the Super Stakes, as long as one of them is a gelding. The stallion owners, the breeders and the trainers will all benefit from this great new program."

The Gelding Stakes will be a "class within a class" for 4-year-olds, with a working finals. The new structure kicks off in 2004 with the $20,000-added NCHA Gelding Stakes, which will guarantee $10,000 to the winner. That will have a $1,000 entry fee, with $850 jackpotted.

Then in 2005, the $50,000-added Western Bloodstock/NCHA Gelding Stakes--with $25,000 from each organization--will be launched. A $500 entry fee will be due by September 1, 2004, or $1,000 to enter between September 2, 2004 and time of entry for the Super Stakes.

For the 2006 show, the $500 entry will be due by December 31 of the gelding's 2-year-old year. For 2007, the $500 entry will be due by December 31 of the yearling year. Later entries for each of those shows will increase to $1,000 or $2,000 depending on how tardy they are.

Cutters Carry Momentum Into 2004
After a record-breaking year for weekend shows in 2003, NCHA members wasted no time in getting their 2004 campaigns underway. Weekend shows in Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Nebraska, Georgia and Kentucky and California ushered in the New Year.

To see what's coming up next, check the Weekend Events section of NCHA's home page at http://www.nchacutting.com/.

Coors Cowtown Cutting
More than 150,000 spectators will enjoy cutting action during the Coors Cowtown Cutting at the Fort Worth Stock Show which runs from January 17 through February 8. The unique event, which pays out $23,800 to open and non-pro competitors, is held in conjunction with the daily performances of the show’s rodeo.

In addition, the Fort Worth Stock Show features a full slate of NCHA-approved classes.

Online Membership Renewal Incentive
Join NCHA or renew your NCHA membership now and take advantage of these special offers! All new and returning members who sign up for a 3-year membership (2004-2006) prior to March 1, 2004 will be included in a drawing for a new Stetson NCHA Supreme 80 limited edition Genuine Beaver Hat with Sterling silver and gold buckle set with ruby stones. These hats have a retail value of $1500, and available in natural beaver, black, silver belly and silver beaver pre-creased or open crown. Only 100 of these limited edition hats will be produced and one of them could be yours.

In addition, all new members who join NCHA prior to March 1, 2004 will also be included in a drawing for a $500 Cowboy Tack Gift Certificate. That's a chance to get $500 worth of great tack! So whether you join for 1 year or 3 years, join today and take advantage of these great opportunities.

Winners will be announced during the 2004 Super Stakes in April 2004. You can join or renew online. If you have any questions please contact the Membership Department at (817) 244-6188.

Guide to Respiratory Problems in the Horse
Breathing problems are a leading cause of poor performance in horses. Depending on whether it is an infectious or non-infectious respiratory condition, symptoms can range from fever and going off feed to mild cough and nasal discharge.

Request your copy of the Owners Guide to Respiratory Problems in the Horse and then contact your veterinarian if you suspect your horse has a respiratory condition.

Peptoboonsmal Challenge Supports Research
Elaine Hall of Larry Hall Cutting Horses has pledged matching funds for mare reproduction and orthopedic research at Colorado State University through the Peptoboonsmal Challenge.

NYCHA Stallion Service Program
Members of the National Youth Cutting Horse Association are gearing up for the 2004 NYCHA Stallion Service Program. Stallion owners may donate one breeding per year per stallion to the program. Those breedings are then sold in a competitive sealed bid process.

All proceeds benefit the NYCHA to support scholarships, awards, educational activities and postage for the newsletter. To participate in the program, fill out the 2004 contract 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, be sure you notify them of your donation.

As soon as we receive the signed contract we will post your stallion's information on the NCHA website and in the Chatter. Sealed bids on available breedings will be due to the NCHA office by 12 noon on Thursday, February 5, 2004.

Earnings and Eligibility
Beginning with the 2005 point year, horse and rider earnings gained in non-NCHA competition will be considered in determining eligibility for restricted classes.

"In the past, it has been possible for a horse to show extensively outside of NCHA and still be eligible for our novice classes," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "We are working with Equi-Stat and other organizations, such as the American Cutting Horse Association and the Australian Cutting Horse Association, to recognize non-NCHA earnings for eligibility purposes beginning with the 2005 point year."

Advertising Deadline
The deadline for advertising in the March issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is February 1. Contact Shawn McCoy (817) 244-6188 to reserve your space.

Get Warm
Brave the winter chill with Tioga Territory’s own wool jacket in black with green sleeves or navy with burgundy sleeves and tan black leather. "NCHA" is embroidered down right sleeve. Includes left chest and center back designs. Available in all sizes, including kids' sizes.

Enter San Antonio Cutting Online
You can enter the NCHA cutting at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, to be held February 4-22, online. Register and pay online to have a chance to win two Southwest Airline tickets to anywhere Southwest flies. To be eligible, entries must be submitted online by January 15. The prize will be awarded to the animal owner. After you click the "Submit" button, a confirmation number will be assigned and a detailed summary of the registration information will be e-mailed to the e-mail addresses you entered.

Nominations due January 15 for the 2004 Equine Industry Vision Award
January 15 is the deadline date for nominations for the annual Equine Industry Vision Award, which will be presented at the American Horse Publications seminar in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 11. The award recognizes outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry.

Anyone is eligible to be nominated, or to nominate a candidate for the Equine Industry Vision Award and nominees may include individuals and/or organizations. Candidates may be considered for a single outstanding visionary achievement or for sustained outstanding contributions that have made a profound impact on the equine industry.

Guidelines and nomination ballots are available online.

Equine Affaire Starts This Month
Seminars and clinics on everything from getting inside your horse's mind to composting for fun and profit will be featured at Equine Affaire in Pomona, California, January 29-February 1.

Vet Vote
The American Farriers Journal is accepting nominations for the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame through January 31. The nominees should be veterinarians who work closely with farriers in the field or college, or industry vets involved in teaching, research or other aspects of hoof-care education.

American Youth Horse Council Symposium
"Leaders Building Leaders" will be the theme of the American Youth Horse Council Symposium to be held in Irving, Texas, February 20-22. The AYHC, a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, develops and distributes educational materials and