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What a World!
A new, expanded format, great facilities and keen competition made the 2003 NCHA World Finals a show to remember. World Champions and Show Champions were crowned in 11 classes at the big event in Amarillo, Texas which concluded January 22. Mary Jo Milner emerged with her record sixth Non-Pro World Championship, while Hollywood Nus Bar, owned by David Plummer and ridden by Robert Rust, took the Open World title. It was Rust's third Open World Championship, and he also took the Reserve Championship on T-Mac Partnership's Young Guns Babe.

The Augusta Futurity Underway
Chad Roland and Jessies Smart Tari marked 215 to win the 4-year-old Amateur title at the Augusta Futurity. The show got started January 22 and runs through Saturday. Randall Bass, riding Missys Boonanza, marked 219 to win the 5/6-year-old Amateur competition. Matthew Blewitt and Dual Pep Hickory won the Area 18 Youth Scholarship finals with a 219.5.

Inaugural Western Horseman Cup Tomorrow
In conjunction with the Augusta Futurity, the inaugural $250,000 Western Horseman Cup will be held January 29 at 6:30 p.m. EST. Finalists chose their slots in the working orders in an innovative ceremony this afternoon.

During the first cattle change after noon today, Augusta Futurity officials held a lottery in which cutters picked randomly-numbered ping-pong balls. The cutter with the No. 1 ball doesn't necessarily ride first, but instead selects his or her position in the draw.

"It's a great deal," said 2003 Augusta Futurity Open champion Tag Rice, who will be riding famed mare Chiquita Pistol in the event. "It's interesting how they're doing that draw and stuff. We've never had a cutting like that before."

Meanwhile, NCHA Futurity Champion One Smart Lookin Cat is leading the 2004 Western Horseman Cup standings for owner John McClaren and trainer Craig Morris. Heading the Non-Pro race is Scott Ferguson of Hempstead, Texas on Laredo Blue and Gay Bar Memories.

Sean Ryon continues his ride with NCHA
Continued relationship with Sean Ryon will provide trophy saddles to NCHA participants

Sean Ryon Western Store and Saddle Shop of Fort Worth will continue its commitment to National Cutting Horse Association members in the next three years under an agreement announced this week. Sean Ryon’s will provide trophy saddles to the NCHA Super Stakes, NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular and NCHA Summer Youth Scholarship Cutting champions.

The agreement includes a total of 12 trophy saddles to be awarded by Sean Ryon during the NCHA Super Stakes and Summer Cutting Spectacular. The agreement also includes two saddles to be awarded to the champions of the National Youth Cutting Horse Association’s Scholarship Cutting held during the Summer Cutting Spectacular.

“The NYCHA program is a great youth program,” said Sean Ryon. “This is a great way to stay involved with that program. In the past, the association has had to pay for the scholarship cutting saddles and now they will be awarding some of the best saddles on the market.”

Read the full story.

Stallion Auction Raises Funds for NYCHA
The National Youth Cutting Horse Association’s largest fundraiser of the year, the 2004 Stallion Service Program, is well under way. To date, more than 150 great stallions have been offered including 25 stallions by Smart Little Lena; 15 stallions by Freckles Playboy; 12 stallions by Peptoboonsmal; 12 stallions by Peppy San Badger and 5 stallions by High Brow Cat.

To participate, mare owners must bid at least 50% of the listed breeding fee. To see a complete list of available breedings and to print a bid form go to National Cutting Horse Association. Bids are due in the NCHA office by noon (central time) on February 5, 2004.

All breedings are donated to the program so 100% of the money bid goes directly to the youth program to support scholarships, awards and activities.

For more information, contact Danette McGuire.

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 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.

Tolbert Benefits Raise Funds
Following the death of long-time NCHA member Birdy Tolbert in an auto accident last week, the cutting horse community and North Texas horse people have rallied to the support of her sons. Birdy's employer, North Texas Horse Sales organized a phone-in auction yesterday featuring cutting horse breedings, training and other goods and services which is believed to have raised a six-figure sum for the trust fund. A sale company spokesperson said arrangements were being made to continue offering items which did not yet sell.

In addition, the Central Texas CHA will donate all of their proceeds of their February 6-8 show to the Tolbert boys. They plan to have a silent auction at that show to raise money for the boys as well. Contact Marcy Blanchard for more information.

The Muenster Cutting Horse Association's February 21 show in Gainesville Texas has been re-named the "Tolbert Children Trust Fund" Cutting, with all proceeds going to the trust fund. It was formerly titled Muenster CHA Cutting.

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.

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.

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.

Payments Due
The second payment of the NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic is due February 1.

The first payment for the NCHA Derby and NCHA Classic/Challenge is due February 15.

Hollywood Horses
America's love affair with the horse has reached the Academy Awards. Seabiscuit, the story of a Depression-era race horse, has been nominated for seven