NCHA’s Monthly Televsion Show Starts in April
Big Moves & Hard Stops, NCHA’s new half-hour, monthly television program, will make its debut in April. It will be seen on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (5:30 p.m. Central Time), immediately preceding AQHA's popular "America's Horse" which airs weekly on at 7 p.m. EST.

Mark these dates on your calendar: April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19 and December 20.

Twenty-nine of the sport's best set to meet in Houston for 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Finals
The John Deere/National Cutting Horse Association World Finals are a culmination of the year's efforts for of the sport’s best contestants. Fifteen of the top Open horses have been confirmed for the show. In the Non-Pro competition, an injury to invitee Ronald Barrow leaves a field of fourteen top Non-Professional riders making one last push for a World Champion title February 27 through March 2 during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. [Press Release]

The 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Finals will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 27 and follow every evening through Sunday, March 2. Tickets are still available for this historical event -- $11 for reserved seating and $6 for general admission. Purchase yours at the HLSR Reliant Arena box office the day of the show, or call Kathryn Hawthorn (832-667-1000) at the HLSR office.

Houston Hotel Arrangements
If you're planning to attend the Houston Livestock Show cutting competition or the 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals you need to make your hotel arrangements now! Visit www.houston.com to find a location and rate that’s right for you.

High Expectations for Second Year of AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge
Last year, the American Quarter Horse Association and the National Cutting Horse Association used their alliance to create the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge.

The program, which distributed $54,000 directly into NCHA affiliate clubs across the country, was a great success. In the program's first year of existence, entries at both the Eastern and Western National Championships rose nearly six percent. The NCHA expects those numbers to increase yet again for the 2003 shows.

And a new World . . .
The 2003 point year has begun and horses and riders in all divisions are taking the first steps on the road to the biggest, richest World Finals in history, to be held in Amarillo, Texas January 12-22, 2004. The $335,000-added show will feature 11 classes, with the top 50 year-end contestants in each class being eligible for the finals.

In conjunction with the new World Finals format, NCHA has expanded the standings listed on the web to go 100 deep in each class. The extended listings will also be published in the Cutting Horse Chatter beginning with the March issue.

Western Horseman Cup update
Next year’s Augusta Futurity will feature the inaugural edition of the $250,000 Western Horseman Cup for 4-year-olds of 2003 which qualify based on their performance at existing aged events across the United States and Canada this year.

With five of the qualifying events completed--the NCHA Futurity, Abilene Spectacular, San Diego Winter Show, Augusta Futurity and Memphis Futurity, Chiquita Pistol is leading the Western Horseman Cup Open standings and with 275 points. Mary Ann Rapp leads the Non-Pros with 370 points.

Memphis Futurity Concludes
Matt Gaines rode Smooth As A Cat to a 224.5-point win worth $17,500 in the Memphis Futurity for Tommy Manion, Inc. on February 11. The 4-year-old Non-Pro event went to Lewie Wood Jr. on Peppy Plays For Cash. Terry Tanner took the 4-year-old Amateur on Supremely Smart.

The week before, Gaines captured the 5/6-year-old Open riding Horse of the Year Little Pepto Gal for Crystal Creek Ranch.

Mary Ann Rapp rode Spanish Wilson to take the Non-Pro title in the 5/6-year-old ranks, while Rosemary Atwood hit it big in the Amateur, riding Young Boogie Man.

Affiliate Spotlight
The Arizona Cutting Horse Association, based in Maricopa, Arizona, is the NCHA’s oldest affiliate organization. Formed in 1960, the AZCHA holds its cuttings at the Pinal Feedlot from January through November. Their 2003 schedule includes nine cutting events with added money ranging from $200 to $500. From March 21- 24, the AZCHA will hold an Aged Event and three-day NCHA show with $500 added.

AZCHA member Heather Raftery, who finished first in the affiliate’s youth class in 2002, also received the Todd Drummond Award from the NCHA during the 2002 Chevy Trucks/NCHA World Championship Futurity. The Todd Drummond Award recognizes one outstanding youth member annually who is nominated by their NCHA affiliate based on scholastic ability, extracurricular activities and cutting horse involvement.

Visit the Arizona CHA’s website to learn more about their shows and to keep up with their standings at www.azcha.com.

OFFICERS: Terri Smith, president; Chris Johnson, vice president; Lindsey Mills, secretary/treasurer.
DIRECTORS: Larry Cox; Dr. Robert Johnson; Cathi Cox; Kathy Maynard; James Nace; Bill Murphy, and all past presidents.

Attention Trainers
If you have moved or your telephone number has changed, please be sure to contact the NCHA membership department to get your information updated prior to the April 1 deadline for the Trainer's Directory.

Before you show . . .
If you are planning on showing in the Amateur and/or Non-Pro classes at NCHA events, you need to have an Amateur status to show in Amateur classes and a Non-Pro status to show in Non-Pro classes.

Your current status is printed on your NCHA card right below your Social Security number. Please be sure you have the correct status before you show in a cutting horse contest.

If you need to apply for an Amateur and/or Non-Pro status please complete the appropriate application and submit it to the NCHA office for approval with the fee ($10 for one year or $30 for three years). Applications are available on line at and in each issue of the Cutting Horse Chatter magazine.

If you have any questions, please contact the NCHA Membership Department at 817-244-6188.

Click on "Clinic"
Looking for a clinic? The NCHA website puts you a mouseclick away from a list of upcoming clinics conducted by top trainers.

Judges Applicant Seminar scheduled March 27-28
If you meet the qualifications listed in Rule 21 of the NCHA Rule Book and are interested, please contact Ella Hood via email or by calling 817-244-6188.

Youth events scheduled for Eastern National Championships
The ever popular, youth team cutting will be held at the Eastern National Championships in Jackson, Mississippi, on Friday, March 14. The contest requires a team of four youth cutters to dress up in their most creative costumes. All four team members’ scores are combined, with prizes awarded to the highest team score and best-dressed team. There will be lots of fun and prizes for everyone, but the competition is limited to 12 teams, so get your entry in early. Fax your entry form to (817) 560-2288 or email Danette McGuire.

The NYCHA business meeting will also be held on Friday, March 14, beginning at 4:00 p.m. followed by dinner for all youth members (catered by M&M Catering). The youth team cutting will begin immediately following the $10,000 Novice/Non Pro first go.

A team cutting will also be held at the Western National Championships. You can use the same entry form to enter, but be sure to specify which show you will be at.

NYCHA Stallion Service Program
Why spend more for breeding fees if you don’t have to? We’ve moved into the second phase of the NYCHA Stallion Service Program and all remaining breedings can be purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis for 60% of the advertised breeding fees. We have many, great breedings still available including stallions by Bob Acre Doc and Gray’s Starlight. Here’s a look at some of the breedings we have available for purchase -- Bobs Catalyst, Bobs Freckle, Sixteen Acres, All Starlight, Sting N Starlight and Starlights Joy. To purchase any of the remaining breedings, contact Danette McGuire, NCHA Youth Coordinator at (817) 244-6188 ext 125. All proceeds benefit the National Youth Cutting Horse Association.

Travel Planner
NCHA’s popular 2003 Travel Planner is available now for $5.00, plus $3.00 postage. Everyone who shows needs one of these handy calendars.

Call Darla Bellville at (817) 244-6188 to order your copy today.

Designated Area for Competition
Any member who wishes to designate a specific area they will be competing in other than the area they live for the 2003 point year needs to do so prior to March 1. The request to designate an area needs to be in writing to the attention of Linda Smith. Please include in the request your membership number, name, address, telephone, the area you wish to designate and the horses that will be shown. Once you have designated an area for the 2003 point year, you may not change areas until the next point year. Mail or fax to: Linda Smith, NCHA, 260 Bailey Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107. Fax (817) 244-2015.

You’ve Got to Laugh
Cutter Toons, the acclaimed cartoon book by renowned artist Jerry McAdams is now available for just $12.50 postage paid. McAdams’ cartoons with a cutting edge are a popular feature of the Daily Chatter newsletter at NCHA shows.

Call Darla Bellville at (817) 244-6188 to order your copy today.

Top Cap
When they’re not in the arena, cutters love to wear these great embroidered suede caps from Tioga Territory. They have a cotton twill crown with suede embossed visor, leather strap back, and embroidered NCHA logo.

Advertising Deadline
Deadline for the Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes Program and the April issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is February 28. Contact Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 for more information.