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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.
Eastern National Championships Start Next Week
Nearly a thousand entries are heading for Jackson, Mississippi, as the Millennium Industries/NCHA Eastern National Championships begins on March 9. The latest scores will be posted on the web, as well as frequent updates in the popular Daily Chatter newsletter.
American Quarter Horse Association Continues Affiliate Challenge Program
The AQHA will pay $54,000 to NCHA Affiliates again this spring under the exciting AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge Program at the Millennium Trailers Eastern and Western National Championships at Jackson, Mississippi, and Ogden, Utah, respectively.
Western National Championships Approaching
The deadline for entries to the Millennium Industries / NCHA Western National Championships is April 2. The show runs from May 1-9 in Ogden, Utah.
2004 Western Horseman Cup Standings
EE Ranches' Cat Ichi, ridden by Guy Woods, remains in first place in the Open standings of this year's Western Horseman Cup race with 200 points. NCHA Futurity Champion One Smart Lookin Cat, ridden by Craig Morris for John McClaren, is second with 170 points.
In Non-Pro competition, Scott Ferguson leads with 210 points on the strength of wins at the NCHA Futurity and the Memphis Futurity on Laredo Blue.
Watch the NCHA Super Stakes Live!
DISH Network will offer a live, pay-per-view telecast of the NCHA Super Stakes on April 18. The $19.95 show will feature live coverage of the Open finals, plus highlights of Non-Pro competition.
Suncoast Winter Championship and Millionheir Underway
The Suncoast Winter Championship and Millionheir Classic started February 27 in Las Vegas. The first champions to emerge were in the Amateur classes, where Clay McCullar took the 4-year-old division with a 222 on Duals Play Kit, and Linda Wilson won the 5/6-year-old competition on Lectrics Fancy Chic, also with a 222.
Gist Provides Gift Certificates at Aged Events
All NCHA-approved limited age events with added money in excess of $10,000 will receive a Gist Silversmiths gift certificate to be used to purchase trophy awards for their event.
For more information on this promotion please contact Megan Darnell or Clay Murray at the NCHA office.
The Race Is on in 2004
Races in all 11 classes are already heating up. Trainer Chubby Turner is sitting in first and second place in the 2004 Open standings. He's in front with $6,132 on Georgia and David Husby's Flickacat, and in second with $5,630 on Ginger Turner's Aussie import Shes A Dream As. Hollywood Nus Bar, ridden by Robert Rust for David Plummer, is a close third.
In the Non-Pro standings, six-time World Champion Mary Jo Milner is less than $39 ahead of teen superstar McKenzie Mullins.
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.
Membership Renewals Overdue
The grace period for 2004 membership renewals ended March 1. Earnings will be pulled on all owners and/or riders whose membership is not current when they show. If you have not renewed your membership, you will not receive the April Cutting Horse Chatter.
Affiliate Spotlight
The Iowa Cutting Horse Association has nine shows scheduled this year from March 20-21 at through November 6-7. Tom Swab of Marshalltown is the Iowa CHA's president; Dave Borness of Decorah is vice president; Sharon Kirchner of Clarinda is secretary and Jim Randall of Mondamin is treasurer, while Diane Borness handles the newsletter.
Get a Break on Breeding Fees with 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-served basis for 60% of the advertised breeding fees. We have many great breedings still available including stallions by Doc's Hickory, Peppy San Badger and Gray's Starlight. Here’s a look at some of the breedings we have available for purchase – DJ Tracker, Hickorys Advantage, Hickorys Royal Jazz, Badger Starlight, On A Little Safari, Rum Squall, Broadwayjoestarlight, Diamond J Star and Soula Jule Star. 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.
For more information, contact Danette McGuire.
Youth events scheduled for Western National Championships
The ever popular, youth team cutting will once again be held at the Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah on Saturday, May 1, 2004 (following the youth go-rounds and the finals). The contest requires a team of four youth cutters to dress up in their most creative costumes. All four team members’ scores are combined for a team score; prizes are awarded to the highest team score and best-dressed team. Lots of fun and prizes for everyone but we’ll only accept 8 teams so get your entry in early. We also need youth members to serve as announcer, secretary, herd settlers and turnback help. Call or email Danette McGuire to sign up.
Super Stakes Sale on the Calendar
There's still time to consign a horse to Western Bloodstock's NCHA Super Stakes Sale to be held at Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 17 and 18. The deadline for consignments is March 15. Call (817) 594-9210 for more information.
Everybody is welcome to the Stallion Owners Appreciation Breakfast, sponsored by NCHA on Saturday morning, April 17 in Watt Arena.
Clinics Coming Up
Two-time NCHA Futurity winner Leon Harrel will offer six unique clinics in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, this summer. He will provide trained cutting horses for the participants to ride during the four-day clinics. Guests may opt to bring their own horses, but the intent is that a skilled cutting horse accelerates a rider's learning curve. All tack and equipment is provided as well.
Harrel will also offer a clinic with Deb Cooper in California May 14-16.
Keep up with all the latest clinics at NCHA's website.
Scholarship Applications Invited
Education has always been a fundamental goal of The Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate. The James M. “Jim Bob” Norman Scholarship Fund was established in 1984 as a permanent endowment in memory of Jim Bob Norman, who was chairman of the Syndicate at the time of his death. Jim Bob was active in many youth organizations, and it was his dream to start a college scholarship endowment to help young Texas men and women pursue agricultural careers.
The fund grants two $8,000 scholarships each year to Texas high school students. To find out more and see how to apply, click here.
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.
Need a Guide?
If you're an NCHA member who needs another copy of the popular Guide to Cutting that mailed with the January issue of Cutting Horse Chatter, or if you're not a member and you want to find out more about cutting, help is just a click away. The 64-page magazine is packed with information for cutters of all levels of ability.
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 May issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is April 1. Contact Shawn McCoy (817) 244-6188, ext. 160 to reserve your space.
Now you can get special full color business card-size ads in NCHA's Show Programs at a special, affordable rate. Contact Aleasha Dugan (817) 244-6188, ext. 107, for details.
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.
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