World Champions Crowned
The outcome hinged on the last rider on the last day, but Quixote Mac, ridden by Don Pooley for David Behnen, edged defending Champion Rosies Lena, ridden by 12-year-old McKenzie Mullins, to be named World Champion Cutting Horse of 2002 at the John Deere/NCHA World Finals in Houston last weekend.

Quixote Mac also emerged as Champion Stallion. Rosies Lena is Champion Gelding and Harriott Playgirl, owned by Lee Garner and ridden by Allen Crouch, was named Champion Mare after dominating the World Finals show for the second year in a row.

Mullins, who won the third round and tied for second in the fourth round, was featured on CNN Television, and in a National Public Radio story by distinguished journalist Bob Edwards, who is heard by 13 million listeners each day. [Full Story] [Press Release]

Mary Jo Milner of Southlake, Texas, claimed a record fifth Non-Pro World Championship, riding Red White And Boon. In a carbon copy of last year’s results, her son, Joey Milner, took the Reserve Championship.

Riding the oldest horse in the show, 19-year-old Gun Smokes Wimpy, Debbie Patterson of Weatherford, Texas, won the Non-Pro division of the World Finals for the third time.

You can read a day-by-day account of the World Finals action in the popular Daily Chatter newsletter.

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 are also published in the Cutting Horse Chatter.

Watch the Super Stakes Live
Following the successful live telecast of the 2002 NCHA Futurity on the Dish Network, Cowboy TV and Running J Productions will offer a live, pay-per-view telecast of the NCHA Super Stakes Open Finals on Sunday, April 20, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Hosted by Red Steagall, the show will also feature highlights of the Super Stakes Non-Pro Finals and the Gelding Stakes.

Dish Network customers can order by using remote channel 456, or by calling 1-877-347-4778. For satellite installation, call 1-800-333-DISH.

Helen Groves in the Spotlight
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, will present Helen Groves as part of its Honoree Spotlight, on Tuesday April 1, the evening before the beginning of the Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes.

Groves will talk about her years growing up on the King Ranch, and her life in cutting. A video will be shown, showcasing this "first lady of cutting".

Raised on the legendary King Ranch, it seemed natural for Groves to become an ambassador for the equine industry. She has spent more than two decades breeding, raising and riding cutting horses on her ranch while competing at almost every major show. She has also established herself as a major presence in breeding and racing Thoroughbreds and is a leading supporter of equine research.

There will be a reception at 6:30, with Groves beginning her talk at 7:00pm. There will be a special museum admission price: $4 adults, $2 students 6-18 years old. You get $1 off admission with an NCHA member card. Members of the Cowgirl Museum get free admission.

Your Super Stakes Stay
Make your reservations today at the Green Oaks Hotel for the 2003 Super Stakes. Ask for the NCHA group rate and how to receive discounts for the Fort Worth shows for 2003. 1-800-433-2174.

NCHA’s Monthly Television Show Starts next month
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 17.

Record Entries for Eastern National Championships
For the first time ever, entries at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships have topped 1,000. A record 1,005 contestants will vie for a share of the $288,391 purse in the big show which opens in Jackson, Mississippi on March 11.

Defending champions who are entered include Son Of Olena in the Open, Raked In Satin in both Novice Horse classes, Tina Russell in the $50,000 Amateur, Sara Bingham in the $20,000 Non-Pro, and Kelle Earnheart in the Senior Youth.

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 youth@nchacutting.com.

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.

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.

Last year’s winner at the Eastern National Championships, the North Mississippi CHA, is off to an early lead with 670 points based on entries for this year’s show. [Affiliate Points]

Suncoast Winter Championship
JR Playboy By Color, owned by Jim and Mary Jo Milner and ridden by Kobie Wood, and TR Dual Rey, owned by Jim Holmes Cutting Horses and ridden by Lloyd Cox, both marked 222 in the finals of the Suncoast Winter Championship Open Derby in Las Vegas. The show ran from February 24 through March 2.

Cox and Wood also figured in the Open Classic finals, where both marked 225. Wood was riding Lewie and Janie Wood’s Im On A Safari, and Cox was on board Gail Holmes’ Stylish Play Lena.

The Non-Pro Derby went to Scott Ferguson riding Royalty Cat, also with a 222.

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 six of the qualifying events completed (through the Suncoast Winter Championship), Chiquita Pistol is leading the Western Horseman Cup Open standings with 275 points. Mary Ann Rapp leads the Non-Pros standings with 370 points.

Affiliate Spotlight
The last issue of the e-Chatter noted that Arizona CHA is the oldest NCHA Affiliate, having joined the NCHA back in 1960. However, the Ohio Cutting Horse Association is marking its 50^th anniversary this year.

On October 5, 1952, Dale Wilkinson had a jackpot cutting at his training barn in Lancaster, Ohio. Fourteen people showed up and afterwards a meeting was held, where the Ohio Cutting Horse Association was born. It was incorporated by the State of Ohio in March of 1953.

The OCHA show schedule includes shows every month from March through November. Two saddles will be awarded at the year-end--one to the high money-earning Non-Pro and one to the high money-earning Amateur--in their weekend shows. The OCHA website contains newsletters, show information, standings, sponsor links, and a newly-added classifieds page, as well.

Yearly dues for the OCHA are $25 for individuals and $10 for youth. To learn more about the Ohio Cutting Horse Association, and to become a part of their long history.

OFFICERS: Jack McDonald, president; Jim May, vice president; Marjorie Morton-Padgett, treasurer; Mollie McDonald, secretary

TRUSTEES: David Briggs; Melanie Copley; Shorty Fox; Ron Fraley; Clayton Livengood; Mollie McDonald; Marjorie Morton-Padgett; Dot Pierce; Jim Potts; Trent Southworth.

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 and in each issue of the Cutting Horse Chatter. If you have any questions, please contact the NCHA Membership Department

Weekend Agenda
Want the world’s most up-to-date listing of upcoming NCHA weekend shows? It’s just a mouseclick away on the NCHA website.

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 or by calling 817-244-6188.

NYCHA Stallion Service Program
Why spend more for breeding fees if you don’t have to? All remaining breedings donated to the NYCHA Stallion Service Program 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 several stallions by Freckles Playboy. Here’s a sample of the breedings we have available for purchase - Freckles Doctor Jay, Josies Playboy, Playful Scotty, Playinwithafulldeck, Playboys Haida Pep and Playboys Genuine Jo. 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.

Cutter on Board
Show the world you care about cutting with these eye-catching decals from Tioga Territory. The outline of a horse and calf is available in white or black.

Advertising Deadlines
The deadline for the Chevy Trucks Western National Championships program is March 21. The deadline for the May Cutting Horse Chatter is April 1. Contact Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 for more information.

Western National Championships Entries
All entries for the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships must be received in the NCHA office no later than April 4. There is no grace period for entries to this show. Contact Carolyn Crist for more information.

Vice President Elections
Bob Mayfield of Wills Point, Texas, and Mike Mowery of Millsap, Texas, are this year’s candidates for Vice President of the NCHA. The successful candidate will serve a one-year term as Vice President, followed by a one-year term as President Elect, followed by one year as President of NCHA. Profiles of the candidates will be published in the April issue of Cutting Horse Chatter.

Ballots will be mailed to all members of the NCHA by April 1, 2003 and must be received back by no later than May 23.

New Address for CIA
Cutters In Action has a new mailing address. Contact them at:
NCHA Charities Foundation Cutters In Action
P.O. Box 470064
Fort Worth, Texas 76147-0064

Renew On-line
If you have not yet renewed your NCHA membership, you can do it the easy way with on-line processing.

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.

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.