Lucchese Steps Up
Lucchese Boot Company, a division of Arena Brands, has agreed to a new three-year sponsor relationship with the National Cutting Horse Association. The agreement includes title-naming rights to the annual NCHA Weekend, one of the association’s most highly rated competitions.

"We are really proud to strike a relationship with Lucchese," said NCHA Director of Marketing & Media, Clay Murray. "Lucchese Boots have been part of the Western lifestyle since 1883, and have been revered for their quality and classic look. Cutting and Lucchese are a great match."

Each year, cutters travel to 25 designated locations across the United States and Canada to compete in the NCHA Weekend -- a celebration of the grassroots cutters who laid the foundation of the NCHA. Today, added prize money at these locations tops $90,000 for the special weekend of competition.

Many cutters have been to big shows that operate two arenas in order to get through the day’s entries. NCHA Weekend outdoes them all. The number of entries is so big, you can think of it as 25 arenas operating simultaneously. The last two years have provided unprecedented proof that grassroots cutting is alive and well as a record number of entries competed for unparalleled purses.

"Lucchese’s involvement in NCHA Weekend is certainly great for cutting but it is also a program that delivers the benefits directly to the grassroots level of NCHA," said Murray.  Lucchese’s participation includes a portion of NCHA Weekend’s added money and a Lucchese boot certificate valued at more than $500 for each NCHA Weekend location.

Winners Crowned at Eastern National Championships
As the Chevy Trucks/NCHA National Championships enters the home stretch, some new faces are appearing at the awards presentations.

Jeanine Slaughter, who also competed in the $2,000 Limited Rider class, won the $20,000 Non-Pro finals yesterday on Sons Jazzy Babe. Teenage cutter Sutton Eddings won the $2,000 Limited Rider Class the day before on John Jacobs’ Rude N Sassy.

Earlier in the show, Wayne Czisny won the $10,000 Novice title on Kathleen Moore’s Allmytroublesareover. Defending Champion Raked In Satin, ridden by Guy Woods, and Hannahs Gold Lena, ridden by Zeke Entz, were co-champs in the $3,000 Novice. Lee Garner and Cow E Chic won the $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro.

Christina Brewer and Dustin Mills were co-champs in the Junior Youth, while the Senior Youth title went to Jamie Sokol.

The North Mississippi CHA has put together a healthy lead in the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge standings at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships in Jackson, Mississippi. Through the program, AQHA pays out a total of $54,000 directly to NCHA affiliates based on participation and achievement at the Eastern and Western National Championships.

Gist Silversmiths enhances the prizes for the Affiliate Challenge by providing a $2,000 gift certificate to the first-place affiliate team, and a $1,000 gift certificate for the second-place team at both the Eastern and Western National Championships.

Keep up with all the latest action from Jackson by reading the Daily Chatter. The show continues through Saturday.

The Weekend Race
After winning her third consecutive Non-Pro World Championship on March 2, Mary Jo Milner laughed when she said she was going to do it again. But she has jumped to an early lead in this year’s standings. In the Open race, GCH Land & Cattle Company’s Bowmans Smart Jewel, ridden by Robert Rust, is in front.

And a new World . . .
The World Finals is not just for Open and Non-Pro contestants any more. 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.

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.

Affiliate spotlight
One of the first cutting clubs in Northern California, the Gold Country Cutting Horse Association hosts 10 cutting competitions per year, starting with a two-day show in March and ending with a final two-day show in October. Each show offers classes structured at various levels of competition so that experts show in the morning and beginners show in afternoon classes. There are also classes for junior and senior youth exhibitors. Shows are open to the public, a food booth operates early, and spectators are always welcome.

The club offers end-of-the-year awards for contestants and their horses that accumulate points at each show. All awards are presented during the end-of-the-year Awards Banquet held in late October.

The Gold Country CHA President is Lee Livingston, Vice President is Dave Brymer, Treasurer is Jim Tilton, Secretary is Linda Whent and Show Secretary is Jaime Tilton.

NCHA Cutting Video Magazine
The first issue of NCHA Cutters Video Magazine, an "internet video magazine' features exciting NCHA action, with behind-the-scenes interviews and exclusive footage of NCHA events. Viewers get dynamic full screen TV quality video delivered directly to their PCs.  Dial-up connections with 28K modems work fine and full screen television quality will play on a Pentium I computer or better!

The program is produced by Productive Media Group, LLC and is presented by Teton Investment Capital, LLC promoting NCHA as well as Affinity Online Media, LLC and Dean Sanders' Diamond Spur Ranch. The first edition features segments on the Memphis Futurity, trainer Chubby Turner, owner Jerry Durant, and Buster Welch.

Cutting enthusiasts can download a free sample and subscribe to the new program by clicking the "NCHA Cutting Horse Video" button on the NCHA home page.

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 Green Oaks Hotel reservations today for the NCHA Super Stakes.

Call 800-433-2174 and ask for your special group rate.

Bonanza Double
Its Just About Me, owned by Alisa McCleary scored a double victory at the Bonanza Cutting which concluded in Abilene, Texas last Sunday. McCleary marked 225 to win the 4-year-old Non-Pro division, then Clint Allen took over to win the Open with a 226. NCHA Futurity champion Bill Brown won the Amateur contest with a 219 on Twistin On Taxes.

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 eight of the qualifying events completed, Chiquita Pistol retains a commanding lead in the Western Horseman Cup Open standings with 275 points. Mary Ann Rapp is still in front of the Non-Pros with 420 points.

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.

Rule Reference
Misplace your official NCHA Rule Book? 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 via email 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.

Fit to a T
With warmer weather on the horizon, cutters will appreciate these pocket T-Shirts with silk-screened NCHA logos in popular sizes from Tioga Territory.

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.