Super Stakes Champions
The $2.3 million Flowmaster /NCHA Super Stakes continues in Fort Worth, Texas, through Sunday, April 20.

Nu I Wood, ridden by Matt Gaines for Crystal Creek Ranch, won the Super Stakes Classic Open finals. Mary Ann Rapp and Amanda Stargun took the Super Stakes Classic Non-Pro title. The Super Stakes Classic Amateur Champion is 19-year-old Curry Diehl, riding Deal Me A Jerry. The Super Stakes Amateur title went to 12-year-old Cooper Cogdell on Croonin.

The winner of the 4-year-old Open class will receive a record $102,480, an increase of 28% on last year’s winning purse, and an increase of 106% on the amount paid out as recently as 1999.

Keep up with the action each day with the Daily Chatter newsletter.

Honoring Stallion Owners
The National Cutting Horse Association and Western Bloodstock will host a "Stallion Owners Appreciation Breakfast" during the final weekend of the Super Stakes at 7:30 a.m. April 19 in the Watt Arena. The breakfast in honor of the Super Stakes Stallion Owners is free for NCHA members. It will be followed by the Western Bloodstock Sale, scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

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.

NCHA’s Monthly Television Show Debuts Tonight
Big Moves & Hard Stops, NCHA’s new half-hour, monthly television program, makes its debut on April 16. 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.

Big Moves & Hard Stops Debut Party
There will be a special Big Moves & Hard Stops viewing party at the Super Stakes in the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall. Refreshments will be served during the program’s debut today at 5:30 p.m.

Get the Boot!
Lucchese/NCHA Weekend will feature big added money and a $500 certificate for Lucchese boots at each of 25 Area shows across North America May 31-June 1.

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. Ballots have been mailed to all members of the NCHA and must be returned no later than May 23.

NCHA Director Elections
Voting for NCHA Director openings concluded on April 2. The new roster of directors will take office on June 20, 2003.

NCHA Is the Real Deal
The National Cutting Horse Association came into the spotlight in Real Deals 2003, a special supplement to the Fort Worth Business Press. The article looked at the boom in real estate in Fort Worth, Texas. "After decades of compressing its ever-expanding program into a tight space, the National Cutting Horse Association moved its headquarters to a double-the-space address," the article said. "allowing an expansion of programs in league with the city as a class . . ."

The article also praised the new National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

Focus on Fern Sawyer
The late Fern Sawyer, one of the founders of NCHA, will be the subject of the next Honoree Spotlight at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Candace Jacobson, niece of Fern Sawyer, will talk about her aunt, who set the standard for the American Cowgirl, starting when she was 15 years old.  Winning many cutting horse championships, Sawyer helped to create the National Cutting Horse Association, and held the distinction of being the first woman inducted into the Cutting Horse Hall of Fame.

It’s recommended that you call (817) 336-4475 to make a reservation.

Affiliate Spotlight
The Great Lakes Cutting Horse Association, dedicated to encouraging the development of, and the public interest in, livestock through the promotion and sponsorship of public cutting horse contests and public exhibition of cutting, holds shows May through October.

Nancy Hebb of  Adrian, Michigan is the president, supported by vice president Shari Campbell, secretary Crystal Stark, and treasurer Dan Agnew. Directors are Tom Powers, Torri Slaby, Jack Marvel, John Logan, Lindsay Moore, Malinda Moore, and Steve Schroeder.

World Leader
Falcon Seaboard Ranches’ Freckled Leo Girl has taken the lead in the Open standings for the year with $14,228. In the Non-Pro race, defending World Champion Mary Jo Milner remains in front on Red White And Boon with $22,436, for shows recorded through April 8. [Complete Standings]

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.

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.

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

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

Support Those Who Support You
Many of NCHA’s programs, prizes and services would not be available without the support of the Official NCHA Sponsors. The NCHA website lists them so you can be sure to support the business that support you.

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 from the Smart Little Lena bloodline -- Cattin, Lenas Rx, Smokin Smart, Color Me Peppy, Smart Little Tee, Smart Chic O Leo and Blazin Pistol.  Other breedings donated recently include Vibrant Docogold, Smokin Manzana, Travelin Thru and Badgers Bay Bar.

To purchase any of the remaining breedings, contact Danette McGuire. All proceeds benefit the National Youth Cutting Horse Association.

Hava Cuppa
Need a cup of coffee before you head for the barn in the morning? Tioga Territory has just the thing for you. Their official NCHA 20-ounce insulated travel mugs will keep your drinks hot or cold for hours.

Advertising Deadline
The deadline for the June Cutting Horse Chatter is May 1. Contact Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 for more information.

Record Entries for Western National Championships
A record 707 entries have been received for the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships to be held in Ogden, Utah April 26-May 4. That’s an increase of 11.3% over last year. The purse also set an all-time record of $230,228.

Buckle Up
Don’t forget-- Gist Silversmiths, the "Official Buckle Maker of the NCHA", will be providing gift certificates to the Top (2) scoring affiliates in the AQHA / NCHA Affiliate Challenge at the Western National Championship in two weeks in Ogden, Utah.

The 1st Place Affiliate Team will receive an award certificate with a retail value of $2000.00 while the 2nd Place Affiliate Team will receive an award certificate with a retail value of $1000.00.

NCHA Membership Drawing Winners!
Spreading enthusiasm about the sport and growing the membership is vital to the continuing health and success of the NCHA. NCHA sponsors Sam's Club and Cowboy Tack helped NCHA promote 2003 membership by providing incentive offers specifically to new members, and to those members choosing to make a 3-year-commitment to the NCHA.

New members were offered a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Cowboy Tack. A total of 1,137 members who joined NCHA for the first time were included in the drawing for the Cowboy Tack gift certificate. Those who decided to purchase a 3-year NCHA membership in 2003, were entered in a drawing to win a $1,000 gift certificate from Sam's Club. One-thousand-one-hundred (1,100) three-year-memberships were initiated during the incentive offer.

Congratulations to Ward Heid of Alvarado, Texas the recipient of the $1,000 Sam's Club certificate; and Craig and Cindy Kohles of Whitewater, Colorado, recipient of the $500 Cowboy Tack certificate.  The NCHA would like to thank Sam's Club and Cowboy Tack for their commitment to the future and success of the association.

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

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.