Super Stakes Champions
Chiquita Pistol claimed her fourth championship in the Flowmaster /NCHA Super Stakes in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 20. Owned by Tooter Dorman and ridden by Tag Rice, the Smart Little Pistol mare marked 227 to win by six points. She had previously won the NCHA Futurity, Abilene Spectacular and Augusta Futurity.

Lewie Wood Jr. of Dennis, Texas, and Peppy Plays For Cash marked 217 to take the Non-Pro title.

You can see how the $2.5 million event unfolded action each day in the archives of the Daily Chatter newsletter.

Western Horseman Cup update
With four major championships to her credit, Chiquita Pistol retains a commanding lead in the Western Horseman Cup Open with 375 points. Mary Ann Rapp is still in front of the Non-Pros with 495 points.

Two events are yet to be held in the Quarter Horse News Spring Season of the Western Horseman Cup Series, the Bluebonnet Stakes in Brenham, Texas starting Friday, and the Congress Spring Spectacular in Columbus, Ohio starting May 6.

Champions Emerge at Ogden
With record entries, 2002 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships is entering the home stretch in Ogden, Utah this week. These champions have already been crowned, as the show continues through Sunday:
Junior Youth: Brianna Snyder on Pitchforks Lena
Senior Youth: Tyson Stewart on FCS Ima Classy Flinn
$3,000 Novice: Alotta Quanah, ridden by Tim Denton
$10,000 Novice: HR Hickory Player, ridden by Greg Smith
$2,000 Limited Rider: Janice Eaton on Pinch Of Doc

A Big Challenge
While individuals vie for titles, the affiliates they represent are also competing for big rewards in the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, which will pay out $27,000 in cash to the top affiliates based on participation and achievement at the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships. Pending the outcome of today’s finals, the Arizona CHA has a narrow lead over the Utah CHA in the standings.

In addition to the cash prizes from AQHA, Gist Silversmiths, the "Official Buckle Maker of the NCHA", will provide gift certificates to the top two scoring affiliates.

The first-place affiliate will receive an award certificate with a retail value of $2,000, while the second-place affiliate will receive a $1,000 certificate.

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 30-June 1.

In an update on published information, Area 18’s Lucchese/NCHA Weekend show at North Augusta, South Carolina will start on May 30. Call Judy Boozer at (864) 969-3251 for more information.

NCHA’s Monthly Television Show Set for May 21
Neurosurgeon and cutter Dr. Skip Jacques will be featured on this month’s edition of Big Moves & Hard Stops, NCHA’s new half-hour, monthly television program, on May 21. The popular show can be seen on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (5:30 p.m. Central Time) on the Outdoor Life Network, immediately preceding AQHA's popular "America's Horse" which airs weekly on at 7 p.m. EST.

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.

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 rapidly growing Montana Cutting Horse Association encourages the development of, and public interest in, better horses and the ever-increasing popularity of the true cutting horse. Secretary Angela Bauer reports that, "Last year at this time we had just over a hundred members, this year we have over 175!"

Other officers of the MCHA are president John Dublin, vice president Laurie McGuane, and directors Michelle Van Dyke, Wylie Fraser, Jann Parker, Todd Banner, Sherry Lee, and John Seymour. Crystal Bissett is the youth director.

World Leader
Kyle Manion’s Hollywood Nus Bar ($15,253) has overtaken Falcon Seaboard Ranches’ Freckled Leo Girl ($15,085) to lead the Open standings for the year for shows recorded through April 25. In the Non-Pro race, defending World Champion Mary Jo Milner remains in front on Red White And Boon with $24,502. In the closest race of all, Shelley Bird has a $55 lead over Ronald J. Davis in the $20,000 Non-Pro class. [Standings]

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.

NCHA Cutting Video Magazine
NCHA Cutting 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.

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.

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.

Sweet Dreams
You’re sure to dream about that perfect cow when you lay your head on a cutter pillow case at night. Tioga Territory offers the embroidered pillow cases in blue, pink or white.

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

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.

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