NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular Underway
The NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, presented by Emison Insurance, underwritten by the Insurance Corporation of Hannover, started yesterday and Phil Rapp rode Jack and Susan Waggoner’s Cats Red Feather with a score of 222 in the first round of the Open Classic/Challenge. The first round of the Classic/Challenge continues today.

All eyes will be on NCHA Futurity and Super Stakes Champion Chiquita Pistol in the first round of the Open Derby on July 20 as she makes her bid to be the first NCHA Triple Crown winner in two decades.

Keep up with each day’s news, stats and features from the show, humor and more by reading the Daily Chatter.

Days of Summer Past
Remember how the Summer Cutting Spectacular unfolded last year or the year before? Daily Chatter editor Sally Harrison has archived past issues on her website.

Catch the Derby on Cowboy TV
NCHA & Cowboy TV to host tape-delayed pay-per-view telecast of 2003 Summer Cutting Spectacular Friday, August 15 at 8 p.m. CDT is your chance to catch the NCHA Open Derby Finals on DISH Network.

Cowboy TV and the National Cutting Horse Association have teamed up once again to bring you the best cutting of the NCHA’s Summer Cutting Spectacular. The show features the NCHA Derby presented by the Emison Insurance Agency, underwritten by Insurance Corporation of Hannover, which is the third leg of the NCHA Triple Crown of cutting. The tape-delayed two-hour telecast of the Open Finals will allow you to see the best action from 4-year-old cutting horses competing for their share of the $1.5 million dollar purse.

Cowboy TV’s telecast of the 2002 Chevy Trucks / NCHA Futurity and the 2003 Flowmaster Super Stakes has provided horse enthusiasts across the country with "the best seat in the house" a view of top-class cutting and the crowning of Champion Chiquita’s Pistol.

Ordering your ticket to Cowboy TV’s horse sports is easy. Order on DISH Network using your remote control or call 1-877-DISH PPV (347-4778). For free DISH Network installation, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474). Please allow sufficient time for installation prior to the event.

Champions Receive Sean Ryon Saddles
Sean Ryon is supplying custom trophy saddles for the Open, Non-Pro and Amateur Champions in both the NCHA Derby and the Classic/Challenge, as he did at the Super Stakes earlier this year. The awards carry on a long-standing tradition for the Ryon family. [Full Story]

NCHA’s Monthly Television Show Set for July 16
Dean Sanders and his Diamond Spur Ranch will be featured on Big Moves & Hard Stops, NCHA’s new half-hour, monthly television program, on July 16. The popular show, sponsored by Diamond Spur Ranch, 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 at 7 p.m. EST.

NCHA in Business Spotlight
The Fort Worth Business Press features the National Cutting Horse Association and Executive Director Jeff Hooper in its current issue.

Western Bloodstock Schedules Summer Sales
Western Bloodstock will offer a full slate of sales at the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular Sponsored by the Insurance Corporation of Hannover in  July. The deadline for consigning a horse to the Western Bloodstock Summer Spectacular Sales is June 10.

* Friday, July 25, Strawn Valley Ranch Summer Production Sale of a special offering of broodmares and yearlings
* Saturday, July 26, Western Bloodstock Summer Spectacular Sale, selling trained cutters, prospects under saddle, broodmares and yearlings
* Sunday, July 27, The First Waggoner Roundup, a production sale of cutting's dominant breeders, Jack and Susan Waggoner

Windward Stud Disperal
Western Bloodstock has announced the complete dispersal of Frank and Robin Merrill’s Windward Stud on Friday, October 17, 2003, in Purcell, Oklahoma.

Included in this incredible offering will be all the current show string, prospects, reference sires, broodmares, yearlings and weanlings.  Additionally, all ranch equipment (including trucks, trailers, tractors, etc.) will be offered prior to the horse sale.

The picturesque Windward Stud ranch is also being listed for sale under private treaty.  The Merrills intend to downsize their operation and enjoy personal horses rather than run a commercial operation.

According to Western Bloodstock’s Jim Ware, "We are thrilled to be involved in what will surely be an unforgettable event.  Each of us in our organization has enjoyed a long-term business and personal relationship with Frank and Robin."

"Frank Merrill has established himself as one of the most versatile and professional horsemen in the history of the American Quarter Horse Association.  While many people specialize in one discipline, Frank is a true authority in cutting, racing, roping, halter, and in the breeding industry. The versatility, quality and conformation of the horses offered in this sale reflect Frank’s knowledge and years of experience."

For more information contact Western Bloodstock at (817) 594-9210.

Western Horseman Cup update
With the results of the latest event in the series, the Zirnhelts Cutting Bonanza tallied,  Tapt Twice, owned and shown by Phil Rapp, is still in the lead in the Western Horseman Cup with 85 points

In the Non-Pro competition, Mary Ann Rapp has amassed 180 points, but because she had already qualified for the Western Horseman Cup during the Spring Season, Stephanie Haymes Roven is leading the Horsecity.com Summer Season with 100 points.

The Western Horseman Cup continues through the Horsecity.com Summer Season, and the WesternHorseman.com Fall Season, culminating in a $250,000 Finals at the Augusta Futurity in January 2004.

On Top of the World
In the NCHA Open standings, Kyle Manion’s Hollywood Nus Bar ($25,056) has extended his lead over Widows Freckles ($19,785) and One Smart Lad ($18,935) for shows recorded through July 9. In the Non-Pro race, defending World Champion Mary Jo Milner remains in front on Red White And Boon with $42,363, followed by McKenzie Mullins with $32,581. [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.

Are You Still There?
The presses are warming up for the 2003 NCHA Yearbook, which will be bigger and better than ever. If you have moved or changed your phone number since joining NCHA or renewing your membership, be sure you’ve informed the Membership Department so that the directory listings in the Yearbook will be up to date. Send an e-mail to Julie Davis, fax (817) 244-2015 or call (817) 244-6188 no later than August 15.

Get in touch with Shawn McCoy to find out about new advertising opportunities in the Yearbook.

Rule 10 Amended
The NCHA Executive Committee approved an amendment to Rule 10 on July 2.

Futurity Payment Due
Remember that the fourth payment of the 2003 Futurity in the amount of $400 must be postmarked no later than July 11.

DNA/AQHA Registration
To help NCHA maintain accurate records, owners who have registered their DNA-registered horses with the American Quarter Horse Association should submit a copy of the DNA registration papers and the AQHA registration papers to NCHA.

The papers can be faxed to (817) 244-2015, or copies can be mailed to:
NCHA, Attention: Linda Smith, 260 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107.

For more information, contact Linda Smith (817) 244-6188.

Horse Heroes
The American Quarter Horse Association is accepting nominations for the MD Barns Silver Spur Award. Candidates must be registered American Quarter Horses that have enriched the life of one or more human beings through outstanding training, contributions or accomplishments. Nominations close July 15.

Cutter Jewelry
Look sharp with handmade classic barbed-wire sterling silver jewelry by Spirit from Tioga Territory.

Advertising Deadlines
Deadline for the September issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is August 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.