Chiquita Pistol advances
NCHA Futurity and Super Stakes Champion Chiquita Pistol, ridden by Tag Rice for Tooter Dorman, posted the second highest combined score from the first two rounds of NCHA Derby competition in her bid to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1984. She’ll compete next in the Open Semi-Finals Saturday afternoon.

The NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, presented by Emison Insurance, underwritten by the Insurance Corporation of Hannover, continues today with the first round of the Non-Pro Derby.

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

It’s a Party!
To celebrate Finals Weekend at the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, NCHA and 95.9 FM The Ranch will host a Party Saturday, July 26, at the Western Mercantile in the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, with live music by Harris & Ryden. You can also register to win a $1,000 shopping spree at the Western Mercantile Trade Show. Riscky’s Barbeque and Coors Light beer will also be available.

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, featuring the NCHA Derby. 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.

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 30, August 20
Dean Sanders’ Diamond Spur Ranch will be featured on Big Moves & Hard Stops, NCHA’s half-hour, monthly television program, on Wednesday, July 30 at 5:30 p.m. Central Time. The program, which was originally scheduled for July 16, was postponed due to coverage of the Tour de France.

The next regularly scheduled edition of the show will be on August 20, featuring Ohio’s Chuck Smith.

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.

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 Dispersal
Frank and Robin Merrill have announced the decision to disperse their entire Windward Stud Quarter Horse breeding program on Friday, October 17, 2003 at the ranch in Purcell, Oklahoma.

The Merrills intend to downsize their operation and enjoy personal horses rather than run a commercial breeding business. This business decision provides both serious breeders and new horse enthusiasts an unparalleled opportunity to acquire the superior breeding stock and high-end equipment which have contributed to 35 years of success for Frank Merrill’s Windward Stud.

According to Jim Ware of Western Bloodstock, agent for the dispersal, "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."

Todd Drummond Award Nominations Sought
Each National Cutting Horse Association affiliate may nominate one outstanding youth member for the annual Todd Drummond Award. The youth member will be recognized for scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities and cutting horse involvement.

A special committee will review all nominations and recommend a maximum of three nominees to the Executive Committee who will then chose the award winner at their fall meeting. During the 2003 NCHA World Championship Futurity the Todd Drummond Award winner will be honored and presented a custom designed trophy buckle.

The nomination deadline is September 1. Affiliates should send their nomination and supporting information to the NCHA Office, Attention Todd Drummond Award, 260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. For more information, contact Pam Robison at (817) 244-6188, ext. 111.

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 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.

Cool Cutting in Colorado
Many Limited Age Event enthusiasts will take a break from the summer heat at the 2003 UBS/Galles Pagosa Springs Rocky Mountain Championship at Pagosa Springs, Colorado August 6-14. In addition to cooler weather and three practice pens, the new event will feature $150,000 in added money.

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 18. In the Non-Pro race, defending World Champion Mary Jo Milner remains in front on Red White And Boon with $44,147, 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.

Seabiscuit on the Screen
Horses are thundering back into the public eye with the premiere this week of Seabiscuit: an American Legend, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper. Based on the best-selling book, the movie has been getting good press. [Full Story]

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 18.

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

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.

Sharp Shirts
Look sharp with a 100% combed ringspun cotton variegated ribbed golf shirt with official NCHA embroidery on left chest. Available in sizes for everyone from Tioga Territory. [See the Shirt]

Advertising Deadlines
Deadline for the September issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is August 1. Deadline for the NCHA Yearbook is August 22. The deadline for the exciting special edition Cutting Horse Chatter Guide to Cutting is September 15. Contact Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 for more information.

Are You Renewed?
If not, renew now and stay in touch with what is happening in the world of cutting. Now you can do it the easy way with on-line processing.