Purses Enhanced for 2004
The National Cutting Horse Association will increase purses at its showcase limited age events beginning in 2004. Winners of selected events will be guaranteed substantial sums, and finalists in the Open Division of the 2004 NCHA Futurity will receive at least $20,000, if certain conditions are met.

"This additional purse money will help ensure that the remarkable growth we’ve been experiencing continues," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper.

The new purse structure will guarantee $75,000 to the winner of the NCHA Open Derby, beginning in 2004. The winners of the open competition in the Super Stakes Classic and the Summer Spectacular’s NCHA Classic/Challenge will each be guaranteed $50,000. The Super Stakes Open Gelding class will carry a $20,000-added purse and will guarantee $10,000 to the winner. The winner of the 2004 NCHA Futurity Open Finals will be guaranteed $200,000 in purse money and the last-place finisher in the 2004 Futurity Open Finals will be guaranteed $20,000, (based on 70 horses advancing to the semi-finals, and 25 horses advancing to the finals. NCHA Open Futurity semi-finalists will share in a guaranteed purse of $490,000.

"We’ve already increased added money for weekend cutters from $200,000 at the NCHA World Finals to $335,000 added to the expanded 2003 World Finals to be held in Amarillo next January," said Hooper. "These increases for our premier aged events help us balance growth and continue to build momentum in all areas of our sport."

The purse enhancements were developed by an advisory group which included NCHA President Dick Gaines, Tom Lyons (Chairman of the Limited Age Committee); Lindy Burch, Neil Mussallem, Dave Capps (Chairman of the Promotion & Development Committee); Terry Strange (Chairman of the Finance Committee); Kathy Daughn (Chairperson of the Professional Trainers Committee); Paul Hansma, Steve Smith, Ronnie Rice, and Jimmy Eakin.

2004 Futurity Payment Due
Today, October 1, is the due date for the first payment for the 2004 NCHA Futurity. Contact Janie Strotheide for more information.

Watch the Futurity Live on DISH TV
The National Cutting Horse Association, in conjunction with Cowboy TV is planning to present a live, pay-per-view telecast of the 2003 NCHA Futurity on DISH TV. The show will start at 6:00 p.m. CST on Sunday, December 14. You must be a DISH TV subscriber to view the telecast, and will be able to order the broadcast through your DISH remote control.

Stay tuned for more information . . .

Watch Big Moves & Hard Stops October 15
Since the 1950s, Canadian Bill Collins has shared his enthusiasm for cutting with horse lovers all around the world. He even gave cutting lessons to England's Prince Phillip. Collins will be featured on the next edition of NCHA's popular monthly television show, Big Moves & Hard Stops. The popular show, sponsored by Diamond Spur Ranch, will air Wednesday, October 15, on the Outdoor Life Network at 5:30 p.m. CST.

Western Horseman Cup's WesternHorseman.com Season Underway
The WesternHorseman.com Summer Season, the third leg of the Western Horseman Cup championship cutting series, opened last month with the Wine Country Futurity in Paso Robles, California, the Raleigh Cutting Series in North Carolina, the Dave Whittall Memorial in British Columbia, the Dakota Classic in Platte, South Dakota, the Brazos Bash in Weatherford, Texas, and the Wyoming Futurity in Gillette.

In open competition, Carol Ward's Peppys Pretty Cash, ridden by Carolos Banuelos has the lead with 75 points earned at Paso Robles. Brazos Bash winner CD Lights, owned by Danny Motes and Winston Hansma, also has 75 points, but had already qualified for the Western Horseman Cup earlier in the year.

Benjie Neely of Lyons, Georgia leads the non-pro standings with 110 points, earned on Little Lacey and Tronas Chex at the Raleigh Classic and the Brazos Bash.

Manion Ranch Sale
More than $3 million worth of cutting-bred horses changed hands at the Manion Ranch Landmark Near-Dispersal Sale in Aubrey, Texas, on Friday, September 19.

Western Bloodstock reported that the $285,000 Danny Sauders paid for Autumn Blue was a record price for a two-year-old. The Smart Little Lena filly is out of NCHA Super Stakes Champion Autumn Boon.

Seven horses sold for $150,000 or more, including $220,000 paid for Hollywood Nus Bar, current leader in the NCHA Open World Standings. The buyer was Debby Plummer.

Consignment Contracts Online
Western Bloodstock has made consignment contracts for its upcoming NCHA Futurity sales available online.

On Top of the World
In the NCHA Open standings, Hollywood Nus Bar ($37,653) has extended her lead over One Smart Lad ($23,386) and Young Guns Babe ($22,503) for shows recorded through September 29. In the Non-Pro race, defending World Champion Mary Jo Milner remains in front on Red White And Boon with $66,013, followed by McKenzie Mullins with $46,265. [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.

Utah CHA hosts Futurity & Aged Event
The $40,000 Marker LTD Futurity & Aged Event, produced by the Utah Cutting Horse Association, will be held November 4-8 at the Golden Spike Events Center in Ogden, Utah.

The Futurity will be $16,000 Added (Open & Non-Pro); the Derby will be $10,000 Added (Open & Non Pro); the Classic/Challenge will be $10,000 Added (Open & Non Pro), the Uncola will be $4,000 Added (Non-Pro) and there will be Gelding &$50,000 Limited Divisions (class within a class) in all classes.

For more information, contact Kathryn Webb (801) 768-0866 or fax (801)768-2296.

World Finals Entries
It’s likely that many cutters who are not currently ranked in the Top 50 will compete in the NCHA World Finals in Amarillo in January. One reason is that competitors who are in sight of the leaders will increase their efforts to qualify in the remaining months of the point year. Another reason is that if an invitation is declined or not received with the proper postmark, that will open a slot for the next competitor on the list. NCHA will continue to drop down the list in each class until we have 50 entries.

"We expect to see some great races in all classes toward the end of the season," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. Since we’ve begun publishing the Top 100 rankings in the Chatter and on the website, we’ve heard from many members who say they didn’t realize before that the Top 50 is within their reach. [Standings]

"Inevitably, some of those cutters who do make the Top 50 will have prior commitments that prevent them from going to the World Finals. It’s important to remember that those ‘declined invitations’ will open up World Finals opportunities for competitors who end up ranked a little below 50^th place."

Entry forms for the show will be published in the Chatter in November, and will also be mailed to Top 100 competitors, or they can be downloaded from the web.

World Finals entries must be postmarked or faxed no later than Monday, November 24, with no grace period. Entries that qualify for the World Finals will be posted on the internet on Friday, December 19.

World Finals History Online
Winners of the NCHA Open and Non-Pro World Finals are now listed on the Cutting Horse Chatter’s new website. The listings include links to detailed results of each event.

Online Membership Renewal Incentive
Renew your NCHA membership online before October 30, and you will have a chance to win a Life Membership, valued at $750.

Cuttin’ Capital Charity Ball
The Cuttin’ Capital Charity Ball, benefiting Campbell Health System’s Radiology Department in Parker County, Texas, will be held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Fort Worth on Saturday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m.

There will be live entertainment by Gene Watson, along with live and silent auctions. For tickets, call (817) 341-1946 or visit www.campbellhealth.com.

Judging 2004 Events
In the 2004 point year, all NCHA approved events must use NCHA-approved judges.

Cutting through Politics
Longtime cutting horse enthusiast J.E. Jumonville Jr. of Ventress, Louisiana, is on the primary ballot for Louisiana Governor on October 4.

Earnings and Eligibility
Beginning with the 2005 point year, horse and rider earnings gained in non-NCHA competition will be considered in determining eligibility for restricted classes.

"In the past, it has been possible for a horse to show extensively outside of NCHA, and still be eligible for our novice classes," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "We are working with Equi-Stat and other organizations, such as the American Cutting Horse Association and the Australian Cutting Horse Association, to recognize non-NCHA earnings for eligibility purposes beginning with the 2005 point year."

Deadlines
Advertising deadline for the NCHA Futurity Program is October 10. Get your ads in for the November issue of Cutting Horse Chatter by October 1. Call Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 for more information.

Special Publications
The Chatter will publish a special Guide to Cutting this fall. This will be a separate magazine packed with information about the sport which will be sent to all NCHA members.

"This will be a great resource for our members, and for new members coming into the NCHA," said Gold. "We’ve had a lot of demand for a single publication that contains answers to all of the most common questions people have about cutting. We’ll feature everything from the history of cutting to tips for improving your showmanship. Our goal is not only to provide a great introduction to cutting, but also offer enough substance that even seasoned cutters will keep coming back to it."

For unique advertising opportunities in the Guide, call Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188.

Cutting Cartoonist Featured
Jerry McAdams, whose unique cartoons delight readers of NCHA's Daily Chatter newsletter, is featured in the September 24 edition of the Fort Worth Business Press.

Help CIA Help Cutters
Cutters In Action is seeking items for its fund-raising auction to be held on Friday, December 7, at the Trainers Party during the NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas.

If you can help the organization which helps cutters in need, contact Auction Coordinator Angela Strittmatter 817-341-8197

King Ranch Celebrates 150 Years
King Ranch, a worldwide legend in ranching, will hold its 150th Anniversary Legacy Cattle and Horse Sale on October 4. It will be the first public sale held on the King Ranch in nearly 20 years. It will feature outstanding Santa Gertrudis and Santa Clara cattle and descendants of many of the famous King Ranch Quarter Horses.

DNA/AQHA Registration
To help NCHA maintain accurate records, owners of National DNA Horse Registry Inc. -registered horses who have double-registered their 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.

Denim Deal
With cooler weather coming, it's a good time to order a Schaefer's long denim saddle jacket with NCHA cutter embroidered on bottom left pocket flap from Tioga Territory.

UC Davis Symposium
Educational lectures, a training demonstration and a farrier workshop will be included in the University of California, Davis Horse Day Symposium October 11-12.