01/08/03 E-newsletter sponsored by

World Finals around the corner
The 2002 John Deere / NCHA World Finals are scheduled for February 27 through March 2, 2003 in Houston, Texas, during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo at Reliant Arena.

The top 15 Open horses and the top 15 Non-Professional riders have been invited to compete for $200,000 in added money that is to be paid out in four working finals and an average in each class.

Visit the standings on the NCHA Web site to see how the 2002 competitors stack up. For tickets, visit the HLSR web site and make sure to ask for NCHA World Finals tickets!

The advertising deadline for the World Finals Program is January 24. Contact Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 for more information.

Houston Hotel Arrangements
If you're planning to attend the Houston Livestock Show cutting competition or the 2002 John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals in Houston in February, you ought to start making your hotel arrangements now!

The following hotels have room blocks for the NCHA:
Holiday Inn Astrodome
8111 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77054
713-790-1900

Radisson Hotel Astrodome Convention Center
8686 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77054
800-552-0942

Abilene Spectacular underway
TheAbilene Spectacular, a traditional kick-off event for the new year, runs from January 2-12. Today (January 8) will see the finals of the Open Derby, and the finalists will all earn points for the Western Horseman Cup NCHA Championship Series.

Stylish Play Lena, owned by Gail Holmes and ridden by Lloyd Cox, won the 5/6-year-old Open at Abilene this week, marking 225.

Travel Planner
NCHA's popular 2003 Travel Planner is available now for $5.00, plus $3.00 postage. Everyone who shows needs one of these handy calendars.

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

Designated Area for competition
Any member who wishes to designate a specific area they will be competing in other than the area they live for the 2003 point year, needs to do so prior to March 1st. The request to designate an area needs to be in writing to the attention of Linda Smith. Please include in the request your membership number, name, address, telephone, the area you wish to designate and the horses that will be shown. Once you have designated an area for the 2003 point year, you may not change areas until the next point year. Mail or fax to: Linda Smith, NCHA, 260 Bailey Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107. Fax 817-244-2015.

NCHA Cutting Video Magazine
NCHA Cutting Video Magazine, a monthly program of cutting horse highlights and features, has arrived. The program, produced by Productive Media and presented in part by Dean Sanders' Diamond Spur Ranch is hosted by Shelly Burmeister-Mowery.

A short program focused on the 2002 NCHA Futurity will be released next week. At the end of January, the first full edition of the NCHA Cutting Video Magazine will be available. Each month it will include pieces on weekend cutters, prominent non-pros and trainers, and a special segment, Foundation Horses with the legendary Buster Welch.

With revolutionary new technology--a first for the horse industry--computer users can automatically download requested programming in the background whenever they are connected to the internet. When the download is complete, they can watch the program like a smooth, full-screen video right on their computer.

A demonstration program featuring Burmeister with highlights from last year's Futurity action and a wrap up of the activities at this year's show was a popular attraction at the recent NCHA Futurity.

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

"The beauty of this system is that it doesn't matter if you have a slow internet connection, or if you're all thumbs when it comes to computers," said NCHA Director of Publishing Alan Gold. "Setting up your subscription is a snap. After that, the programs are downloaded and stored on your computer without any further effort required.

"We've been working with Productive Media to develop this type of programming that complements our efforts in other media, such as the online version of the Daily Chatter, the e-Chatter electronic newsletter, our website, and the monthly television show, Big Moves & Hard Stops, which will make its debut in April."

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.

Breedings to Top Stallions Support Youth
Breeding season is just around the corner so now is the time to look over the all-star list of stallions donated to  NYCHA's Stallion Service Program , then send your bid in on the breeding of your choice. Sealed bids on available breedings will be due to the NCHA office by noon on Thursday, February 6, 2003. Bids must be at least 50% of the breeding fee listed and breedings will be awarded to the highest bidder.

For more information contact the NCHA Youth Coordinator, Danette McGuire at (817) 244-6188.

Renew On-line
More and more NCHA members are discovering how easy it is to renew their membership with on-line processing.

Right now there is an extra incentive to renew your membership. If you sign up for a three-year membership (2003-2005) by March 1, you will be entered in a drawing for a Sam's Club Gift Certificate, valued at $1,000. (Because of the already low rate for NYCHA members, youth memberships are not eligible for this special incentive).

AQHA sets membership record
The American Quarter Horse Association capped 2002 with 341,063 members - the highest number of members ever recorded. [Press Release]

Horses count, too!
Did you receive a United States Department of Agriculture Census form last month? If so, make sure you return it to USDA by February 3. This is the first year USDA is surveying horse numbers nationwide. So, make sure your horses are counted!

If you did not receive a census form, call (888) 4AG-STAT.

Horses from Hollywood
The best-selling book about Depression-era horse hero Seabiscuit has been made into a movie to be released this spring by Universal Studios. Click here to watch the trailer.

Like A Diamond featured
Prominent cutting horse sire Like A Diamond is featured in a new model from Breyer Animal Creations.

Super Stakes payments due
The first payment of the Super Stakes/Super Stakes Classic in the amount of $400 needs to be postmarked no later than Saturday, January 11th.

The second payment of the futurity is due January 15th.

Advertising deadline
The deadline for advertising in the March issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is February 1. Contact Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 for more information.

Call to artists
The Western States Horse Expo, to be held in Sacramento, California this spring, is searching for the best equestrian-themed art in the nation. Two- and three-dimensional art in the categories of photography, jewelry/other, pen and ink, pastel, black and white pencil/charcoal, colored pencil, oil, watercolor, and sculpture are being sought. Artists may submit up to three pieces that display horses of all breeds, color, sport or western theme.

First through third place winners, from all categories, will receive a ribbon. All first-place winners will be eligible to compete for the Best of Show honor, which includes a $200 prize. All entries will be on display and available for sale during the exhibition. One work of art in the exhibition will be selected by Equine Vision Magazine to receive their "Vision Award" prize, which includes an article about the work and its artist in the publication's summer issue. All entries must be received by April 10.

Change Our Address
Just a reminder to everyone that the new address for the NCHA is:
260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107
Please make sure and change the information in all of your address books, etc, so that your mail will get through in a timely manner.

NCHA's telephone numbers, extensions and fax numbers remain the same in the new office, as well as staff e-mail addresses.