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World Champions crowned
It came as no surprise that Mary Jo Milner won the NCHA Non-Pro World Championship at the John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals in Houston on February 17. She was so far ahead of the pack at the end of the regular season that her lead was unbeatable.

However, Milner's total earnings of $120,182.51 established a new record for a Non-Pro World Champion. Only Kobie Wood and Cash Quixote Rio have earned more money in a year on the World Championship circuit, and that was in Open competition in 1990. This year's title was the fourth for Milner, tying Carol Rose for the all-time record of Non-Pro World Championships. (News Release)

But 26-year-old Amy Welch King, making her World Finals debut, won the Non-Pro cutting in Houston by half a point over Milner, 900 to 899½. (News Release)

When serious contender Christys Acre had to skip the World Finals, that gave Rosies Lena, ridden by Robert Rust for Ken Sitton of Freeport, Texas, a clear run for the 2001 NCHA Open World Champion' s title. Sitton first got excited about cutting in 1996 while attending the World Finals. (News Release)

Trainer Allen Crouch rode Lee Garner's Harriott Playgirl to win the Open World Finals by 5½ points over five-time World Champion Kobie Wood on Joe Montana's That Cool Cat. (News Release)

Garner, who rode the youngest horse in Houston, six-year-old Oh Cay Liberty, in both the Non-Pro and Open World Finals, collected more cash than any other competitor. Harriott Playgirl earned $26,153 for Garner, while Oh Cay Liberty made a total of $22,563 in both divisions of the World Finals (not counting what she earned for winning the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Non-Pro cutting and making it to the HLS&R Open finals under Garner) for a grand total of $48,716. Garner, who started the week wishing he were a good enough rider to show off the mare's talents, wound up winning the fourth round of the Open on her with a 228.

John Deere/NCHA World Finals on TV
If you were unable to attend the 2001 John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals in Houston, Texas, earlier this month, you missed a great show. However, you can catch all of the highlights on Outdoor Life Network in March. The 2001 World Finals will be aired on OLN's "America's Horse" program March 24 at 7 p.m. Eastern time and then again at 11 p.m. Pacific time. Get your popcorn ready or set your VCR!

AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge to debut at Eastern National Championships
The Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships will be bigger and better than ever in 2002, thanks to the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge. The challenge is a program that provides greater structure and a "team" concept to the NCHA Eastern National Championships. The cutting event will take place at the Jackson, Mississippi, Fairgrounds from March 12-23.

Each of the National Cutting Horse Association's 120 different affiliate organizations can send their top 10 competitors from 11 different classes to compete in both the Eastern National Championships and its sister event, the Western National Championships, held later in the spring in Ogden, Utah. In 2001, there were over 925 entries in the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships, an event that spanned 12 days.

Western Nationals schedule change
The tentative schedule for the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships has been changed as follows:

The go-rounds of the Junior and Senior Youth classes have been moved from Sunday, April 28 to Saturday, April 27, starting at 8 a.m. They will be followed by the Youth Finals.

The go-round of the $3,000 Novice will start at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, followed by the go-round of the $10,000 Novice.

The finals of the $3,000 Novice will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 29.

Payment deadlines
March 1 is the deadline for final payments in the 2002 Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic events.

Final payment for the 2002 Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes Open and Non-Pro events is $1,000. For the Limited Open and Non-Pro, it's $500.

The final payment for the 2002 Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes Classic Open and Non-Pro is $850.

And the second payment for the 2002 Flowmaster NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic Amateur due March 1 is $500.

The third payment of $100 for the 2002 World Championship Futurity will be due March 15.

Cutting Workshop in Kansas
The Kansas Cutting Horse Association will be hosting their first ever Introduction to Cutting Workshop on March 2, 2002. Tom Frey of Stillwell, Kansas, is spearheading the effort. The idea behind the workshop is to give people who are already involved in other horse sports a full day of instruction about the ins and outs of cutting, with plenty of one-on-one attention.

If you would like to attend, or know anyone who may be interested in participating, please call Mr. Frey at (913) 681-8489.

Did you know?
20% of NCHA members spend more than 51 days per year at cuttings.
-- From the NCHA demographic survey.

NYCHA Stallion Service Auction
Save money on this year's breeding fees and help support the youth association by purchasing your 2002 breeding through the NYCHA Stallion Service Auction. There are many great stallions still available in a full range of prices. For only 60% of the advertised breeding fee, your cost could be as low as $150 (chute fees, mare care, vet fees... not included). Available stallions include Cisco Lena, CJ Sugar Lena, Cols Lil Dynamite, Hickory Bar Bully, Jimmez Playboy, JR Colord Smoke, Little Blue Lynx, Playboys Ike, Quanah O Lena, Royal Chic Olena, Short and Final, Choice Acres, Smart Lil Paradign, Smart Little Pistol, SR Hallmarked, Snip Starlight, Tinas Little Peppy, and Young Gun. (Full Details)

For more information, contact Danette McGuire, NCHA Youth Coordinator or call her at (817) 244-6188 ext 125.

Junior Gray dies
Junior Gray, 63, who served as an NCHA AAA judge for more than 20 years, and who was one of the founders of the Summer and Winter Circuit cuttings in Abilene, died at his ranch in Graham, Texas, February 16.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; two daughters, Caren Birdwell of Graham, and Cammie Gray of Bedford; sister Zella Mae Withers of Andrews; brother J.W. of Post; and one grandson.

Memorials may be made to Cutters in Action, 4704 Hwy. 377 South, Fort Worth, TX 76116.

Membership deadline approaching
NCHA members have until March 1 to pay their 2002 membership fees before they will be considered delinquent.

Advertising deadlines
The advertising deadline for the Super Stakes program is February 28. The advertising deadline for the April issue of the Chatter is March 1. For more information, contact Shawn McCoy.

The weekend in cutting
Cutters can ride to the herd in seven states, plus Holland this weekend.

Mid South CHA: Batesville, MS, 3/1-3. Call Gwen Coie (318) 644-5788.
Big Country CHA: Sweetwater, TX, 3/1-3. Call Suzy Watson (915) 658-1648.
Western Oklahoma CHA: Ada, OK, 3/2-3. Call Connie Wartchow (580) 777-2876.
Lone Star CHA: Athens, TX, 3/2. Call Agnes Adams (972) 564-3233.
Bluebonnet CHA: Brenham, TX, 3/2-3. Call Sandy Sokol (979) 830-8228.
Kentucky CHA: Fisherville, KY, 3/2-3. Call Tami Langley (502) 633-1461.
East Tennessee CHA: Harriman, TN, 3/2-3. Call Michelle R Turpin (865) 717-0426.
Muenster Cutting Horse Show: Muenster, TX, 3/2. Call Gail Dittmeier (214) 351-6031.
South Louisiana CHA: New Roads, LA, 3/2-3. Call Nancy Stone (225) 293-6414.
Florida CHA: New Smyrna Beach, FL, 3/2. Call Julianne Turner (863) 318-8561.
Central Oklahoma CHA: Purcell, OK, 3/2. Call Della Hillerman (405) 598-2568.
Red River CHA: Wichita Falls, TX, 3/2. Call Donna Bachand (580) 963-2802.
Dutch Championship Lowland Cutting Tour: Krimpen A/D IJS, NT 3/3. Call Karin Den Hartog-Peute (031) 180-5148.
(Other Events)

Anthology seeks submissions
Deidre Sharp and Patrice Hughes of Horse Play Therapeutic Center in Exeter, Rhode Island are requesting submissions for an anthology titled The Medicine Horses -- Creative Expressions of the Horse and Human Bond. Adults, children, professionals, amateurs -- all people involved with horses -- are invited to participate. Submissions may be in the form of essays, life experiences, poetry, artwork and/or photographs and should describe the positive influence of a horse, or horses, in one's life.

The deadline for submissions is June 21, 2002. Please include name, return address, and parent/guardian signature if under the age of 18. All materials will be returned after publication. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to youth and equine charities.

Send submissions to: Deidre Sharp, P.O. Box 660, Exeter, RI 02882. For further information contact Deidre Sharp at 401-539-9610 or Patrice Hughes at 407-657-8728.