03/27/2002 E-newsletter sponsored by

NCHA headquarters to move this year
After decades of trying to squeeze ever-expanding services into a tight space, the headquarters of the National Cutting Horse Association will move into a new home later this year. The new, two-story building is located just a few blocks from Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, home of NCHA's three aged events. (Full Story)

2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern Nationals Wrap-Up
By all measures, the 2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships in Jackson, Mississippi, were a tremendous success. With the introduction of the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, the individual nature of cutting competition was enhanced with an additional layer of team play. The 979 entries that spent March 12-23 in Jackson were competing for $286,682 with $90,000 added. For the first time, though, riders' scores also counted towards points in the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, which offered another $27,000. (News Release)

Representatives from 75 NCHA affiliate clubs went to Jackson to compete, making it the most well-attended area work-off show in the history of NCHA.

The Champions and Reserve Champions of the 11 classes hailed from 9 states. In order of announcement, they are:

$10,000 Novice -- Champion: Raked In Satin with 224 points, owned by EE Ranches of Pilot Point, Texas, ridden by Guy Woods of Pilot Point, Texas / Reserve: Goran with 223 points, owned by EE Ranches of Pilot Point, Texas, ridden by John Wold of Bartonville, Texas.

$3,000 Novice -- Champion: Raked In Satin with 223.5 points, owned by EE Ranches of Pilot Point, Texas, ridden by Guy Woods of Pilot Point, Texas / Reserve: Missis Trona with 222 points, owned by Benjie Christian Neely of Lyons, Georgia, ridden by Austin Shepard of Summerdale, Alabama.

$10,000 Novice/Non-Pro -- Champion: Fritzs Doc Finale with 220 points, owned by Benjie Christian Neely of Lyons, Georgia, ridden by Austin Shepard of Summerdale, Alabama / Reserve: Ms Pocotamulena with 216.5 points, owned by Steve & Darla Miles of Asher, Oklahoma, ridden by Darla Miles.

Junior Youth -- Champion: Rachel Johnson of Lewisburg, West Virginia, riding Finally Got Smart for 221 points / Reserve: Courtney Sokol of Brenham, Texas, riding Peponitas Busy Bee for 218 points.

Senior Youth -- Champion: Kelle Earnheart of Hernando, Mississippi, riding Vandals Villain for 220 points / Reserve: Nikki Sokol of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, riding Lucky Bottom Roy for 217 points.

$10,000 Amateur -- Champion: Freckles Best Lena with 217.5 points, owned and ridden by Tina Russell of Wesson, Mississippi / Reserve (tie): Lily O Lena with 216 points, owned by Donna & Ronnie Canada, ridden by Donna Canada of Yukon, Oklahoma & Agoodun with 216 points, owned and ridden by Richard "Joey" Layton of Ada, Oklahoma.

$20,000 Non-Pro -- Champion: Assets Gay Bar with 220 points, owned by Allen & Judy Bingham of Decatur, Texas, ridden by Sara Ann Bingham of Decatur, Texas / Reserve: Toy Lure with 218 points, owned and ridden by Leslea Lee of Flora, Mississippi.

$50,000 Amateur -- Champion: Freckles Best Lena with 219.5 points, owned and ridden by Tina Russell of Wesson, Mississippi / Reserve: Montanas Mark with 216 points, owned and ridden by Sandy Brannon of San Antonio, Texas.

$2,000 Limit Rider -- Champion: Lenas Flit Star with 223 points, owned by Marvin & Beverly Maples of Kansas City, Missouri, ridden by Evan Wells of Edgerton, Missouri / Reserve: Agoodun with 219 points, owned and ridden by Richard "Joey" Layton of Ada, Oklahoma.

Non-Pro -- Champion: Zipa Freckles with 224 points, owned and ridden by Kelle Earnheart of Hernando, Mississippi / Reserve (tie): Playboy McCrae with 218 points, owned and ridden by April Deanna Hames of Weatherford, Texas & Jazzy Chic Olena with 218 points, owned by Michael & Janie Akin of Counce, Tennessee, ridden by Michael Akin & Smart Tempa Tantrum with 218 points, owned and ridden by Ronald Barrow of Williamston, Michigan.

Open -- Champion: Son Of Olena with 222 points, owned by Jackie Sue Wellington of Texarkana, Texas, ridden by Brett Davis of Texarkana, Texas / Reserve: Ollies Combo Man with 216 points, owned by Sharon Sigler of Kansas City, Missouri, ridden by Gaylon Wells of Edgerton, Missouri.

For more complete coverage of the 2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships, please visit the NCHA News Releases and the Eastern Daily Chatters.

AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge results
Of the 75 affiliate clubs at the 2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Eastern Nationals the North Mississippi Cutting Horse Association began the race with the most points for participation, and ran with it from there. When all 11 classes had been completed, the NMCHA had 1,730 points, while the second-place affiliate was the Florida CHA with 1,115 points. The AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge paid out a total of $27,000 to the top 10 affiliates with a first-place check for $7,500 and the second-place check for $5,000.

"AQHA is excited to be a partner in this great new concept of team competition at the Eastern National Championships. We hope the winning affiliates will utilize the funds to grow the sport of cutting at the grassroots level," said AQHA Executive Director of Marketing Don Treadway. (Full story) (Complete Results)

Making smiles at the Eastern Nationals
NCHA member Gary Walker left the annual NCHA Catfish Fry in Jackson, Mississippi, with a full stomach and a large smile on his face. Walker, of Tehaucana, Texas, ate his share of the 400 pounds of catfish that was prepared for the crowd of cutters before his name was drawn as the winner of the event's Sooner Trailer giveaway.

Prior to the trailer giveaway, the NCHA held a live auction to benefit the Orthopedic Division of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Thanks to the contributions of those present for the Catfish Fry, the NCHA was able to raise $4,100 for the group, which provides artificial limbs and braces for those in need. (News Release)

Second try for the Kansas CHA "Introduction to Cutting" Workshop
The response for the first Introduction to Cutting workshop held by the Kansas Cutting Horse Association was overwhelming. Unfortunately, the 5 inches of snow that hit the ground the night before the workshop was supposed to take place caused it to be postponed.

The good news is that the workshop has been rescheduled for the evening of Wednesday, April 24. Kansas CHA President Tom Frey plans to have a fresh cattle practice and an orientation for people who are new to the sport entirely. So as before, if you or anyone else you know would be interesting in attending the Kansas CHA Introduction to Cutting workshop, please contact KCHA President Tom Frey at 913-681-8489.

Coors comes on board with NCHA
Coors Distributing Company has entered into an agreement with the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) that will greatly increase advertising and promotion of the NCHA's "Triple Crown of Cutting" events held each year in Fort Worth.

The partnership between Coors and NCHA provides for Coors to provide a significant amount of advertising (both print and radio) toward the promotion of NCHA events and the NCHA's trade shows held in conjunction with these cutting horse shows.

 "The NCHA events are a significant part of the culture of Fort Worth," noted Coors Director of Marketing Marvin Branch. "Coors is proud to support major sports and social activities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and helping to promote the NCHA shows is a wonderful opportunity for us."

Super Stakes entries soar
The Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes gets underway April 4 in Fort Worth, Texas with a record purse of more than $2.2 million. There are 1,328 entries in all divisions this year, up from 1,235 last year. (Schedule)

Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships entries due
Following a record-breaking Chevy Trucks Eastern National Championships show in Jackson, Mississippi, this month, entries are pouring in for the Western National Championships to be held in Ogden, Utah, April 27 through May 5. (Schedule)

The show will feature the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge which will pay out $27,000 in cash awards from the American Quarter Horse Association to NCHA affiliates based on the participation and success of their members at the Ogden show.

All entries for the Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships must be in the NCHA office by  April 4.

Weekend show entries are up this year
Entries at weekend shows are setting a record-breaking pace in the 2002 point year. Last year, weekend show purses topped $10 million for the first time ever. Through early March, purses are up more than 14.8% and weekend show entries are up 13.2% compared to the same period last year.

"One of our key objectives from last year's convention was to enhance the weekend cutting experience," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "If more cutters are showing more often than ever before, we're moving in the right direction as an association. The figures so far this year show a phenomenal improvement over last year's record-breaking numbers."

Through March 10, entries in weekend shows had reached 23,350, up 2,722 from the same period last year. Purses earned by weekend cutters totaled $1,987,669, a jump of $257,055 over last year.

New awards at Super Stakes
The owners of the Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes Open Champion and the Super Stakes Classic Open Champion will receive Gist trophy buckles, starting this year. The owners' buckles will be awarded in addition to those given traditionally to the trainers of the Open Champions. In addition, owners of all Open finalists at the Flowmaster/NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic will receive a special-edition jacket.

"The Open finals showcase the action, skills and excitement that make cutting the great sport it is today," noted NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "The Executive Committee wanted to create these awards as another way to recognize the tremendous contribution the owners make to our industry."

Super Stakes updates
The NCHA Executive Committee met on March 8 at the NCHA offices. Several topics relating to the Stallion Owners Committee and the Super Stakes were discussed and acted upon.

Beginning with the 2003 Super Stakes, the stallion subscription enrollment fee will be a minimum of $3,500 or the equivalent amount of one advertised stud fee, whichever is greater. This was passed at the September 5, 2001, Executive Committee meeting. During the March 8 meeting, a motion was passed unanimously that the subscription fees be based on the stud fee during the year the eligible foals are conceived (for example, the 1998 stud fee for the 2003 Super Stakes). Additionally, any stallions bred to ten mares or less in the year the eligible foals are conceived will pay the minimum fee of $3,500, regardless of stud fee.

The Gelding Stakes during the NCHA Super Stakes will be held for the last time at the 2002 Super Stakes. Beginning in 2003, there will not be a Gelding Stakes.

A motion was passed unanimously that the Super Stakes Incentive Fund (administered by the NCHA) will be in effect for the years of 2003 and 2004. Beginning in 2005, there will not be a Super Stakes Incentive Fund administered by the NCHA. There may be outside incentive purses from other individuals or groups, but they will not be NCHA-produced or administered.

Traffic advisory
If you're coming to Fort Worth for the Super Stakes, please note that Burnet/Tandy Street off of Montgomery Street is closed due to construction. Access to the Will Rogers Memorial Center via University Drive is recommended.

April 1 deadline to apply for Walton Family Foundation scholarships
The National Youth Cutting Horse Association will award $100,000 to current or former NYCHA members who will be enrolled in a college, university or trade school in the fall of 2002. Twenty scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded through a grant received from the Walton Family Foundation. These scholarships will reward NYCHA youth who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities, excellence in academics, involvement in school, community, or church and involvement in the National Youth Cutting Horse Association. Applicants must have been an NYCHA member within the past four years.

Applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2002. The application and guidelines are available on the NCHA web site, through NCHA Youth Coordinator Danette McGuire, by calling at 817-244-6188 or through area Youth Directors.

Youth Team Cutting in Ogden, Utah
Entries are still being accepted for the youth team cutting at the Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah. The team cutting will be held following the youth finals on Saturday, April 27, 2002. A team consists of four youth members and all participants must wear costumes. Prizes will be awarded for the highest team score as well as best costume. There is no entry fee, but you must be an NYCHA member to participate. Space is limited, so send in your entry form today. Entry forms are available on the NCHA web site or by calling the NCHA Youth Coordinator, Danette McGuire at 817-244-6188. We are also looking for an announcer, secretary and judges, so give us a call if you are interested in helping! Judges must be former NYCHA members who are 19 years of age or older.

NYCHA Stallion Service Program
Save 40% on this year's breeding fees and help support the youth association by purchasing your 2002 breeding through the NYCHA Stallion Service Auction. You'll pay only 60% of the advertised breeding fee. All remaining breedings will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. All proceeds go to support youth scholarships, awards and activities.

Here's a sample of the stallions still available through our program: Young Gun, Smart Little Pistol, Playdox, Rum Squall, JR Colord Smoke, Doc O Dynamite, Little Bo Badger, Playboys Slik Lena, Tinas Little Peppy, Hickory Bar Bully, Senors Copper Bar, Jimmez Playboy, Little Blue Lynx, Playboys Ike, Smart Cat Wilson, Play Red, Short And Final, Choice Acres, Smart Lil Paradign, Delta Dare Devil, Royal Chic Olena, Lot A Playboy, Olena Chex Mate, Spooks Jazzman, SR Hallmarked, Snackbox, and Snip Starlight.

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

Advertising deadline
Ads for the May issue of the award-winning Cutting Horse Chatter need to be received by April 1. Contact Shawn McCoy (817) 244-6188 for details.