07/03/2002 E-newsletter sponsored by

Sooner/NCHA Weekend purses hit new peak
With the final figures in, the purses paid at Sooner/NCHA Weekend shows rose nearly 16% this year. More than $520,000 was paid out at the 25 Area shows held across North America May 31-June 2. That was up from a high of $449,500 established last year. [Yearly comparison]

Record-breaking Summer Cutting Spectacular starts Tuesday
More entries, a bigger purse, and a new sponsor in Ben Emison Insurance, underwritten by Insurance Corporation of Hannover add up to a record-breaking start for the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular which runs from July 9-28 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sponsors' Cutting gives NCHA Sponsors a chance to get in on the action
The annual Sponsors' Cutting during the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular allows the NCHA to introduce new sponsors to the thrill of cutting, to reaffirm and strengthen standing relationships, and to bridge the gap between NCHA members and NCHA sponsors. When it comes to explaining why NCHA members are die-hard fanatics about the sport of cutting, their horses, and the lifestyle, there's no substitute for letting our sponsors get into the saddle and feel it for themselves.

"This event gives NCHA an opportunity to show our sponsors first-hand why we do what we do. The enjoyment of horse, cow and adrenaline all come together for an experience of a lifetime," said Clay Murray, NCHA Director of Marketing. "Additionally, it gives the sponsors a chance to see that their marketing dollars are focused on an affluent and excited group."

Remember to support NCHA sponsors by purchasing their products, and come to the Sponsors' Cutting at WRMC on July 18 and show our sponsors how much they're appreciated.

Batter up!
In a continuing effort to promote awareness of the NCHA and our major shows in Fort Worth, the NCHA has developed a new relationship with the Fort Worth Cats, a minor league baseball team with a brand new facility and a growing following in Fort Worth.

The NCHA will be a major part of the festivities during the Cats' July 12 evening game. That night, Super Stakes Champion Chubby Turner will ride around the bases horseback, and then throw the evening's first pitch. In keeping with the theme, the evening's "human dot" race will be replaced by a "stick-horse" race, instead.

The Cats will also be doing promotions for the Summer Cutting Spectacular during some of their other games as the show continues. NCHA Night with the Fort Worth Cats will be Friday, July 12. The game begins at 7:05, but get there early to get a good seat and to see Chubby throw the first pitch. To learn more about the Fort Worth Cats baseball team, visit www.fwcats.com or call 817-226-CATS.

SCS Hotel Sponsors
If you haven't made your hotel reservations yet for the Summer Cutting Spectacular, try these host hotels first.

Coors Light Trade Show
The Coors Light Trade Show at the Summer Cutting Spectacular will open on July 11 at 9 am. That allows for move-out time for vendors from the American Paint Horse Association's World Show and move-in time for our vendors. As always, there will be lots of great shopping opportunities and time to get to know your NCHA sponsors.

Spectacular Awards for Summer Cutting
Awards for class finalists and champions for the Summer Cutting Spectacular will be plentiful. Take a look at these great prizes. 

You ought to be in pictures
You can help promote cutting, and all you have to do is smile. All NCHA members are invited to stop by the Media Office at Will Rogers Memorial Center from from 3 pm until 4 pm on July 10, 12, 17, 19 or 24 and have their picture taken. Participants will be eligible to win prizes in a special drawing.

The NCHA Marketing Department will use the pictures will draw on the library of photos it is compiling when it issues local, regional and national news releases.

Summer Cutting Spectacular stalls
Stalls will be available for the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular no earlier than July 8, due to the American Paint Horse Association World Show, which will conclude on July 6.

New timeline for LAE show approvals
A new Limited Age Event show approval timeline will help NCHA better serve its members and the independent show producers. Beginning with shows held in 2003, The NCHA Executive Committee has approved a new timeline for submitting approval applications for Limited Age Events with a total value of $10,000-added (or more) in all combined approved classes.

Limited Age Events to be held between January 1- June 30, 2003 will submit their applications for approval by August 15, 2002, and all show approvals for this time period will be granted by October 1, 2002.

Limited Age Events to be held between July 1- December 31, 2003, will submit their applications for approval by January 1, 2003, and all show approvals for this time period will be granted by March 1, 2003.

Setting a schedule for limited age events six months at a time will facilitate better promotion for events throughout the year. Also, receiving all applications for a six-month period of time will help minimize potential conflicts and overlap between shows.

Chatter wins awards
Cutting Horse Chatter, the official publication of the NCHA, was a big winner at the American Horse Publications' recent judging of work published in 2001.

The "Join Today" ad designed by Chatter graphic artist Mindy Harr took first place in the black & white category. The ad appeared in the October 2001 issue.

The judge wrote, "This entry is living proof that a black and white ad can be effective and compelling . . . the clear winner in this category."

Harr also received an honorable mention for the "Got Babies?" ad that appeared in June 2001.

The NCHA Yearbook took second place in the Specialty Publication category.

"This is a reference guide whose job it is to help people find things. And this is a classic example of its kind, because it is a directory that actually directs and you don't have to fight it or search in it," said the judges. "A useful tool whose utility is so well contrived that it becomes a fine-looking object as well. Something to have on one's desk with pride."

Yearbook deadline
The Chatter staff is finalizing improvements and new features that will make the 2002 Yearbook better than ever. The advertising deadline for this year's Yearbook is August 23. The deadline for the 2003 Travel Planner is September 15. The deadline for the September issue of the Chatter is August 1. Contact Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 or (817) 980-4754 for more information.

Cut it out!
You can show you're a cutter outside of the arena, too, with these classy T-shirts from Tioga Territory.

Nominations for Todd Drummond Award open
NCHA affiliates have until July 31 to nominate a youth member for the prestigious Todd Drummond Award, to be presented at this year's Chevy Trucks NCHA World Championship Futurity.

The winner will be recognized for scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities and cutting horse involvement.

For more information, contact Pam Robison at (817) 244-6188.

Cutting at the National High School Finals Rodeo
The 2002 National High School Finals Rodeo performances will take place July 22 - 28 in Farmington, New Mexico. More than half of the youth entered in the NHSFR cutting are NYCHA members, and NCHA and the Insurance Corporation of Hannover are working to make this years NHSFR cutting better than ever.

The NCHA will cover the cost of a third NCHA-approved judge for the outstanding youth cutters in New Mexico, and the Insurance Corporation of Hannover will sponsor the cost of fresh cattle for the youth cutters at all 13 performances. These are great new benefits for the youth at the NHSFR.

Here comes the judge . . .
The internet makes it easier to find a judge for your show. One of the features of the NCHA website is an alphabetical listing of judges that includes their rating, home state and telephone number.

West Nile Virus confirmed in Houston
West Nile Virus (WNV), a form of "sleeping sickness," was confirmed June 18 in two dead blue jays found on the west side of Houston, Texas. Veterinarians at the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock health regulatory agency, are urging owners of horses, mules, donkeys and other equids to ensure that their animals have been vaccinated against not only West Nile Virus (WNV), but also against Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and (WEE), two common forms of "sleeping sickness."

"The introduction of West Nile Virus into Texas isn't surprising, as we have monitored the south and eastward migration of the disease since it was first detected in North America in New York in l999. Last year, WNV was reported in 738 equids in 20 states," commented Dr. Terry Conger, TAHC's state veterinary epidemiologist. [More information]