07/31/2002 E-newsletter sponsored by

Spectacular finish
Working next to last, John Wold marked a 227 on a stallion named Sue to claim a six-point victory in the NCHA Derby as the Summer Cutting Spectacular presented by Emison Insurance, underwritten by the Insurance Corporation of Hannover wrapped up Sunday night. Wold, who was catch-riding for trainer Kobie Wood, picked up the mount on Sue a few days after the Summer Spectacular started. Sue is a son of Duals Blue Boon out of three-time World Champion Meradas Little Sue, and is owned by Bill and Corinne Heigilbrodt of Houston, Texas.

The Non-Pro Derby went to Bucki James of Purcell, Oklahoma who marked 225.5 on Rambo, her gelding by Docs Stylish Oak.

You can see complete results on the web, and read Sally Harrison's in-depth coverage of each day's action in the popular Daily Chatter newsletter.

Billy Sapp wins Sooner Trailer
Billy Sapp of Columbia, Missouri was the top non-pro cutter in his area on NCHA Weekend in June. That set the stage for his win in the Sooner Trailer Workoff at the Summer Cutting Spectacular on July 26.

Cutters saddle up in Sean Ryon Shoot-out
Top riders in each class from the NCHA Eastern and Western National Championships went one-on-one in the Sean Ryon Shoot-out at the Summer Cutting Spectacular on July 26. The winners in each division took home a custom-made saddle and a check for $700.

Futurity is next
Mark your calendar for the Chevy Trucks NCHA Championship Futurity. The sport's most prestigious show is scheduled to get underway November 27 in Fort Worth.

Big roster for Celebrity Rodeo
Folks may be calling Graham, Texas "Little Hollywood" after the Dean Smith Celebrity Rodeo in honor of the late Ben Johnson. The show, scheduled for October 31-November 2, has listed more than 40 motion picture, television and sports celebrities on its website who will be helping to support the American Cancer Society Cowboy Crusade.

Dean Smith, who won a gold medal in the 400-metre relay at the 1952 Olympics before his long career as an actor and stuntman, took a break from organizing the event to watch the Open and Non-Pro Derby finals at the Summer Cutting Spectacular last weekend.

Have you had a moving experience?
If so, please help NCHA update your address and phone number for the 2002 NCHA Yearbook. The Yearbook and Membership Directory will be published in September and mailed to all members of the National Cutting Horse Association. If you've moved, changed your phone number, or if your area code has been changed and you haven't notified NCHA, your listing in the Directory will be incorrect.

Contact Julie Davis (817) 244-6188 ext 129 today if you need to update your listing.

Legacy Award winner
Cutting horse bloodlines are prominent in the story of Beggs Cattle Company, winner of the AQHA's Legacy Award for breeding American Quarter Horses continuously for more than fifty years.

Montana Cutting Horse Association
The Montana CHA encourages the development of, and public interest in, better horses and the ever-increasing popularity of the true cutting horse.

Michelle Van Dyke of Twin Bridges is president of the MCHA, Shaun Pichler of Columbus is vice president and Angela Bauer is secretary/treasurer.

"A record number of Montana and Arizona cutters competed at the Bitterroot Valley Cutting the last weekend in June," said Bauer.  "August is a great month for cutting, and it shows in our schedule. We start out in Kalispell at the fabulous Majestic Valley Arena for the Glacier Classic NCHA Cutting, followed by the Lazy J Cross Cutting in Corvallis, and then the Meadow Vue Ranch Cutting in Henry's Lake, Idaho."

Raleigh Cutting Series expands schedule
The Raleigh Cutting Series, to be held September 17-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC, will have separate 4-year-old amateur and 5/6-year-old amateur classes this year, with one go-round and finals in each age group. The open and non-pro classes will have two go-rounds and finals. The show will offer a total of $60,000 in added money

Three buckles for Brumbaugh
Fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Brumbaugh, who has been cutting for about a year, won three buckles in a 10-day span in July. She was a finalist in the NCHA Amateur Derby, she represented Brumbaugh's Leather Gallery in the NCHA Sponsors Cutting at the Summer Cutting Spectacular, and she won the Texas 4-H cutting title in Abilene. [Full Story]

The Aussies are coming!
The 2002 USA/Australia Challenge will be held at Silverado on the Brazos, Weatherford, Texas, in September. Roxie Gosney of Cave Creek, Arizona, is looking for amateur or non-pro riders to represent the USA in the event. Riders must supply two horses of equal ability and be willing to share them with their Australian counterpart in the competition.

E-mail Gosney for more information, or call her at (602) 549-6933.

Catch it on video
With this year's NCHA Futurity just around the corner, you'd better see what it takes to win an event like that by watching the official video of last year's Futurity, available from Tioga Territory.

And with cooler weather just around the corner you'd better make sure you have an official NCHA vest from Tioga Territory.

Tight races
As of July 24, David Behnen's Quixote Mac, ridden by Don Pooley, is holding a $259 lead over Lee Garner's Harriott Playgirl, ridden by Allen Crouch, in the NCHA Open World standings.

The Non-Pro race is nearly as close, with Joey Milner on top at $45,047. In second place is Garner at $44,306, followed by Mary Jo Milner, who is in contention for her third straight Non-Pro World Championship title, at $43,231.

The closest race of all is in the Senior Youth where Lee Gandy and Erin Mesker are tied for the lead with 104 points.

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. Call Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 or (817) 980-4754 for more information.

Todd Drummond nominations close today
Today is the last day for NCHA affiliates 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, call Pam Robison at (817) 244-6188.

Who you gonna call?
Is your horse getting sloppy on his stops? Are you having trouble telling one black baldy from another? Remember that NCHA professional trainers are listed by state on the NCHA website.