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Judges Seminar Success
Participants gave the "You Be The Judge" Seminar in Columbus, Ohio, a 100% satisfaction rating. The NCHA seminar was part of the All American Quarter Horse Congress Cutting. More than a hundred cutters from 17 different states and Canada attended.

"We're proud to be able to offer seminars like this around the country, to provide continuing education to NCHA members and people interested in cutting," said NCHA Assistant Director of Judges Russell McCord.
(Full Story)

AQHA On-line Registration
Despite one of the most difficult months in US business history, the American Quarter Horse Association showed steady increases in registrations during September and is looking forward to a busy season as stallion owners begin filing their annual breeding reports. In September, AQHA registered 11,787 American Quarter Horses. With 2001 stallion breeding reports due Nov. 30, AQHA is encouraging members to file their reports online. After logging in, members can easily enter their reports and have them automatically processed.

Royal Blue Boon Spotlighted
Elaine Hall's Royal Blue Boon, the all-time leading dam of cutting horses, will represent the American Quarter Horse breed in an upcoming feature on broodmares in EQUUS magazine.

NCHA Night at the Races
NCHA Night at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairieis the newest of NCHA membership privileges! All members are invited to gather for a night at the races on Saturday, Nov. 17 to catch the world's fastest Quarter Horses in the trials for the $1 million Texas Classic Futurity and enjoy fine dining during NCHA Night at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Call Karla Reeves at (972) 237-1143 no later than Wednesday, Nov. 14, to reserve free tickets and seating in the Silks Dining room. Gates open 5:00 p.m. and the first race starts 6:35 p.m.

Affiliate Spotlight
The Wyoming Aged Event & Cowboy Classic recently held in Gillette, puts the Wyoming Cutting Horse Association in the spotlight. Cutting horse enthusiasts from 10 states came to compete for $29,800 in added money, with an estimated total purse of $100,000. The four day show drew 192 entries which included the following winners: Open Futurity, Uno Fog ridden by Tom Lyons; Non-Pro Futurity, David Hughes riding HR Tiny Travaler; Derby Open, Smart Joanne, owned by Doug Grant, ridden by Robin Hayes; Non-Pro Derby, Josh Hofeldt riding Tioga Tucker.

The WCHA has been an affiliate of the NCHA from the time of its first show in 1985. Membership increased in 2001 from 179 to 203 members and shows increased from 18 to 24, traditionally running from late April through the end of September when Wyoming weather is friendliest.

The WCHA Sponsorship Program, initiated last year, has grown to include 24 sponsors who support the affiliate's awards programs.

OFFICERS: President, Pat Booher, Buffalo, WY; Vice President, John Crump, Gillette, WY; Sec/Treasurer, Mary Rogers, Buffalo, WY

DIRECTORS: Steve James, Daniel, WY; Tim Flitner, Greybull, WY; Dave Hatten, Wheatland, WY; Cindy Thompson, Wamsutter, WY; Joe Waterhouse, Gillette, WY; Priscilla Welles, Buffalo, WY; Alternate director: Karen Buchanan, Baggs, WY.

Weekend Shows
This weekend: Join Area 24 cutters at The DeKalb Fall Circuit beginning October 11 at the Cowboy Corral Arena in DeKalb, Texas. Three more shows follow on October 12-14. $1,000-added money in the Open and Non-Pro classes. Secretary Starkey Smith, (903) 667-2587 or (903) 667-5908.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida will be the site of a one-day show for Florida CHA cutters and guests on October 13. Money added to Open, Non-Pro, $10,000 Novice, $3,000 Novice and $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro classes. Secretary Julianne Turner (863) 318-8561.

You can't afford to miss the MCHA Fall Festival of Cutting in Nevis, Minnesota, featuring the MCHA Incentive Program Futurity and Maturity. Shows on October 13 and 14 at the Strait Rail Ranch with money added in the Open, Non-Pro, $50,000 Amateur, $10,000 Novice, $3,000 Novice, and $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro. Secretary Dava Scribner (651) 462-1803.

Next weekend: The excitement of WSCHA Finals Cutting takes place Oct. 19-20 at the NWSS Stadium Arena in Denver, Colorado. Secretary Nyles Quenzer (303) 795-6941.

No less exciting, but somewhat closer to sea level, are the Oct 20-21 shows of the Panhandle CHA in Amarillo, Texas. Secretary Cheryl Callis (806) 362-4392.

Limited Age Events
Oct. 31 - Nov. 8, The 6th Annual Tomato Futurity/Derby/Classic, Ruskin, Florida
Nov. 1-4, Texas Cutting Horse Futurity, Waco, Texas
Nov. 6-11, UCHA/Community Press Futurity & Aged Event, Ogden, Utah
Nov. 8-9, Bill Mowery Futurity, Maricopa, Arizona
Nov. 27-Dec. 16, NCHA World Championship Futurity, Fort Worth, Texas

World Race
The 2001 point-year comes to a close little more than a month from now and the pressure to stay on top in world standings is cooking across the country. From Oregon to Mississippi, the Open and Non-Pro division contenders have been turning it on at the weekend shows. In the end, the Top 15 will meet at a four-day challenge in February 2002, to determine the champions at the John Deere/NCHA World Championship Finals in Houston, Texas.

Currently on top in the Open division is Christys Acre ridden by Pat Earnheart of Hernando, MS, just $355 ahead of second-placed Rosies Lena ridden by Robert Rust of New Ulm, TX. In the Non-Pro, staying on top with her great gelding Red White And Boon, is reigning Non-Pro Champion Mary Jo Milner of Southlake, TX. Her husband, Jim Milner, is second with Dandyolena, last year's World Champion Gelding.

Payment Due Dates
2002 World Championship Futurity first payment - Oct. 15 - $100
2001 World Championship Futurity Limited Open and Non-Pro payment - Oct. 26 - $500
2001 World Championship Futurity final payment - Oct. 26 - $1,000
2002 NCHA Super Stakes Open & Non-Pro first payment - Jan. 1 - $400
2002 NCHA Super Stakes Classic Open & Non-Pro first payment - Jan. 1 - $250

Correction to information published in October Chatter: 2002 NCHA Super Stakes & Super Stakes Classic Open & Non-Pro first payment - Jan. 1, 2002.

Sun Coast Update
The Rocking K Arena is now hosting the 2001 Sun Coast Futurity & Aged Event in Las Vegas, Nevada. Early results show the Amateur Classic winner as Donna Lu Campbell of Fernly, Nevada on Dream Acre Doc. She'll be showing the mare in the Non-Pro Classic as well. The Amateur Derby winner is Debby Day on Jazz A Lee. The Sun Coast show continues through Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Quote of the Week
"Faron (Hightower) and I had been looking for a three-year-old at the NCHA Derby sale where we tried five or six head of horses, some priced at $500,000. I said to Faron, 'Listen, I have a mare at home...if these horses are worth $500,000, I think the one I have is worth a million dollars.'"

- Dean Sanders of Anderson, Texas, about Justa Smart Peanut, the first foal out of his mare Justaswinging Peanut (by Smart Little Lena). Justa Smart Peanut was recently named the 2001 NCHA Horse of the Year and has earned more than $300,000.

Web Site
Many NCHA affiliates are taking advantage of the world wide web to communicate with their members. Cyber-savvy cutters are a mouse click away from all their affiliate's important news and stats, plus features on local members, like the Arizona CHA story about Dave and Lee Ann Uthoff.

West Texas Futurity
The West Texas Futurity hosted by the West Texas Cutting Horse Association in Amarillo, Sept. 25-30 attracted 357 entries to share in a purse of $258,155.

Highlights included the show-stopping performance of Billy Cogdell's mare, 2000 NCHA Horse of The Year Shania Cee, ridden by Shannon Hall in the Classic Open. They marked a 228 to win by nine points.

The debut of Roger and Shannon Meline's Neiman Mark Me, with Darren Simpkins of Weatherford, Texas, aboard, resulted in first place honors in the Open Futurity class.

The Open Derby championship went to Starlight And Jazz, shown by Boyd Rice of Spearman, Texas and owned by Carol Dewrell.

In the Non-Pro divisions: Julie Hansma on Oh Dual, and Hope Justice on Bambi, tied to win the Classic Finals. The Derby winner was Bucki James on Sonita Lena Chick and the Futurity winner was Catherine Lacy on Uno Mermaid.
(Complete Results)

Advertising Deadlines
Award-winning horses deserve to be advertised in the award-winning publications of the NCHA. Keep in mind these deadlines to feature your horse, business or a message to fellow-cutters:

NCHA Futurity Program - ads due Oct. 10
December Chatter - ads due Nov. 1; camera-ready ads due Nov. 5

Email Shawn McCoy or call (817) 244-6188.