E-Chatter newsletter sponsored by

AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge
The American Quarter Horse Association and the National Cutting Horse Association have strengthened their alliance partnership with a new program that will benefit grassroots cutters across North America.

The AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge will bring a team concept to NCHA's popular Chevy Trucks Eastern and Western National Championships, held each spring in Jackson, Mississippi, and Ogden, Utah, respectively. In addition to the individual competition, all entrants in those shows will compete on behalf of their local NCHA affiliate organization. Points will be awarded for both participation and for excellence of performance. The affiliates whose members accumulate the most points will receive cash prizes of up to $7,500. A total of $54,000 in cash will be awarded at the two shows. (Full Story)

Insurance Corporation of Hannover and Ben Emison Insurance Company will present Summer Cutting Spectacular
While the Insurance Corporation of Hannover's name may sound new at first to cutting horse enthusiasts, the services they provide and their representatives in the industry are indeed familiar to many "cutters." And now, The Insurance Corporation of Hannover (ICH) is sure to become a household name in the cutting horse industry as the international company has signed on to become the Presenting Sponsor of the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular. (Full Story)

Warm wishes to NCHA from Walls
Another new addition to the list of NCHA corporate sponsors comes in the way of a Texas company with a longstanding reputation for quality outerwear.

The National Cutting Horse Association is proud to welcome Walls Industries Inc. as the "Official Outerwear of the NCHA." Walls, which was founded in Dallas, Texas, just after the Depression, has evolved into a respected international manufacturing conglomerate that stands as a world leader in the production of insulated outerwear and hunting apparel. Now headquartered in Cleburne, Texas, the Walls label continues to be synonymous with premium quality rugged outdoor garments. (Full Story)

Flowmaster's hometown
The home of Flowmaster was incorrect in the November issue of the Chatter. Flowmaster, which will be the title sponsor of the NCHA Super Stakes, is based in Santa Rosa, California. The information was correct in the last issue of the E-Chatter.

Your part in the Celebrity Cutting
Help us help others! On December 7, Cancer Care Services will host the annual "Celebrity Cutting" in Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, followed by a party and silent auction. The event is 100% volunteer driven and benefits Cancer Care Services and NCHA Charities.

Here's how YOU can help the most! Contact Rachel O'Rourke at 817-735-8697 or e-mail her if you would like to donate an auction item. And be sure and come to the party!

Keeping up appearances
It will be a long while before the NCHA booth sees home. The eye-catching informational display has hit the road to expose more horse enthusiasts to the sport of cutting. After a weekend at the Appaloosa World Show held in Fort Worth, Texas, the booth is now "open for business" at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Central Oklahoma Cutting Horse Association's Della Hillerman and Anita Beard helped staff the booth during the AQHA World Show.

40th Futurity Santa souvenirs
Santa Claus loves kids and cutters, too! Wearing cowboy fashions with that "North Pole" edge, the jolly old boy will make several appearances at the 40th NCHA World Championship Futurity in Fort Worth. Visit the Cowboy Christmas Exhibit Hall on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16, to have a photo taken with Santa! Every photo is printed with a 40th NCHA Futurity logo.

Futurity Sale Screening
It is NCHA's mission to provide the best possible experience for prospective buyers at the NCHA Select Sale held Dec 15 during the 2001 NCHA World Championship Futurity in Fort Worth. This year's preliminary screening will be a standout with five judges selecting 75, from a field of 154, two-year-olds best suited for the sale. For a comprehensive list of nominated horses, including complete pedigree information, click here. The NCHA Sale Screening will begin at 8 a.m. on both November 23 and 24 in the W.R. Watt Arena.

Bobble head craze
Hula hoops, the Beatles, and now Bobble Head Dolls! NCHA will become a part of the newest sensation sweeping the country when it offers a cutting horse Bobble Head Doll at the NCHA Futurity.

The 7 1/2-inch tall horse doll, wearing an NCHA jacket, was designed by Jerry McAdams. Bobble head collectors can buy one of the limited-edition dolls at the NCHA Futurity for $10, or get one free with a qualifying purchase of Tony Lama boots at Dallas/Fort Worth area Cavender's Boot City stores beginning December 10, while supplies last.

Bobble Head Dolls have already made an impact on the horse industry. In a scene that may have more closely resembled the Oklahoma land rush or the opening of the holiday shopping season, crowds flocked to Churchill Downs on November 3  to seize vouchers for the track's giveaway of the highly prized Pat Day Bobble Heads. Within the first half-hour, over 10,000 admissions had been registered and all the bobble head vouchers had been issued. (Full Story)

Art department
In a few days you can meet Jerry McAdams, better known as "That Cow Painting Guy," on the world wide web. McAdams, whose cartoons appear in the Daily Chatter at NCHA-sponsored shows, and who created the NCHA's Bobble Head Doll to be offered at the Futurity, has a new virtual gallery where web surfers can view his popular horse and cow paintings. McAdams' paintings are always hot items at the Cowboy Christmas Extravaganza during the NCHA Futurity.

Tune in to CMA Awards tonight
Two NCHA members, Bob Kingsley and Kix Brooks, are up for awards in the Country Music Association Awards, televised this evening on CBS. Kingsley will receive the first ever CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year award. Brooks, and his cohort Leon Dunn, who make up the duo Brooks & Dunn, is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Single of the Year, and Album of the Year.

PCCHA Futurity
The Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association wrapped up ten days of limited age action on November 4. Ifitaintgotthatswing captured the Open finals with a 224 under Gary Gonsalves. The Like A Diamond daughter out of Solano Sally is owned by Susan Hearst of Paso Robles, Calilfornia.

Erin Hussey of Alberta, Canada, captured the Non-Pro Futurity title with a 221 riding Hansmas Hand and, with a half-point lead, captured the $50,000 Amateur Futurity championship as well, scoring 218.5.

Other winners included Cutting Stakes Open champions Nu I Wood with Matt Gaines and Cutting Stakes Non-Pro champions Lach Perks with Stella Starlight. (Complete Results)

Our members are winners
Adeline Hopkins of Decatur, Texas, J. Ernie Falk of British Columbia, Canada, and Phil Smith Jr. of Dallas, Texas, won NCHA life memberships in a drawing from people who renewed their membership in October.

NCHA received 3,235 renewals during October. October renewals not already selected as winners will automatically be included in the November drawing for another life membership. Your membership renewal must be received at the NCHA office by November 30 for your chance to win.

NCHA night at the races
NCHA Night at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is the newest of NCHA membership privileges! All members are invited to gather for a night at the races on Saturday, November 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, November 14, to reserve free tickets and seating in the Silks Dining room. Gates open 5:30 p.m. and the first race starts 6:35 p.m.

Affiliate spotlight
This week we shine the spotlight on the Bluebonnet Cutting Horse Association based in Brenham, Texas (Area 10). The affiliate produced 20 shows this year already and paid out over $190,000 in winnings. Two more shows are scheduled, November 10 and November 11, at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

OFFICERS: Corky Sokol, president; Frank Bowen, vice president; Sandy Sokol, secretary.

DIRECTORS: Mark Lavender, Mike Shreader, Tim Wilson, Richard Sims, Polly Hollar, Olan Hightower, Kenny Pugh, Bryant Slaughter..

Weekend shows
The next two weekends will be buzzing with cutting activity.

In Sweetwater, Texas, the Big Country CHA hosts all NCHA-approved classes at Nolan County Coliseum November 9 and 10. $500-added to Open and Non-Pro; $200-added to $10K Nov, $3K Nov, and $10K Nov/NP. $100-added to $50K Amateur. Secretary Suzy Watson (915) 658-1648.

In Maricopa, Arizona, the Arizona CHA hosts three show dates, November 9, 10 and 11. $500-added in Open, Non-Pro, $50K Amateur, $10K Nov, $3K Nov, and $10K Nov/NP. Secretary Lindsey Mills (520) 636-0695.

In Canal Winchester, Ohio, CS Cutters host a show November10 with $200-added to the Open and Non-Pro classes and $100-added to the $50K Amateur and $10K November Secretary Deborah Bicknell (614) 837-7348 or (614) 833-1717.

In Unadilla, Georgia, you can cut with the Southern Cutters Association on November10 at Crawley Ranch. $200-added to Open and Non-Pro. Secretary Judy Crawley (229) 645-3887.

Join cutters in Imperial, California, on November 15, 16, 17 and 18 for the San Diego CHA Fall Show. $500-added to the Open and Non-Pro; $300-added to $50K Amateur, $10K Nov, $3K Nov and $10K Nov/NP. Secretary Kathryn Webb (801) 768-0866.

A one-day show on November 16 in Grandview, Texas, is the Sonny Murphy Memorial Benefit Cutting held at Tom Lyons Arena. All NCHA-approved classes. Secretary Janna Robinson (940) 433-2257.

Nov 17 is the date for the Flying V Ranch Cuttings show in Wren, Mississippi. All NCHA-approved classes. Secretary Marietta Sturgeon (662) 256-1066. (Complete Listing of weekend events)

John Deere/NCHA World Championship.....Road to the Finals
Christys Acre and rider Pat Earnheart of Hernando, Mississippi, has earned $61,671.52 in 105 shows to date to lead the NCHA Open world standings. Robert and Andrea Finger of Houston, Texas, own Christys Acre, a son of Bob Acre Doc out of Christy Lena by Doc O'Lena. Their 12-year-old stallion is no stranger to the rigors of hauling, having placed 4th in '98, 12th in '99 and 5th in '00. With several more shows before the end of the point year and Rosies Lena ridden by Robert Rust a mere $900 behind in second place, the heat is still on in the race to the 2001 John Deere/NCHA World Finals Championships held February 2002. Christys Acre, with lifetime earnings exceeding $205,000, will be inducted into the Horse Hall of Fame this year during the NCHA World Championship Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas.

No less remarkable is the effort by Red White And Boon and the gelding's rider, reigning Non-Pro World Champion, Mary Jo Milner of Southlake, Texas, who leads the Non-Pro division by $36,368 ahead of her husband, Jim Milner, who has steadily held second place since April. Moving into third place is their son, Joey Milner.

AQHA World Show cutting
Including the Amateur Cutting finals at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7, you can catch several cutting competitions during the 2001 AQHA World Championship Show at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which lasts through Dec 17.

NCHA Director of Judges Mike Kelly heads for the show today and had this to say about the cutting entries: "They are definitely up. Due to added money, but also due to the AQHA having adopted the NCHA Self Adjusted Monitor System (SAMS) for judging."

Enhancing the experience for cutters is the AQHA's introduction of the Restricted Judges Program in 1997. The program allows only tested and approved individuals who specialize in their sport to serve as judges for that sport.

Junior and Senior Cutting begins Sunday, November 11 at 8 p.m.

Junior Finals is Wednesday, November 14 at 7 p.m.

Senior Finals is Friday, November 16 at 7 p.m.

NCHA welcomes new staffer
Wynne Odum, of Joshua, Texas, will join the NCHA Show Department team November 8. She will help compile show results.