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NCHA Select Futurity Sale
You might pick next year's Futurity winner from 79 two-year-olds to be offered in the NCHA Select Futurity Sale on Saturday, December 15 in Fort Worth's W.R. Watt Arena. Bill and Sandra Gunlock of Dayton, Ohio had the largest number of consignments, four, selected from the sale screening, while Rancho Poco of Texas had three of their consignments chosen. The balance of consignors offered one or two horses each. (Complete List )

"We are very excited about this year's sale," said NCHA Assistant Executive Director Mike Kelly. "There are more people at this early date during the Futurity coming to view tapes and learn about the consignments than at this time during any previous Futurity. We think that's a good sign of the strength of this industry."

Okie Madera, purchased for $72,000 by Rockin 5 Ranch of Fairhope, Alabama at the NCHA Select Futurity Sale last year, is a semi-finalist in the Open Futurity. The mare by Miss N Okie out of Smart Little Madera, from the family of $581,283 earner Playboys Madera and NCHA Futurity Champion Playboy McCrae, was consigned to the sale by Billy Emerson.

Sam Shepard rode her through the first two rounds with scores of 217.5 and 216 for a total of 433.5. Shepard rode Rockin 5 Ranch's Desire Some Freckles last July to win the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular Classic/Challenge Open championship.

Live action....
Can't make it to Fort Worth for the Futurity? Watch the live feed over the internet.

See it all on TV
Anyone can watch the highlights of the 2001 NCHA World Championship Futurity on OLN Adventure TV. The NCHA World Championship Futurity will air January 27 at 7 p.m. EST. If that's too early, west coasters and others can catch the show at 11 p.m. PST.

Daily Chatter in color
The popular Daily Chatter newsletter is back for the 2001 NCHA Futurity. Editor Sally Harrison packs each issue with first-hand reports of the previous day's action, highlights of the upcoming rounds, features, interviews, quotes, statistics, cartoons by award-winning artist Jerry McAdams and insights into the world of cutting you won't find anywhere else.

The print edition of the Daily Chatter gets snapped up by cutters in Fort Worth each morning, but the web edition -- now in full color -- is available to the world.

Santa Claus in Cowtown
Visitors to the Cowboy Christmas Extravaganza at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall during the NCHA World Championship Futurity have a wide variety of gift ideas to choose from. Hundreds of vendors are gathered under one roof to provide needs for your home, horse, trailer, friends and family.

Making the biggest splash at the trade show this year is Santa Claus. Dressed in his cowboy finest, he has been drawing a crowd while posing for photos that are printed with a 40th NCHA Futurity logo. Visit Santa on December 8, 9, 15, and 16, and bring your wish list.

Celebrity cutting
It will be an "all-celebrity" show at the Celebrity Cutting 2001 Star-Spangled Roundup benefiting Cancer Care Services and NCHA Charities on Friday, December 7 at 7 p.m. at the Will Rogers Coliseum during the NCHA World Championship Futurity. Headliners include Brad Paisley, Clay Walker, Kix Brooks, Mike Renfro, Barry Corbin, Linda Blair, Bob Kingsley, Eion Bailey, Alice Walton and Lynn Anderson.

Futurity results
The NCHA World Championship Futurity Open Semi-Finalists have earned their slots for the Saturday, December 15 performance beginning 5:00 p.m. at Will Rogers Coliseum. After seven consecutive days of cutting through the first and second go-rounds, the open horses may rest, or may find their way to the herd again with Non-Pro or Amateur riders during those division go-rounds and finals lasting through December 14.

Currently at the top of the game are Peptoboonsmal son, Hes A Peptospoonful, and California trainer, Brad Vaughn riding for Dave Miller of Lincoln, California. The colt marked 223 points to tie Prescriptions Cat, ridden by Jerry Seago, for the highest second go-round score. They also topped the cumulative with 445.5 points; Catsa Movin with Tommy Marvin was second with 440.5. All cumulative scores 432.5 and better will advance to the Semi-Finals competition. (Results)

Raffle tickets and Buster Welch clinic benefit youth 
Prizes supplied by Joe Howard Williamson, MW Chaps, Nettles Stirrups, Bar L Western Art, J&D Portable Stalls, and Ricky Green Saddlery are part of the fun when you support the NCHA youth. Raffle tickets for a chance to win these and many other items are available from any youth officer or director, or at the NCHA Booth at the Futurity for $5 each, or five tickets for $20.

You can also make contributions at the "Breakfast of Champions" seminar presented by Western Bloodstock on Friday, December 14. Admission is free to gain priceless insight from five NCHA Open Futurity champions including five-time champion Buster Welch, Lindy Burch, Kathy Daughn, Greg Welch and Mike Mowery.

Mare owners line up
Breeding fee bids are beginning to tally up for the NYCHA Stallion Service Program fundraiser. Mare owners may find a bargain on some of the industry's top stallions, and help the future of cutting at the same time.

Exodus Breeders Supply, Ltd. is generously donating a free semen shipper to the bid winners and also to the stallion donors. All bids are due by February 8.

But it's not too late for stallion owners to enroll in the program. (Enrollment Form) (Stallion List)

Carrying the Torch for NCHA
The National Cutting Horse Association will be represented in the Olympic Torch Relay next Wednesday, December 12. NCHA President Lindy Burch will swap her boots for a pair of running shoes to carry the torch along a stretch of McCart Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas, a few miles from Will Rogers Coliseum where the NCHA Futurity will be continuing.

Muhammad Ali started the Olympic Torch on its way yesterday in Atlanta, Georgia. Relay runners will carry the flame on a 13,500-mile journey through 46 states, arriving at the Salt Lake City Olympic Stadium on February 8. More than 210,000 nominations for torchbearers were received, and participants were selected in part on their ability to inspire others to greater achievement. (Full Story)

Hauling in cash
Runaway Non-Pro leader Mary Jo Milner is within striking distance of Debbie Patterson's all-time record for single-season earnings as NCHA's top open and non-pro riders head for the John Deere World Championship Finals to be held February 14-17 at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

Through the end of the regular season, Milner had earned $93,645 riding Red White And Boon and Hicapoo. With the possibility of winning as much as $32,050 at the World Finals, Milner may be able to eclipse the record of $112,729.94 that Patterson established in 1997 on Gun Smokes Wimpy.

While Milner has a lock on the Non-Pro title, the Open Championship will go down to the wire. Rosies Lena, ridden by Robert Rust, finished the regular season with earnings of $71,054, just $5,685 ahead of Christys Acre, ridden by Pat Earnheart.

Reserved tickets for each NCHA performance are $11. General admission tickets are available for $6 on the day of the event only. Advance tickets for NCHA events are available from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ticket office and at the Reliant Arena the day of the event. Season box tickets also are available.

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)

Affiliate Spotlight
The Northern Piedmont Cutting Horse Association was founded in the late 1970s by a group of devoted horseman who loved to cut. In the beginning, membership hovered between 30 and 40 enthusiasts. Today, numbers have more than doubled, with more than 80 active members who enjoy the weekend shows regularly produced by North Carlolina's only NCHA affiliate.

The 2001 season was the first year two-day shows were added to the NPCHA agenda. Their success encouraged the officials of the NPCHA to schedule three two-day shows and two one-day shows for the 2002 point-year. "When your members like what you offer, you offer more!" said NPCHA secretary/treasurer Vickie Lambe.

Steering the association through the past year and at the helm again this year is president Don Lambe of Randleman, North Carolina. He picked up the challenge of growing membership that was started five years ago by past president Chip Bell of Whittsett, North Carolina, and will continue the drive to encourage more $2,000 limit riders, youth and amateurs to show.

Serving with Lambe are officers: Steve Myers, vice president; Vickie Lambe, secretary/treasurer and directors: Garry Merritt, Mark Doggett, Lisa Johnson, Johnny Hawley, Rod Morgan, Chip Bell, David Royal and Gwen Minton.

$3,000 Novice/Non-Pro
Weekend cutters will have a new opportunity at many shows this coming year. NCHA has recognized the $3,000 Novice/Non-Pro class which will allow winnings to be added to the horse and rider earnings records. With growing popularity, the class could eventually become approved for NCHA standings and awards.

Weekend cuttings
You'll have to wait until after the Christmas holiday to try out that new saddle or show off those new chaps you unwrapped under the tree. There are plenty of shows popping up at the end of the month in Texas, Louisiana and Washington.

December 28-January 1:

Abilene, Texas - Abilene Winter Circuit at Taylor County Expo Center; Open & Non-Pro, $750-added; $10,000 Novice & $10,000 Nov/Non-Pro, $500-added; $50,000 Amateur & $3,000 Novice, $200-added. Secretary Coleta Clearman (915) 554-9115 or (915) 583-2545. Youth & $2,000 Limit Rider classes on all days.

December 28-31:
Gonzales, Louisiana - LCHA Winter Circuit; Open, Non-Pro, $10,000 Novice & $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro, $500-added; $50,000 Amateur & $3,000 Novice, $100-added. Secretary Sherry McBride (225) 673-4811. Youth & $2,000 Limit Rider classes on most days.

Kerrville, Texas - Central Texas CHA Show at Hill Country Youth Exhibition Center; Open & Non-Pro, $750-added; $10,000 Novice & $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro, $500-added; $50,000 & $3,000 Novice, $300-added. Secretary Peggy Odam (210) 922-9137 or (830) 709-3657. Youth & $2,000 Limit Rider classes on most days.

December 29:
Muenster, Texas - Muenster CHA at Austin Ranch, Open, Non-Pro, $10,000 Novice & $3,000 Novice, $200-added; $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro, $100-added. Secretary Gail Dittmeier (214) 351-6031 or (214) 794-3108. Youth & $2,000 Limit Rider classes.

December 31:
Eltopia, Washington - Bonina Bring in the New Year at Bonina Arena, Open & Non-Pro, $200-added; $50,000 Amateur, $10,000 Novice, $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro, $3,000 Novice & $3,000 Novice/Non-Pro, $100-added. Secretary Sanda Anderson (425) 844-0553.

Travel Planners off the press
NCHA's popular Travel Planner is due to come off the presses this week. The lavish calendar features important dates for cutters, reference and record-keeping information.

It will be available at the NCHA booth at the Futurity, or by mail for $5.00 plus postage, with proceeds benefiting NYCHA.

Advertising deadline
Today is the deadline for January advertisers to submit camera-ready art for publishing in the award-winning Cutting Horse Chatter. Call Shawn McCoy or email right away!