E-Chatter newsletter sponsored by

Rices sweep 2001 Open Futurity
Ronnie Rice and his son, Tag Rice, finished first, second, fourth and ninth out of 24 horses in the $1.6 million NCHA World Championship Open Futurity on Sunday. 

Ronnie Rice rode San Tule Freckles, a son of Freckles Playboy, for S.E. Montgomery's Flying M Ranch of Bushnell, Florida. Montgomery reportedly sold half-interest in the stallion to Wes Adams' Western States Ranches of Logandale, Nevada before the finals. (Full Story)

Chad Bushaw on Jerryoes won the Non-Pro title after a work-off with Gail Hamilton.( Full Story)

The Amateur Champion was Debra Furst on Zack Cut Jewel. (Full Story)

The Limited Open Champion was Chatham and Marmande's Abrakadabracre. (Full Story)

The Limited Non-Pro Champion was Jaime Renee Smith. (Full Story)

$185,000 two-year-old tops NCHA Futurity Select Sale
Mo Flo, a mare by Mr Peponita Flo out of The Zacktress, by Zack T Wood, brought the top price of $185,000 at the NCHA Futurity Select Sale. She was consigned by Tim and Melissa Drummond. (Sale Results)

Meradas Little Sue brings record price
Multiple World Champion Meradas Little Sue brought a record price of $875,000 to headline Western Bloodstock's sales at the NCHA Futurity. Offered by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt of Houston, the mare was purchased by The Fort Ranch of Idaho Falls, Idaho, owned by Mitch Jacobs and Frank Vandersloot. She led Western Bloodstock's Preferred Breeders Sale to an average price of more than $87,000.

Bowmans Little Jewel, consigned by GCH Land & Cattle Company, set an all-time record price for a show horse selling at auction. The five-year-old Smart Little Lena daughter was purchased for $470,000 by Peter and Nora Stent, of Woodside, California.

Dale Wilkinson wins Zane Schulte Memorial Trainer of the Year Award
Dale Wilkinson, a member of the NCHA, NRHA, AQHA and All American Congress halls of fame, is the winner of the inaugural Zane Schulte Trainer of the Year Award.

"In the many essays that we received recommending Dale for this award, they all said that he gave of himself to help others completely," said Barbra Schulte, as she presented the award at the Hall of Fame party presented by the NCHA Professional Trainers during the NCHA Futurity. "This award was created to recognize giving, integrity, leadership, and contribution to the industry."

Bird's eye view of the Futurity
Dennis Ostrander of Chardon, Ohio, got a "bird's eye view" of World Championship Non-Pro Futurity first go-round competition. He won a two-day trip to Fort Worth and a chance to sit in the judge's "sixth box" at the NCHA Region 4 judging seminar earlier this year. "I liked being able to focus because the seat is isolated," said Ostrander, who is vice president of the Ohio CHA, "and I learned more about judging with a reward rather than a penalty point-of-view."

Travel Planner now available
It sold like hotcakes at the NCHA Futurity and now the handy Travel Planner is available by phone order from the NCHA office at 817-244-6188. The lavish calendar features important dates for cutters, reference and record-keeping information. It costs just $5.00 plus postage and handling.

Limited Age Events coming up
The Abilene Spectacular Cutting held January 1-13 at Taylor County Coliseum in Abilene, Texas, historically kicks off the four-year-old year for many NCHA Futurity colts.

In Imperial, California, the first NCHA Limited Age Event is the San Diego CHA Winter Show at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds held January 21-23.

January 25 is the start date of the 23rd Augusta Futurity & Classic held at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta, Georgia. The prestigious event will run through February 2nd. (LAE Schedule)

Quote of the Week
"If this horse doesn't help the program, I'll eat this hat," said 2001 NCHA World Championship Futurity Open Champion Ronnie Rice, about his champion mount San Tule Freckles and the stallion's future role in the Western States Ranches' MillionHeir Classic program, as reported in the NCHA's Daily Chatter.

Affiliate Spotlight
NCHA member and Non-Pro rider Ken Webb of Lehi, Utah, will live fulfill a dream of representing the western heritage as he participates horseback in the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics held in February at Park City, Utah.

During the rest of the year, Webb will be horseback in the cutting pen, along with other Utah Cutting Horse Association members.

The affiliate produces 8-10 shows each year, often co-hosted with the Idaho Cutting Horse Association. The two- or three-day shows are held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, giving the 250-plus members plenty of cow time!

Officers: Non-Pro Steve Williams of Grantsville, Utah, president; Amateur Paul Ream of West Mountain, Utah, vice-president (Ream's Western Outfitters are UCHA sponsors); Kathryn Webb of Lehi, Utah, secretary/treasurer.

Directors: Vince Bellon, Tim Denton, Craig Johnson, Brent Penrod, Chuck Rebill, Frank Richards, Matt Robbins, Don Weller, Marla Hughes, and Jennie Hale.

Membership
Mack Alexander of Mineola, Texas, is the November winner of an NCHA Life Membership! Mack has been a member since 1981 and by renewing his membership early for 2002 he was eligible for the lifetime award.

Attention Amateur card holders! NCHA membership staff will be mailing your cards no later than Friday, December 21.

New face at NCHA
Brandi Ray from Crowley, Texas joined the NCHA Marketing Department two days before the start of the 2001 NCHA World Championship Futurity.  Brandi's duties include sponsor communication and event promotion.  Brandi was previously with Justin Brands, Inc. as their Foreign Customer Service Coordinator.

Chatter's Stallion Issue is coming
Members look forward to the February issue of Cutting Horse Chatter as the advertisers' "Stalllion Issue".

Call Shawn McCoy at 817-244-6188 or 817-980-4754 right away to assign a space for your stallion! 

February ads due by January 2.