October 18, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Vorhes
817.244.6188 ext. 113

Celebrating 40 years of the NCHA Futurity
2001 show will mark show milestone, remember small beginnings

(Fort Worth, TX)  —  It has been 40 years since Buster Welch claimed victory at the first National Cutting Horse Association Futurity event. Welch was one of ten finalists in the 1962 NCHA Futurity, which featured 36 nominated horses and took place over the course of two days.

            The January 1963 issue of the NCHA's Cuttin' Hoss Chatter recorded the historical first for the association like this:  

"Emerging as the winner, and with the highest marking for any work during the two-day event, was Money's Glo. Owned by C.E. Boyd, III, of Sweetwater, Texas, and ridden by Buster Welch, this bay, gelded son of King Glo won $3,131.25 in this two and one-half minute period plus the first place Breeder's Award premium of $1,000. Never before in the history of our Association has a horse had the opportunity to win so much in so little time." 

Through the years, the Futurity has grown to be the NCHA's largest event, and one of the most prestigious in the entire equine community. Last year's Futurity paid out $2.8 million and boasted 1,509 entries. The numbers this year are on track for a $3 million purse, and as many if not more entries.

Additional classes have been included in the Futurity line-up, as well. In 1969, non-professional competitors were invited to compete; 1988 was the first year for amateur competitors, and the Limited Open and Limited Non-Pro classes were both introduced at the Futurity in 1990. Since 1998, the Open Futurity Champion has been guaranteed a payout of $200,000.

All of these changes, built on the solid foundation of a challenging, dramatic and family-oriented equine sport have grown the sport of cutting to be 14,000 members strong with over 1,400 approved events annually.

Forty years of history has been made by contestants at the NCHA World Championship Futurity, and at the 2001 Futurity, those accomplishments will be revisited. As the saying goes, there is no better way to determine which direction you are going than to look at where you've come from. The National Cutting Horse Association is proud of its roots in the Western ranching heritage and its outstanding membership.

The 40^th annual NCHA Futurity will be held November 27 - December 16 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Along with the cutting, the show will feature eight horse sales, the Cowboy Christmas Extravaganza gift and trade show, a Cowboy Santa, and a celebrity cutting.

For more information about the NCHA, the 40^th annual Futurity, or any of the events associated with the 2001 World Championship Futurity, call the NCHA at 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.