High expectations for second year of AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge

Program will be in effect again this year at Area Work-Offs

(Fort Worth, TX) — Last year, the American Quarter Horse Association and the National Cutting Horse Association used their alliance to create the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge.

The program, which distributed $54,000 directly into NCHA affiliate clubs across the country, was a great success. In the program’s first year of existence, entries at both the Eastern and Western National Championships rose nearly 6 percent. The NCHA expects those numbers to increase yet again for the 2003 shows.

“The support of the AQHA through the Affiliate Challenge program has bolstered the NCHA Weekend cutting experience on many levels,” explained Dave Brian, NCHA Manager of Shows. “Not only have entries at the Eastern and Western increased, but cutters have also created new affiliate organizations, which strengthen the association year-round.”

Since the program’s inception, the number of NCHA affiliates has grown, which in turn increased the number of cutters eligible to take part in the Affiliate Challenge during the Eastern and Western National Championships. Brian said the NCHA show department sent out 20 percent more invitations to compete in the Jackson, Mississippi, and Ogden, Utah, shows this year than last year.

The AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge brings a team concept to the NCHA’s Area Work-Offs. In addition to individual competition, all entrants in those shows also compete on behalf of their local NCHA affiliate organization. Points are awarded for both participation and excellence of performance. The top affiliate at each show is presented a check from the AQHA for $7,500, with money also awarded to the next nine high-scoring affiliates.

The inaugural winners of the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge were the North Mississippi Cutting Horse Association at the Eastern National Championships and the Northwest Cutting Horse Association at the Western National Championships. Affiliates from across the United States returned from the Area Work-Offs with additional money to help strengthen and promote their organizations.

In the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, each of NCHA’s 124 affiliate organizations can send their top 10 competitors from 11 different classes to compete in both the Chevy Trucks Eastern and Western National Championships.

The National Cutting Horse Association is made up of over 14,000 members across the United States with a wide range of backgrounds. The sport of cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. From cowgirls to CEOs, from firefighters to professional football players, the common ground is often in the cutting arena. Each year more than 1,400 NCHA-approved events are held throughout the country with more than $28 million in prize money awarded.

To learn more about the National Cutting Horse Association and the sport of cutting, call 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.