For Immediate Release
For More Information
Contact: Amy Vorhes
817/244-6188, ext. #113
avorhes@nchacutting.com

 AQHA Sponsors New NCHA Affiliate Challenge

(November 5, 2001)--- 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 highest scores will receive cash prizes of up to $7,500. A total of $27,000 will be awarded at each of the shows.

"Working together through joint marketing efforts will increase exposure to countless potential and current horse owners," said Bill Brewer AQHA Executive Vice President. "These people will see the exciting sport of cutting with our alliance with NCHA. Through our alliance, we want to create opportunity for growth and development, generate more affinity between AQHA and NCHA as well as strengthen NCHA's marketing efforts."

“We’ve enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the American Quarter Horse Association, and we’re proud that they’ve stepped forward to sponsor this exciting new program,” said Jeff Hooper, NCHA Executive Director. “One of the key points of the strategic plan we unveiled at the NCHA Convention was to enhance the weekend cutting experience, and this new program is an integral part of that.

“This is truly a win-win situation, where we can highlight the importance of the American Quarter Horse in the sport of cutting, while bringing direct benefits to NCHA affiliate organizations and promoting participation in the Chevy

Trucks/NCHA Eastern National Championships and Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships.

“It will also provide greater recognition to NCHA Affiliate Member organizations and help give direct financial support to affiliates for operations and awards.”

In the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, each of NCHA’s 120 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 two shows attract about 1,500 cutters from coast to coast. The affiliate organizations will earn points for the participation and success of their members at these events. The top 10 scoring affiliates at the end of the show will earn cash and sponsor products for their success.

Each individual qualifying for and entering either show will specify the affiliate organization they are representing.

Affiliates will receive 10 points for each individual who enters and shows in a class. They’ll receive 25 points for each representative who makes the finals of a class, and 25 points for each representative who places third through tenth in the finals. Reserve champions will earn 40 points, while champions will earn 50 points for their affiliates. In the case of a tie, full points will be awarded to each person involved in the tie.

The top ten scoring affiliates will earn cash awards from AQHA, with $7,500 going to the highest scoring affiliate, $5,000 to second, $4,000 to third, $3,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth, and $1,000 each to sixth through tenth places.

The American Quarter Horse Association will also present a trophy to the affiliate champion at each of the shows.

For more information about the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, call the NCHA office at (817) 244-6188, or visit www.nchacutting.com.