NCHA increases support of National High School Finals Rodeo cutting

Association will provide judges and fresh cattle for youth cutters

(Fort Worth, TX) — For several years, the National Cutting Horse Association has supported the National High School Rodeo Association by providing judges for their annual National Finals event. This year, NCHA has increased their support of the event by sponsoring fresh cattle during the finals as well.

“We see this as a great opportunity to continue our efforts in promoting cutting and the Western lifestyle,” said Clay Murray, NCHA Director of Marketing. “The NHSRA is an organization that is committed to a Western way of life and to our future competitors. The NCHA is proud to be associated with an organization that works so hard to support young men and women in their equine endeavors.”

The National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) is held annually in July with more than 1,500 contestants from each state/province competing for national titles, awards, and scholarships. The NHSFR is the "World's Largest Rodeo" and currently rotates every two years from chosen sites throughout the country.

"With the increased sponsorship support of the National Cutting Horse Association and the National Youth Cutting Horse Association, 2003 will represent the most exciting, fair, and competitive NHSFR cutting horse competition ever held in the association's 55 year history,” said NHSRA Marketing Director Mitch Miller. “Thanks to the NCHA and NYCHA, every NHSFR cutter will be competing on fresh cattle, which are a must at any level of cutting horse competition. In addition, NHSRA members will once again have their runs evaluated by three judges who will have the added advantage of the NCHA's S.A.M.S. judging system." 

The National High School Rodeo Association was created to give high school students the opportunity to participate and compete in this unique and challenging sport. Although not recognized by high school athletics, the NHSRA offers a rodeo program that sets high school rodeo apart from other varsity sports: Athletes compete on a scale comparable to collegiate and professional rodeo competitors. The NHSRA is an independent student athletic association – governing itself without supervision of school administrations or assistance from tax dollars. Members are fully insured, supervised and guided by adult experts. Through competing in NHSRA events, high school students have the opportunity to acquire scholarships and grants for continuing their educational careers.

One of the fastest growing youth organizations in the nation, the NHSRA has an annual membership of over 12,500 students from 39 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia, and sanctions over 1,100 rodeos each year. The NHSRA is governed by a national board of directors (one from each state or province) while a staff at the National Headquarters in Denver, Colorado, handles the day-to-day operations. Learn more about the National High School Rodeo Association and the NHSFR by visiting www.nhsra.org.

The National Cutting Horse Association is made up of 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.