NCHA Sponsors will saddle up for annual seminar at Silverado on the Brazos

Participants will enjoy two days of cutting in fun, relaxed atmosphere

(Fort Worth, TX) — Sponsors of the National Cutting Horse Association will be gathering at Silverado on the Brazos on September 12 and 13 for their annual Sponsors' Seminar and cutting.

The NCHA hosts the seminar annually to bring together this elite group and give them a chance to really get a feel for the sport of cutting. Trainers volunteer their time to work one-on-one with each participant, helping them with everything from entering the herd to picking a cow to polishing their showmanship. Some sponsor participants have never ridden a cutting horse before, and others compete very competitively in the association. However, on September 12 and 13, they will all be the guests of the NCHA and Silverado on the Brazos in Weatherford, Texas.

The NCHA has also introduced a pilot program at this year's Sponsors' Seminar. New to the mix will be a handful of people who are top competitors in other Western equine disciplines. Research shows that those most likely to get involved in cutting are people who already own horses and compete in some discipline. So in keeping with the NCHA Strategic Plan and increasing membership, a small group of people meeting this target audience has also been invited. The setting provided by the Sponsors' Seminar is perfect to allow those special guests to "Experience the Thrill" of cutting.

"We see this as a great opportunity to get actively involved in growing the membership of the NCHA. Our primary goal is to create cutters, by providing access to cutting through events like this," notes NCHA Director of Marketing & Media Clay Murray.

Silverado on the Brazos will be the host location for this fun event. Their facilities, along with the time and energy volunteered by a group of NCHA professional trainers, will ensure that everyone enjoys their time to the fullest. The support of NCHA sponsors has contributed to the success of the association for more than 20 years, and the Sponsors' Seminar is a chance to strengthen sponsor relationships by providing insight into our sport in a fun, educational atmosphere.

"This event gives us an opportunity to mix a little business with pleasure," adds Murray. "We use this meeting to roll-out our plans for the next year and find out what our sponsors are planning for the next year. We feel hosting events like this is increasingly important in continuing to develop lasting relationships and communication with our sponsors."

The sport of cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. The National Cutting Horse Association was formed in 1946 by a group of cowboys and ranchers who wanted to promote cutting competition, standardize rules and preserve the cutting horses' Western heritage. Today, the Fort Worth-based NCHA represents over 14,000 people and oversees more than 1,400 NCHA-approved shows with more than $26 million in total prize money awarded annually. For more information about the NCHA or its sponsors, please call 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.