NCHA News

I bought my first cutting horse in Staunton, Virginia, at Helen Groves’ Silverbrook Farm in 1983. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but it sure was exciting! During the next few years, I got my feet wet, working with cutting icons like Jimmy Orrell and showing at weekend shows.

In 1988, I jumped into the deep end when WV cutting legend, Joe Dakan, came to the farm to work horses. He looked around and said, “I think this would be a good place to have a cutting!” At Shawnee Farms Arena in May, we’re celebrating 30 years of an NCHA weekend cutting in the same location! That appears to be a record. We renamed our September show The Joe Dakan Memorial Cutting.

The sport became a family affair when our daughters Jennie and Rachel saddled up. Our girls had many successes in the show pen, including national championships, and they made lifelong friends. We hauled Hollys Holy Cash for the World; won the Eastern National Open Championship with Austin Shepard on board Uno Dos Seventyseven; competed in the Triple Crown events; and, cut from New Jersey to Idaho and everywhere in between.

In 1998, I became an NCHA Director for Area 17, a position I take very seriously. I was on the NCHA Amateur Committee, Open Show Committee, and NCHA Youth Committee, including two years as chairman. Currently I am on the Long-Range Planning Committee. I have helped organize Regional Shows and held Grass Roots Cuttings and Clinics in our arena.

Outside the pen, I am relentless in trying to improve our East Coast CHA. As president, I encouraged our members to brainstorm ways to strengthen the affiliate and save our status. With a great response from our cutters last year, membership is on the rise. Together, we coordinated fundraisers, held additional shows, and involved younger members in leadership positions.

Assisting and encouraging affiliates would be one of my top priorities. Affiliates are the foundation of the NCHA; that’s where it all begins. Each affiliate needs to identify the issues preventing growth and solve those issues, encourage novice riders and new members, and make plans for future success.

I will work to bring back the distinction and prestige to compete in the Eastern and Western Championships. I remember when I qualified for these hallmark events, I felt a great sense of accomplishment, because the bar was set high; most riders I’ve talked to, including my daughters, say the same thing.

I want to address the way our regional lines are drawn as they relate to number of members per area to ensure equitable representation. Since boundaries were first drawn, we’ve changed in population density and distribution of members. When our new computer system HUB is fully implemented, we can use updated information to make changes to the designations, if necessary.

I grew up in the beautiful hills of West Virginia and many of those days were spent on our family cattle farm in Lewisburg. In the late 1960’s, I left for college and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. I met my wife, Julie, on campus.

After I earned my MBA, I worked in Kansas City for Appraisal Associates and later managed farms for the firm’s management division.

Julie and I returned to Lewisburg in 1975 to manage the family cattle operation. We ran 600 head of cows and calves, Herefords and Santa Gertrudis. We transitioned to a stocker calf operation which continues today. Now, my daughters and sons-in-law are more involved so I have more time to devote to the sport that I have loved for over 30 years.

If there is any single word that speaks to my philosophy of cutting it is the word help, both in and out of the pen. The nominating committee encouraged me to run for Vice President. I said, “Yes” because I want to be part of an NCHA that supports the LAE and recognizes the weekend cutter. I will listen and be your voice to improve the sport we love. Let’s do it together! The NCHA is YOUR organization. I would be honored to be YOUR Vice President.

Jim Johnson