Cutting Horse Chatter – Fall 2023

LIF E of a L OPER

National Cu ing Horse Association

260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107-1862

(817) 244-6188; FAX (817) 244-2015 • nchacu ing.com ©2023

NCHA STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jay Winborn

MANAGER OF COMMITTEE RELATIONS

Cathy Ale

DIRECTOR OF JUDGES

Andy Adams

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & SPONSORSHIP

Carley Myers

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Julie Davis

DIRECTOR OF SHOWS

Shianne Megel

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH

Rianna Storey

NCHA OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Toddy Pitard

402 Central Ave.

El Dorado, AR 71730

(870) 866-2511

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Mark Senn

2743 Perimeter Pkwy. #370

Augusta, GA 30909

(706) 830-5565

VICE PRESIDENT

Barnwell Ramsey 11515 Vanstory Dr., Ste. 110 Huntersville, NC 28078

(704) 534-8125

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ( TERM ENDS )

AT LARGE Cara Brewer (2025)

37601 US HWY 43

Jay, OK 74346 (815) 985-7917

AT LARGE Casey Green (2024) 1624 Whitt Cut O Rd. Perrin, TX 76486 (817) 304-1740

REGION 2

Phil Benadum Jr. (2026) 20232 Reynolds Ave. Dos Palos, CA 93620 (209) 587-0567

REGION 7 Skip Jones (2024) 10101 S. Washington St. Amarillo, TX 79118 (806) 679-9919

REGION 4

John P. Lavelle (2025) 449 E. State St. Athens, OH 45701 (740) 593-3348

REGION 8

Katheen Moore (2025)

P.O. Box 220

Madill, OK 73446 (580) 795-6035

REGION 5 Sharon Overstreet (2025) 4855 Joe Overstreet Road

Kenansville, FL 34739 (407) 908-3201

REGION 3 Kirby Smith (2026) 3493 W Guenther Rd. Grand Island, NE 68803 (308) 380-0242

REGION 6

Tommy Williams (2026)

P.O. Box 177 Rosie, AR 72571

(870) 613-1957

REGION 1

Kristen York (2024)

P.O. Box 1268

Saratoga, WY 82331

(970) 449-3047

Volume 76, No. 3 • Fall 2023

Official Publication of National Cu ing Horse Association Publishing Partner: Texas Monthly Studio

TM STUDIO

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Kathy McFarland

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Harrison Albrecht

DESIGNER

Rachel Hudson

PROJECT MANAGER

Kendall Talbot

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Aaron Chamberlain

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Stephanie Johnson

WRITERS

Abigail Boatwright, Kate Bradley Byars, Marianne Dougherty, Lauren Green, Ross Hecox, Jennifer Horton, Anne McCready Heinen, Kristin Pitzer

ADVERTISING SALES

SENIOR VP | BROADCAST & CUSTOM PUBLISHING SALES, TEXAS MONTHLY & TEXAS

COUNTRY REPORTER

Frank Librio (214) 642-6635 ibrio@texasmonthly.com

NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR | CUSTOM CONTENT & PUBLISHING

Liz Mullis (817) 888-7110 lmullis@texasmonthly.com

Copyright © 2023 National Cu ing Horse Association

Cu ing Horse Cha er (ISSN 1081-0951) is published 4 times a year by the National Cu ing Horse Association, 260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Telephone (817) 244-6188. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Worth, Texas, and additional mailing offices. The subscription rate of $6.00 is included in the National Cu ing Horse Association’s annual membership dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Cu ing Horse Cha er, 260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107-1862. Publications Agreement No. 40791503.

Sustaining Affiliate Member: American Humane Association

Member: American Horse Council, American Horse Publications, Livestock Publications Council

PHOTO BY KIRSTIE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

90 TAG RICE IN THE SHOW PEN.

PHOTO BY SETH PETIT

PHOTO BY SETH PETIT

PHOTO BY SETH PETIT

From our family of brands to your family of boot wearers, we build boots for every stage of life. Boots built upon the knowledge and expertise of over 170 years of exceptional boot making.

RIOSFAMILYOFBRANDS.COM

New Members Always Welcome

The NCHA welcomes new members of all ages! Ranging from our National Youth Cutting Horse Association (NYCHA) all the way to seasoned members who have been competing their entire lives, the NCHA creates a level playing field for everyone.

With fall weather brings felt hats and excitement in preparation of the upcoming NCHA Futurity. New and returning members are greeted with sights of the iconic Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, where all their hard work will be displayed over the next few weeks. As competition draws near, trainers and owners alike hone their skills to perfection. is is a sport like none other. Here, the word “community” means lending a hand, horse or home to those in need. e health and safety of our animals is the top priority. Like any large family gathering, the fall is a time of reunion, to catch up, enjoy fellowship and prepare for competition days. e cutting community welcomes new members for the latest competition and a chance to better everyone. New friendships and families are forged through the competitive nature that this sport demands.

While cuttings re ect traditions of the Western cowboy, new members of all ages and abilities are encouraged to compete. Not only does this inspire a more prestigious and intelligent atmosphere, but it allows for the Western lifestyle to thrive. From di erent competitions for youth through the NYCHA, all the way to riders with millions of dollars in earnings, there is something for everyone.

I would personally like to welcome all new members into the cutting horse community where I know they will enjoy various levels of competition and cherish memories of events and winnings yet to come. Welcome to our lifestyle and family!

Jay Winborn NCHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Youth Connection

Officers of the National Youth Cutting Horse Association (NYCHA) are excited about kicking off the year and working together to make the NYCHA even stronger.

Hey NYCHA! My name is Brea Collier, I’m 16 years old and I’m from Cypress, Texas. I have served on the board for the past six years. Last year, I was grateful to serve as the President-elect, so I’m thrilled to be stepping in as the incoming President. I would say that over the past six years, I have seen quite a few people come through this program, whether that be directors or youth kids, and through that, I have focused my priorities on making sure everyone feels welcome here. And one thing I preach to my o cer team is that, as members of NYCHA, we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Everyone from the youth director all the way to general members has an impact on this program. All of our ideas brought to the table and our actions both in and out of the arena contribute to the legacy of this program. With that being said, I want to start this year o with a little story that I pray not only will speak to each and every person, but will inspire you to live and act upon it when we are together as the NYCHA.

One day, a Western anthropologist went to Africa to study the social behavior of an indigenous tribe. He proposed a game to the children, and they willingly agreed to be part of it. He put a basket lled with fruits underneath a tree and told the children that whoever would reach the basket rst would win the whole basket and could eat the fruits all by him- or herself. He lined them all up and raised his hand to give the start signal. Ready. Set. Go!

e children all grabbed hands and started running together. ey all reached the basket at the same time. en they sat down in a big circle and enjoyed the fruits together, laughing and smiling.

e anthropologist could not believe what he saw and asked them why they had waited for each other as one could have taken the whole basket. e children shook their heads and replied, “Ubuntu, how can one of us be happy if all the others are sad?”

After hearing this story, I sat down and began to research the meaning behind the kids’ response.

e word “ubuntu” originates from a South African tribe and translates into the phrase “I am because we are.” In knowing that, I ask that you take a moment and acknowledge the people in your life who make being a part of the horse industry possible. Youth kids are where we are today because of the sacri ces those people make for us. ey have paved the road to a successful future in our lives, and we owe them all the thanks.

Let’s kick this year o ! I am ecstatic to work alongside NCHA Director of Youth Rianna Storey and Youth and Communications Coordinator Logan Lynch, and all of the other o cers and directors this year. We have a promising group of eager leaders who are ready to serve. If you ever see me around in person, wish to talk via technology or have any questions at all, please feel free to stop and talk to me.

Brea Collier PRESIDENT

ABOVE : Brea Collier, 2023/2024 NYCHA President

Hello NYCHA Members! I am honored to be serving another year as your NYCHA Senior Reporter. I’m 16 years old, from Philadelphia, Mississippi, and will be a sophomore at Leake Academy. I have been a member of the NYCHA family for the past several years and have had the pleasure to serve as an o cer for the past three years. When I’m not in the show pen, you can nd me on the sidelines cheering on the Leake Academy Rebels as a member of the Varsity Cheer Squad.

As we close the door on another successful youth year, I would like to take a moment to send out a heartfelt “thank you” to our NYCHA directors Rianna Storey and Logan Lynch for picking up the reins and continuing to keep our youth program moving in the right direction. I have no doubt that this year will be every bit as successful. Our youth program is thriving! Let’s strive to increase our number and our youth participation.

I am committed to sharing my voice as Senior Reporter for the NYCHA and bringing news from each region to the broader organization, to encourage an increased involvement in our LEAP program and to continue to build on the program. Let’s make this our best year yet!

“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Annie Kate White SENIOR REPORTER

NYCHA Life After the Arena

During the 2023 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular, NCHA Youth members took part in the very rst NYCHA Life After the Arena seminar presented by the NCHA Foundation. e 2023 Youth Week activities kicked o with a full day focused on resumé/application building, mentorship and presentations covering everything from social media to ethics. NCHA Youth members also had the opportunity to view a professional forum moderated by Mrs. Pam Minick. e panel consisted of Western industry leaders including our friends from Priefert, Rafter P Construction and McAllister Assets. To wrap up, members were treated to a private concert with surprise guest Stoney LaRue!

ABOVE : Annie Kate White, Senior Reporter

Photos By NCHA

MEMBERSOFTHENYCHAATYOUTHWEEK

STONEYLARUE

A Balancing Act

By Marianne Dougherty

Linda Solheim has been a ight attendant with Alaska Airlines for 33 years, but she also has a thriving real estate business as a broker and equestrian advisor for Windermere Professional Partners in Puyallup, Washington. Despite her hectic schedule, she manages to ride twice a week. “I have a tiny but mighty horse, Mary Had Alittle Cat,” she said. e gelding’s barn name is “Shrimp” (High Brow Cat x Instant Mary x SR Instant Choice). So, how does this busy woman do it all?

“I strive to live a healthy, joyful, balanced life,” said Solheim, who gets up at 5 a.m. every morning to exercise, read and journal. “If you own your mornings, you win your day, and taking that hour for myself keeps me grounded.” Being self-employed also has its advantages. “Since I have seniority with the airlines, I have the exibility to choose trips that don’t con ict with anything going on in my real estate career or cuttings.”

Solheim’s love a air with horses began when she was seven or eight and her mother bought a pony named Donnie from a neighbor for $65. “We kept him across the street,” said Solheim, who lives in Tacoma, Washington, in the same “mid-century rambler” she grew up in and later renovated. “Everything morphed from there.”

While she had a lot of success in the cow horse world, Solheim is relatively new to cutting. “I was scared to death,” she said of her rst show in March 2019, at the Idaho Cutting Horse Association show in Nampa, Idaho. “I just prayed to the good Lord that I’d stay in the buggy.”

Being new to the sport, Solheim had a lot to learn. “I faced a lot of mental adversity, which caused inconsistency in the show pen,” she said. “Focusing on my score, beating a fellow competitor or winning the prize put me in a negative head space. I would have a non-pro blackout or was consciously incompetent.”

ABOUT LINDA SOLHEIM

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

She recommends two books by performance coach Trevor Moawad: It Takes What It Takes: How to ink Neutrally and Gain Control of Your Life and

Getting to Neutral: How to Conquer Negativity and rive in a Chaotic World.

GRATITUDE IS KEY

She writes down three things she’s grateful for every morning.

PRIZE POSSESSIONS

She displays her cutting trophies and buckles crafted by Gist Silversmiths in her o ce.

ABOVE : Linda Solheim and her 16-year-old gelding, Shrimp.

Centerville Horse Training Center

21± acres | $2,495,000 | Centerville, Texas | Leon County

This 21± acre cutting horse facility is a beautifully improved property centrally located between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston o of I-45. The ranch features a number of improvements highlighted by a large, covered arena with an enclosed barn.

Training Barn and Arena

•41,580 sq. ft. (Pipe and Steel w/ metal roof)

•54 stalls with fans and water for each

• Saddle/Tack room with prep area and office

Four (4) Covered Walkers

•2 located across from Training Barn and Arena

• 2 located near Barn #2

Shaving Barn

•Approximately 22 x 24 (540 sq. ft.)

Horse Barn (2nd)

•15,000 sq. ft. (Pipe and Steel w/ metal roof)

•40 stalls with fans, water, and lights

•100’ x 150’ w/roll-up doors on all sides

Covered Arena (2nd)

•150’ x 156’ (23,400 sq. ft.)

Main House

•1,680 sq. ft., 3-bedroom, 2 bath

•375 sq. ft. of covered porch

Pens

•Large Round Pen

•500’ x 325’ set of Cattle Pens

•Covered Arenas

*35± acres with 4,000± sq. ft. home & lake adjoining this property is available separately.

To address the issue, Solheim took corrective action. Discovering the late sports psychologist and beloved mental conditioning coach Trevor Moawad changed everything for her. His belief in the importance of neutral thinking and how our internal dialogue can a ect performance is legendary. Limitless Minds, the sports performance company he co-founded, develops talent that thrives through disruption and creates a culture t for the future.

Now when she’s in the show pen, she runs a mental checklist. “I try to get in a zone and eliminate outside noise,” said Solheim, who stays focused by allowing these words to run through her head: I control my cut, toes out, get away from the cow. “I love cutting, but I’m also there to compete so I want to be present and do the best I possibly can.”

While Solheim has won a lot of amazing prizes, she is most proud of being crowned the 2022 NCHA Pioneer Circuit champion in both the $35K Non-pro and the $15K Amateur.

Earlier that year, in October, Solheim won a Je Smith cutting saddle based on her scores in the $35K Non-pro at an Oregon Cutting Horse Association show. “ at’s when I realized that I was eighteenth (in the $35K Non-pro) World standings,” said Solheim, who had been so busy showing that

she hadn’t kept track. “Being that close to making it to the World Championships encouraged me to try harder. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Her trainer, Josh Sleeman, had a prior commitment for the NCHA Futurity so he made other arrangements for his client. “I rode with trainer Tim Johnson,” Solheim said, noting that Johnson hauled Shrimp to shows in Utah and Arizona, where Solheim competed. She didn’t earn enough to move on to the World Championship (in the $35K Non-pro) nals, but “I came very close,” she said, adding that she placed sixteenth.

“I would’ve kicked myself if I hadn’t tried; I learned so much,” she said of hauling for the Worlds. “I was so excited to rearrange my life, my business, my travel, all to try to make it happen. It was a great experience.”

Solheim hopes to continue to grow as a cutter and to show her horse in $35K Non-pro and $50K Amateur classes (she’s earned out of the $15K Amateur). Her goal? To get Shrimp’s lifetime earnings to $100,000. As of this writing, she was shy by only $1,246.69. “I will be earning that,” she said, de nitively. “And Shrimp will get all the carrots he can eat.”

Determined to ride with her trainer twice a week, Solheim makes an appointment with herself just like she would with a client. And if things get a bit crazy as they do for all of us, “I just have to spend a little time with Shrimp and all’s right with my world,” she said.

ABOVE :

Erin Eaton and Barbara Boggess flank Solheim at the NCHA Pioneer Circuit finals in 2022.

“An epic cutting horse has so much draw and expression; they can really mesmerize a cow.”

LINDA SOLHEIM

PHOTOBYCASEYST . BLANC

A REVOLUTION IN JOINT CARE FOR HORSES

Australia’s #1 selling joint supplement, 4CYTE™ EPIITALIS® FORTE is a natural, premium daily supplement, scientifically proven to support normal joint health and function, prevent and treat osteoarthritis, and reduce inflammation in horses. The revolutionary ingredient that makes 4CYTE™ unique and effective is EPIITALIS®, our exclusive, patented plant seed oil extract.

Why use 4CYTE™ EPIITALIS® FORTE for horses?

Supports normal joint health and function

Supports normal movement patterns

Supports ability to meet performance demands

Supports recuperation capacity post-work

Maintains career longevity and competitive edge

Additional

Benefits include:

• Scientifically-proven

• Safe to use long-term

• Non-swabbable

• Cost-effective once-daily administration, simply mixed with feed

• Palatable apple flavour

• Effective adjunct to prescription treatments after joint injury or surgery

• Convenient for horses that may be needle shy

John Mitchell Team

That Touch of Silver

NCHA members are celebrated with a gorgeous achievement buckle when they earn their first $1,000 competing in NCHA-approved weekend classes.

By Lauren Green

To National Cutting Horse Association members, their rst

$1,000 in earnings comes with a shiny reminder of their hard-won accomplishment: the NCHA Achievement Buckle, crafted by Gist Silversmiths of Placerville, California. (For the full list, see page 28.) And to many who may have had success in other aspects of life, the silver buckle is uniquely meaningful.

Juni Fisher, 66, of Strathmore, California, has ticked o many accomplishments in her entertainment career. e touring Western and Folk singer/songwriter, recording artist and entertainer is also a performance coach and an author of two published novels. She’s also ridden horses most of her life, competing and winning classes in various performance horse events for years.

But she’s never won a shiny silver buckle in the sport of cutting before, and she is very excited about that.

“I get all teared up when I try to tell my trainer, Rock Hedlund, how much it means to me to be able to have a mare like this and learn to show her, and how much it means to win my rst NCHA buckle,” said Fisher. “So, if he reads this, he’ll know what I can’t put into words.”

For Joseph “Joey” Rudolph, 26, of Wytheville, Virginia, winning the buckle is special. But he also credits the love and support from friends and family, the fellowship he has made in the cutting community, as well as his relationship with the horses.

“When I’m in the cutting pen, I’m just sitting there, pushing the herd, cutting my cows, working the cattle. e rest of the world just fades out, and it’s just me and my horse,” said Rudolph. “Cutting is pure bliss, really.”

Rudolph also loves the challenge of cutting with his horse Meradee Cat (“Seven”).

“With cutting, not only do you have the communication going on between you and your horse, but you also have a herd of cattle that you’re having to work with as well,” he said, adding that he was hooked from the beginning.

As Rudolph continues to look toward his future in cutting, he re ects on this achievement, using it as motivation to move forward.

“It was the rst milestone in my cutting journey for Seven and I, as we grow both individually and as a team, and it is really that next step forward,” he said.

Dave Beebe, owner of Stoneridge Flooring Design, in Branson, Missouri, hopped on a cutting horse a year ago after a casual conversation with a friend.

“I thought, you know, I’m 50 years old, why not?” said Beebe, now 52. “It’s time for a new hobby.”

TOP : Juni Fisher rides Kittys Blu Boon to the herd.

BOTTOM :

Joey Rudolph proudly shows off his NCHA Achievement Buckle with horse “Seven.”

PHOTOBYLYNDSEYLAMELL

Although Beebe has not been competing long, he puts in hard work weekly with his trainer Kevin Miller. Miller pointed out to Beebe that his lack of equine experience has actually made him more coachable.

“While I don’t have many bad habits yet, the disadvantage is that I don’t have the breadth of experience that a lot of cutters do,” said Beebe. “I’m working on that.”

Over the last year, Beebe has worked hard balancing work and life and riding with his trainer to ful ll this newfound passion.

“I think the achievement buckle is just kind of a nice reward! I’ve worked pretty hard at it,” said Beebe. “It’s just a good indicator that what I’m doing is working.”

Douglas Jett and his son spend quality time together each week as they pack up for the drive from Shawnee, Oklahoma, heading about four hours south, right outside of Dallas, to meet with trainer Clark Kaupke of CK Performance Horses.

“ e fact that I’ve got a four-year-old son who is excited to wake up on a Friday morning and drive for hours to Texas to see his horses is pretty cool,” said Jett.

Since beginning to compete in NCHA Circuit events, Jett has not only had the opportunity to meet goals of his own, such as earning the achievement buckle, but has been given a passion to share with his son, along with a community through the NCHA, which feels like a second family to him.

“It’s how everybody revolves around the kids; the kids can have a place to go that’s like one big family,” he said.

For Jett, the buckle is an amazing accomplishment that he will cherish, but it is the time spent with his son that also serves as a “trophy.” While Jett is reaching goals, he is also getting to spend those hours developing memories his son will keep as he grows up.

Winning the achievement buckle means a lot to Alexis Von Gontard, 41, of Sheridan, Wyoming.

“I am super excited about the buckle for myself, but to be honest with you, I give all the credit for my earning the buckle to my horse,” said Von Gontard of her horse, Sydney Rey. “She’s amazing, and I’m pretty sure she just rolls her eyes at me because I make a lot of mistakes.”

Sydney Rey’s barn name is “ e Devil Angel,” which re ects the horse’s nature, explained Von Gontard.

“When she’s at work, she’s perfect; she doesn’t do anything wrong. But when she’s turned out or on vacation, she is like a devil,” said Von Gontard. “It’s hilarious because she’s got mood swings, so she and I have that in common. She and I get along really well.”

Von Gontard also credits trainer Justin Johnson of Casper, Wyoming, for her success. “I couldn’t do any of it without his support and patience!”

For all of these riders, earning the NCHA Achievement Buckle is special—not only for their own hard work but also for the hard work of their horses and trainers, and for their family members who support them in their love of cutting.

TOP :

Dave Beebe cutting on Swingins Lucky Mate.

“It was the first milestone in my cutting journey for Seven and I, as we grow both individually and as a team, and it is really that next step forward.”

JOEY RUDOLPH

PHOTOBYKOZYDPHOTOGRAPHY

Achievement Buckle Earners

FROM MARCH 11, 2023 TO MAY 9, 2023

ADDISON COLEMAN

ADLEE GRIFFIN

ALEXIS VON GONTARD

ANDREW HART

APRILLE FREEMAN WATTS

AUBREY BURBAGE

BETSI WALDECK

BRYCE WALTON

CASE REAM

CHANCE CLARK

COOPER CLARK

DAVID BEEBE

DEBRA ANN BEST

DEVON PELLUM

DOUGLAS JETT

ELLIE BUTLER

ELLIE JORDAN

EVA GARDINER

GRETCHEN PLUMMER

JANA LENAN PHILLIPS

JAYDEN CORY

JEFFREY SMITH

JESSICA SCHLAUCH

JIMMIE ZESCH

JOHN T ROBITAILLE

JOJO LEMOND

JORDAN HOLTE

JOSEPH WAYNE RUDOLPH

JUNI A FISHER

KEITH TRIPPER FORTENBERRY

KELLY ROEMER

KIRA KESTNER

KRISTIN GULICK

KYLAR TERLIP

LOGAN LABAUVE

LYRIC THOMAS

MACIE DANN

MANDI WILLIAMS

MARY PHILLIPS

MICHAEL D CRUMPLER JR.

MICHELLE MURPHY

MORGAN JENNINGS

PEYTON MATHIS

RANDY MOYLE

RAYLEIGH TURNER

RILEY RINER

ROPER MOORE

SIDNEY H LEE

STACY LEE JONES

STAN WOOD

STRANTON OFTEDAHL

SUSAN KASEROFF

WHITNEY WOOTEN

FROMTOP :

Douglas Jett pilots Hills Rim Shot in the cutting pen. Alexis Von Gontard aboard her horse Sydney Rey. The NCHA Achievement Award buckle created by Gist Silversmiths.

PHOTOBYLAURIEERRINGTON / SCOOTEM - N - SHOOTEM ’ PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOBYEMPHOTOGRAPHY

Q

& B

Qualification for the Evening Session

— Must be out of a mare with one of the following:

• Won $100,000

• Open/Non-Pro World Champion

• Won a Triple Crown Event Open/Non-Pro

• Producer of -

- $200,000 in o spring earnings

- Triple Crown Open /

Non-Pro Event Champion - Open / Non-Pro World Champion

— HERDA test results required

Must be nominated to the NCHA Super Stakes Stallion Foal Program

— Radiographs required (all yearlings / all sessions)

Broodmare Requirements

— Must be 15 years of age or younger

Must be in foal or selling with an embryo

— If oldest foal crop is less than 4 years old must have won $100,000

— If oldest foal crop is at least 4 years old must have produced earners of $100,000

— 5 Panel Test Results required (all broodmares / all sessions)

Breeding Stallion Requirements

— Contact Jeremy Barwick for breeding stallion quali cation 254-485-2542 (cell)

Limited to the First 60 Quali ed Completed Entry Contracts

NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales

!

20 th & 21st

Will Rogers Equestrian Center • Fort Worth, Texas

NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champions!

2023 World’s Greatest Horseman!

Early Consignments Include —

BELLE VINTAGE 2022 smoky black mare (A Vintage Smoke x Nics Sexy Chexy, by Big Chex To Cash).

CIRCLE V HASHTAG 2022 bay stallion (Hashtags x Rivers Edge, by Playin A raction).

Dam PE $1,533.

DRESSED FOR REVENGE 2022 bay stallion (Hashtags x ARC Cat Her Please, by Chic Please). Dam LTE $127,217. Dam PE $125,871.

Dam’s siblings earned: $362,896.

FANCY LIKE WOODY 2022 sorrel stallion (Woody Be Tu x Fancy Frostina, by Smart Li le Lena). Dam LTE $104,631. Dam PE $426,511.

IM COUNTIN TIME 2022 sorrel stallion (Im Countin Checks x Holly Time Twist, by Hickory Holly Time). Dam is half sister to money earner.

QS SMOKIN TELESIS 2022 bay roan stallion (Meteles Cat x Smokin Morona, by Smokin Playgun).

REBELS PLAYMATE 2022 red roan stallion (Metallic Rebel x Starlight Playmate, by Grays Starlight). Dam LTE $13,872. Dam PE $95,528.

SHES ALL D MA 2018 sorrel mare (WR is Cats Smart x One Fancy Time, by One Time Pepto). 2 ET - Dual Reyish ‘24, Return Breeding - Cool N Hot ‘24. Dam LTE $48,855. Dam PE $237,442.

SMOOTH ANNA REY 2022 bay mare (Smooth As A Cat x Dual Reyann, by Dual Rey). Dam LTE $5,621. Dam PE $9,043.

STEVIES BUGA I 2022 red roan mare (Stevie Rey Von x Lillys Buga i, by A Shiner Named Sioux). Dam is a money earner. Dam’s siblings earned: $377,962.

THE LOVE T IN 2022 sorrel stallion (Woody Be Tu x Metallic Train, by Metallic Cat). Dam LTE $181,000. Dam’s siblings earned: $308,444. $377,962.

WOODA SHOUDA COUDA 2022 sorrel stallion (Woody Be Tu x Autumn Ki y, by High Brow Cat). Dam LTE $78,270. Dam PE $156,634. Dam’s siblings earned: $1,912,512.

Stevies Blondie $115,000

Seller - Eric Freitas & Justin Wright

Buyer - Eduardo Elizondo

OUR PILLOW TALK 2021 red roan mare (Smooth Talkin Style x Our Special Ki en, by High Brow Cat). Dam LTE $140,206. Dam PE $75,369. Dam’s siblings earned: $490,119.

Couldya Woodya $100,000

Seller - Gardiner-Miller Horses

Buyer - Eduardo Elizondo

Early 2-Year-Old Consignments —

REYISSH MBO 2021 sorrel gelding (Dual Reyish x Tuesday Ki y, by High Brow Cat). Dam is a money earner. 2nd dam LTE $208,455. 2nd dam PE $1,491,337.

RSR LI LE STEVIE 2021 red roan gelding (Stevie Rey Von x Cats Savannah, by High Brow Cat). Dam LTE $48,655. Dam PE $15,407.

TR SOMEONELIKEYOU 2021 sorrel stallion (Dont Stopp Believin x Adelle, by Metallic Cat). Dam LTE $74,337. Dam PE $49,939. Dam’s siblings earned: $681,036.

SJR MISTS MARCO 2022 buckskin stallion (SJR Diamond Mist x Spooks Mariah, by Smart Spook). Dam LTE $28,419. Dam PE $5,653. Dam’s siblings earned: $101,087.

BAMACAT

(High Brow Cat - MH San Tules Dually, by San Tule Freckles)

Proven Performer and sire! LTE $352,857: NCHA World Champion Stallion, NCHA

Open Futurity Champion Stallion

NCHA World Champion Sire!

FEE: $2,000 +chute fee

BET HESA CAT

(High Brow Cat - Bet Yer Blue Boons, by Freckles Playboy)

LTE $272,151: NCHA Open World Champion

Sire of more than $7.5 Million

A 2022 NCHA & NRCHA Leading Sire

A NCHA & NRCHA Leading Sire since 2016

FEE: $3,500 +chute fee

BOON TOO SUEN

(Peptoboonsmal - Meradas Little Sue, by Freckles Merada)

LTE $263,009: NCHA World Champion

Stallion; AQHA & NCHA World Champion Sire

An NCHA Leading Sire since 2018

Perfect outcross for HIGH BROW CAT mares!

FEE: $3,000 +chute fee

FIDDLE AND STEEL

(Metallic Cat - Lil Bit Reckless by CD Royal)

LTE $203,508: NCHA Non Pro Horse of the Year, NCHA Non Pro Futurity and Super Stakes Non Pro Derby Champion

First foals arrived in 2023

FEE: $2,500 +chute fee

KIT KAT SUGAR

(High Brow Cat - Sugar N Dulce, by Smart Lil Ricochet)

A Leading NCHA Sire every year since his second foal crop to show, performers have earned $9,000,000+ • Offering up to $350,000 for 2023 KIT KAT SUGAR performers!

FEE: $5,000 +chute fee

METALLIC REY MINK

(Metallic Cat - Dual Rey Mink, by Dual Rey)

LTE $205,224: NCHA Open Futurity

Champion • First foals are now yearlings

Offering one of the most lucrative freshman sire incentives, with no cap on payout!

FEE: $2,500 +chute fee

*2023 Breeding Fees Listed

Please visit www.6666ranch.com for details on each stallion’s incentives and eligibilities.

STATE-OF-THE-ART REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES

CATTALOU

(High Brow Cat - Louella Again, by Dual Pep)

LTE $334,723: 6-Time Champion or Reserve hampion and nalist in a or vents

First Foal Crop include DMAC KATZALOU (LTE

$81,332: NCHA Unlimited Senior Amateur Futurity Co-Champion)

FEE: $1,500 +chute fee

CRACKLIN KAT

(Bet Hesa Cat - Cracklin Gunpowder, by PG Gunpowder)

LTE $19,329: Breeders Invitational Limited Open Derby Reserve Champion; Sired by a NCHA Leading Sire BET HESA CAT and out of NCHA World Champion Sire PG GUNPOWDER; First foals now 2-Year-Olds!

FEE: $1,000 +chute fee

DANDY CAT

(Metallic Cat - DMAC Dandy Devine, by Smart Little Abner)

LTE $25,500: Breeders Invitational Limited Open Classic Champion; Sired by #1 NCHA Leading Sire METALLIC CAT and out of NCHA Co-World Champion $ , 0

FEE: $1,000 +chute fee

ROCKIN W

(Dual Rey - Boon San Kitty, by High Brow Cat)

LTE $329,722: NCHA Open Futurity Champion; Sire of AQHA World Champion & NCHA Super Stakes Int. Open Classic Co-Champion ROCKIN KW (LTE $216,686)

FEE: $1,500 +chute fee

CAT

(High Brow Cat - Very Shortly, by Shorty Lena) est e as Open er nalist and Open er semi nalist am O is a half-sister to multiple NCHA World Champions. First foals now showing!

FEE:

WEEKEND WARRIORS

The 14 official NCHA Circuits held weekend cutting events in June in celebration of the annual NCHA Weekend. Here is a look at some of the fun, the cutting action, the winners and the fellowship.

Compiled by Kathy McFarland

CLOCKWISEFROMTOPRIGHT :

PHOTOS ( LEFTSIDE

WEST VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, NEW ENGLAND, EASTERN CANADA APPALACHIAN SOUTH TEXAS ALAMO

Bell County Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Bell County Expo Center, Belton, Texas

e Alamo Circuit reported a "very nice turnout" for NCHA Weekend, working 248 horses over a three-day period, and paying out more than $48,000, with $13,000 in added money.

Pennsylvania Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Keystone Horse Center, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Generations of cutters showcased their passion and skills, making it a remarkable NCHA weekend. e heartwarming moments of cross-generational bonding included when Jessie Gehringer and her grandmother, Karlene Schlegel, shared the experience of showing together. And the future of the sport looked promising with Alexa “Punky” Sbarra, who eagerly absorbed knowledge from her grandfather, trainer Roy Bauer.

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM :

Sr. Youth champion Josey Bell; Jr. Youth riders Sarah Hollar (left) and Faith Glover won their first NCHA checks!

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM : Jessie Gehringer with her grandmother, Karlene Schlegel; Alexa "Punky" Sbarra.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA AURORA

British Columbia Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Chilliwack Heritage Park, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada

NCHA Weekend was celebrated in style in Canada!

NORTH TEXAS, EASTERN OKLAHOMA RED

RIVER

Texas Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Jared Lesh Cowhorses Arena, Whitesboro, Texas

Texas CHA was awarded the Red River Circuit days for 2023 from NCHA, along with our regular weekend show. We worked 246 horses during the two-day event and awarded $49,933 in prize money. A few lucky cutters scooped up their rst championship buckle, including Sailor Snider and new NCHA member Brook Scheulen!

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM

:

Greta Wurtz riding Caughtin Hickin; Brent Stewart aboard RCR All Reddy A Cat.

CLOCKWISEFROMTOP :

Sailor Snider (right) and her dad with her prizes; Jr. Youth champion Mason Miller and sister Ella; Kate Roberson won Sr. Youth.

COTTON

Northeast Alabama Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Northeast Alabama Agricenter, Rainsville, Alabama

We had a great weekend with a live band Saturday night and catered food Friday and Saturday. Just for fun, we held a special cutting Calcutta on Saturday, with the winners from Friday’s classes. Everyone had fun!

ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES EUROPEAN

2023 Alle Colombare Trophy Show

Arena: Alle Colombare Ranch, Asola, Italy

e annual Alle Colombare Trophy event is organized by trainer and ranch owner Denis Pini, who is known for his smile and positive attitude, which makes this show a favorite for cutters from all around Europe. After the event, American trainer Ed Dufurrena held a special three-day clinic for more cutting fun.

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM :

A young cutter in the pen; Bettina Locher flashes a smile.

E. TEXAS, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, TENNESSEE

: Tucker Harrison negotiates the cattle.

CACTUS

Palo Duro Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Foote & Rogers Arena, Farwell, Texas

Two circuits worked together to celebrate cutting for the NCHA Weekend, as many of the contestants cross both circuits. Highlights included a free dinner, a Hula Hoop contest and a Calcutta, which helped with expenses for the meal. ere were great awards in each class with buckles for the winners in many classes, recognizing both Cactus and Oiler participation. Mother Nature smiled down upon us with an abundance of rain. We truly felt blessed, and there was nary a complaint about the mud or water!

CLOCKWISEFROMTOPLEFT : Dick Cogdell and granddaughter Leddy. Madison Tyler, Tate Leblanc and Zachary Corvin with winning buckles. The weekend was blessed with much-needed rain!

ARIZONA, W. COLORADO, W. NEW MEXICO, S. NEVADA, S. UTAH, S. CALIFORNIA

W. TEXAS, E. NEW MEXICO, W. OKLAHOMA

MONTANA, WYOMING, SOUTH DAKOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA

BIG SKY

Minnesota Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Strait Rail Ranch, Nevis, Minnesota

e MCHA sponsored a “brat feed” and there was a tent with music and karaoke each evening, which really made things special for the weekend.

N. NEVADA, N. CALIFORNIA REDWOOD

Clements Cutting Club & Gold Country Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Rolling Hills Equestrian Center, Corning, California

A few highlights: ree new Junior Youth riders — Dawson McFann, Wels McFann and Quincy Waldron — showed for the rst time. When the dust settled, the Jr. Youth Champion buckle went to Laine Waldron showing Royally Smart Lilly. Dawson McFann won his rst buckle as Reserve Champion showing Reyz Your Chelada. Quincy Waldron showed the oldest horse: Tangy Reylita, a Tangys Classy Peppy daughter born in 1995, making her 28 years old!

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM : Darrell Parsons with daughter Kinzi; Stranton Oftedahl and Neat Little Shorty.

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM : Quincy Waldron aboard 28-year-old Tangy Reylita; Michelle Pasquale playing in the sandbox aboard Dreamin Its Hot.

PIONEER

Arena: Bonina Event Center, Eltopia, Washington

It was a short-notice show, but the event was long on fun! Limited Age classes ran on ursday and Friday, with NCHA Weekend classes held Saturday and Sunday. We rocked it on Friday evening, as Evelyn Brooks brought her DJ music and the party was on! Saturday night, we got serious and listened to Wes Chapman who told of his work with Operation Underground Railroad, which helps nd children who have been tra cked. To make his trip worthwhile, we mounted Wes for a successful ride in the $2K Limit Rider. We shared the fun of meeting new cutters!

SUNSHINE

Arena: South Carolina Equine Park, Camden, South Carolina

e NCHA Weekend was held at the South Carolina Equine Park for the rst time in about a decade. Some 100 unique competitors from all over the southeast rode 400 entries over the course of the three days. After many competitors felt the pen was too wide during the Limited Aged event on Friday, about 20 competitors shifted the entire arena wall by about 15 feet and re-hung all the drop cloths in less than ve minutes during the cattle change! e weather was sunny and cool, which kept everyone smiling.

Carolinas Cutting Horse Association

Pioneer Cutting Horse Association

NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, FLORIDA

WASHINGTON, OREGON, IDAHO, N. UTAH

Sr. Youth winner Halah Regan on BNL Bo Taz; Randy Mestdaugh cuts it up.

ABOVE :

Sr. Youth champion Codie L. Raffield with CCHA's Lauren Carroll.

ONTARIO, KENTUCKY, INDIANA, WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, OHIO

GREAT LAKES

Kentucky Cutting Horse Association

Arena: Rocky Fork Arena, Shelbyville, Kentucky

We had 352 trips to the herd over the weekend. Cutters Hannah Girton and Scott Bridgman tied in the $15K Amateur class, with the tie-breaker being money won: Hannah was named champion with Scott in reserve. e rst High Scoring Youth trophy, in memory of cutter Patty Frerichs, was presented to Ashtyn Brown. Frerichs lost her battle with pancreatic cancer, and the special trophy is sponsored by the Hannagan and Parsons families. It will be presented annually to the high-scoring youth rider on NCHA Weekend.

HEARTLAND

Beef Empire Cutting Horse Association & Western States Cutting Horse Association of Colorado

Arena: Western State Bank Expo Center, Dodge City, Kansas

We had 233 total entries for the weekend. Awards were Gist buckles, Diamond Wool saddle pads and Schneider Fly Sheets as prizes. Custom hat racks were awarded to Allie Dwyer, Lisa Smith and Nathan Miller for being high point riders through the weekend. Brenda Lipsey and several area show producers and a liates organized a saddle ra e for proceeds going to trainer Kevin Daniel, who was diagnosed with sudden-onset Guillian-Barré syndrome. Proceeds went directly to the Daniels family, with hopes for Kevin’s recovery.

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM :

Abbie Daniel and Catalena Spotlight, Jr. Youth Champion; Cutters relax during the saddle raffle, a benefit for trainer Kevin Daniel.

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM :

Andrew Larsen and Mary Hannagan present Ashtyn Brown with the Jan Mapes traveling trophy in memory of Patty Frerichs; $2K Ltd. Rider Champion Sara Rustemeyer (right) with Megan Froehle, Reserve.

E. COLORADO, KANSAS, NEBRASKA, IOWA, MISSOURI

PHOTOCOURTESYOFRIOSOFMERCEDES

ABOVE : Handcrafting boots at Rios Factory circa 1975.

RIOS O F M E R C EDES

SOLE HEART

AND

WHEN CUTTING, EVERY DETAIL OF A RIDE COUNTS. IT’S THE SAME FOR RIOS OF MERCEDES, THE OFFICIAL BOOTMAKER FOR THE NCHA.

By Anne McCready Heinen

Rios of Mercedes’s American-made, premium boots are a staple for the cutting horse community, whether a rider is looking for high-end Rios boots or more a ordable Anderson Bean boots.

Longtime Rios retailer Linda Davis of Davis Boots, a marketplace mainstay at National Cutting Horse Association events, lauds the company’s responsiveness to customer needs and wants. For example, the company o ers a cutter toe in both the Rios and Anderson Bean lines, as well as a spur rest.

“Rios understands that boots are tools that help cutting horse people do their jobs better,” Davis said.

e company’s boot brands are Rios of Mercedes, Anderson Bean, Olathe, Macie Bean, Horse Power and kids boots. In each, Rios delivers the best value at each price point. at might mean that an Anderson Bean boot, for example, has 24 to 26 lem-

onwood pegs where the arch connects to the shank, whereas the top-of-the-line Rios of Mercedes boots have 36 to 38 pegs.

“A lot of it is about the leather grading,” added Ryan Vaughan, 46, president and CEO. Number one grade skins are used for Rios of Mercedes boots, for example, whereas grades two and three — still high quality — are used for Anderson Bean and Olathe.

“ e guts are in every boot we make,” regardless of price, Vaughan said. Prices range from $50 for Baby Bean slippers to upwards of $600 for Rios of Mercedes boots.

e mission statement of Rios of Mercedes supports their high standards. “Rooted in over 150 years of experience and uncompromising values, our family builds classic cowboy boots,” the statement proclaims. “We serve God through our work and honest relationships with our employees, our partners and our community.”

e 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the town of Mercedes, Texas, proudly continues a

Focused attention on quality means that every Rios boot meets exacting standards for materials and craftsmanship.

A busy day inside the Rios of Mercedes factory.

BELOW :

Rios of Mercedes Boot Company’s factory in Mercedes, Texas.

tradition begun in 1853, when the grandparents of Zeferino and Abraham Rios made Mexican cavalry boots and saddles.

e brothers opened custom bootmaking operations in Raymondville, Texas, and Mercedes by the late 1920s. e Evans family, with roots in West Texas ranching and feedlot operations, bought Rios in 1975. Trainor Evans remains as chairman today, although he’s stepped back from day-today operations.

Rios originally made custom boots for dress occasions, versus work. “Everything was very custom made, very intricate, with a lot of embroidery and heavy stitching,” Vaughan said. “Trainor helped turn it into a good quality cowboy boot that could rival the best.”

Vaughan joined Rios and married into the Evans family in 1999. He and his wife Jode, Trainor’s daughter, who also works at Rios, met as preschoolers and started dating as high school juniors. “We’ve been together ever since,” said Vaughan. His ascent at the company began with the young couple stationed in Mexico, where Vaughan learned tannery and other aspects of the business.

All production for Rios, Anderson Bean and Olathe boots remains in Texas, with domestic sourcing for much of the materials. e company also has three Leon, Mexico, factories for Horse Power, Macie Bean and kids lines. Craftspeople skilled in individual areas hone each boot. “If you were really good with your hands, you might be a laster, or if you’ve got great eye-hand coordination you’d be on the edge trimming,” Vaughan said. “Trainor broke the jobs up into a production process to build a better product.”

CLOCKWISEFROMLEFT

: Freshly lasted Rios boots. Handcrafting boots at Rios Factory circa 1975. Mario Chapa, a veteran Rios boot artisan of 45 years.

“Rios understands that boots are tools that help cutting horse people do their jobs better.”

Linda Davis DAVIS BOOTS

While Rios of Mercedes creates boots ready for work, as does Anderson Bean, “ ere’s a bigger market for that mid-price boot,” Vaughan said, noting that Anderson Bean re ects the maiden names of Trainor’s mother and grandmother, “to give due respect to the ranch women and all of their hard work and importance.”

Newbies who try to buy directly from the company quickly learn that’s not a thing. Rios only sells to retailers and builds unique products for them and their stores. is allows the retailer to bring in boots that their individual customers want and to o er styles not exactly duplicated elsewhere.

“A lot of people think we’re crazy because we don’t sell directly to customers,” Vaughan said. “But retailers will tell us where we need to go. People ask,

‘Who’s your design team?’ And we always say it’s the retailers.”

Newest to the Rios family of brands is the Horse Power and Macie Bean Top Hand collections. Made entirely in Leon, Mexico, the boots feature genuine exotics like ostrich, big bass and caiman crocodile.

“Rios has an incredible foundation,” Vaughan said. “We’re in this for the long term, and to maintain the integrity that we’ve built. e cowboy knows if he’s buying a pair of our boots, they’re going to hold up, or we’re going to make it right.”

ABOVE :

Rios of Mercedes owners ( left to right :) Ryan Vaughan, Pat Moody and Trainor Evans.

CR GOTCHA COVERED

NON-PRO RIDER Hall of Fame Winners

The National Cutting Horse Association recently named eight cutters to the 2022 Non-Pro Hall of Fame.

PHOTOS BY SETH PETIT

NON-PRO RIDER HALL OF FAME CRITERIA

Recipients must meet one of the following criteria:

Win any two:

• NCHA Futurity

• Super Stakes or Derby Non-Pro

• World Championship Non-Pro

Win any three:

• Super Stakes Classic

• 5/6-Year-Old Classic Challenge

• Reserve World Champion

Win one in category 1, plus two in category 2

Have Lifetime Earnings of $500K, including all Non-Pro money earned in any Non-Pro class (limited age or weekend combined) and any Open money won to achieve those total Lifetime Earnings. This will exclude all Amateur money.

Have in excess of $150K in Non-Pro Championship weekend earnings, excluding Novice/Non-Pro classes

Have combined earnings from category 4 and category 5 in excess of $500K

CHANDLER, ARIZONA Dawn Chapman

Dawn Chapman has NCHA earnings of more than $498,830. Chapman began cutting in 1995, in the 500 Amateur on a horse named “Butter y” that she shared with another competitor. Her early mentors were Don Perkins and Drew Dunham. Later, Chapman would purchase her rst cutting horse, Cheyenne Sugar Doc, who helped her make it from the 500 Amateur to the Non-Pro. Nine years ago she began training with Mike Wood and rapidly began increasing her earnings.

Debbie Day

Debbie Day made the transition from riding hunter jumpers to cutting horses in the early 1990s and has never looked back. With more than $765,000 in NCHA earnings, Day has earned her spot in the prestigious NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame.

RENO, NEVADA

GAINESVILLE, TEXAS Rieta Dufurrena

Rieta Dufurrena has NCHA earnings of more than $522,000. Dufurrena considers herself blessed to have been raised on the back of a horse. By six years old, she was able to start showing cutting horses. She feels that cutting is one of the highlights of her life and is grateful for the NCHA community, which has o ered her the opportunity to live her dreams.

IOLA, TEXAS Melissa Lyons

From the time she was a child, Melissa Lyons made it known that she was going to be a “cowgirl.” Her mother, who was an accomplished endurance rider, put her on a horse before she was two years old. Her father’s family have been farmers, ranchers and livestock producers in the Brazos Valley since the early 1900s, so it made perfect sense for her to love the sport of cutting. Max Fugler, a dear family friend, introduced her to the sport in 1987. Over 20 years ago, Dean Sanders sold Lyons her rst cutting horses — TH Royal Red Peppy, Studio Lena and Playn Stylish. With NCHA earnings of more than $536,000, Lyons credits her family, along with the Pounds family, as being instrumental in her pursuit of this endeavor. For that, she is forever grateful.

ROCANVILLE, SASKATCHEWAN | CANADA

Les Jack

Les Jack has been an avid horseman all his life, and it comes as no surprise that his passion for cutting and his love of horses has led him to obtain NCHA earnings of more than $533,000. Jack is grateful to his family for supporting him throughout his cutting career.

t s eas to sa oo hat did but the people around me ha e reall helped me be able to do hat do.”

LES JACK

PHOTOBYHUDYMAPHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOBYSUZANNESYLVESTER

ALEDO, TEXAS Alexa Stent

Alexa Stent has NCHA earnings of more than $576,000. Stent believes her success is due to her family, who has given her endless support, and trainers who have helped lead their program. Her two kids, Charlie and Tucker, and her ancé, John, are “my most dependable cheerleaders and rarely miss an opportunity to watch me in the show pen,” she said. Tom McTaggart taught her the fundamentals from which she has built upon, evolved and grown. Eddie Flynn put remarkable show records on her foundation mares, which are the cornerstone of their program. Matt Gaines taught her mental preparation, accuracy and discipline. Paul Hansma gave her the tools to rise to the next level, which has taken her to the winners’ circle. She gives the credit to all those individuals mentioned and wholeheartedly thanks each and every one of them!

Kathleen Strain

Kathleen Strain has NCHA earnings of more than $360,000, most of which she accumulated at the weekend level. Strain started as a young woman when she married her husband, fellow NCHA member and rancher Don Strain. Kathleen is proud that she reached the Non-Pro Hall of Fame riding horses that she and her late husband bred and raised. She credits her success to the support and encouragement of her husband and family.

Bret Wayne Parsons

Bret Wayne Parsons was born and raised in the cutting industry. With support from his parents, Bob and Terri Parsons, he began showing at the age of ve. Since then, he has earned more than $560,000 in NCHA earnings. He is grateful for the family and friends who have supported him while he pursued his goal.

t has al a s been a goal of mine to reach the on ro all of ame on horses that e bred and trained. onl ish had been able to accomplish it sooner ”

BRET WAYNE PARSONS

CARLOCK, ILLINOIS

WHITE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA

OPEN RIDER Hall of Fame Winners

Five top cutters have been named to The National Cutting Horse Association 2022 Open Hall of Fame.

Eugene (Dell) Bell

OPEN RIDER HALL OF FAME CRITERIA

Recipients must meet one of the following criteria:

Win any two:

• NCHA Futurity

• Super Stakes

• Derby

• World Championship

Win any three:

• Super Stakes Classic

• 5/6-Year-Old Classic/Challenge

• Reserve World Champion

Win one in category 1, plus two in category 2

Ride horses ranking in the NCHA Top Five Open Cutting horses five times. A rider must win 90 percent of the qualifying money to receive credit.

Have in excess of $1 million NCHA

Lifetime Earnings

Cutter Eugene (Dell) Bell has been riding cutting horses since he was a kid. Bell joined the NCHA in 1973 and has amassed career earnings of more than $1 million. He has been married to his wife Carol for 46 years and credits her for her constant support and encouragement.

PERRIN, TEXAS Russell Elrod

For Russell Elrod, the journey to the NCHA Open Rider Hall of Fame began at age 11, when he happened to see a cutting competition on television. Since that moment, Elrod has won more than $1.1 million in NCHA earnings. Elrod credits fellow trainers Lloyd Cox, Beau Galyean, Bobby Ingersoll, Ian Chisholm, Gavin Jordan and the late Gary Gonsalves as key individuals who encouraged him and helped develop his career.

LAKE KIOWA, TEXAS

PHOTOS BY SETH PETIT

Brent Erickson

Brent Erickson didn’t start life wanting to be a cutting horse trainer. In fact, horses weren’t a part of his life until he’d nearly nished school. e late start hasn’t stopped the Californian cutter from amassing career earnings of more than $1.1 million. Erickson credits his success to the great horses he has had the opportunity to ride, his family and many others who have supported him during his career.

Steve Schlesinger

Although horses were always a part of his life growing up in Oklahoma, Steve Schlesinger wasn’t introduced to the sport of cutting until his sophomore year at Connors State College when he was studying in their equine program. He apprenticed under Tom Long and Steve Colclasure and has operated his own cutting program since 2006. He has career earnings of more than $1 million.

ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA | CANADA

Travis Rempel

Travis Rempel has NCHA career earnings of more than $1 million. Rempel started out showing reined cowhorses and reiners, and then shifted his focus to cutting horses. Rempel worked under the guidance of well-established trainers such as Les Timmons, Cayley Wilson and Bob Avial before opening his own business in 2012.

LINCOLN, CALIFORNIA

LOCKEFORD, CALIFORNIA

eing able to train and sho horses at this le el ma es getting out of bed e er da orth it.”

EUGENE ( DELL ) BELL

HORSE Hall of Fame Winners

Six equine stars have been named to The National Cutting Horse Association 2022 Horse Hall of Fame.

PHOTOS BY SETH PETIT

Horses that are inducted into the NCHA Horse Hall of Fame must have $150K in earnings of weekend championship money — this is the same earnings requirement as the Silver, Gold and Platinum awards. ey must have at least $400K in total Lifetime Earnings from all recorded earnings and have won at least two (any combination) of the following eight major NCHA events:

Futurity

Super Stakes (4-Year-Old)

Derby (4-Year-Old)

Super Stakes Classics (5/6-Year-Old)

Summer Spectacular Classic/ Challenge (5/6-Year-Old)

NCHA Open World Champion

2014 SORREL GELDING

Duramax Dually

PEDIGREE

Dual Rey x at Catomine x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY Milner Enterprise LLC

SHOWN BY Mary Jo Milner, Tatum Rice, Wes Galyean, Jaime Snider, Randy Chartier

BRED BY Glover Galyean Partnership

LIFETIME EARNINGS

$499,622

2018 RED ROAN STALLION

Third Edge

PEDIGREE

Metallic Rebel x Lil Rattler x Dual Rey

OWNED BY Teton Ridge

SHOWN BY Wes Galyean

BRED BY SMF Cutting Horses

LIFETIME EARNINGS

$327,253

Bama Jelly

PEDIGREE

Bamacat x Wood She Be Neat x Nitas Wood

OWNED BY Madalyn Cowart

SHOWN BY Austin Shepard, Madalyn Cowart

BRED BY Madalyn Cowart

LIFETIME EARNINGS

$430,356

Clays Little Kit Cat

PEDIGREE

High Brow Cat x Clays Little Kit x Zack T Wood

OWNED BY Dawn Chapman

SHOWN BY Mike Wood, Dawn Chapman

BRED BY Niangua River Ranch L&C Co

LIFETIME EARNINGS

$447,555

2015 BAY STALLION

2008 SORREL GELDING

PHOTOBYLYNDSEYLAMELL

Somethingtobelievein

PEDIGREE

Hydrive Cat x Playin T Etta x TR Dual Rey

OWNED BY Brett & Jody McGlothlin

SHOWN BY Brett & Jody McGlothlin

BRED BY Shane Plummer

LIFETIME EARNINGS

$411,055

Spooked By A Cat

PEDIGREE

Cat Ichi x San Starlight x Grays Starlight

OWNED BY Carol Anderson Ward

SHOWN BY Gary Gonsalves, Todd & Elizabeth Quirk, Austin Shephard, Jason Taylor, Erin Sullivan, Carol Anderson Ward, David Harp

BRED BY Je Barnes

LIFETIME EARNINGS

$413,227

2013 SORREL MARE

2006 SORREL GELDING

NEVER OFFERED BEFORE

Sire Record

• O spring earning $36 Million

• The ONLY NCHA Horse of the Year to sire 2 OPEN Horses of the Year

• $2.1 Million Sire of Reined Cow Horse o spring

• The MOST AFFORDABLE sire on the NCHA and NRCHA lists of top sires

Show Record

• NCHA Horse of the Year earning in excess of $500,000

• NCHA Hall of Fame Horse

PHOTO BY ROSS HECOX

NYCHA Hall of Fame

MIDWAY, TEXAS Faith Farris

I’ve been involved in cutting from a very young age — my dad, Mitch Farris, is a cutting horse trainer. I show cutting horses with my whole family, and simply getting to go to the shows every weekend and spend time with them while doing what I love is a blessing in itself. Competing every weekend has also brought my relationship with God closer. is sport isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s very rewarding, but also very humbling. Cutting showed me what I’m here for, and we do what we’re most passionate about for His glory. e NYCHA has done so much for me. It’s really brought me out of my shell, it’s blessed me with lifelong friends and, most importantly, it’s taught me how to have a good work ethic that I’d like to think I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

I have countless people to thank for making my journey possible, and I will always be grateful to them for helping my dreams become a reality and for giving me the best possible childhood I could ask for growing up. First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this life, these opportunities and everything He’s done for me. Next, I want to

thank my parents, Mitch and Tracy Farris, for hauling me all over the country and being the best parents in the world. I’m so blessed that God chose me to be their kid.

My grandparents played a huge role, too, allowing me to show their mounts if needed. Also, they’re pretty phenomenal cheerleaders. My cousins Reygan and Riley Farris kept me sane and encouraged me when things got di cult. I’m not sure what I’d do without them. I have my friends that I’ve made through the NYCHA to thank as well. ey’ve helped me make memories of a lifetime. Can’t forget about the vet, the shoers, turnback help and more. ere’s so many to thank in that department — they’re greatly appreciated. Finally, I want to thank the NYCHA for all they’ve done for me — the scholarships, the memories, the friendships, the hardships, the wins, the work and the fun.

Without this sport, I wouldn’t be where I am today. God has a plan, and I’m so appreciative that being a part of the NYCHA was in it.

LEFT : Faith Harris and Big Shoes to Phil in action.

Lexington Brooke Slaughter

I’ve been involved in the cutting industry all my life. My dad, Bryant Slaughter, is a professional cutting horse trainer and my mom, Jeanine Slaughter, has been riding since she was a little girl in Kansas. As a small child each summer, I could not wait for the nal bell to ring at Field Store Elementary so I could hang out with my dad in the round pen turning back.

When I look back on my youth career and all the NYCHA has done for me, the words determination, goals, outlook, respect, and pride come to mind. NYCHA gave me ten years of Top 15 World Finals — and one of those was a World Championship. What a ride, literally. I am proud of who I am, and a portion of my growth is due to being a member of NYCHA.

ank you to all the leaders of NYCHA and NCHA who provided the opportunity for my successful youth career.

From the very rst time I walked to the herd until my nal NYCHA youth run, my parents have both had a place in “my arena.” My dad was always in my corner, picking good cows for me and instructing me through each run, while my mom was cheering from the sidelines, always my biggest fan. Also, alongside me on every step of this journey has been Maggie

Kiker. Since I was a baby, she has worked for my dad and coached me through many big life moments.

In addition to my parents, grandparents and Maggie, the success I have garnered throughout my NYCHA journey could not have been possible without the countless trainers that provided me with their excellent cow picking and turnback help, show after show. Each of these trainers deserves much more than my appreciation for support they given me through the years. ey are amazing individuals.

Currently, I am a senior at Texas A&M University, where I will graduate this fall from the Mays Business School with a degree in Business Management. As I re ect on my NYCHA show career, I am overcome with joy and pride as I remember all the great equine athletes I was fortunate enough to show. ere are not enough words of appreciation for the tribe that surrounded me during my youth career, and I will forever hold a special place in my heart for every run, horse and ownership. As a young adult, I look forward to giving back to those who gave so much to me, and to helping our upcoming youth strive in this industry and life.

Lexy Slaughter in the show pen.

WALLER, TEXAS

PHOTOBYSETHPETIT

MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS Ryann Packard

My dad trains horses in Kansas, so I grew up cutting. I started entering classes at age six — cutting is my passion. e NYCHA is where I learned to win, lose and persevere. It taught me some of my life’s most valuable lessons. I learned to take the good with the bad. I’ve made lifelong friends. I’ve learned to work hard and keep going no matter what. Hauling for the World Championships taught me so much about my horses, too, and how every run is precious. I learned to ask for help when needed and learned a lot about cattle. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my experiences in the NYCHA!

One of my most memorable runs was on Im Catman in the Will Rogers Coliseum during the World Finals. A cow ran behind the judge’s stand to the other side of the arena. “Catman” held him the whole time and stayed hooked even when the cow came out the other side. Twice, I won the Senior Scholarship cutting on Hott Nu Cowboy. ank you to Miss Nancy and Cullen for runs I will remember forever.

Currently, I am enrolled at Tarleton State University, focusing on my business degree. I am excited to see where that journey takes me. I think the work ethic I’ve learned from my cutting days will take me far in the business world.

ere are so many people to thank for my youth cutting career. My dad got me started on a horse and in cutting. My mom spent countless hours hauling me and making sure I was taken care of — she has cheered me on from youth to the Non-Pro. So many trainers stepped in, whether it was for a quick tune-up, to help pick cattle or lend me a horse. E.J. Huntley and Chad Bushaw were always there to turn back or lend a hand; Cullen Chartier and crew helped me hone my cutting skills, and Don Pooley and Marcy were there to help me win a national title. I’ve had a huge community helping me along the way!

e love of a horse and cutting is instilled within me, and I thank the NYCHA for fostering that. I cannot wait to see what the next generation of cutting youth achieve!

RIGHT :

Ryann Packard piloting her horse.

When I was nine, my mom, who was a cutter, took us to Keith Deville’s place where I worked the ag one time on our horse named “Spoon.” e next day we were at a show and going to the herd. I was hooked from the rst cow!

Some of my most memorable runs came later. In 2014, my mom and I were hauling. We took my sister’s horse, “Rosie,” to the Colorado circuit. Sadly, after winning the youth for me, Rosie developed a terrible case of colic and she passed away. We were heartbroken, but my friend Jaycee Lowrey let me show her youth horse “Spunkie.” He was amazing and we scored 77 to win the youth class. I will never forget hearing the cheers, especially from Jaycee.

In 2015, See Da Cat (“Cat”) and I won the Junior Youth World Championship. Little Sweet Spot (“Spottie”) was the rst horse that was purchased for me. He was my go-to youth horse through the rest of my youth career. Today, Looks Halreycious is my favorite horse to show.

Currently, I am enrolled in community college in Poplarville, Mississippi, where I am majoring in accounting and business law. I am also a member of the Wildcat Rodeo Team where I compete in break-

away roping, team roping and barrel racing. However, cutting is my rst love, and I still compete whenever I get a chance.

I’m planning on nishing my accounting degree (I’d like to become a CPA) at Southeastern Louisiana University. Even with school, I still give riding lessons to little kids and also host kids’ rodeo camps during the summer.

My parents have made every bit of what I do possible — they have supported me completely. anks to Keith Deville, who did so much for me as a brandnew cutter. I was fortunate to ride under Bill Pierce, who was a huge in uence. I loved working with Al Dunning, and Casey Crouch was a big part of my youth career.

NYCHA is where I met my friends and where we learned to work together to accomplish goals. It helped me grow my love of the horse, and that’s what it really is all about. NYCHA has also provided me with valuable scholarships. I am grateful for everyone who taught me that great sportsmanship; a great work ethic; and a great attitude are more important than winning. I cannot imagine life without cutting and the NYCHA.

KENTWOOD, LOUISIANA Karrigan Cagley

ABOVE :

Karrigan Cagley aboard Looks Halreycious.

PHOTOBYSUSANSYLVESTER

ABOVE :

Loper Emma Lane enjoys an early morning moment with stallion Pedel To The Metall before prepping him for work.

Words by KATE BRADLEY BYARS

Photos by KIRSTIE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Whether a gateway into the cutting industry or a way to fulfill a larger goal, a skilled loper is as valuable to a horse trainer as the horse that rider is preparing.

he most well-known description of a loper’s job is someone that prepares a horse to show by loping in the warmup pen — but those in the industry know the job encompasses so much more. Whether at home or at a National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) event, a loper is responsible for the care, wellbeing and tness of some of the trainer’s most valuable possessions.

What entices someone to accept the job as a loper at a cutting trainer’s barn? Kathy Daughn, NCHA Hall of Fame Rider and twotime NCHA Open Futurity Champion, likens today’s loper to a highly skilled position.

“It didn’t used to be such a skilled position,” she said. “ e horses now, and the competition in the last 10 to 15 years, require a tremendous amount of man hours to get ready. When I have a loper hired, that person is the caretaker of this

$100,000 animal and $200,000 rig up and down the highway. It is an extraordinary job and one that we as trainers don’t take for granted. It’s become a job that has a lot of responsibility, and it can be exhausting.”

It’s not the pay that drives most young people into the industry through the gateway of loping, though Daughn says most make between $100 to $150 a day. In fact, many trainers point to their wives as their best lopers, and that is probably not a paid position.

“Katie Rice, my wife, has always been my number one loper and the main reason is that she has the most feel on a horse,” said Tarin Rice, of Poolville, Texas. “We are also closer and more open when saying things like, ‘that was a bad work, go ag.’ ings like that help when the trainer’s mind is going 40 places, but that person is thinking about that speci c horse.”

Yet, when his wife was pregnant, Rice had to search for her replacement, and it led him to Evan Mo tt. Mo tt, like many who take a loper position, had little experience in the cutting industry. However, trainers like Rice — or like Adan Banuelos, who hired Emma Lane to work for him — have guided lopers to not only be successful at preparing the horses in their barn but to work toward their own dreams.

A loper’s path to the NCHA show arenas is as varied as the duties they cover in a barn, from freelance show help like Shelby Mindrup, to long-term help like Ella Blazek, who has ridden for Kenny Platt for four years. No matter the reason someone rides into the position, their job as a loper has opened more doors than any believed possible.

FROMTOPTOBOTTOM : Emma Lane lopes Steem, a four-year-old gelding.

Ascencion Banuelos and Rocking Cash work cattle at 6 a.m. in the air-conditioned arena while Emma Lane turns back.

FORGING THEIR OWN WAY

Shelby Mindrup was tired of working at a Minnesota dairy, so when she answered an ad for a loper’s position at a trainer north of San Antonio, Texas, it sounded like the door she needed opened for her to pursue her dreams.

“ e hardest part of nding a job was nding someone to take a chance on a dairy hand that didn’t even have riding on their resume,” she said. “I thought that rst job would be a loper job, but I started all their two-year-olds. Once I got in the groove and learned a lot from that trainer, I moved on to Louisiana. I worked freelance riding and working as show help. I’d get a full-time job, then do some freelance work.”

Now, Mindrup makes her living traveling from horse shows to ranches, riding for trainers like Lindy

ABOVE : Emma Lane saddles Pedel To The Metall, a personal favorite of hers. "He was the first horse I ever got ready for Adan back in 2019."

SHELBY MINDRUP

Burch or starting colts as contract labor. While loping and preparing a horse to show is still one of the top duties she performs, a lot of others trickle in every day.

“I am a caretaker, from cleaning stalls and feeding to getting a horse ready, and I enjoy it all,” Mindrup said. “As contract labor for 10 to 30 days, I take as much pride as if I’m full-time. I am riding for their brand to show their customers and them we are trying to be the top level we can be, and professional. I enjoy the all-around aspect of it.”

Daughn is quick to explain that hiring someone as show help can often mean more responsibility than someone that works at the barn. “You need to know that you’re hiring someone that can get a horse ready because we trainers are watching cows and helping hold herd, and that [show] help has to prepare many horses all day,” said Daughn. “It’s a big deal, for sure! To have someone skilled that understands when I say what bridle to use, and knows how to boot a horse up properly, and I don’t have to explain myself — that is worth a lot to me.”

e hours spent in the saddle can be demanding. Show contracts can mean riding 18-hour days preparing and caring for multiple horses. “ is job is long hours; you get tired but just put your head down and work,” Mindrup advised. “My belief is that when you put in the work, day in and day out, that will get you recognized. I didn’t start out getting to ride great horses, but now I have, and it’s made me a completely di erent person and rider. I am fortunate to have started on the low end of the totem pole with the one person that wanted to give me a chance.”

Emma Lane, 22, echoes her appreciation for being given a chance. She started working for Adan Banuelos four years ago, after starting to work for his father, Ascencion. Lane answered a call asking if she could ride a horse and drive a trailer, and now she can say she prepared the rst horse to win the American Performance Horseman cutting: All Spice, shown by Adan.

“I started by taking o blankets and putting horses on the walker. I showed up the next day and [Ascencion] hired me; I’ve never left,” she said. “I was always super fascinated with cutting but I never had the opportunity. It is an expensive industry, and you have to have the horsepower and family behind you, and I didn’t have that. Until this job, I never got the chance to learn about it.”

Adan sees "horse preparation specialists," aka lopers, as an important part of a successful team. Matching a loper and horse often involves trial and error.

"When you get the right person with the right horse, it makes a trainer's job much easier," he said. "It's all about nding the best combination of personalities to be as competitive as possible in the show pen."

One thing that Lane has learned is to ride each horse as an individual. She strives to befriend each one so that it has more con dence when she’s preparing it to show.

“ e thing that excites me the most is the success we have,” Lane said. “If at the end of the day, you feel you’ve done your best and your horses have done their best, and they look good and feel good and are happy, it is a good feeling.”

EMMA LANE

EVAN MOFFIT

GATEWAY TO GOALS

Dreams of walking into Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the NCHA Futurity often fuel riders down the path to becoming horse trainers, and it was a similar goal for Evan Mo tt. From Missouri, Mo tt didn’t grow up in a household that was interested in horses, but after he saw cutting as a middle-schooler, he was hooked. rough connections he made in the Missouri horse industry, Mo tt learned that Texas trainer Tarin Rice was looking for a loper.

“I knew I didn’t have much to o er but would work hard and be a team player,” he recalled. “ ey were looking for someone to help out and lope horses, and it o ered $1,250 a month with a house. I was nervous working for him; I was afraid to mess up and get red. I was probably nervous for three or four years! I just wanted to do right.”

Rice said Mo tt impressed him through hard work. While Mo tt originally wanted to be a cutting trainer, the care he took washing and grooming horses stood out to Rice. “He said as much as I like washing, brushing and being with the horses, I should t yearlings [for sale],” Mo tt said. “While I didn’t end up training cutting horses, that pushed me over to an idea of how to make a living. I worked for Tarin for seven and a half years, and I met a lot of people. When people found out I was going to t horses, they started sending me ones to support me. ey were all connected to having worked for Tarin.”

Now, MofFITt Equine, located in Perrin, Texas, is tting horses for sales across the United States. Mo tt is a success story born not only from a solid connection with his employer, but because of his personal qualities that stood out.

ELLA BLAZEK

“You want someone who is an extremely hard worker, self-driven and a good person,” Rice said. “ e more natural ability a person has to ride is better, but those other qualities are rst because you’re trusting them with your livelihood. Evan checked every box. He rode good, sat a horse good, was a hard worker and extremely self-driven. You want someone that doesn’t have any baggage because it is a long, hard job, and you need someone 100 percent dedicated to that job.”

It’s those same qualities that landed Emma Blazek a job with Fort Lupton, Colorado, trainer Kenny Platt. Wanting to move away from her home state of

Minnesota, a connection through 4-H got Blazek, 23, a position with Platt.

“We start each day saddling horses, then I lope horses down, turnback, bathe and unsaddle horses all day,” she said. “I have a few of my own horses here that Kenny helps me work. I want to be a horse trainer and he helps me with that.”

When Blazek started, she didn’t have that “feel” Rice described that trainers look for their help to have when preparing a horse. “Kenny was super-patient! I could tell I didn’t do a good job, but I didn’t know how to make it better. He would say things like, ‘Well, this horse can’t be too tired!’ So, I would ride them and get them more tired each time, and soon I was understanding just how worked down each horse needed to be,” she recalled. “Once I understood that, Kenny gave me the opportunity to show a little bit. As soon as I started to show, it was easier to understand how to get horses ready.”

Blazek keeps focused on the goal, which is to win but also to be a positive part of the Platts’

team. e opportunities available to her after moving into the cutting industry far outweigh the long, hard days doing the job.

“It helps to go through the steps of learning to be a loper; it’s taught me a lot about horse care and barn management, and I’ve learned a lot here,” Blazek said. “You have to do whatever it takes to learn all you can from the trainers. Work really hard and opportunities will come. I don’t really focus on if I’m having fun; it’s more about working toward a goal.”

No matter if the goal is to become a horse trainer, start another equine related business or to simply ride good horses, a loper is where many get their start in the cutting industry. From the ground up, the lessons learned shape each rider’s future.

“You want someone who is an extremely hard worker, self-driven and a good person.”

TARIN RICE

Rocking Cash gets a bath after being worked.

502 E. Main St. Chanute, KS 66720

2018 NRCHA OPEN FUTURITY CHAMPION #1 NRCHA OPEN ALL AGES/ALL DIVISIONS HORSE OF THE YEAR 2018

LTE: $174,997

•••

SHOWN BY COREY CUSHING

BRED & OWNED BY SAN JUAN RANCH

POWERED BY ULTRACRUZ®

Cutter

Rods and Reels Pastimes

BY ROSS HECOX

Just like great horses are “ate up with cow,” successful trainers are consumed with cu ing competition. They must devote their full a ention to their profession, because performing at the highest level involves training a barn full of horses, going up against elite competitors in the show pen, managing a staff and fielding a litany of phone calls from clients. In some cases, the job includes marketing horses, serving on commi ees, coaching non-pros, breeding mares, judging events or promoting stallions.

With so many responsibilities, many cu ing horse trainers don’t find time for a regular hobby. But those who do readily list the many benefits of diverting their a ention from the rigors of training and showing.

“I think a lot of us in this business are awful busy trying to make a living,” said Payson, Arizona, trainer Tim Smith. “You’re wearing all the hats [of a horse training operation]. You’re trying to get to the top of your profession, working your bu off, and it’s 24-7. You’ve got to be careful that you don’t get burnt out.”

Smith began playing golf about 10 years ago and said it gives him a break from the grind of training horses. Other trainers listed hobbies that help them reset their perspective and come back to cu ing with a renewed focus. Tag Rice enjoys bass fishing. Morgan Cromer enters stock dog competitions. Paul Hansma bakes traditional sourdough bread. And Lindy Burch slips away to go bird hunting.

Long before Tag Rice began reeling in the $3.8 million he has won in open cu ing competition, he was learning the art of luring fish onto his hook. The Godley, Texas, trainer rose to elite ranks at an early age, capturing the prestigious Triple Crown of Cu ing (winning the NCHA Futurity, Super Stakes and Derby) on Chiquita Pistol from 2002 to 2003.

While he has continued to rack up awards in the cu ing pen, he has remained an avid fisherman, often joined by his father, Ronnie Rice (NCHA Open Rider Hall of Fame), and his brother, Sco y Rice (Non-Pro Rider Hall of Fame).

Top cutting horse competitors discuss the hobbies they pursue, and how those diversions keep them sharp in the show pen.

Tag Rice

o did ou learn to fish

Sco y and I started out as kids, just using a cane pole. Then as we got a li le older, Dad taught us how to bass fish. There’s a li le more art to that than just throwing out a line with a bobber. Sco y is actually really good at it. He’s done a bunch of tournaments.

One of our friends has a 25-acre lake that’s stocked full of bass. It’s places like that where Dad, Sco y and I go whenever we get a chance.

hat s one of our best memories of fishing

A couple of years ago, we all flew down to Mexico for a guided trip. We landed, then rode a bus for a couple hours, ge ing away from everything. There was this real big lake up in the mountains, and we were catching 8- to 12-pound bass, several of those every day. It was just unbelievable.

o does ha ing a hobb benefit ou as a cutting horse trainer

When we’re out there fishing, we don’t talk about horses. It’s something we get to do together, and it gives you a mental break from the horses and the grind of training. You get to relax and do something different.

Of course, we’re kind of competitive about it with each other, and that makes it fun.

“It’s something we get to do together, and it gives you a mental break from the horses and the grind of training.”

TAG RICE

Tag Rice has been fishing since he was a boy.

Paws in the Action

Since she was a young girl, Morgan Cromer has been laser-focused on cu ing and the Western lifestyle. Right after high school, she began working for cu ing trainer Russ Westfall, and the Templeton, California, horsewoman has since earned more than $4.4 million and has been a Top 5 Open rider during the past few years. Whenever she gets a break from training and showing, though, she doesn’t wander far from the world of ca le and horses. Instead of riding into the herd, she trains her Border Collies and competes in stock dog trials.

MorganCromer

Morgan Cromer and her Border Collies working cattle.

o did ou get into stoc dogs

I went out to a ranch with Russ Westfall, and the rancher had some Border Collies he used. I thought they were super cool. This guy sent them out different directions while he just sat there, and from their 200 acres they brought all the cows to us. I was probably 13 or 14, and I thought, “Man, I’ve got to get me some of those dogs.” Later when I went to work for Russ, I got my first dog that I trained myself, and I’ve had some ever since.

ould ou describe ho a dog trial or s

Most people have seen dog trials where they work sheep. The ones I do use ca le and are what they call rodears. You’re ahorseback, with your dog moving the cows. I’m not much of a walker, so I like to ride.

Most of the trials will start out with your dog sorting ca le out of a herd, just like cu ing. Then you take those ca le that are marked for you, and you move them into sets of panels, through gates — just whatever obstacles that event has set up. It’s really fun, and there’s an art to it.

n hat a s are or ing ith dogs and training horses similar

With dogs, you can get them very mechanical and very broke, more like a reiner. But the dogs I’ve been around, and the type I need, are able to make decisions on their own, especially on the ranch when they get way out from you and are bringing in a set of cows. So, teaching a dog to think through a situation is a lot like teaching a cu ing horse to read a cow. You’ve got to teach them to make decisions on their own, versus just listening to you.

“Teaching a dog to think through a situation is a lot like teaching a cutting horse to read a cow.”

MORGAN CROMER

Tee Time

Since Tim Smith began training and showing during the 1970s, he has competed at a level on par with the best in the cu ing horse business. Understandably, he didn’t find time for hobbies as he established himself as an elite showman and amassed more than $6.1 million in lifetime earnings and earned five NCHA World titles, including the 2022 Open Championship on Metallics MVP. About 10 years ago, the Payson, Arizona, trainer and his wife, Diane, began playing golf. He remains a toptier competitor, but after 50 years in the profession he has lessened his workload. Now he spends most of his day working horses, but it’s not uncommon for him and his wife to tee off late in the afternoon.

o ere ou introduced to golf

We’d have a day off at a horse show somewhere, and my clients would say, “Hey, we’re going to go play golf. Want to come?” Finally, my wife and I tagged along. And since then, we have become fascinated with it. It’s something that Diane and I can do together. Quite honestly, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, sports-wise. I played basketball when I was younger and in college, and I’ve competed my whole life. But with golf, you know, it’s just you and that ball. If it doesn’t go where it’s supposed to, there’s nobody to blame but yourself.

o ou see parallels bet een golf and cutting

You play good holes and bad holes, and sometimes you cut a good cow and sometimes you cut a bad cow. You can certainly challenge yourself. Are you going to hit over the lake or go around it? Are you going to cut a tough cow or one that doesn’t look so tough? Another similarity is it’s a very cerebral game. You’ve got to think your way around a golf course.

o does golf help ou as a cutter

I wish I had picked it up a li le sooner. When I was in my 20s and starting to become relevant in the cu ing horse industry, a gentleman that I worked for told me, “Tim, there’s going to be a point in your career when you’re not going to want to get on a horse.” And I was like, “You’re out of your mind.” I mean, I was consumed by it. But about the time we started playing golf, training cu ers was becoming more of a 9-to-5 kind of thing for me. So, it’s nice to get out there on the green grass and under the trees and just relax.

I’m a pre y competitive person, but with golf I don’t get that wound up about it. When I was starting out, one time I was paired with these two older gentlemen, and I wasn’t playing very well and got a li le heated. One fella said, “Young man, you aren’t near good enough at this to get that upset.” And I was like, “You know, you’re right.” That kind of reeled me in.

Smith Tim

“Quite honestly, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, sports-wise. I played basketball when I was younger and in college, and I’ve competed my whole life. ”

TIM SMITH

Tim Smith and his wife, Diane, enjoy time together playing golf.

Loafing Around

Paul Hansma

For decades, cutting has been Paul Hansma’s bread and bu er, with career earnings approaching $6.5 millionand an Open Futurity Championship on Playboy McCrae in 1996. He said training horses and raising a family always dominated his schedule, leaving scarce time for hobbies. But in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic canceled many cu ing events and his two daughters were grown, he discovered the art and science of making sourdough bread. Now, while working horses at his home arena in Weatherford, Texas, it’s likely that he has a loaf slowly rising in his oven nearby.

Paul Hansma takes a break from working horses by baking bread.

o did ou learn to ba e bread

I started doing the sourdough during the pandemic. I don’t know why. I think maybe it came up on a YouTube video or something. So, I tried some different recipes, learned through YouTube and Pinterest. I talked to some friends and looked online. I don’t golf; I don’t fish; I really don’t have any other kinds of hobbies. This just piqued my interest.

I probably bake three-to-five loaves a week, and sometimes I’ll do Italian focaccia bread, a pizza crust, maybe cinnamon rolls. Most of what I make I give away to friends and family.

o do ou balance ba ing and cutting

It takes 24 to 36 hours to do traditional sourdough bread. It doesn’t require your full-time a ention, but it’s a long process. You’ve got to work on your starter, and then let it sit for a while. Then you mix in your flour and get your recipe going. Later you do these stretches and folds for 20 to 30 minutes, three or four times. Then you put your dough in the fridge for 12 to 15 hours. There are quite a few steps to take before you actually bake it.

Sometimes I’ll work a horse and set a timer, so I know when to run back to the house and do some work [on the bread]. Then I’ll go back to the arena and work some horses. Or sometimes I’ll put it in the oven early in the morning, and then go work a horse and have my timer set. But once you start it, you can’t just run off.

hat aspects of ba ing a loaf of sourdough bread remind ou of cutting

There’s a process to it, just like training a horse. With every horse, just like every loaf of bread, it’s a feel thing. And you’re going to fail, but you keep trying different techniques and you make tweaks. Sometimes it turns out really good.

“With every horse, just like every loaf of bread, it’s a feel thing. And you’re going to fail, but you keep trying different techniques and you make tweaks.”

PAUL HANSMA

Fur and Feathers LindyBurch

Lindy Burch set her sights on cu ing competition as a teenager, and her career highlights include an NCHA Futurity title on Mis Royal Mahogany, an NCHA World Championship on Bet Yer Blue Boons and $4.1 million in total earnings. After five decades of training and showing, she hasn’t slowed down much, but she does find time to take occasional breaks. During the fall and winter months, she schedules trips to hunt pheasant, quail, ducks and other gamebirds. And for the Weatherford, Texas, horsewoman, the biggest thrill is working with her dogs, which she owns and trains herself.

Lindy Burch enjoys bird hunting with her dog Jet.

hat dre ou to bird hunting

I started, oh gosh, in the early 1990s. I’d always had working cow dogs. Then I found out how great bird dogs are, how they’re just as good at their job as Border Collies are at their job. So, I enjoy hunting and eat what I kill. I’ve got a couple of good pheasant dishes, and everybody seems to love quail. Also, I’ve met all kinds of great people who love to hunt.

But, really, working dogs and watching them do what they’re born to do, I really appreciate that. That’s why I have my [Labrador Retrievers] Peanut and Jet.

hat do ou enjo most about our hobb

It’s so exciting to see a dog figure things out. They show such brilliance in the field. You’re dealing with an animal, and you’re strategizing about which angle to hunt. Where’s the wind? Which is the best way to approach a thicket or a certain area? It’s always cool to figure those things out. And if you’ll watch your dog and let it help you, the dog will usually have it right.

o does hunting benefit ou as a trainer

I love the horse business, obviously. That’s my day job and certainly my No. 1 love. But it’s kind of fun to do something completely different sometimes and just get cu ing out of your head for a while.

“They show such brilliance in the field. You’re dealing with an animal, and you’re strategizing about which angle to hunt.”

LINDY BURCH

Complete Joint Support

To Maintain Soundness & Longevity

Overall Wellness

A wellness formula with all the benefits of Platinum Performance® Equine, designed to support your horse from head to hoof.

Research

More than 30 veterinary research projects have supported the effectiveness and development of Platinum formulas.

Quality

We choose quality and efficacy over low-cost ingredients, ensuring formula protection, potency and purity.

Platinum Performance® CJ

The Only Formula of Its Kind

As the most comprehensive combination of joint supporting ingredients available, Platinum Performance® CJ contains omega-3 fatty acids, ASU (Avocado/Soy Unsaponifiables), HA (Hyaluronic Acid), cetyl myristoleate, MSM, Boswellia serrata and more to help maintain soundness.

Advanced Joint Support Includes a powerful combination of ingredients to support healthy cartilage, joint lubrication and a normal inflammatory response for joint longevity.

Show Safe

All formulas are subjected to extensive testing for over 200 banned substances for horse safety and athlete protection.

Results

Developed by veterinarians in clinical practice, to ensure results in horses from Olympic contenders to pet ponies.

Platinum Colic Coverage™ Eligible

Recommended for:

• Performance horses and prospects

• Horses with joint health needs

• Horses with soft tissue concerns

• Senior horses

PlatinumPerformance.com

800-553-2400

Platinum Performance® formulas are only available from your licensed equine veterinarian or direct from Platinum Performance®.

©

Platinum formulas are only available from your veterinarian or direct from Platinum Performance®.

INC.

Bringing the Heat to Fort Worth

PHOTOS THIS SPREAD BY EASTON JAY PHOTOGRAPHY | COMPETITION PHOTOGRAPHY BY SETH PETIT

With lots of new titlists and some repeats, too, the 2023 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular proved that good things come to those who work hard for them.

The temperature may have been in the triple digits during the NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular — held July 15 through August 5 at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas — but cutters kept things cool with big runs that had the crowds cheering to the buzzer. Several longtime cutters nally won their rst Big Pen title, and overall, 18 champions were crowned during the prestigious show, taking home the bragging rights they’ve worked hard for all year long.

BY KRISTIN PITZER

ABOVE : Matt Miller and Uptown Funk celebrate winning the 4-Year-Old Open.

OPPOSITE : Michael Cooper and Starry Eyedd are greeted after winning the 5/6-Year-Old Open Championship.

Straight Masterpiece

When Uptown Funk and Matt Miller entered the 4-Year-Old Open nals as draw 17 out of 20, the score to beat was a 221.5. e cattle had been challenging for some horses, but Miller wasn’t worried. He knew his mare liked when cattle challenged her, and he was excited for her to have an opportunity to show o what she could do.

Uptown Funk obliged, navigating two fast cows with ease. e pair’s 223.5 launched them to the top of the leaderboard, giving Miller his rst Open title at an NCHA Triple Crown event.

“It was awesome. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for it,” Miller said. “ at was always the monkey on my back — I’ve been Reserve a couple times, made a lot of nals and won at a lot of other events, but I had never actually won in Fort Worth.”

Uptown Funk had also been hunting a big title throughout her career. She and Tyler Merrill made the 2023 NCHA Futurity Open semi nals but were run over before they could advance. She’s also made many nals with Miller this year, but something always happened to keep them out of the winner’s circle.

e Summer Spectacular was a di erent story. roughout the go-rounds, the mare stayed consistent, even on cattle that might have made other horses nervous.

“I think she likes the speed of it,” Miller said. “When the cattle are fast like that and really getting in her face, she’s super smart and hardly ever takes a foot out of place.”

Miller thanked his help in the show pen and at home, saying it takes a whole support team to be able to pull o a big win, and the Brengards for making it possible through their support.

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 4-Year-Old Open

RIDER: Matt Miller

HORSE: Uptown Funk

PEDIGREE: High Brow Cat x Smart Whittle Margie x Smart Whittle Play

OWNED BY: Brengard Cutting Horses LLC

SCORE: 223.5

EARNINGS: $55,079.60

Aboard Uptown Funk, Matt Miller won his first Open title in the Will Rogers Coliseum.

Showing Off

Sho Boat was closing in on $100,000 in earnings as she and Cass Tatum went into the Summer Spectacular. ey progressed through the rounds and made the 4-YearOld Intermediate Open nals, where Tatum rode her to a 223.5 for the win. e victory was made even sweeter when the $15,055 winner’s check pushed her to six gures in earnings, making her the third o spring out of dam Reycy Moon to reach that milestone.

“She’s probably been one of the more fun horses I’ve ever gotten to train,” Tatum said. “She’s super cowy and freaky athletic. She’s a pretty busy-minded individual, but when you can keep her slowed down, she’s very dynamic. Physically, she’s a smaller horse, so to be able to do what she does is pretty amazing.”

e mare demonstrated her athletic ability during the pair’s nals run, stopping hard and keeping the cows in the middle of the pen.

“She trapped those cows and kind of did the dance,” Tatum said. “If they give her a chance to get them trapped, she likes getting on her belly and crawling.”

Tatum planned to continue showing the mare to try to add more to her record. He thanked his wife, Chelsea, his help, both at home and at the show, including Charlie Keegan, Carlee Farrell and Dusty Stewart; and his help in the show pen — Matt Miller, Clay Johnson, Casey Green and Brandon Dufurrena — saying he couldn’t have done it without them. He was also appreciative to owners Gary and Shannon Barker for giving him the opportunity to compete with Sho Boat.

“ ey’re great people, and they have one of the best broodmare bands of anybody in the whole business put together,” Tatum said of the Barkers. KRISTIN

PITZER

CLASS: 4-Year-Old Intermediate Open

RIDER: Cass Tatum

HORSE: Sho Boat

PEDIGREE: Metallic Rebel x Reycy Moon x Cats Moonshine

OWNED BY: Barker Ranch Cutting Horses LLC

SCORE: 223.5

EARNINGS: $15,055.08

Cass Tatum aboard Sho Boat.

From Cow Horse to Cutter

Chris Dawson, a National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Million Dollar Rider, has been dabbling in NCHA events for the past ve or six years to strengthen his herd work runs. ose years paid o at the 2023 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular when he won his rst title in the Will Rogers Coliseum after riding Stevies BB King to the 4-Year-Old Limited Open Championship with a 220.

e gelding originally started out pointed toward the cow horse events and made the 2022 NRCHA Sna e Bit Futurity Open nals with Dawson in the saddle. After the horse developed a persistent mystery lameness in his front right leg that seemed to get worse during reining patterns, though, Dawson decided to focus on cutting instead.

“I wanted to see if I could take the miles o him and not have him do three events all the time,” Dawson said. “Last winter, I took him to [the Abilene Spectacular] and entered him in some weekend classes there, and he did pretty well and took home some money. I was like, ‘well, he seems to like this.’”

Due to con icting schedules between the cutting and the cow horse, Dawson and the gelding hadn’t been to many cuttings since. When the Summer Spectacular schedule worked out, he decided to enter. Stevies BB King, who has a reputation for being a “check getter,” didn’t disappoint.

“He’s just one of those horses that likes money,” Dawson said. “ ose are hard to come by. I hated to quit showing him in the cow horse, but I thought it was the right thing to do for his soundness and career path.”

Dawson thanked owner Jack Bogart, one of his oldest customers and a longtime supporter of his career. KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 4-Year-Old Limited Open

RIDER: Chris Dawson

HORSE: Stevies BB King

PEDIGREE: Stevie Rey Von x Miss Kittys King Cat x Cats Moonshine

OWNED BY: Jack Bogart

SCORE: 220

EARNINGS: $8,029.98

Chris Dawson and Stevies BB King in the show pen.

e s just one of those horses that li es mone — those are hard to come b .”

CHRIS DAWSON

Reaching for the Stars

Before the 2023 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular, Madison Flynn hadn’t done much with Sniperr, a stallion her dad, Sean, normally showed in the Open at limited-age events. But, since she was headed to her rst year of college at Texas Tech University after the event, her mom, Ashley, suggested she show the horse as one nal hurrah.

It was a good pairing — Flynn and Sniperr made both the 4-Year-Old and Intermediate 4-Year-Old Non-Pro nals, which took place the same day. e Intermediate class was up rst, and during it, the pair had a bobble that placed them toward the bottom of the class. Flynn didn’t let that distract her as they went into the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro nals, though. She took a deep breath and regrouped, then rode the stallion to a 226, winning her rst championship ever in that division.

“I just had to tell myself it was all going to be OK and to forget about what happened, just go do what I know how to do,” Flynn said. “It’s so easy to beat on yourself after something like that, especially when you

have another run in the same day. It’s hard to forget something that went downhill so badly.”

Conversely, Flynn admitted she didn’t remember much about her winning run except how nervous she was beforehand. Some friends helped calm her down, though, reminding her that she knew how to do her job, and Sniperr stepped up, too. Flynn was grateful for the chance to ride him and thanked her parents for the opportunity.

“He’s amazing,” Flynn said. “I’ve never really ridden a horse that’s so smart like he is about a cow and so athletic, it’s unreal.” KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 4-Year-Old Non-Pro

RIDER: Madison Flynn

HORSE: Sniperr

PEDIGREE: High Brow Cat x Gini One Time x One Time Pepto

OWNED BY: Sean & Ashley Flynn

SCORE: 226

EARNINGS: $22,906.29

Madison Flynn pilots Sniperr to a win.

A Triumphant Return

Neither Sheridan Clark nor Deep Eddyy had been in the show pen since the 2022 NCHA Futurity eight months prior to the Summer Spectacular, but that didn’t stop them from advancing through the go-rounds together and making both the 4-Year-Old and Intermediate 4-Year-Old Non-Pro nals. In the former, they marked a 214 to place 10th, but in the latter, a big 222 secured the championship.

“It was de nitely a surprise,” Clark said of the win. “In the go-rounds, I kept telling myself, ‘Just keep advancing and trying to get to the nals.’ We made both nals, so then I knew we just needed to get the biggest check we could. I didn’t really have high expectations; I just wanted to have another clean run, but it all just fell into place.” ough they hadn’t been in the show pen recently, Deep Eddyy was no stranger to Clark. Her parents, Jason and Becky, purchased the gelding as a yearling in partnership with Terry Hu aker. e Clarks later bought Hu aker out and sent the horse to Matt Tune to start, then Jason took him back to nish. Sheridan and Jason both showed him at the NCHA Futurity.

“My dad did a really good job training him, and I think his foundation is very good,” Sheridan said. “He’s got a great demeanor — he just wants to help. He’s very good-minded and cowy, and even though he’s green, his intentions always seem to be in the right place.”

Sheridan hoped to continue sharing Deep Eddyy with her dad this fall. She thanked her dad Jason Clark, Matt Miller, Lloyd Cox and Sean Flynn, who all helped her in the pen, along with everyone that cheered her on.

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 4-Year-Old Intermediate Non-Pro

RIDER: Sheridan Clark

HORSE: Deep Eddyy

PEDIGREE: Royal Blu Pepto Cat x Black Magic Cat x WR is Cats Smart

OWNED BY: Jason Clark Cutting Horses LLC

SCORE: 222

EARNINGS: $8,404.69

Sheridan Clark aboard Deep Eddyy.

Mr Klean Sweeps

Cutting can be a strong mental game. Cooper Clark rode Mr Klean into the herd for the Limited Non-Pro 4-Year-Old Derby trying to put aside pressure to repeat their win at the Super Stakes just three months earlier.

“I tried not to think about it much and tried to concentrate on doing the best I could to cut clean and make smart decisions. I knew my horse would take care of the rest,” said Clark.

“It was a one go-round deal, so I wanted to be aggressive but not too much to risk taking myself out of the cutting. My help had good cows picked out for me and told me to go down and cut clean and it worked out for me.”

His win pushed 18-year-old Clark’s earnings into the ve gures.

“Twice in one year in Fort Worth — I was really happy.”

Mr Klean is owned by his sister, Kamryn. She showed him to the nals in both the NonPro and the Intermediate Non-Pro. Together, the siblings added more than $14,000 to his LTE for the week.

“He’s pretty laidback and chill,” Clark described the blaze-faced gelding. “He’s really easy to work. Usually if you can get your cows cut on him you’ll be ne.”

Working from the bottom of the rst set, Clark and Mr Klean put up a 222 score that would hold up for the win.

“I need to thank my sister, obviously, for letting me show the horse,” said Clark. “And my help Cade Shepard, Grant Setnicka, Sean Flynn and my dad [Jason].

“Everyone in my family — dad, mom, both sisters and me — has a win in Fort Worth. at’s pretty cool.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: 4-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro

RIDER: Cooper Clark

HORSE: Mr Klean

PEDIGREE: Dual Rey x Stylish Martini x Docs Stylish Oak

OWNED BY: Kamryn Clark

SCORE: 222

EARNINGS: $4,514.40

COOPER CLARK

Cooper Clark rides Mr Klean.

Icing on the Cake

Sawyer Hennig is passionate about her horses and all they give her in return.

“My dad bought Stretchish as a two-year-old for himself, but I seem to keep stealing his horses,” she admitted.

“We moved him to Adan Banuelos’ program right after Super Stakes this year. He went through a little bit of transition that had me wondering but when the Derby started, Adan and Colt [Moore] felt they had him at his best. ey were right.”

With runs under Moore in the Open and Hennig in the Non-Pro (making the Intermediate nals), the gelding should’ve been tired by the time the Amateur class rolled around.

“He was mentally still ‘in it’ and gave it his best. It was really cool to nish with his highest score in that pen. To win was icing on the cake,” said Hennig.

“I tried to cut aggressively and have a lot of working time to show my horse’s ability the best I could. I didn’t realize I cut my third cow with as much time as I did so about halfway through it I was praying for the buzzer.

I wondered, ‘Could I take my eye o the cow to glance at the clock?’ I felt like I had a lot of working time, which I think helped me win.

“I told some people I thought I blacked out,” she laughed.

e fourth draw in the rst set, Hennig had to sit through a few runs waiting for the results.

“I was happy because I knew my horse had tried his hardest. It was an emotional week for me just with life, and cutting was my escape.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: McAlister Assets 4-Year-Old Amateur

RIDER: Sawyer Hennig

HORSE: Stretchish

PEDIGREE: Hottish x Shiny Ann Metallic x Metallic Cat

OWNED BY: Gregory Williamson

SCORE: 219

EARNINGS: $9,687.56

Sawyer Hennig and Stretchish.

A Mistify-ing Win

Viki Williamson found concentrating on the basics the key to putting together a winning run and came away with the Intermediate Amateur 4-Year-Old Derby title with Mistify.

“I’ve been having trouble making nice cuts on him and took myself out of the Amateur semis by screwing up my cut,” Williamson said.

“In the Intermediate I was on the bubble because I screwed up my cut. So I worked on that, keeping my feet in him and stepping up a little and it worked.”

e homebred stallion is special for Williamson.

“He is the last baby I’ve gotten out of my Dual Pep mare who has given me several great ones,” she said.

Williamson and trainer Marcus Spencer credit the stallion’s good mind for keeping him so consistently good in the show pen. is win put his lifetime earnings over $40,000. Spencer showed him to the Reserve Champion title in the Limited Open at the Super Stakes.

“I was so frustrated with how poorly I did Tuesday and Wednesday, I was determined to get that horse shown,” said Williamson. “My main focus was making decent cuts

to put something out in front of him because he can hold anything.”

Williamson appreciates her help at the show.

“Marcus Spencer, Cullen Chartier, R.L. Chartier and Clay Johnson were the main guys that were helping me. Sevi Hess got him ready, and she did an awesome job.”

Williamson has dedicated her e orts to developing her bloodlines. Her rst Fort Worth big win came in 2009 with homebred Meradas Gotta Gun (Cats Merada x Young Guns Kate x Young Gun) when he won the Super Stakes Limited Open and she won the Amateur Derby on him.

“I’m so blessed I can’t see straight.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: Rios of Mercedes

4-Year-Old Intermediate

Amateur

RIDER: Viki Williamson

HORSE: Mistify

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x Ms

Dualin Colonel x Dual Pep

OWNED BY: Viki Williamson

SCORE: 218

EARNINGS: $6,779.04

Viki Williamson aboard Mistify.

Maybe Someday Is Today

From Brazil, Olavo Coutinho Nogueira connected with trainer Cara Brewer through Instagram after the 2021 Futurity. Brewer found Champayne Supernova last year and they bought her from James Payne.

Coutinho Nogueira met Cara and Scott Brewer last summer and rode his mare for the rst time. Cara trained and prepared the mare and he felt condent in her.

“She told me to not go for a 74 or 73 run in the nals. Cut the cows we pick, cut clean, wait for my mare and have patience,” he said.

Coutinho Nogueira was draw 11 out of 12. Cara advised him to go for a clean 70 run.

“When I got on my mare I talked with God. ‘Please I just want to have three clean cuts and I think today’s the day.’ I told myself that someday I will win over here in Texas and maybe it’s today.

“After my rst cow, we couldn’t nd the black cow we had picked so I went with the brown headlight on our list. She ran more than we thought but my mare held it,” he said.

“I got a black baldy o the top to nish. I was con dent the run was enough but there was still one horse to go. en the announcer called it a scratch.”

Coutinho Nogueira’s wife, Luiza, and new baby girl and 20-month-old son were all there to cheer

him on. “It was important to have all three and also some friends from Brazil there. I’ve been dreaming about showing and winning in the Coliseum since 2017, so it was amazing,” he said.

“ ank you to Cara and Scott Brewer and their entire team. Lindy Burch has been amazing to help me. My help in the show pen were Scott and Cara, Lindy, Paul Hansma, Morgan Cromer and Clay Johnson. My wife takes care of everything and the babies while I am showing.

“ ank you to NCHA for a great show. It’s a dream for us that would not be possible without all the work by the people of NCHA. I will remember it forever.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: 4-Year-Old

Limited Amateur

RIDER: Olavo Coutinho

Nogueira

HORSE: Champayne

Supernova

PEDIGREE: Smooth As A Cat x Velvets Best Shot x Playgun

OWNED BY: Olavo Coutinho

Nogueira

SCORE: 215

EARNINGS: $8,029.98

Olavo Coutinho Nogueira on Champayne Supernova.

When the Stars Align

As Michael Cooper rode Starry Eyedd into the 5/6-Year-Old Open nals, he had several cows in mind to cut. But when Jesse Lennox and Austin Shepard convinced him to cut a black-nosed red Brahmer he wasn’t sure about, it ended up being the best idea. at cow helped elevate his run to a 229, and Cooper won his rst Open Championship in Fort Worth.

“I have really great help, and I thank them, my team at home — my wife, shoers, vet, everybody — and God most of all,” Cooper said. “ is has been a milestone. I’ve been second, third and fourth a lot, but it’s just so hard to win.”

Cooper and the mare also topped the semi- nals with a 225, making it an impressive showing for the little mare who came into his program only a couple months ago. Starry Eyedd was originally trained by Geo rey “Spud” Sheehan, whose wife showed her at the 2021 NCHA Futurity. Cooper tried to get a customer to buy her at the time, but they passed, thinking she was too small. A client of Cullen Chartier’s bought her instead, but Cooper continued to watch her career.

When the mare came up for sale this May, Cooper asked Marco Salvatori and his wife, Rosanna Bazzani, who are based in Italy, if they would be interested in buying her. Salvatori said yes, and without even trying her, Cooper agreed to buy her.

“I said, ‘Cullen, is she still the same horse?’ and he said, ‘She’s all heart,’” Cooper recalled. “ e mix between Spud, Cullen and I worked very well.”

Cooper was excited to win a title for the Salvatoris and thanked them for their trust in him, saying, “ ey love NCHA and everything that goes along with the horse shows.” KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 5/6-Year-Old Open

RIDER: Michael Cooper

HORSE: Starry Eyedd

PEDIGREE: Im Countin Checks x Catrina Starlight x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Marco Salvatori

SCORE: 229

EARNINGS: $27,426.38

Michael Cooper showing Starry Eyedd.

An Intox O Cating Win

Many longtime riders know it doesn’t hurt to switch things up sometimes. at was clear at the Summer Spectacular when Lance Cooper showed Intox O Cating to a 223.5 and won the 5/6-Year-Old Intermediate Open Championship after his dad, Michael, handed over the mare’s reins for her last Triple Crown event.

“He said, ‘You should try to show her this last year,’ since he thinks I t her better than him,” Cooper said. “I was like, ‘Sure, I’ll try it,’ and it ended up working out really well. She likes me and we’re a good team together, and the rest is history.”

Cooper likes the mare, too, due to her cowiness, big heart and how easy she is to show. Intox O Cating has had some bad luck in her career, he said, so he was glad she could show her real potential this past year.

ough he made a name for himself in the Youth and Non-Pro, Cooper has been competing in the Open for the last two years. He knew it would be tougher, but the division is a whole di erent ballgame, he said.

“It’s been very challenging,” Cooper said. “It’s not the same caliber, and people don’t realize that until you get into it. e horses, the people — everything is so much more perfect in the Open. It’s three rounds of perfection to win anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s

the Limited, the Intermediate or the big Open. It takes a great horse and a great team to do that in this building.”

Cooper thanked his help — Michael, Cade Shepard, R.L. Chartier and Austin Shepard — along with Intox O Cating’s loper, Jimmie Annoot.

CLASS: 5/6-Year-Old

Intermediate Open

RIDER: Lance Cooper

HORSE: Intox O Cating

PEDIGREE: Boon Too Suen x Cat O Connor x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Wheeler

Dealer Cutting Horses, LP

SCORE: 223.5

EARNINGS: $8,318.14

KRISTIN PITZER

Lance Cooper teams with Intox O Cating.

he li es me and e re a good team together and the rest is histor .”

LANCE COOPER

Their Time to Shine

As any cutter will say, the cows you cut will make or break your run. In Ryan Howell’s case, they surprisingly cooperated, helping him and Talkin Reycy win the 5/6-Year-Old Limited Open title, Howell’s rst championship in Fort Worth, with a 219.5. It was also his rst aged event title of any sort in the Open.

“People have always said when it’s going to be your time, it’s going to be your time to win,” Howell said. “We were last, and we had a few cows picked out we really liked. My second and third cow speci cally, I turned around, and they were just in perfect spots. Nine out of 10 times you can dig for them and not nd them, but they just showed up on top in the perfect spots to cut.”

Talkin Reycy did his part, too, demonstrating to the judges his ability to hold the cows and stay perfectly in sync with them. Originally trained by Cullen Chartier, the gelding’s eye appeal is one of his biggest strengths, Howell said, helping him collect points as he works.

“When he’s good like he was in that nals run, it’s just so pretty to watch him work,” Howell said. “He just looks good doing his job. He’s smart, he moves good, stops nice, and does everything you want a horse to do.”

Howell, who has been training on his own since 2018, thanked Talkin Reycy’s owner Mark Senn and Senn’s girlfriend, Kelly Gates, for hiring him and trusting in him through the ups and downs.

“Even through the losses, they keep signing me up and giving me the opportunity to be able to do what I just did,” Howell said. KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 5/6-Year-Old

Limited Open

RIDER: Ryan Howell

HORSE: Talkin Reycy

PEDIGREE: Smooth Talkin Style x Twice As Reycy x Dual Rey

OWNED BY: Mark Senn

SCORE: 219.5

EARNINGS: $5,478.85

Ryan Howell aboard Talkin Reycy.

Can’t Keep Them Down

He’s an NCHA $1.6 million dollar rider, but prior to the Summer Spectacular, Ty Moore had never won a championship in the Big Pen. at all changed when he and Windsomcash marked a 220 from the rst draw in the 5/6-YearOld Non-Pro nals. e score held all the way through two sets of cattle, giving Moore his rst title in the Will Rogers Coliseum.

“I didn’t want to get too crazy picking wilder cattle, but I just wanted to go in there and have a good run and let that mare do her little deal there in the middle,” Moore said. “She steals a lot of points because she’s got a good look and she’s lowheaded. I just didn’t want to mess it up because of something I did, but she takes care of me pretty good.”

Windsomcash has been through a lot, which made their success together even sweeter. Last year, the mare was diagnosed with kissing spines after the NCHA Super Stakes and eventually had to undergo surgery for the condition.

“I think the rst show back was the [2023] NCHA Super Stakes, and it was like night and day after the surgery,” Moore said. “When she was hurting, she was always a little bit humpbacked. Now, she’s a whole di erent horse to be around.”

In addition to the surgery, he credited the mare’s personality for getting her back in the show pen, saying while she’s a small mare, she’s gritty and determined. Moore planned to continue showing Windsomcash through next year, then said she’ll become a broodmare. He thanked Clay Johnson, Matt Miller, Casey Green and Lloyd Cox, along with Cox’s crew, for everything they’ve done for him.

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro

RIDER: Ty Moore

HORSE: Windsomcash

PEDIGREE: Reyzin e Cash x Windsemal x Bodee Boonsmal

OWNED BY: Kathleen Moore

SCORE: 220

EARNINGS: $16,582

just anted to go in there and ha e a good run and let that mare do her little deal there in the middle.”

TY MOORE

Ty Moore wins aboard Windsomcash.

Name a Finer Pair

Steven Feiner was already a tad emotional as he rode Bugattii into the pen during the 5/6-YearOld Intermediate and 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro nals. It was the last day he’d ever ride the horse, one of his favorites, in a limited-age event in the Will Rogers Coliseum, as Bugattii will age out later this year. He and the gelding made it a show to remember, winning the Intermediate with a 225 and also taking Reserve in the Non-Pro.

“To go out that way at the Summer Spectacular…I think a 225 is my best score in the Will Rogers Coliseum ever,” Feiner said. “It really all came together at this show. I knew we were going to go ‘Ricky Bobby’ on them because the horse was feeling good, and that’s [my trainer] Wesley Galyean’s style. We were geared up, and if the cows were there, we were going to go for it.”

Bugattii has been a special part of the breeding program Feiner put together with his wife, Jessica. e gelding is out of Button Down Supercat, a full sister to Feiner’s good mare Lil Rattler. Both mares carried him

to multiple nals in the Coliseum, and now Bugattii is close to entering the NCHA’s Hall of Fame. He would be the second horse Feiner has owned that reached that designation.

“ is has been a di erent level of grati cation, knowing that you’re riding horses that you raised,” said Feiner, who thanked the Galyeans, the Banuelos family and his team at the ranch for all their help. “It’s been an unbelievably special three years of having this horse in the aged events, and I’m going to miss him every day when he ages out.”

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 5/6-Year-Old Intermediate Non-Pro

RIDER: Steven Feiner

HORSE: Bugattii

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x Button Down Supercat x Dual Rey

OWNED BY: SMF Cutting Horses LLC

SCORE: 225

EARNINGS: $6,160.05

Steven Feiner and Bugattii finishing their run together.

Canadian Cutter Captures First Fort Worth Win

John Martin’s rst trip to Fort Worth included a visit to the winner’s circle with Reysn e Bar. It’s a place he never expected to be.

“He’s living up to his name because he’s raising the bar for me. He’s a fun horse. He’s the most cowy horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s very smart with tons of integrity reading the cow. He has a lot of ‘wait’ and a huge stop.”

A weekend cutter in Ontario, Martin bought the gelding last year. At a show in Ohio, trainer Gabe Reynolds invited Martin to join his barn to show in aged events.

“My wife [Erica] and I had the conversation and here we are,” he said.

“We had three cows picked out,” said Martin recounting his winning run. “ e rst was on top and I was able to make a nice clean cut. He worked the cow very accurately, and I could feel my con dence building. I went back in and brought my second cow out. He was super patient and read the cow, but I could start to feel my nerves. I was able to get my third cow up out of the herd and felt good about the run. I was very happy to see that 220 ash up on the scoreboard.”

Martin reported feeling a lot of support from his team.

“Gabe [Reynolds] and Matt Williams help me in the corners. Sean Flynn and Walt Erwin turn back up top. Gabe’s wife, Lauren, does an amazing job getting him ready to show.”

is year has been such an experience for Martin and his family. “Erica and I have decided to look for another young horse for the aged events,” he said. “My wife and boys are so supportive of this.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: 5/6-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro

RIDER: John Martin

HORSE: Reysn e Bar

PEDIGREE: Dual Smart Rey x Summertime Pepto x Sweet Lil Pepto

OWNED BY: John Martin

SCORE: 220

EARNINGS: $4,514.40

John Martin piloting Reysn The Bar.

Hale Yeah, She Wins Another One!

awyer Hennig didn’t have time to celebrate her rst Fort Worth win. She was busy getting ready for what would become her second.

“He’s another horse my dad bought for himself,” Hennig explained.

“We call him ‘Ricky Bobby’ for a reason,” she said. “He likes to go fast so when you press the gas pedal he’s like ‘Oh, you want to go fast?’ It has always intimidated me, but I’m getting more in sync with him.

“I don’t think he loves cutting, he’s just insanely talented and good at it and he’s a pleaser. He knows ‘if I go down there and please my person, then I can be done with the job.’”

For Hennig, it was a run of a lifetime.

“I never thought it would get better in that arena after that rst one. I gured that was my time and then it would be someone else’s time.

“Adan [Banuelos] and Jesse [Lennox] had picked out really great cows. My rst cow, I cut aggressively and I wish I hadn’t gotten o it so soon. en they told me to cut a gold horn cow but it didn’t look like it wanted to get cut.”

She was unsure but trusted them and brought it out.

“In all my cuts when I saw a smidge of opportunity, I took the shot. My cuts looked borderline too aggressive but it was the nals. In Ricky Bobby style, you’re either going to be rst or last so you might as well go for it. By the third cow I was just enjoying the ride. at was my highest score in that arena, and I didn’t want the run to end.

“I thank God who’s de nitely there for me, especially that day when I needed some light in my life. ank you to Adan’s entire barn and my help — Adan, Jesse, Ascencion Banuelos and Colt Moore. I appreciate my family for being there and, of course, my horses. ey take me for the ride.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: McAllister Assets 5/6-Year-Old Amateur

RIDER: Sawyer Hennig

HORSE: Hale Yeah

PEDIGREE: Kit Kat Sugar x Summer Stays Here x High Stylish Oak

OWNED BY: Gregory Williamson

SCORE: 223

EARNINGS: $10,348.55

the third co as just enjo ing the ride.”

SAWYER HENNIG

Sawyer Hennig aboard Hale Yeah.

Testing the Waters

Ginger Ho man didn’t come to the Summer Spectacular with winning as a goal.

“I’ve never shown there before,” said Ho man. “I absolutely love this mare. is was my last chance to show her in an aged event setting, but it was a practice run really. I was there for the experience to get a feel for the pen for the Futurity.

“ at mare and I have a connection,” she said of her horse One Time River Cat. “She’s super sensitive mentally and physically and I nd that intriguing. I put pressure on myself because of the opportunity for her. I kept hoping and praying I could show her to the best of her ability.”

Coming through the go-rounds and semi- nals, Ho man felt her runs and her con dence building.

“ e biggest challenge with ‘River’ has been getting a cow cut clean. Once I put my hand down, I can let her take over and we’re good.”

“My help was incredible. My trainer is Kolby Moore. Colt Moore helped me watch and pick cows. Walt Erwin and Lance Cooper turned back for me. ey all talked to me and kept me calm.”

Her rst cut wasn’t as clean as she wanted. “ e cow ducked back and I panicked but got it out of the corner and centered back up. e second cow Colt picked out was on the back wall. I stayed on that rst cow awhile, so I knew I didn’t have a lot of time. e herd parted and we walked it right out to the top. I was shaking. I did it — I cut clean!

“Kolby Moore is a saint for putting up with my show nerves. My husband Grant and daughter Georgia are my rocks. Erica Walton kept my head straight. Kayla Puls did a great job of taking over getting River ready. ere’s so many to thank, I appreciate them all.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: Rios of Mercedes 5/6-Year-Old Intermediate Amateur

RIDER: Ginger Ho man

HORSE: One Time River Cat

PEDIGREE: One Time

Pepto x Cats River Rat x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Grant Ho man

SCORE: 220

EARNINGS: $7,406.86

Ginger Hoffman and One Time River Cat.

Steve Chatterton Claims Victor-y

When the opportunity to purchase My Guns Are Chillin (aka “Victor”) came up last year, Steve Chatterton jumped to buy the pretty gray son of Playgun.

“I fell in love with that horse as a three-year-old when I rst saw him,” recalled Chatterton. “James Payne was training him and he was phenomenal. I sure never thought I’d ever own him.

“I think we’ve made nals at every big show we’ve been together. He’s so cool and so good-minded, you wouldn’t know he was a stud.”

Chatterton set up his winning nals run by advancing from the go-round.

“I had a great run to get into the nals,” he said. “I only cut two cows but I really liked both. e second cow was way back on the fence, and I spent my time digging it out of there but it was a good cow. I was able to mark a score to get into the nals.”

Everything went according to plan. “For the nals I wanted to make good clean cuts and let him do his job

and that’s what we did. I did a lot of visualizing of my run. I woke up at 1:30 in the morning all ramped up over it,” he said. “I stuck to our plan and was able to cut the cows we wanted.”

Chatterton thanked Matt Williams “for helping me with the horse and Megan Froehle who gets him ready every time,” he said. “I have other horses with Bill Riddle and have been training with him for the last four years so thank you, Bill, for being so tough on me.”

Chatterton plans on showing Victor in the Non-Pro next year. JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: 5/6-Year-Old

Limited Amateur

RIDER: Steve Chatterton

HORSE: My Guns Are Chillin

PEDIGREE: Playgun x Maria

Del Rey (P) x Dual Rey

OWNED BY: Steve Chatterton

Cutting Horses LLC

SCORE: 217

EARNINGS: $2,164.84

Steve Chatterton rides

My Guns Are Chillin.

he e t eneration

BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT | PHOTOS BY SETH PETIT

F ew situations show the community aspect of cutting like youth classes: from old-timers showing youngsters the ropes and generous horsemen lending mounts to youth riders to show, to herd help teaching the next generation how to read and pick cattle. In the end, it’s the youth competing like the horsemen and -women they aspire to be that will carry this sport into the future. Here is a look at a few kids who rose to the top at this year’s Summer Cutting Spectacular and NCHA Holy Cow Performance Horses Youth World Finals.

A Team Sport

Ryder Flynn, 11, has been cutting for seven years, and he’s been together with Stylish Top Brow (High Brow CD x Stylish Top Girl x Docs Stylish Oak) for six years. Neither Flynn nor the 2013 sorrel gelding nicknamed “Peanut” were phased by the anticipation of competition leading up to the Youth Scholarship nals, particularly since they’d already competed earlier in the week and scored a huge 226 to lead the rst go.

“I just got myself ready, and prayed, and did my best,” Flynn said. “I just drove way up like everybody told me to do. I was hoping to do soft and easy, and it went pretty well.”

Flynn’s dad Sean Flynn helped him prepare, as well as Austin Shepard and Lisa Pinkston.

e homeschooled sixth grader from Weatherford, Texas, says he loves everything about Peanut, and appreciates his gelding’s skill at cutting cows out of the herd. at trait was helpful as the pair competed at this show.

“He’s really the only horse I rode, and he’s the only horse I wanted to ride,” Flynn said.

His favorite part of the event is the adrenaline rush. And after scoring a 224 to win the nals, he was elated.

“It feels great,” Flynn said. “We’re a team.”

Youth competitors showed off their skills in scholarship classes and vied for top titles in the World Champion classes.

Ryder Flynn and Stylish Top Brow were the Junior Youth Scholarship champions with a score of 224, taking home a scholarship of $2,040.

NCHA FOUNDATION JUNIOR YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP CUTTING CHAMPION

Bringing Their “A” Game

Reese Collins was thrilled with how SJR Kit D Vine handled the Senior Youth Scholarship Cutting competition. e homeschooled 16-year-old has ridden the 2015 sorrel gelding (Kit Kat Sugar x Foxy D Vine x One Time Pepto) for around ve years to get him ready for his owner Becky Drake, but this was her rst time to show him. After the World Finals last year, Drake o ered to let Collins show him in the Senior Youth Scholarship class this year.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to get to show him,” Collins said.

Prior to the show, Collins, of Washington, Texas, rode with her trainer Justin White every day for two months, working horses, turning back for other riders and getting connected with “Vinny.” She’s been cutting her whole life. In their rst go, the pair scored a 222.

“I had no expectations, I just wanted to do my part and let him be him, cut my cows and control everything I can control,” Collins said.

Going into the nals, she had a similar plan.

“When I went down there, he felt amazing, so I knew if I did my part, and identi ed my cows, he would bring his ‘A’ game, and I brought mine,” Collins said. “Going into it, I had a good feeling that I had the horsepower underneath me to get the right cows cut, and do the best for him, and not mess up my part.”

Scoring a 227 in the nals was an “unreal” feeling, she said.

Vinny has the personality of a puppy and loves attention.

“He craves it, which makes him special because he loves the lights and the cows, he loves the pressure,” Collins said.

Collins thanked Justin and Kristin White, her parents Quinn and Caroline Collins, her grandparents, and her sister and Kathy Daughn.

“ ey made it all possible,” Collins said.

NCHA FOUNDATION SENIOR YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP CUTTING CHAMPION

Reese Collins and SJR Kit D Vine scored a 227 to win the Senior Youth Scholarship Cutting.

JUNIOR YOUTH WORLD CHAMPION

Staying Calm and Cool

Josey Sikorski-Bell rode a dozen horses this year on her path to the Junior Youth World title, including Woody Bee Smooth, owned by Elizabeth Nametz; Paradox Cat, owned by Shannon Lamb; Wood B A Doc, owned by Trent and Laney Bell; Bunnys Passion, owned by Chris Coughran; Wink And A Smile, owned by Jocelynne Wolter; Little Jewels Olena, owned by James Figiel; PC Im e One, owned by Patrick Collins; CR Tu Doc Olena, owned by Beverly Moore; One Time In June, owned by Mandi Williams; Fine Again, owned by Sinking Creek Cutting Horses; and Cow Magnet, owned by Trent and Laney Bell.

e 14-year-old from Madisonville, Texas, got most of her points on Cow Magnet, but showed di erent horses because she didn’t have her own horse for most of the year. She says she enjoyed hauling for the title this year.

“People are really generous — I get to show a lot of nice horses,” said Sikorski-Bell. “I love going down the road and hauling, and going to shows every weekend. e people make it really fun, and it’s fun to prepare and show good horses.” Going into the World Finals, she partnered

with Catchyalater, a 2009 sorrel gelding (High Brow Cat x Rey Down Sally x Dual Rey) owned by Mark Johnson that she showed a few years ago. He loaned Sikorski-Bell the gelding so she could show him at this event.

“He’s one of my favorites, so I wanted to show him at the World Finals,” Sikorski-Bell said. “He’s really funny. He has a huge personality, even though he’s older — he’s 14 this year. He’s weird and quirky, but he tries really hard for me.”

Her strategy going into competition was to stay calm and cool, and avoid getting nervous.

In the third round of the 2023 NCHA Junior Youth World Finals, “Harry” stepped up and showed what he was made of. ey scored a 214.

“My horse was trying really hard, and he was good,” Sikorski-Bell said.

With their overall points totaling 125 points, Sikorski-Bell took the champion title. Winning felt “kind of unbelievable,” she said.

“I’m so thankful for everyone who helped me get here, and anyone who let me show their horses, and all my turnback help, and my dad, Trent Bell,” Sikorski-Bell said.

Josey Sikorski-Bell and Catchyalater captured the Junior Youth World Champion title after scoring a 214 in the finals and 125 points overall.

SENIOR YOUTH WORLD CHAMPION

Wicked Cool on a Cow

Brinley Lippincott showed half the year aboard Desires Rolex, and then switched horses with her dad, and started riding 2016 chestnut gelding Lotta Skeet (Kit Kat Sugar x Manytimes x One Time Pepto).

“He was a way better t,” Lippincott said. “When I showed him, we instantly clicked. I de nitely am his person, and he’s been so good for me. He’s seven, and I love him to death.”

Prior to showing at the World Finals, Lippincott of Cypress, Texas, and “Slug” showed at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming. It was great prep for this event.

“I think showing there really helped a lot, because I ended up getting reserve champion there, so I had a lot of con dence going into the World Finals, because the horse was being so good, and I was just really excited to go show,” Lippincott said.

Going into the show in Fort Worth, Lippincott had one goal: get through three clean runs. Having won reserve before at this event, she knew what to expect. She drew last in the draw in the third round of the Youth World Finals, and she just wanted to mark a 216 or higher.

“We went in, I cut this little fast cow that ran around, then I got that quit, and then I went to cut a second cow, and it married up with a couple others, and it took me a little longer to get it cut, but I ended up holding it for 30 seconds,” Lippincott said. “I only cut two cows that night.”

ey scored a 219.5. which brought their overall points to 165 to win the Senior Youth World Champion title.

“I’m very blessed to be able to get through it — it feels good,” Lippincott said.

Slug lives up to his name, says Lippincott — until he goes to work. And that’s her favorite thing about him.

“He walks so slow, just leading him around anywhere, and then as soon as you go cut a cow on him, his whole personality changes, and he’s just wicked cool on a cow.”

is was Lippincott’s senior year, so balancing hauling for the title with school and activities was a challenge, but she made it work. She’s attending Texas Tech University this fall. e young cutter thanked “God, everybody that was in my corner — especially Casey Crouch — my parents and my grandparents.”

Brinley Lippincott and Lotta Skeet won the Senior Youth World after a third round score of 219.5 and 165 points for the year.

alute the o bo s

United States Special Operations military members participated in the first NYCHA Military Cutting Challenge during the 2023 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular.

BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT | PHOTOS BY SETH PETIT

When United States Special Operations military members signed up to compete against each other in cutting, a lack of experience in the saddle didn’t deter them in the least. ese seven men knew how to follow directions, they’re athletic and most of all, competitive.

“ e concept is, we pair members of the special operations community with some of our elite trainers, and also provide them with horses so they can experience the thrill of learning how to ride a cutting horse,” Jay Winborn, NCHA Executive Director, said.

After three days together, the result was an exciting round of competition at the rst NYCHA Military Cutting Challenge, held during the 2023 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular on July 29 in the Will

Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth. With the crowd cheering from the stands in the historic coliseum, active duty Captain Sean Stoneham of the 10th Special Forces Group out of Fort Carson, Colorado, ultimately won the competition.

Each veteran rode for charity, donating all of their winnings to a general fund that split the money between their chosen veteran-related causes, including the Special Forces Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation. And each one took a slice of the victory.

US Army Special Forces Green Beret retired Sergeant Major E-9 Ignacio Garza is the executive director for the Special Forces Foundation, and the non-pro t helps soldiers — speci cally special forces known as “Green Berets” — and their families heal.

“We were thinking of ways we can help guys heal that are not pharmaceutical,” Garza said. “Equine therapy just keeps popping up. We tried it, and it was mostly trail horses, and for special operations, we felt we needed more. So we linked up with the National Cutting Horse Association for

ABOVE :

The US Special Operations military members and volunteer cutting trainers with awards in the Will Rogers Coliseum.

this veterans event, and they wanted it to be special operations heavy. And not only did I want to help, I wanted to do it, too.”

During the instruction time, the veterans got familiar with the horses and began learning the basics of cutting. Matt Miller said they practiced riding, as well as working the ag and on cattle.

“I think they loved it,” Miller said. “It’s such an addicting sport. When you feel that horse take over and do everything, it’s hard not to like it.”

Retired Special Forces Medical Sergeant Je Bosley agreed.

“ ese are the Ferraris of horses,” Bosley said. “You can’t drive a Ferrari like you drive a pickup truck. And I am very humbled by that experience.”

Garza had never ridden a horse before, but he began to see how horses could help his fellow veterans.

“I could feel the bond with a horse,” Garza said. “I could feel myself relaxing. And then you’re putting it into a competition, with adrenaline and a sport, and it just feeds into what our [special forces] culture is perfectly, with healing, and still giving that edge of that warrior. is is a good thing, a healthy outlet for some veterans that have seen and done a lot, and aren’t asking for anything. ey just want to do good things and continue to contribute to the communities.”

After riding time, the veterans went out to HB Hunting Ranch in Bowie, Texas, with the cutting pros, and showed them the basics of shooting with scopes and long-range guns.

“ ey ipped it and we were back in our comfort zone — they let you marinate on what you learned the day before while doing a skill that you’ve enjoyed, you’re very comfortable with and you’ve known for a long time,” Garza said.

Each veteran was out tted with boots from Rios of Mercedes, Western Legacy Hats and Cinch shirts and jeans.

Stoneham was blown away by the experience and credits the community between the Special Forces Foundation and the NCHA for making it such a success.

“What they did for us, and all the things they went out of their way to do — I would have been just as happy to come down here and get on a cutting horse a couple times and then do this a few

ABOVEFROMTOPTOBOTTOM : Sean Stoneham on Austin. Patrick Burke on Thomas Shelby. Doug Hight on M&M.

Ignacio Garza on Ray Lewis. Jeff Bosley on Conner. Alan Shebaro on Diva Rey.

hours later,” Stoneham said. “But instead, we got on cutting horses, went out to shoot on an amazing hunting ranch, hung out with some great people, got to see some vendors, and it was amazing. I’m so grateful and so appreciative of it.”

When it came time for competition, the men got down to business. Stoneham said a shared background in special operations both encouraged camaraderie and also competition.

“We’re all really good friends, we’ve had a great time this week, but the second we got on the horses for this competition, we were all trying to beat each other,” Stoneham said. “I think we all have that competitive attitude, and when you give us new things to learn, we’re going to do our best to gure it out and get the best we possibly can at it.”

Garza initially felt intimidated by the size and strength of the horses. But that changed.

“Once I got on the horse, and realized how well trained and how in sync they were with you, all of that, and it just became both of us performing — and the adrenaline is still there,” Garza said. “I wasn’t nervous. I wanted to do this well. I wanted to

make this horse proud, and make my family proud. I wanted to do myself some good. So it was a lot more than I expected, in a great way.”

Garza said cutting seemed a great t for his fellow soldiers.

“We’re about performance, we’re about results and we’re incredibly coachable,” Garza said. “You tell me where to be, and I’m going to do it because I understand the value of experts, the value of people who do a speci c thing for their job, their craft. If I’m not listening to them, then I’m missing out.”

In the end, Stoneham had the high score of 227. He has been riding all his life, but he’d never done cutting before.

“Getting on a horse that is that elite of an athlete — my horse at home is going to feel very di erent now,” Stoneham joked. “It was the most fun to be on there and try to get in sync with [my horse]. I was watching him watch those cows like a hawk, and I was watching him like a hawk. It was really cool.”

Stoneham appreciated his equine partner, “Austin.” He admired the horse’s athletic ability and says they quickly became a team.

“Once I put my hand down on him, Austin just took over,” Stoneham said. “It was amazing. It’s really cool to be able to work together with a horse toward something. I think cutting and doing this competition made that happen even faster. You both have the same intent, and you’re watching that steer — it’s your prey. You get in tune with him really fast.”

BELOW :

Jamison Roth and Trainer Tarin Rice celebrate.

Shannon Lawlor

Fine Art: A Thing of Incomparable Beauty

It’s said that if you find a job you enjoy, you’ll never work a day in your life. Painter Shannon Lawlor did just that.

By Lauren Green

F rom riding to painting, Shannon Lawlor has found work to feed her dual passions, making every day feel like a weekend.

For the Alberta, Canada-based artist, painting equine athletes, their riders and owners and special moments of the Western lifestyle is her passion. “ is is my joy,” said Lawlor, who recently celebrated 18 years as a full-time equine artist. “I get to be around some of the best horsemen, horsewomen and horses on the planet,” she said. “I want to be a part of that, so, to me, it never feels like work.”

Born and raised on the prairies of Western Canada, Lawlor rode horses competitively for decades before selling her horses and trading curry combs for paint brushes. But the relationships Lawlor developed — both with horses and humans — in the performance horse world have sustained her in her focus on portraiture.

“Collectively, the experience gathered before I started painting full-time has informed my artwork,” said Lawlor. “I couldn’t possibly teach someone that because it’s just there, inside me.”

Stepping away from riding and pursuing art professionally was a tough decision, but Lawlor has no regrets.

“It took a little bit of time for me to become aware of the fact that I felt very ful lled as an artist focusing on equine portraits,” she said. “I had decided I wanted to be a Western artist, but I always gravitated toward equine portraiture given the opportunity.”

Despite having no formal art training, Lawlor’s stunning artwork speaks for itself when each new piece is unveiled. e attention to detail — honed from working with horses her entire life — brings an authentic feel to each painting.

ree years into Lawlor’s career, her portrait of a horse named “Casey” delivered her “big break” in the world of equine portraiture. “Casey” went on to be a multi-international award-winning painting, spurring Lawlor to follow her instincts and focus on equine subjects.

“Casey,” as well as many other Lawlor paintings, are also available as prints, which horse-lovers can purchase on Lawlor’s website alongside other gift items, including notebooks, totes and scarves. She even has a signature scented candle available.

Lawlor’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect of her work — from the intelligent look in a horse’s eye or the way the horse’s head is turned to focus on a cow, or the well-worn leather boots of a rider. It is this detail that sets her apart from other equine artists.

By capturing on canvas the special horses and people, as well as signi cant moments in the performance horse industry, the artist continues to share her passion as an NCHA sponsor.

“One of my purposes as an artist is capturing important slices of the Western lifestyle, and more importantly, the signi cant mares, stallions and equine-athletes shaping our lives in the performance horse industry today,” said Lawlor.

Shannon Lawlor will have a booth at the upcoming 2023 NCHA World Championships and Futurity shows at the Will Rogers Coliseum, in Fort Worth, Texas — prime time to view the artwork in person and inquire about a bespoke painting of that special stallion or mare in your life. View her ne art o erings online at: shannonlawlor.com.

“I get to be around some of the best horsemen, horsewomen and horses on the planet.”

SHANNON LAWLOR

ABOVE :

Some of the artist's works, including "Casey," "Lil Maddy Rey" and "Chello."

In 2011, the National Cutting Horse Association family lost one of its young and most promising Non-Pro competitors, Joseph Broderick Beaver. Brody began his cutting career in 2006, at the age of 16. In 2008, at the NCHA Eastern Nationals Championship, he claimed the Amateur title. The following year, Brody won the Boys Cutting Champion title at the 2009 National High School Rodeo Finals. In 2011, Brody was a top contender for the NCHA Non-Pro World Championship and had earned the NCHA Bronze Award.

To honor Brody’s memory, The Joseph Broderick Beaver Trust made a gift to the NCHA Charities Foundation to establish The Joseph Broderick Beaver Memorial Scholarship Fund. First awarded in the 2012 Youth point year, a $10,000.00 Brody Beaver Memorial Scholarship has been awarded annually to the Senior Youth World Champion for the continuation of his or her education at the college or university of their choice.

Since its establishment, The Joseph Broderick Beaver Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded over $100,000.00 to Youth members in Brody’s memory.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2023 Brinley Lippincott

2022 Emma Grace Rapp

2021 Faith Farris

2020 Colt Moore

2019 Christina Huntly

2018 Chaser Crouch

2017 Ryan Rapp

2016 Kenli Marvin

2015 Aubrey Pigg

2014 Austria Arnold

2013 Shannon McCoy

2012 Rieta Dufurrena

INDUSTRY NEWS

NCHA ANNOUNCES THE 2023 NCHA CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE

e National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) is excited to announce the third annual NCHA Circuit Championships dates and locations.

2023 NCHA Circuit Championships Schedule

e NCHA Circuit Championships invite the top 30 competitors in each of the 14 circuits to compete this fall in the NCHA weekend classes. All current youth members are automatically invited to compete at the circuit championship of their designated circuit.

Alamo Circuit Championships will be produced by the Lone Star Cutters and is scheduled for October 26–29 in Bu alo, Texas. e last date to qualify is October 2, 2023.

Appalachian Circuit Championships will be produced by the Pennsylvania CHA and is scheduled for October 20–22 in Logan Township, New Jersey. e last date to qualify is September 25, 2023.

Aurora Circuit Championships will be produced by the Canadian CHA and is scheduled for September 26–October 1 in Calgary, Alberta. e last date to qualify is September 5, 2023. Big Sky Circuit Championships will be produced by the South Dakota CHA and is scheduled for October 28–29 in Rapid City, South Dakota. e last date to qualify is October 2, 2023.

Cactus Circuit Championships will be produced by Arizona CHA and is scheduled for November 9–12 in Queen Creek, Arizona. e last date to qualify is October 16, 2023.

Cotton Circuit Championships will be produced by the Acadian CHA and is scheduled for November 3–5 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. e last date to qualify is October 9, 2023.

Europe Circuit Championships will be produced by the NCHA of Italy and is scheduled for November 2–5 in Cremona, Italy. e last date to qualify is October 9, 2023.

Great Lakes Circuit Championships will be produced by the Ohio CHA and is scheduled for October 4–8 in Preble County, Ohio. e last date to qualify is September 18, 2023.

Heartland Circuit Championships will be produced by the Beef Empire CHA and is scheduled for October 14–15 in Lyons, Kansas. e last date to qualify is September 18, 2023.

Oiler Circuit Championships will be produced by the Big Country CHA and is scheduled for October 20–22 in Sweetwater, Texas. e last date to qualify is September 25, 2023.

Pioneer Circuit Championships will be produced by the Oregon CHA and is scheduled for October 11–14 in Madras, Oregon. e last date to qualify is September 18, 2023.

Red River Circuit Championships will be produced by PK Cutters and is scheduled for November 11–12 in Graham, Texas. e last date to qualify is October 16, 2023.

Redwood Circuit Championships will be produced by the Nevada RC & CHA and is scheduled for October 13–15 in Reno, NV. e last date to qualify is September 18, 2023.

CuttingHorse_Template.indd 1 CuttingHorse_Template.indd 1

Sunshine Circuit Championships is to be determined. See NCHA website for more information.

Please note the information listed may be subject to change. To learn more about the NCHA Circuit Championships or to view a complete and current schedule of events,visit nchacutting.com/ncha-shows/ circuit-program/circuit- nals.

Pursuant tothe NCHA’s Constitutionand Bylaws, thedirectorelections for terms of service for the period of June2023- June2026 were concluded on March30, 2023. All directorselected in thisyear’selection will begin theirthree-yearterm of service at thecommencement of the NCHA Convention. Belowis alisting of the NCHA Board of DirectorseffectiveJune 23, 2023.

Alabama

Julie Beasley (24)

James Hooper (LD)

Joey Nail (26)

Andrew Sligh (24)

Arizona

Sherry Cowan (25)

Joe Kalt (25)

Glen Nelson (26)

Tim Smith (25)

Mike Wood (26)

Arkansas

Diana Cunningham (25)

Toddy Pitard – President

Tommy Williams (25)

Lewis Wray (LD)

California& Hawaii

Robert Adams (26)

Dana Azevedo (26)

Phil Benadum (24)

KathyCardon (26)

Tim Castilaw (24)

Norm Clark (26)

Morgan Cromer (24)

Katie Fonsen-Young (26)

Rock Hedlund (24)

Fiina Ugrin Jolley (26)

Suzy Rodoni-Silverberg (24)

CarolWard (24)

Stan Williams, Jr. (25)

Colorado

Nathan Miller (24)

Steve Norris (LD)

Nicole Pietrafeso (24)

Ron Pietrafeso (LD)

Joel Schulz (24)

Bob Tregemba (24)

Florida

Josh Deason (25)

Ora Diehl (LD)

Bill Kidd (26)

Sandra Lines (25)

SharonOverstreet (26)

Pam Scott (25)

Georgia

Alison Howell (26)

John Hulsey (24)

NatePettit (24)

MarkSenn – President Elect

Idaho

BarbiMadgwick (25)

Denise Shewmaker (24)

Illinois

Rick Jackson (25)

Scott Shaw (26)

Indiana

ByronGreen (25)

AndrewLarsen (25)

Iowa & Wisconsin

Travis Grover(25)

SethKirchner (26)

Kansas

KirbySmith (26)

RebeccaWaters (25)

Kentucky

Trent Harrison (26)

Randy Mesalam (25)

Louisiana

RobertCharles Brown(26)

Gwen Coie (24)

Keith Deaville (LD)

Elizabeth Quirk (25)

Bruce Richerson (LD)

ChrisThibodeaux (24)

Michigan

Dan Agnew (24)

Crystal DeWitt (24)

Minnesota

J. P. Bell (26)

Bob Janssen (25)

Mississippi

WilliamCole (24)

Taylor Flowers (24)

Don McGraw (24)

Missouri

ErnieBeutenmiller,Jr. (LD)

Greg Beutenmiller (24)

JoeWesDavis(24)

Sonny Martin (24)

Montana Suzanne Nellen (25)

JohnSeymour (26)

Nebraska

J. B. Atkins (26)

Mike Christensen (24)

Nevada

Cookie Banuelos (24)

John Echeverria (26)

NewEngland(CT, MA,ME, NH, RI, VT), NY, NJ & PA

Jason Liddle (26)

Marty Miller (25)

Bill Stein (24)

Faye D. Stein (26)

JackWerner (26)

New Mexico

Leslie Graor (25)

RichardHicks (25)

North Carolina

Chase Lackey (26)

Garry Merritt (24)

BarnwellRamsey – Vice President

North& South Dakota

Matt Lopez (25)

JasonReed (25)

Ohio

Jeff Brown (24)

SteveDuff (24)

John P. Lavelle(24)

Scott McKinsey (26)

Chuck Smith (LD)

Oklahoma

CaraBrewer (25)

Michelle Cowan (26)

Jody Galyean (24)

Kathleen Moore (24)

Ty Moore (25)

JamesPayne(25)

Bill Riddle (LD)

Brad Wilson (25)

Oregon

Julie Clarke (26)

MarceaDeGregorio (25)

T. Scott Tullis (24)

CameronVerstegen (24)

South Carolina

Tracy Barton (25)

Wendy Warne (24)

Tennessee

BarbaraBrooks (LD)

Zeke Entz (25)

Kevin Herzke (26)

Maben Thompson (24)

Jason Whitaker (26)

Texas East

Johnny Bates (24)

Punk Carter (LD)

Bradey Davis (24)

Billy Emerson (26)

Sylvia Fuentes (24)

Jan Gandy (24)

Cynthia Patty (24)

Ronnie Smith (24)

Texas North

ClintAllen (24)

Jeremy Barwick (24)

Sharon Beach (24)

Jaime Beamer (26)

ChrisBenedict (LD)

Lindy Burch (LD)

R. L. Chartier (24)

DennieDunn (LD)

Jo Ellard (LD)

Jennifer Foland (26)

Matt Gaines (24)

CaseyGreen (24)

Leon Harrel (LD)

Cody Hedlund (24)

Gavin Jordan (24)

Tom Lyons (LD)

SusanMcBryde(24)

Frank Merrill (26)

Matt Miller (24)

JimMilner (LD)

Ken Mock (24)

Bruce Morine (24)

MikeMowery (LD)

Rick Mowery (24)

SteveOehlhof (24)

Lachlan Perks (24)

Phil Rapp (LD)

Tarin Rice (24)

Ben Roberson (24)

Jonathan Rogers (26)

Corrie Rousey (25)

Ted Sokol (LD)

Chubby Turner (LD)

Bronc Willoughby (LD)

Texas South

Denise Bendele (26)

Frank Bowen (24)

Burt Bull (24)

James Davison (25)

James Eakin (26)

ScottFerguson (25)

Bobby Hunt (26)

Janice Little (24)

Jane Mancuso (25)

HarrisonPerrin (25)

Sam Wilson (LD)

Texas West

Cheryl Callis (25)

Sherry Graham (24)

SkipJones (26)

Coleta Rosson (26)

Steve Smith (24)

Utah

Josh Hofeldt (24)

Steve Williams (24)

Virginia, West Virginia, D.C., Maryland & Delaware

Roy Bauer (26)

JimJohnson (26)

Ryan Smith (26)

Washington & Alaska

Holly Jones (26)

JeffKnight (24)

Dean Rebhuhn (26)

Wyoming

John(Jack)Enright(24)

Kristen York (26)

EasternCanada

Eric Van Boekel (25)

Amanda Law (26)

Western/Central Canada

Connie Down-Cicoria (25)

DarcyGeherman (25)

Les Jack (26)

SandyReid (25)

Amanda Smith (25)

DougWiens (24)

Europe

Josef Bachmeier (25)

JanaKucerova (25)

Denis Pini (25)

Sergio Traverso (25)

Pietro Valeri (26)

••••••••••••••••••••••••

(LD) Life Director

(EC) Executive Committee

Term Expires:

(24) 2024

(25) 2025

(26) 2026

Judge Evaluation Form

Reason for Evaluation:

Commendation: I wish to recognize an individual who is hard working and consistently does a good job.

Spot Check: I do not wish to make an official protest, but I want a class reviewed by the Weekend Monitor.

Official Protest: I am enclosing the protest fee ($500* for LAE or $200* for Weekend). I understand that I must be an owner or exhibitor in the class to file a protest.

*Fee is refundable if protest is upheld.

Judge(s) name(s) about whom you are submitting this report: _______________________________

If you are submitting a commendation, please describe why you feel this judge deserves recognition: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are submitting a spot check request or an official protest, please complete the following:

Show Name: _________________________________________________________ Show Dates: __________________________

Show City and State: __________________________________________________

1. Have you reviewed the tape? ___ Yes ___ No

Class Name: __________________________

2. In your opinion, how did the judge do on penalty application? ___ Excellent ___ Average ___ Poor

3. In your opinion, how did the judge do on “placings” based on run content? ___ Excellent ___ Average ___ Poor

4. In your opinion, did the judge act professionally? ___ Yes ___ No

If no, please explain: _______________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, how was the judge’s performance during the entire show? ___ Excellent ___ Average ___ Poor

6. Please explain fully the circumstances that prompted you to complete this report: ______________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Member Name: _______________________________________ Member Number: ______________________ Date: ________

Email Address: __________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________

This form will be available online at NCHAcutting.com and in the Cutting Horse Chatter. This form is confidential and will be seen only by officials in the NCHA Judging Department. This report can be used to commend a hard-working, consistent individual which will help the Judging Department recognize the best judges. Spot Checks and Official Protest:

1. If a pattern of complaints emerges regarding an individual judge, the Judging Department will review tapes of the show or shows in question and take further action when appropriate.

2. Report must be submitted by a contestant in the class or an owner who has a horse in the class.

3. This report must be filed within seven (7) days of the incident.

4. A member can submit only one Judge Evaluation Form in a calendar month.

5. When submitting an official protest, the protest fee ($500 for LAE or $200 for Weekend) will need to be enclosed. Return form via mail to NCHA Judges Department, 260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

All standing committee members appointed for 2023-2024 will begin theirthree-yearterm of service immediately following the2023 NCHA Convention through the annual convention in 2026. Below is a listing of NCHA Standing Committee Members effective June 25, 2023.

Affiliate Officers/Secretaries

Caren Birdwell (24) R7 *

Cheryl Callis (26)R7 – NVEO

Kathy Cardon (26) R2

Kim Cox (25) R7

Vicki Green (25) R4 **

Della Hillerman (24) R8

Brooke Manion (25) R5

Dee McLauchlin (26) R8

Erin McGinn Smith (25) R1

Ashley Hallinan (25) R2

Kathy Unfried (25) R2

Rebecca Waters (25) R3

Amateur

Dawn Brehm (26) R5

William Cole (25) R6 **

Taylor Flowers (26) R6

Jan Gandy (26) R6

Sandra Lines (26) R5

Brooke Manion (24) R5

Jennifer Palmer (25) R8 *

Cynthia Patty (26) R6 -NVEO

John Primasing (25) R2

Erin Russell (24) R8

Andrew Sligh (26) R5

Grant Smith (26) R3

Paul K. Smith (25) R7

Peri Suenram (26) R1

Katherine Van Boekel (24) R4

Kelley Whitis (26) R7

Approved LAE Show Producers

Donna Bachand (26) R8

Tracy Barton (26) R5

Robert Charles Brown (26) R6

Cheryl Callis (26) R7 –NVEO

Kathy Cardon (24) R2

Julie Clarke (26) R1

Kim Cox (24) R7

Della Hillerman (25) R8 **

Jim Johnson (26) R4

Nina Lundgren (26) R1

Theresa Nelson (25) R1

Jason Reed (26) R3

Coleta Rosson (24) R7 *

Pam Scott (26) R5

Mark Senn (26) R5

Finance & Audit

Denise Bendele (26) R7

Frank Diehl (24) R5

Ora Diehl (25) R5

Jeff Fehrman (26) R5

Jim Haworth (25) R3 **

Garry Merritt (24) R5

David Pilcher (25) R4

Phil Rapp (26) R8

Dean Rebhuhn (25) R1

Tatum Rice (25) R8

Suzanne Rodoni-Silverberg (25) R2

Steve Smith (24) R7 *

Governance

Dan Agnew (25) R4 **

Sharon Beach (25) R8 *

Tracy Barton (26) R5

Ora Diehl (26) R5

James Eakin (26) R7

John Echeverria (26) R2

Jim Haworth (24) R3

Anita Janssen (26) R3

Skip Jones (26) R7

Kevin Knight (24) R2

Corrie Rousey (24) R7

Ronnie Smith (24) R6

Buddy Westphal (26) R1

Growth and Development

Shelby Agnew (24) R4

Phil Benadum (26) R2

Angela Bull (24) R7

Janet Cagley (24) R6

Nancy Clayton (24) R8

Casey Connally (24) R1

Sherry Cowan (25) R2

Ora Diehl (26) R5

Cody Hedlund (26)R8

Jim Johnson (26) R4

Joe Kalt (26)R2 **

Shelly Mowery (26) R8

Glen Nelson (25) R2

Darrell Parsons (26) R3

Dean Rebhuhn (26) R1 *

Judges Rules

Roy Bauer (25) R4

Jaime Beamer (26) R8

Joe Cameron (24) R5 –NVEO

Tim Castilaw (25) R2 - NVEO

Bradey Davis (26) R6

Walt Erwin (25) R5

Rock Hedlund (24) R2

Seth Kirchner (25) R3

Ken Mock (26) R8

Sarah Morine (26) R8

Rick Mowery (26) R8

Nate Miller (24) R1

Don Pooley (25) R7

Kenny Pugh (25) R7

NVEO

Jonathan Rogers (25) R8

Grant Setnicka (26) R8

Tim Smith (26) R2 *

David Stewart (24) R7 **

Limited Age Events

Monty Buntin (24) R2 **

Julie Clarke (24) R1

Zeke Entz (26) R5

Les Jack (24) R1

Clay Johnson (26) R8

Seth Kirchner (25) R3

Barnwell Ramsey (26) R5

Phil Rapp (26) R8

Ronnie Smith (25) R6

Jaime Snider (26) R8

Eric Van Boekel (24) R4 *

Wendy Warne (26) R5

Justin White (24) R7

Michael Wood (26) R8

Non-Professional

David Booth (26) R2

Libby Bowman (25) R4

Ryder Carpenter (26) R8

Lisa Clark (26) R1

Kathy Foote (26) R1

Phillip Garrison (25) R6

Sherry Graham (26) R7 *

Alison Howell (26) R5

John Kratzer (25) R6

Nate Pettitt (26) R5

Regan Plendl (26) R3

Elizabeth Quirk (26) R6

Kylie Rice (26) R8

Jamie Sokol (24) R5 **

Cameron Thompson (26) R8

Eric Van Boekel (26) R4 - NVEO

Professional Trainers

Tracy Barton (25) R5

Phil Benadum (25) R2

Cara Brewer (25) R8

David Costello (25) R6

Kathy Daughn (26) R7 *

Mason Griffin (25) R6

Andrew Larsen (25) R4

Jesse Lennox (25) R8 **

Matt Lopez (26) R3

Ken Mock (24) R8

Rick Mowery (25) R8

Kenny Platt (26)R1 **

Stallion Owners

Burt Bull (26) R7

Julie Clarke (24) R1

Michelle Cowan (24) R8

Crystal DeWitt (26) R4

Alvin Fults (26) R7

Bobby Gale (24) R5

Rock Hedlund (26) R2 *

Lauren Kimble (26) R4

John Kratzer (26) R8

Todd Quirk (24) R6 **

Sarah Sherman (26) R1

Suzanne Rodoni-Silverberg (25) R2

Madison Smith (26) R8

Michael Wood (26) R8

Weekend Show

Sharon Beach (26) R8

J.P. Bell (24) R3

Bradey Davis (24) R6 *

Byron Green (26)R4

Richard Hicks (25) R7

Chris Howell (25) R5 **

John Hulsey (26) R5

Holly Jones (26) R1

Joe Kalt (26)R2

Nate Miller (26) R1

Barnwell Ramsey (26) R5

Corrie Rousey (26) R8

Ted Sokol (26) R8

Bill Stein (26) R4

Mike Wood (24) R2

Youth

Shannon Collier (26) R7

Cori Cosper (26) R8

Michelle Cowan (25) R8

Sherry Cowan (24) R2

Mary Crow (26) R7

Barb Himsel (24) R4

Amy Lippincott (25) R7 *

Sabrina Mesalam (24) R4

Chad Newton (25) R5

Shawna Parsons (26) R3

Kory Pounds (26) R8

Nikki Roberson (25) R8

Leigh Ann White (24) R6

Kristen York (26) R1 **

* -Chairman

** - Vice Chairman

R -Region

NVEO - Non-Voting Ex-Officio

(24) Term Expires in 2024

(25) Term Expires in 2025

(25) Term Expires in 2026

NCHA Suspension and Denial of Privileges List

Probations and suspensions may have been cleared by the time the magazine is published and mailed. The following persons have been suspended from the National Cutting Horse Association and/or denied all privileges of the Association until further notice. Proceedings have been conducted in accordance with National Cutting Horse Association Rules.

*Please note that the provisions of former NCHA Rule 40 have recently been merged into current NCHA Rule 4. An asterisk beside the Rule 40 number in the following list denotes that the suspension was made pursuant to former Rule 40. Please see the provisions of current Rule 4 on the NCHA Website for current guidelines relating to suspension for failure to make payments.

Non-Pro Suspensions

DUNKLE, DEENA, Farwell, MI

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

MOORE, ANNETTE, Williston, FL

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

MOORE, KOLBY DON, Williston, FL

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

MOORE, WILLIAM COLT, Williston, FL

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

New Suspensions

A PERFECT “10”, Adrienne Patou, Fort Worth, Texas.

AARON, CHRISTOPHER, Walker, Louisiana

ABEAR, KENNETH, Burleson, Texas.

ADJUSTO OF TEXAS, Weatherford, Texas.

ADKINS, RL (ROB), Sweetwater, Texas.

AGVEST INTERNATIONAL QUARTER HORSE CUTTING #1, Houston, Texas.

AIR RIDE HITCH, Beach Island, South Carolina.

ALLEN, CHRISTEN, Creswell, Oregon.

ALL PHASE ARENA, Spring Grove, Minnesota.

AMERICAN MASTERCRAFT, Boca Raton, Florida.

AMIGOS EMPLEO LEGAL, INC., Dallas, Texas.

ANDERSON, MERRILL, Marshall, Texas.

ANDERSON, SUSAN, Canby, Oregon.

AERIAL LIGHTING, Watseka, Illinois

ARNOLD, MIKE, dba CUT A COW, Springfield, Missouri.

ASHLEY, SHELLY , Sayre, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

ATLAS HORSEWALKER, THE , Plano, Texas. Rule 40*

AUBIN, GEORGE, dba WICHITA LAND AND CATTLE CO., WHC, SIGMA CORP, et al, Houston, Texas. Rule 40*

AUDIO CEL, Carrollton, Texas. Rule 40*

AYERS GROUP, THE , dba SONNY WOOLEY, Abilene, Texas. Rule 40*

B & S FARM SUPPLY, Winona, Texas. Rule 40*

BAILEY, CHUCK, dba LONESTAR VIDEO, Rising Star, Texas.

BARBER, GALE, Madison, Alabama.

BARRETT, BRIDGETT, Liberty, Utah

BARRON, GRANT, Stephenville, Texas.

BEALS, DENNY & JILL, Lufkin, Texas.

BECK, ERNEST, Midland, Texas.

BENDING B TRADING LLC, Collierville, Tennessee

BENEFIELD, DOUG, Bowling Green, Kentucky. Rule 40*

BERGER, BENJAMIN, Brenham, Texas Rule 40*

BENGSTON, BEN, Ogden, Iowa. Rule 40*

BERNARD, THOMAS, Int. West, France. Rule 40*

BERNIE’S CUSTOM COACH OF TEXAS, INC., Houston, Texas. Rule 40*

BETTER BUILT ARENA CONSTRUCTION, Okarche, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

BLACK FOREST SADDLERY, Louisville, Kentucky. Rule 40*

BLACKMAN, DANIEL, Cat Springs, Texas.............................................. Rule 4

BLACKMON, EDDIE, DeKalb, Texas. Rule 40*

BLACKWELL, REX, Elk City, Kansas. Rule 40*

BLANKS, RENEE, Aubrey, Texas. Rule 40*

BM OF TEXAS, San Antonio, Texas. Rule 40*

BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS/DOTTIE MCGONAGILL, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

BODE, KEVIN, Frisco, Texas. Rule 40*

BOGARD, BO, Eagles Nest, New Mexico. Rule 40*

BOHANON, BERNADETTE - Heber Cith, Utah. Rule 40*

BONIN, DOUGLAS, LaPorte, Indiana. Rule 40*

BOONE, RICK, dba WOLF CREEK RANCH, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

BOOTH, KRISTEN, Temecula, California. Rule 40*

BOSTWICK, DAVID, CREATIVE CHARACTERS, Oblong, IL Rule 40*

BOUGET, BOB, Branch, Louisiana Rule 40* BOWLES, DEAN, Portland, Tennessee. Rule 40* BRANNAN, DAVE, dba SOUTHERN AIRS RANCHES, Doralville, Georgia Rule 40*

BUCKLE T HORSES, Pattison, Texas. Rule 40*

BURKE, ROBERT L., Lancaster, California. Rule 40*

BUSH PRODUCTS, Bryan, Texas. Rule 40*

CAMPBELL, JAMES, Gilbert, Arizona. Rule 40*

CANDLESTICK CONSTRUCTION, Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada. Rule 40*

CAPRON, TENAYA, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

CARROLL, TOMMY, Weatherford, Texas. Rule 40*

CARTER, BILLY W., Natchitoches, Louisiana.

CASTEL INTERNATIONAL, Houston, Texas.

CATAWBA RANCH, Lancing, Tennessee.

CATENA WATCHES/BILL KRAFT, Tioga, Texas.

CATON RANCHES/JUDY CATON, Snohomish, Washington.

CAVANAGH, JOHNNIE, Petaluma, California.

CELEBRITY CLASSIC, Provo, Utah.

CHAMBERLAIN, CONNER, Davis, Oklahoma..

CHINOOK PRODUCTIONS, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

CHISHOLM TRAIL BOOT CO., Fort Worth, Texas.

CIRCLE H WELDING, Hico, Texas.

CML HEALTH MATTERS, INC., Justin, Texas.

COATES MANUFACTURING INC., Bossier City, Louisisana.

COGBURN, DAVID BRET, Clayton, Oklahoma.

COLLINS, RICHARD, Oceanside, New York.

COLMENAREZ, JOSE, Miami, Florida.

CONNELLA, KEITH, Malakoff, Texas.

CONNELLA, TIM, Seguin, Texas.

CONTINENTAL QUARTER HORSES, INC., Sanger, Texas.

COPENHAVER, TODD, Valley View, Texas.

CORLEY, MELVIN D., Middletown, Kentucky.

COWBOY COUNTRY WESTERN STORE, McAlester, Oklahoma.

COWBOY’S CHOICE GOLD AND SILVER, McAlester, Oklahoma.

COWHORSE SUPPLY, Winter Haven

COW CUTTERS CHA, Anadarko, Oklahoma.

CRAIG, MIKE, Gainesville, Texas.

CREASEY, JUDY BROWNING, Montgomery, Texas.

CROSS, JOHN, Poolville, Texas.

CROOM, MATHEW, Weatherford, Texas.................................................Rule

CUNNINGHAM REAL ESTATE, Bowie, Texas. Rule

CUTTER CUSTOM TRUCKS, Grapevine, Texas. Rule 40*

D & D HORSE TRANSPORT, Oakdale, California.

DALEY, MIKE, Sonora, California.

DALLEY, ROBERT, dba D BAR D MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Gonzales, Texas

DARK, LARRY, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

DAVIS, BROOKE, Cantonment, Florida Rule 40*

DAY, TAMRA, Okmulgee, Oklahoma Rule 40*

DE BROGGI FARM HORSE TRANSPORTATION, Stock ton, California. Rule 40*

DETWILER, TIM & SUSIE, Bonham, Texas. Rule 40*

DIAL, JOHN, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

DIAMOND D ENTERPRISES, Waxahachie, Texas. Rule 40*

DIAMOND GROUP, SEAPORT WHOLESALE, Los Angeles, California. Rule 40*

DONATH, RICK, Peoria, Illinois. Rule 40*

DORN, DOUGLAS & SHERYL, Kuno, Idaho. Rule 40*

DOUBLE M SIGNS, Flower Mound, Texas. Rule 40*

D.R. BROWN CORPORATION, Brownwood, Texas. Rule 40*

DR PERFORMANCE/STEVE SHELLY, Helena, Montana. Rule 40*

DUDDING, BILL, Weatherford, Texas.......................................................Rule 4

DULANEY, CHARLES, Meridian, Mississippi. Rule 40*

DUNCAN, TOM, Greenville, Texas. Rule 40*

DYER, TONY, Corinth, Texas. Rule 40*

EAGLE, AL, dba LONE STAR AUTOMOTIVE, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

EDWARDS QUARTER HORSES, Milton Florida Rule 40* ELWOOD, ALAN, Hinsdale, Illinois. Rule 40* ENDSLEY, SHARON, dba CIRCLE H EXCHANGE, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

EQUESTRIAN VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, Granbury, Texas. Rule 40*

EQUIHEALTH, Boulder, Colorado. Rule 40*

EQUINE AMERICA CORPORATION, PRESIDENT DON BECKER, Dallas, Texas Rule 40*

EQUINE PLANNED INVESTMENTS, Scottsdale, Arizona. Rule 40* EQUISCAN, Ray Miller, Jr., Baraboo, Wisconsin. Rule 40* EVANS, FRED, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Rule 40* EVANS, SHERYL, Livermore, California. Rule 40* ESTEP QUARTER HORSES, Weiser, Idaho. Rule 40*

FAITZ, PAT, Polk City, Florida. Rule 40*

FARR, DUSTY, Wichita Falls, Texas. Rule 40*

FARR, PATRICIA, Palm Desert, California. Rule 40* FERNANDEZ, FERNANDO, Ocala, Florida. Rule 40*

FISACKERLY, PETER & SANDY, Russellville, Kentucky. Rule 40*

FLETCHER, JERRY, Phoenix, Arizona Rule 40*

FLETCHER, RICKEY, Red Oak, Texas. Rule 40*

FLIT CONNECTION, THE, Chouteau, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

FONTENOT, FORREST, LeBlanc, Louisiana. Rule 40*

FOX, BOBBY, Glen Allen, Missouri. Rule 40*

FOX BRANCH COLLECTION, Moberly, Missouri. Rule 40*

FRANCE, JAMES R., Hudson, BC, Canada. Rule 40*

FRANK, TROY & AMY, DESIGNSOFSTEEL.COM, Stillwater, Okalahoma. Rule 40*

FREIGHTLINER, Fontana, California Rule 40*

FREDERIKS, WALTER J., dba AURORA PACIFIC CATTLE CO., Aurora, Oregon. Rule 40*

FRONTIER HORSE COMPLEX, Pilot Point, Texas. Rule 40*

FULKERSON, TOMMY, Oakwood, Texas. Rule 40*

FUNDERBURG, WILL, Canyon, Texas. Rule 40*

GARRETT, JAY, Lorena, Texas. Rule 40*

GARRIOTT, SHAWN WESTERN ELECTRIC, Emporia, Kansas Rule 40*

GASS, NICK, Spring Branch, Texas Rule 40*

GATSHALL, DR. G. W., Forney, Texas. Rule 40*

GAY, DUSTIN, Mannsville, Ohio Rule 40*

GENENA, LINDA, Aubrey, Texas. Rule 40*

GLENN, TOM, Redmond, Oregon. Rule 40*

GLISSON, MARCO, Wichita Falls, Texas. Rule 40*

GLOBAL CLASSIC CARS, Brownsboro, Texas Rule 40*

GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, New York, New York. Rule 40*

GOLDEN HORSE SHOW REVIEW, Bryn Mawr, California. Rule 40*

GOODWIN, GARY, Geary, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

GRAY, RICHARD, Conroe, Texas. Rule 40*

GREEN, D. W., Stanberry, Missouri. Rule 40*

GREEN, ROD & ELAINE, Weatherford, Texas. Rule 40*

GREEN, RICKY J., Tyler, Texas. Rule 40*

GUARDINO, DAVID, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

GULF COAST FENCE, Fulshear, Texas. Rule

GUSTAFSON, JOHN, Valley Center, California. Rule

HAMBY, KAY, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

HAMILTON DAN, dba FAIR DOLLAR FARMS, INC., Laurel, Florida. Rule

HANSEN, GARY, Agoura, California. Rule 40*

HARDWICK, NANCY, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

HARJO, PHILLIP & JEANNETTE, Maud, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

HARNISH, JAY, Chico, Texas. Rule 40*

HARP, MICHELLE, HORSE SENSE, Beverly Hills, California. Rule 40*

HARRIS, JEFF, Maineville, Ohio. Rule 40*

HASKINS, PEGGY L., Carthage, Missouri. Rule 40*

HASTINGS, JOHN., Castle Rock, Colorado. Rule 40*

HAWLEY, MONTY, Bryan, Texas. Rule 40*

HAYES, JOHN PHILLIP III, Laurinburg, North Carolina. Rule 40*

HEINEY, AMY, Meridian, Texas. Rule 40*

HERNANDEZ, JOEY, Weatherford, Texas Rule 40*

HENKEL, TEAL, Scottsdale, Arizona. Rule 40*

HERSHBERGER, DON, Billings, Montana. Rule 40*

HERTZ, CAROLYN, Happy, Texas. Rule 40*

HEYWOOD, WM & BRENDA, Fallon, Nevada. Rule 40*

HIBBS, S. M., Rowlett, Texas. Rule 40*

HICKLE, LYNN, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

HOBBS, E. W., Mansfield, Louisiana. Rule 40*

HODGES, CHARLES, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

HOFFMAN, MARILYN, Mineola, Texas. Rule 40*

HOFFMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY, Glendale, Arizona. Rule 40*

HOGNER, JEFF, dba SILVERWOOD WINTER CIRCUIT, Hardesty, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

HOOF BOND, DANA LEAHY, Hyannis, Massachusetts. Rule 40*

HOPKINS, DENNIS, Sanger, California. Rule 40*

HORSEIN’ AROUND INC., Carthage, Tennessee Rule 40*

HOUSTON RANCH, Whitesboro, Texas. Rule 40*

HOWARD, KELLI, Whitesboro, Texas Rule 40*

HOWARD, RIC, Houston, Texas. Rule 40*

HUCK, BOBBY, dba CIMARRON RIVER CUTTING, Coldwater, Kansas. Rule 40*

HUEY, DANNY, Cleburne, Texas. Rule 40*

HUGHES, JESSE, Burleson, Texas. Rule 40*

I DOTCOM PRODUCTS, San Jose, California. Rule 40*

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF HORSE FARMS, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK VIDEO SALE, Alberta, Canada. Rule 40*

JACOB, BOYCE, Abilene, Texas. Rule 40*

JENSEN, GEORGE, Jacksboro, Texas Rule 40*

JERRETT, JOSLIN (Wild Mushroom), Weatherford, Texas Rule 40*

JEWELL EQUINE TRANSPORTATION, Leavenworth, Kansas. Rule 40*

JLD PRODUCTS, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

JOHNSON, C. NEIL, III, Missouri City, Texas. Rule 40*

JOHNSON, KENNETH, dba GJ INTERNATIONAL, Arlington, Texas. Rule 40*

JONES, MR. & MRS. BRAD, Paris, Texas. Rule 40*

JONES, DREW, Ruston, Louisiana. Rule 40*

JONES, GREGORY, Ardmore, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

JONES, JACK M., JR., J&J SADDLERY, Marion, Kentucky. Rule 40*

JOSHUA TREE MARKETING, Edmond, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

KAFKA, HAROLD, CRAZY HORSE RANCH, Millington, New Jersey. Rule 40*

KAPLAN, LES & ASSOCIATES, Elmsford, New York. Rule 40*

KACE INTERNATIONAL, Mesquite, Texas. Rule 40*

KAUFMANN, ASHLY MEREDITH, Sonora, California. Rule 40*

KEETON, DOYLE & CAROL, Giddings, Texas. Rule 40*

KEITH, LARRY, Sugar Grove, Virginia Rule 40*

KING, DAVID, Louisville, Mississippi. Rule 40*

KING, ED or JUDY, Santa Fe, Texas. Rule 40*

KING, MR. & MRS. JERRY, Corpus Christi, Texas. Rule 40*

KING OF SPORTS, HAROLD FLYNN, DIRECTOR, Little Rock, Arkansas. Rule 40*

KNOX, TONNIE & JAMIE, Yuma, Arizona. Rule 40*

LAIRD, HOWARD, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Rule 40*

LAMB, CHERYL-HOOF DOCTOR, Burleson, Texas Rule 40*

LANDSBERG, AUDREY, Agua Dulce, California. Rule 40*

LANGFORD, RANDY L., Katy, Texas. Rule 40*

LAREDAO CONVERSION TRUCKS, Burleson, Texas. Rule 40*

LAWRENCE INSURANCE GROUP, Greensboro, North Carolina. Rule 40*

LAYLAND, CRAIG, Lubbock, Texas. Rule 40*

LEACH, BOB, De Leon, Texas. Rule 40*

LEATHER HORSE MERCANTILE, Weatherford, Texas. Rule 40*

LECHNER, ANNABELLE, Templeton, California Rule 4

LEGATE, CAROL/LARRY BROWN REALTORS, Amarillo, Texas.

LEVITRE, JOSH, Bountiful, Utah

LEWIN, MICHAEL, Salado, Texas.

LEWIS, DAN, Caldwell, Idaho.

LEWIS, DAVID, LONE OAK STALLION STATION, Hendersonville, Tennessee...............................................................

LIFELINE EQUINE c/o JILL HINDS, Arena, Wisconsin.

LITTLE MONTANA LTD., Vienna, Virginia.

LOGO IT!, Logan, Utah

LONE STAR FORD, Houston, Texas.

LONG, GREG, dba SHOW OFFS, Van Alstyne, Texas.

LUCAS, BOBBY, Edmond, Oklahoma.

LYLES, LINDA, dba THE RANCH HOUSE, Abilene, Texas.

LYNCH, DURWOOD, Plainview, Texas.

MACLEOD & HOPPER, Lexington, Kentucky.

MAG BAR SYNDICATE, ALAN WEISS, Dallas, Texas.

MAGNETIC SOLUTIONS, Wichita Falls, Texas

MANDEVILLE, LISA, Northridge, California.

MARRS, MIKE, Abilene, Texas.

MARSHALL, LINDA, Vero Beach, Florida.

MARTIN, MICHELLE, Batavia, Illinois.

MASSIMO, BELLEZZA -Italy, (Roma)

MATTHEWS, MICHELLE, Chino Valley, Arizona

MAY, LYNN, Monroe, Washington.

MAYFIELD, GREGORY SCOTT, Scott, Louisiana.

McCLELLAND, JOHN R., New Iberia, Louisiana.

McFADDEN, EDDIE, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

McGEE, JIM & FRIGGA, Hampton, Georgia.

McGUIRE, ARVID, Anderson, Alabama.

McKEE, MIKE & VICKIE, Cleveland, Tennessee.

McLEOD, MARILYN, Flora, Mississippi.

McRORY, BRYAN, Perry, Florida.

MEBANE RANCHES, Woody, California

MID-ISLAND KENNELS, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

MID-WEST FEED & BEDDING, Lacygne, Kansas.

MILAM, JULIE, Alta Loma, Texas.

MILEY STARFLEET TRAILER COMPANY, Sacramento, California..........................................................................................

MILLER, BRAD/PREFERRED REINERS PRS, Inc. Wilmer, Texas.................................................................................................

MILLER, FRED, Metairie, Louisiana.

MILLER, RAY JR., EQUISCAN, Baraboo, Wisconsin.

MILLER, ROBERT GLENN, Houston, Texas. Rule

MILLER, TERRY, Bunkie, LA. Rule

MILLICAN, JOHN, Whiteville, North Carolina.

MILLIGAN, KELLY, Laurinburg, North Carolina

MILLS, JERRY, Englewood, Colorado.

MILLSAP, RANDY, dba RED ROCK CATTLE COMPANY, Cumby, Texas. Rule

MIZE, ALLEN, Dallas, Texas. Rule

MONEY, MIKE, Santa Ynez, California. Rule 40*

MONTGOMERY, BETTY, Austin, Texas. Rule 40*

MOORE, G.W., dba WESTERN WOOD SHAVINGS, Dallas, Texas..................................................................................... Rule 40*

MOREHOUSE, KIANA -Buckley, Washington Rule 40*

MORRELL, KEITH, Hardy, Arkansas. Rule 40*

MOSIER, KARL, Stevensburg, Virginia. Rule 40*

MOSS, MICHELE, Aubrey, Texas. Rule 40*

MOXY PRODUCTS, INC., Torrance, California. Rule 40*

MURDOCH, DON, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

MUSICK, STAN & SUZI, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Rule 40*

NATION ADVERTISING, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rule 40*

NAT’L TEAM ROPING ASSN/DARLENE MILLER, Weatherford, Texas. Rule 40*

NORRIS, DESTIINY, Ruskin, Florida Rule 40*

NOSAL, CHARLOTTE, Houston, Texas. Rule 40*

OLD HICKORY FURNITURE CO., Roanoke, Texas. Rule 40*

OLSON, TRACY, Canada Rule 40*

O’MALLEY & ASSOCIATES, Los Angeles, California. Rule 40*

OUTLAW TRUCK, Carthage, Missouri. Rule 40*

OUT WEST FINE PROPERTIES, SI JARBOE, Dolores, Colorado. Rule 40*

OWEN, SUSAN, Elizabeth, Colorado. Rule 40*

P & J ASSOCIATES, North Miami Beach, Florida. Rule 40*

P.J. FINANCIAL, Los Molinos, California. Rule 40*

PACE, JERRY, Conroe, Texas. Rule 40*

PACE, STEPHANI A., Renton, Washington. Rule 40*

PASS, MICHAEL, Whitesboro, Texas. Rule 40*

PARKS, ROBBIE, Stephenville, Texas. Rule 40*

PEARSON, LONNIE, dba GOLDEN VALLEY RANCH, Norman, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

PERKS, ANDREW, Brock, Texas Rule 40*

PERRIN, WIL, dba UNITED HYDROCARBON CORPORATION, Corona Del Mar, California. Rule 40*

PITTMAN, MIKE, Temple, Texas. Rule 40*

PLEASURE ACRES PERFORMANCE HORSE SALE, Arcadia, Indiana.............................................................................................. Rule 40*

POKOJ, MALGOZATA, Poland Rule 40*

POLLARD BITS & SPURS/DANNY POLLARD, Merkel, Texas. Rule 40*

PONS, PHIL, Ocala, Florida. Rule 40*

PORTER, JEROME & JAMIE, Rogers, Arkansas Rule 40*

POSEY, RANDY, Comanche, Texas. Rule 40*

POWERS, GEORGIA, dba WESTERN SLOPES SPRING CUTTING, Grand Junction, Colorado. Rule 40*

PRESTIGE TRUCK CONVERSIONS, JOE SLOWIAK, Burleson, Texas................................................................................................. Rule 40*

PROMENSCHENKEL, MARLYS, Olathe, Kansas. Rule 40*

PRO WALK MANUFACTURING -Ada, Oklahoma Rule 40*

PYLE, BOBBY, Bloomburg, Texas. Rule 40*

QUINTANA, REX, Benton City, Washington. Rule 40*

RAFTER C, Lindale, Texas. Rule 40*

RAINBOW, FRANK, Springtown, Texas. Rule 40* RAMADA LIMITED WILLOW PARK, Aledo, Texas. Rule 40* RANCHLAND REALTY, INC., Granbury, Texas. Rule 40* RATJEN, JACK, Mansfield, Texas. Rule 40*

RB QUARTER HORSES, Valley View, Texas

RED RIVER WESTERN DECOR/JEFF BURNS, Fort Worth, Texas.

RED STAR BREEDERS, Fayetteville, Tennessee. Rule

REEK, TOM, Brenham, Texas.

REUTER, SHELIA, Kirkwood, California.

RIDENS, D. C., Salem, Oregon.

RIVER RIDE OF TEXAS, INC., Alpine, Texas.

RODDY, DEWEY, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

RODGERS, TEX, Pinehurst. Texas.

ROE, DOUG & MARY ANN, Moody, Texas.

ROOT, HEIDI, Red Bluff, California.

RUSSELL, DON, dba REDBUD CLASSIC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.........................................................................................

SACHTLEBEN, TROY J., Antonio, Colorado.

SANTA FE SPIRIT, Albany, Georgia.

SANTA ROSA EQUINE, Vernon, Texas

SARATOGA STALLS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

SCHAEFER, DARLENE, Las Vegas, Nevada.

SCHAEFER, ROBERT, Las Vegas, Nevada.

SCHWAB, RICHARD, dba SUMMIT LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY, Marietta, Oklahoma

SCHWARZ, SHELDON, Springfield, Georgia.

SEABREEZE TRAVEL, North Miami, Florida.

SEGO, J.T., Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

SEGUIN HORSE CENTER, Seguin, Texas.

SHOW OFFS, Van Alstyne, Texas.

SHOWTIME SLEEPERS, INC., RICK WILLIAMS, Ocala, Florida..............................................................................................

SHRIMPERS, Fort Worth, Texas.

SIDE SADDLE BOUTIQUE/TAWNI Maughn , Weatherford, Texas.

SILLIMAN, DARRELL, Bernie, Missouri.

SILVERWOOD WINTER CIRCUIT, Jeff Hogner, Hardesty, Oklahoma.........................................................................................

SIMMONS, LUTHER, Florissant, Missouri

WALL, TREY, Valley View, Texas. Rule 40*

WALLACE, LOUIS N. & LINDA, Belton, Texas. Rule 40*

WALTON, BOB, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

WALTON, GERRY, FLY TECHNOLOGIES, Bedford, Texas. Rule 40*

WATKINS, BILL, Denton, Texas. Rule 40*

WEATHERBUSTER, INC., El Cajon, California. Rule 40*

WELLS, JACQUELINE, Austin Texas. Rule 40*

WELLS, JULIE, Boyd, Texas Rule 40*

WESTERN CAROLINA HORSE SALES, Central, South Carolina. Rule 40*

WESTERN TRUCKWORKS, Edmond, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

WESTON, DONNA, Parma, Idaho. Rule 40*

WHITE, JEANNE, Pampa, Texas. Rule 40*

WILLETT, TIMOTHY, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

WILLIAMS, BONNIE, NRM SADDLE RIDGE MORTGAGE, Weatherford, Texas. Rule 40*

WINCHESTER, LORI, Searcy, Arkansas Rule 40*

WINEY, MICHAEL, Evening Shade, Arkansas Rule 40*

WMIT STUDIO A DESIGN LLC, Moneta, Virginia. Rule 40*

WOLFE, PATSI, Trinidad, Colorado.. Rule 40*

WRIGHT, KENNETH & ROXANNE, Kaufman, Texas. Rule 40*

WYNKOOP, JAMES, Tomball, Texas. Rule 40*

ZIMMERMAN, DICK, Portage, Indiana. Rule 40*

NCHA Probation List

DUNKLE, DEENA, Farwell, MI

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

MOORE, ANNETTE, Williston, FL

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

MOORE, CASEY, Williston, FL

November 16, 2021 - November 16, 2024

(Standing Rule 51.a.4)

40* SIMS RANCH, Stephenville, Texas.

SIMS, HARVEY, FLYING BAR A RANCH, Rhome, Texas.

40* SKAGGS, CHRIS, Lancaster, California. Rule 40* SMITH, DANIELLE, Ripley, Maine Rule 40* SMITH, SID & VICKIE, Edgemont, Arkansas. Rule 40* SNODGRESS EQUIPMENT/Randy Snodgress, Joshua, Texas. Rule 40* SODA CREEK RANCH, Oronogo, Missouri. Rule 40* SOUTHEASTERN CHA, LISA ETHERIDGE, Sec’y, Unadilla, Georgia............................................................................................. Rule 40* SOUTHWEST DISTRIBUTORS, Cleburne, Texas. Rule 40* SPEIGHT, JOHN, Midland, Texas. Rule 40* SPINNING F RANCH, Lake Forest, California. Rule 40* STAHL, JOHN, De Soto, Kansas. Rule 40* STAN TAVENNER QUARTER HORSES, Ennis, Montana Rule 40* STANLEY, STEVEN, Chillicothe, Texas. Rule 40* STAR HORSE PRODUCTIONS, INC., San Diego, California. Rule 40* STARNS, C. M., Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40* STEINMEN, ROBERT & SUSAN, SK, Canada. Rule 40* STEPHENS, ROBERT, Rocky Comfort, Missouri. Rule 40* STEPHENS, SHA, Weatherford, Texas. Rule 40* STEPHENS, STEVE, Clinton, Mississippi. Rule 40* STEVENS, J.C., Canon City, Colorado. Rule 40* STICKLER, MIKE, Templeton, California. Rule 40* STITES, MARK, Custer, South Dakota. Rule 40* STOCKYARDS REALTY, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40* STONEMAN, MARK, Granbury, Texas. Rule 40* STRUCTURAL STEEL BLDG., Boca Raton, Florida. Rule 40* SUPERIOR BARNS AND BUILDINGS/DEBBIE PEELE, Franklinville, South Carolina. Rule 40* SUPERIOR EQUINE PHARMACEUTICAL, Pleasant Grove, Utah Rule 40* SWZT / STEVE TACKETT, Longmont, Colorado. Rule 40* T-TREE QUARTER HORSES, Kerrville, Texas. Rule 40* TACKETT, STEVE - SWZT, Olney, Texas. Rule 40* TAYLOR, CATHY, Olympia, Washington. Rule 40*

TAW, Wingate, Texas. Rule 40*

TERRAL, RUSTY, Santa Maria, California. Rule 40*

TETON RANCH CORP. c/o STEVE TUSHA, Emmetsburg, Iowa. Rule 40*

TEXAS AMERICAN RANCHES, INC., Sanger, Texas. Rule 40*

TEXAS EXOTIC BOOT COMPANY, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

THORTON, MARY JO, GREAT SOUTHWEST RANCH, Greenville, Texas. Rule 40*

TIMBERCLAD PRODUCTS, Richardson, Texas. Rule 40*

TOOTHACRE QUARTER HORSE SHOW, CAROLYN RENNINGER, SEC’Y, Sandburg, Pennsylvania. Rule 40*

TRAILS APARTMENTS, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

TRAVEL LODGE SUITES, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

TRIPLE C WELDING, Cleburne, Texas Rule 40*

TRUCK & LIVESTOCK CONCEPTS, GLEN MILLER, Bleiblerville, Texas............................................................................ Rule 40*

TUBAUGH, JOHN, EAGLE HORSE TRADING CO., Kansas City, Missouri. Rule 40*

TURNER, KELSEY, Eufaula, Oklahoma Rule 40*

TUTTLE, FERRELL, Victoria, Texas. Rule 40*

TYNAN, RUSSELL, Mesquite, Texas. Rule 40*

UNITED SPRTSMANS ASSOCIATION, Fort Davis, Alabama. Rule 40*

UTAH TAILORING, Baird, Texas. Rule 40*

VAN HAM QUARTER HORSES, Pilot Point, Texas. Rule 40*

VAUGHN, DAN, Waxahachie, Texas. Rule 40*

VAUGHN, LLOYD & SHARON, Beeville, Texas. Rule 40*

VAUGHN, LLOYD (EMMITT), Kenedy, Texas. Rule 40*

WALKER, MILLIE, Opelousas, Louisiana Rule 40*

MOORE, KOLBY DON, Williston, FL

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

MOORE, WILLIAM COLT, Williston, FL

November 16, 2020 - November 16, 2023

(Standing Rule 50.d.4 and 51.a.4)

Million-Dollar Riders

By the end of 2022, the National Cutting Horse Association listed more than 165 riders as having lifetime earnings of more than $1,000,000. Here is a look at the top 100 riders and their earnings.

Beau Galyean $5,105,774.83

John Mitchell $5,084,060.27

Wesley Galyean $4,917,173.05

Mary Ann Rapp $4,908,141.57

Boyd Rice $4,691,527.56

Bill Riddle $4,589,542.41

James Payne $4,520,764.90

Philip L Hanson $4,489,583.20

Morgan Cromer $4,438,136.54

Kathy Daughn $4,394,388.72

Michael Cooper $4,290,691.32

Jody Galyean $4,288,468.35

Ma Miller $4,101,182.18

Lindy Burch $4,066,753.63

Dustin Adams $4,038,963.42

Chad Bushaw $4,000,870.48

Grant Setnicka $3,967,830.88

Russ Westfall $3,794,086.83

Tag Rice $3,779,812.41

W Pete Branch $3,718,777.78

Sco Weis $3,686,138.12

Lee Francois $3,468,234.08

Tracy Barton $3,455,453.01

Sandy Wyld Bonelli $3,404,180.37

Faron Hightower $3,290,963.82

Shannon Hall $3,275,450.57

Todd Bimat $3,231,133.08

Russ Miller $3,193,721.86

Gary Bellenfant $3,172,809.72

Craig Thompson $3,134,492.33

Tarin Rice $3,069,263.26

Mike Wood $3,040,790.46

Jason Clark $3,040,081.64

Gavin M Jordan $3,008,212.56

Sean Flynn $2,990,751.53

Tatum Rice $2,973,168.18

Mary Jo Milner $2,912,809.07

Ed Flynn $2,902,403.37

Guy Woods $2,899,092.10

James Bradley Mitchell $2,887,450.25

Kenneth Pla $2,696,792.05

Tom Lyons $2,692,235.83

R L Chartier $2,682,194.61

Paula Wood $2,629,367.81

Chubby Turner $2,556,163.27

Jesse Lennox $2,479,895.92

Robert A Rust $2,439,719.42

Monty Buntin $2,387,648.99

Ascencion Banuelos $2,348,395.23

Winston Hansma $2,337,589.66

Tommy Marvin $2,306,988.02

Bre Davis $2,238,026.50

Darren Simpkins $2,206,513.53

Tom Long $2,194,609.80

Mike Mowery $2,154,925.08

Rock Hedlund $2,129,588.19

Geoffrey Sheehan $2,118,134.81

Kelle Earnheart $2,114,334.97

J B Mclamb $1,980,299.06

Dustin Gonnet $1,969,762.98

Zeke Entz $1,957,646.77

Roy Carter $1,932,941.28

Greg Coalson $1,924,442.04

Craig Morris $1,916,593.83

Lindy Ashlock $1,886,673.90

Kyle Manion $1,876,165.07

John Wold $1,843,288.16

Ed Dufurrena $1,841,986.47

Steve Michael Oehlhof $1,792,288.88

Dan Hansen $1,781,044.51

James Nathan Vangilder $1,734,784.23

Dave W Stewart $1,728,797.65

Casey C Crouch $1,727,160.78

Hope Mitchell $1,700,436.58

Casey Green $1,696,649.12

Dirk Blakesley $1,693,861.43

Cara Brewer $1,676,291.47

A J Tully $1,661,438.19

Randy Chartier $1,657,322.11

Cullen Chartier $1,613,153.50

Eddie Braxton $1,610,345.25

Gerry Hansma $1,605,333.53

Jonathan Rogers $1,577,462.48

Kory Pounds $1,573,956.36

Sco Martin $1,572,665.80

Josh B Sleeman $1,564,096.81

Ty Moore $1,563,872.64

Allen Crouch $1,546,036.55

Elizabeth Quirk $1,524,363.56

Clay Johnson $1,472,226.90

Two ways to APHA registration:

1. Lineage – If your horse has at least one APHA registered parent, your horse may be eligible for APHA registration REGARDLESS OF COLOR.

2. Markings – If your horse has two inches of solid white hair in one of the qualifying areas (above the hock/knee & behind the eye)

Below are some of the APHA- registered sires & dams with competing foals :

BADBOONARISING

CATTY HAWK

CHECK YER METAL

DANDY CAT

DUAL REYISH

HISSY CAT

HYDRIVE CAT

METALLIC REY MINK

METALLIC REBEL

ONCE YOU GO BLACK

ONE TIME ROYALTY

QUEJANAISALENA

REYZIN THE CASH

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLUES

RUSTY BLUE METALLIC

SHES TWICE AS SMOOTH

SMOOTH AS A CAT

SMOOTH

TALKIN STYLE

STEVIE REY VON

THIRD EDGE

Photography by Seth Petit

ONLINE PERFORMANCE & PEDIGREE RESEARCH

The QData Online Database offers a variety of reports with extensive money-earning detail and a summary of AQHA points and awards. Horse, Sire, Dam and Grandsire reports are available.

RobinGlenn.com

MONEY-EARNER LEADERBOARDS

Updated weekly and available for free, the interactive Leaderboards provide the top 50 money-earners in 16 different event groups, both yearly and all-time. Sires, dams, grandsires, owners and breeders are available with more filters included inside each list.

QStallions.com/QDataLeaders.html

DIY SALE CATALOGS

The QData Catalog Builder allows self-serve production of your own fully-researched sale catalog complete with photos, a real-time internet preview and a presence on the QData Catalog App. Five pedigree types and numerous layout styles are available. Catalogs.RobinGlenn.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

A W A R D N O M I N A T I O N S AWARDNOMINATIONS

MaryKingsburyAmateur SporstmanshipAward

TheawardispresentedannuallytoanactiveNCHAAmateurwho is:dedicatedtothesportofcutting,ingoodstandingwiththe NCHA,exhibitsgoodsportsmanship,fairness,andahighmoral character,andhasmadeextraordinarycontributionstothesportof cutting,thehorseandtheassociationthroughtheircontributionof time,effortandinterestintheNCHAanditsendeavors.

EachNationalCuttingHorseAssociation(NCHA)affiliate cannominateoneoutstandingyouthmembereachyear.The recipientwillberecoginizedforscholastic,extracurricular activities,andcuttinghorseinvolvement.Allaffiliatesare encouragedtoparticipateinthenominationprocess.

ZaneSchulteAward

TheZaneSchulteAwardwascreatedinhonorandmemoryofZane Schultz,thesonofThomasandBarbraSchulte.Awardedannually, thisrecognitionispresentedtoaprofessionaltrainerwho exemplifiesthecharacterbywhichZaneSchulteisremembered: integrity,service,values,respectoftheirpeers,contributiontothe industryandexcellenceinthearena.

TO ALL NCHA MEMBERS ZERO TOLERANCE

The National Cutting Horse Association is increasingly aware of the sensitivity of its members and the general public in assuring that its activities show the utmost respect for the cutting horse as an animal and that any perception of inhumane treatment is avoided. The Executive Committee, upon the recommendation of the Judges’ Rules Committee, other standing committees and many members has instructed the staff that a “zero tolerance” policy must be followed in connection with the enforcement of Rule 35.A.

35.A. Zero Tolerance Policy

Inhumane treatment or excessive training of a horse in any manner is strictly prohibited. Both owner and rider of any horse entered in an NCHA approved or sponsored event, by said entry, consents to the implementation of any action allowed by this Zero Tolerance Policy (Rule 35.A) by either show management or judge. This includes any act which the general public would perceive to constitute inhumane treatment or excessive training of a horse. Any act of inhumane treatment, mistreatment or intent to mistreat a horse will be dealt with in the strongest possible manner as provided for in this Standing Rule. This Zero Tolerance Policy covers acts occurring not only in the show arena, but also those occurring anywhere on the show grounds–the warm-up area, practice pen or any other location.

The “ Zero Tolerance” policy encompasses all of the following acts:

Excessive Training: Excessive Training includes: excessive jerking; cueing; whipping; use of lip wire or similar device; slapping or hitting a horse on the head, or any other part of the body, one time or more than one time, in any manner, either with the rider’s hands, reins or any other object; using a bit in such a way that a horse is caused to bleed from its mouth or face; using any object held in the rider’s hand to hit a horse; or any other act which may cause trauma or injury to a horse.

Inhumane treatment: Inhumane Treatment is the exhibition of a lame or injured horse, or a horse that appears lame or injured, or a horse with any other health abnormality, which could thereby result in the horse’s undue discomfort or distress.

Your cooperation in promoting the welfare of our cutting horse athletes through enforcement of our rules is appreciated and absolutely essential to the ongoing success of the NCHA and its affiliates.

Very Truly Yours,

odd itard NCHA President

1. 2.

Advertisers Index

The Original Rule Book

Only 16 pages long, the first National Cutting Horse Association official book of rules could fit in a pocket.

Back in 1946, the NCHA released the rst o cial book of cutting competition rules. e book measured 4-⅓ by 6 inches and was only 16 pages. It consisted of just six Articles and 17 Standing Rules. By comparison, the 2023 NCHA O cial Handbook of Rules and Regulations book is 172 pages.

In e ect, NCHA members make the rules and the NCHA sta follows them. Members submit suggestions, support or displeasure for new rules to the NCHA Standing Committees. ose Committees recommend changes to the NCHA Executive Committee, which considers and approves them during Executive Committee Meetings and at the NCHA Annual Convention.

e o cial rules are maintained online at the NCHA website nchacutting.com. e printed rule book is available and provided as a resource for easy reference. However, the online version of the rules is controlling and should be consulted for the most up-to-date version of the o cial rules. e new 2024 printed rule book is scheduled to be printed in December.

BELOW : The cover of the first National Cutting Horse Association official rule book.

RIGHT : The original rule book was printed on only 16 pages.