Cutting Horse Chatter – Summer 2024

2024 EE RANCHES Stallion Roster

High Brow Cat x Laney Doc Stallion Fee - $3,150 includes farm

High Brow Cat x Merada Lena Stallion Fee - $3,150 includes farm fee

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National Cutting Horse Association 260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107-1862 (817) 244-6188; FAX (817) 244-2015 • nchacutting.com ©2023

NCHA STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jay Winborn

MANAGER OF COMMITTEE RELATIONS

Cathy Aleff

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 Off 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

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

ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Evelyn Barber

WRITERS

Abigail Boatwright, Hannah Crandall, Marianne Dougherty, Leslie George, Jessica Gryder, Ross Hecox, Jennifer Horton, Michaela Jaycox, Sarah McEntire, Molly Montag, Roger Munford, Kristin Pitzer, Heather Smith Thomas

ADVERTISING SALES

SENIOR VP | BROADCAST & CUSTOM PUBLISHING SALES, TEXAS MONTHLY & TEXAS COUNTRY REPORTER Frank Librio (214) 642-6635 flibrio@texasmonthly.com

NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR | CUSTOM CONTENT & PUBLISHING

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

Copyright © 2024 National Cutting Horse Association

Cutting Horse Chatter (ISSN 1081-0951) is published 4 times a year by the National Cutting 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 Cutting Horse Association’s annual membership dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Cutting Horse Chatter, 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

In This Issue

FEATURES

2024 NCHA Members Hall Of Fame Gary Merritt and Steve Norris 2023 NCHA Horses Of The Year Open: Kittennish; Non-Pro: Kitty Von Wood; Amateur: Cowboys N Hippies

Rafter P. Construction Building On Heritage

photo by anna krause

Adan Bañuelos and Storyteler in the TAPH show pen.

An equine vet shares ways that can help keep show horses in top shape.

our horses,

Enjoy authentic moments & revel in the natural beauty of one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Your personalized private adventure awaits at Reid Creek Lodge.

Visit www.wagonhound.com/reidcreeklodge

In This Issue

photo by jess gryder

Young horses await the branding experience at the storied 6666 Ranch.

photo courtesy of 6666 ranch

Texan Therapeutic Riding: Making an Impact

Texan Therapeutic Riding is an equine assisted therapeutic riding program at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, that utilizes horseback riding as a form of therapy.

Emerging 30 years ago, Texan Therapeutic Riding has overcome many challenges including a lack of horses and equipment for participants. However, through resourcefulness and community support, the program flourished into the wonderful experience it is today. Boasting nine donated horses, premier accreditation from PATH International, and a team of certified instructors, Texan Therapeutic Riding serves nearly 400 individuals annually.

Beyond providing therapeutic riding sessions, the program offers educational opportunities for Tarleton students, fostering an understanding of disabilities and hands-on experience with riders. Volunteers and students alike are crucial in sustaining the program’s operations.

The benefits of equine assisted therapy extend beyond physical rehabilitation, encompassing psychological and social development. Riders experience improved balance, emotional control, and the nurturing environment of the horses promotes self-confidence and trust.

In a personal reflection, one volunteer shares the profound impact Texan Therapeutic Riding has had on their life, emphasizing the joy and perspective gained from working with riders facing challenges with resilience and positivity.

Texan Therapeutic Riding stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and community support, embodying the spirit of Texan resilience and compassion. As it continues to grow and touch more lives, its commitment to serving others remains unwavering.

FROM TOP :

TTR volunteers engage with participant riding a horse. Young TTR participant embraces horse after riding.

HARNESSES THE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS TEXAN

THERAPEUTIC RIDING

LEARN MORE

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

Benefits include:

• Scientifically-proven

• Safe to use long-term

• Non-swabbable

• Cost-effective once-daily administration

• Palatable apple flavour

• Effective adjunct to prescription treatments after joint injury or surgery

• Convenient for horses that may be needle shy

Cara Brewer Team

See You In Nashville

Following the ecstatic enthusiasm displayed at the 2024 NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes presented by Beechfork Ranch, I would like to invite each member to attend the NCHA Annual Convention, which is just around the corner.

This year, we're heading to the lively city of Nashville, Tennessee, from June 21 – 23, and we can't wait to see you all there.

We're thrilled to announce that this year's Convention will be a fantastic opportunity for us to come together to learn, connect, and strengthen our community. But it's not all business at the convention! We've also planned various fun activities to keep you entertained, including a welcome reception, keynote speaker Will Chesney, and the eagerly awaited Hall of Fame Gala. Tickets are required for the Gala, but the NCHA Convention is free. (Members must register before May 24.)

We strongly encourage all members to attend the Convention and make the most of this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge, make new connections, and have a great time! We promise that this year's Convention will be one to remember, filled with unforgettable experiences that you'll cherish for years to come.

Thank you for being part of the NCHA Community. We can't wait to see you in Nashville, Tennessee, and make this year's NCHA Annual Convention the best one yet!

Jay Winborn NCHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

photo by justin clemons

Youth Connection

With the NYCHA World Finals and Youth Week, as well as NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular on the cutting calendar, the NYCHA officers announce some exciting opportunities for Youth members.

Hey NYCHA! The youth hauling year is wrapping up, summer is right around the corner, and the countdown for Youth Week is on! With that being said, there are quite a few things to put on your radar.

Looking back on the successful year we’ve had — from our record-breaking Stallion Auction to Area Service Projects and every little detail in between — there is one common theme: the participation of our Youth members. It’s time to start considering where you see yourself in the program for next year.

Everyone has different goals and dreams for their youth career, and it takes all sorts of people to make this association go ‘round, so I encourage you to take a look at the leadership positions available. All of the information and applications can be found on the youth website nycha.us, under the “LEADERSHIP” tab. If you have any questions about the process itself or want some personal insight of the positions and what it is like serving on the NYCHA Board, please reach out to me. I am beyond happy to help! This organization has taught me so much, both in and out of the arena, and I take pride in my NYCHA family, experiences, and I want to push the legacy on for future generations to come.

A special part of this organization is that not only does it highlight talent in the arena, but NYCHA also recognizes skill and participation outside of the show pen. There are scholarship opportunities available to all NYCHA members in “out-of-arena” contests. These opportunities include essay, artwork, photography, and public-speaking contests. All of these competitions are divided up into a Junior and a Senior division, and it is important to note that you do not have to be present at Youth Week to participate in the essay, artwork, or

photography contests. This is another thing that I encourage everyone to enter. You never know who is going to enter these contests, so don’t count yourself out or sell yourself short on your talent. There is no harm in getting a little extra practice outside of the arena, and money adds up!

The last thing I want to draw your attention to is the Levels of Excellence Award Program (LEAP). Created in 1994, the program was intended to recognize Youth members for their participation and success in life. These points are accumulated throughout one's youth career and helps members earn awards and scholarships. This is an opportunity for all NYCHA members regardless of whether or not you show. A certain amount of LEAP points are required to reach the NYCHA Hall of Fame, so it is important to start keeping track of your points as soon as possible.

To find all the information and forms regarding LEAP points, visit nycha.us and under the “AWARDS” tab, click on “LEVELS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM.” Again, if you have any questions, please contact me.

Brea Collier, President Elect

The year may be coming to an end, but the youth are busy as ever. Keep on the lookout for local service projects, the area basket fundraiser, and additional youth activities. I am so excited to see y’all in Fort Worth for Youth Week! As always, if you wish to talk with me or get more involved in the NYCHA, don't hesitate to call.

Brea

Collier PRESIDENT

NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular and NYCHA Youth Week are up next! As we are wrapping up the 2024 youth hauling year, I want to give a shout out and congratulations to all world finalists on a job well done.

As Youth Week is fast approaching, I hope that everyone is making plans to attend. There will be so much going on during Youth Week and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new connections. Please keep an eye on our NYCHA social media pages for updates on specific dates for those of you planning to attend.

This has been an amazing year, and I have enjoyed every minute of reporting on our Youth News. I am looking forward to next year and more opportunities to represent our Youth riders! Thank you so much for the continued support. Let’s continue to build on this great organization and grow our Youth program.

Annie Kate White SENIOR REPORTER

Hello everyone! As the 2024 point year winds down, I would like to congratulate all of the weekend haulers. Also, I know some of my fellow cutters hace reached many personal goals, both in and out of the arena. Congratulations to all of you on these milestones!

Thanks to the NYCHA members who have worked diligently on our Stallion Auction. Also, we will once again have the Area Baskets for sale at the NYCHA Summer Banquet. The NYCHA World Finals and NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular are almost here. I look forward to seeing you there, and good luck to all showing there.

Faith Glover

JUNIOR REPORTER

above :

Faith Glover, Junior Reporter

above :

Annie Kate White, Senior Reporter

photo by seth petit

Making the Cut

Sara Hollar is representing NYCHA as a member of the Priefert Junior Elite Team.

By Hannah Crandall

Atrue leadership program, the 2024 Priefert Junior Elite Team consists of 130 members who will gain industry insight through the eyes of Priefert Pro Team athletes and Western industry partners. Among those selected is Sara Hollar, a 14-yearold NYCHA competitor from Brenham, Texas.

Getting extremely involved in cutting very quickly, Hollar started competing in May of 2023, where at her first show, she marked a 68. The following weekend, she won her first buckle and check. Since then, she’s qualified for the Texas High School Rodeo Association (THSRA) State Finals and has also set goals to qualify for the NYCHA Holy Cow Performance Horses

Youth World Finals and become inducted into the NYCHA Hall of Fame.

“As I’ve started showing and become more involved, I’ve learned that horses are my getaway,” Hollar explained. “Growing up watching it all, it is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I just didn’t have the right opportunity until last May.”

As an industry leader, Priefert hopes to invest in youth and equip them to protect and preserve the Western way of life. One way they do that is through three-day camps, where team members have an opportunity to participate in character development and learn from top-level athletes and industry professionals.

“I am super excited about going out to Mount Pleasant, as well as just getting to say I’m on the Priefert Junior Elite Team as the sole cutter through the NCHA,” Hollar said. “It’s a huge responsibility to help represent the NCHA, but to be picked out of over 500 kids to do that, it is unreal. I am grateful for the NCHA Foundation and their support.”

What began as an idea in October of 2018 became reality shortly thereafter with the first Priefert team announced in January of 2019. Today, the team is a prestigious opportunity to prepare young cowboys and cowgirls for their futures both in the arena and out.

“I think this program is really special, because the content we are sharing with these students is what I hope somebody will share with my children one day,” said Priefert Director of Marketing Courtney Dyer. “It focuses on building a good foundation to help them make good choices in their chosen sport and every aspect of life, whether that’s education, a future job or going on to compete professionally.”

Sara Hollar aboard Sara The Kid at the NYCHA Jr. Youth Scholarship Cutting last July.

From Ranch Life to the Show Pen

By Marianne Dougherty

Mya Wicks grew up on her family’s cattle ranch in Richardton, North Dakota, where she spent most of her life riding horses. The high school junior remembers that her parents, Zane and Mary Jo, both avid rodeo competitors, put her on a horse for the first time when she was only three. Her older sister Josie, who shared her love of horses, introduced her to cutting.

“Josie competed in some North Dakota Cutting Horse Association (NDCHA) cuttings, but then she went to college and got too busy,” said Mya. Starting her freshman year of high school, Mya began riding “Champ,” Josie’s old horse. Due to Champ's lack of recent practice, they had a rough start. “He wasn’t listening to me,” she said. “It was like he was in his own world.”

Because of this, they were thrilled to discover the perfect solution for Champ — a refresher course with trainer Kyle Krause. Mya’s search led to him at Gary Bader and Sons Feedyard, where she was confident he would be the perfect fit. As a cherry on the top, the Baders also had a sorrel Quarter Horse gelding named Sneakin’ By Too, known as “Splash” (Sneakin’ Lena x Amafoxy Poppin x Poppin Peponita), bred by Don and Kathleen Strain. Mya wanted to try Splash out, and it was love at first sight. “That horse knew more than I did,” she said. “We just got each other.” Continuing to learn from Krause, Mya still spends a week in Nebraska with him each summer to “cut cows, work the flag, and things like that.”

Mya says her bond with Splash is unbreakable, a love story in every sense of the word.

ABOUT MYA WICKS

NO BULL

The Wicks’ Cattle Ranch raises Simangus bulls, which they sell once a year at an event held on the ranch.

HOOP DREAMS

Mya is a manager on the girls’ basketball team at her high school where she keeps track of points made, points missed, assists, and other data that can be used to improve their game.

CLEAN SWEEP

Mya has found a somewhat unconventional way to relieve stress and tension: she cleans.

“I find it meditative,” she said.

photo courtesy of mya wicks

19.9 Acre

Beautiful Horse Ranch

Located in Millsap Parker County, Texas

$2,395,000.00

Excellent sandy loam soil established in coastal bermuda with large oak trees. A custom

2,820 SF 3-2.1-2 brick and stone home with an open concept.

Covered porches, large patio with pool. A large 4 stall horse barn with a 2-2 apartment, and trailer storage. A 150 x 300 roping & cutting lighted pipe arena. A 2-stall foaling or stud barn with large runs and enclosed storage room. Multiple loafing sheds. Gated entry. Coop water and a stock pond.

13.25 Acres, 2600 Boyd Road, Located in Granbury Hood County, Texas

$895,000.00.

Very beautiful sloping land and good soils with huge live oaks and other trees.

22.5 Acre

Horse & Cattle Property 1215 Tuggle Road, Located in Lipan Palo Pinto County, Texas

$895,000.00.

A nice 3-2 metal exterior & stone accents home with porte-cochere on hill. Nice all steel shop, implement shed, cattle pens, pipe fencing, pipe entrance, gated entry, coastal bermuda & native grasses, oak trees, coop water tap, stock pond, breaking pen, and loafing shed.

A 3,298 sq. ft. 2-3-2 brick home & large screened in back porch. A large living room with fireplace and tall beam ceiling. A beautiful kitchen with adjoining breakfast and dining rooms. 3 full bathrooms. Office and 2 car garage. A large all steel shop, pipe fencing, private gated entry, asphalt driveway, tiny home, & water well.

tiny home, & water well.

93 Acres, Located in Cool Parker County, Texas

$25,000 Per Acre

On the south edge of Cool, Texas with extensive FM 113 frontage. Mostly open pastureland and trees concentrated in two areas. Excellent soils for productive grasses and cultivation. The eastern portion has higher elevation with awesome views and building sites. The western portion has lower elevation with very productive soil and large pecan trees. A water well and small metal building for storage. Mineral rights available.

their skills.

“Horses weren’t my whole life when I was younger, but I fell in love with horses because of Splash,” she said. “When you find the one horse, that specific horse you bond with, that’s what you live on. It lights a fire under you.”

Sometimes, she says, she thinks that Splash was heaven-sent.

At 16, Mya competes as a Youth member of the NDCHA, an affiliate of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA). “We have crazy winters here, so the NDCHA holds maybe three cuttings in the summer, but some are two or three-day shows, and I try to go to every one of them,” she said.

Over the past two years, she won the Youth Class and the $2,000 Limit Rider Class, earning her NCHA Achievement Buckle. She was also named one of the Top Five in the Year-End NCHA Big Sky Circuit Youth Seniors.

One of Mya’s long-term goals is to compete in the NCHA Futurity, but for now she’s concentrating on winning the overall state title for cutting in high school rodeo. “I think I need to work harder on that,”

“Horses are an escape from reality. When I’m riding, it feels like I can let go of everything else and just be in the moment.”

MYA WICKS

she said with a laugh. (At the time of this writing, she sits fourth in the state.) “Splash is getting old, but I hope he’ll be with me for a while.”

Cutting has brought Mya and her father closer. “We’re learning about this sport together,” she said, adding that she relies on him to watch her compete and let her know where she needs improvement.

“We always talk before and after a cut. If I lost a competition that I really wanted to win, he can tell what I’m feeling by the look on my face, and he calms me down,” she said. “Sometimes he’ll downplay my mistake and make a joke about it like saying it was the cow’s fault, not mine. I try to tell myself that it was just one cut, to learn from it and grow from it.”

Mya also gets advice from her mom, who grew up around horses and cattle. “She may not know much about cutting, but she understands cows and their behavior, and she’s been helpful to me in that way,” said Mya. “She also knows enough about horses to help me understand how to control them when I’m competing.”

One of the reasons Mya loves cutting is that it allows her to spend more time with family. “You also learn new things on a daily basis and meet so many people,” she said, “and then there’s the bond you create with your horse.”

Mya finds solace in spending time with horses, as it allows her to escape from reality and find her own moment of peace.

“When I’m riding, it feels like I can let go of everything else and just be in the moment,” she said.

above :

Mya and Splash ready to showcase

photo by 4 - c photography

That Winning Feeling

NCHA members receive a beautiful medallion Achievement Buckle after earning their first $1,000 in NCHA-approved weekend classes.

By Roger Munford

Everyone remembers their first $1,000 prize-money earned in NCHA-approved weekend cutting classes. Those memories are enhanced by being awarded a special silver NCHA Achievement Buckle crafted by Gist Silversmiths of Placerville, California.

Spanning more than 60 years — from a sixth-grader to a retired university professor — here are the stories of a few of the many cutters who recently celebrated receiving their beautiful buckles.

“I took my first horseback riding lesson when I was 61,” said Debora Tranter, now 68, a retired airline pilot living in Scottsdale, Arizona. “I’ve always wanted to learn to ride a horse. I started cutting just over two years ago and competing six months after that. Winning the NCHA Achievement Buckle is so exciting because it’s something I never thought I’d be able to do.”

Tranter and her horse, Hot In Ready (barn name “Ringo”), have been together for over a year now, and she’s active in the Arizona Cutting Horse Association.

“One of the things that’s been most impressive to me is that in the cutting world, everybody supports each other; the other barns cheer for you and give you advice,” she said. “It’s a very unique group of people.”

Tranter has some basic strategies for her winning streak. “I think it was just showing up and persevering. My riding’s improving and I’m getting better at reading the cow, and sitting a stop,” she said. “I was an airline pilot flying big jets so to me a 150-mile-an-hour landing on a runway makes perfect sense. Slowing down in the saddle has been something I’m learning and it’s really helped my cutting.”

Tranter credits her trainer, Cody Lamont, as the person who has supported her most on her cutting journey.

“I love cutting because it’s so technical, there are so many moving parts,” she said. “You’ve got yourself and what you want to do, and then your horse has plans, and then there’s a cow

who is definitely not on the same page. Most of the time, you don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s exciting.”

Tom Wooten, 52, owner of a heating and air-conditioning company in Fort Towson, Oklahoma, had “cowboy’d” for years, before trying cutting.

“A buddy of mine, Ritchy Mears, a cutting horse trainer from Foreman, Arkansas, told me that riding a cutting horse is like riding bulls, the moves they make, and how you ride ‘em,” he said, adding that the last time he’d ridden a bull, he was 36. “That helped me give it a try.” He found himself hooked on cutting in short order.

On the advice of his wife, Lori, herself a horse trainer, Wooten decided to buy a cutting horse in Oklahoma City two years ago. His mare’s name is Kittys Tomgirl.

photo by lyndsey lamell

above :

Debora Tranter aboard Hot In Ready. Tom Wooten and Kittys Tomgirl in action.

photo by photography / emily coffeen

“I’ve always worn my dad’s buckles, but it means so much for me to be able to wear my own.”

KAY HUNT

“I really like how athletic she is,” he said. “She’s able to make some moves that you wouldn’t think she should be able to make.”

Earning his NCHA Achievement Buckle came after winning a $35,000 Non-Pro class.

“This is one of the best things to happen to me,” Wooten said. “This year I plan to go to more weekend shows on the Red River Circuit in Oklahoma — Whitesboro, Blue Ridge, and Silver Springs — and my goal is to make the NCHA World Finals. I love cutting. It’s so much better than just sitting around working.”

Kay Hunt, 11, from Weatherford, Texas recently earned her own shiny Achievement Buckle, showing in the $2,000 Limit Rider class as well as NCHA shows in Blue Ridge and Whitesboro, as well as at Bosque Ranch, in Weatherford, Texas, on her horse, SVR Caught Ya Lookin.

“I’ve always worn my dad’s buckles, but it means so much for me to be able to wear my own,” she said.

Hunt credits her mom, Jenna, for teaching her to cut and taking her to NCHA events, and her dad, Clayton Carter, who is a trainer for cutting horse owner, Carol Ward. Although Hunt admits to spending nearly all of her free time on the back of a horse, she’s in sixth grade at Weatherford Christian School where her favorite subjects are social studies, math, and science.

One of the best things about cutting, Hunt said, is spending time with her folks. “I love cutting as I get to do it with my family,” she said. “I go all over the country — Idaho, Oregon, Vegas, California, and Oklahoma. I have a lot of friends who are competing as well as some who just come along to cheer me on. Everybody’s so nice and helps each other.”

“I’ve only been competing for a year now,” Hunt continued. “I get to help my mom and dad — loping horses, cleaning stalls, or whatever’s needed. It’s fun!” She added that her goal for 2024 is to make the Top 15 and show at the NCHA World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.

Joe Gotti recalls that his father “put me on my first cutting horse when I was 14, and I didn’t get on another one until I was

30. Oh, but I was hooked,” said Gotti, of Cushing, Texas. “I’m seventy-three-and-a-half now, and I’ve been competing on and off for most of the last 40 years.”

Gotti hand-picked his mare, CBR Copes Lena Flo. “She was one of a bunch of two-year-olds available for sale at a friend’s place,” he said. “Her demeanor and attitude was something I knew I wanted.”

Gotti was a professor of equine science at Stephen F. Austin State University for 35 years before he retired.

“I coached the ranch horse team and started the equestrian team, and now I’m at a point in my life where I get to practice what I’ve been preaching all this time,” he said. “I love it when they do that ‘cougar’ thing where they squat and get their belly about six inches off the ground and just shiver.”

Competing in the NCHA Alamo Circuit, Gotti credits his wife, Heather, and his coach Casey Crouch with

above : Kay Hunt, age 11, now has her own shiny Achievement Buckle.

Joe Gotti pilots CBR Copes Len Flo.

photo by willie gomez

photo by photography / emily coffeen

Achievement Buckle Earners

FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2023 TO MARCH 1, 2024

Addi Kathleen Eichler

Amanda Dingley

Booner Michael Beck

Cade Fults

Callie D Jenkins

Carrie Shaw

Chad Pitre

Danielle Carlton

Debora Tranter

Gary Lewis

Grant Gardner

Greg N Lewis

support in the sport. He also wanted to acknowledge the encouragement of local cutters Joseph Mast, Mark Sunday, and Justin Wright.

“I love the cutting community — they’re a bunch of kind, friendly people who would do anything for you,” Gotti said. “Last year, I competed a bit, but this year I’ve decided to step into the ‘big leagues’ and see how we get along.”

Jamie Jensen, 16, from Petaluma, California, began cutting at eight years old when her Grandma put her on a ranch horse named Peanut, taught her the ropes, and took her to her first shows.

“If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t even be cutting. She started me but there’s a lot of other people I owe a lot to,” Jensen said. “I love the cutting community. It’s my second family.”

When her mare, Sweet Lil Peppymint, was put down a year ago after breaking her leg, Jensen no longer had a ride.

“I was at a loss. And then this generous man, Ravi Tumber — who I’d met at the amazing Bakey Cutting Horse ranch in Elk Grove — told me that he had a horse that I could ride. Her name is Bewitched Boon, and the first time I took her to an NCHA show, I felt the weight on my shoulders. I’m riding this cool horse and I better do good,” she said. “But she took care of me.”

Winning the NCHA Achievement Buckle means a lot to Jensen.

“When I lost my horse, I wanted to be done with cutting, but thankfully I had everyone around me who told me to stick with it and not give up,” she said. “Now I want to get out to some more shows in the NCHA Redwood Circuit, but also go travel to other states and just have fun.”

Heather Hankins

Izabella E Diehl

James Scott

Jamie Jensen

Joe Gotti

John Nelson

Joseph C Price

Justin G Nelson

Kate Allen

Kay Hunt

Kevin Foret

Kutter Pounds

Lacey West

Leanne Jetton

Lee-Anne Mitchell

Leslie B Wilkerson

Lloyd Robert French IV

Melissa Corvin

Mercedes Cargill

Pier Sircello

Raegan Rockey

Randall Graham

Reese Stokes

Riley Boyd

Sarah A Cross

Sawyer Mcwilliams

Scott L Foehrenbach

Tawn Harrison

Taylor Jundt

Tim Pike

Tom Wooten

William Alguire

photo by lyndsey lamell

Jamie Jensen, 16, cuts a cow aboard Bewitched Boon.

2024 NCHA Members Hall of Fame Inductees

A Marvelous Ride

The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) recognizes the achievements of a select group of individuals by honoring them with an induction into the NCHA Hall of Fame. Each year, NCHA Members Hall of Fame inductees are nominated based on their contributions to the sport of cutting and reviewed by a selection committee. This year, two 2024 NCHA Members Hall of Fame inductees — Garry Merritt and Steve Norris — will be honored at the NCHA Hall of Fame Gala, being held in June at the NCHA Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

KING, NORTH CAROLINA

Steve Norris

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

Loving Horses and Serving His Fellow Man

Garry Merritt started showing Quarter Horses in the early 1970s after seeing his first cutting horse competition. “These horses really intrigued me,” said the resident of King, North Carolina, who also currently serves as a NCHA Region 5 Director. “I progressed from showing pleasure horses to reining horses, and then to cutting horses.”

After teaming up with trainer Tommy Minton, Merritt really caught the cutting bug. “Tommy trained horses for me for 30 years,” he said. “He always had a horse for me to show; he was like family.”

Soon, Merritt found himself serving as a board member of the Northern Piedmont Cutting Horse Association, becoming its president. “We were putting on 10 weekend shows a year for about 20 years,” he recalled. “Then I got the crazy idea to put on a limited aged event and started the Raleigh Cutting Series and put it on for 10 years. During that time, it paid out more than $2.5 million in purses.”

In the early 1990s, Merritt was elected to the executive board of the NCHA and served for eight years. “I made my living in construction and real estate, and my schedule was flexible enough that I could go to meetings and be involved,” said Merritt, who has also served several terms on the finance committee. “There have been some great people on the finance committee and the role of

above : Garry Merritt aboard Brants Olena in 1987.

GARRY MERRITT

Garry Merritt

“The thing we all have in common is a love for the horse, and what that horse can do.”

GARRY MERRITT

that committee helped the NCHA grow, getting us through the valleys and up to the mountaintops.”

For more than 30 years, Merritt has also worked on a project called Christian Village. “We’ve built more than 2,000 affordable housing units for the elderly,” he said. He’s also worked with Veterans Helping Veterans Heal — a homeless veterans program. (“There are two words that should never go together: homeless and veteran,” he said.) In 2020, he received Volunteer of the Year from the North Carolina Housing Foundation.

Merritt said that he wouldn’t have been able to accomplish as much as he has over the years without the support of his family — his wife of 45 years, Bek, and their four children: Paula, Justin, Palmer, and Thomas.

The love of horses and riding a great cutting horse continues to keep Merritt active in the sport and the industry. “In cutting, it makes no difference whether you are a $10 million trainer or a $2,000 rider — the thing we all have in common is a love for the horse, and what that horse can do,” he said. “You and the horse are a team.” HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

STEVE NORRIS

Cutting is a Natural Fit for This Colorado Rancher

For many, cutting is a window into the Western way of life. For 2024 National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Members Hall of Fame inductee Steve Norris, it’s a reflection. Norris, who served as 2020-21 NCHA president, grew up riding and working at his family’s T-Cross Ranches near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Established in 1950, the ranch had the two main ingredients for cutting: quality cattle and performance-bred Quarter Horses. “It's just been a way of life, really,” Norris said.

Norris started showing as a youngster in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and was very involved in AQHA youth leadership. Naturally drawn to cattle events, he attended his first cutting in 1969 while attending Colorado State University. If a horse showed real skill working cattle at the T-Cross (or later, his own Norris Cattle Company), Norris would take the horse to a cutting.

One of the first good horses was Caliche Dude, who he bought from NCHA Non-Pro Rider Hall of Fame Inductee Dix Turnbull. He’s had many good ones since then, winning three NCHA World Championships. He won two in 2010 — the $15,000 Novice Non-Pro with Dont Hick Up (Bobs Freckle x Play Up Hickory) and $5,000 Novice Non-Pro with Peptowood (Zack T Wood x Poosmal) — and in 2014 won the $5,000 Novice Non-Pro World Championship with Innovation Time (One Time Pepto x Sweet Shorty Lena).

Overall, he’s earned more than $400,000 and was inducted into the NCHA Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame in 2017.

A dyed-in-the-wool weekend cutter, Norris considers weekend and amateur cutters integral to the continued growth of the sport and worked to support the competition. As president, Norris advocated for the creation of the NCHA National Circuit Program, which provides additional opportunities for weekend cutters to compete regionally and nationally. “You've got people from all walks of life and all income levels and it's a huge group,” he explained.

Norris says the NCHA Members Hall of Fame is the highest honor he’s ever received. It’s meaningful, he notes, because it is recognition from his peers. “You go to these different shows across the whole country and you just make lifetime friends — I have,” said Norris, who traveled the country as a AAA-rated NCHA judge. “To be honored that highly is just so special. It's a very humbling honor and a blessing.” MOLLY MONTAG

“You go to these different shows across the whole country and you just make lifetime friends.”

STEVE NORRIS right : Steve Norris on his ranch.

It is not just the record setting horses that have been sold or even the 36,000 horses cataloged or the sum of every working part with constant care & attention to details. It’s the time it takes, this is the mark of Western Bloodstock’s commitment, responsibility & integrity in being THE LEADER in Performance Horse Sales.

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HORSE OF THE YEAR

The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) has officially crowned the “2023 Horse of the Year” titles. Congratulations to Kittennish (Open), Kitty Von Wood (Non-Pro), and Cowboys N Hippies (Amateur) on their incredible victories!

BY SARAH MCENTIRE

OPEN HORSE OF THE YEAR

KITTENNISH

Kittennish carries on the family tradition, claiming Open Horse of the Year.

This 2019 mare is part of an impressive lineage, being a half-sibling to renowned stallions Rollz Royce and Badboonarising, as well as the “2021 Open Horse of the Year” mare, All Spice and other accomplished horses. Shown by Austin Shepard, Kittennish is owned by Billy Wolf of Whitesboro, Texas.

Kittennish accepted the challenge and exceeded expectations.

No stranger to the winner’s circle, Austin Shepard only wanted to give the mare the best possible chance to be successful. “I felt like she deserved it, and that was the most important thing,” Shepard said. “That’s the pressure I feel. I put more pressure on myself when I get to ride a horse like that, because I only want to do right by them.”

Shepard and “Kitty” (Hottish x Show Biz Kitty x High Brow Cat) totaled 698 points to take the title and boast lifetime earnings of $549,190.43. The team placed second at the NCHA Futurity, putting them second in the standings for Open Horse of the Year. After not doing well at a couple of shows, Shepard and Kitty made up for it at the last few cuttings of the year,

attending one he wouldn’t usually go to, the Pacific Cutting Horse Futurity. The mare came through to take the win in Las Vegas.

“I think sometimes when you’re trying to win something and the pressure is on you to get shown and through a run, it’s that much more satisfying when it does work out,” Shepard said.

Shepard notes that preparation is most important in giving horses the best opportunity to be successful in the show pen. “We get to ride a lot of really nice horses and that mare is a great horse. She is special,” Shepard said. “The pressure is mainly not what you accomplish, it’s to make sure you do everything possible in having her prepared, and that you do your job in getting her shown.”

NON-PRO HORSE OF THE YEAR

KITTY VON WOOD

Consistency is key for Ali Good and Kitty Von Wood.

Ali Good and Kitty Von Wood started the year with a bang, winning the first four shows they attended (the Ike, Arbuckle, Cattlemens, and Las Vegas). This streak continued throughout the 2023 show season, earning Kitty Von Wood the “2023 Non-Pro Horse of the Year” title.

The Horse of the Year title wasn’t the plan from the get-go. It was Ali’s dad, Jim Good, who took notice of the standings. The title came down to the last couple of shows, and with the horse’s consistency, they came out on top.

“My dad keeps up with standings, and he lets me know how far away I am and where I need to be,” Ali said. “I am very competitive and I want to win, but he makes sure he covers all the statistics. He doesn’t miss anything.”

The family purchased the mare as a yearling and Ali, alongside Adan Banuelos and Cullen Chartier, trained the mare to where she is today. “She’s been so consis-

tent since day one. She was so easy to train,” Ali said. “There’s no secrets about her. She comes out every time and is so consistent and easy and wants to please, so it makes my job easy.”

Known as “Stevie” around the barn, the steadfast mare (Stevie Rey Von x Kittyswood x Woody Be Tuff) claimed the title with 366 points and earning $197,884.40. “She is one you can have a lot of confidence on because you know once you walk down there she is going to do her job,” Ali said.

Ali plans to continue showing Stevie this year. She thanks Cullen Chartier, Clay Johnson, Austin Shepard, Cody Hedlund, and “everybody who made it possible” for her to reach this goal. She especially thanks her dad, Jim Good.

above : Ali Good aboard Kitty Von Wood, doing their job.

photo by scootem n shootem

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June 7-16 • Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Reyzin the Cash Derby

June 21-23 • Gold Rush Peruvian Classic Horse Show

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AMY BELL MEMORIAL AMATEUR HORSE OF THE YEAR

COWBOYS N HIPPIES

Minor setback sparks a major comeback for Cowboys N Hippies and Mike Rutherford Jr.

Mike Rutherford Jr. made an incredible comeback to clinch the “2023 Amy Bell Memorial Amateur Horse of the Year” title, skillfully piloting his 4-year-old horse, Cowboys N Hippies. Despite a less-than-ideal performance at the NCHA Futurity, Mike's hard work and perseverance paid off in a big way.

Cowboys N Hippies (Catty Hawk x Snow Rey Me x Dual Rey) and owner/rider Rutherford won a total of 808 points to edge out the competition by 206 points, earning a total of $144,743.20 in the 2023 point year alone.

“We hit the ground running in 2023, and we are very fortunate to come out on top,” Rutherford said.

The team did just that by starting the year off with wins in Abilene, the Ike, and the NCHA Super Stakes. Rutherford didn’t know there was even an award for Horse of the Year until it was mentioned to him. He looked at the standings, and with some catching up to do, he was determined to go for the title.

“We still had a lot of ground to make up, and when we were blessed enough to win the Super Stakes, it put us up front. We just kept going and trying to make finals and earn points,” Rutherford said.

The 2019 gelding was started by Dustin Gay and then finished for Rutherford to go show by Sean Flynn. Rutherford says the gelding is a ham and always ready for his cookie when he finishes showing.

“I want to thank Dustin Gay, Sean Flynn, Cody Hedlund, and all my help throughout the year,” Rutherford said. “They are all so good to me, and good for me. I couldn’t have done it without them and the preparation of the horse. He was always ready for me to step on and go show him. I couldn’t have done it without the preparation.”

above : Mike Rutherford Jr. and Cowboys N Hippies covering a cow.

photo by seth petit

above :

Rafter P Construction's

Hotty Toddy Cabana.

all photos courtesy of rafter p construction

RAFTER P C O N S T R UCTION

HERITAGE BUILDING ON

RAFTER P CONSTRUCTION PRIDES ITSELF ON BUILDING WHATEVER ITS CLIENTS CAN DREAM UP.

By Leslie George

After attending his first cutting competition at the age of 12, Brad Pryor was hooked. This event sparked his passion for the Western industry, and from here, Pryor continued to immerse himself in the cowboy culture that surrounds the sport of cutting. “The competitions showcase the Western heritage of the ranching world,” said Pryor. “[And] that’s what drew me to the National Cutting Horse Association.” Pryor was mesmerized after attending that first cutting so long ago. “To watch the natural ability of the horse working the cow and the rider working hand in hand with the horse — when they all line up, it’s like magic. It gives me goosebumps to think about it,” stated Pryor.

On Pryor’s ranches, he works the old-fashioned way, he said. For example, eschewing the chutes, the calves are doctored and branded by roping the calves and dragging them to the coals. “We ride horses instead of four-wheelers to work cattle,” he added. “Everything is done by using animals for what they were made for.”

Pryor is also the founder and president of Rafter P Construction, a leading design and build firm in the Texas farm and ranch industries. He built his company with a similar tenacity — no shortcuts, hard work and grit. “It took years,” he noted. “My grand idea was to offer everything under one company — architecture, engineering, interior design for housing, facility design for any species of animal, rural infrastructure development and construction of all of it. It took a while to find clients to see the process that I had come up with.”

Pryor started working around horses in the fifth grade. “I was more or less raised by the Crawford family, a horse trainer in Royse City, Texas,” he said. “I grew up with their kids; they had me cleaning stalls and taking care of the horses, riding and roping on the side for fun.” By high school, Pryor was working 40 to 60 hours a week after school and on the weekends. Due to his strong work ethic, Pryor had little time to spare for riding and rodeo and didn’t have the funds for competition.

The 3G Performance Horse Barn.

Brad Pryor and his horse "Coors."

The Rafter P Polo Champ Barn.

These days, Pryor is determined to make a difference for youth in similar circumstances. Rafter P Construction aims to support youth in FFA and 4-H programs across Northeast Texas and sponsor several local youth rodeo teams.

In 2023, Rafter P Construction created an annual financial assistance scholarship called the “Rafter P Hardship Award.” The recipient of this award was NYCHA member Brooke Salmon. The Rafter P Hardship Award allowed Salmon to attend two premier youth events, the NYCHA Youth Week and the NYCHA Holy Cow Performance Horses Youth World Finals, without financial stress. When explaining the award’s significance, Pryor stated: “I’ve had a lot of mentors along the way, and this is a way for me to give back.” Pryor was impressed by the NCHA’s longstanding support of its youth members and plans to expand upon his already existing partnership.

After implementing the Rafter P Hardship Award, NCHA presented the idea of the “Rafter P Loper of the Year Award” to Pryor, who enthusiastically agreed. This past December, Ella Blazek was the inaugural recipient of this award, receiving a custom belt buckle from Gist, a specialized gift basket, and a $5,000 check courtesy of Rafter P Construction.

Lopers are an integral part of the cutting community. They are responsible for the care, feeding, grooming and exercising of the horses, among other tasks, and are often the first in the barn and the last to leave at night. “I like supporting someone who works behind the scenes,” Pryor said. “I’m always for the underdog.” There were 80 applications submitted by trainers and others who worked with the various nominated lopers, said Pryor. “I reviewed every one of them,” he noted. “Seven or eight people recommended Ella, and every single one mentioned her outstanding character. That’s a quality I look for in myself.”

Perseverance and resilience are other qualities that have served Pryor well. For many years, Pryor worked on a ranch in Rockwall, Texas, that bred and raised show horses. He spent most weekends traveling with the horses to a variety of shows and horse sales. Due to the economic downfall in 2001, the ranch was forced to let him go. Pryor took up welding to earn money but kept a foot in the horse world. When he heard about

a nearby rancher who needed a fence, Pryor offered to build it. That led to other construction work and, pieceby-piece, with one truck and one employee, Rafter P Construction was born.

Pryor quickly realized that all his travels in the horse industry gave him a unique understanding of the needs of horse owners. “I listened to horse people talk wherever I went, and when it came to building and construction, they’d say, ‘I wish I had someone who could do everything.’ They didn’t want to hire one person for one job and someone else for another job. So, I had this vision for a one-stop shop.” It took years to find the right clients and employees, but then it hit, he said. “People understood the benefit, and they saw we could do it.”

Today, 22 years after building that first fence, Pryor’s company has an entire fleet of trucks, over 80 employees, and two Texas-based design centers in Greenville and Decatur. About 75 percent of Rafter P Construction’s projects are in farm, ranch, or residential, said Pryor, building or developing anything from a raw piece of land to handing over the keys after it is completely built with craftsmanship and luxury.

“We like to start our process by working hand-inhand with the customer to create their vision, providing pasture development, maintenance, sourcing active feed and water for animals or to benefit crop yields,” said

Pryor. “We also have the knowledge of all species of animals, so we know what is needed for their health, handling and safety of the animals and workers.”

Rafter P Construction designs custom residential homes and offers several templates, including what Pryor calls the Sabine Bottoms “Barndominium,” a spacious 2,250-square-foot living space, with a 1,950-squarefoot wrap-around porch; and the “A-Frame Dream,” a three-bedroom, two-bathroom A-frame house with a front porch, back deck and three skylights.

Pryor is not one to praise his business or himself; he would prefer to talk about his company’s culture and describe everyone in his firm as family. “Nobody’s at the bottom,” he said. “Nobody is too good to do anyone else’s job.” That is just the way Pryor rooted Rafter P Construction.

“If you talk to anybody with a heart for the cowboy heritage, you’ll see we’re not boasters,” Pryor added. “The feeling of being horseback is when it all begins. The rider and horse create a feeling of each other’s passion. Both wanting the same end goal of getting the job done. Most humbling feeling ever!”

Blue Roan Stallion

Art of the Cowgirl Recap

Art of the Cowgirl Recap

Art of the Cowgirl Recap

Showcasing five days of action-packed events, the 2024 Art of the Cowgirl was one to remember.

Showcasing five days of action-packed events, the 2024 Art of the Cowgirl was one to remember.

Showcasing five days of action-packed events, the 2024 Art of the Cowgirl was one to remember.

Story

Story and photos by Jessica Gryder

Story and photos by Jessica Gryder

CCCand

photos by Jessica Gryder

owgirls, master artists, silversmiths, braiders, saddle makers, and horsewomen traveled across North America to partake in the seventh annual Art of the Cowgirl in Queen Creek, Arizona. From January 17-21, four arenas hosted demonstrations and clinics in cutting sponsored by the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), horsemanship, Cowdog trails, reining, packing, barrel racing, and MUCH more.

owgirls, master artists, silversmiths, braiders, saddle makers, and horsewomen traveled across North America to partake in the seventh annual Art of the Cowgirl in Queen Creek, Arizona. From January 17-21, four arenas hosted demonstrations and clinics in cutting sponsored by the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), horsemanship, Cowdog trails, reining, packing, barrel racing, and MUCH more.

owgirls, master artists, silversmiths, braiders, saddle makers, and horsewomen traveled across North America to partake in the seventh annual Art of the Cowgirl in Queen Creek, Arizona. From January 17-21, four arenas hosted demonstrations and clinics in cutting sponsored by the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), horsemanship, Cowdog trails, reining, packing, barrel racing, and MUCH more.

The NCHA proudly sponsored two cutting clinics with trainer Cara Brewer featuring special guest Morgan Cromer. Both days started with a basic explanation into the sport of cutting, then each participant got to try their horse on a flag while on-lookers cheered them on. Focusing one day each on adults and youth, the clinics were designed to introduce horsewomen of other disciplines into the highly competitive sport of cutting. As Brewer guided riders to cut a cow from the herd, a rotation was quickly formed as each lady also wanted to turn back, hold the herd, and film their new-found friends.

The NCHA proudly sponsored two cutting clinics with trainer Cara Brewer featuring special guest Morgan Cromer. Both days started with a basic explanation into the sport of cutting, then each participant got to try their horse on a flag while on-lookers cheered them on. Focusing one day each on adults and youth, the clinics were designed to introduce horsewomen of other disciplines into the highly competitive sport of cutting. As Brewer guided riders to cut a cow from the herd, a rotation was quickly formed as each lady also wanted to turn back, hold the herd, and film their new-found friends.

The NCHA proudly sponsored two cutting clinics with trainer Cara Brewer featuring special guest Morgan Cromer. Both days started with a basic explanation into the sport of cutting, then each participant got to try their horse on a flag while on-lookers cheered them on. Focusing one day each on adults and youth, the clinics were designed to introduce horsewomen of other disciplines into the highly competitive sport of cutting. As Brewer guided riders to cut a cow from the herd, a rotation was quickly formed as each lady also wanted to turn back, hold the herd, and film their new-found friends.

On Friday, January 19, Brewer hosted a thrilling cutting demo on her show horse. Also mic’d up, Cromer was able to describe the intelligence and athleticism of Brewer’s horse as it held each cow from the herd. With a background in NCHA judging, Cromer was able to bring a judge’s point-of-view to the audience. The explanation ended with Brewer’s son, Brand showing the willingness of a cutting horse to work through a bridleless cutting demo.

On Friday, January 19, Brewer hosted a thrilling cutting demo on her show horse. Also mic’d up, Cromer was able to describe the intelligence and athleticism of Brewer’s horse as it held each cow from the herd. With a background in NCHA judging, Cromer was able to bring a judge’s point-of-view to the audience. The explanation ended with Brewer’s son, Brand showing the willingness of a cutting horse to work through a bridleless cutting demo.

On Friday, January 19, Brewer hosted a thrilling cutting demo on her show horse. Also mic’d up, Cromer was able to describe the intelligence and athleticism of Brewer’s horse as it held each cow from the herd. With a background in NCHA judging, Cromer was able to bring a judge’s point-of-view to the audience. The explanation ended with Brewer’s son, Brand showing the willingness of a cutting horse to work through a bridleless cutting demo.

Coinciding with the multitude of clinics and demonstrations, female artists and business owners encouraged on-lookers to shop and expand their knowledge in other Western disciplines. Booths featuring Western dressage, saddle making, leather artists, and Western fashion all made an appearance. With the Arizona mountains in the background, it was common to see a young cowgirl riding through a crowd of like-minded women, getting ready to accomplish her next task.

Coinciding with the multitude of clinics and demonstrations, female artists and business owners encouraged on-lookers to shop and expand their knowledge in other Western disciplines. Booths featuring Western dressage, saddle making, leather artists, and Western fashion all made an appearance. With the Arizona mountains in the background, it was common to see a young cowgirl riding through a crowd of like-minded women, getting ready to accomplish her next task.

Coinciding with the multitude of clinics and demonstrations, female artists and business owners encouraged on-lookers to shop and expand their knowledge in other Western disciplines. Booths featuring Western dressage, saddle making, leather artists, and Western fashion all made an appearance. With the Arizona mountains in the background, it was common to see a young cowgirl riding through a crowd of like-minded women, getting ready to accomplish her next task.

from top :

Eager to learn more, women watch from all sides of the arena.

Cara Brewer during the cutting demo.

Eager to learn more, women watch from all sides of the arena. Cara Brewer during the cutting demo.

Brand Brewer performing a bridleless cutting.

Brand Brewer performing a bridleless cutting.

Eager to learn more, women watch from all sides of the arena. Cara Brewer during the cutting demo. Brand Brewer performing a bridleless cutting.

Cutting clinic participants eagerly take turns getting cows from the herd.

Cutting clinic participants eagerly take turns getting cows from the herd.

Cutting clinic participants eagerly take turns getting cows from the herd.

opposite :

opposite :

Clinics and demonstrations were followed by nightly competitions.

opposite :

Clinics and demonstrations were followed by nightly competitions.

Clinics and demonstrations were followed by nightly competitions.

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CALGARY STAMPEDE CUTTING HORSE COMPETITION

JULY 4 & 5, 2024

Entries Open: 9:00 a.m. May 1st

Entries Close: 4:00p.m. May 31st

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CALGARY STAMPEDE CUTTING FUTURITY

SEPT. 24 – 29, 2024

Entries open: 9:00 a.m. August 1st

Entries Close: 4:00 p.m. September 9th

Over $100,000 in awards and prize money

Adan Bañuelos aboard Storyteler in the Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas.

AMERICAN PERFORMANCE HORSEMAN THE

Back-to-Back Wins for Adan Bañuelos at Teton Ridge’s second TAPH event.

Words by MICHAELA JAYCOX

Photos by ANNA KRAUSE

Taking place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the cutting competition kicked off The American Performance Horseman. With the top five professionals in the NCHA vying for the $100,000 event win and the $75,000 team win ($25,000 to each team member) they each brought their A-game to perform on a stage unlike any other.

This elite group of NCHA trainers included Adan Bañuelos riding Storyteler, James Payne riding Summer Time Fun, Austin Shepard aboard Kittennish, Morgan Cromer on Cool Guitar, and Wesley Galyean with Nineteen 42.

For the second year in a row, Bañuelos was on a winning streak for team Royal Blue, bringing home $125,000 in prize money and a hand-crafted MS Diamonds TX Championship ring. With a team score of 662.5, Bañuelos, Casey Deary, and Clayton Edsall were the coveted winners. Bañuelos contributed to the team by scoring an exciting 230 on Storyteler.

In 2023, Bañuelos rode All Spice, a half-sister to Storyteler. Bañuelos wasn’t the only competitor riding a horse out of the great Show Biz Kitty. Austin Shepard rode Kittennish, also a maternal sibling to All Spice and Storyteler.

“Storyteler’s cow sense and ability to read a cow and process it through his body to where his hocks move before anything else is very appealing to me,”

Bañuelos said. “When Storyteler reads a cow, just like his sister All Spice, the first thing you feel is his hindquarters engaging through his hocks. He’s a very stable horse and moves the way you want a cutter to move.”

The trainers brought the best horses in their string for this event. Held at a venue different from most of the NCHA competitions, the riders'

below :

James Payne, TAPH first-timer, rode Summer Time Fun.

decisions on what horse they picked were based on more than just whether the horse could win.

First-time TAPH competitors Morgan Cromer and James Payne considered several factors before deciding which horse to ride.

“It was an interesting selection process when you go down through your barn, and you have so many quality horses,” Cromer said. “Cool Guitar is very mature-minded. Some horses would’ve struggled with the venue mentally until they got into the cutting pen. I chose Cool Guitar because I felt he could handle the situation well, and as a stallion, I wanted to showcase him in front of all those people.”

Payne had a similar mindset when selecting his mount for his first performance at TAPH.

“Summer Time Fun is one of the most elite horses that I’ve ever ridden,” Payne said. “I picked her because I knew she had it in her to mark a big score, and I also wanted to ride something that wasn’t going to get fussed about the event. With

Kathleen Moore being a big part of my success in my business, I wanted to ride a horse that showcased our programs to the best of our ability, and Summer Time Fun was that horse.”

The horsepower and top trainers at this event are only the tip of the iceberg of what The American Performance Horseman has to offer. As the event continues to grow, the competition — both for horses and humans — will continue to be unmatched. Keep your tallies on the 2024 top professionals in the NCHA to see who will take the top five spots and find their way to The American Performance Horseman in 2025.

First-time TAPH competitor Morgan Cromer and Cool Guitar in action.

Austin Shepard pilots Kittennish in the arena. Wesley Galyean and Nineteen 42 impress the packed stadium.

below :

opposite :

Sitting in the saddle, Wes Galyean takes notes of the herd.

Fresh cattle are provided for each set.

PHOTOS COURTESY NCHA EXCEPT WHERE NOTED

Herd

Instinct

Three professional trainers in the NCHA Open Rider Hall of Fame offer advice on selecting the right cows to improve their horse's performance during cutting competitions. BY ROSS HECOX

Riders agree that cutting the right type of cow can make a good horse look great, and it can make a great horse mark a jaw-dropping score. But selecting the ideal cow is somewhat of an inexact science.

“It’s definitely an educated guess,” said Summerdale, Alabama, cutting horse trainer Austin Shepard, who has won over $10.2 million. “We have an idea of what we think is going to work, but at the end of the day they’re animals. You can be the first horse in the set and cut your favorite cow, but then your run can be terrible. That’s just part of working an animal on another animal.”

Nevertheless, cutters spend hours studying a set of cattle, during settling and throughout the competition. They make long lists, scribble descriptions on a piece of paper, scratch out prior selections, and try to figure the nature of every cow in the bunch. It’s mentally exhausting.

“I can tell you, by the end of the day, or the end of the show, your head gets real tired,” said Jaime Snider who has won roughly 1.4 million, and lives in Weatherford, Texas.

The level of competition makes studying an entire herd an integral part of showing. And while selecting the right cows is not an exact science, there is

certainly an art to driving out three that set up your horse for a big score.

“You’ve got to use your best judgement,” said Lloyd Cox, who lives in Marietta, Oklahoma, and has won approximately $11 million. “Good judgement comes with time, and it comes from the people helping you. That makes big difference. I like it when my two herd holders are saying, ‘Yes,’ when I point to a cow, and also when they see a cow and I’m saying, ‘Yes.’ To me, three heads are better than one.”

Cox, Shepard, and Snider agree that it’s critical for the contestant and the help to work together on finding the best cows to cut,and that includes any NonPro or Amateur rider competing in aged events or weekend shows. Here, Cox, Shepard, and Snider share their insights on how to cut the ideal cow.

QUESTION: What are some of the first attributes you look for in a cow?

COX: A cow that will watch your horse is a good thing, as long as it’s not watching it while running 100 miles an hour past it. I want a cow that will stop when a horse tries to stop it, and that doesn’t want to run away from the horse. It can want to get away, just not try to run up the arena wall.

SHEPARD: I tend to cut more cows that like to move. So, I cut lots of Charolais cows, red cows, and ones that have a little more ear than most people prefer — as long as they have a bubble and will stay away from you. Whether it’s slow or quick, if a cow gets too close to you, then you’re immediately in danger. They can walk over you just as easy as they can run over you.

SNIDER: If a cow stands off by itself while the herd is being settled, or while a rider is making a cut, that means that cow is fairly comfortable by itself. Or if the herd settler or someone making a cut is driving it up and it goes to the outside, or it stops and looks at them, that’s a good cow to cut in my mind.

Q: Trainers make watching cattle a high priority while the herd is being settled. What are you looking for during that time?

SHEPARD: I watch them as soon as they walk in. I want one that when that settling horse walks into the herd, it has a little jump and “get away” from it. Of course, I don’t want it to get bumped and take a lap around the whole herd.

Also, it’s good to know that cattle will change while they’re being settled, and while they’re being worked. So you’ve got to constantly watch them. Your favorite cow during the entire settling can act really comfortable and get away from the horse good, but then a little later you look over there and it’s in the corner by itself licking the wall. And you’re like, “Okay that cow acts good, but it’s too gentle or it’s dumb.”

COX: Cows that hang close and don’t move away while they’re settling, that’s a thing that might discourage me. I avoid a cow with a real low head. Same as a head too high. A head too high that gets away is better than one that’s low and coming into you.

above : Tag and Tarin Rice with Matt Miller observing the incoming cattle.

run.

SNIDER: I try to identify as many as I can and pick ones I like. If I’m working late in the bunch or helping someone, my list will be very long. I try to know as many of them as possible so I can watch them on a cut. And some might act a little funny at first but get better during the set. So, if one acts bad but you don’t write it down, you can forget about that one that might have gotten better.

Q: Why is it important to keep watching cattle after they settle and during the set?

COX: A cow that’s trotting around, acting silly and doesn’t have any respect for a horse, that’s certainly a cow I want to stay away from. But it’s funny, a cow like that might change during the set, so you want to keep watching them.

SNIDER: You have to pay attention and watch each cut. Some cows act funny when the first horse goes in the herd, but by the end they settle in. You can see them go up and back on some cuts, and it gets to where they walk back to the herd rather than running back. They just might have needed more time to get acclimated.

SHEPARD: It’s a real big deal to me to watch cows while everyone else before me is showing. Even if you see a cow settle good, it’s not really in a pressure situation. But when you see four guys trying to help

[the contestant], and then under all that pressure the cow moves away from the horse but acts comfortable and doesn’t get in a hurry going back [to the back fence], that cow is going to move to the top of my list.

Q: The type of horse also dictates the kind of cattle you select. How do you factor that into making your cut?

SNIDER: If my horse is young, I probably cut a little more conservatively because I don’t want to take as much of risk. If a horse has a prettier way of moving and doesn’t have to go as fast, I want to cut a softer cow. With a faster cow, the horse is more likely get pulled around by that cow, and some horses like that better. So, if I have a horse that can handle that, a fast cow can be good.

SHEPARD: With a horse that works low and does things pretty — it has a lot of squat and look to it — you might want to cut a slower cow. Of course, the horse has to not only be really good in that style of work, but also good at handling those turnback horses coming at them. Because if the cow just stands there, your turnback riders are going to run at you to move your cow. Some horses get worried when those turnback horse comes at them.

COX: You do have to adjust with the kind of cows to match your horse. But another thing I think about is that cow can become good because of the horse you’re riding. If the horse controls that cow, it’s because it’s a good horse. Other times, a cow could have been better if the horse had done a better job. So, you always look a lot smarter when you’re on a really fine animal. It makes you look like the best cow picker in the world.

Q: What happens when your select cattle don’t shape up as you begin making your cut?

SHEPARD: We might drive two or three cows up there on purpose and cut the one that feels the best. Sometimes it seems like it’s taking forever, and you feel like you’re wasting time. But there have been times I was trying to cut one I’d identified, but it didn’t feel right. It was too close to me. I could force that cut, but instead I go for one of the others we drove out.

make a plan in the cattle box before their

photo by ross hecox

below :

Cookie Bañuelos, Jesse Lennox, and Adan Bañuelos select cattle for their upcoming run.

With notes in hand, Jaime Snider studies the herd.

SNIDER: If you’re just starting to make your cut and the cow you want suddenly ducks under your horse, you need to have another one out there that you identified earlier. Instead of focusing on the one you lost, remember what other ones you’ve put on your list.

COX: I guess that’s why we study cattle so much. There are always cows that are not on the top of your list, but you feel them coming through the herd. Maybe the one you liked isn’t in the best spot, and to cut it is going to make a mess. You need to cut another that shapes up better. It’s cutting with feel. Your horse steps here or there, and you see what cow gets ahold, sets up, and doesn’t get scared. You’re feeling the cattle with your horse. And I think that’s done a lot. It’s better to not chase something that you really, really wanted if you can cut something that feels better.

Q: Why is it important for Non-Pros to study the herd?

SHEPARD: I think a Non-Pro needs to be able to identify cows and learn the descriptions. You may not be as dialed in as trainers are at watching cattle, but if you can identify them, it will help you locate them when you’re making a cut. If you’re not sure where your cow is, you can stop, take a deep breath, listen to your help, and try to find it. Once you turn and start up toward that judge’s stand, if you don’t know which cow you’re cutting, a lot of times you’re not going to get the cut.

SNIDER: There can be a lot of pressure in that situation. As your herd holder, I can tell you to cut this and cut that, but it all boils down to how you position that cow. You’ve got the bridle reins. When you can recognize different scenarios and different cattle, you can make a better decision.

COX: The more you put yourself through those situations, the more they’ll be able to adjust to it. It’s all about experience. The more you do it, the better you’re going to get.

Show-Horse Sports Medicine

Want to encourage your horse to perform at their best? Here are some tips that can help.

Words by Abigail Boatwright

Nutrition and Hydration

Before investing in any innovative or novel therapies, make sure your horse has a solid management protocol. This starts with high-quality nutrition.

“Anytime I ask somebody what they’re feeding their horse, I get a list of 25 supplements, and sometimes that’s not an understatement,” Dr. Pluhar said. “But starting with good, basic nutrition is most important, and that looks different for every horse.”

Dietary needs will change if your horse processes food differently, such as an insulin resistance, and as their energy requirements change. When your horse is headed to the NCHA Futurity, for example, they’re working more and will need a greater volume of food because they have greater energy requirements. But they won’t stay at that level indefinitely.

“Nutrition needs to be solid, but it’s also not static,” Dr. Pluhar said. “You’ll want to learn how to tailor the nutritional requirements for that particular time period for the horse.”

If your horse sustains an injury and can’t work at a high level while recuperating, you’ll want to bring the energy level down in their nutrition to avoid contributing to weight gain.

“You want really good, high-quality feed, high-quality hay, and access to

really good water,” Dr. Pluhar said. “It’s amazing how many problems go away when you do those things. If you’re not starting there, the rest of it is kind of a moot point.”

Rest

In addition to nutrition and hydration, rest is another key component, said Dr. Pluhar. If you can carve out some time to back off from intensive training, that can be extremely beneficial for your horse.

“I think it’s important that these horses get some time off, and there are certain times of year based on the show schedule that it’s easier to do that,” he said. “I’ve found that the barns that have

the fewest amount of lameness issues are the ones that pick a two-to-four-week time period in the year where they don’t really ride them; or if they do, they’re just focusing on getting the horse in shape. For a cutting horse, that means taking a few weeks out of the year and not working cows. You’re long-trotting, you’re turning out in a big pasture, you’re doing things that allow them to get physically fit and recalibrate their brain, which reduces stress and anxiety.”

Moderating a horse’s stress levels can reduce the occurrence of stomach ulcers and other issues.

photo by shutterstock

Meet the Expert: Joe Pluhar

Joe Pluhar, DVM, is the co-founder of Freedom Equine Performance, located in Navasota, Texas. He previously worked at Brazos Valley Equine Hospital also in Navasota. Dr. Pluhar has a background showing in reining events and has been an AQHA and NRHA carded judge. He specializes in equine sports medicine.

Farrier Work

Proper foot care is critical to ensuring your horse’s soundness. Dr. Pluhar recommends asking your farrier and veterinarian to work together.

“As a veterinarian, I know farriers have skills and knowledge that I can tap into to help make my patients better,” Dr. Pluhar said.

Annual X-rays to evaluate the horse’s hoof angles and balance—to be adjusted accordingly—can help reduce the need for other treatment methods.

Once or twice a year teeth floating should be an important part of your maintenance routine to ensuring your horse is able to eat well and accept the bit without pain.

Vaccines

Consult with your veterinarian to put together an appropriate vaccination schedule based on the risks your horse will encounter.

“A horse in Texas has different risks than a horse that lives in New York state,” said Dr. Pluhar. “But you have to remember, a horse in New York state might have to come to Texas for the NCHA Futurity. So they not only need to be vaccinated and prepped for the things going on in New York State, but they also need to be ready for what could affect them in Texas.”

Teeth

Make sure your horse’s teeth are floated at least once—if not twice—a year, Dr. Pluhar said. This is particularly important for younger horses.

“Young horses have really soft teeth, and they will develop some sharp points really fast,” he said.

“You might have a horse that’s fighting the bit, and it has nothing to do with the horse’s willingness to do its job. It might have a sharp point slicing the inside of its cheek open.”

Photos from top: It’s a good idea to coordinate communication between your veterinarian and your farrier to keep your horse as sound as possible.

Checkup

Dr. Pluhar suggests scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian prior to a big competition for a checkup. Even if the horse seems healthy, four to six weeks before an event, ask your veterinarian to conduct an overall checkup just to rule out any potential issues.

“I had a client recently, the horse was working great, and I was there looking at another horse for the owner,” Dr. Pluhar said. “She asked me to just run my hands over the horse. This horse had a big, 20 percent enlarged suspensory compared to the opposite leg. The horse was currently sound, but it was big and painful when you touched it. We shut that horse down for three or four weeks, and we haven’t had a suspensory problem.”

“If we had kept working that horse,” he continued, “we probably would have had a big suspensory problem that would need five or six months off. We were able to avoid that by taking just a few weeks off.”

Therapies

In addition to your foundational care, there are therapies that tout benefits for performance horses. Dr. Pluhar says many are helpful and recommends implementing more than one.

“One modality is not a cure-all,” he said. “You need to make sure you’re doing some mixing and matching.”

And none of them should supersede the basics, said Dr. Pluhar.

“All of the new modalities that have come out have great benefits if used appropriately, and I have prescribed a lot of them,” he said. “It helps you get the last one or two percent, but we want to get the first 90 to 95 percent correct. That looks like getting your horse in shape with what I call ‘physical therapy.’ Making sure the horse can function well cardiovascularly.”

Dr. Pluhar recommends trotting over ground poles and going up and down hills, which, he explains, engages the horse’s core and makes them pick up their feet, which strengthens their back and quad muscles, which in turn stabilizes the stifle joint.

“We know cutters tend to get stifle injuries, so if I can make the quad stronger, then that can really help,” he said. “I find that barns that have their horses trot poles and go up and down hills…anecdotally, I’m not injecting their stifles as often, and we’re not seeing as many injuries.”

The change in elevation—making the horse’s feet go up and down—activates the horse’s muscles in a way other methods do not, said Dr. Pluhar.

“I think it’s important that these horses get some time off, and there are certain times of year based on the show schedule that it’s easier to do that.”

Joe Pluhar, DVM

TheraPlate

A TheraPlate is made of heavy-duty plates for the horse to stand on that provide vibration therapy, creating small, circular movements to stimulate muscle contractions and increase circulation in your horse’s body.

When a horse stands on a TheraPlate, the gentle vibrations provide numerous benefits, such as reducing inflammation, speeding healing, and reducing pain.

Dr. Pluhar said it’s especially valuable for a horse that is swimming for fitness or is not being ridden as much due to injury because time on a TheraPlate can also benefit your horse’s bone density.

Left: Schedule a checkup with your veterinarian before a big competition.

Left: FullStride Cryotherapy may offer full-body benefits, including muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, and improved circulation.

Below: The most important part of your horse’s program is high-quality hay and feed appropriate to your horse’s level of exercise.

Cryotherapy

FullStride Cryotherapy is described as “the science of exposing the body to subzero temperatures in order to stimulate multiple physical benefits.” It can speed muscle recovery, improve blood circulation, and reduce inflammation, alleviating soft tissue-related aches and pains.

This therapy has been used by horse owners for years, but it has evolved from a hoof plunged into a bucket of ice water to include products like Game Ready and ice boots. FullStride Cryotherapy uses a cryotherapy chamber to offer fullbody benefits.

Pulse Electromagnetic Fields

Pulse Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) devices stimulate your horse’s muscles with electromagnetic energy to improve and facilitate muscle performance.

One of the most popular products using this technology is a BEMER blanket, which encourages circulation in healthy muscles. Dr. Pluhar has many clients who find the blankets helpful.

“Everybody I’ve talked to that has used them on a horse, they’ve said the horse feels better later in the day after they wear it,” he added.

As a caveat, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions about duration of wear, Dr. Pluhar said.

photo courtesy of fullstride cryotherapy

photo by joachim lesne unsplash

Cold Saltwater Spa

Cold saltwater spa treatment partially submerges your horse in chilled saltwater pulsating around his body. It can help reduce post-workout muscle strain, soreness, and stiffness, and can help horses recover from soft tissue injuries and other issues.

While spa treatment can be very beneficial, Dr. Pluhar said that caution is needed with some horses.

“If a horse has an infection, please don’t put it in the spa,” he said. “A spa can make a condition like cellulitis worse.”

Swimming and Water Treadmills

An underwater treadmill allows your horse to walk through water on a belt, providing a good workout without as much shock to the joints. Dr. Pluhar said they are helpful, but not in place of the physical therapy he has laid out previously.

“They provide really good resistance, and the cardiovascular is good for these horses,” he said.

Swimming horses in equine swim facilities is also excellent for developing cardio fitness and soft tissue health. The downside to these modalities is they don’t help strengthen bones.

“Bones require some concussive force,” said the veterinarian.

“We know cutters tend to get stifle injuries, so if I can make the quad stronger, then that can really help.”

Joe Pluhar, DVM

Chiropractic Work

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) defines chiropractic work as “A form of manual therapy that uses controlled forces applied to specific joints or anatomic areas to cause a healing response. This response is due to changes in joint structures, muscle function, and neurologic reflexes.”

Chiropractic adjustments can help your horse move more freely with less pain. But Dr. Pluhar suggests scheduling a veterinary checkup, and perhaps X-rays, before having a chiropractor work on your horse to make sure there isn’t any underlying issues.

“I would get everybody on the team involved with what’s going on,” he said.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that works on the body’s fascial system to release restrictions from pain-sensitive areas, which can help restore a full range of motion.

Dr. Pluhar said it can benefit horses with scar tissue or tightness.

“I think there’s a lot of correlation to the benefits from really deep tissue massage,” Dr. Pluhar said.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture practitioners insert small, stainless-steel needles into strategic points of a horse’s body to encourage specific responses. It is an ancient alternative medicine but it has gained acceptance in Western medicine as well.

Dr. Pluhar said he’s seen it help horses with back pain, with non-sweating issues, and nerve damage.

He recommends only working with someone with appropriate credentials to be practicing acupuncture

and suggests sticking with dry needling. He also says not all horses enjoy the process.

“Some horses don’t tolerate it very well,” he said. “Just like some horses don’t want to go stand in the spa because they feel trapped or don’t like the feel of the water.”

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

In this type of therapy, a horse is led into a sealed chamber, and surrounded by oxygen that is several times normal atmospheric pressure, which permeates the horse’s body, including its blood and other body fluids.

This revolutionary treatment is very effective for encouraging post-operation healing and wound healing, as well as recovering from soft tissue injuries. But this is not a routine therapy for your

average performance horse, and the chamber has to be operated carefully to avoid injury to handler and horses due to it being extremely flammable.

“The benefits can be fantastic and they can work really well, but I don’t think it would be something that would be feasible for routine use on a working horse,” Dr. Pluhar said. “Just from a logistics standpoint, you have to pull their shoes. They can’t go into it with metal shoes because it’s a pure oxygen environment, and if a shoe sparks, the chamber can ignite.”

You also can’t easily move horses in and out of a hyperbaric chamber because the pressure has to be increased and decreased, which takes time.

CBD Products

Many products use properties from cannabidiol (CBD), from topical salves to tinctures to supplements. That Others May Live (TOML) offers a full range of equine wellness products that include CBD to address a variety of issues in horses. Not all events and associations approve the use of CBD oil-based products, so check the rules before beginning use.

[NCHA does not prohibit the use of products containing pure CBD, less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but continue to check the rules before using any products with these ingredients.]

Scott Robertson of TOML says the company creates equine wellness products.

"The focus of our products is always on the health and wellness of our equine partners,” Robertson said. “We have an entire range of products to assist in mental

focus, soft tissue, joint and gastrointestinal health, wound care including bacterial, fungal, and microbial issues along with topicals for use in preparation and performance restoration."

Dr. Pluhar says he’s more on board with using CBD products than some other pharmaceuticals but advises to use caution about showing your horse while these products are being used on the animal.

Final Thoughts

Good communication between the technicians performing various therapies, the horse’s veterinarian, trainer, dentist, and other handlers is critical, said Dr. Pluhar.

“If everybody on the team understands the goals, everything works better,” he added.

Below: Building scheduled downtime into your horse's year can help him stay sound and improve his mental wellbeing.

photo by jeremy perkins unsplash

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The 2024 NCHA Eastern Nationals presented by 6666 Ranch

Southern hospitality was in full swing during the 2024 NCHA Eastern Nationals presented by 6666 Ranch, held March 1–8 at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe, Louisiana. That charm is one of the many reasons competitors return annually. Several of last year’s champions found themselves on the podium again, and a couple even went home with multiple titles. No matter who was in the spotlight, the result was the same: the feeling of belonging to one big family.

WORDS BY KRISTIN PITZER PHOTOS BY SETH PETIT

above :

Eastern Nationals royalty: Ben Roberson and Bar Nothing Dancer snagged both the Open, as well as the $5,000 Novice Horse championships.

Twice As Nice

As Bar Nothing Dancer and Ben Roberson entered the arena for the Open finals, they were already Eastern Nationals royalty. The pair had picked up the $5,000 Novice Horse Championship only two days before, and Roberson was still coasting on that success. When they marked a 223 that held for the Open Championship as well, Roberson felt grateful.

“It’s quite amazing,” Roberson said. “It’s hard enough to win a title once, but to be able to do it twice is pretty cool.”

While the first title they picked up was by no means easy, the Open title was arguably more difficult. During his run, his first cut went well, but as he was cutting his second cow, something hit the back wall, causing the entire herd to leap forward.

“I had to stop and wait on all that to get out of the way. I’m pretty sure I put my hand down on the second cow with about 45 seconds left,” Roberson said. “We worked it until the buzzer, and it was good, but it was challenging for a horse to have that focus for 45 seconds on one cow. She’s always really good, though, and gives us her best effort.”

Roberson thanked Jesus Christ for the opportunity to win both titles. He also thanked his wife, Nikki, for being the backbone of his program and for getting “Dancer” ready; Dancer’s owner, Byron Walker; and Dancer herself for being a great horse. Finally, he expressed his appreciation to his help in the show pen: Gabe Reynolds, Guy Woods, Walt Erwin, and Bradey Davis.

CLASS: Open | $5,000 Novice Horse

RIDER: Ben Roberson

HORSE:

Bar Nothing Dancer

PEDIGREE:

Metallic Cat x Little Belly Dancer x High Brow Hickory

OWNED BY: Walker Cutting Horses LLC

SCORE: 223 | 221

EARNINGS: $4,037 | $3,978

Before striking gold in the Open, Bar Nothing Dancer and Ben Roberson first picked up the $5,000 Novice Horse championship.

A Win to Share

Since 2024 was Cody Cain’s last year to show in the $35,000 Non-Pro at Eastern Nationals, he wanted to go out with a bang. He managed to do that and then some when he rode CT Incredible Cat to a 221, tying with his good friend Tony Smith for the Co-Championship.

“It was awesome. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” Cain said. “When he marked the 221, I was cheering for him, and when I went in, he was over there cheering for me. That’s what I like about this sport — we all cheer for each other.”

Before his run, Cain’s dad, Chris, and Ben Roberson had three cows picked out for him to cut. They told him if he could drive up the pen, he’d have a much better chance of holding the challenging cattle.

“I was really nervous because the way they talked, it sounded like we could have

a good run if I just did my part,” Cain said. “[CT Incredible Cat] is a really special horse. We had a customer, Jennifer Fisher, sell him to us, and I really want to thank her for doing that because without that, I couldn’t have done this.”

Cain, 19, also thanked Roberson, Bill Pierce, and Todd Gann for helping him in the pen, and his parents, including his mom, Jill, for paying his entry fees and hauling him down the road.

Cutting is one of the things he enjoys most, in addition to hunting, fishing, and playing golf, and he particularly likes the Southern hospitality at Eastern Nationals. Cain plans to make the Youth World Finals with CT Incredible Cat later this year to finish out his last Youth year strong.

“That’s what I like about this sport we all cheer for each other.”

CODY CAIN

CLASS: $35,000 Non-Pro Co-Champion

RIDER: Cody Cain

HORSE: CT Incredible Cat

PEDIGREE: High Brow Cat x Incredi Babe x Mr Peponita Flo

OWNED BY: Chris Cain SCORE: 221

EARNINGS: $3,065

Cody Cain aboard CT Incredible Cat.

Triumph Times Two

On March 5, Tony Smith piloted PRF Madera Model to the $35,000 NonPro Co-Championship after marking a 221. He and the mare enjoyed being in the winner’s circle so much, they turned around and did it again three days later, snagging the $50,000 Amateur outright with a 219. The duo added those titles to last year’s $15,000 Amateur Championship, helping Smith succeed in his goal of winning all three events at Eastern Nationals.

“After I won the $35,000 Non-Pro, I was thinking it would be really cool if we could win the $50,000 Amateur, too. I’ve been calling it the Amateur Triple Crown,” Smith said with a laugh. “She’s such a good horse. She didn’t win a lot in her aged event career, and so it means a lot to get her out there and let everybody else see how good she is.”

Smith was honored to tie for the $35,000 Non-Pro Championship with Cody Cain,

who he’s known for a long time. Smith concentrated on making clean cuts.

“I’ve really been working on my cuts here lately and slowing down because you can send her as hard as you want to send her,” Smith said. “I like to go fast, and so I’ve been trying to slow down and send her less.”

In the $50,000 Amateur finals, Smith and the mare were second out in the first set. Smith waited on the edge of his seat afterward to see if their score would hold through the rest of the finals.

Smith credited his cousin, Gavin Callahan, for having his mare prepared well. He also thanked Gabe Reynolds and Ben Roberson, who he said are “some of the best cattle pickers in the business”; Trey Wilson, who turned back for him; and his wife, Larabeth, for getting PRF Madera Model ready before each run.

CLASS: $35,000 Non-Pro Co-Champion | $50,000 Amateur

RIDER: Tony Smith

HORSE: PRF Madera Model

PEDIGREE:

Smooth As A Cat x PRF Maderas Lena x Smart Lil Ricochet

OWNED BY: Tony and Larabeth Smith

SCORE: 221 | 219

EARNINGS: $3,065 | $4,142

Tony Smith pilots PRF Madera Model.

June 21-23

Join us in Nashville, Tennessee for the 2024 NCHA Annual Convention! Registration is mandatory for all attendees. mark your calendar! Convention is FREE and all members are encouraged to attend! Scan the QR code to register today.

In December 2022, after years of following V Eight Fulla CD’s career, Brian Unroe inquired about purchasing the gelding. V Eight Fulla CD wasn’t for sale at the time, but Unroe, who owned a half-brother to the gelding, hoped his then-owners would be willing to make a deal. Fortunately for him, they agreed to sell, and a little over a year later, the gelding carried him to the NonPro title at the Eastern Nationals.

“That was my biggest win so far in my cutting career, so it means a lot to me,” said Unroe, who has been cutting for about three-and-a-half years. “He’s been really solid for us and is a consistent, really nice gelding. We felt he could win at that level, and he sure did.”

Unroe didn’t have a big game plan going into the finals, other than to ride the gelding like he normally does. V Eight Fulla CD

tends to be consistent, no matter what show he’s competing at.

“He’s just a really gritty type of horse that definitely doesn’t want a cow to get by him,” Unroe said. “He’s got a unique style to the way he stops and turns the cow.”

Unroe keeps the gelding at home and works him himself, but he’s been training with Nick Pilcher the last couple months. Prior to that, he worked with Matt Williams, and he said both trainers deserved to be credited for their parts in his win, along with his herd help: Billy Kidd, Walt Erwin and Jessie Pritchard.

Outside of cutting, Unroe owns a feed store and a fencing business, and manages rental properties. He planned to continue showing V Eight Fulla CD through the end of the year.

CLASS: Non-Pro

RIDER: Brian Unroe

HORSE: V Eight Fulla CD

PEDIGREE: High Brow CD x Fulla Looks x Dual Rey

OWNED BY: Brian Unroe SCORE: 217

EARNINGS: $4,755

Brian Unroe rides V Eight Fulla CD.

An Unexpected Finish

Normally, Guy Woods does not cut black baldy cattle. He’s quite vocal about his dislike of them, he admits, and he avoids them as much as possible when cutting. Ironically, it was a black baldy that helped him and EE Columbian Red win the $25,000 Novice Horse Championship at the 2024 NCHA Eastern Nationals Presented by 6666 Ranch.

“On my third cow, I turned around, and a black baldy trotted out and stood there already cut for me. My help said, ’There she is,’ and they all started giggling because they know,” Woods said. “I turned around and cut her, and we finished and won the cutting. They were all laughing at me all week about how I won that championship on a black baldy.”

While he still doesn’t appreciate black baldy cattle, Woods was grateful to win the title with EE Columbian Red, the horse’s third Eastern Nationals championship in

the two years he’s been shown at the event. The duo also took Reserve in the Open, and Woods said the stallion was great all week, though he was starting to get a little tired by his sixth ride at the show. Woods was particularly impressed by the horse’s tenacity during the $25,000 Novice Horse finals, as he managed to hold a cow that was especially challenging.

“He’s a big, strong-moving horse, so he’s got all the physical bits, but that cow threw so many dirty moves at him,” Woods said. “I was amazed because there were a couple of times I thought we lost him, and he just outsmarted that thing. If he hadn’t been that smart and hesitated in all the right spots, he’d have lost it.”

Woods thanked his help in the pen, who he said are the same guys that help him all the time: Ben Roberson, Gabe Reynolds, Bradey Davis, and Bill Pierce.

CLASS: $25,000 Novice Horse

RIDER: Guy Woods

HORSE: EE Columbian Red PEDIGREE: Stevie Rey Von x Ichi Sangria x Cat Ichi OWNED BY: EE Ranches Inc.

$3,605

and

Guy Woods

EE Columbian Red face down a cow.

A Second Chance Pays Off

The night before the $25,000 Novice Non-Pro finals, Alison Howell showed Nighttiming in the Non-Pro finals. The next day, their run in the $25,000 class went off without a hitch, and the duo found themselves with the Championship.

“It was pretty special to come back and have another really nice run on him,” Howell said. “He’s freakishly talented. I’ve never ridden a horse like him, and I probably will never ride another one like him. He’s that once-in-a-lifetime horse.”

Being first out in the set during the $25,000 Novice Non-Pro finals worked in the pair’s favor, Howell said, as they were able to cut the three cows her husband, Chris, and son, Ryan, had picked out. Howell was especially grateful for Chris’ help because she rides with him. Some might find it difficult to train with their

spouse, but the couple has worked together every day for the entirety of their marriage.

“We’ve been married for 32 years and raised two kids,” Howell said. “We work together seven days a week, 24 hours a day. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Though she doesn’t haul him a lot, Howell planned to show Nighttiming periodically throughout the rest of the year. The pair qualified in the $25,000 Novice NonPro at the upcoming NCHA Circuit Finals, and she was excited to compete with the gelding there.

“We go to maybe eight shows a year with him — I just try to not overuse him and enjoy him,” Howell said. “He’s a very unique horse, and he can do things he shouldn’t be able to do. As long as he’ll cut, I’m going to enjoy him.”

CLASS: $25,000 Novice Non-Pro

RIDER: Alison Howell

HORSE: Nighttiming

PEDIGREE:

One Time Pepto x Uno Reba x Smart Little Uno

OWNED BY: Chris & Alison Howell

SCORE: 222.5

EARNINGS: $3,874

Alison Howell and Nighttiming in the show pen.

Going Out With A Bang

After buying Metallic White in 2021, Danni Jo Dunn took some time to get to know the mare, then began showing her last year under the guidance of Wayne Czisny. The pair really started clicking at the beginning of 2024, and Dunn decided to haul “Shiloh” to Eastern Nationals a couple of months later. While there, they managed to secure the $15,000 Amateur Championship, despite the pressure of being first-timers at the event.

“It was such a good feeling,” Dunn said. “It was my last run ever in the $15,000 Amateur, so it was just a blessing and kind of a fairytale ending.”

“She’s a great mare. She’s sweet, pretty, and there’s not much not to love about her.”

DANNI JO DUNN

Dunn initially wasn’t sure if their 217 score, marked from the first draw, would hold through the rest of the class, but she didn’t worry too much about it. She was just happy to accomplish her goal of having a clean, smooth run with her mare. The pair ran again afterward in the $35,000 NonPro, and Dunn noted that Shiloh handled the back-to-back runs with finesse.

“She was definitely getting the ’spa treatment’ in between classes, and I was doing everything I could to take care of her like she was taking care of me,” Dunn said. “She’s a great mare. She’s sweet, pretty, and there’s not much not to love about her.”

Dunn planned to continue to more weekend cuttings. She thanked her family and all the people who had a hand in supporting her in Louisiana.

“For sure Wayne and his wife, Amber. I definitely would not be where I am today without them,” Dunn said. “I had Ben Roberson and Bill Pierce hold my herd for me, and then Wayne and Casey Crouch turned back for me the whole time I was out there. And, of course, I thank God for the chance to get to do it.”

CLASS: $15,000 Amateur

RIDER: Danni Jo Dunn

HORSE: Metallic White

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x Autumn White x Smart Little Lena OWNED BY: Danni Jo Dunn SCORE: 217 EARNINGS: $4,347

Danni Jo Dunn and Metallic White were first-timers at the show.

Unlimited Amateur Déjà Vu

After winning the Unlimited Amateur with Intellicat at the 2023 Eastern Nationals, Jeff Byars hoped to defend his title at the 2024 event. He knew if they could make the finals, they would have a good chance at the Championship.

They accomplished their first goal when they marked a 216 in the prelims; then in the finals, Byars and Intellicat not only won the class again, but also upped the winning score from last year’s 218 to a 221.

“It really meant something because it was back-to-back,” Byars said. “We’re just really blessed to have something like that happen. I had the same team working for me this year — my wife, Alisa, gets her ready, and then Bill Pierce, Thomas Sheer, Walt Erwin, and Jessie Pritchard are in the pen. Without their help, we couldn’t have done what we did.”

Byars’ plan going into his finals run was to stay out of Intellicat’s way and make clean cuts. The cattle were tougher this year,

he said, so he had to trust his mare and let her do her job. That part wasn’t difficult, since Intellicat has been easy to work with from the moment the Byarses purchased her in 2021. Since then, they’ve boosted her lifetime earnings by nearly $50,000, which Byars said is thanks in part to her good disposition.

“She’s just a pleasure to be around,” Byars said. “She loves people and doesn’t give us any problems. She reads a cow really well, and she’s really easy to cut on, too.”

Intellicat’s first foal was born during Eastern Nationals, a colt by Sigala Rey. After returning home from the event, the Byarses planned to breed her to Boon Too Suen, then leg her back up and get back into the show pen.

CLASS: Unlimited Amateur

RIDER: Jeff Byars

HORSE: Intellicat

PEDIGREE: High Brow Cat x Mates Little Cokette x Smart Mate

OWNED BY: Jeff and Alisa Byars

SCORE: 221

EARNINGS: $4,318

Jeff Byars and Intellicat in action.

Back in the Game

About 14 years ago, Van Holcombe took a hiatus from the cutting that lasted for 10 years. He came back four years ago after turning 60 with a renewed interest in showing. With lots of hard work, he finally ended up back on top at Eastern Nationals, winning the $5,000 Novice Non-Pro with ESR Rhoda.

“It has been twice as hard as I thought it would be,” Holcombe said. “I didn’t think it was going to be a quick path to success, but I’ve had to really work hard at trying to have some success, just what comes with being

“It meant a lot to win because it has been a long time coming.”

VAN HOLCOMBE

10 years older. It meant a lot to win because it has been a long time coming.”

He credited ESR Rhoda, who he purchased last year from Wendy DeGroot, for her part in his comeback story. The mare tries hard and fits him really well, he said.

“She’s got a really neat style,” Holcombe said. “If I do my part, she sets back and works on her back end really well, and gets really expressive. It seems like the more I ask of her, the brighter she gets. She just loves her job.”

Holcombe hoped to haul ESR Rhoda, who is 7, as much as possible this year to compensate for lost time. He thanked his trainer, Gabe Reynolds, for helping him get into a groove since returning to the cutting.

“Gabe, his wife, Lauren, and Myla Hochstein, who got the horse ready this week, are who I attribute my success to,” Holcombe said. “Those folks have worked their heads off. Gabe and Lauren are awesome people, and they put a ton of effort into trying to make us successful.”

CLASS: $5,000 Novice Non-Pro

RIDER: Van Holcombe

HORSE: ESR Rhoda

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x ESR Rahab x Duals Blue Boon

OWNED BY: Van Holcombe

SCORE: 221

EARNINGS: $3,805

Van Holcombe and ESR Rhoda in the groove.

A Well-Deserved Win

Though he was first out in a big class of 18 finalists in the $2,000 Limited Rider, Turner Pierce wasn’t intimidated.

The 9-year-old guided Acrerey, a 17-yearold gelding, through three clean cuts and marked the highest score he’s received on a five-judge scoring system to tie with older Youth rider Tyson Hooper for the championship.

“It felt good to tie with someone older than me and to do good in that setting,” Pierce said. “It wasn’t easy to mark a 218. Some of the cattle were fast and some were wacky, but we found three good ones.”

Pierce was grateful to have Acrerey to share his win with and rewarded him with some of the horse’s favorite “human snacks,” which include potato chips, granola bars, and even ham sandwiches, after the win. He thanked Acrerey’s owner, Lacey Farmer

Franks, for letting him borrow the gelding back when he was looking for a step-up horse three years ago.

“We were in search of a horse because I couldn’t show the turnback horse forever,” Pierce said. “Ms. Lacey Farmer Franks asked if we were needing a horse, and my mom thought it would be a good fit. It turns out that he’s pretty good and takes care of his people. I just have fun with him. He’s really personable, and I get along well with him. We’re a great team.”

Pierce hoped to make the Youth World Finals a couple more years with the gelding, whose lifetime earnings surpassed the $100,000 marker, and planned to continue showing Acrerey as long as he could. He thanked his help at the Eastern Nationals, including T.C. Scheer and Todd Gann, along with his parents, Jessica and Bill.

“ I just have fun with him. He’s really personable, and I get along well with him. We’re a great team.”

TURNER PIERCE

CLASS: $2,000 Limited Rider Co-Champion

RIDER: Turner Pierce

HORSE: Acrerey

PEDIGREE: Dual Rey x Bob Acre Molly x Bob Acre Doc

OWNED BY: Lacey Farmer Franks

SCORE: 218

EARNINGS: $4,077

Turner Pierce aboard Acrerey.

Playin to Win

About four draws after the first 218 in the $2,000 Limited Rider was marked, Tyson Hooper, 15, matched it on board Playin Metallic. Hooper earned the co-championship with Turner Pierce, saying it was fun to tie with someone so much younger than him who is exceptionally talented.

“I think it’s pretty cool that he’s showing like that at such a young age, and he’s able to go out there and do that when he’s so young,” Hooper said.

Before riding into the show pen, Hooper’s dad, Miles, who he rides with, gave him some advice to get his cattle cut clean and to drive up far enough out of the herd. Hooper and Playin Metallic did that and then some, thanks to the gelding’s cowy nature.

“He’s really good at reading cattle and just being able to hold cattle,” Hooper said. Playin Metallic has been in the Hooper family since he was born.

Hooper’s grandparents, James and Gail, bred the gelding, and he carried Christian Johnsrud to the Open semifinals at the 2019 NCHA Futurity. James showed him alongside Johnsrud as a 4-year-old, tying to win the Bonanza Cutting 4-year-old Amateur Championship.

The gelding got hurt and was off during his 5- and 6-year-old years, during which time he went through underwater treadmill therapy. After he returned to riding, Hooper started showing him at weekend events.

Hooper has been riding cutting horses for about three years. The sophomore in high school hopes to haul for a World title in the Youth next year. He thanked his parents, including his mom, Toni, and his grandparents for supporting him and helping him get good horses to ride.

CLASS:

$2,000 Limited Rider Co-Champion

RIDER: Tyson Hooper

HORSE: Playin Metallic

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x Spots

A Playin x Spots Hot

OWNED BY: Miles Hooper

SCORE: 218

EARNINGS: $4,077

A Fast Partnership

Ever since Norah Stone started showing Pretty Kat a couple months ago, the two have been dynamic in the show pen. Their successful partnership was in full swing during Eastern Nationals, where Stone piloted the mare to the Junior Youth Championship.

“It means a lot, and it shows me that if you put your mind to something, you can do whatever you want if you just work hard,” Stone said. “With her, I like that I can count on her to do her thing and look good doing it. I kind of help her a little bit, but she has most of it.”

Pretty Kat is owned by Larry Cooper, who is one of Stone’s stepdad, Nick Pilcher’s, customers. Stone also rides with Pilcher, and before the Junior Youth finals, the Lexington, Indiana-based trainer told her to just cut clean during her run.

“That was one of the things I was trying to work on this show,” Stone said. “I felt like I improved a lot, not just in that, but also in my horsemanship.”

Stone has been cutting for five years but has only been showing regularly for a portion of that. Since 2024 is the 14-year-old’s last year in the Junior Youth, her big goal for the season is to make the Top 15 standings, hopefully with Pretty Kat under her saddle.

Outside of cutting, Stone does three-day eventing with her dad, David Stone. It’s a lot of work balancing that with showing at cuttings, in addition to school, but even though the English sport doesn’t have much in common with the cutting, Stone feels like both are beneficial to her overall riding. She thanked her family, including her mom, Olivia, and the Pilcher Performance Horses family, for their support.

CLASS: Junior Youth

RIDER: Norah Stone

HORSE: Pretty Kat

PEDIGREE: Kit Kat Sugar x Bets

Pretty Sue x Bets CD

OWNED BY: Larry Cooper

SCORE: 221

EARNINGS: $277

Norah Stone rides Pretty Kat to victory.

Perseverance Pays Off

Riley Farris and Play Purr View RG won the Senior Youth Championship at Eastern Nationals after four years of competing. Their story is a reminder that hard work and persistence can lead to great success, and their bond serves as an inspiration to never give up on your dreams.

“I had no expectations whatsoever because I hadn’t done well the past four years, so the fact that I was just hoping to get through a run made it so much more special,” Farris said. “I’ve always thought of ’T.J.’ as a run and stop kind of horse,

“She is the most consistent and hardworking horse I’ve ever had the pleasure to show.”

RILEY FARRIS

but in my finals run, she just locked down and started shaking. It was one of the cowiest runs I’ve ever felt her in, so it was cool to feel something different.”

Farris’ family has owned T.J. since 2018, and Farris said the mare has taught her so much over the years. The horse may have an “all business” personality, as she just wants to do her job and then get put away, but Farris hopes she knows how much she is appreciated.

“She is the most consistent and hardworking horse I’ve ever had the pleasure to show,” Farris said. “She pretty much taught me how to really show and is the reason I’ve stuck with it this long.”

Outside of cutting, Farris, 17, stays busy with school activities. She plays shortstop on her school’s softball team, runs cross country, scuba dives, and competes in public speaking for Future Farmers of America.

“Thank you to my Lord and Savior first and foremost,” Farris said. “Also, my dad and sister, who haul me down the road every weekend, and my friends and family who cheer me on.”

CLASS: Senior Youth RIDER: Riley Farris

HORSE: Play Purr View RG

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x Playgiarism x Freckles Playboy

OWNED BY: Mike Farris

SCORE: 221

EARNINGS: $385

Riley Farris and Play Purr View RG in the arena.

ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

Early April in Fort Worth, Texas, brought two big events to the metroplex: a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse, and the 2024 NCHA NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes, presented by Beechfork Ranch, held March 20 to April 14. The twoand-a-half minutes of darkness brought on by the former couldn’t overshadow the many blazing championship runs that took place in the Will Rogers Coliseum. Nevertheless, each of these events will go down in history as life-changing for those who experienced them.

BY KRISTIN PITZER

opposite :

PHOTOS BY SETH PETIT

Open Super Stakes winners James Payne and Jazlyn.

2024 ncha nrr cat king cole

SUPER STAKES

PRESENTED BY BEECHFORK RANCH

Top Of The Class

James Payne has been in the Will Rogers Coliseum winner’s circle before — he estimated he’d won the Open at different premier events four times prior to the NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes presented by Beechfork Ranch — but his Open Super Stakes run on Jazlyn shot to the top of his list after he and the mare marked a 228 to win the class. He described it as one of the best runs he’s ever had, thanks to the mare’s speed and phenomenal cow sense.

“A mare like that, that can work a cow, break a cow down and control a cow the way she can, she gives you a lot of comfort,” Payne said. “I cut a variety of cows in the finals, and I think that’s a testament to the caliber of that mare. She’s opinionated, but she’s a true, blue cow horse.”

At first, that cow sense made things a little challenging for Payne early in her training. By summer of her 3-year-old

year, though, she had moved to the top of his show string. The duo made the Open semifinals at the 2023 NCHA Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity, and since then, they’ve made the finals at every event Payne has shown her.

“During our rough spot, she wasn’t refusing to do her job — she just wanted to do the job her own way,” Payne said. “I think that makes her a really nice mare, though, the fact that she is opinionated and takes her job very seriously.”

Payne thanked everyone on his team. He also thanked his help in the show pen — Sean Flynn, Lloyd Cox, Casey Green, and John Mitchell — and gave a special mention to his wife, Nadine, and Jazlyn’s owner, Kathleen Moore.

“Without Kathleen, I couldn’t get on the caliber of horse I need to go win,” Payne said. KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: Open Super Stakes RIDER: James Payne HORSE: Jazlyn PEDIGREE: Hashtags x MK Cats Kitty x Spots Hot OWNED BY: Kathleen Moore SCORE: 228 EARNINGS: $73,216.99

James Payne and Jazlyn in the show pen.

Sweet Redemption

I mmediately after picking up the Intermediate Open Super Stakes Classic title with Playful Smoothtalker, William “Colt” Moore turned around and piloted a second horse to the Intermediate Open Super Stakes Championship, making it his second Triple Crown event to win two titles in the same day. This time, his partner was Sweet On Stevie, a mare normally ridden by Moore’s boss, Adan Bañuelos.

Moore has liked Sweet On Stevie ever since Bañuelos got her into his training program last March.

“She was one of Adan’s top 3-year-olds, and he and Teton Ridge allowed me to catch ride her at the Futurity,” Moore said. “It did not go as planned, so I’m thankful they gave me the opportunity to show the mare here again. It was her time to mark a big score like she deserved on a stage like that.”

The duo’s run was challenging, Moore said, with each successive cow keeping them on their toes. Moore knew the third cow would make or break their run, but he decided to take the risk, and it paid off.

“She never missed a beat,” Moore said. “If she would have missed it by a hair, as close and fast as it was, she wouldn’t have held it. I think that’s what kind of stood out to me, is how intelligent, fast, and incredible she was that night. She’s one of the cowier mares I’ve ever gotten to ride and just super awesome.”

Sweet On Stevie will likely continue showing under Bañuelos, but Moore hopes their time together isn’t done yet.

“Maybe sometime in the future I’ll be lucky enough to have an opportunity to show her again,” Moore said. “If I don’t, I’m pretty grateful for this last run we had — but hopefully it’s not the last one.” KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: Intermediate Open Super Stakes

RIDER: William “Colt” Moore

HORSE: Sweet On Stevie

PEDIGREE: Stevie Rey Von x Sweet Abra x Abrakadabracre

OWNED BY: Teton Ridge SCORE: 227

EARNINGS: $16,264.14

Colt Moore pilots Sweet On Stevie.

Stepping It Up

As Kasen York and SJR Gina Rey Von entered the T/K Cutting Horses Limited Open Super Stakes finals as draw four, York was a little nervous. For one, the cows had been challenging for the three previous riders, and he knew they would have their work cut out for them. Adding a little more pressure to it, though, was the fact that SJR Gina Rey Von belongs to his mom, Kristen.

“It’s probably more stressful than riding horses for a client just because while you want to do good for everybody, you really want to do good for your mom,” York said.

The pair stepped up and marked a 222, which held through the rest of the class for the T/K Cutting Horses Limited Open Super Stakes Championship. The win was extra meaningful for York because he’s had the mare in his program for the majority of her training. Kristen was supposed to show her at the 2023 NCHA Metallic Cat

Futurity, but after Kasen York’s original entry got injured, he and his mom ended up swapping. SJR Gina Rey Von surprised him as they went through the Open rounds and ended up making the finals at that event.

“I really wasn’t planning on showing her, and then the closer to the Futurity we got, the better she got,” York said. “She’s super smart about a cow. It doesn’t matter what kind of situation I put her in. She cares about the cow more than anything else, and I think that’s what makes her so good.”

York thanked his mom for letting him show the mare and his dad, Thad, for supporting him. He also thanked his help in the pen, Jason Clark, Colt Moore, Clay Johnson, and Lloyd Cox; Tristen Miller, who got the mare ready; Jason Clark, who works with York every day; and Kenny Platt, one of his best friends. KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: T/K Cutting Horses Limited Open Super Stakes

RIDER: Kasen York

HORSE: SJR Gina Rey Von

PEDIGREE: Stevie Rey Von x SJR Smooth Gina x Smooth As A Cat

OWNED BY: Kristen York SCORE: 222

EARNINGS: $8,294.28

Kasen York aboard SJR Gina Rey Von.

On A Roll

In January, Ryan Rapp and Dont Stop Swingin picked up their first 4-YearOld Non-Pro title together at the Augusta Futurity. From there, they collected another win in the same class at The Cattlemens Derby and Classic in March. By the time they reached the NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes presented by Beechfork Ranch, the duo was on fire. The pair won the 4CYTE Non-Pro Super Stakes first go, took second in the second go and semifinals, and won the Championship with a 225.

“The Cattlemens finals run was about the best that horse had been, and I knew I needed to keep him confident and not overanalyze or overdo anything at the Super Stakes,” Rapp said. “I just wanted to have simple, confident works on him and let him continue to build his confidence through the show. I feel very blessed I was able to tie those quality of runs together in that timeframe.”

Rapp also showed Dont Stop Swingin in the Open Super Stakes and those runs were a good launching point, giving Rapp a better feel for the cows before their 4CYTE Non-Pro Super Stakes runs.

When Dont Stop Swingin is on his game, it’s easy to control the cows, Rapp noted, as the gelding knows how to work them without scaring them. Rapp looks forward to showing him at the 2024 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular this July and August.

“Thanks to Brett Stiles for loping him all those runs, and thanks to my parents for always supporting me,” Rapp said. “My mom has turned back for me just about every time I worked that horse. My dad coaches me and was down there in my corner helping me pick those cows, along with Clay Johnson, Johnny Mitchell, and Sean Flynn. Thanks to them and everybody that’s helped me out.” KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 4CYTE Non-Pro Super Stakes

RIDER: Ryan Rapp

HORSE: Dont Stop Swingin

PEDIGREE: Dont Stopp Believin x Swing Thru The Drive x Hydrive Cat

OWNED BY: Phil & Mary Ann Rapp

SCORE: 225 EARNINGS: $39,100.83

Champions Ryan Rapp and Dont Stop Swingin.

A Late Bloomer Blossoms

After reflecting on last year’s Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity, Beth Rockey recognized an opportunity to realign her expectations for her mare, Double Rainbouu. Only a few months later, the tactic paid off when Double Rainbouu carried her to the Intermediate Non-Pro title at the NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes.

“She was a little bit late maturing, so we’re just getting everything kind of put together,” Rockey said. “She was maybe a little spoiled at the Futurity because I thought she was special and treated her that way, so going into the Super Stakes, I just tried to treat her more like a normal horse.”

Though Double Rainbouu took some time to come around, Rockey enjoyed the ride with the mare. She noted that Travis Bullard, who started her, did a great job and was easy to follow as she continued the mare’s training herself. She does get help from Morgan Cromer when she can, but

since Cromer lives in California and Rockey is based in Weatherford, Texas, that often means they can only talk by phone.

Rockey was grateful for Cromer’s help during the Super Stakes and also thanked Jake Pinheiro, Casey Green and Clay Johnson for assisting her in the herd. She also expressed her appreciation to Eddie and Barbara Young for selling Double Rainbouu to her — in fact, she even went back and purchased the mare’s 2-year-old half-sister from the Youngs this year.

“She has a really great feel on a cow,” Rockey said of Double Rainbouu. “She’s like a ballerina. She’s not a big, athletic, strong horse like a stud that’s super physical; she’s more feminine and refined in how she moves.”

Rockey noted she couldn’t have had the success she did with the mare if it weren’t for the support of her husband, Justin.

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: Intermediate NonPro Super Stakes

RIDER: Beth Rockey

HORSE: Double Rainbouu

PEDIGREE: Stevie Rey Von x Daratrcocoaspreview x TR Dual Rey

OWNED BY: Justin Rockey SCORE: 219

EARNINGS: $9,429.74

Beth Rockey aboard Double Rainbouu.

From Swimming to Shahara

It’s a cool feeling when you show in the Will Rogers,” said Ava Peterson, the Limited Non-Pro Super Stakes Champion. “It’s like WHOA. You’re here.”

Peterson was a young competitive swimmer in California when the pandemic shut down the pools in 2020. Looking for a new activity, her dad found a stable nearby, and she began riding. Little did he know the passion it would ignite. And here she is.

Her trainers, Morgan Cromer and Jake Pinheiro, found Dual Cat Lucy at the 2023 NCHA Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity.

“She has a lot of personality and tries really hard,” said Peterson. “There’s a lot going on here. She’s sassy but the sweetest mare ever. Jake named her ’Shahara’ the first time I worked her.”

Their NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes debut was the first time 15-year-old Peterson showed Shahara. “Morgan and Jake made

sure I was breathing and wasn’t going to pass out,” she said.

Peterson rode to the herd with the mindset of a pro.

“I was thinking how I was going to set up my cut. We were last to go in the set, and I wanted to make sure everything was set up in the middle and that I drove up. I knew I needed to give her the best chance to do well.”

Their win put the first earnings in the bank for the mare.

“I thank my parents for being my biggest supporters. They work hard to make this happen. I’m really grateful for Morgan and Jake. They give me every opportunity they can and put so much time and effort into helping me and making sure I understand everything I’m doing. Everyone in the barn is amazing, and Dana gets my horses ready so they’re perfect.”

JENNIFER HORTON

“There’s a lot going on here. She’s sassy but the sweetest mare ever.”

AVA PETERSON

CLASS: Limited Non-Pro Super Stakes

RIDER: Ava Peterson

HORSE: Dual Cat Lucy

PEDIGREE: Dual Smart Rey x Toni The Tigress x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Ava Peterson SCORE: 216.5

EARNINGS: $6,489.44

Ava Peterson and Dual Cat Lucy's first time in the show pen.

Homebred Hero

The Crossfire had a rough start in life, but he has more than found his stride. With Reyly Plendl aboard, the homebred gelding marked a big 222 to triumph in the McAlister Assets Amateur Super Stakes Championship. Winning in Will Rogers Coliseum is always a big deal, but Plendl said it was extra-special to do on The Crossfire.

Plendl, of Hinton, Iowa, was present when the overdue recip mare gave birth to the foal by Stevie Rey Von and the family’s broodmare, Rey Of Oak. Little about the pregnancy or the birth went to plan.

“He was born 56 days late, so we were anxiously waiting for him. But he was actually born really underdeveloped, though,” she explained. “He was really small and we had to bottle feed him for a couple weeks and give him IV fluids, so he about died on us. He’s kind of just been my baby ever since.”

The McAlister Assets Amateur Super Stakes win was the biggest career victory for the horse owned and bred by Plendl’s father, Rick.

CLASS: McAlister Assets Amateur Super Stakes RIDER: Reyly Plendl

HORSE: The Crossfire

“He was just doing all he can to stay in front of the cow and moving so pretty while doing it.”

REYLY PLENDL

Though he and Reyly made the Amateur finals of the 2023 NCHA Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity, their Amateur finals run at the NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes was the first time The Crossfire put everything together.

“I was really pleased,” Plendl said. “I felt like that’s the hardest he’s tried, and he was just doing all he can to stay in front of the cow — and moving so pretty while doing it.”

She was thankful to trainer Nick O’Dell; Hannah Brawley for getting the horse ready, and her sister, Regan Plendl, for helping her. She also thanked Lloyd Cox, Sean Flynn, and her family. MOLLY MONTAG

PEDIGREE: Stevie Rey Von x Rey Of Oak x Dual Rey OWNED BY: Rick Plendl

SCORE: 222

EARNINGS: $13,897.20

Reyly Plendl riding The Crossfire.

She’s Absolutely Fancy

Tom Williams scored his first Fort Worth win in the Rios of Mercedes Intermediate Amateur Super Stakes with Absolutely A Talker. Williams purchased the mare last year at the 2023 Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity where he showed her to the semi-finals.

“Sean Flynn found her for me,” said Williams. “We did well in the go-rounds and marked the high score in the semi-finals. But I didn’t do a very good job showing her in the finals.”

Williams described his mare as very cowy and really smart.

“She gives 100 percent and she’s the same every time. If get her cut right and do what I’m supposed to do, she’s going to be good.”

The first time he rode the red roan mare, Williams knew exactly what he would name her.

“I called her Fancy because she’s pretty doggone fancy. It fits her.”

Williams prepared for his championship

run by watching the settle from under the judges stand. “I usually watch cows with Sean but, being nearly 71 years old, I forget most of them by the time I get out there,” said Williams.

“I picked out two I liked. When Sean rode back to tell me what we were going to cut he actually named those two. We were able to cut those two cows, and they were both really good. Everything just clicked.”

Williams was quick to thank his help in the arena: Sean Flynn, Austin and Cade Shepard, and Clay Johnson.

“Skyler and Brock get my horses ready and they always do a super job. I especially appreciate Sean for finding me this mare,” he said. “She is a special horse.”

Working the first draw of two sets left Williams a long time to wait.

“Two bunches is a long time to hold your breath,” he laughed. “To be honest, I was shocked that score held up. I guess it was just my day.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: Rios of Mercedes Intermediate Amateur Super Stakes

RIDER: Tom Williams

HORSE: Absolutely A Talker

PEDIGREE: Smooth Talkin Style x Absolutely Oh Cay x Metallic Cat

OWNED BY: Tom Williams SCORE: 219 EARNINGS: $8,195.76

Tom Williams pilots Absolutely A Talker.

Oops She Did It Again

Ava Peterson was still celebrating her championship in the Limited Non-Pro Super Stakes with Dual Cat Lucy when the pair added another, taking the Limited Amateur Super Stakes title as well. The week turned out to be quite favorable for the teenager hailing from California.

“I was a little more confident going into it because I knew I would have options [on cows] instead of being limited to what was left,” she said, speaking of her first draw position. “I knew I could option off if something didn’t feel good when I was in the herd. Having that wiggle room let me relax a little.”

It was their second trip to the herd that day. They were finalists in the Rios of Mercedes Intermediate Amateur Super Stakes class to start their day.

“My mare was snappy. She felt really good. I think she handled showing twice that day really well.”

Peterson had to wait through ten runs to see if her 214 score would hold.

“I was really happy with my horse but thought a win would be great too,” she admitted. “The waiting was a little nerve-wracking. Halfway through the class I started to think maybe we had a shot [to win].”

While Peterson kept herself busy walking her horse, her dad in the stands appeared anything but calm.

“I could see him in the stands, and he looked like he could pass out.” But Dad held it together and the scores became final.

“Dana does an amazing job getting my horse ready, she’s like a big sister to me,” Peterson thanked her loper, along with her parents and trainers.

“I’m so grateful for Morgan Cromer. For me, as a girl, it’s really cool to have a woman trainer. I really look up to her as a person and my trainer. She’s such a good role model.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: Limited Amateur Super Stakes

RIDER: Ava Peterson HORSE: Dual Cat Lucy

PEDIGREE: Dual Smart Rey x Toni The Tigress x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Ava Peterson SCORE: 214 EARNINGS: $2,087.93

Two-time champions Ava Peterson and Dual Cat Lucy.

above

2024 ncha nrr cat king cole

SUPER STAKES

CLASSIC

BY SETH

PRESENTED BY BEECHFORK RANCH

:

Open Super Stakes Classic champions Russ Westfall and Just Rebelling.

PHOTOS

PETIT

Saving the Best for Last

For 35 years, Russ Westfall has attempted to bring home a title from the fabled Will Rogers Coliseum. The nearly $4 million rider has come close several times, picking up more Top Five finishes than he can remember. He finally saw that dream become a reality at the NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes presented by Beechfork Ranch when he rode Just Rebelling to the Open Super Stakes Classic Championship with a whopping 229 from the very last draw.

“It was awesome,” said Westfall, who also won the Chrome Cash incentive. “I’ve ridden horses for Jerry and Suzanne Rava for 30 years, and to get a big win for them and

“The whole cutting horse family is just an unbelievable bunch of people.”

RUSS WESTFALL

that horse, because he’s such a special horse, it was very rewarding and gratifying.”

The morning before their big run, Westfall worked Just Rebelling on only one cow for a handful of turns. The stallion felt sharp and ready for the evening’s finals, so he decided to be done and not overthink things. He already knew he could count on Just Rebelling to try hard and figured as long as he did his job, they would lay down a good run.

“It was probably one of the best runs I’ve ever had and for sure the best complete run I’ve ever had in there,” Westfall said. “That horse reads a cow so well, it’s hard to trick him. The cows were pretty tough all week, but that horse is just so smart.”

Westfall thanked the Lord, first and foremost, for the win. He also thanked his help in the arena — Morgan Cromer, Paul Hansma, Boyd Rice, and Clint Allen — and also the folks that assist him at home: his wife, Janet; son, Brandon; and employees, Madison Plitt and Meagan Blevins.

“You can’t do it all by yourself,” Westfall said. “It takes a village. The whole cutting horse family is just an unbelievable bunch of people.” KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: Open Super Stakes Classic

RIDER: Russ Westfall

HORSE: Just Rebelling

PEDIGREE: Metallic Rebel x Justasassycat x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Jerry & Suzanne Rava

SCORE: 229

EARNINGS: $31,351.95

Russ Westfall and Just Rebelling in the show pen.

A One-Two Finish

In 2022, Playful Smoothtalker and William “Colt” Moore took home two titles from the NCHA Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity: the Intermediate Open and Limited Open championships. They were back on top at the 2024 NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes presented by Beechfork Ranch, winning the Intermediate Open Classic with a 225. Moore also finished as the Reserve Champion on Hot Night Roll, who he rode to a 220.

“It’s unbelievable,” Moore said of his win. “Playful Smoothtalker put me in a better position in life all the way around. My brother and I partnered on him as a yearling, and I broke him, started him, and trained him all the way through, then sold him to Todd and Elizabeth Quirk and continued to show him. He’s now won close to $230,000, so it’s pretty unreal.”

The partnership Moore has with the gelding made the win extra special. Moore said no matter what the situation is, he

always feels confident walking to the herd on him. As long as he does his job and cuts the right cows, he knows Playful Smoothtalker will be there for him.

“When I need to lean on him, we lean on each other,” Moore said. “Good things tend to happen when that happens.”

Moore thanked Adan Bañuelos, who he works for, his show pen help — Jessie Lennox, Clay Johnson, Lloyd Cox, and Bañuelos — and his wife, Jencee, who got Playful Smoothtalker ready. He also thanked the Quirks for keeping him mounted on good horses like the gelding.

“They always want what’s best for the horse,” Moore said. “They love to see you win, and they’re sitting behind you when you do bad. That’s nice to have, and I appreciate that. It makes me want to win even more for them and try to do better than I am already doing, even though I’m doing my best every time.”

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: Intermediate Open Super Stakes Classic

RIDER: William “Colt” Moore

HORSE: Playful Smoothtalker

PEDIGREE: Smooth Talkin Style x Playful Ricochet x Smart Lil Ricochet

OWNED BY: Ten/27 Ranch

SCORE: 225

EARNINGS: $11,271.12

Colt Moore and Playtful Smoothtalker.

Shining Bright

Last year, shortly after becoming the trainer at Carol Ward Cutting Horses, Clayton Carter landed the T/K Cutting Horses Limited Open Classic Championship aboard Mister Temptation. This year, he was back in the winner’s circle on another Ward-owned horse, riding Boon To Be A Star to the same title with a 220.

“Last year was my first big show for Mrs. Ward and her husband, David, so we’re going on our one-year anniversary together. This means a lot,” Carter said. “[Boon To Be A Star] has always been a special little horse, so it was good to be able to show her off.”

Going into the Super Stakes, Carter’s plan was to stay calm and focused, make as few mistakes as possible, and perform clean cuts. This strategy also got the pair into the Open and Intermediate Open finals.

The duo’s final cow in the Super Stakes Limited Open Classic finals proved chal-

lenging, but Boon To Be A Star held it with no problem, displaying the skills she’s had ever since Carter got her into his program a year ago.

“She’s so smart on a cow, like overly cowy,” Carter said. “She knows where to not get herself in a pickle. She came from Bruce Morine, and he did a fantastic job. The transition was very smooth.”

Carter thanked his help in the pen — Austin Shepard, Matt Gaines, Cara Brewer, and Scott Brewer — and Ward for giving him the opportunity to show the mare. He also thanked his whole team for their support, including his wife, Jenna, and daughter, Kay.

“The preparation for this is our lifestyle,” he said. “Every day, we’re working show horses and 3-year-olds. It’s every day, all day for us to prepare for something like this.”

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: T/K Cutting Horses Limited Open Super Stakes Classic

RIDER: Clayton Carter

HORSE: Boon To Be A Star

PEDIGREE: Boon Too Suen x Catrina Starlight x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Carol Anderson Ward SCORE: 220

EARNINGS: $7,154.17

Clayton Carter pilots Boon To Be A Star.

A Final Hurrah

As she walked into the pen on Hottish Metal, Ali Good felt a little bittersweet. She knew it would be the last time she rode the stallion to the herd, as the plan was to retire him after the event, so she hoped to make their final run a good one. Hottish Metal stepped up and made it extra memorable by carrying her to a 225 to win the 4CYTE Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic.

“We had already planned beforehand that this would be his last show, so being able to end it on a good note made it that much more special,” Good said. “We had a goal for him to be the highest-earning son of Hottish, so I wasn’t going down there

“I just wanted to have a good, clean run for our last run together.”

ALI GOOD

with the mindset of winning or anything. I just wanted to have a good, clean run for our last run together.”

Hottish Metal’s earnings were elevated to around $485,000 after the win between the champion’s check and incentives, Good said. The majority of that money was won with trainer Adan Bañuelos, who showed the stallion until midway through his 5-yearold year. Good took over at that point and has enjoyed showing the horse ever since.

“You just don’t come by those horses very often that are that special,” Good said. “Every time I get to ride him, I just never take it for granted. He’s definitely going to be always one of my favorites and he’ll always be with us. He’s not going to go anywhere.”

Good thanked her help in the show pen: Austin Shepard, Clay Johnson, Cullen Chartier, and Cody Hedlund. She also thanked her dad, Jim, mom, Kelly, and grand-dad, Bill Riddle, who she said is the reason she got into cutting in the first place.

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: 4CYTE Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic

RIDER: Ali Good HORSE: Hottish Metal

PEDIGREE: Hottish x Snow Me The Rey x Metallic Cat OWNED BY: Jim Good SCORE: 225

EARNINGS: $20,417.22

Ali Good aboard Hottish Metal.

A Fort Worth First

Last year, Macall Banner watched her fiancé, Cullen Chartier, successfully show Shesa Lil Shady in the Open. This year, she got a chance to take a turn in the mare’s saddle herself. Shesa Lil Shady didn’t disappoint, carrying her to not only her first finals berth in Fort Worth but also the Intermediate Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic Co-Championship.

“It was incredible,” Banner said. “I was just going down there trying to have clean cuts — I’ve really been working on that lately. The cows Randy Chartier and Cody Hedlund had for me were perfect, and my mare was perfect. It couldn’t have ended up any better.”

Banner laughed that since Cullen tends to get more nervous than she does before she rides into the pen, he tends to keep away beforehand, but Randy, who is Cullen’s dad, and Hedlund can always steer her in the right direction as her herd holders.

Cullen and his brother, R.L., usually turn back for her, adding to the familial support.

“It really is a big family effort, including Kelle, Cullen’s mom, who is always the one yelling loudest from the stands,” Banner said. “I feel very fortunate to have the support of Cullen’s family, not only in the cutting pen, but in our lives together as well. And my mom, who lives in Montana, and my sister, who has two little ones, were able to come watch me show, so I really did have a full support system behind me and feel really grateful for that.”

Banner was looking forward to her upcoming wedding, which will take place in June. She thanked the team behind Cullen Chartier Cutting Horses, including Marcus Spencer, Langston Pattillo, Gavin Mesalam, and Ryann Packard, who got Shesa Lil Shady ready, along with Cullen himself for “training the perfect horse for me.” KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: Intermediate NonPro Super Stakes Classic Co-Championship

RIDER: Macall Banner

HORSE: Shesa Lil Shady

PEDIGREE: Stevie Rey Von x Shady Lil CD x High Brow CD

OWNED BY: Macall Banner

SCORE: 223

EARNINGS: $5,968.93

Macall Banner rides Shesa Lil Shady.

A Beautiful Partnership

After the 2023 NCHA Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity, where she rode Pit Viper to the McAlister Assets Amateur Championship, Jessica Bañuelos Feiner earned out of the Amateur and graduated to the Non-Pro. The NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes was her first event to only show in the latter, and not only did she make the Non-Pro finals, but she also rode Beautiful Lies to the Intermediate Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic Co-Championship.

“Beautiful Lies is the most electric little thing I’ve ever been on,” Feiner said. “She’s like being on the most fun roller coaster you can imagine. I knew I was on such incredible horsepower that if I could get my cows cut clean, she would be capable of marking anything.”

The mare was originally purchased because Feiner and her husband, Steven, believed her bloodlines will cross well on their stallion, Third Edge. Since her purchase, Feiner’s brother, Adan Bañuelos, has

shown the mare in the Open, while Feiner patiently awaited her own turn to step aboard. The NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes was their first show together, and Feiner said they fit each other perfectly.

Feiner thanked the whole team behind her and Beautiful Lies for their part in her success: Steven, for believing in them; Beautiful Lies’ former owner, Ken Sitton, and trainer, Steve Oehlhof; Adan Bañuelos, who she said she’s lucky to have as a brother and a trainer; Kaitlin Baher; Feiner’s mom, Tiffani, and dad, Ascencion; Nikki Weber and Keri Borrowski from FullStride Cryotherapy; her help in the pen, Adan and Ascencion Bañuelos, Jessie Lennox, and Grant Setnicka; and everyone on the ABPH team. Between her two recent big pen wins, all the support from her family and friends, and the upcoming birth of her son in May, Feiner had a lot to be excited about.

“All the wins and the baby on the way are beyond a dream come true,” she said.

KRISTIN PITZER

CLASS: Intermediate Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic Co-Championship

RIDER: Jessica Bañuelos Feiner

HORSE: Beautiful Lies

PEDIGREE: Hottish x Suen You Will See x Boon Too Suen

OWNED BY: SMF Cutting Horses LLC SCORE: 223 EARNINGS: $5,968.93

Jessica Bañuelos Feiner and Beautiful Lies.

He Kleans Up Good

Kamryn Clark Shepard and her gelding, Mr Klean, captured his fourth Fort Worth win with the Limited Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic title. It was a repeat for the gelding who won the 4-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro last year with Kamryn’s brother, Cooper, in the saddle.

The white-faced gelding they call “Guyo” has been on a roll with his lifetime earnings now over $108K.

“He’s done a lot for Cade and me,” said Shepard, who is still enjoying her newlywed status after being married last fall. “He’s been a good horse. He’s very true to me and everybody else who has shown him.”

“You go in, do what you can and see what happens.”

KAMRYN CLARK SHEPARD

With it all on the line in one go-round for the Limited Non-Pro Classic title, there was no “safety-up” in her game plan.

“I was trying to clear my head so I wouldn’t do anything stupid and try too hard. I think it’s fun when it’s one go because you go in, do what you can and see what happens.”

Getting Guyo ready herself helps Shepard stay calm and focus on the job at hand.

“My first two cows were really good, and I turned around with a little time left on the clock but I didn’t know what cow I was supposed to cut,” she said. “I barely got one cut and then right at the buzzer I thought I got run over, but I guess it was perfect timing and I was saved by the bell.”

Their 221.5 score was the highest marked in the Watt Arena for the day. It was a great finale for the pair as Guyo moves on with a new owner. Shepard thanked her husband, her help, and her parents.

“Cade and I are about to start building our house, thanks to Guyo. He’ll get his own shrine with everything he’s won,” she laughed. JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS:

Limited NonPro Super Stakes Classic

RIDER: Kamryn Clark Shepard

HORSE: Mr Klean

PEDIGREE: Dual Rey x Stylish Martini x Docs Stylish Oak

OWNED BY: Kamryn Clark Shepard

SCORE: 221.5

EARNINGS: $7,053.75

Kamryn Clark Shepard steers Mr Klean.

Flying High

Bella Anderson doesn’t know if she’ll get to show her mother’s horse, Mavrik, in the future. But, after the year they’re having, she sure hopes so.

Anderson, of Weatherford, Texas, rode Mavrik in the McAlister Assets Amateur Super Stakes Classic. “I was excited to have him in the finals, because that’s the horse I’m always excited to show,” she said. “He’s fun and he always shows up to do his job. Those are always fun to get to show and he’s been amazing here, so I was excited.”

The 221 they marked to win the class was the icing on the cake of an outstanding year. She said the Metallic Cat gelding, owned by her family’s Anderson Cattle Company and normally ridden by her mother, Michelle Anderson, hasn’t missed making the finals all year.

“I’ve showed him at the Abilene Spectacular and won the Non-Pro and the Amateur there on him. I made finals on

him in Graham at the Cattlemens, and then made the Non-Pro, Intermediate Non-Pro, and Amateur finals on him here at the Super Stakes.”

The NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes presented by Beechfork Ranch was a busy show for Anderson, especially the day of the Amateur finals. Mavrik was one of three horses she had in the finals that day — two in the 5/6-Year-Old and another horse in the previous class, the 4-Year-Old Amateur finals. “I didn’t really have time to overthink it,” she said.

She thanked everyone who helped work with her and Mavrik, including trainers

R.L. Chartier, Randy Chartier, Cullen Chartier, and Clay Johnson.

“I have the best team of people helping me,” she said. “They want the best for me every single time — and it definitely makes a difference.”

MOLLY MONTAG

CLASS: McAlister Assets Amateur Super Stakes Classic RIDER: Bella Anderson HORSE: Mavrik

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x Inmyownsweetime x One Time Pepto OWNED BY: Anderson Cattle Company SCORE: 221 EARNINGS: $15,773.45

Bella Anderson aboard Mavrik.

Shut Up And Cut

Andrea Sutten and Mettalic Duece wowed the judges right off in the Rios of Mercedes Intermediate Amateur Super Stakes Classic. The first draw of the finals, they put up a big 221 that would not be touched.

“Casey [Green] settled for me, and he talked to me about the different cows he had in mind,” said Sutten. “I was so nervous, I told him I would do better if he would just give me one to focus on so I could aim at it. He told me to just shut up and go cut my cows. I guess that worked.”

That tough love advice was just what she needed to hear.

“He was telling me to just go ride my horse. I was able to go in there and do what he said. I cut my cows and it all worked out.”

“He told me to just shut up and go cut my cows. I guess that worked.”

ANDREA SUTTEN

This first win in the Will Rogers Coliseum earned Sutten her first champion buckle.

“We actually came to the Super Stakes 25 years ago as spectators,” recalled Sutten. “It was so amazing. We went back home to Albuquerque, sold everything we owned, and moved to Weatherford to do the cutting thing.”

Von and Andrea Sutten first saw Mettalic Duece two years ago but missed an opportunity to purchase him. When they saw him available last year, they jumped at that second chance and now they share “Chance,” both showing as amateurs.

“We didn’t grow up riding,” said Sutten. “These trainers have been so fantastic to help us. Casey and his wife and daughter make it such a fun barn. He’s such a good teacher and coach. Teresa Padgett got Chance ready. She knows how to get him just right.”

Sutten thanked Casey Green, Cass Tatum, Sean Flynn, and Cody Porterfield for their help in the arena.

“I have to thank my husband. He’s always so encouraging. He’s my biggest supporter. He’s made it fun.” JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: Rios of Mercedes Intermediate Amateur Super Stakes Classic RIDER: Andrea Sutten

HORSE: Mettalic Duece

PEDIGREE: Metallic Cat x Ruby Duece x Smart Little Jerry

OWNED BY: Von and Andrea Sutten

SCORE: 221

EARNINGS: $9,527.65

Andrea Sutten and Mettalic Duece get it done.

All According To Plan

Mark Childers and The Hacker cracked the code for a win in the Limited Amateur Super Stakes Classic on the final NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes day. A whopping 223 score secured their first win in Will Rogers.

Childers purchased the 2019 stallion last summer but hadn’t been able to find time in the saddle for five months until the day before he showed. But the lack of leather didn’t seem a factor. Childers went home with some money and new hardware.

“My help told me to be aggressive, and I was,” said Childers. “It worked. It was a great run.”

Childers was able to ride to the herd with a game plan in mind and it played out.

“Tosten [Peterson] and Casey Green picked out cows,” he said. “We cut all three they wanted. The cows fell right into place and it worked out perfect.” Working sixth in the first set of nine left Childers to wait

it out to see if his score would keep him at the top.

“I stood the entire second set,” he chuckled. In the end, that 223 couldn’t be touched. In fact, it was the high score for the day in the coliseum.

“The horse has been really good. He made three finals this show. He placed third in the Intermediate Open [with Dave Costello] and I was third in the Intermediate Amateur the other day.”

All told, The Hacker added over $20,000 to his lifetime earnings of $24,874. Childers nearly doubled his own lifetime earnings with the Limited Amateur money.

“I have to thank Dave Costello and Koby Little for getting him ready for me. My turnback guys helped me through every run. I really appreciate Sean Flynn, Casey Green, Clay Johnson, and Tosten Peterson for all they did.”

JENNIFER HORTON

CLASS: Limited Amateur Super Stakes Classic

RIDER: Mark Childers

HORSE: The Hacker

PEDIGREE: Reyzin The Cash x Our Special Kitten x High Brow Cat

OWNED BY: Mark Childers

SCORE: 223 EARNINGS: $2,487.20

Mark Childers and The Hacker cracking the code.

June 21-23

Join us in Nashville, Tennessee for the 2024 NCHA Annual Convention! Registration is mandatory for all attendees. mark your calendar! Convention is FREE and all members are encouraged to attend! Scan the QR code to register today.

2023

ncha national circuit championship

FOR THE WEEKEND WARRIOR

The inaugural NCHA National Circuit Championship doled out $527,790 to competitors qualifying in 14 Circuits from the 2023-point year in North America and Europe.

BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT

Since 2020, the NCHA’s National Circuit Program has seen 6,000 members participate in local cutting events in Circuits around North America and Europe. Competitors earn points in their Circuit by competing in NCHA-approved weekend competitions that go toward qualifying for the National Circuit Championship. Held in Watt Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, during the NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes presented by Beechfork Ranch, the inaugural National Circuit Championship drew 529 entries in 13 classes. In addition to cash and $3,000 in scholarships, the event offered awards to the top 10 competitors, and all finalists received a finalist check and jacket.

The NCHA thanked past president Steve Norris and others for being instrumental in launching this program for weekend cutters.

“We could not have imagined a better first National Circuit Championship,” said Allison Walker, NCHA Stallion Foal Program Manager and National Circuit Program Manager. “The show went off without a hitch. For two weeks straight, I received positive feedback and heard nothing but excited chatter among our members. I’m grateful for all our competitors this year and hope to see many more new faces next year. The entire NCHA staff went to great lengths to produce a memorable event for our weekend cutters.”

photos this page :

Excited competitors and spectators traveled across the Circuits to be a part of the first-ever NCHA National Circuit Championship.

photos by jess gryder and seth petit

Business as Usual

Dual Cat Pepto has had many successes over the years with Mike and Deb Flashman. Recently sold to the Stryker Family Trust, it was a celebration when the horse took the Open title at the National Circuit Championship.

Monty Buntin of Lincoln, California, guided “Myles” in the competition. He was attracted to the event due to the generous payout.

“Anytime I get a chance at money when I’m riding him, I definitely try to enter, because he’s been one of the better horses I’ve had in my career,” Buntin said. “I was grateful to be qualified. He’s one of my favorite horses I’ve ever had, so it was an easy decision.”

Myles is all business when it comes to showing, Buntin said. “He’s just a gamer, and he smells blood at the right time, and he likes money,” Buntin said. “For whatever reason, when it comes time to do your best, he chooses the right time to do it.”

Their first round went like clockwork, despite not having shown together in a while. In the finals, he turned up the heat and they put together a good run, scoring a 222 to win.

“He felt the pressure of the importance of the day, and it made him rise to the occasion, and that just amazes me about him,” Buntin said.

The Big Time

William Nix enjoys riding Reyl Metallic Rebel, especially due to the horse’s kind personality.

“He’s a real sweet horse,” Nix said. “He’s very easygoing. And he can stop.”

The Blackville, South Carolina, resident and “Scooch” make the rounds in the Sunshine Circuit, and when Nix qualified for the National Circuit Championship, he went in part thanks to the payout.

“The Circuit finals is a pretty big deal for us — we don’t have as many weekend cuttings,” Nix said. “It gives us something to work towards.”

Nix’s goal was clean runs. Scooch had had some time off before getting back into training, but had no problems returning to the show pen. Their first go was a success, scoring a 217.

“He got back to his old self pretty quick — he’s an easy gelding,” Nix said.

Winning the finals with a 221, Nix was pleased with their performance.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it,” Nix said. “It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever won.”

OPEN

Open champions Monty Buntin and Dual Cat Pepto.

William Nix and Reyl Metallic Rebel in the show pen.

$50,000 AMATEUR

A Good Test

Jan Dunham, was 19th in the world this year, just missing the World Finals. At the end of January, she stepped into the saddle with her new horse, Bohemian Rhapsody, and decided to go for the National Circuit Championship. She lives in Lincoln, California, and competes in the Redwood Circuit in Northern California.

“I had this new horse that I needed to get together with, so I thought this would be a very good test for my show nerves,” Dunham said.

Dunham went to Triple Crown Equestrian Center, where Monty Bunton trains, and got to know the horse in the weeks leading up to the show.

“I just took my horse on a walk outside around the ranch,” Dunham said. “I steered him around the arena with my feet. I sat down with him in a stall while he was lying down and got him to put his head in my lap.”

Competing in Watt Arena in Fort Worth, Dunham was pleased with the cattle, and says she had good help with Brent Erickson cow-watching, and in the herd with Todd Adolf and Cody Lamont. Dunham and “Gus” scored a 214 for their efforts to win the $50,000 Amateur class.

“I can’t say my runs were heart-stopping, they were just correct,” Dunham said.

“We’re working out to be a really great team.”

Brittany Overstreet was excited to show her horse Kit Kat Sugar Daddy at the National Circuit Championship this year to support the event coming from Kenansville, Florida, and the Sunshine Circuit. It was Overstreet’s first time to show in Fort Worth, and it was meaningful to her.

“It meant a lot,” Overstreet said. “It was very special because my husband was able to go with me, and it was such a big arena to compete in. It felt like a once-in-alifetime kind of run.”

Overstreet and “Hugh” had a 215 in the first go, and a 222 in the finals.

“Everything that I wanted to cut was right on top, and the cows were good, and my horse was really good, and it all just kind of fell into place,” Overstreet said. “I thought I was going to be super nervous in the finals, but everyone was very welcoming. It felt like I was competing with all my friends. It helped it not be quite as nerve-wracking. And I definitely want to make this an annual trip.”

Hugh has a big personality, Overstreet said, but he comes through for her.

“I feel like he’s always there for me,” she said. “He’s honest. I never worry about him. I know if I can get my cows cut, and do my job, he’ll be there for me. He’s real strong, really pretty — I think he’s got a lot of eye-appeal.”

Jan Dunham pilots Bohemian Rhapsody.

Brittany Overstreet shows Kit Kat Sugar Daddy.

$35,000 NON-PRO

The Last Hurrah

Claire Sterling and Hes A Hot Spots Cat had a very successful National Circuit Championship as a farewell to their time together. Claire, 17, and “Jackson” have been partners for four years. The Parma, Idaho, resident shows the gelding in the Pioneer Circuit, and was originally riding for the World Championship. The rumor of great awards and a springtime competition versus the winter event that would require traveling treacherous roads to get to Texas was alluring.

“I just thought it would be a fun, one-time experience, and one big last hurrah with Jackson,” Sterling said.

This was her first time to compete in Fort Worth, and she was nervous about riding against so many competitors in the days prior to leaving for the show. Encouragement from friends and family bolstered her confidence. And her strategy was simple: Breathe, and have a clean run, no risks.

“The whole time I was thinking ‘It’s just another horse show. It’s fun,’” Sterling said. “It was just such an experience. But it’s crazy how not a lot of people have success going on a big stage like that for the first time ever. I had to trust Jackson, and he definitely took care of me.”

In the first go, the pair scored a 219, and Sterling was ecstatic. In the finals, she was anxious, but pulled through with a score of 222. In addition to winning the $35,000 Non-Pro, the pair took home reserve in the $15,000 Amateur. “Our hard work and long hours in the barn have really paid off,” she said.

Sterling thanks Kara Micic, Carolyn Lindsey, Jody Cada, and her parents, Mike and Kristy Sterling, for their support.

A Dream Come True

Vittoria Antonini has always dreamed of competing in the United States aboard an Italian horse. Vittoria lives in La Spezia, Italy, and has had her horse Trendzetter for a little over two years. When the chance to compete in the National Circuit Championship came up, she was thrilled.

“It felt like something magical,” Antonini said of competing in Fort Worth for the first time. “Great, but a bit scary.”

The high schooler was anxious before her runs, but credits Trendzetter for staying calm and guiding her. The pair scored a 223 to win the $15,000 Amateur title.

“Trendzetter has always been a very good horse, he is very sweet, kind, generous, and good-hearted,” Antonini said. “We grew up and improved together. Therefore, this award is not just mine, but it is ours.”

Trendzetter’s greatest strength is keeping calm and in control, even when Antonini is anxious, she says.

“This results in making me trust him completely, and we move together naturally,” Antonini said.

With this first experience under their belt, Antonini looks forward to more USA-based competition.

“Competing in the U.S.A. was a dream come true, and I hope I will get to do it again in the future,” she said.

$15,000 AMATEUR

Vittoria Antonini and Trendzetter.

Claire Sterling and Hes A Hot Spots Cat.

Deke’s Total Eclipse

After Kolby Moore and Smarrt Lil Pepto missed the World Finals by a mere $200, the possibility of redemption at the National Circuit Championship was appealing. Moore, of Williston, Florida, has worked with Erica Walton’s “Zeke” since the horse was 3. He was started and trained by Moore’s brother’s father-in-law and his brother and has been in the family ever since.

“When a cow looks at him, he likes to crawl around, but he’s so smart, and I know I can trust him,” Moore said. “Every time I go show him, I don’t have to worry about any weak spots. All I need to do is my job, and I know I’ll have a chance of doing well on him.”

They aimed for a clean run in the first go-round to advance to the finals.

“All I was thinking was to just drive up as far as I can to the judges’ stand and trap my cow, and hopefully my horse would be a really good horse so we could showcase what he could do.”

That strategy paid off, as the team scored a 223 in the finals to win the $25,000 Novice class.

“That horse deserved every bit of that win,” Moore said. “He’s been a good horse for me. He’s given me a lot of firsts to win, so to win this on him was pretty cool. We needed about $500 to put him over $100,000, which was our goal, and we sure covered that margin.”

The win was special because it was the first National Circuit Championship, and also because of the day and time — the afternoon of April 8.

“Winning on him during the solar eclipse was really cool,” Moore said. $25,000

$25,000 NOVICE NON-PRO CO-CHAMPION

Jet Setter

Katie Gaughan Bañuelos managed cross-country travel back and forth multiple times for herself and her family surrounding the National Circuit Championship, but focused her mind to tie for first in the $25,000 Novice Non-Pro aboard her beloved Metallistic, nicknamed “Aurora” (like the Disney princess).

Bañuelos and her husband, Cookie, raised Aurora, and also showed her dam, Jaebars Angel. Part of the Cactus Circuit, the Las Vegas, Nevada, resident doesn’t show as much as she used to, juggling her childrens’ activities, but after qualifying for the National Circuit Championship, decided to go to show the family’s aged-event horses.

“It’s nice for these older horses to get some recognition and get to go to [Fort Worth] and get a sizeable payout,” Bañuelos said. “And there were so many faces I’d never seen and names I didn’t recognize; it was awesome. All everybody could talk about is how they want to go to a weekend show and qualify for next year.”

Bañuelos and Aurora scored a 220 to win the class. Aurora is big, strong, and gritty, she said.

“She was fabulous, she’s definitely a fan favorite,” Bañuelos said. “She held three tough cows. She’s got no quit in her. As the run builds, and builds, you just hope for the best, and you hope for the best score. You figure, at the end of the day, I did my part, she did her part, and we’re just excited to be there.”

Kolby Moore pilots Smarrt Lil Pepto.

Katie Gaughan Bañuelos rides Metallistic.

Last Run

Gavin Mesalam’s family has owned Take It Eazee since 2019. Originally from Versailles, Kentucky, Mesalam now lives in Milsap, Texas. He took a break from hauling hard this past year and ended 16th in the world standings. So, when the National Circuit Championship was announced, he jumped at the chance.

“This was something that I knew I wanted to do, because this was going to be my last run on ‘Zee,’” Mesalam said. “I’ve shown him for the last four years, and I feel like, if anything, he almost deserves a retirement, or just an easy show life from now on.”

In the first go, Mesalam was aiming for a clean run to advance to the finals. The horse was a bit fresh since he hadn’t been shown in five months. After a good first go, Mesalam simply loped him before the finals.

“I just wanted to get a good check,” Mesalam said. “But after those first two cows, I felt that Zee was trying to be pretty good, and I knew that if we finished up good on my third cow, that we’d have a pretty good shot. We ended that run on a good note.”

Scoring a 220, Mesalam and Zee tied the class for the title.

“Kate had a heck of a run, and I’m more than happy,” Mesalam said. “I’m tickled to death that the last run I ever got to swing a leg over on that horse, I ended up winning that co-championship. Especially since this is the first time that the Circuit deal has ever gone on in Fort Worth, it feels pretty honoring to me.”

$5,000 NOVICE

He’s Got Gumption

Sonny Martin has worked with BTR Stylish Rey for three years. The Steelville, Missouri resident shows a lot in the Heartland Circuit, and has taken clients to the World Finals, but has never shown in Fort Worth himself.

“With this format, it gave me a good opportunity to come and show here at Fort Worth at the weekend event level,” Martin said.

“Gump” is a good-natured gelding with a lot of motor under the hood, Martin said.

“He’s very quick, and has a big stop,” Martin said. “He’s a horse that you feel like anytime you go to the herd you have an opportunity to mark a big score on.”

Gump was a bit fresh in the first go, but he quickly settled in, and the duo made it back to the finals, where they scored a 224 to win the $5,000 Novice.

“In the finals, I just went and cut a lot of feely, shapey cows that wanted to be up top, and it worked out,” Martin said, “The horse was excellent for me, and my customer.”

Martin was happy to share the gelding with his 19-yearold daughter Anna Martin for her last Youth class in the Watt Arena, and Gump’s owner, Ronald Var Vera.

“He’s 76 or 77, he has a prosthetic foot, and was in Vietnam, so it was special to make it on his horse, and also for him to make to the finals with him as well,” Martin said.

$25,000 NOVICE NON-PRO CO-CHAMPION

Gavin Mesalam aboard Take it Eazee.

Sonny Martin pilots BTR Stylish Rey.

$5,000

Hailing from Marietta, Oklahoma, in the Red River Circuit, Dean Holden has owned Walk Thru The Fire since his 2-year-old year. He was surprised to find out he’d qualified for the National Circuit Championship with “Deon” and was pleased to participate in the inaugural event.

“I really like a place like that to show for your weekend cutters — I think it was a great idea,” Holden said. “I’d like to thank the sponsors, because that thing paid pretty dang good.”

Holden and Deon had a clean first run, and a fortuitous finals run, scoring a 220.

“The horse was fantastic, and my help was fabulous, and I was just mediocre,” Holden said with a laugh.

Deon is highly attuned to his surroundings and has a tendency to buck, Holden said. But that translates into a stellar athlete.

“He’s really quick, and really cow smart,” Holden said. “He’s a very consistent horse.”

$2,000 LIMITED RIDER

Bryce and Bull for the Win

Bryce Karl was excited about the National Circuit Championship since he first heard about it last fall, so qualifying with his ranch’s horse Look Both Reys was thrilling. This is his second year of cutting, formally.

“I was intrigued by the way they were doing it, and I thought it was actually brilliant,” Karl said.

Making the trek from Longview, in Alberta, Canada, Karl had his share of challenges leading up to the competition. He had knee replacement surgery less than 90 days before the event, so his son Brad kept “Bull” in shape. But he wasn’t worried about the horse, who he’s worked with since October.

“He’s a great horse, he’s got a great history, I can’t say enough good about the horse,” Karl said. “I think he’s one of those special animals, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to buy him, and to own him. We’ll have him for many years.”

Karl thinks the world of Bull. He was 16th in the Open last year and was shown by Karl and Alan Menendez.

“He loves his job,” Karl said of Bull. “He has an amazing personality, he reads the cow so well.”

The pair scored a 219 in the finals to win the $2,000 Limited Rider Any Horse class.

Karl has jumped headfirst into cutting and has found a community in the sport. He says he feels blessed to be able to do it with his family.

“We have each other’s back and support, and we love these beautiful animals we ride. We just absolutely cherish them like a family member. This is such an amazing opportunity for people to participate in this sport.”

Bryce Karl and Look Both Reys.

Dean Holden riding Walk Thru The Fire.

JUNIOR YOUTH

All in the Family

Isabella Gaughan Bañuelos, 13, has worked with her 10-year-old gelding Queso Cat “all his life.” He’s the third generation to be shown by her family, making their partnership extra special.

“My grandma showed ‘Nachito’s’ grandmother, and my parents showed his mom — his mom has been on the ranch, and he was born and raised here,” Bañuelos said. “His line has been in the family for a long time.”

The two have had a great year showing. But the Las Vegas resident almost didn’t make the National Circuit Championship, after spraining her ankle the day before she was to fly to Texas to show the following day. She was nervous going in to the first go, but Nachito took care of her.

“I walked in there, and once I get almost to the herd, I start to feel a little bit calmer, because there’s nothing I can do about it, so I have to figure it out,” Bañuelos said. “And then I cut the calves [herd help] told me to cut, and he did the rest.”

The pair scored a 216.5 to win the Junior Youth title. Bañuelos is full of gratitude for the team that supported her, from her mom, Katie Gaughan Bañuelos, dad, Cookie Bañuelos, cousins and uncle, and many more.

“One of the classes that I always feel like I can really compete in is the Youth,” she said. “It was cool to compete against people I’ve never met before and see some new faces.”

Green Goes for Green

Preslie Green, and Taliate have been partners for three years. “Chirp” is headstrong and opinionated, but the two get along well.

“He’s a like an angry toddler most days, and he only likes a few people, but we just seem to work together well, and he likes me,” Green said. “No matter what, he is never tired or done with cutting. He always comes out of his stall fresh in the morning.”

The Perrin, Texas, resident, aged 16, competes in the Red River Circuit, and she was ready for the challenge of showing in a big class at the National Circuit Championship with Chirp.

With her dad helping prep the duo, Green and Chirp had successful runs in the competition, scoring a 222 in the finals to win the Senior Youth class.

“The runs were very exciting, and he was good the whole time,” Green said. “I was really happy after. I didn’t really care what I had marked, because he was just so good.”

Isabella Gaughan Bañuelos and Queso Cat.

SENIOR YOUTH

Preslie Green aboard Taliate.

INDUSTRY NEWS

NCHA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) announces the Hall of Fame Inductees to be recognized at the 2024 NCHA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 22, 2024. Three categories represent their lifetime earnings and accomplishments in the arena: Horse, Open Riders, and Non-Pro Riders. For the 2023 year, the following horses and riders are recognized for their achievements.

2023 Horse Hall of Fame: Ripping Ichi, owned by E.J. Huntley; Reystylin Smooth, owned by Ten/27 Ranch; Kittennish, owned by Billy Wolf; All Spice, owned by Teton Ridge; Hottish Metal, owned by Jim Good; Catolena Cashin In, owned by Joel Colgrove, Sr., and Countin Hot Checks, owned by Jamie Hill.

2023 Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame ($500,000): David Booth of Surprise, Arizona; Katie Fonsen Young of Potter Valley, California; Traci Burgess of Weatherford, Texas; Caitlin Rice of Weatherford, Texas, and Stuart Bozeman of Idalou, Texas.

2023 Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame ($150,000): Rickie Cox of Sulphur Springs, Texas; Bobbie Williamson of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Traci Burgess of Weatherford, Texas.

2023 Open Riders Hall of Fame: Al Dunning of Scottsdale, Arizona; Shad Platt of Orland, California; Eric Wisehart of Hemet, California; Gaylon Wells of Sulphur, Oklahoma; JP Bell of Duluth, Minnesota, and Walt Erwin of Evans, Georgia.

In addition to these categories, individuals are inducted into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame based on their contributions to the sport of cutting, among other factors.

2024 NCHA Members Hall of Fame: Garry Merritt of King, North Carolina, and Steve Norris of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The induction ceremony will be held during the 2024 NCHA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 22, 2024. Registration is required for the convention, and Hall of Fame Gala tickets are required. For more information, please visit nchacutting.com/about-us/convention.

Congratulations to all of the inductees!

2023 NCHA SUMMER SPECTACULAR

INTERMEDIATE NON-PRO DERBY CHAMPION

The NCHA is excited to announce Ryder Carpenter riding Ripped At The Seam as the new 2023 NCHA Great American Insurance Group Summer Cutting Spectacular winner in the Intermediate Non-Pro Derby. The show was held over the summer at the Will Rogers Arena from July 15 –August 5, 2023.

Ripped At The Seam (Metallic Cat x Smart Sandhill Kay), owned by Penny Cogdell Carpenter, is a 4-year-old gelding with current lifetime earnings of $31,504.67. Carpenter and Ripped At The Seam laid down a 216 in the first go, allowing them to cruise into the second go-round the following day where they earned a 215. As the crowd cheered them on in the final round, the dynamic duo came out on top with their highest score of an exciting 218.

“Cullen Chartier trained him along with Marcus Spencer, and they had him until the Super Stakes. Cullen and I agreed that I should take him (Ripped At The Seam) and start showing him more on my own. We had some success

Ryan Carpenter pilots Ripped At The Seam.

in the spring and made the Breeders Invitational finals,” said Carpenter. “I want to thank my help: Clay Johnson, Cullen Chartier, Lloyd Cox, and Johnny Mitchell. To make finals and do really well was awesome.”

“Congratulations to Ryder Carpenter and Ripped At The Seam for all of their hard work and dedication to the sport and association,” said Jay Winborn, Executive Director of the NCHA.

THE NCHA ANNOUNCES VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATES

NCHA is pleased to announce the candidates for the position of Vice President. The 2024–2025 term candidates are Byron Green of Campbellsburg, Indiana, and Kathleen Moore of Madill, Oklahoma.

The NCHA Vice President is an essential position within the organization, responsible for working closely with the President and other board members to help shape the future of the NCHA and the sport of cutting.

Both candidates have extensive experience within the cutting horse industry and deeply understand the issues facing the NCHA and its members. They have demonstrated a commitment to the sport of cutting and a willingness to work hard for the NCHA and its members.

Byron Green states, “I have been a life member for over 40 years and served on several Standing Committees, elected as a District Director for Indiana and Region 4 representative to the EC, plus an officer on several local affiliates. I was on the EC when the Circuit Program was initiated, and NCHA Weekend returned to the calendar. Weekend cutters are a vital part of NCHA.

My goal is to continue to see the purse for the Futurity grow to a million dollars, and purses for the weekend

above : NCHA Vice President candidates Byron Green and Kathleen Moore.

programs match that growth. My main interest is to see NCHA grow. It’s been good to my family, and I want that to benefit future generations.”

Kathleen Moore states, “I’ve been with the NCHA since 2000, when I started showing. I have always loved horses and animals, so the NCHA was always an easy fit for me. I started in the $2000 Limited Rider and have worked my way up to where I’m in the Non-Pro.

I served on the Stallion Foal committee, which led to several other sub-committees, the LAE Committee, and the EC through Region 8. The NCHA is very important to many people, and I want to see it grow and continue to be a vital entity promoting the amazing cutting horses. I would help contribute to the continued growth and future of the association. Right now, the cuttings are bigger than ever, and I hope to see that momentum continue. The NCHA has become a vital part of my family's life.”

The NCHA encourages its members to get to know each candidate and their qualifications before voting. Members can learn more about the candidates through a video interview, which will be available in the coming weeks.

SMOOTH AS A CAT

The NCHA deeply mourns the loss of Smooth As A Cat. A 1999 stallion by High Brow Cat and Shes Pretty Smooth (Wheeling Peppy), he was owned by the Manion Ranch in Pilot Point, Texas. His impressive track record included winnings of over $500,000 in NCHA events, as well as multiple titles and awards. He was the only NCHA Horse of the Year to sire two NCHA Open Horses of the Year. His offspring have also made a significant impact in the cutting horse world, with excess earnings of $36.5 million and counting. The NCHA extends its heartfelt condolences to the owners, trainers, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Smooth As A Cat.

NCHA Foundation Merit Scholarships - $25,000

Whitney & Greg Welch Memorial Sportsmanship Award - $2,000 out of arena available scholarship opportunities

Milt Bradford Heritage of Agriculture/Ranching Memorial Scholarships - $15,000

Dogwood Foundation Scholarships - $8,000 Out of the Arena Scholarship Contests (Art, Photo, Essay, & Public Speaking) - $6,000

Michelle Lynn Holsey Scholarship$2,000

Where your legacy begins! out of arena scholarship application due dates

Michelle Lynn Holsey Scholarship - April 8th

Dogwood Foundation Scholarships - May 1st

Milt Bradford Heritage of Agriculture & Ranching Memorial Scholarships - June 1st

NCHA Foundation Merit Scholarships - June 30th

Whitney & Greg Welch Memorial Sportsmanship Award - July 1st For

Out of the Arena Scholarship Contests (Art, Photo, Essay, & Public Speaking) - June 30th

A Night at the Ranch A at the Ranch

Wednesday, December 4th , 2024 Wednesday, December 4th , 2024

$200,000 ADDED TO NCHA 2024 WORLD FINALS PRESENTED BY BROKE SPUR RANCH

For the second year in a row, the NCHA is proud to announce the NCHA World Finals, presented by Broke Spur Ranch, will take place during the 2024 Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity. Broke Spur Ranch, along with the World Finals Task Force, aka the silks program, and the NCHA, have committed and collaboratively raised an additional $200,000 to be spread throughout all divisions of the World Finals.

This will increase payouts in all classes. We want to thank those involved in making this happen, and a special thanks to Broke Spur Ranch for returning as our title sponsor. The silk sponsors include: Adan Bañuelos Performance Horses, Badboonarising, Carol Ward, Cindy Snyder, Clark Butte Ranch, Countin Hot Checks, Dacole Investment Co., Double D & Co., Dual Reyish, Fossil Creek Ranch, Frank and Bonnie Martin, Hottish Metal, Metallics MVP, Northern Star Equine, and Western Bloodstock. Good luck to all the haulers running for the world this year.

NCHA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SOMBRERO BRANDS

Sombrero Brands has been named the Official Cowboy Hat of the NCHA. You may have come across their booth at our previous Triple Crown tradeshows, catering to not just our traditional cowboys and cowgirls, but also fashion-forward individuals who like to blend musthave fashion pieces with classic styles. Sombrero Brands is a family-owned business, started by Mark Hollar in Brenham, Texas.

“I think it’s going to be a great partnership for everybody,” he explained. “The NCHA has been great to me, and I think everything is going to be fantastic moving forward.” Sombrero Brands offers a wide range of high-quality products for your Western lifestyle at an affordable price.

NCHA SECRETARY SHAUNA REINHARDT RETIRES

NCHA would like to thank Shauna Reinhardt of Alberta, Canada, for her years of dedication and hard work to the association. The role of a secretary ensures that cutting competitions stay organized and efficient. Thank you for being an incredible resource and guaranteeing that shows ran smoothly. Your respect and knowledge in the cutting community will continue to inspire others. The hard work you gave to the NCHA is something all others aspire to. Best of luck in your next chapter.

in memoriam

WILLIAM BRETT JOHNSON

On December 20, 2023, Brett Johnson finished his race and met his Savior face-to-face. Brett was a man of many passions, including being a pilot, a true cowboy, and a guitarist. He was a man of great determination, and anything he set his mind to he could figure out and master. But his one over-arching passion was to share the love of God with everyone. He had a true gift of drawing people in and touching their hearts.

Brett is survived by his wife, Shaye; his daughter and son, and their families; his parents and brothers, his inlaws, and grandson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

DORVAN SOLBERG

On January 21, 2024, Dorvan Solberg passed away at the age of 89. Solberg has been a member of the NCHA since 1968. During his time with the NCHA, he served diligently as a judge for over 35 years and competed in the cutting pen for more than 50 years. In 2016, he was in the top 15 for the NCHA Senior World Tour. Growing up a rancher, Dorvan dedicated his life to the industry. Positions he held included North Dakota Cutting Horse Association Director Emeritus, AQHA Director Emeritus, Ray Lutheran Church Council, Williams County Farmers Union, and he was inducted in 2020 to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Eileen, and four daughters.

JOHN HOUSTON PAXTON

On March 1, 2024, John Houston Paxton, 70, passed away. John was an accomplished cutting horse enthusiast and a respected member of the NCHA. He was known for his passion and dedication to the sport and was highly regarded by his peers. John was honored to be inducted into the NCHA Non-Professional Rider Hall of Fame. He will be deeply missed by the entire NCHA community.

KAY PLEDGER WRAY

On March 9, 2024, Kay Pledger Wray, 77, passed away. A remarkable woman who touched the lives of many people through her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit, Kay was a member of the NCHA for 46 years and was actively involved in the organization. She was passionate about the sport of cutting. Kay was a strong supporter of various programs within the NCHA and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Kay's memory will forever be treasured by her husband of 57 years, Lewis, and her family.

RUSSELL deCORDOVA

On March 16, 2024, Russell deCordova, a prominent figure in the cutting horse industry, passed away, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Russ won many championships showing cutting horses, but his greatest joy was breeding and raising his own show horses. Russ was a member of the NCHA since 1992, showing in the Non-Pro class.

Russ's impact on the cattle industry was immense. The cattle industry was a family tradition for Russ: he and his sons Cody and Ty ran Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc. and Superior Livestock. Russ could often be found writing up cattle sales and welcoming sellers with gratitude. Russ is survived by his loving wife, Debbie, his sisters, children, and grandchildren.

GEORGE "CURLY" TALMAGE

On March 22, 2024, at the age of 101, George “Curly” Talmage passed away in Weatherford, Texas. A horse trainer and cutting competitor into his eighties, Curly was dedicated to the equestrian world. Presented with numerous accolades and honors over his long lifetime, Curly was recently recognized as the oldest member of the NCHA, a testament to his enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to his craft.

After serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, Curly was awarded both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Upon returning home, Curly embarked on a new chapter filled with boundless passion for horses. He worked on Loyd Jinkens’ ranch near Lake Worth, Texas, where he rode his first cutting horse. Curly is survived by his loving children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pauline Dietz Talmage.

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:

CuttingHorse_Template-Quarter.indd 1

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,

Toddy Pitard NCHA President

Amy Bell Memorial Awards

In 2014, Amy Bell of Weatherford, TX, daughter of Ellen and Larry Bell of Midland, TX, passed away very unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 33. Amy was known as a tenacious horsewoman, seasoned traveler, accomplished hunter, dedicated philanthropist, and a “best friend” to many. In short, she touched lives across the world. Amy loved her horses, many pets, family, friends, and she loved the Lord. She lived life with no handlebars, and she loved children of all ages to the ends of the earth.

During her short life, she began a very private but significant work dedicated to making life better for those less fortunate. That was especially true when it came to children. Throughout her life, Amy was involved in numerous charitable and humanitarian efforts. As Amy’s travels took her to some exciting new places far away from her Texas roots, her desire to show her love and compassion for children extended to projects all over the world. Amy’s family is deeply committed to honoring those final wishes by supporting Amy’s programs and projects and sharing her spirit throughout the world via The Amy Bell Charities. In 2015, the NCHA, with the support of Amy’s friends and family in the cutting horse family, established the NCHA Amy Bell Memorial Amateur Rider of the Year Award as well as the NCHA Amy Bell Memorial Horse of the Year Award. Through her life and now her memory, Amy Bell continues to “Pay it Forward”. For more information on the life of Amy Bell and how her legacy continues, visit amybellcharities.org.

Amy Bell Memorial

Rider of the Year &

Horse of the Year

John Brengard

Grace Ann Vangilder

Miller Wade Smith

Langston Pattillo

John Rockey

James Vangilder

Makayla Cowan

Roy Kuiper

Mike Rutherford

Mr. Connerey Let Georgie Do It

Two Time Dual

High Stylin CD

Sweet Toothe

Cat About Houston

Redneck Hillbillie

Prince of Cat

Cowboys N Hippies

The NCHA Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization serving the NCHA and the equine community through youth programming and scholarships, animal welfare research, historical preservation efforts, and continued education of the sport of cutting. To learn more about how you can support the NCHA Foundation and ongoing efforts to educate our youth, protect the horse, preserve our past, and secure the future of the sport of cutting, visit nchafoundation.org today or contact jbuswold@nchacutting.com.

Break free

Help your equine patients by controlling the clinical signs associated with osteoarthritis

• 250 mg/ml in a 7.5 mL vial; more flexibility in dosing a wide range of horses

• With proper dosing at 3mg/kg, 4 injections needed to provide maximum therapeutic effect

• FDA approved drugs ensure the manufacturing process is consistent to preserve the drug’s quality

• Proven efficacy not limited to specific joints1

Important Satefy Information

As with all drugs, side effects may occur. For intramuscular use in horses only. Not for use in humans. Pentosan polysulfate sodium is a weak anticoagulant. Caution should be used when administering Zycosan if you are taking an anticoagulant. In case of accidental self-injection, seek immediate medical attention. If product comes into contact with skin, rinse skin thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if needed. Horses with hypersensitivity to pentosan polysulfate sodium should not receive Zycosan. Do not use Zycosan concurrently with other anticoagulant drugs. Do not use in horses with clotting disorders or within 24 hours of surgical procedures. Caution should be used when administering this drug before or after strenuous activities. Caution should be used when NSAIDS are administered concurrently due to the anticoagulant effects of Zycosan. If Zycosan and NSAIDS are used concurrently, horses should be monitored for hemorrhage or other clinical signs of abnormal bleeding. The safe use of Zycosan has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses. The safety of long-term repeat use of Zycosan has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are injection site reactions, prolongation of coagulation parameters (activated partial

and

time (PT). Refer

the prescribing information for complete details or visit www.dechra-us.com.

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: __________________________________________________ Class Name: __________________________

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

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.

Less foot fatigue, Less knee pain, Fewer stirrup losses… Better balance, Better ride, Better performance. ThePatentedLeveler Onour SignatureSeries Lessfootfatigue, Lesskneepain, Fewerstirruplosses… Betterbalance, Betterride, Betterperformance. For more information

Zycosan®

(pentosan polysulfate sodium injection)

250 mg/mL

For intramuscular use in horses only.

Brief Summary (For Full Prescribing Information, see package insert)

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

DESCRIPTION: Zycosan contains pentosan polysulfate sodium, a semi-synthetic polysulfated xylan. It is a pale yellow to brownish yellow, clear, sterile solution.

INDICATION: For the control of clinical signs associated with osteoarthritis in horses.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Horses with hypersensitivity to pentosan polysulfate sodium or any of the inactive ingredients in Zycosan should not receive Zycosan. Do not use Zycosan concurrently with other anticoagulant drugs. Do not use in horses with clotting disorders or within 24 hours of surgical procedures (see Warnings and Precautions).

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

User Safety Warnings: Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. Pentosan polysulfate sodium is a weak anticoagulant. Caution should be used when administering Zycosan if you are taking an anticoagulant. In case of accidental self-injection, seek immediate medical attention. If product comes into contact with skin, rinse skin thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if needed. To obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Dechra at (866) 933-2472.

Animal Safety Warnings and Precautions:

Zycosan has been shown to prolong coagulation parameters up to 24 hours after injection, therefore caution should be used when administering this drug before or after strenuous activities (see Target Animal Safety). Due to the anticoagulant effects, this drug may exacerbate Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH).

The concurrent use of NSAIDs with Zycosan has not been evaluated. Due to the anticoagulant effects of Zycosan and known anticoagulant effects of some NSAIDs, caution should be used if NSAIDs are concurrently administered. Horses concurrently treated with Zycosan and NSAIDs should be monitored for hemorrhage or other clinical signs of abnormal bleeding (e.g., petechiae, ecchymosis, or epistaxis). The safety of long-term repeat use of Zycosan has not been evaluated. Pigmentary changes in the retina (pigmentary maculopathy) have been reported in human patients following long-term oral use of pentosan polysulfate sodium. It is not known if a similar finding occurs in horses. The safe use of Zycosan has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses.

Other Warnings:

Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Injection site reactions were the most frequently reported adverse reactions in the field study. Injection site reactions were associated with clinicopathology changes in some cases. Other adverse reactions reported in more than one horse were prolongation of coagulation parameters (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT)), lethargy, behavior changes, and colic. To report suspected adverse events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Dechra at (866) 933-2472 . For additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDAVETS or online at http://www.fda.gov/reportanimalae.

STORAGE CONDITIONS: Store at room temperature 68-77°F (20-25°C), with excursions to 59-86°F (15-30°C).

MANUFACTURED FOR:

Dechra Veterinary Products

7015 College Boulevard, Suite 525

Overland Park, KS 66211 USA

Approved by FDA under NADA # 141-559

Zycosan is a trademark of Dechra Limited.

R 01 2023

WE HAVE TOUGH HANDS

Often dirty and gritty but always authentic. The force that drives us is undefinable. It is physical, spiritual and emotional. It calls to us in different ways, but the result is the same. A fever that is never really cured. This lifestyle isn’t a choice, it is a calling.

2024 American Performance Horseman contestants Austin Shepard and Kittennish

Pursuant to the NCHA’s Constitution and Bylaws, the director elections for terms of service for the period of June 2023 - June 2026 were concluded on March 30, 2023. All directors elected in this year’s election will begin their three-year term of service at the commencement of the NCHA Convention. Below is a listing of the NCHA Board of Directors effective June 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)

Kathy Cardon (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)

Carol Ward (24)

Stan Williams, Jr. (26)

Colorado

Nicole Bauler (24)

Nathan Miller (24)

Steve Norris (LD)

Ron Pietrafeso (LD)

Joel Schulz (24)

Bob Tregemba (24)

Florida

Josh Deason (25)

Ora Diehl (LD)

Bill Kidd (26)

Sandra Lines (25)

Sharon Overstreet (26)

Pam Scott (25)

Georgia

Alison Howell (26)

John Hulsey (24)

Nate Pettit (24)

Mark Senn – President Elect

Idaho

Barbi Madgwick (25)

Denise Shewmaker (24)

Illinois

Rick Jackson (25)

Scott Shaw (26)

Indiana

Byron Green (25)

Andrew Larsen (25)

Iowa & Wisconsin

Travis Grover (25)

Seth Kirchner (26)

Kansas

Kirby Smith (26)

Rebecca Waters (25)

Kentucky

Trent Harrison (26)

Randy Mesalam (25)

Louisiana

Robert Charles Brown (26)

Gwen Coie (24)

Keith Deaville (LD)

Elizabeth Quirk (25)

Bruce Richerson (LD)

Chris Thibodeaux (24)

Michigan

Dan Agnew (24)

Crystal DeWitt (24)

Minnesota

J. P. Bell (26)

Bob Janssen (25)

Mississippi

William Cole (24)

Taylor Flowers (24)

Don McGraw (24)

Missouri

Ernie Beutenmiller, Jr. (LD)

Greg Beutenmiller (24)

Joe Wes Davis (24)

Sonny Martin (24)

Montana

Suzanne Nellen (25)

John Seymour (26)

Nebraska

J. B. Atkins (26)

Mike Christensen (24)

Nevada

Cookie Banuelos (24)

John Echeverria (26)

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

Jason Liddle (26)

Marty Miller (25)

Bill Stein (24)

Faye D. Stein (26)

Jack Werner (26)

New Mexico

Leslie Graor (25)

Richard Hicks (25)

North Carolina

Chase Lackey (26)

Garry Merritt (24)

Barnwell Ramsey – Vice President

North & South Dakota

Matt Lopez (25)

Jason Reed (25)

Ohio

Jeff Brown (24)

Steve Duff (24)

John P. Lavelle (24)

Scott McKinsey (26)

Chuck Smith (LD)

Oklahoma

Cara Brewer (25)

Michelle Cowan (26)

Jody Galyean (24)

Kathleen Moore (24)

Ty Moore (25)

James Payne (25)

Bill Riddle (LD)

Brad Wilson (25)

Oregon

Julie Clarke (26)

Marcea DeGregorio (25)

T. Scott Tullis (24)

Cameron Verstegen (24)

South Carolina

Tracy Barton (25)

Wendy Warne (24)

Tennessee

Sylvia Fuentes (24)

Jan Gandy (24)

Cynthia Patty (24)

Ronnie Smith (24)

Texas North

Clint Allen (24)

Jeremy Barwick (24)

Sharon Beach (24)

Jaime Beamer (26)

Chris Benedict (LD)

Lindy Burch (LD)

R. L. Chartier (24)

Dennie Dunn (LD)

Jo Ellard (LD)

Jennifer Foland (26)

Matt Gaines (24)

Casey Green (24)

Leon Harrel (LD)

Cody Hedlund (24)

Gavin Jordan (24)

Tom Lyons (LD)

Susan McBryde (24)

Frank Merrill (26)

Matt Miller (24)

Jim Milner (LD)

Ken Mock (24)

Bruce Morine (24)

Mike Mowery (LD)

Rick Mowery (24)

Steve Oehlhof (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)

James Davison (25)

James Eakin (26)

Scott Ferguson (25)

Bobby Hunt (26)

Janice Little (24)

Virginia, West Virginia, D.C.,

Maryland & Delaware

Roy Bauer (26)

Jim Johnson (26)

Ryan Smith (26)

Washington & Alaska

Holly Jones (26)

Jeff Knight (24)

Dean Rebhuhn (26)

Wyoming John (Jack) Enright (24)

Barbara Brooks (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)

Jane Mancuso (25)

Harrison Perrin (25)

Sam Wilson (LD)

Texas West

Cheryl Callis (25)

Sherry Graham (24)

Skip Jones (26)

Coleta Rosson (26)

Steve Smith (24)

Utah

Josh Hofeldt (24)

Steve Williams (24)

Kristen York (26)

Eastern Canada

Eric Van Boekel (25)

Amanda Law (26)

Western/Central Canada

Connie Down-Cicoria (25)

Darcy Geherman (25)

Les Jack (26)

Sandy Reid (25)

Amanda Smith (25)

Doug Wiens (24)

Europe

Josef Bachmeier (25)

Denis Pini (25)

Jana Pini (25)

Sergio Traverso (25)

Pietro Valeri (26)

(LD) Life Director (EC) Executive Committee

Term Expires: (24) 2024 (25) 2025 (26) 2026

LEGATE, CAROL/LARRY BROWN REALTORS, Amarillo, Texas. Rule 40*

LEVITRE, JOSH, Bountiful, Utah Rule 40*

LEWIN, MICHAEL, Salado, Texas. Rule 40*

LEWIS, DAN, Caldwell, Idaho. Rule 40*

LEWIS, DAVID, LONE OAK STALLION STATION, Hendersonville, Tennessee. Rule 40*

LIFELINE EQUINE c/o JILL HINDS, Arena, Wisconsin. Rule 40*

LITTLE MONTANA LTD., Vienna, Virginia. Rule 40*

LOGO IT!, Logan, Utah Rule 40*

LONE STAR FORD, Houston, Texas. Rule 40*

LONG, GREG, dba SHOW OFFS, Van Alstyne, Texas. Rule 40*

LUCAS, BOBBY, Edmond, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

LYLES, LINDA, dba THE RANCH HOUSE, Abilene, Texas. Rule 40*

LYNCH, DURWOOD, Plainview, Texas. Rule 40*

MACLEOD & HOPPER, Lexington, Kentucky. Rule 40*

MAG BAR SYNDICATE, ALAN WEISS, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

MAGNETIC SOLUTIONS, Wichita Falls, Texas Rule 40*

MANDEVILLE, LISA, Northridge, California. Rule 40*

MARRS, MIKE, Abilene, Texas. Rule 40*

MARSHALL, LINDA, Vero Beach, Florida. Rule 40*

MARTIN, MICHELLE, Batavia, Illinois. Rule 40*

MASSIMO, BELLEZZA, Italy, (Roma) Rule 40*

MATTHEWS, MICHELLE, Chino Valley, Arizona Rule 40*

MAY, LYNN, Monroe, Washington. Rule 40*

MAYFIELD, GREGORY SCOTT, Scott, Louisiana. Rule 40*

McCLELLAND, JOHN R., New Iberia, Louisiana. Rule 40*

McFADDEN, EDDIE, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Rule 40*

McGEE, JIM & FRIGGA, Hampton, Georgia. Rule 40*

McGUIRE, ARVID, Anderson, Alabama. Rule 40*

McKEE, MIKE & VICKIE, Cleveland, Tennessee. Rule 40*

McLEOD, MARILYN, Flora, Mississippi. Rule 40*

McRORY, BRYAN, Perry, Florida. Rule 40*

MEBANE RANCHES, Woody, California Rule 40*

MID-ISLAND KENNELS, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Rule 40*

MID-WEST FEED & BEDDING, Lacygne, Kansas. Rule 40*

MILAM, JULIE, Alta Loma, Texas. Rule 40*

MILEY STARFLEET TRAILER COMPANY, Sacramento, California. ......................................................................................... Rule 40*

MILLER, BRAD/PREFERRED REINERS PRS, Inc. Wilmer, Texas. ................................................................................................ Rule 40*

MILLER, FRED, Metairie, Louisiana. Rule 40*

MILLER, RAY JR., EQUISCAN, Baraboo, Wisconsin. Rule 40*

MILLER, ROBERT GLENN, Houston, Texas. Rule 40*

MILLER, TERRY, Bunkie, LA. Rule 50.d.4

MILLICAN, JOHN, Whiteville, North Carolina. Rule 40*

MILLIGAN, KELLY, Laurinburg, North Carolina Rule 40*

MILLS, JERRY, Englewood, Colorado. Rule 40*

MILLSAP, RANDY, dba RED ROCK CATTLE COMPANY, Cumby, Texas. Rule 40*

MIZE, ALLEN, Dallas, Texas. Rule 40*

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 Rule 40*

RED RIVER WESTERN DECOR/JEFF BURNS, Fort Worth, Texas. Rule 40*

RED STAR BREEDERS, Fayetteville, Tennessee. Rule 40*

REEK, TOM, Brenham, Texas. Rule 40*

REUTER, SHELIA, Kirkwood, California. Rule 40*

RIDENS, D. C., Salem, Oregon. Rule 40*

RIVER RIDE OF TEXAS, INC., Alpine, Texas. Rule 40*

RODDY, DEWEY, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Rule 40*

RODGERS, TEX, Pinehurst, Texas. Rule 40*

ROE, DOUG & MARY ANN, Moody, Texas. Rule 40*

ROOT, HEIDI, Red Bluff, California. Rule 40*

RUSSELL, DON, dba REDBUD CLASSIC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. ........................................................................................ Rule 40*

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

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

SIMS RANCH, Stephenville, Texas.

SKAGGS, CHRIS, Lancaster, California.

SMITH, DANIELLE, Ripley, Maine

SMITH, SID & VICKIE, Edgemont, Arkansas.

SNODGRESS EQUIPMENT/Randy Snodgress, Joshua, Texas.

SODA CREEK RANCH, Oronogo, Missouri.

SOUTHEASTERN CHA, LISA ETHERIDGE, Sec’y, Unadilla, Georgia.............................................................................................

SOUTHWEST DISTRIBUTORS, Cleburne, Texas.

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

SPEIGHT, JOHN, Midland, Texas. Rule 40*

SPINNING F RANCH, Lake Forest, California. Rule 40*

STAHL, JOHN, De Soto, Kansas.

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.

STEPHENS, SHA, Weatherford, Texas.

STEPHENS, STEVE, Clinton, Mississippi.

STEVENS, J.C., Canon City, Colorado.

Rule 40*

Rule 40*

Rule 40*

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.

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.

WHITE, JEANNE, Pampa, Texas.

WILLETT, TIMOTHY, Dallas, Texas.

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

WINCHESTER, LORI, Searcy, Arkansas

WINEY, MICHAEL, Evening Shade, Arkansas

WMIT STUDIO A DESIGN LLC, Moneta, Virginia.

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

CLARK, BECKY, Weatherford, TX

December 21, 2023 – December 21, 2024 (Standing Rule 35A)

COLLINS, QUINN, Washington, TX

January 2, 2024 – January 2, 2025 (Standing Rule 35A)

HOOPER, JAMES, Decatur, AL

September 6, 2023 – September 5, 2024 (Standing Rule 35A)

MOORE, CASEY, Williston, FL

November 16, 2021 - November 16, 2024 (Standing Rule 51.a.4)

NOGUEIRA, OLAVO, Bentonville, AR

September 15, 2023 – September 14, 2024 (Standing Rule 35A)

WEISBART, GEOFF, Manchaca, TX

September 12, 2023 – September 11, 2024 (Standing Rule 35A)

YORK, KRISTEN, Saratoga, WY September 7, 2023-September 6, 2024 (Standing Rule 35A)

Rule 40* SUPERIOR BARNS AND BUILDINGS/DEBBIE PEELE, Franklinville, South Carolina.

SUPERIOR EQUINE PHARMACEUTICAL, Pleasant Grove, Utah

SWZT / STEVE TACKETT, Longmont, Colorado.

Rule 40*

Rule 40*

40*

40* T-TREE QUARTER HORSES, Kerrville, Texas.

TACKETT, STEVE - SWZT, Olney, Texas.

TAYLOR, CATHY, Olympia, Washington.

TAW, Wingate, Texas.

TERRAL, RUSTY, Santa Maria, California.

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

TEXAS AMERICAN RANCHES, INC., Sanger, Texas.

TEXAS EXOTIC BOOT COMPANY, Fort Worth, Texas.

THORTON, MARY JO, GREAT SOUTHWEST RANCH, Greenville, Texas.

TIMBERCLAD PRODUCTS, Richardson, Texas.

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

TRAILS APARTMENTS, Fort Worth, Texas.

TRAVEL LODGE SUITES, Fort Worth, Texas.

TRIPLE C WELDING, Cleburne, Texas

TRUCK & LIVESTOCK CONCEPTS, GLEN MILLER, Bleiblerville, Texas.

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

40*

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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*

All standing committee members appointed for 2023-2024 will begin their three-year term of service immediately following the 2023 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

David Costello (24) R6

Kim Cox (25) R7

Vicki Green (25) R4 **

Della Hillerman (24) R8

Brooke Manion (25) R5

Dee McLauchlin (26) R8

Scott McKinsey (26) R4

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

Skip Jones (26) R7

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

James Eakin (26) R7 - NVEO

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

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

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

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

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

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

Julie Clarke (24) R1

Weekend Show

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

Heather Todd (26) R6

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

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 the qualifying area (above the hock/knee & behind the eye).

15 NCHA EVENTS IN 2024 TO OFFER CHROME CASH

APHA registration is the ONLY requirement to enter Chrome Cash, a class within a class.

Serving the Members

Participating in governance helps build relationships, develops professional skills, and supports cutting.

By Jennifer Horton

NCHA has a membership of 13,000 and is represented by 192 directors across eight regions. Directors and volunteer members serve on 13 Standing Committees to guide the association. We spoke with three directors on the importance of members serving the association.

“Simply put, we need to give back,” said Sharon Beach, chair of the Governance Committee. “If you are passionate about cutting and you have a talent and time to assist the association, we need you.”

The mission statement of NCHA reflects the value of members who bring diverse talents and backgrounds to the governance process.

“It’s up to the membership to lead the association and help it flourish and grow,” said Beach.

Participating in governance is a great place to build mentor relationships and develop professional skills helpful in career areas.

A “put up or shut up” challenge from Lindy Burch pushed Kathy Daughn to get her judge’s card. Judging made her look at cutting beyond the arena and led her to become a director.

Chair of the Professional Trainers Committee, Daughn encourages members to serve to better understand the association.

“It’s the only way you really know how it works,” she said. “When you sit in those committee meetings, looking at facts with backup material, you learn a lot you didn’t know. You become more aware of the rules.”

Daughn believes every member should attend the Annual NCHA Convention and committee meetings.

“I wish all trainers would participate in that aspect of the business because it’s a very eye-opening experience,” she said.

Daughn found that it was beneficial to understand the inner workings of NCHA.

“When I first got on the Executive Committee, I was amazed at what I didn’t know,” she said. “Just the process of how committees work is a lot to learn.”

Tim Smith enjoys his work as chair of the Judges Rules Committee. He encourages younger trainers to get involved on this side of the fence.

“This affects your livelihood,” he tells them. “You need to make your voice heard, and you need to give back to the business that is making your living and raising your family.”

Smith understands that time commitment may be a challenge but feels that the benefits of service far outweigh the drawbacks.

“It’s not a self-serving position. You cannot worry about what is best for you, it’s about what is best for the whole,” he advises. Other qualities he cites for a good director include an open mind, forward-thinking, and the ability to communicate thoughts and ideas.

Find more information on directors and standing committees on the NCHA website: nchacutting.com/about-us/our-governance/directors nchacutting.com/about-us/our-governance/committees

above :

NCHA members participating in the governance process during the Annual Convention last year.

photo by evelina cole photography

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Historic Brands

Iconic ranches continue to expand and flourish in the cutting industry.

By Jennifer Horton

Buster Welch’s B Lazy W

Buster Welch is a renowned name in the cutting horse industry, with legendary achievements that need no introduction.

Welch’s brand design was inspired by the Running W of the King Ranch. He turned a sprawling “W” on its side and added a vertical bar to the left to create his stylized B Lazy W. The brand adorned the sides of Buster Welch cattle for over 40 years. His son, Ken, still has the brand and some of the Welch cows still carry that mark. The Welch ranching traditions continue as Ken still handles cattle from horseback.

Double Dove

below :

Buster Welch's B Lazy W brand has been used for more than 40 years

right :

The Double Dove Ranch brand graces the right hips of several contemporary cutting champions. The brand depicting a pair of doves in flight was originally sketched out for Gail Holmes over cheeseburgers and cokes at a picnic table during a cutting. It was registered in the state of Wyoming soon after.

Double Dove history is intertwined with the Holmes family. Jim Holmes began using his initials brand nearly 50 years ago, and Gail continues her father’s legacy on her horses.

The Double Dove brand depicts a pair of doves in flight.

photo courtesy gail holmes

Double Dove is known for breeding horses making an impact on today’s champions, such as Hottish, Smooth Talkin Style, and Twice In Santiago. Today, Double Dove/Holmes horses have produced a staggering combined earnings figure of over $89 million. That number is still climbing with horses like Storyteler in the arena.

6666

Captain Samuel “Burk” Burnett founded the Four Sixes Ranch in 1870 when he bought 100 head of cattle, including the brand they wore on their sides. The “open 6” design of 6666 was created to be easy to form into irons but difficult for thieves to alter. The ranch-raised cattle today still carry that mark.

Sixes horses carry four brands, but none are as iconic as 6666. The “L” brand from Burk Burnett’s father-in-law M. B. Loyd is on the left shoulder. A number on the left jaw identifies the mare family, such as 99 for the matriarch Natural (by Coe Badger II). The sire and year foaled are designated by numbers on the buttocks.

The Sixes originally bred working horses used in ranch work. Their early stallions — Joe Hancock, Hollywood Gold, and Grey Badger II — are still seen in cutting horse pedigrees today. Sixes mares crossed with the King Ranch stallion Peppy San Badger (“Little Peppy”) continue to impact the ranch and the cutting industry.

More than 150 years later, the 6666 Ranch is still a working ranch that also stands some of the most influential stallions in today’s cutting industry. Their slogan “Horses with a history, brands with a background” could not be more true.

The Four Sixes branding irons combine history with the present.

Lineage and age can be determined from specific brands and placement.

The iconic 6666 brand.

photos this page courtesy of four sixes ranch