In the news . . .
Pooley, Hansma take round one
Don Pooley marked 222 on Peppys Shorty Nino to win the Open finals at the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Sunday night. The 9-year-old son of Peppys Boy 895 is owned by Larry and Alice Irvin.
Julie Hansma marked a career best of 226 to win the Non-Pro on 6-year-old Al Poocino, by Dual Pep. Each division carried $25,000 in added money.
See division scores.
Futurity videos are here
The action-packed telecast of the 2009 Borden Milk NCHA Futurity is now available. The 2-disc set features Open Champion Rockin W, ridden by Tony Piggott for Walton's Rocking W Ranch; Non-Pro Champion Kelle Earnheart riding Badgers Perscription; and Amateur Co-Champions Kim Ziegelgruber on Mates Special Boy and Jamie Goertz on Desires Prissy Cat. Order the 2-disc set now for just $29.95, plus S&H and tax.
Riddle and Mitchell take Open finals at Tunica
Bill Riddle (pictured) riding Dear Gussey won the 4-year-old Open while John Mitchell swept the top three places in the 5/6-year-old finals at the Tunica Futurity. Homebred Dear Gussey, by TR Dual Rey, marked 225 for the win. Mitchell's three-horse charge for Slate River Ranch (fist and second) and Nelson and Suzanne Knight (third), was led by Smooth Asa Zee, by Smooth As A Cat, with a 222.
6666 Ranch sponsors NCHA National Championships
The historic 6666 Ranch is the new title sponsor of the NCHA Eastern National Championships in Jackson, Mississippi, and the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah. The shows bring together grassroots cutters who have qualified through competition in their respective affiliates in each of NCHA's 12 weekend show classes.
"The 6666 Ranch and the National Cutting Horse Association have a long-standing relationship, and we are delighted that they have stepped up to sponsor these two extremely popular events," said NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper.
Each of the shows features $200,000 in added money this year, plus another $27,000 in cash awards paid through the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge, sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association. Entries are now being taken for the 6666 Ranch NCHA Eastern National Championships, to be held March 8-20 in Jackson, Mississippi. The 6666 Ranch NCHA Western National Championships will be held April 28 - May 9 in Ogden, Utah.
Reward offered in death of filly
Members of the cutting horse community have helped create a reward of $7,000 for information leading to the arrest of persons responsible for shooting a yearling on January 25. The cutting-bred mare was owned by Billy Martin and Kris Larsen of 72 Ranch. Larsen said that area horsemen Shane Plummer, Jeff Oswood and Jeffrey Matthews had each contributed $1,000 to the reward fund. Anyone with information about the shooting should call Parker County Crimestoppers at (817) 599-5555, or Kris Larsen at (817) 594-3272.
NCHA's brand new video, How to Score Higher, is now available. This 2-DVD set features Matt Gaines and Roger Wagner, telling you how to get the score you're looking for. And don't miss the new DVD featuring Tom Holt's Top Ten, a selection of great rides from the Voice of Cutting himself and the venerable How to Choose the Right Cow. Order now!
February Chatter is online: Can't wait for the mail? You can read the entire February issue of Cutting Horse Chatter, including coverage of the 2009 NCHA World Champions, leading sires, and much more.
Tune in to NCHA Radio
NCHA has launched a new internet radio station, ncharadio.com, bringing "Real Country for Real Cutters," around the clock and around the world. The innovative station is believed to be a first for an equine association, offering the world’s most popular country music, along with up-to-the minute news of NCHA events, promotions and more. The new venture is a partnership between the National Cutting Horse Association and Internet Cowboys, LLC.
"NCHAradio.com is an exciting new way for us to reach out to our members and fans of cutting horses and country music around the world," said National Cutting Horse Association Executive Director Jeff Hooper. "The new technology enables us to keep members informed of news and activities while providing great entertainment around the clock."
The programming is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, around the world to anyone with an internet connection or an iPhone or other mobile device. "With the technology available to us today," Hooper noted, "people can listen to NCHAradio.com anywhere they go, at work, at home or going down the road to the next cutting horse event."
While demographic surveys have shown that NCHA members prefer the country music mix now available on NCHAradio.com, Programming Director Billy Thorman invites listeners to help fine-tune the selection by sending in their suggestions for their personal new country songs, songs from recent years, and their all-time favorite country songs. Send your suggestions to BillyThorman@ILovecutting.com.
For information on advertising on NCHAradio.com, businesses may contact either NCHA Director of Advertising Mark Herron at (817) 244-6188, ext. #115 or NCHAradio.com Sales Manager Shawn McCoy at (817)929-8597.
Mercuria Energy sponsors NCHA World Championship Finals and World Series of Cutting
Mercuria Energy Group, one of the world's five largest independent energy traders, will be the title sponsor of the National Cutting Horse Association's 2009 and 2010 World Finals, as the initial phase of an ongoing sponsorship role.
"We are delighted to become involved," said Jeff Miller, Director for Upstream and Investments of Mercuria Energy, himself a Fort Worth resident. "There are a lot of cutting horse fans in the oil, gas and coal communities, including some in our own company, so NCHA sponsorship is a terrific fit for Mercuria." Read more . . .
XTO Energy adds its brand to NCHA Triple Crown series
XTO Energy, Inc., a leading independent U.S. oil and gas producer, has signed on as a title sponsor for the National Cutting Horse Association, according to NCHA executive director Jeff Hooper.
"We are extremely proud to christen one of our major events in Fort Worth the XTO Energy/NCHA Super Stakes," said Hooper. "With its high standards of business, XTO exemplifies the famous 'Cowboy Code' of ethics that is the bedrock of the National Cutting Horse Association."
Louis Baldwin, XTO Energy executive vice president and chief financial officer, views the sponsorship as a benefit for the Fort Worth-based energy giant.
"The sport of cutting is such a great American sport with roots back to the Old West," Baldwin said. "This sponsorship is a great way for us to be involved with the legacy of the ranching and cattle business. It also allows us to support Fort Worth because with the impact of its three Fort Worth shows, NCHA has done so much for the Fort Worth economy." Read more . . .
Visit NCHA on Facebook
The National Cutting Horse Association is now on Facebook the world's fastest growing social networking website. You can sign up for free to keep up with the very latest news in the world of cutting. Follow this link.
