Eastern National Championships underway
The Wayne Hodges Trailers * Outlaw Conversions NCHA Eastern National Championships are in full swing in Jackson, Mississippi. More than 900 entries poured in for the $120,000-added event which runs through March 21. You can see the working orders and results online right now. Special activities include a Catfish Dinner on March 19. Keep up with news and results from the show in the free Daily Chatter newsletter..

Ford NCHA Super Stakes draw
The draw for the $3 million Ford NCHA Super Stakes has been posted on the web. The show begins April 1 at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas and will continue through April 20.

NCHA Western National Championships coming up
Here are a few of the reasons why the NCHA Western National Championships, May 1-11, 2008 in Ogden, Utah, are the highlight of the year for hundreds of weekend cutters:

• Affordable entry fees with a healthy payout thanks to an added purse of $120,000
• Five-judge monitored scoring
• Be a part of a tradition that stretches back to the first Area Work-Offs, held more than 30 years ago
• Great competition in all 12 NCHA-approved classes
• Help your home team try to win the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge which pays out $27,000 to affiliates, based on the participation and achievement of their members at the show
• Enjoy the Daily Chatter newsletter with photos and features throughout the show
• Ogden is a great place to be in May!

So don't wait. Download a print-friendly schedule and an entry form, book your accommodations and get your entries in today for the weekend cutter's favorite show.

Roy Huffaker, 1927-2008
Roy Huffaker, who rode 1969 NCHA World Champion Jose Uno, passed away Friday at his home in Kerrville, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Huffaker of Kerrville; children, Billie Chastain and husband Michael of Austin, David Huffaker of Kerrville, Gene Huffaker and wife Dene of Mountain Home and Frances Nix and husband Jerry of Rocksprings; six grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

Roy’s life will be celebrated by his family and friends on Friday, March 21, 2008, at 1 p.m. at The Place on Cypress Creek Road in Kerrville. Arrangements are under the care of Wright’s Funeral Parlor in Kerrville.

Join Western Bloodstock on April 18-19, for the 2008 NCHA Super Stakes Sales
On Friday, a private offering of 2008 Seasons to Various Stallions will kick-off the event, followed by Sale Session 1, showcasing a splendid group of broodmares and yearlings. Continuing into Sale Session 2, an impressive group of 3-Year-Old Futurity Prospects and 2-Year-Olds will be sold while performing. Sale Session 3 will begin on Saturday, April 19, and will be devoted entirely to Seasoned Cutting Horses. Each day the sales will begin at 9:00 AM in the Watt Arena. A final Schedule of Events and the On-Line Catalog will be available soon. Continue to check westernbloodstock.com for the most up-to-date listing of horses and information.

New results service
Having trouble figuring out the breeding on this year's big winners? Can't remember who won what? Blogger, author and statistician Sally Harrison has compiled an interactive guide to the results of this season's major limited age events, at www.sallyharrison.com, an official news outlet of the NCHA.You can review the details on all the finalists, and click on a horse or rider's name for a listing of all the events where that contestant was a finalist. New results are added as they become available, and these shows are already online:

• PCCHA Derby/Classic/Challenge
• MillionHeir
• South Point Winter Championship
• Tunica
• Augusta
• Western Horseman Cup
• San Diego Winter Championship
• Abilene Spectacular
• NCHA Futurity

2008 NCHA Cutting Academy Grass Roots Clinics scheduled
Four NCHA Cutting Academy clinics are planned for 2008. The series of grass roots clinics are designed to increase the working knowledge of NCHA rules and improve showmanship in the arena.

• Session I of the Cutting Academy includes segments on understanding rules, equine nutrition plus information on membership, amateur and non-pro status and more. The cost, which includes a light breakfast and lunch, is just $25 at the door.
• Session II features live work critiques with some of the industry's leading experts. Cost for Session II is $150, with prepayment required.

Here's a schedule for the upcoming clinics, sponsored by Purina Mills:

• April 25, Hershey, Nebraska, featuring NCHA Director of Judges Russell McCord on "Understanding Rules and Judging," plus live works insights from trainer Ernie Beutenmiller, Jr of Union, MO.
• September 19, Clarksville, Arkansas, featuring NCHA Director of Judges Russell McCord on "Understanding Rules and Judging," plus live works insights from a leading trainer in our industry.

Watch for upcoming information on clinics in Region 2 (Nevada/Arizona) and Region 4 (Ohio). Contact Julie Davis (817) 244-6188 at the NCHA office for information and reservations.

Judge recertification seminar scheduled
All NCHA judges are required to attend the Judge Recertification Seminar in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 22, during the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular. Read more . . .

Cutters on TV
Don't miss NCHA Rode to the Winner's Circle on RFD-TV this week, Saturday at 12:30 a.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Central.

April Chatter is online
The April issue of Cutting Horse Chatter, featuring coverage of the 2007 NCHA World Champions, is now online.

The race is on in 2008 . . .
The 2008 point year is building up steam with tight races in most divisions. Here's a look at all of the leaders:

Pacific Coast Derby, Bonanza wrap up
The $159,500-added Pacific Coast Derby/Classic/Challenge began in Paso Robles, California concluded March 16 with a 226-point win by Steve Schlesinger on Brinkman Ranch's Cats Full Moon, by High Brow Cat, in the Open Derby.

The $110,000-prorated Bonanza Cutting in Abilene, Texas, wrapped up yesterday with a 219-point win by Russell Harrison on Peptos Lil Fletch, by Sweet Lil Pepto, in the 4-year-old Open finals.

Save on breeding fees
Save 40% on this year's breeding fees and help support the youth association by purchasing your 2008 breeding through the NYCHA Stallion Service Auction. Many great breedings are available including Smart Little Jaebar, Smart N Stylish, Snorty Lena, Soletary Zack, Some Kinda CD, Whittle Mike O Dual and Whittle Wed Boon. You'll pay only 60% of the advertised breeding fee. All remaining breedings will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. All proceeds go to support youth scholarships, awards and activities. For more information, contact Danette McGuire, NCHA Youth Director at (817) 244-6188.

Buffalo Ranch supports NYCHA with stallion fees
S.David Plummer’s Buffalo Ranch is helping the NYCHA by lots and lots -- Lots Of Acres, that is. For the 2008 breeding season, Buffalo Ranch will donate 100% of Lots Of Acres’ breeding fees to the NYCHA scholarship fund. All breeding fees from outside mares will be earmarked for youth scholarships, with a minimum guaranteed donation of $50,000 per year.

"We are extremely excited to have Buffalo Ranch's support of the youth scholarship program," said NCHA Youth Director Danette McGuire. "Their generous donation will enable us to help even more youth members as they enter college and continue their educations."

Lots Of Acres is standing the 2008 season at Buffalo Ranch in Farmington, Utah. The Bob Acre Doc son was a finalist at the 2002 NCHA Open Futurity, and has lifetime earnings of $57,269. His first foals arrived in 2006.

Membership
Renew now for 2008 and if you plan to compete in the Amateur or Non-Professional classes, don’t forget to complete your Amateur/Non-Pro Application.

Town & Country Foods launches fund-raising program
Town & Country Foods will donate $50 to the National Cutting Horse Association for every order placed by an NCHA member. Town & Country is the nation’s largest all-natural and organic in-home grocer. They deliver to your home all-natural, prime and choice, aged, restaurant-quality meats, flash-frozen and individually vacuum-packed, produced from Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado. They also offer Cascadian Farm’s organic vegetables and non-farmed sea-foods from Orca Bay.

Many consumers, faced with retail supermarket grocers, are frustrated with the high costs and low quality. By taking the building out of the equation, Town & Country can feed you high quality, nutritionally dense foods for $2-3 a portion.

Find out how a food consultant can deliver to your home about a week's worth of free meats, without obligation, then custom build a menu for your family and explain Town & Country's food system. Visit Town & Country's website at townandcountryfoods.com, watch the movie on the home page, then call them at 1-877-602-4774 to get started eating better food, delivered… at a better price.

Farmvet.com offers discount
NCHA's newest sponsor, FarmVet.com is offering NCHA members a 5% discount on products offered on their website. With access to over 50,000 products, an extensive equine pharmacy, the highest level of customer service, and fast shipments, FarmVet.com can get you what you need, when you need it.

Introducing the Sire's Get, All Foals Report
Order this report for an in-depth look at a breeding stallion. This report includes the following information:

• 3-generation pedigree of the subject
• The stallion's detailed NCHA show record, including all major limited age event placings
• Summary of the stallion's foals, performers, and their all-time and current-year earnings
• AQHA Alliance earnings for the subject horse
• List of all of the stallion's AQHA-registered foals, with their dam's and dam's sires, plus their NCHA earnings.

You can order all these reports right now from the official (NCHA/AQHA) web site by selecting the Purchase Reports option at the top of the page.

Rules resources
The NCHA Judges Department has a variety of resources to help members become better cutters. You can order these CDs and DVDs today:

• The acclaimed Inside the Judges Stand DVD, presented by Peptotime and Justin Insurance, in which judges score and discuss live performances.
• Judges Rules and Guidelines DVD, a must for everyone who shows.
• Understanding the Rules CD, the perfect soundtrack as you haul to your next show.
  

NCI Building Systems sponsors NCHA Futurity
With a website for cutters, NCI Building Systems, Inc is the title sponsor of the NCHA World Championship Futurity. NCI Building Systems is the leading integrated manufacturer and marketer of metal building components, custom engineered metal building systems and metal coil coaters in North America. Based in Houston, Texas, NCI Building Systems has 44 manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States, in Mexico and in Canada.

Get covered
A khaki cap from Tioga Territory is great for displaying your cutting pride! It has a sandwich bill that reads "NCHA" with NCHA embroidery on the bill. The back velcro strap also reads "NCHA".