NCHA Weekend coming up
The biggest show of them all, LubriSyn NCHA Weekend is right around the corner, with activities scheduled for May 30-June 1. With events held in NCHA Areas all across North America, NCHA Weekend attracts upwards of 6,000 entries and supports the grassroots cutter with great competition, valuable prizes and special events. Plan now to attend the show nearest you.

Don't miss the 2008 NCHA Convention
The 2008 NCHA Convention will be held June 20-22 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Conference Center, near the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. In addition to the meetings of NCHA's standing committees, there will be a golf tournament and shopping tour/treasure hunt June 19, a discussion of genetic diseases in horses sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Foundation on June 21, a reception Saturday evening, and NCHA's general membership meeting Sunday morning,

Non-Pro/Amateur proposal
NCHA President-Elect Bronc Willoughby offers a proposal for combining Non-Pro and Amateur classes to be discussed at the 2008 NCHA Convention June 20-22 at the Hilton DFW Inn.

Take the survey on Amateur and Non-Pro classification issues
Take a few minutes to complete a short survey on Amateur and Non-Pro classification issues. Your feedback will help the standing committees and especially the Amateur Committee in gathering member opinions regarding upcoming items to be discussed at the NCHA Convention June 20-22, 2008 in Grapevine, Texas. The survey needs to be completed by June 9, 2008.

Get in the swing!
Relax before the NCHA Convention by teeing off in the annual NCHA Golf Tournament June 19. Entries Close June 13.

Shopping tour at the Convention
Giveaways, entertainment and great shopping in the Highland Park Village area of Dallas will make NCHA's inaugural Afternoon Shopping Tour and Treasure Hunt a memorable occasion. The activiites are set for Thursday, June 19, prior to the NCHA Convention. Find out more and sign up today.

NCHA Summer Spectacular Sales set for August 1-2
The consignment contract for the 2008 NCHA Summer Spectacular Sales is now available for downloading. Final date for consideration of entry is June 15. For more information please call Western Bloodstock at (817) 594-9210.

June Chatter is online
The June issue of Cutting Horse Chatter, featuring coverage of the 2008 Ford NCHA Super Stakes, is now online.

Summer Spectacular payments due
Final payments for entries in the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, presented by Great American Insurance, are now due. Don't forget to get your entries in.

Breeders Invitational underway
The $575,000-added Breeders Invitational continues through May 23 at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rey Down Sally, by Dual Rey, won the Open Derby, while Pet Squirrel, by Playdox, and Cats Live Oak, by High Brow Cat, split the Open Classic Challenge title.

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. and 11:30 p.m. Central. This week, action and interviews from the NCHA Open World Finals will be featured.

$2 million gift for AQHA Foundation Former AQHA President Clarence Scharbauer Jr. of Midland, Texas, has donated $2 million to the American Quarter Horse Museum and Hall of Fame at AQHA headquarters in Amarillo.

Sportsmanship award nominations due
National Cutting Horse Association Affiliates may nominate one youth per year for the Whitney & Greg Welch Memorial Sportsmanship award by submitting a nomination form. Nominations must be submitted by June 1.  Questions regarding the award can be directed to Patti Willoughby, Chairperson, (940) 894-2120. Whitney & Greg set an example, let’s keep it alive in their name! The award committee will take the following into consideration when making its decision:

1. Sportsmanship
2. Attitude
3. Leadership Abilities
4. Responsibility
5. Compassion
6. Character

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, including these recent events:

• Breeders Invitational
• NCHA Western National Championships
• Cotton Stakes
• Ford NCHA Super Stakes

Select ticket information
It's time to get your order ready for select tickets at the NCHA Triple Crown shows.

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 upcoming clinics, sponsored by Purina Mills:

• September 19, Clarksville, Arkansas, featuring NCHA Director of Judges Russell McCord on "Understanding Rules and Judging," plus live works insights from leading trainer Chubby Turner.

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. For Canadian judges, there will be a Recertification Seminar on May 30 in Vernon, British Columbia..

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:

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 Bobs Freckle, Cattin It Up, DJ Tracker, Dual Peppy, Freckles Fancy Twist, Laker Doc, Lizzys Gotta Player, Mr Skyline Peppy, Playdox, Red Pepto, Snorty Lena, Soletary Zack and Some Kinda CD.  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.

Scholarship Cutting entries due
Entries are now being accepted for the 2008 Buffalo Ranch NYCHA Scholarship Cutting to be held July 14-18, 2008 in Fort Worth, Texas.  More than $28,000 in college scholarships will be awarded in the Junior and Senior Youth classes.  The five-day event will also include the annual NYCHA Convention featuring the NYCHA awards banquet, family fun night and the general membership meeting.  Entries are due by June 13, 2008. 

Planning a trip for the summer?
Book your travel through YTB Travel Network and NYCHA will receive a portion of the commissions paid for all travel booked.  Start planning now for your summer get-a-way – Mexico vacations, European tours or even a trip to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.  Support NYCHA anytime you travel -- book hotels, airline tickets, rental cars or vacation packages.

Membership
If you have not renewed your 2008 Membership  you are missing the award winning Cutting Horse Chatter magazine. Even if you are not currently competing the Cutting Horse Chatter magazine keeps you informed and up to date with the world of cutting.  Note: if you plan to compete in the Amateur or Non-Professional classes, don’t forget to complete your Amateur/Non-Pro Application.

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.

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".