News from the National Cutting Horse Association

Special Nu Kitty leads Open
Special Nu Kitty, by High Brow Cat, put together scores of 219 and 221 to lead the first two rounds of the Open Classic Challenge at the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, presented by Great American Insurance. R.L. Chartier II rode the mare for Wrigley Ranches.

The show, runs through July 31 at Will Rogers Memorial Complex in Fort Worth, Texas. There's great shopping every day at the Coors Light Western Mercantile in the Exhibit Hall

WRMC Parking Fees: On May 1, the City of Fort Worth implemented new year-round parking fees which affect the Cultural District, including Will Rogers Memorial Complex, where NCHA's Triple Crown events and other major horse and livestock shows are held. The fees pay for the construction and operation of expanded parking facilities at Will Rogers. Read this before the show. Click here to purchase parking at the Summer Spectacular.

Better Horses Radio Party: There will be live music with Rusty Rierson, cowboy poetry with Geoff Dawson and Chuckwagon Cuisine with Dennis Dodson at the Better Horses Radio Show Celebration at the NCHA Derby Party, immediately following the NCHA Sponsors Cutting, July 23 in the parking lot between Will Rogers Coliseum and the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall. Ernie Rodina and Dawn Dawson host the show every Sunday at 7 a.m. on 92.1FM in Fort Worth.

Beau Galyean, Caleb Anderson win Mercuria NCHA World Series at Battle in the Saddle
Beau Galyean and Caleb Anderson both marked 226 to win the Open and Non-Pro divisions, respectively, of the Mercuria Energy NCHA World Series of Cutting at the Battle in the Saddle in Oklahoma City on July 7. Each class carried $25,000 in added money.

Galyean rode Sweet Abra, by Abrakadabracre, for Alvin and Becky Fults. Anderson rode CA Las Vegas Lights, by Smart Mate.

Calgary Stampede update
Les Timmons rode Rod and Marilyn MacDonald's Smart Frele Cat to a first round score of 225 in the Open division at the Calgary Stampede. Fallon Nuttall marked 222.5 to lead the first round of the Non-Pro on Shortys Royal Blue. World Champion Dan Hansen, riding Woody Be Lucky, won the second round of the Non-Pro with a 223.5. The second go of the Open is being held July 14.

Here's a look at the 12 horses in Thursday's Non-Pro finals.

The World Series of Cutting, eight events with total added money of $400,000, continues at the Calgary Stampede through July 15, followed by the El Rancho Futurity in California September 17-18 and the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio October 7-9.

NCHA Summer Spectacular Sale – July 31, Watt Arena: The final lot order and online catalog are now posted for the NCHA Summer Spectacular Sale A total of 125 select trained cutting horses, 3-year-olds, 2-year-old prospects, broodmares and yearlings will sell on Derby Finals Day, Saturday, July 31 at 9:00 am in the Watt Arena.

Printed catalogs are available in the Western Bloodstock booth in the NCHA Trade Show.  Call Western Bloodstock for more information (817) 594-9210.

NCHA hosts 'Cuttin' Out Hunger' food drive
The National Cutting Horse Association will host a food drive at the NCHA office in July 16, from noon to 8 pm.  The ‘Cuttin’ Out Hunger’ food drive will benefit the Tarrant Area Food Bank and will be held in conjunction with NCHA’s Summer Cutting Spectacular presented by Great American Insurance. 

NCHA will be filling a horse trailer at the “drive-thru food drive”.  Staff will be on-site to make donating as easy as possible.  Donors need not even leave the vehicle – just pull up, and let one of the NCHA staff unload your donation into the horse trailer.  The NCHA office is located at 260 Bailey Ave, Fort Worth, Texas 76107.  Read more. 

NCHA reaches 10,000 on Facebook
The National Cutting Horse Association welcomed its 10,000th Facebook on July 5. In less than a year of activity on the world's fastest growing social networking website, NCHA has communicated with cutting horse enthusiasts in more than 20 nations through links, news, photos and videos. You can sign up for free to keep up with the very latest news in the world of cutting. Follow NCHA on Facebook today.

2010 NCHA Cutting Academy Grassroots Clinics scheduled
The NCHA Cutting Academy grass roots clinics are targeted toward Amateur riders and are designed to help improve showmanship in the arena. Session I of the Cutting Academy includes understanding rules and improving showmanship, equine nutrition 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. Prepayment of $125 required, contact Julie Davis at the NCHA office for additional information and reservations. Here's a schedule for upcoming clinics, sponsored by Purina Mills:

• October 15 - Phoenix (Litchfield Park), AZ
  Grass Roots Seminar - October 15 - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with NCHA Director of Judges Russell McCord and Hall of Fame Trainer Lindy Burch. Contact Julie Davis at the NCHA office for additional information and reservations.
  Cave Creek CHA show - October 16-17.
• November 5 – Arena One – Batesville, Mississippi
  Grass Roots Seminar – November 5 - 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m. with NCHA Director of Judges Russell McCord and Hall of Fame Trainer Phil Rapp. Contact Julie Davis at the NCHA office for additional information and reservations.
  Mid South CHA Show – November 4, 6-7 -Weekend & LAE Show – Arena One, Batesville, MS.
  Judges Recertification Seminar - (Judges only) - Friday - November 5, 2010 - 7:00 pm.

Million-dollar bonus offered
The David McDavid family has announced a $1 million bonus to any horse sired by Hes A Peptospoonful that wins the NCHA Open Futurity through 2013. The McDavids, who sponsor the live telecast of the NCHA Futurity on RFD-TV, are also offering a sizable bonus to Non-Pro, Limited Non-Pro and Amateur winners sired by Hes A Peptospoonful or Widows Freckles at all three of NCHA's Triple Crown events, through the 2014 NCHA Summer Spectacular. Read more here.

The race is on . . .
Here's a look at the leaders of the 2010 point year: