Marvine Off to a Big Start in Abilene
Jon Winkelreid's Marvine Ranch of Meeker, Colorado, started 2007 off right with wins in both Open classes at the Abilene Spectacular. Roger Wagner marked 228 on Quintan Blue (Mecom Blue x Quiolena) to take the 5/6-year-old division, while Tag Rice won the 4-year-old with a 225 on Copaspepto (Peptoboonsmal x Miss Martini Play). The two horses earned a total of $71,000. The show continues through January 13.

How are the winners bred? Click below to see the details from NCHA's forthcoming online records store.

• Quintan Blue's 4-generation pedigree
• Quintan Blue's show record
• Copaspepto's 4-generation pedigree
• Miss Martini Play's produce record

Hear about it Here
Twice daily at the Abilene Spectacular, and at 16 upcoming major events throughout the year, you can listen to Tom Holt, cutting's Announcer of Renown, as he gives previews and wrap-ups of all the action on NCHA's Cutting Edge Radio, sponsored by Galles Harrel Cutting Clinics. Tom gives you a first-hand view of the show at mid-day and end-of-day, but you can listen anytime. Read more about Cutting Edge Radio here.

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 2007 and 2008 breeding seasons, Buffalo Ranch has agreed to donate 100 percent 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 National Cutting Horse Association Youth Coordinator 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 2007 season at Don Ham Quarter Horses in Whitesboro, Texas. 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.

Futurity Sales Show Strong Market
The Western Bloodstock NCHA Futurity Sales saw 940 horses change hands for a record average price of $21,370. On December 13, Ken Jackson of Owensville, Missouri bought All Boon, a weanling filly by Peptoboonsmal out of Horse of the Year Boon San Kitty for a record $750,000 from Alice Walton's Rocking W Ranch. Read about the sales here, or see the complete results in the February issue of Cutting Horse Chatter.

Dual Rey Me Tops Standings
Jeremy and Candace Barwick's Dual Rey Me extended his lead to more than $20,000 in the NCHA Open standings during the regular season. CD Lights, owned by Danny Motes and Winston Hansma, hangs onto second. Meanwhile, former World Champion Joe Howard Williamson shot ahead by more than $18,000 over Mary Jo Milner in the Non-Pro standings.

World Finals Around the Corner
The 2006 NCHA World Finals are shaping up for February 7-19 in Amarillo, Texas. Want to see who is coming? NCHA has received entries from contestants whose names are in bold face in the 2006 standings for each class. Reserve your rooms early at one of the host hotels.

New Blog Emphasizes Cutting
Author, cutting horse historian and Daily Chatter editor Sally Harrison has launched a new blog with a heavy emphasis on the world of cutting horses. The blog, or "web log," for the uninitiated, is an online journal that features breaking news, profiles, historical pieces and observations from the most often quoted writer in the cutting horse business. Recent entries have included everything from a memorable Christmas story, how a Wall Street wizard feels about being in the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame, and what Charles Goodnight said about the American cowboy. Visit sallyharrison.com to read all about it.

Membership Hits All-Time High
Membership in the National Cutting Horse Association has established an all-time record in 2006, as more than 17,000 cutting horse enthusiasts across the United States and Canada and around the world have joined the organization.

New Rules for 2007
Provisions for adult children and their parents to share a horse in certain cases, new Amateur qualifications and the requirement to present horse papers and proof of NCHA membership when entering shows are among the updates to the 2007 NCHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations. Here's a look at the changes you should be aware of coming into the new point year.

NYCHA Stallion Program Draws Support
The NYCHA's 2007 Stallion Service Program is in full swing with more than 100 breedings donated to the program so far.  Donated breedings are sold through a sealed bid auction.  All proceeds benefit the NYCHA to support scholarships, awards and educational programs.  Stallion owners may donate a breeding by filling out the 2007 donation form and returning it to the NCHA office.  Mare owners may bid on available breedings by submitting a sealed bid no later than 12 noon on February 1, 2007. 

Super Stakes Payments Due
The second payment for the Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic is due on January 15.

Don't Forget Your Papers
Remember that proof of NCHA membership and a copy of each horse's registration papers must be presented to the show secretary at the time of entry. Beginning with the 2007 point year, show secretaries may levy a fine of $5.00 for each violation. The required documentation can be as simple as a photo copy of your membership card overlaid on the horse's papers.

This brings NCHA in line with accepted practices at other major show associations and it will streamline and accelerate the processing of show results.

If you're planning to show in January and don’t have your new card yet, remember that 2006 NCHA members in good standing have a grace period until March 1, 2007 to renew membership, so hold on to your 2006 card until you receive your new 2007 card.

Use the Right Card
Secretaries at NCHA-approved shows are reminded to use the 2007 version of the Judges Card as the new point year picks up steam.

Renew Your 2007 NCHA Membership! 
Showing in January and don't have your new card yet?  2006 NCHA members in good standing have a grace period to renew membership so hold on to your 2006 card until you receive your new 2007 card.  If you haven't renewed yet, hurry and do so...you can renew online right now and remember if you plan to compete in Amateur and/or Non Pro classes, complete the Amateur/Non Pro application also.  Don't miss an issue of the award winning Cutting Horse Chatter magazine, renew now!

Advertising Deadlines
There deadline to book space in the March 2007 issue of Cutting Horse Chatter is February 1 . Contact Shawn McCoy today at (817) 244-6188, ext. 160 or (817) 980-4754 or for Western states advertisers, Loretta Jeppesen at (541) 461-5756 or (541) 225-7935.