NCHA membership benefits
Record Keeping System: NCHA keeps approved show earnings on both horse and rider. Earnings records can be accessed free of charge through NCHA’s web site: www.nchacutting.com. Or members may contact the NCHA show department for a limit of eight show records per phone call.
Judging and Monitoring System: NCHA judging department is committed to providing well-trained judges for all NCHA events. Judges are required to attend special clinics and adhere to strict guidelines. They may also incur suspension for infraction of the rules.
Award eligibility: NCHA has one of the most extensive and well-rounded award programs in the equine industry, annually awarding more than $600,000 in buckles, trophies and merchandise. Total added money amounts to $1 million at the six major NCHA-produced shows alone.
In 1998, NCHA instituted a new program aimed at beginning cutters like yourself. The Achievement Award is given to NCHA members once they have earned $1,000. For this special milestone, each member receives an inscribed belt buckle courtesy of the NCHA.
Sponsor benefits: More than $1 million in prize money and awards are given to NCHA annually by its sponsors. Additionally, many sponsors offer exclusive discounts and rebates to NCHA members. A complete list of sponsors and benefits can be found monthly in the Cutting Horse Chatter.
NCHA Charities Foundation: NCHA Charities Foundation’s Cutters In Action was created to assist the cutting family. CIA’s top priorities are the education of NCHA youth and assistance to NCHA families in times of crisis. Twenty-five scholarships were given to NCHA youth competitors in 2000. Since its inception, the NCHA youth program has awarded more than $490,000 in scholarships. And more than $150,000 has been given to NCHA members in time of need, as well. To join CIA or for more information see the handout in your membership packet.
Internet: One of the most rapidly expanding NCHA member benefits is the NCHA web site located at www.nchacutting.com. Visitors to the site are able to keep up to date on current events and show results, lifetime horse earnings, and TV broadcast schedules. They can even watch selected NCHA events live in progress.
The Cutting Horse Chatter: NCHA’s official publication is provided free of charge to its members. The award-winning monthly magazine provides coverage of major NCHA events, informative news, and special columns related to equine and cutting. It also provides a comprehensive list of coming events from coast to coast.
Rule Book: The NCHA Rulebook is a valuable source of information to the competitor. In addition to rules of competition, it also provides a summary of awards and a show management handbook, as well as non-professional and judging casebooks.
NCHA Governance Regions: NCHA membership is divided into eight regions with each region represented by a voting member of the NCHA Executive Committee.
Areas: The eight NCHA regions are divided into 25 areas. Competitors in each area vie for year-end awards and championship standings.
Class Structure: NCHA has 12 approved divisions of competition which fall in one of two categories: rider class or horse class. Horse classes are divided into Open or Novice divisions, while rider classes are divided into Non-Pro, Amateur, Youth and $2,000 Limit Rider divisions. The $2,000 Limit Rider class, a division for competitors with earnings of less than $2,000, was developed especially for the beginning cutter. This is the only rider class where it is not required that a horse be owned by the rider. This unique arrangement allows beginners to experience the sport before investing in a horse of their own.
Horse Classes: Open, $10,000 Novice, $3,000 Novice, $10,000 Novice/Non-Pro, $3,000 Novice/Non-Pro
Rider Classes: Non-Pro; $20,000 Limit Non-Pro; $50,000 Amateur; $10,000 Amateur; $2,000 Limit Rider/Any Horse; Senior Youth; Junior Youth
NCHA Weekend: Each year cutters travel to 25 selected locations across the United States and Canada to compete in the NCHA Weekend a celebration of the grass roots weekend cuttings which led to the formation of NCHA. The first NCHA Weekend was held in 1989, and today, added prize money tops $90,000 for this special weekend of competitions.
Eastern and Western National Championships: The Eastern National Championships held in Jackson, Mississippi, and its sister event, the Western National Championships held in Ogden, Utah, are open to qualifying cutters from around the world. In order to participate, competitors must rank within the Top Ten in NCHA-approved divisions of their area or affiliate associations and they must compete in that same division in the championships. Winners from all 12 divisions are eligible to compete in a special event at the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular.