National Youth Cutting Horse Association
260 Bailey Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76107
www.nchacutting.com
phone:  (817) 244-6188
fax:  (817) 244-2015
email:  youth@nchacutting.com

Reminders

LEAP forms due now

We recently mailed out LEAP forms to all NYCHA members.  The Levels of Excellence Award Program (LEAP) is one way the NYCHA provides recognition to youth members. 

Created in 1994, LEAP allows NYCHA youth members to accumulate LEAP points throughout their youth career. The more points you earn, the more levels you reach. The levels are: Initial (1,000 points), Bronze (2,500 points), Silver (5,000 points), Gold (7,500 points), Platinum (10,000 points), and Diamond (15,000 points).  

LEAP is very important no matter what your goals. In order to be considered for the NYCHA Hall Of Fame, you must reach the Gold level in LEAP. You also must participate in LEAP to be considered for NYCHA & Walton Family Foundation Scholarships, which gives twenty $5,000 scholarships each year. 

This program not only helps you in the future with awards and scholarships but also is a great incentive for getting you involved and meeting new friends while participating. The form is also available on the NCHA website in the youth section so feel free to print one out if you need another copy.  We will still accept 2007 forms- no need to fax or mail overnight - just put it in the mail today.

Dates to Remember 

Galles Youth Cutting Clinic

Galles Cutting Training Center recently announced plans to host an all youth cutting clinic in 2008.  The clinic, scheduled for June 13-15, 2008 will be held at the training center near Temecula, California.  Cost is $1,295 and includes all meals and equipment.  You may bring your own horse or the training center will provide one for you.  For more information visit www.cuttingclinics.com or call 877-469-2288.  

Horsemen For Christ Cutting Clinic

The 10th Annual Greg & Whitney Welch Memorial Bible & Cutting Horse Camp is scheduled for June 9-12, 2008 at Silverado on the Brazos in Weatherford, Texas.  The four day clinic will feature well known trainers with more than 250 years of combined experience.  Cost is $750 and includes room & board, stall for 1 horse and fresh cattle daily.  For more information visit www.horsemenforchrist.com or call 940-541-2359.

Membership grace period
expires March 1

Renew your membership so you can continue to show in NCHA approved cuttings and also receive the NYCHA e-newsletter.  NYCHA is now offering a lifetime youth membership.  The membership is good from the date of purchase until the youth “ages out” of the youth class.  This new membership is a great value for our younger members and we hope it will also be convenient because parents won’t have to worry about renewing their child’s membership every year.  The annual youth membership is $15; the lifetime youth membership is $100.  Keep in mind that the non pro and amateur fees are not included so remember to complete your Amateur/Non-Pro Application.

Photo & Essay Contests

These are two fun contests that all members can participate in…even if you don’t show very often and also a great way to earn LEAP points.  We give cool prizes to the top 3 in each age group plus one overall winner in each contest will win a $500 scholarship.  The deadline is June 1st but everyone should start taking photos now so you’ll have some photos to choose from before the deadline.   

Essay Contest topic:  Character Counts with Horses Too.  Pick any one of the six pillars of character from Character Counts (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship) and tell us how that relates to your involvement with horses and cutting. Visit www.charactercounts.org for more information on the six pillars of character.

Photo Contest subject:  It Happened at the Cutting – We know there are lots of fun activities happening at cutting events all over the country.  Grab your camera and snap some photos of your friends and family members in and around the arena. 

Visit the NCHA website for complete photo & essay contest deadlines. 

NYCHA Convention
& Buffalo Ranch Scholarship Cutting

The 2008 NYCHA Convention & Buffalo Ranch Scholarship Cutting is scheduled for July 14-18, 2008 in Fort Worth, Texas.  There are lots of fun activities during the 5 day event and we hope you will come join the fun – all youth activities (except the cutting) are free; we encourage both youth and parents to participate. The entry fee is only $75 and you’ll have the chance to compete for more than $28,000 in scholarship awards. Entries are due June 13, 2008. 

Headlines!

NYCHA Rookie of the Year 

The National Youth Cutting Horse Association developed an award in 2004 to recognize youth competitors.  The NYCHA will present a junior and a senior “Rookie of the Year” Award.  In order to be eligible for the award in either age division a rider must have less than $500 NCHA lifetime earnings and less than 15 youth points at the beginning of the point year.  Our computer system automatically recognizes if you meet the qualifications so you don’t even need to contact us to be considered for this award– just keep showing your horse. 

• Junior Youth Rookie of the Year Award will go to the highest point earning Youth for the point year in the Junior Youth division.
• Senior Youth Rookie of the Year Award will go to the highest point earning youth for the point year in the Senior Youth Division.

The Rookie of the Year in each age division will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a Rookie of the Year buckle.

Current standings will be listed in the Cutting Horse Chatter Magazine and on the NCHA website.  Be sure to take a look to see if you or one of your friends is currently ranked in the top ten.  

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 the junior and senior top 10 standings.  Keep in mind that the World Finals rules have changed and only the Top 30 point earners will qualify for the World Finals, to be held in Amarillo, TX in February 2009. 

Junior Youth Standings as of 4/09/08

Senior Youth Standings as of 4/09/08

Lots Of Acres breedings available

Buffalo Ranch has generously donated ALL the 2008 breeding fees to their stallion Lots Of Acres to the NYCHA to support scholarship programs.  The 2008 breeding season is in full swing….that means right now is the best time for you to get involved.  Talk to mare owners that you know and encourage them to breed their mares to Lots Of Acres.  Any youth member that assists in mares being bred to Lots Of Acres will receive 100 LEAP points and a $250 scholarship from the NYCHA.  Just ask mare owners to list your name as a reference on the 2008 breeding contract.   

About Lots Of Acres….. 

2008 Breeding Fee $1,000
LTE: $57,269
Bob Acre Doc x Kempe Doc  

          Show Career

• 2002 NCHA Futurity Open Finalist - 9th Place
• 2002 NCHA Futurity NP Semi-Finalist
• 2003 Not Shown Due to Injury after 2002 NCHA Futurity
• 2004 Bonanza Cutting Classic Open Finalist
• 2004 Brazos Bash Classic Open Finalist
• 2005 NCHA World $10,000 Novice Finalist - 10th Place
• Reinjured front left leg after World Finals thus sadly ending his show career

Visit www.sdpbuffaloranch.com for more information about Lots Of Acres.