NCHA News

FORT WORTH - The National Cutting Horse Association proudly announces three Sandy Sokol Secretary of the Year award recipients. This June, recipients will be acknowledged at the 2024 NCHA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Based on NCHA membership nominations and selection committee, this award is presented each year in recognition and remembrance of the late Sandy Sokol, long-time NCHA show secretary.

Congratulations to Dee McLauchlin of Springtown, TX, Jessica Vandiver of Bridgeport, TX, and Vicki Green of Campbellsburg, IN, for your hard work and dedication to the sport of cutting and our members.

Currently a show secretary at the Texas CHA, West Central CHA, Live Oak CHA, and occasionally the PK Cutters, Dee McLauchlin explained how she became a show secretary. “When I married my husband, he trained horses for a living, and there always seemed to be something that needed to be done at the show desk, whether it was to run the video camera, take money, enter people, etc., and it just evolved from there.”

“I think this award is absolutely awesome,” said McLauchlin. “For the people around here to recognize us at the desk means a lot. We have so much fun with everybody there; everybody always says it takes a village to raise an idiot, and I don’t know if we are the village or the idiot, but either way, we all work together. We got to see people’s kids and grandkids grow up and the families that have grown up through this sport. It means a whole lot that they want to come back and keep showing at our shows.”

Following in McLauchlin’s footsteps, her daughter Jessica Vandiver has grown up being a show secretary. “I didn’t have a card or anything, but officially, I have been helping my mom as a show secretary since I was 12. We did Cuttin Loose, Longhorn CHA, PK Cutters, and Texas CHA, and I am currently secretary at PK Cutters and help at Texas CHA. My parents have always put on shows, and I followed suit.”

Still an active cutter, Vandiver said, “Stepping into another side [of cutting] wasn’t a big deal to me at all. It’s a big honor to have our cutters nominate us and recognize the work we put in. We do it for the cutters. We don’t do it for anything else. It’s just big for them to think it was important enough to put us up for such a prestigious award that means something to everybody.”

Vicki Green states that she has been a secretary 35 to 40 years now. Green is secretary for the Kentucky CHA, new shows at Murray, Kentucky, with Triple E Livestock, and others in Region IV. “There was a need for secretaries. I was always there. My husband trained horses; it's a great way to raise your family in this sport. I hope that, as secretary, I'm able to take some of the drama away and let every contestant enjoy their time in the pen. I am quite honored. I know it is a difficult job, and there are a lot of great secretaries. I am honored to share this year with Dee and Jess and be among those who have already won it,” commented Green.

When asked about those inquiring about becoming a show secretary, McLauchlin says, “Jump in! There’s no halfway. Put your feelings in your back pocket. You have a job to do.”

"The role of a secretary within our association cannot be overstated. They are the backbone of our events, ensuring that everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Their dedication, attention to detail, and passion for the sport significantly contribute to the success of our competitions and the satisfaction of our members. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and commitment," said Jay Winborn, Executive Director of the NCHA.

For more information on the NCHA or upcoming events and schedules, please check out our website at nchacutting.com.