NCHA News

FORT WORTH – The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) is proud to announce Jonathan Foote of Livingston, MT as the 2024 Modine Smith Humanitarian Award Recipient. Foote will be presented with this award during the Open Semi-Finals of the 2024 NCHA Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity on December 6^th at the Will Rogers Coliseum. Tickets for Open Semi-Finals can be found here.

Established in 2012, the Modine Smith Humanitarian Award was created in honor of philanthropist, volunteer, and humanitarian, Modine Smith. Her unfaltering support of the NCHA and NCHA Foundation was awe inspiring to all who had the privilege to know her. Smith’s steadfast contributions helped shape and secure the future of the NCHA and the NCHA Foundation, and both organizations are better because of her inspiring efforts. This award is given annually to a person who displays unwavering support of the NCHA and the NCHA Foundation by continuously working to enhance the association’s past, present and future. 

Foote was first introduced to cutting in 1968 in New England and was hooked. He and his former wife, Anna Foote, owned Blunder’s Girl who placed 5^th in the NCHA Futurity in 1975, ridden by Billy Martin. After their success in the futurity, Foote participated in cuttings on the East Coast from 1968 through 1977, when he moved to Wyoming and then to Montana. He worked to revive cutting horse activity in Wyoming and Montana and was very involved in the Wyoming Cutting Horse Association and Montana Cutting Horse Association, being a board member for many years and president of the MCHA. Foote was a National Director from 1990 until 2000. He also was elected to the NCHA Executive Committee in 1995 alongside his beloved friend Modine Smith. He played a major role in developing the Amateur Class, the regional governance system and expanding the format of the NCHA world finals. He was also instrumental in developing the Western National Finals. 

Foote was inducted into the NCHA Member’s Hall of Fame in 2004. His love of the sport of cutting continues even at the ripe old age of almost 90. Foote and his wife, Kathy, still are involved in the sport. Kathy shows on a limited basis, and they both cheer on horses that they own and raise that are trained by Kenny Platt.

“I have always been a great admirer and great friend of Modine,” said Foote. “She kept the soul of cutting alive and healthy for the NCHA and she was never afraid to ‘stir up the pot.’” When asked who he would like to thank, Foote stated, “Anna Foote, who gave me my first cutting horse; Kathy and Meghan, who kept me going through two stroke recoveries and Parkinson's disease; the late John Carter and family; Russ Miller and family; Kenny and Becca Platt; the late Bill Murphy and his family; Lindy Burch; Tom and Laurie McGuane; Joe Kalt and Judy Gans; and all of my cutting horse friends who go back almost 60 years.”

“The NCHA is proud to recognize Jonathan Foote as the 2024 Modine Smith Humanitarian Award recipient for the time and effort he dedicated to the sport of cutting. His support and attitude have helped shaped the industry and the future of cutting,” said Jay Winborn, NCHA Executive Director.

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

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[Reprinting all or part of this press release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the National Cutting Horse Association and a link is provided back to nchacutting.com.]