What is Leap?

LEAP (Levels of Excellence Award Program) is a "levels" program created in 1994 that allows youth members to accumulate LEAP points throughout their Youth career, earning awards and recognition as they climb the ladder of success. LEAP points are earned through participation in NYCHA, writing an article, giving a speech, or helping with fundraisers. Youth also earn points based on their performance in the cutting arena. The program was designed as a reference for youth participation overall in the NYCHA and to also recognize youth in the cutting horse family for participation in youth activities and even if they were not showing cutting horses.

NYCHA Educational Grant Program

NYCHA Educational Grant Program is for:

• Individual grants $500-$1,000 to be awarded to NCHA Areas or Affiliates
• For the educational instruction of NYCHA members
• Maximum of $5,000 to be awarded annually
• Grants to be used for educational purposes only

Funds may be used for the following:

• Speaker Fees
• Educational Materials
• Use of facility
• Cattle fees (ONLY for a clinic or educational programs)

Tips for having a Successful Clinic

NYCHA Educational Grant Packet

NYCHA Educational Grant Application

NYCHA Regional Scholarship Grant Program

The NYCHA will award $2,000 for a regional youth scholarship cutting event based on first-come-first-serve to NCHA affiliates/show producers who meet the required qualifications. (Only one grant per region awarded each calendar year.)

A maximum of $4,000 to be awarded annually. Individual grants awarded in the amount of $2,000 to be used for regional scholarship cutting purposes only. Only grant awarded to a region per year.

Grants are awarded to NCHA affiliate show producers holding a regional scholarship cutting event. The regional scholarship cutting entry must be open to al NCHA youth members who are eligible to show in an area within each region.

NYCHA Hall of Fame

In an effort to make this year's Youth Hall of Fame inductions as seamless as possible, the NYCHA, in conjunction with the Youth Committee has created a Hall of Fame application form.

Hall of Fame applications must be completed and postmarked no later than April 1st.

Standards adopted by the Youth Board of Directors / Youth Committee at the Youth Workshop 12/98 - to be considered for the Youth Hall of Fame, a youth must:

• Be our of youth (20 years of age or more on Jan 1 – youth are still eligible to compete at National Championships in the 19th year)
• Have accumulated 100 Riding/ Show points in cutting accomplishments (August 2018 minutes) (see point system on the form)
• Have been in Top Ten Youth World Standings or Finalist at Eastern, Western or Summer Spectacular at least once.
• Served as NYCHA Officer/ Director at least one term (August 2018 minutes)
• Allow double points for World Standings (20 Points vs. 10 for Champion)
• Must be enrolled in LEAP to be eligible
• Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (June 2001 minutes)
• Must have achieved at least the Gold LEAP Level (7,500 points) to be eligible (effective 2004)

Point System:

Youth World Top Fifteen

• Champion - 20 points
• Reserve Champion - 18 points
• Placing 3-15 - 10 points

Area Top Ten

• Champion - 10 points
• Reserve Champion - 9 points
• Placing 3-15 - 5 points

Eastern or Denver National Championships

• Champion - 10 points
• Reserve Champion - 9 points
• Placing 3-15 -  5 points

Summer Spectacular

• Champion - 10 points
• Reserve Champion - 9 points
• Placing 3-15 - 5 point

Outstanding Area Director Award 

"Among the Best" Awards Program

Program

O.A.D. stands for Outstanding Area Director. The O.A.D. The program was designed by past President Matthew Blewitt in order to increase motivation amongst directors to accomplish their duties as an NYCHA Area Director. Year after year the requirements of the NYCHA Director are taken lightly, and out of 50 area directors, only a few fulfill their duties. Since the program is designed to increase motivation at the area director level, NYCHA Officers are ineligible.

An O.A.D. Program Checklist will be mailed out in January of each year to all NYCHA Area Directors. For points to be considered, it is the responsibility of the area director to mail in the O.A.D. Program Checklist for the prior year term of service, January - December. The program checklist should be mailed to the NCHA Youth Department and postmarked no later than May 15th. Award recipients will be recognized at the NYCHA Awards banquet in July of that year.

Points

Once an Area Director has fulfilled all of their regular director duties, they can go about earning points towards the O.A.D. Program Award. It is up to each area director to keep up with any additional points collected for such things as recruiting members, collecting stallion services for the NYCHA Stallion Service Program, selling raffle tickets, attending NYCHA meetings, and submitting articles to the Chatter Magazine or Youth Cut & Chat Newsletter to the NYCHA Youth Department.

The O.A.D. point system is as follows:

• Each Stallion Donation Obtained - 10 points
• Each Raffle Ticket Sold - 10 points
• Each New Youth Member Recruited - 10 points
• Each NYCHA Meeting Attended - 10 points
• Each Article Submitted to Chatter - 10 points

The Top 15 Outstanding Area Directors are recognized each year at the NYCHA Convention and Summer Spectacular Scholarship Cutting.

Awards for O.A.D. are as follows:

• O.A.D.
• Outstanding Area Director - Among the Best

Click for the O.A.D. PROGRAM CHECKLIST & PROGRAM INFORMATION

A Friend of the NYCHA Award

• Scholarship Donor
• Long-time stallion donor
• NCHA Corporate Sponsor
• Youth Committee members
• Trainers who works with a large number of youth members
• Show secretaries that make a significant contribution to the youth activities
• NCHA Executive Committee Members

Todd Drummond Memorial Award

The Todd Drummond Memorial Award is presented annually to an outstanding youth member nominated by an NCHA Affiliate. The youth member will be recognized for:

• Scholastic Achievement
• Extracurricular Activities
• Cutting Horse Involvement

The recipient of the Todd Drummond Memorial Award receives a trophy buckle, presented during the NCHA World Championship Futurity each December in Fort Worth, Texas.

We encourage everyone to participate in the nomination process. 
*** Affiliates must send their nomination and information to the NCHA office.

If you know a youth member that you think deserves this award, please contact your Affiliate President or Secretary right away. Todd Drummond Memorial Award applications must be completed and postmarked no later than October 1st. If you have any questions about the award, please contact Cathy Marie Aleff at the NCHA office at (817) 244-6188 ext 121.

Todd Drummond Nomination Form

Past Recipients Include:

Whitney & Greg Welch Memorial Sportsmanship Award

Established in 2000, this award is presented to a National Youth Cutting Horse Association member who exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, responsibility, and respect for fellow competitors.

The annual award was established in honor of NYCHA member, Whitney Welch, daughter of Greg and Pax Welch. The award is presented at the NYCHA Awards Banquet during the NCHA Derby each summer. Whitney and three of her friends were killed on December 19, 1998, the result of an encounter with a drunk driver. It was a devastating loss to all who knew and loved her. Whitney exemplified the true meaning of sportsmanship; she was a quiet girl, always friendly, courteous and respectful to others. Whitney was gracious in winning, as well as losing.

Whitney's father, former National Cutting Horse Association President, Greg Welch, passed away on July 4, 2004, after a brief illness. Greg was a much-loved supporter of young cutters and served as a positive force in the lives of many youth members. Prior to his death, he presented the Whitney Welch Memorial Sportsmanship Award during the NYCHA Awards Banquet each summer. After his passing, Greg's name was added to the sportsmanship award in honor of his dedication to children.

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• A member of the NYCHA
• Nominated by an NCHA Affiliate
• Submitted by an NCHA Affiliate Secretary
  
  

Each Affiliate may determine its own process for selecting a nominee. Each Affiliate may nominate one youth member each year for this prestigious award.

Nomination forms must be submitted by July 1st each year to:

Whitney & Greg Welch Memorial Sportsmanship Award Committee
P.O. Box 94
Aubrey, TX 76227
Phone: (940) 782-9127
Email: haveyriddle@icloud.com

Questions regarding the award can be directed to Havey Manion 940-536-8572 or Kisten Jackson 940-782-9126

Click to download the Whitney & Greg Welch Scholarship Award Application

Whitney & Greg Welch Memorial Sportsmanship Award Recipients