National Cutting Horse Association

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The National Cutting Horse Association (or NCHA) is a non-profit equestrian organization headquartered in the US. Their primary purpose is to promote and sponsor cutting events. [1] The association was founded in 1946 at the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. The first NCHA sponsored cutting horse competition was held that same year in Dublin, Texas. [2]

Contents

The association is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and has several affiliate members around the world. [3]

Six major events

The NCHA produces six major annual events as follows: [4]

  1. NCHA Championship Futurity for 3-year-old horses which have never been shown in competition cutting.
  2. NCHA Super Stakes for 4-year-old and 5-/6-year-old horses - their sires must be subscribed to the event.
  3. NCHA Summer Spectacular (Derby) for 4-year-old and 5-/6-year-old horses (Classic/Challenge). [lower-alpha 1]
  4. NCHA World Championship Finals with both Open and Non-Pro Championship classes. Fifteen Entries are taken in both based on the annual standings in each class.
  5. Eastern National Championships - only contestants in NCHA's affiliate or area standings are eligible to compete in the 12 approved Championship classes. [lower-alpha 2]
  6. Western National Championships - only contestants in NCHA's affiliate or area standings are eligible to compete in the 12 approved Championship classes. [lower-alpha 3]

Hall of Fame

The NCHA offers four Halls of Fame to recognizes exceptional contributions and/or accomplishments as follows:

  1. Horse Hall of Fame - to give greater recognition to famous cutting horses [7]
  2. Members Hall of Fame - to recognize the outstanding and unusual contributions to the NCHA by certain individuals over a period of time [8]
  3. Rider Hall of Fame - to recognize exceptional riders of cutting horses who have qualified for this honor based on their lifetime earnings [9]
  4. Non-Pro Hall of Fame - to recognize exceptional non-professional riders of cutting horses who have qualified for this honor based on their lifetime earnings [10]

Notes

  1. ↑ The NCHA Futurity, Derby and Super Stakes are the three events that comprise the NCHA Triple Crown
  2. ↑ At the end of each year, beginning in 1976, the top ten area champions (leading money earners) comprising NCHA affiliates and their respective areas around the world [5] competed in the NCHA Area Champion Work-offs which is held annually in the US. The winners in each division earned the championship title for their division, such as the NCHA National Open Champion and NCHA National Non-Pro Champion. In 1995, the championship event was split in two and became the Eastern National Championships and Western National Championships with 11 areas in each. There are 25 geographical divisions for competition in the US and Canada that comprise the NCHA. The NCHA Top Ten money earners in their respective areas qualify to compete in the respective division. [6]
  3. ↑ refer to note 1

In 2019, the Top 5 Equi-Sat Cutting Sires were: One Time Pepto. LTE:($12,845,963) Smooth As A Cat. LTE:($24,830,037) Dual Rey. LTE:($38,897,142) Metallic Cat. LTE:($21,644,433) High Brow Cat. LTE:($79,279,171) [11]

Related Research Articles

Cutting (sport) Western-style equestrian competition

Cutting is a western-style equestrian competition in which a horse and rider work together before a judge or panel of judges to demonstrate the horse's athleticism and ability to handle cattle. Modern competition utilizes a 2+1⁄2 minute performance, called a "run." Each contestant is assisted by four helpers: two are designated as turnback riders, who help to keep cattle from running off to the back of the arena, the other two are designated as herd holders to keep the cattle bunched together and prevent potential strays from escaping into the work area. Cutting cattle are typically young steers and heifers that customarily range in size from 400 to 650 lb. They usually are of Angus or Hereford lineage though may be a mix of crossbred beef cattle, including Charolais or Brahman lineage.

Poco Lena (1949–1968) was an outstanding cutting mare, and dam of two famous Quarter horse cutting horses and stallions: Doc O'Lena and Dry Doc.

Doc O'Lena (1967–1993) was a Quarter Horse stallion, a champion cutting horse and a sire of champion cutting horses. He was inducted into both the AQHA and NCHA Halls of Fame, as was his dam Poco Lena. He was the 1970 NCHA Futurity Open Champion, followed by his full brother, Dry Doc, who won the title in 1971. As a sire, Doc O'Lena earned recognition as the first futurity champion to sire a futurity champion when Lenaette won the title in 1975. He also sired Smart Little Lena, the first horse to win the NCHA Triple Crown.

Peppy San (1959–1989), a Quarter Horse stallion, has the distinction of the being the first National Cutting Horse Association World Champion to sire an NCHA World Champion.

Cutter Bill Quarter Horse show stallion and sire

Cutter Bill (1955–1982) was a Quarter Horse stallion and the 1962 National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Open World Champion cutting horse with record earnings for the year. He also won the 1962 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Honor Roll cutting horse award which made him the first horse to have won both the NCHA and AQHA awards in the same year. Cutter Bill was owned by the flamboyant Texas millionaire Rex Cauble who in 1962 decided to campaign Cutter Bill with Sonny Perry in the saddle showing him. In order for Cutter Bill to compete in as many shows as possible that year, Cauble flew Cutter Bill and three other horses on his private jet to various shows.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote the reining horse.

Peppy San Badger (1974–2005) was an American Quarter Horse stallion who won the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity in 1977 and the NCHA Derby in 1978. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association's Hall of Fame in 2008.

Dual Peppy is a 1992 sorrel stallion registered with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). He is sired by Peppy San Badger, and out of the mare Miss Dual Doc by Doc's Remedy. Dual Peppy qualified for the AQHA World Show during the 1997-1998 show season, and earned the title "1998 AQHA Reserve World Champion Senior Cutting Horse". In 1998-1999, he competed as a novice horse in National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) events and earned the title "NCHA World Champion $10,000 Novice Cutting Horse." Dual Peppy, bred by the late Greg Ward, is the second of four full brothers in the Dual Pep line, which also includes Dual Pep, Mister Dual Pep and Dually Pep, all of whom have been successful horses in their own right. Ward broke, trained and showed Dual Peppy until he was sold in January 1998 to Rick and Sherry Brunzell of the Dual Peppy Partnership located in Colorado.

Smart Little Lena was an AQHA registered Quarter Horse, an NCHA Triple Crown Champion cutting horse, and sire of champion cutting horses. He was inducted into both the AQHA Hall of Fame and NCHA Horse Hall of Fame. He was sired by NCHA Futurity Champion Doc O'Lena and out of the mare Smart Peppy by Peppy San, who was the first NCHA World Champion to sire an NCHA World Champion.

Matlock Rose Cutting horse trainer. (1924-2008)

Matlock Rose, born Berry Matlock Rose (1924–2008), was a professional horse trainer for over 60 years. He established a reputation as an all-around cowboy and trainer of champions. Rose was often described as stonefaced, a man of few words, but long held the respect of his peers. He was referred to as a trainers' trainer, and considered a legend. He trained multiple AQHA world champions, five NCHA world champions, was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2001, as well as both the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame and the NCHA Members Hall of Fame. The first famous cutting horse he trained was Jesse James and many other great horses followed but he was best known for training Peppy San and Peponita.

Joe Heim

Joe Heim is a horse trainer and clinician residing in Thackersville, Oklahoma. He trains primarily Quarter Horses in various disciplines of western riding, including reining and cutting. He was inducted into the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame and is most notable for training and showing Docs Okie Quixote to win the 1983—1984 NCHA Triple Crown which included winning the 1983 NCHA Futurity, 1984 NCHA Derby and 1985 NCHA Super Stakes. Docs Okie Quixote was a 1980 AQHA stallion sired by Doc Quixote and out of the mare Jimmette Too by Johnny Tivio. He sired only one crop of foals before he died in 1985. His Triple Crown earnings totaled US$335,095.00, and his NCHA Lifetime Earnings totaled US$599,109.00.

Buster Welch, born near Sterling City, Texas, is a cutting horse trainer and inductee into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame, American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, National Cutting Horse Association Riders Hall of Fame and Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Buster was chosen as the recipient of the 2012 National Golden Spur Award for his "outstanding contributions to the ranching and livestock industry".

Doc Quixote American Quarter Horse stallion

Doc Quixote (1970–2002) was the 1973 NCHA Non Pro Futurity Champion ridden by Paul Crumpler of Wichita Fall, TX. He was a chestnut stallion, stood 15 hands high, and was registered American Quarter Horse #0698787. He was the first cutting horse stallion to ever be syndicated, reportedly with shares valued at $100,000 (US). As a sire, Doc Quixote's offspring have earned more than $10 million including four that were inducted into the NCHA Horse Hall of Fame: Poco Quixote Rio ($1,108,773), Docs Okie Quixote ($637,707) NCHA Triple Crown Champion, Cash Quixote Rio ($604,742), and Jazzote ($586,212).

The NCHA Horse Hall of Fame was established by the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding cutting horses based on their lifetime earnings in NCHA approved championship cutting horse competition. Initially, when a horse had won $35,000 in NCHA Open Championship competition, a Gold certificate was issued to the owner of the horse, and a plaque in recognition of that achievement was mounted on a designated wall inside NCHA headquarters. As purses and divisions grew over the years, the following amendments were made to the earnings requirement for a horse to qualify:

Tap O Lena (1990—2015) was a bay Quarter Horse mare, a champion cutting horse and a dam and granddam of champion cutting horses. She was bred, trained and shown by NCHA Rider Hall of Fame and NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame inductee Phil Rapp of Weatherford, TX who rode her to win 15 major NCHA aged event championships. Rapp's wife Mary Ann also showed the mare, and won 2 more non-pro championships, including the 1997 Non-Pro World Champion. Tap O Lena was inducted into the NCHA Horse Hall of Fame with lifetime earnings of $450,639.33 in cutting horse competition. She was bred to Dual Pep and produced Tapt Twice, earner of $279,457 and sire of cutting horses that have earned over $1.3 million.

National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Rider Hall of Fame was created and perpetuated to honor outstanding riders who have demonstrated their ability to exhibit the athletic prowess and inherent cow sense of the cutting horses they have shown competitively in NCHA sponsored or approved contests. The updated criteria established in 2016 includes:

Carol Rose is a champion horsewoman. She is a world-class show woman and breeder. She became a leader during a time when men dominated the field.

Kay Floyd (cutter) Kay Floyd was a cutting horse breeder, exhibiter and NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame member

Kay Floyd (1948—2015) was an American horse breeder who was the first woman ever to win two NCHA Futurity championships, albeit in the Non-Pro division. She also earned the title of 1988 NCHA Non-Pro World Champion, and in 1991 was inducted into the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame - Non-Pro Division. Floyd owned the stallion, Freckles Playboy (1973-2003), sired by Jewel’s Leo Bars by Sugar Bars out of Gay Jay by Rey Jay, and bred by Marion Flynt. As of 2013, Freckles Playboy ranked 3rd on NCHA's list of all-time leading sires and maternal grandsire sires of champion cutting and performance Quarter Horses with offspring that have earned $24.56 million in NCHA competition. Among his champion offspring were Playfulena, the mare Floyd rode to win the 1987 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, and Playboys Madera, the mare she rode to earn the title of 1988 NCHA Non-Pro World Champion.

Freckles Playboy was a sorrel Quarter Horse stallion sired by Jewel’s Leo Bars by Sugar Bars out of Gay Jay by Rey Jay. He was bred by Marion Flynt, and trained and shown in cutting horse competition by Terry Riddle. Freckles Playboy was the 1976 NCHA Futurity Co-Reserve Champion, placed 3rd in the 1977 NCHA Derby, and won the title of 1977 AQHA World Champion Junior Cutting Horse. In 1979, he developed navicular syndrome ending his career as a cutting horse.

Kathy Daughn Kathy Daughn is a cutting horse trainer and honoree in the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame and National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Kathy Daughn is a cutting horse trainer who has won over $4.25 Million in cutting horse competition. She is an honoree in the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame and National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and the first woman to win two NCHA Futurity Open Division Championship titles. Daughn rode The Gemnist to win the 1985 NCHA Futurity, marking an event-record score of 229. After of span of 15 years, she rode Royal Fletch to win the 2000 NCHA Futurity.

References

  1. ↑ NCHA Rule Book accessed on October 6, 2007
  2. ↑ "History". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  3. ↑ "National Cutting Horse Association Affiliates". National Cutting Horse Association. January 14, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Shows". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  5. ↑ "National Cutting Horse Association Affiliates". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Glossary". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Horse Hall of Fame". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Member Hall of Fame". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Rider Hall of Fame". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Non-Pro Hall of Fame". National Cutting Horse Association. November 18, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  11. ↑ "5-Year Stallion Stats: Top 5 Cutting Sires (2019)". February 13, 2019.

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