All About Cutting Horses and Cutting Horse News

March 8, 2010 - Augusta, GA
On March 2, Morris Publishing Group, LLC announced on their web site www.morrisrestructures.com that it has completed the necessary steps to consummate its prepackaged plan of reorganization, thereby officially marking the Company's emergence from bankruptcy.
Read more in Late-Breaking News>>

March 8, 2010
Word has leaked out from the AQHA Convention that following the meeting of the Stud Book & Registration Committee held during the AQHA convention in Kissimmee, Fla., that the amendment allowing for the registration of clones by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) was defeated. It was moved by Dr. Glenn Blodgett, seconded by Carol Rose and passed unanimously that the amendment be defeated.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 8, 2010
Three major events are being held this week, including two aged events and the NCHA Eastern Nationals. Also Keeneland is revamping the world's largest yearling sale held 15 days - Sept. 12-26 and John Mitchell is holding a cutting clinic April 24-25 at the Casner Ranch, Temecula, Calif..
Read more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 8, 2010
During the AQHA Convention, held March 5-8 in Kissimmee, Fla., the Stud Book & Registration Committee discussed a controversial subject - cloning. An amendment had been put on the agenda allowing for the registration of clones by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Following is additional information regarding cloning for those who are interested.
Read more in Late-Breaking News>>

STUD BOOK & REGISTRATION COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AMENDING REGISTRATION RULES ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MARCH 6-7 DURING CONVENTION IN KISSIMMEE, FLA.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 5, 2010
On Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7, the Stud Book & Registration Committee of the AQHA will discuss information provided by the cloning task force in regard to amending Rule 227(a), which prohibits the registration of horses produced by any cloning process. The meeting will take place during the 2010 AQHA Convention being held March 5-8 in Kissimmee, Fla.
Read more in Late-Breaking News>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
March 4, 2010
The accuracy and businesslike nature of records is something that the IRS has been scrutinizing more and more in recent years. The IRS expects all taxpayers to maintain canceled checks, invoices, credit card statements and similar items needed to substantiate amounts claimed as business deductions and to help prepare one’s tax returns.
Read more in Health & Wealth>>

JANET WESTFALL COLLECTS $16,300 IN SOUTH POINT NON-PRO DERBY AND CLASSIC/CHALLENGE

Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
March 2, 2010 – Las Vegas, Nev.

Janet Westfall rode Lil Dusty Lola to the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge Championship and Reserve in the Non-Pro Derby riding Sunday Belles.

The past few days have been an exciting time for Janet Westfall, Los Olivos, Calif. The wife of trainer Russ Westfall won the South Point Non-Pro Classic/Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 27, and finished second in the Non-Pro Derby, collecting $16,300. Then on Monday, March 1, Janet and Russ closed on their horse facility in Weatherford, Texas, selling the 28 acres to Lindy Burch.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 1, 2010 – Las Vegas, Nev.

Tim Smith collected close to $49,500 in the Derby & Classic/Challenge of the South Point Winter show.

Tim Smith, 52, Temecula, Calif., brought nine horses to the South Point Winter Championships, held Feb. 19-27 at the South Point Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, Nev., making the finals on six. He left the aged event with $49,483, including the Championship and Reserve title of the Open Classic/Challenge and the Championship and third place in the Derby. The show also had a highly successful four-day NCHA-approved weekend show prior to the aged events.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Article and photo b y Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 28, 2010 – Weatherford, Texas

Russ and Janet Westfall shown at the recent South Point show in Las Vegas, Nev.

Monday, March 1, 2010, it will be official. Russ and Janet Westfall are selling their 28-acre Texas Ranch, located next door to Greg Coalson and on the same road as the DLR, to Lindy Burch. Burch recently sold her ranch to Richard Fields’ Jackson Land & Cattle Company, who is the owner of Peptoboonsmal.
Read more in Breaking News>>

Feb. 24, 2009
Black Rock's Grant Setnicka wins first go-round of South Point Winter Show Derby and Classic/Challenge; three tie following first go-round of the new Arbuckle Mountain Futurity, entries at Eastern Nationals break records and some are questioning if the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing will survive.
Read more in Breaking News>>

Press release from AQHA
Feb. 24, 2010
The partnership between AQHA and the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) just got better for American Quarter Horses.
Read more in Misc. News>>

Jan. 23, 2009
One of the industry's major sale companies, Mid America Equine Sales, sold this week to Jim and Pam Watson of Bolivar, Mo., who have over 20 years of experience in the Quarter Horse business.
Click here for more in Sale Section>>

Feb. 23, 2010
Press release from PRCA
Injuries in the world of rodeo, including that of Harry Vold; Billy Etbauer at age 47 still chasing his dream, and PrCA World Standings
Read more in Rodeo News>> .

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Feb. 23, 2010
Two interesting and thought-provoking letters are included in the "Letters to the Editor" section. The first addresses "drug use in cutting horse events" - the other, "tipping" the health.
Click here to go to the Letters to the Editor section>>

Feb. 22, 2010 – Fort Worth, Texas
Parking fees scheduled to take place at Will Rogers Coliseum following the Fort Worth Stock Show have been delayed, according to an article in the Feb. 20 Fort Worth Star Telegram. That is – at least for a couple of months – or May 1, which is after the NCHA Super Stakes, to be held March 26-April 16 is over.
Click for more in Breaking News>>

Feb. 21, 2010 – Arlington, Texas

Valdiron de Oliveira riding Little Mr T on his way to riding Bones. The Brazilian cowboy won the PBR Iron Man event, taking home the $260,000 first-place paycheck. PBR Photo.

Following a historic, first-time “Iron Man” competition, Brazilian cowboy Valdiron de Oliveira won the $260,000 first-place check, even though both he and the other finalist, Travis Briscoe, failed to ride Code Blue for 8 seconds.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

PHIL HANSON WINS OPEN FUTURITY RIDING LHR SMOOTH JANIE MAY OWNED BY SHERRY CHAMBERLAIN’S LAZY H RANCH

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 20, 2010 – Alvarado, Texas

Phil Hanson won the Bonanza Cutting 4-Year-Old Open Division riding Sherry Chamberlain's LHR Smooth Jamie May. The pair took home over $30,000.

When the NCHA Finals moved from Amarillo, Texas, last year, the dates for the event opened up and Paul Crumpler’s Bonanza Cutting quickly moved into the dates and out of Abilene. The move was definitely a good one since the show’s entries were up 15 percent, showing increases in all divisions: Open, Non-Pro and Amateur in both the 4-Year-Old and 5/6-Year-Old competitions.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 19, 2010
Ernie Beutenmiller and Jim Milner are in the race for the NCHA Vice President position, a new cutting program on a new channel on DISH and DirecTV coming in March and why not listen to NCHARadio.com while you’re working on your computer?
Click here for more in Breaking News>>

Feb. 19, 2010
Augusta, GA.
In a report on Morris Communication's website, on Feb. 17, the bankruptcy court confirmed Morris Publishing Group's reorganization plan and approved the adequacy of its Disclosure Statement, clearing the way for the Company to emerge from bankruptcy as soon as March 1, 2010.
Click here for more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 17, 2010
Even in a down economy, the NCHA Futurity Sale of 2 Year Olds by Select Sires, held Dec. 9, 2009 during the NCHA Futurity showed an increase over the 2008 sale. The increase of $1,617 in the average and $1,000 in the median, was undoubtedly led by the “new kid on the block,” One Time Pepto
Click for rest of story in Sale Section>>.

Zack T. Wood, Jr., the executive director of the NCHA for 28 years, passed away this morning. Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 20.
Click here for rest of article>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 13, 2010
With seven sales being held during the 2009 NCHA Futurity, full results with buyers have not been published. With Western Bloodstock deciding to no longer include buyers in their results, I have researched each of the sales separately, obtaining buyers of those horses selling for $5,000 or more, from the AQHA.
Click for rest of story in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 9, 2010
It’s “business as usual” for High Brow Cat, Don Pooley wins the Open and Julie Hansma takes the Non-Pro at the NCHA World Series cutting at the San Antonio Stock Show, and finally – a sale that’s is on its way up. PRCA Hall of Famer dies at 89, Wyoming man skips jail after being charged with bull rider’s death, NRCHA elects new President and Board members and Mike Major wins Versatility Ranch Horse Classic at the Denver Stock Show.
Click here for more in Breaking News>>

Press release from NRCHA
Feb. 8, 2010 - San Angelo, Texas
The Championship of the National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman contest held at the First Community Credit Union Spur Arena in San Angelo, Texas, came down to the very last run. The four-event competition ended with Randy Paul being crowned as the World’s Greatest Horseman. Paul rode Smokeelan, owned by Jill Smiekel George, to the title.
Click here for more in Cow Horse News>>

Feb. 5, 2009
Today’s News includes Casey Green moving and taking outside horses, a yearling filly shot at close range in Weatherford, Texas, Will Rogers to start a revamp on March 1, winners of the SWRCHA Circle Y Derby (see which cutters were in the winners’ circle), and the new program initiated by the NRHA to raise added money for the NRHA Futurity/Derby is deemed a success.
Click here for more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 4, 2010 – Tunica, Miss.

Bill Riddle, Ringling, Okla., won the 4-Year-Old Open Futurity at Tunica, Miss., riding Dear Gussey.

Long-time NCHA member, Hall of Famer and Past President Bill Riddle, Ringling, Okla., out-cut a group of younger contestants on a home-grown mare during the finals of the Tunica 74-entry Futurity 4-Year-Open, held Thursday, Feb. 4 in Tunica, Miss.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

MITCHELL RIDES FIVE HORSES TO A $60,323.29 PAYCHECK

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 4, 2010 – Tunica, Miss.

This week, John Mitchell, resident trainer of Glade Knight’s Slate River Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, stuffed his pockets with $60,323.29 after taking the top three spots, plus two more in the Feb. 3 14-horse finals of the 5/6-Year-Old division of the Tunica Futurity, held Feb. 1-7 in Tunica, Miss.

TAKING THE REINS AT INDY RACING LEAGUE

Feb. 1, 2010
Randy Bernard, 43, who has served as the CEO of the Professional Bull Riders Inc. (PBR) since 1995, has resigned as CEO effective March 1 to accept a leadership position with the Indy Racing League (IRL).
Click for more in Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 1, 2010 – Fort Worth, Texas

Jim Vangilder at his Rock Creek Complete Dispersal Sale.

With Western Bloodstock’s new policy to not publish buyers, it’s hard to tell if a sale is really successful or not – because one doesn’t know if horses of a certain price really changed hands.
Click for rest of story in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 31, 2010 – Augusta, Ga.

Brad Mitchell won the top two places of the Augusta Open Futurity.

Brad Mitchell, 39, the resident trainer at Kix and Barbara Brooks’ Painted Springs Farm LLC, located near Nashville, Tenn., snatched the top two spots in the 75-entry 4-Year-Old Open Division of the Augusta Futurity, held Jan. 22-30 in Augusta, Ga.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

SOUTH POINT SHOW OFFERS MORE ADDED MONEY; FREE ROOMS, FREE STALLS, FREE DINNERS AND FREE GAS AND GIFT CARDS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan.. 28, 2010 – Las Vegas, Nev.
The South Point Winter Championship show, which includes four days of NCHA Open show events and nine days of aged-event classes, held Feb. 19-March 3, has been spiced up with $14,000 in additional added money and freebies, including free rooms, stalls, dinner and gas and gift cards.
Click for more in major events>>

Jan. 28, 2010
Jimmy Brazile pleads guilty to sexual assault, Trevor Brazile wins all-around title at National WEstern Stock Show, San Antonio rodeo changes format for 2010 and PBR finds judging inconsistencies.
Click for more in Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 26, 2010
Do you ever wonder what happened to the offer by South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center to hold an NCHA Finals basically free of charge at their state-of-the-art facility. Following is a step-by-step of correspondence showing where the offer stands today.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

Jan. 24, 2010
Cutting horse trainer Steve Oehlhof taking outside horses in Corsicana, Texas; Brandon Dufurrena wins AQHA Amateur Cutting at Fort Worth Stock Show; APHA Cutting at the Fort Worth Stock Show; Luis De Armas from Venezuela wins 5/6-Year-Old $100,000 Amateur at Augusta Futurity.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 22, 2010– Fort Worth, Texas
Parking at the NCHA events, or any other events for that matter, at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth will no longer be free.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 21, 2010
The day before the Augusta Futurity was set to begin its nine-day run in Augusta, Ga., the man who is credited with its growth and success, William Morris III, chairman of Morris Publishing Group saw his company granted critical “first-day” motions by Judge John Dalis of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Augusta.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 21, 2010
Champions of Fort Worth Stock Show AQHA Cutting; NCHA Super Stakes Sale offers no “pass-out” fee for the first time; Strawn Valley’s Dual Smart Rey to stand 2010 season at ESMS on the Brazos, and Mike Majors takes his second World Champion titles in AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse competition and Colton Daniel wins the Amateur.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

Jan. 20, 2010
The National Cutting Horse Association has joined the American Paint Horse Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the American Endurance Ride Conference by endorsing the Welfare Code of Practice further broadening the industry support of a national code.
Click here for more in Misc. News>>

Jan. 20, 2010
Rachel Alexandra edged out Zenyatta by 31 votes during the Eclipse Awards to become the Horse of the Year. In doing so, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro became only the fourth female to take home the gold statuette since the inception of the Eclipse Awards in 1971.
Click here for more in Misc. News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 19, 2010– Fort Worth, Texas
Two ranch horse sales and a ranch horse competition were held during the Fort Worth Stock Show, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17, at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth. The Sunday Invitational Ranch Horse Show and Sale featured 17 horses from Texas.
Click here for more in Sale section>>

Jan. 17, 2010
Russell “Russ” Deason, 70, a cutting horse trainer from Pensacola, Fla., passed away at 12:30 a.m., Jan. 13 at his home.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

MORRIS OWNS 13 DAILY NEWSPAPERS, WESTERN HORSEMAN MAGAZINE, QUARTER HORSE NEWS AND BARREL HORSE NEWS

Compiled by Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 14, 2010
Morris Publishing Group, an Augusta, Ga., company said in a company news release today that it would file a “prepackaged” plan, preapproved by a majority of its creditors, in federal bankruptcy court by Tuesday of next week.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

HORSEMAN ROSS CHURMAN DIES FROM MASSIVE STROKE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 14, 2010

Ross Churman, 59, Burleson, Texas, died of a massive stroke at his home today, Jan. 14.

Ross Churman, 59, Burleson, Texas, died today of massive stroke at his home. Ross was an excellent horseman and had been a cutting horse trainer several years ago. He was also a trainer of top rope horses – but best of all, he was known as one of the best trainers of young ropers.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
Jan. 13, 2010
Excessive business deductions by livestock or general farmers, or horse owners - or for that matter, most any other business - trigger IRS audits. If you are audited in connection with any farming, livestock or horse activity, the IRS will usually start with one tax year and then look back or forward for other years to see the history of losses or profits.
Click for more in Health & Wealth>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 12, 2010
Today’s news includes results from the Non-Pro and Amateur at the Abilene Spectacular, bad news from Keeneland with sale prices being down 44.8 percent following the first day of the January Horses of All Ages sale, PRCA contractors donate $34,000 following a successful 2009 Benny Binion World Famous Bucking Horse and Bull Sale and top reining horse trainer Randy Paul releases his first album “The Sky.”
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

TWO WEEKS LATER, HARLEY, HER 3-YEAR-OLD MAKES FINALS OF THE 2009 NCHA OPEN FUTURITY WITH WESLEY GALYEAN

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 10, 2010– Bayfield, Colo.
Cattilion, a 2001 daughter of High Brow Cat out of Staraleno by Grays Starlight, had been living out her retirement years on Floyd Miller’s Cottonwood Springs Ranch in Bayfield, Colo. However, the great mare succumbed to a bout of colic on Saturday, Jan. 2.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 10, 2010
Kate Gaughan and Cookie Banuelos tie the knot, Dustan Horne taking outside horses, Silverado on the Brazos for sale, as well as Steve and Michelle Anderson's facility at Silverado, Keeneland January Horses of All Ages sale to begin on Monday, entries due for NCHA World Series at San Antonio Stock Show and U.S. Congress requests horse welfare study.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 10, 2010

Mary Ann Rapp takes top three spots in the first go-round of two non-pro divisions at Abilene Spectacular

Mary Ann Rapp was hot, even though the weather was a record-breaking cold, during the first two go-rounds of the non-pro aged-event classes held during the Abilene Spectacular, Jan. 2-13 in Abilene, Texas. Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, won the 87-entry 5/6-year-old division riding Susie The Sioux to a 224 and tied for the championship of the 68-entry 4-year-old with Leah Hanson.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

PAUL HANSMA RIDES REYMINATE TO ABILENE SPECTACULAR 4-YEAR-OLD OPEN TITLE; THIRD CUTTING & BOYD RICE TOP 5/6-YEAR-OLD

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 7, 2010

Paul Hansma rode Reyminate to a 226, winning the 4-Year-Old Open at the Abilene Spectacular.

A whopping 226 score gave Paul Hansma and Reyminate the $25,000 championship paycheck of the 4-Year-Old Open Division of the Abilene Spectacular held Jan. 2-13 in Abilene, Texas. In fact, Dual Rey offspring took the top three spots in the division. Third Cutting, the 2008 NCHA Derby and Super Stakes Champion, ridden by Boyd Rice to a 227, won the Open 5/6-Year-Old division.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 3, 2010
Paul Hansma rode Reyminate to the lead in the Open 4-Year-Old division of the Abilene Spectacula, held Jan. 2-3 in Abilene, Texas. Jack Finney, a well-known Greenville, Texas, businessman and horseman passes away at 93, photographer Midge Ames has new web site, AQHA publishes qualifying points for 2010 AQHA World Show and announces 2010 Convention in Kissimmee, Fla. March 5-9.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 29, 2009
AQHA sets new rules for sorting and team penning; AQHA's Journals will be reunited, News from the Rodeo world and Upcoming events.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

Dec. 29, 2009
Horse dentist Carl Mitz, Buda, Texas, and three other horse dentists have filed a suit against the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, who have ordered unlicensed equine teeth floaters to stop practicing or work under the supervision of a licensed vet.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 29, 2009
It was a sad Christmas for Bob Loomis, Marietta, Okla. On Dec. 23, Loomis, a top reiner and breeder of reining horses, unexpectedly had to put down Topsail Whiz. This came only two weeks after his junior sire, West Coast Whiz, had to be euthanized.
Click for more in Reining News>> .

Press release from Texas Animal Health Commission
Dec. 29, 2009
Thinking about selling, leasing, bartering or even giving away a breeding bull? On Jan. 1, Texas bulls that undergo a change of ownership (except to slaughter) must be either certified as a virgin bull or be tested first for cattle trichomoniasis.
Read more in Industry News>>

BOB KURTZ LEAVES BEHIND MANY FRIENDS FOLLOWING STROKE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 17, 2009 - Boyd, Texas

Following is an obituary I never thought I'd have to write; however, a lot of my friends have encouraged me to post this obituary on the loss of my husband on Dec. 8 on my site. This past week has been the hardest of my life - as half my life is now gone. Thanks to all of you who have called or e-mailed me - even some who I had never met. Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated at a time like this.
Read more in Letters From The Editor>>

Article by Robert Eubanks -
Suzanne Forrest Photo courtesy EE Ranches
Dec. 16, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
A total of $96,950 was paid out in the EE Ranches Stallion Owners Gelding Incentive program at the 2009 National Cutting Horse Association Futurity, which ended on Dec. 13 in Fort Worth.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

KELLE EARNHEART TAKES FIRST NCHA NON-PRO FUTURITY TITLE; DUAL REY SWEEPS SIRE CHARTS

Article by Glory Ann Kurtz – photos by Robert Eubanks
Dec. 15, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Tony Piggott, 37, a Limited Open rider from Australia, working for Alice Walton, won the NCHA Open Futurity catch riding Alice's stallion Rockin W for Gary Gonsalves. The pair collected $265,946.
Photo by Robert Eubanks

This year’s NCHA Futurity, held Nov. 21-Dec. 13 at Fort Worth’s Will Rogers coliseum, may have been cutting’s top-paying and highest-profiled event, attracting nearly 1,900 Open, Non-Pro and Amateur entries vying for a total payout or more than $4 million – but it was also the industry’s Cinderella story.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

BRAZILE TIES RECORD AS PRORODEO CROWNS WORLD CHAMPIONS AT 51ST WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

Release from the PRCA
Dec.13, 2009 - Las Vegas, Nev.
Memo to Ty Murray: you have company. Trevor Brazile secured his seventh PRCA all-around world championship in front of 17,418 fans in Round 10 of the 51st Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to tie Murray's PRCA record for most all-around gold buckles and further etch his name in the history books as one of the greatest cowboys in the history of ProRodeo.
Click for more in Rodeo News>>

NCHA HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS HONORED

Article and photos by Robert Eubanks
Dec. 10, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas
The Pitchfork Land & Cattle Co., popularly known as the Pitchfork Ranch, with roots in the West Texas counties of King and Dickens, was presented the Charles Goodnight Award at the 20th annual Goodnight Gala on Dec. 7 at Fort Worth’s Worthington Hotel.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 7, 2009
Read about a new radio station for the NCHA; Sam Shepard winning the Zane Schulte Award; the "Mechanical Horse" you can ride on a mechanical cow at the NCHA Futurity and the NRHA Futurity Champions for the event which ended Dec. 5 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 7, 2009

The talented couple of Matt and Megan Miller are doing well at the on-going NCHA Futurity. Matt is tied for the lead in the two-go-round cumulative in the Open and Megan is tied for second in the Non-Pro Division.

he two go-rounds of the Open and Non-Pro divisions of the NCHA Futurity, held Saturday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 13, are now history.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Press release from PrCA
Dec. 7, 2009 - Las Vegas, Nev.
Nothing cures what ails a cowboy more than winning. Just ask steer wrestler Lee Graves and saddle bronc rider Jesse Kruse. Both cowboys gritted their teeth through the pain of nagging injuries to earn Round 4 victories at the 51st Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in front of 17,069 at the Thomas & Mack Center Sunday night.
Click for more in Rodeo News>>

PRCA Press Release
Dec. 6, 2009 - Las Vegas, Nev.
Déjà vu was the theme of the night at Round 3 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Shawn Greenfield won the steer wrestling for the second consecutive night in front of 17,612 at the Thomas & Mack Center, and bareback riders Justin McDaniel and Jason Havens split first place for the second time in three rounds.
Click for more in Rodeo News>>

Dec. 5, 2009
If you are a subscriber to my E-Newsletter, you have already received an article and charts regarding "Which Stallions are faring the best in the NCHA Open Futurity?"
Click here for rest of this article>>

DAN HANSEN RIDES PLAY CORN TO A 219 AND TOP OF FIRST GO OF NCHA NON-PRO FUTURITY

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 3, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Dan Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, won the first go-round of the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity riding Play Corn to a 219.

For Dan Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, it all started with Bobcorn, a winning mare by Bob Acre Doc, owned by him and his wife, Karen. Dan rode two of her offspring in the first go-round of the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity which ended tonight. Play Corn, a daughter of Playgun, won the go-round, scoring a 219, while KD Sweet Corn by Dual Pep, also ridden by Dan, made the second go-round, scoring a respectable 212.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
Dec. 3, 2009
The IRS has been cracking down on individuals and small businesses-- including farmers, ranchers and horse owners--with increased tax audits and aggressive tactics to collect taxes. The tactics include an increased volume of audits, and more bank levies and liens on real property.
Click here for more in Health & Wealth>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 29, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Jeremy Barwick rode Dual Rey Me to the Championship of the NCHA Open World Finals and also took home his third Open World Championship title.

Proving that cream comes to the top, Open contestant Jeremy Barwick, Stephenville, Texas, riding Dual Rey Me and Non-Pro contestant Elizabeth Queen, Lipan, Texas, riding Sister CD, came into the NCHA World Championship Finals in the lead – and finished the event with an even larger lead. The both hit a double, also winning their respective World Championships.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

DUAL REY ME AND JEREMY BARWICK STILL IN LEAD FOR WORLD TITLE; LINDY BURCH WINS THIRD GO OF OPEN

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 27, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
While Dual Rey Me and Jeremy Barwick, Stephenville, Texas, are barreling toward their third NCHA Open World Championship, Austin Shepard and Thomas E Hughes are trying to spoil their party. Obviously, it’s not over until it’s over!
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Article by Glory Ann Kurtz - Photos by Jim Arnold
Nov. 27, 2009

Andrew Waters, a trainer from Australia, was the big money earner at the recent Texas Futurity held in Waco, Texas.
Photo by Jim Arnold

Australian trainers winning major events in the United States is nothing new – in fact since the 1970s when the first wave appeared in the United States cutting arenas, five have been inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame. Even though Australian Andrew Waters, 33, Crockett, Texas, has been in the US for 10 years, he is just now making a name for himself and you’ll be hearing more of him.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

DUAL REY ME AND JEREMY BARWICK WIN SECOND GO AT NCHA WORLD FINALS WITH 231; TOP OPEN STANDINGS

PAULA WOOD’S 229 ABOARD DONAS COOL CAT TOPS NON-PRO SECOND GO-ROUND; ELIZABETH QUEEN STILL TOPS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Article and photo b y Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 25, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Jeremy Barwick and Dual Rey Me won the second go-round of the Open Division of the NCHA Finals while Paula Wood and Donas Cool Cat won the Non-Pro.

Less than $9,500 separates Dual Rey Me from Thomas E Hughes in the Open Division of the NCHA World Finals taking place in the Watt Arena of the Will Rogers Coliseum.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 24, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas

Austin Shepard rode Thomas E Hughes to the first go-round championship at the NCHA World Championship Finals.

Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., rode Thomas E Hughes, a High Brow Cat stallion to a whopping 229, winning the first go-round of the NCHA World Finals, held Tuesday, Nov. 24. The only one to outscore the pair was Elizabeth Queen riding Sister CD to a 230 - winning the first go-round of the Non-Pro.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

JUDGE ENTERS JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF NCHA IN GAUGHAN CASE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 23, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
According to the NCHA web site, on Nov. 17, 2009, Fort Worth’s 67th District Court Judge Don Cosby entered a Judgment in favor of the NCHA in the case filed by Paula Gaughan and Dean Sanders against the NCHA, requesting NCHA records.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 23, 2009
International buyers “save the day” at Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale; Cindy Monroe Young gives deceased dad credit for her AQHA World Show win and you can win a Dodge Truck to be given away at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Read more in Breaking News>>

Nov. 19, 2009
PRCA Tie-down roper Miller dies in truck accident; PRCA signs muti-year agreement with Pro-Fantasy Rodeo; Patterson wins NFSR World title.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 18, 2009
Joice Heim killed in car accident, Keeneland Sale still down on Day 8, Painting of Wimpy P-1 brings $120,000 at World Show Sale, Battle In The Saddle to have estimated $340,000 total purse.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 18, 2009 – Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sophisticated Catt and Dont Look Twice topped the Senior and Junior Cutting at the Nov. 5-21 AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City, while April Widman won the Amateur riding SR Instant Tee.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 17, 2009
On Nov. 16, James W. Walker of Walker Sewell LLP, a Dallas, Texas, law firm, petitioned the Supreme Court of Texas, the highest civil appellate court in the state of Texas, to review Lainie Whitmire’s lawsuit against the NCHA.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 13, 2009
Greg Welch’s 1991 NCHA Futurity Championship Trophy buckle stolen; Pat Earnheart is out of the hospital and the prices following the third session of the Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale have rebounded.
Read more in Breaking News>>

KEENELAND NOVEMBER BREEDING STOCK AND FASIG TIPTON KENTUCKY FALL MIXED SALES EXPERIENCE HUGE DECLINES

Nov. 11, 2009 - Lexington, Ky.
Both the first session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, held at the Keeneland sales pavilion in Lexington, and the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Selected Fall Mixed Sale, held later in the day at the Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, experienced huge declines compared to the 2008 sales.
Read more in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 11, 2009
Pat Earnheart remains hospitalized after lung transplant, Mary Williamson, owner of MV Chaps, loses her husband, NCHA membership reaches an all-time high, proceeds from sale of tickets for a Trails West Gate to go to NYCHA, AQHA debuts new horse registration certificate design, and the investigation continues into Equine Piroplasmosis Disease.
Read more in Breaking News>>

SOUTH POINT HOTEL & EQUESTRIAN CENTER MAKES OFFER TO HOLD NCHA FINALS “FREE OF CHARGE”

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 10, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.

The Las Vegas South Point Hotel and Equestrian Center has offered a "free of charge" Year-end Finals for the NCHA.

For the first time in several years, there will be no NCHA Year-end Finals for haulers in all the NCHA classes, except for the Open and Non-Pro – which this year will be held during the NCHA Futurity this month. Steve Stallworth, general manager of the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nev., wants to change that.
Read more in Breaking News>>

MAUNEY WINS 2009 WORLD FINALS AND IS RUNNER-UP FOR THE WORLD TITLE FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Press release courtesy PBR
Nov. 9, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.
The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) crowned Colorado superstar Kody Lostroh, Longmont, Colo., the 2009 PBR World Champion in front of a sold-out Thomas & Mack Center crowd Sunday (Nov. 8) in Las Vegas.
Click for more in Bull Riding News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 9, 2009 – Ogden, Utah
Have we turned the corner with the downward trend in limited aged events? Current shows are showing an upward trend – at least in the West. Most recently, the Utah CHA/Marker Futurity & Aged Event, held in Ogden, Utah, Nov. 3-7, continued that upward trend.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

DID YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU BUY A FEED OR HAY CART, YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR A $5,335 TAX CREDIT?

Nov. 8, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Electric golf carts that horse operations use for feed and hay carts are now eligible for a hefty tax rebate of up to $5,335 if they qualify for as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) and are purchased - and delivery takes place - prior to Dec 31.
Click here for more information>>

Nov. 8, 2009
With the 2009 PBR Finals now history, the association is already looking forward a year to the 2010 Finals. In an effort to allow fans to attend the event in its entirety, the PBR has decided to move the 2010 World Finals up a week and hold it five days in a row - Oct. 20-24.
Click here for more in PBR News>>

Nov. 8, 2009 - Kingsburg, Calif.

Smart Peppy Doc, a full brother to Smart Little Lena, was put down at age 24. He had been standing at the Ward River Ranch.

Ward River Ranch stallion, Smart Peppy Doc, was euthanized on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 at the age of 24, due to the infirmities of old age.
Click here for Who, What, When>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 7, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
With seven sales scheduled during the NCHA Futurity, the days should be shorter, as the consignments numbers are down considerably. Held daily for six consecutive days, from Tuesday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 13, the seven sales have 1,027 consignments, compared to the 1,456 consigned in 2008 – a drop of 429 head.
Click here for more in Sales>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 4, 2009 – Ardmore, Okla.
When Susie Reed decided to “go it alone” and produce her own consignment performance sale at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Okla., she really didn’t know what to expect. But when the final gavel had fallen on the 234 consignments at the Marketplace at Ardmore Sale, 187 (83 percent) of the 225 horse that actually went through the ring, netted $1,109,450 for a $5,933 average. Only 38 were passed out (not sold).
Click here for more in Sales>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 4, 2009
Kathy Lee Shaughnessy, Co-Director of the Charles Goodnight Gala, dies at age 58 and the original painting by Orren Mixer of Wimpy P-1 will be auctioned off Sunday, Nov. 15 during the AQHA World Show Sale.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 3, 2009

It was 1986 and at the NCHA World Finals, Bob and I watched as Greg Welch showed Haidas Little Pep in the final go-round. The result was history-in-the making as they had scored a 230 – the highest score ever earned by a cutting horse. The 29-year-old stallion died on Monday, Oct. 26.
Click for more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 2, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.

Dustin Adams won the Championship and Reserve title at the PCCHA Futurity. He is shown with his wife Deena.

The PCCHA Futurity & Cutting Stakes, held Oct. 22-Nov. 1 in Paso Robles, Calif., came to a halt on Sunday, Nov. 1, with Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, finishing 1-2 in the Non-Pro Futurity. But his 217 winning run on WSR Clays Freckles, a gelding by San Tules Freckles out of Clays Little Peppy by Peppy San Badger was bittersweet as he was the great mare’s last foal before she died.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Nov. 2, 2009 – Bossier City, La.
With over 25,000 residents of Bossier City urged to evacuate due to levees being threatened by rising storm water, Louisiana Downs evacuated approximately 250 horses.
Click for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 1, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.

Tim Smith won the PCCHA Cutting Futurity and $28,879 paycheck riding Flo Like A Cat, owned by Bill Banner, Galt, Calif.

To win the PCCHA Cutting Futurity you need to be more than lucky. This year, you needed to be the highest money-earning rider at PCCHA major events – and lucky. With lifetime earnings of over $4.3 million and over $1 million won in PCCHA aged events, Tim Smith, Temecula, Calif., rode Flo Like A Cat to the Futurity Championship.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

STACY SHEPARD WINS CLASSIC/CHALLENGE WITH MH SAN TULES DUALLY AND PATRICK COLLINS AND OH CAY FELIX TAKE RESERVE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 1, 2009 – Jackson, Miss.

Stacy Shepard wins Classic/Challenge at Southern riding MH San Tules Dually. Her husband, Austin, also won the event's Open Futurity title.

When the lights went out at the Southern Futurity, held Oct. 27-31 in Jackson, Miss., two 6-year-olds were closing out their illustrious aged-event careers.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 30, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.

Kory and Jessica Pounds shown with Cats Quixote Jack, the winner of the PCCHA Classic/Challenge.

Cats Quixote Jack may be competing during his final aged-event show, but he hasn’t slowed down a bit. Ridden by Kory Pounds for Steve and Michelle Anderson, Weatherford, Texas, the 6-year-old High Brow Cat stallion boosted his lifetime earnings close to $273,200 with their $12,289 paycheck from the 78-entry PCCHA Open Classic/Challenge.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

SEAN FLYNN WINS DERBY ON SMART FROSTY CAT; RL CHARTIER AND WOOD I NEVER TOP CLASSIC

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 30, 2009 – Jackson, Miss.

Austin Shepard won the Southern Futurity riding Starstruck Ichi.

Inching closer to the $4 million mark in lifetime earnings, Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., rode Starstruck Ichi to a 224, topping the 42-entry Open 3-Year-Old Futurity at the Southern Cutting Futurity & Aged Event, held Oct. 27-31 in Jackson, Miss.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Oct. 29, 2009
The Chickasaw Nation buys Lone Star Park License after submitting the $47.8 million bid. Also, by looking at the results from two recent Thoroughbred sales, the big fall in sale prices may be over. This could be an indicator of upcoming cutting horse sales.
Click here for more in Misc. News>>

WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, CONSIDERING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-USE ARENA THAT COULD ATTRACT CUTTING COMPETITION AND SALES

Aug. 28, 2009 - Weatherford, Texas
According to a Sept. 19 article in the Weatherford Democrat, the city of Weatherford is considering the building of a multi-use arena consisting of 6,000 fixed seats plus a number of luxury suites, private boxes, premium seating, retail office space, convention space, and a hotel.
Read more in Breaking News>>

S. DAVID PLUMMER, HIS SON SPENCER AND TERRY GREEN PLEAD GUILTY IN CONSPIRACY CHARGES

Oct. 27, 2009 - Portland, Ore.
According to an Associated Press article, Federal authorities say three men have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in a scheme that allowed wealthy people to get tax benefits from investments in thoroughbred horse breeding. The U.S. attorney's office for Oregon said Monday the scheme cost the federal government $200 million in tax revenue.
Click here for more in Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 26, 2009
A group of friends of Bill Freeman have decided to present an annual trophy to be presented to an individual who "strives for excellence," as determined by a committee. The award will be given annually at the NCHA Futurity.
Click here for further information>>

KORY POUNDS RIDES CATS QUIXOTE JACK TO CLASSIC/CHALLENGE TOP SCORE IN FIRST GO-ROUND

Photos by Midge Ames and Sheri Forrest
Oct. 26, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.

Kory Pounds topped tops first go-round of Open Class/Challenge riding Cats Quixote Jack.

Kory Pounds, Lipan, Texas, topped the first round of the 74-entry PCCHA Classic Challenge riding Cats Quixote Jack, owned by Steve and Michelle Anderson. The event is being held in Paso Robles, Calif., from Oct. 22-Nov. 1 and is the last major event on the West Coast prior to the NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

PHIL AND MARY ANN RAPP COLLECT OVER $193,450 AFTER TAKING 31 HORSES TO LAS VEGAS

Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 25, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.
What a difference six months make. Last spring, Paula Gaughan had to cancel her South Point aged event due to lack of entries. On Oct. 19 she ended her South Point Futurity & Aged Event with the MillionHeir Classic included, with so many entries that the judges often worked until midnight.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Amateur Teresa Gillock, cutting in her home city of Las Vegas, was the highest money earner on a single horse, winning $76,867.

With only one year left in the MillionHeir Classic, a stallion program started by Wes Adams, a contractor from Las Vegas, this year’s event featured four divisions including 81 entries and a $679,500 total purse – with $600,000 of the purse being added money. Next year’s event will include only the Challenge Non-Pro and Amateur for 6-year-olds.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

605 ENTRIES VYE FOR $340,099; $22,100 BONUS MONEY ADDED

Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 25, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.

Phil Rapp not only won the South Point Futurity riding Iced Out, owned by Ray Baldwin;. he won $56,985.57 on nine horses at the South Point/MillionHewir event.

The 2009 South Point Futurity & Aged Event, held Oct. 12-19 in the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas was an unexpected raging success. With the MillionHeir Classic held within the show, it meant that 686 entries had to show in go-rounds and finals during eight days – making for long days – with some going until after midnight.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

MANDY MCCUTCHEON TAKES NON-PRO TITLE
Oct. 25, 2009 – Ardmore, Okla.
It’s known as “Where the Finest Go First,” and on Oct. 24, the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity held in Ardmore, Okla., lived up to its reputation as one of the best previews for future stars.
Click here for rest of story>>

At the 2007 National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity, Shining Spark made history as the first NRCHA $2 Million sire. Two years later, he became the association's first $3 Million sire - and he did it before any other horse could reach the $2 Million mark.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 16, 2009 – Whitt, Texas
It was the first sunny day residents of North Texas had seen in weeks and it was the first sunny day the cutting horse sale industry has seen in a couple of years. It was Jim Vangilder’s Rock Creek Ranch Complete Dispersal Sale, held Friday, Oct. 16 at the ranch outside of Whitt, Texas.
Click for rest of story in Sales>>

BILL CREATES THE TEXAS EQUINE INCENTIVE PROGRAM WITHIN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT AGRICULTURE

PROGRAM TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR HORSE OWNERS TO BREED AND SHOW THEIR HORSES IN TEXAS

Oct. 13, 2009 – Austin, Texas
Whether or not you’re a stallion owner, you need to know about the passage of House Bill 1881 that was passed during the 81st Texas Regular Legislative Session creating the Texas Equine Incentive Program (TEIP) within the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).
Read more in Breaking News>>

Oct. 12, 2009 – Loveland, Colo.

Tommy Marvin won the Open Futurity riding MK Fancy Sonia.

When asked their thoughts on the class and payout format at the Rocky Mountain Aged Event held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at The Ranch in Loveland, Colo., the mantra was GREAT! Oh, except Nate Miller from Lamar, Colo., who called it “Fantastic.” The event attracted participants from 12 states and paid out over $90,000.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Oct. 11, 2009
Joe Heim, Thackerville, Okla., an NCHA Triple Crown Champion and a member of the NCHA Rider Hall Of Fame, will be offering custom-designed training and showing courses at his ranch specifically geared for intermediate to advanced riders, non-pros and trainers.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

Oct. 10, 2009 - Billings, Mont.
A whopping 1,211 head of horses - loaded the horse sale superstore at Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale and “Fall Rope Horse Special” Sept. 25-27.
Click for article in Sale Section>>

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER MEETING:
Oct. 10, 2009
Several items recommended by Standing Committees following the 2009 NCHA Convention in Denver, were voted on by the Executive Committee which met Sept. 22-23 in Fort Worth, Texas. Click on the following link to read the new rules coming from the meeting.
Click here for new rules>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 10, 2009 – Columbus, Ohio
Even though Playin Stylish, the 1999 NCHA Horse of the Year, winner of the 1999 NCHA Open Super Stakes, earner of close to $119,000 and sire of offspring earning close to $2.6 million, died in 2008, he was a star at the aged-event cuttings held during the 2009 All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 2-8.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

PEPTOBOONSMAL TO STAND AT ESMS ON THE BRAZOS IN WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, FOR THE 2010 BREEDING SEASON

Oct. 9, 2009 – Weatherford, Texas

Peptoboonsmal, a leading performance horse sire, will stand the 2010 breeding season at ESMS On the Brazos, a new facility located in Weatherford, Texas.

Peptoboonsmal, one of the leading sires of performance horses, owned by Jackson Land and Cattle, LLC, will stand the 2010 season at ESMS on the Brazos, a new facility in Weatherford, Texas. ESMS on the Brazos, Equine Reproduction Center & Fertility Lab, is the newest division of Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery.
Click for more in Who, What, When>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 5, 2009 – Reno, Nev.

Boyd Rice, Spearman, Texas, was Reserve Champion after qualifying two horses for the Open Finals of the NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity, takng home $107,500.

Zane Davis and Reymanator, a Dual Rey gelding may have taken home the top Open Division prize of $100,000 from the 2009 National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity, and veteran Non-Pro Champion Anne Reynolds, riding Shiney And Very Smart, may have collected this year’s Non-Pro winning check of $22,300. However, the cutting industry faired exceptionally well during the event, held Sept. 21–Oct. 4 in Reno, Nev., with five regular cutters earning over $167,500.
Click for more in Industry News>>

WHY WAS THE PAYOUT AT THE NCHA SUMMER SPECTACULAR LESS THAN 2008?

THE NCHA RESPONDS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 3, 2009
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had several people call and e-mail me, asking why the payout from the 2009 NCHA Summer Spectacular was so much less than it was in 2008. After I had been asked several times, and didn’t know the answer, I thought I would check into it.
Read more in Features>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
Oct. 3, 2009
For most people their entanglement with the IRS ends at the audit phase: Taxpayers will often cave in and pay whatever the IRS says they owe, or worse, accept the IRS agent’s determination that their ranch, farm or horse venture is not run “for profit,” and that their deductions are disallowed.
Click here to read rest of article>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz - Photos by Ted Petit
Sept. 28, 2009 – Rancho Murieta, Calif.

Hayden Upton, 28, an equine chiropractor from New South Wales, Australia, wins his first Non-Pro Futurity riding home-trained Shez Cat Actin.

Hayden Upton, 28, a horseman and equine chiropractor from New South Wales, Australia, snared his first cutting futurity championship when he won the Non-Pro Futurity held during the El Rancho Futurity, Sept. 16-26 in Rancho Murieta, Calif.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Sept. 28, 2009
The number of rodeos a tie-down roping contestant can count toward his world standings in 2010 was raised from 70 to 100 by the PRCA, the All American ProRodeo Series will include more than 450 rodeos in 2010 and Trevor Brazile is well ahead of where he was in 2007 toward a single-season earnings record.
Click here for rest of story in Rodeo News>>

Sept. 28, 2009
The Toughest Sport on Earth will head to Arlington, Texas, for the largest event in PBR history. The Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) tour will invade the brand-new, world-class Cowboys Stadium in February 2010.
Click here for rest of story in Rodeo News>>

Sept. 27,2009
Recently an article came out in Americas Horse Daily, an online publication of the AQHA, which addresses the effects of AQHA allowing multiple embryos from a single mare, that went into effect in 2003, has had on the industry as a whole - as well as the cutting horse industry.
Click here for more in Misc News>>

ZANE DAVIS, WINNER OF NSHA FUTURITY LEADS FIELD OF OPEN FINALISTS AT NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY

Sept. 26, 2009 – Reno, Nev.
Leading the field of 25 Open finalists into the finals of the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity, held Sept. 21-Oct. 4 in Reno, Nev., are Zane Davis and Reymanator, a Dual Rey gelding owned by John Semanik, Jacksonville, Fla.
Click for more in Industry News>>

PIEPER PRODUCTION SALE INCLUDES BROODMARES, YEARLINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS BY TOP STALLIONS

Sept. 27, 2009
Dick and Brenda Pieper, Marietta, Okla., and the owners of the legendary versatile sire Playgun, will include several well-bred broodmares, yearlings and 2-year-old prospects WITHOUT RESERVE during their production sale held within the Marketplace at Ardmore Sale, Saturday, Oct. 31 in Ardmore, Okla.
Click here for sale flyer>>
Click here for list of horses>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 23, 2009 – Wayne, Okla.
It was the first time in my memory that three major breeders got together to have a sale and agreed that all the horses put in the sale would be “absolute sales.” It was by no means a dispersal sale and all sellers agreed that there would be no reserves, no buy backs and no games.
Click here for more in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 23, 2009
The Fall Collection Sale was held Saturday, Sept. 19 at Dan Churchill's ranch outside of Wayne, Okla., and the Weaver Quarter Horse Sale was held Saturday, Sept. 19 in Great Falls, Mont. Upcoming sales include the Dick and Brenda Pieper Production Sale held during the Marketplace at Ardmore Sale in Ardmore, Okla., Oct. 31 and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales held Oct. 1-3 in Reno, Nev.
Click here for more in Sale Section>>

JULIE HANSMA WINS NON-PRO DERBY AND KAYLA NORRIS WINS 5/6-YEAR-OLD NON-PRO AND AMATEUR

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 22, 2009 – Franklin, Tenn.

Chad Bushaw, WEatherford, Texas, won $46,884, or 25 percent of all the money paid out in Music City's Non-Pro classes.

The Music City Futurity and Aged event belonged to Non-Pro Chad Bushaw this year!. The stockbroker from Weatherford, Texas, netted him paychecks on six horses he rode in all three Non-Pro divisions totaling $46,884, or 25 percent of all the money paid out in the show’s Non-Pro classes.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Sept. 22, 2009
Total sales are down 42.4 percent at Keeneland's Yearling sale; Louisiana Yearling Sale is extended to two days and DNA Typing is urgedin South Florida due to the butchering of horses.
Click here for more in Industry News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 21, 2009 – Rancho Murieta, Calif.

Phil Hanson was the winningest rider at the El Rancho Futurity & Aged Event, winning over $33,666 on four horses.

Phil Hanson left the El Rancho Futurity & Aged event, held Sept.16-26 in Rancho Murieta, Calif., with $33,666.67 in winnings – making him the winningest Open rider during the five days of Open division competition.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

EVEN WITH FOUR MILLION-DOLLAR YEARLINGS AND THE LAST FULL CROP OF STORM CAT OFFSPRING

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 19, 2009
Even with four yearlings selling for seven digits by Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Keeneland September Yearling Sale continues to experience dramatic year-to-year plummeting prices.
Click for more in Sales>>

Sept. 19, 2009
Charles G. Maynard, 60, Stanfield, Ariz., whose passion was raising, training and ridding cutting horses, passed away on Sept. 12 in Denver, Colo. He was 60.
Click for more in Who, What, Where>>

Sept. 19, 2009
Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), has announced that he will retire Dec. 31, ending his nearly seven-year tenure with the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency.
Click for more in Who, What, Where>>

Sept. 19, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas
Beginning at the 2013 APHA Fall World Championship Paint Horse Show, cutting will be added to the Breeders’ Futurity line-up for eligible 3-year-old horses. This will be a great opportunity for your Breeders’ Trust-nominated foal to earn cold, hard cash! A 4-year-old Futurity will begin in 2014 when these foals reach that age.
Read more in Late-Breaking News>>

AQHA OFFERS REDUCED RATE ON REGISTRATIONS FOR AMERICAN QUARTER HORSES 3 AND OLDER

Reprint from America’s Horse
Sept. 19, 2009
If you’ve had the paperwork laying around for a couple of years on your American Quarter Horse and just never got around to getting it registered so you have papers to prove it, now is the time to preserve the pedigree of your treasured equine friend!
Read more in Industry News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 17, 2009 – Franklin, Tenn.

Austin Shepard won the 59-entry Music City Futurity riding Starstruck Ichi owned by Scott Chabert, Cut Off, La.

Starstruck Ichi, a mare by Cat Ichi, bred by Lucio Ferrarini from Italy, currently owned by Scott Chabert, Cut Off, La., and ridden by Austin Shepard, won the 59-entry Music City Futurity being held Sept. 12-20 in Franklin, Tenn. Metallic Cat wins the Derby and Cats Little Tank takes Classic/Challenge.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 15, 2009
I will be comparing the payout of the 2008-2009 NCHA Summer Spectacular in my next E-Newsletter; the Music City and El Rancho futurities and the ACHA World Show are in full swing; the Fall Collection Sale will be held this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Dan Churchill's Circle C Ranch in Oklahoma; the news from Keeneland's largest yearling sale is not good, and some cutters have moved, are recuperating or are under the weather.
Read more in Late-Breaking News>>

NON-PROS JIMMY AND TERRYE KEMP LEAVE IDAHO CHA FUTURITY & AGED EVENT WITH THE MOST MONEY

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 12, 2009 – Nampa, Idaho
The largest total paycheck of $28,906.50 from the ICHA Futurity and Aged Event, held Sept. 1-9 in Nampa, Idaho, went to Jimmy and Terrye Kemp – a Non-Pro and Amateur couple from Eastland, Texas.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 12, 2009

Jimmy Kemp

Jimmy Kemp, Eastland, Texas, who will turn 65 on his next birthday, was born into the horse industry. His father, James E. Kemp, owned such great cow horses as Commander King, Hollywood Bill and Leo San, and although he didn’t cut himself, he knew good cow horses when he saw them - and didn’t shirk from buying them. If he were alive today, he'd be proud of his son who has won close to $1 million in the cutting arena.
Click for more in Who, What, Where>>

Press release from America’s Horse
Sept. 11, 2009
Haythorn Ranch Co. of Maxwell, Neb., has been named the 2009 winner of the AQHA-Bayer Best Remuda Award, which honors working ranches that have top remudas of saddle horses.
Click for more in Industry News>>

Sept. 10, 2009
The American Horse Council announced yesterday that the U.S. Senate passed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (S.1023) introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND). This bill could benefit tourism involving the horse industry.
click for more in Breaking News>>

Sept. 10, 2009 – Reno, Nev.
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, slated for Sept. 20 – Oct. 4, will continue its reign as the largest and most elite reined cow horse competition in the world when it converges on the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nev.
Click here for more in cowhorse news>>

Press release from the PRCA
Sept. 10, 2009
Trevor Brazile collects two more all-around titles, putting him ahead of his 2007 pace; Jade Corkill breaks reagular-season earnings record for heelers; bullfighter Lloyd Ketchum recovering from back surgery; PRCA cowboys to help build Habitat House and benefits held for some members.
Click here for Rodeo News>>

The Associated Press
Sept. 7, 2009
Actor Tom Selleck has been awarded more than $187,000 after a California jury found the actor was duped into buying a lame horse.
Read more in Late-Breaking News>>

Release courtesy of the PRCA
Sept. 6, 2009 - Ellensburg, Wash.
The answer is Cody Hancock. The question was, who was going to emerge as the Xtreme Bulls year-end champion in a season of parity?
Click here for Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 4, 2009 – Sulphur Springs, Texas

Guy Woods rode SDP Lil Ichi Maddie for the EE Ranches to the Futurity title at the Western Sports Futurity.

SDP Lil Ichi Maddie, a daughter of Cat Ichi, owned by Jo Ellard’s EE Ranches, Inc., Whitesboro, Texas, and ridden by her trainer Guy Woods, topped the Open Futurity at the Western Sports Futurity held Aug. 26-30 at the Hopkins Civic Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Sept. 2, 2009 - Billings, Mont.
Popular pedigreed performance packages - with heavy emphasis on barrel and speed bred horses - gave a strong boost to the market at Billings Livestock’s August Catalog Sale held Aug. 22-23.
.Click for more in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 2, 2009
New York City Off-Track-Betting has filed for bankruptcy, while the Fasig-Tipton Texas Summer Yearling Sale loses in all divisions except median, which was up by $500.
Click for more in Industry News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 2, 2009
Randy Holman, riding SDP Tell Me Kitty for Dave and Sandy Sabey to a 217, topped the first go-round of Derby, held during the Idaho Aged Event, Sept. 1-9 in Nampa, Idaho. Phil Hanson, scoring a 221 riding Rubys Royal CD for Frank and Bonnie Martin, topped the Classic/Challenge.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Sept 2, 2009
Susie Wilson, the wife of three-time NCHA President and 1991 NCHA World Champion Sam Wilson, Pattison, Texas, passed away on Tuesday morning, Sept. 1 at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

Sept. 1, 2009
The Cowan Ranch Sale will be held Sept. 5 in Spearfish, S.D., while the horses carrying the ranch brands of 6666, Beggs, Pitchfork and Tongue River will be part of the 2009 Return to the Remuda Sale hosted at the Tongue River Ranch in Guthrie, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 26.
.Click for more in Sale Section>>

Sept. 2, 2009
Members of Team USA came from behind to claim the 2009 World Cup title and bragging rights for another year. The event was held in Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 28-30.
Click here for PBR News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 29, 2009
It will be the opportunity of the year – the opportunity to purchase some of the industry’s best show horses, prospects, broodmares, a 437-acre ranch and equipment - at the Rock Creek Ranch Complete Dispersal, Oct. 16 at Jim Vangilder’s Rock Creek Ranch.
Click for more in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 29, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
The deadline for inclusion in the 2009 NCHA Futurity sales Sale catalog is Oct. 10.
Click for more in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 29, 2009
As a sign that the Thoroughbred industry has more financial problems than the horse sale market, Thoroughbred Times today has reported that the New York City Off-Track Betting is five months behind on payments to the New York Breeding and Development Fund, delaying payments to the members of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. to the tune of $1.5 million.
Click for more in Industry News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 28, 2009 – Ft. Klamath, Ore.

Tim Smith wins the Mebane Ranch Festival Open Derby riding Ragtime CD Cat.

It’s not over until it’s over. And when it comes to Tim Smith, that statement is more than true. The Temecula, Calif., trainer reaffirmed that statement at the Mebane Ranch Festival Aug. 27 by winning the Open Derby Finals riding Ragtime CD Cat.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Aug. 27, 2009
The NCHA has followed the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) by instigating a much-needed medication policy for horses while they are on the show grounds.
Click here for Late-Breaking News>>

Aug. 26, 2009
Performance Horse Magazine, one of the equine publications owned by Morris Publishing, will cease publication with the current issue.
Click here for Late-Breaking News>>

Aug. 26, 2009 – Jacksboro, Texas
Services for Carlos Banuelos will be held Friday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Ascencion and Tiffany Banuelos’ ranch in Jacksboro, Texas, where he will be buried. All friends, customers and acquaintances are invited to attend.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

Aug. 26, 2009
Due to ongoing contract negotiations, DirectV is planning on dropping Versus from their schedule when their contract with the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR) ends on Aug. 31.
Click here for Late-Breaking News>>

Aug. 26, 2009 - Amarillo, Texas
Entries for the 2009 AQHA Bayer Select World Championship Show showed gains over 2008 numbers with 1,217 for 2009 compared to 1,167 for 2008. Ranch sorting has the largest number of entries with 89 teams slated to compete.
Click here for Late-Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 25, 2009 – Ft. Klamath, Ore.

Morgan Cromer wins the Mebane Futurity riding Southpaw.

Morgan Cromer, Los Olivos, Calif., scored a 220, outscoring the 90 other entries, riding Southpaw, owned by Carl and Dotti Napier, Bakersfield, Calif., in the Mebane Ranch Open Futurity Finals. In the Open Classic/Challenge, Cromer's mentor, Russ Westfall, topped the 35-entry Open Classic/Challenge field riding Lil Bit Reckless.
.Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 25, 2009 – Jacksboro, Texas
Cutting horse trainer, Carlos Banuelos, 34, was found deceased at 7 a.m. this morning at his ranch outside of Jacksboro, Texas.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 25, 2009 – Ft Klamath, Ore.
With the Mebane Ranch Festival in full swing, the two go-rounds of the Open Futurity and 5/6-Year-Old Open Classic/Challenge are completed.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

JAY MCLAUGHLIN AND CAROL ROSE TEAM UP TO WIN SWRCHA FUTURITY, DERBY, STALLION STAKES

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 24, 2009 – Ardmore, Okla.
The team of Jay McLaughlin and Carol Rose, Gainesville, Texas, teamed up to win the Futurity and the Derby held during the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Summer Classic, held Aug.20-23 in Ardmore, Okla.
Click for more in Reined Cow Horse News>>

Aug. 24, 2009
Trevor Brazile is $94,164 ahead of the closest competitor for the PRCA All-Around title; and Yellow Jacket, fomer Bucking Bull of the Year dies of natural causes on Aug. 6 at the Milt Bradford Ranch in Weatherford, Texas.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 24, 2009- Amarillo, Texas

Paula Wood won the Non-Pro Derby riding Chita Blue Star.

Paula Wood, riding Chita Blue Star, captured the 47-entry Non-Pro Derby title at the West Texas Futurity, held Aug. 17-23 in Amarillo, Texas, while Alvin Fults, riding Tassa Cat, won the 54-entry Non-Pro Classic, and Dustin Adams, riding Palefaced Hickory, took home the first-place check in the 10-entry Non-Pro Futurity.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Aug. 22, 2009

Dean Parker, 78, Logan, Utah, a well-known auctioneer and the owner of Dean H. Parker & Associates, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 22, 2009 – Amarillo, Texas
Lloyd Cox and Phil Rapp came out on top during the West Texas Futurity & Derby held Thursday and Friday, Aug. 20-21 in Amarillo, Texas.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 20, 2009 – Amarillo, Texas
Moms Stylish Scoot, won the 73-entry 5/6-Year-Old West Texas Open Classic Finals held yesterday, scoring a 222 in the 20-entry finals.
Click here for more in Major Events>>

Aug. 20, 2009
Raley Mae Radomske, 18, daughter of Harland and Jody Radomske, Ellensburg, Wash., recently had a couple of good days. she is in therapy, where her speech is returning and the paralysis on her right side is subsiding. However, the best news is that the tumor is not cancerous.
Click here for her posting on CaringBridge>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
August 18, 2009
While trainers are usually competing against each other, there is a new working product available for cutting and cow horse trainers that a lot of them are in agreement on.
Click here for balance of article>>

Aug. 18, 2009
The AQHA has announced that they have approved three objectives regarding the Association’s Animal Welfare Working Group. The first included a written commitment to be signed by the AQHA and its alliance partners, which includes the National Cutting Horse Association.
Click here to see entire AQHA article>>

Aug. 18, 2009
The Casey Tibbs museum has ribbon cutting and $100,000 is raised for a 3-month-old son of steer wrestler Jesse Peterson, Dillon, Mont.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

RALEY MAE RADOMSKE OUT OF SECOND SURGERY

Aug. 16, 2009 – Phoenix, Ariz.
On Friday, Aug. 14, Raley Mae Radomske, the 18-year-old daughter of Harland and Jody Radomske, Ellensburg, Wash., had a second surgery to take out the rest of her brain tumor.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

Aug. 13, 2009
With there no longer being any legal horse slaughter in the United States, the practice has taken a weird turn. On Aug. 12, CNN reported that 19 horses had been reported butchered in Southeast Florida since January.
Click for more in Late-Breaking News>>

Aug. 12, 2009
The surgery to remove a tumor from the skull of Raley Mae Radomske was completed on Monday, Aug. 10; however, the doctors informed Raley’s parents, Harland and Jody Radomske, Ellensburg, Wash., that the surgery was more intertwined within the brain than the scans had shown.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

DAN CHURCHILL'S CIRCLE C RANCH SALE SCHEDULED FOR SEPT. 19; SUSIE REED'S NEW MARKETPLACE AT ARDMORE SALE, OCT. 31

Aug. 12, 2009 - WEatherford, Texas
Three new sales are scheduled for this fall: the Circle C Ranch Production/Reduction Sale, Sept. 19; The Jim Vangilder Dispersal Sale, Oct. 16 and Susie Reed's Market Place at Ardmore Sale on Oct. 31.
Click here for more in sale section>>

Aug. 12, 2009
Former Thomas & Mack Executive Director dies at 62; Rodeo Contractor and NFR qualifier Bernis johnson has h eart attack and former NIRA Executive Secretary Corfield dies.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 9, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas
To say the least, the 2009 NCHA Summer Spectacular Sale, held Aug. 1, in the John Justin Arena, during the NChA Summer Spectacular was "surprising." After the sale was over, some in attendance remarked how great the sale was, while others claimed it was a disaster. As it turned out, it wasn't either - it was both!
Click here for more in sale section>>

HORSE OWNERS URGED TO CONTINUE CHECKING WITH STATES OF DESTINATION BEFORE HAULING LIVESTOCK

Aug. 9, 2009
Texas Animal health officials have lifted a quarantine on a ranch in Starr County, where horses have recovered from vesicular stomatitis (VS), a virus that occurs sporadically in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and other western states.
Click for me in breaking news>>

Aug. 6, 2009
Raley Mae Radomske, 18, the daughter of Harland and Jody Radomske, Ellensburg, Wash., has been diagnosed with a brain tumor too large to radiate, that must be surgically removed.
Click here for more in Who, What, Where>>

BILLINGS LIVESTOCK MID-SUMMER JULY SPECIAL SALE AVERAGES $11,625 ON TOP 10

Aug. 6, 2009 - Billings, Mont.

Head, heel or rope calves, Hip 169 “Dealer From Reno” a 2001 AQHA sorrel gelding x Reminic was the complete package. Owned and shown by 11 time NFR qualifier, Brent Lewis, Eloy, AZ the good gelding sold to Don Ramsour, Casper, WY for $8,000.

Headlined by some of the most noted and winning programs in the horse industry, Billings Livestock’s “Mid-Summer Special Catalog Sale” July 25-26 ran full tilt.
Click here for article in Sales>>

By Alan Taylor
Aug. 6, 2009 - Murfressboro, Tenn.
Watch, listen, click, bid and buy that perfect horse from your home. Professional Auction Services (PAS) presents its 2009 Southeast Summer Sale on Aug. 8, 2009.
Click here for article in Sales>>

MATT BOHAN HOME FROM HOSPITAL
SUFFERS CONCUSSION AND FACIAL FRACTURES DURING PBR EVENT
Aug, 6, 2009 - Pueblo, Colo.
Matt Bohon, a 25-year-old PBR bull rider from Cole Camp, Mo., was released from the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and returned home Tuesday night following a three-hour surgery for a concussion and facial fractures.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

AUSTRALIAN REINING FUTURITY TO BE WEBCAST

Aug. 4, 2009
Like Reining? The Australian Reining Futurity, held Aug. 5-8, will be webcast for the first time this year. Go to www.nothingbutreining.com to see the webcast.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 4, 2009
There’s an old saying that things happen in three’s, and Paige Strawn, Mt. Vernon, Ill., has discovered that could be true. During the past two weeks, she has lost three horses, with the latest being the royally bred and well-known 1980 gelding Oak Hombre, sired by Docs Oak out of Queen of King by King Skeet.
Click for more in Who, What, Where>>

SOUTH POINT SHOW WILL INCLUDE THREE DAYS OF OPEN CUTTING CLASSES PRIOR TO OCT. 12-19 SHOW

Aug. 3, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.
The South Point Futurity and aged events will include three days of Open cuttings held the three days prior to their aged-event show held Oct. 12-19.
Click here for Major Events>>

Aug. 4, 2009 – Reno, Nev.
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, slated for Sept. 20 – Oct. 4, will continue its reign as the largest and most elite reined cow horse competition in the world when it converges on the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nev.
Click here for more in Reined Cow Horse News>>

Aug. 4, 2009
BRAZILE HAS EYE ON EARNINGS RECORD
After a week of driving back and forth through Kansas wheat fields, harvesting money at every stop, Trevor Brazile finds himself ahead of the pace he set in 2007 when he broke the PRCA single-season earnings record.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

THIRD CUTTING AND BOYD RICE CLAIM THIRD JEWEL IN TRIPLE CROWN; WIN NCHA SUMMER SPECTACULAR OPEN DERBY

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 2, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
It’s been a dual between two of the best young horses in the industry – the NCHA Triple Crown – the Open division of the NCHA Futurity, Super Stakes and Derby. Tonight, Third Cutting, a stallion by Boonlight Dancer out of Crab Grass by Smart Little Lena, ridden by Boyd Rice, closed the book by winning the finals of the third and final event – the NCHA Summer Spectacular Derby.
Click here for Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 1, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas

Paul Hansma, winner of the Open semifinals, shown with owners Christy and Dub Leeth.

The "young guns" had to take their places behind three of the "old-timers" in the industry during the semifinals of the NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Derby, held Saturday, Aug. 1 in Will Rogers Coliseum.
Click here for Major Events>>

BRANDON DUFURRENA RIDES MISS ELLA REY TO A WHOPPING 225 TO WIN THE NON-PRO DERBY SEMIFINALS AT NCHA SUMMER SPECTACULAR

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 31, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Brandon Dufurrena topped the Non-Pro Derby semifinals riding Miss Ella Rey.

Eclipsing the rest of the 51-horse field, Brandon Dufurrena, Gainesville, Texas, rode Miss Ella Rey, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Huggs Olena by Smart Chic Olena to a whopping 225 and the top of the Non-Pro Derby semifinals held Friday, July 31.
Click here for Major Events>>

MARY ANN RAPP RIDES AMANDA STARLENA TO TOP SPOT FOLLOWING TWO GO-ROUNDS IN NON-PRO DERBY

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 30, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Mary Ann Rapp finished first and in a tie for fourth following two go-rounds of the Non-Pro Derby at the NCHA Summer Spectacular.

Top non-pro rider Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, rode Amanda Starlena, a daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Amanda Stargun by Playgun that Mary Ann and her husband, Phil, bred and raised, to the top two go-round score of 434.5 during the NCHA Summer Spectacular Non-Pro Derby.
Click here for Major Events>>

CAROL ROSE, STRETCH BRADLEY AND SCOOP VESSELS TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE 2010 AQHA HALL OF FAME

July 30, 2009 – Amarillo, Texas
Carol Rose, a three-time NCHA Non-Pro World Champion, the first woman to make it into the NCHA Futurity finals and a top breeder of World Champion horses, will be one of three individuals and three horses inducted into the 2010 AQHA Hall of Fame scheduled to be held with the AQHA Convention, March 5-8 in Kissimmee, Fla.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 29, 2009
Effective July 23, Peptoboonsmal, one of the performance horse industry’s leading sires, has been relocated by his owners, Richard Fields’ Jackson Land & Cattle LLC, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Click for more in Who, What>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 27, 2009
On July 23, the Court of Appeals in the Second District of Texas, issued its ruling on the Trial Court Case between Lainie Whitmire vs. the National Cutting Horse Association. The Summary Judgment of the trial court was affirmed in part by the appeals court, while another part was reversed.
Click here for article in Breaking News>>

PAUL HANSMA AND AUSTIN SHEPARD TIE FOR OPEN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE;
MICHELLE ANDERSON TOPS NON-PRO DIVISION

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 24, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Twelve days into the NCHA Summer Spectacular, held July 13-Aug. 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, top trainers Paul Hansma and Austin Shepard tied for the championship of the Open Classic/Challenge. In the Non-Pro Division, Michelle Anderson took home top honors.
Click here for Major Events>>

July 24, 2009
Dennis Lester, son of Don and Netha Lester of the Southridge Ranch, Canby, Ore., passed away after an extended illness on June 29, 2009.
Click for more in Who, What>>

July 24, 2009 – Lexington, Ky.
Commercial breeders and pinhookers had a rough row to hoe during the Fasig-Tipton July Sale of Select Yearlings, held Monday and Tuesday, July 20-21 in Lexington, Kentucky
Click for more in Sales>> .

AGES OF CHAMPIONS, WAYNE SURVANT AND DOC CITA, ADD UP TO 106 YEARS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 18, 2009 – Colorado Springs, Colo.
A “Century Cutting,” consisting of two cutters and their mounts whose ages added up to over 100 years, filled the stands of a WSCHA & BnB cutting event held June 28 at the Penrose Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Click for more in Who, What, When>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 17, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
The NCHA Summer Spectacular, held July 12-Aug. 2, in Fort Worth, Texas, is in full swing. With the two go-rounds of the Open Division completed, Jason Clark, Whitt, Texas, riding Moms Stylish Scoot, topped the 206-horse field with a 437 composite score.
Click here for Major Events>>

July 16, 2009
Release from the Texas Animal Health Commission
Two horses, one in Jasper County and the other in Newton County, in East Texas have died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Click here for Industry News>> .

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 13, 2009 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Smart Frele Cat, a 7-year-old High Brow Cat gelding, owned by Rod and Marilyn MacDonald, Kamloops, B.C., Canada, won both the 29-entry Open and 46-entry Non-Pro divisions of the Calgary Stampede Cutting.
Click here for more>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 13, 2009
Preston Carter, Jr., Weatherford, Texas, well known in cutting horse circles, was recently diagnosed with cancer and will soon be headed to M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas.
Click for more in Who, What, Where>>

SEVEN-TIME WORLD CHAMPION MORTENSEN HEADS SIX-MAN INDUCTION CLASS FOR PRORODEO HALL OF FAME

July 12, 2009 - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Seven-time World Champion Dan Mortensen was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on the morning of July 11, taking his place alongside Casey Tibbs, the only other man to win six world championships in saddle bronc riding, the sport's signature event.
Click here for rodeo news>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 9, 2009
Although a hearing was held today in Judge Don Cosby's Tarrant County 67th District Court on the Paula Gaughan vs NCHA lawsuit, no decisions were made and no Summary Judgment was handed down by the judge for either party. An article on the day in court will be forthcoming.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 9, 2009
Pat Jacobs is wheelchair bound following a swift kick by a horse while he was feeding last Sunday morning.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 9, 2009
The NCHA Summer Spectacular Sale will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, with live demonstrations held Friday, July 31. Also, Keeneland is reducing its sales commission on horses that don't reach their reserves - from 4.5 percent to 2.5 percent - and the Tattersalls July sale is enjoying increases.
Read more in Sale Section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 7, 2009
On Thursday, July 2, 11 horses were found dead in a pasture near Dicey, Texas, located some 25 miles north of Weatherford, Texas, which was leased by Joe Landers. Landers, the co-owner of a breeding operation in Weatherford, and admittedly the responsible party for the horses, is now speaking out about the unfortunate incident, and trying to get the facts straight.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

July 7, 2009 - Aspermont, Texas

Fred Dalby, 92, Aspermont, Texas, a roper and rancher, passed away the end of June. Ordinarily that would not be part of cutting-horse news; however, Dalby was an uncle to Bill Freeman, who even though he is deceased, is the third highest money earner in the cutting horse industry with over $5.3 million in lifetime earnings.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

VESICULAR STOMATITIS OUTBREAK REQUIRES SPECIAL HEALTH PAPERS FOR AQHA YOUTH WORLD

July 7, 2009
The American Quarter Horse Association has announced that due to the recent outbreak of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, that there will be new regulations for horses going to the Oklahoma City AQHA Youth (AQHYA) World Show, July 31-Aug. 8, from those affected states.
Click here for Miscellaneous News>>

THOSE IN THE KNOW, EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING THOROUGHBRED YEARLING SALES

July 7, 2009
In the past, it has been particularly interesting to watch the cutting sales rather closely follow the ups and downs of Thoroughbred Sales.
Click here for Sale section>>

Colorado Springs, CO - July 7, 2009
Bobby Mote wins the most cash during Cowboy Christmas than any of the thousands of competitors headed to 30 PRCA-santioned rodeos over the Fourth of July week and the PRCA holds their Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductions on July 11.
Click here for rodeo news>>

July 5, 2009
Proving that bull riding is not for the faint of heart, on Sunday morning, June 28, 12-year-old Richard Wayde Hamar, Yuma, Colo., was killed during a bull riding competition at the Little Britches Rodeo at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Colo.
Click here for rodeo news>>

July 4, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Texans dominated the cutting titles during the 2009 American Paint Horse Association World Championship Paint Horse Show held June 22-July 4 at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Click here for rest of article>>

July 3, 2009
On July 2, 10 recipient mares died of dehydration and one was put down in a pasture of 40 head of surrogate mares carrying embryos sired by leading cutting horse sires. Channel 33 T.V. reported the horses belonged to Joe Landers, who along with David McDavid, own a Weatherford breeding operation.
Click here for Channel 33 article>>
Click here for Weatherford Democrat article>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
July 3, 2009
A new tax case, Garbini v. Commissioner IRS, involved the issue of whether the taxpayers were engaged in an activity for profit in connection with a cattle and horse breeding operation in Myrtle Creek, Ore.
Click here for rest of article>>

PLANNING ON HAULING HORSES TO NEW MEXICO - THEY'VE UPDATED THEIR VESICULAR STOMATITIS REQUIREMENTS

July 1, 2009
According to the Texas Animal Health Commission, if you are planning to haul Texas horses to New Mexico, you will have to obtain a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within seven (7) days prior to arrival in that state, due to the vesicular stomatitis (VS) outbreak.
Click for more in Late Breaking News>>

June 30, 2009
According to the Texas Animal Health Commission, horses going to Canada from Texas for the Calgary Stampede’s World Series of Cutting, scheduled for July 5-9, will have to comply with more stringent regulations due to a confirmed case of vesicular stomatitis (VS) found in Texas.
Click for more in Late Breaking News>>

June 30, 2009
According to the AQHA publication, America's Horse, All American Quarter Horses, American Paint Horses and Appaloosas conceived by mares and stallions living in Texas during 2009 are eligible to be nominated to the new Texas Equine Incentive Fund. House Bill 1881, which was signed by Gov. Rick Perry on June 19, becomes law Sept. 1.
Click for more in Late Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 29, 2009
Karen Franklin, mother of Justin Franklin, is gravely ill; The rodeo family of David Key and Tammy Key-Fischer, lost their son in a single-vehicle accident and the Clem McSpadden NFSR dates have been changed to Nov. 13-24.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 29, 2009
Is it possible for the NCHA to become more transparent, membership oriented, productive and better listeners?
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 25, 2009
Ryan Motes, riding a CD Olena gelding, and his partner won the BFI, taking home $149,410 plus bonuses; Pat Earnheart awaits lung transplant; PCCHA hires new Executive Director and Cathy Cook starts new business; NCHA weekend highly successful; NCHA Summer Spectacular sale features 243 horses – to date, and Welfare of the Horse forum can be seen on HorseTV.com.
Click here for Membership meeting notes>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 24, 2009
The NCHA Convention was held June 19-21 at the Inverness Hotel and Convention Center in Denver, Colo.
Click here for Membership meeting notes>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 16, 2009
If you haven't signed up for the E-Newsletter on the top, right-hand side of the front page of www.allaboutcutting.com, you need to now. The minutes that I will take from the each meeting that I am able to attend at the NCHA Convention, held Sept. 19-21 in Denver, will be posted daily - and e-mailed to you.

Simply go to the main page of www.allaboutcutting.com and click on "Regster here for Newsletter" and type in your e-mail address. I will not be able to attend all of the meetings because usually two or more are held at one time; however, I will try to get as much information as I can from this convention and send it to all my E-Newsletter subscribers.

June 16, 2009 – Casper, Wyo.
There are a number of cowboys familiar to ProRodeo fans competing in the 61st Annual College National Finals Rodeo, which started on Sunday and concludes June 20 at the Casper (Wyo.) Events Center.
Click for more in Rodeo News>>

June 16, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby begins today, June 16, and entries for the NRCHA Derby and concurrent horse show are up substantially.
Click here for more in Reined Cow Horse News>>

GLORIA REHM PASSES AWAY; BILL MCDAVID DIES AT 69; RUTH-ELLEN STRAIN PASSES AND OTHER CUTTERS UNDER THE WEATHER
Read more in Who, What, Were>>

June 13, 2009
A total of 64 prospects, raised on 21,000 acres in the beautiful Promontory Mountains of Northern Utah, will be auctioned off at the 32nd Annual Fort Ranch Production Sale on June 20.
Click here for Sale Information>>

PALOMINO HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES "GOOD AS GOLD" PROGRAM FOR "OTHER-COLORED" FOALS

June 13, 2009
Have you ever bred your mare, hoping for a palomino foal, only to get one of the "other colors"- sorrel, bay, buckskin, black, chestnut, or brown? Unfortunately, the odds can be stacked against you. What is a breeder to do?
Click here for Misc Information>>

June 13, 2009
Cattle tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in a west Texas dairy that has been quarantined since April when some cattle in the herd responded to a TB test being conducted prior to a sale.
Click here for Misc Information>>

June 11, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
When the votes were counted at the NCHA office on June 11, Keith Deaville, Covington, La., had received 1,784 of the 3,526 ballots, to take his place as the new Vice President of the NCHA. Brady Bowen, Jacksboro, Texas, was only 42 votes behind – at 1,742.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

TOP TWO HORSES AT BILLINGS SALE BRING $10,500 AND $10,000; TOP FIVE GELDINGS AVERAGE $8,150.

June 11, 2009 - Billings, Mont.
Geldings owned it from start to finish as the annual “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse competition showcased an outstanding set of using horses at Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” May 23-24.
Click here for rest of story in Sale Section>>

THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON SUCCESSFUL STALLIONS WHOSE FIRST COLT CROPS HAVE NOT YET HIT THE ARENA

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 11, 2009
“He’s a God send.” That’s how Jalinda Covey, Dixon, Calif., describes her stallion Tomcat Chex. The 7-year-old stallion sired by High Brow Cat out of Miss Reed Chex by Bueno Chex is a uniquely bred horse.
Click here for rest of the story in Features>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 10, 2009

Pat and Nellie Jacobs celebrated their 50th Anniversary by getting married - again.

“For 50 years, they found a friendship, raised a family and danced through life together.” That was the description on the invitation to a 50th Anniversary party honoring Pat and Nellie Jacobs, Burleson, Texas.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 9, 2009
Several recent incidents of the injury and even deaths of some cutting horses in training and currently showing should make the welfare of the horse a necessary topic to be discussed at three committee meetings held during the NCHA Convention, June 19-21.
Read more in From The Editor>>

HEATH SINCLAIR WINS HIS FIRST NCHA OPEN FUTURITY; WAYNE BAUMANN CAPTURES NON-PRO TITLE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 9, 2009 – Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Heath Sinclair, a 26-year-old trainer from Bell, Queensland, dominated the Open division of the 36th Annual Australian NCHA Cutting Horse Association Futurity.
Read more in Major Events>>

June 9, 2009 - Thackerville, Okla.
An upscale, Western resale shop has been opened by Holly Red-Heim, at the Joe Heim training facility and ranch outside of Thackerville, Okla.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

June 9, 2009
Two-time NFR qualifier Buzz Seely dies at 69; long-time rodeo secretary Una Beutler dies at 87, Wrangler National Finals and Michael Gaughan inducted into Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and several major roping and rodeo events will be shown on Internet site.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

FIRST LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PLANNED FOR JUNE 14 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

June 5, 2009
The American Horse League has teamed up with the United Organizations of the Horse in order to further their common goals and will hold their first annual Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. on June 14 at the Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill.
Click here for more in Industsry News>>

June 2, 2009 – Wayne, Okla.
Dan Churchill, owner of Circle C Ranch Company, has announced plans to hold its first production/reduction cutting horse sale in September, guest consignors Pat and Connie Fitzgerald and Linda Holmes.
Click here for article in Sale section>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
June 2, 2009
In a lengthy decision, the Tax Court recently underscored the difficulties taxpayers have in convincing the IRS that family-run farms are engaged in for profit.
Click for more in Health & Wealth>>

TEXAS HORSE INCENTIVE PROGRAM PASSES INTO LAW

June 2, 2009 - Austin, TX
On May 21, 2009, the Texas Equine Incentive Program was passed, marking the beginning of an exciting new program for horses bred and exhibited in Texas.
Click here for more in Industsry News>>

June 1, 2009 – Tamworth, NSW, Australia

John Mitchell riding a wild brumby during the Stockman's Challenge held during the Aussie NCHA Futurity. He took the Reserve title home.

If you’ve ever wondered if Aussie John Mitchell is truly a horseman who can ride a wild Brumby, have no doubts. The Aussie trainer who works for the Slate River Ranch, took the Reserve Championship of the first-ever NCHA Stockman’s’ Challenge.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 1, 2009
Following two go-rounds of the Open Division of the 36th Annual Australian NCHA Cutting Horse Association Futurity, Corey Holden tops the list of Open entries – riding four horses.
Click here for rest of story in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 31, 2009
I recently received a very thought-provoking article which came from an interview with the Bob Nelson, who along with his wife, Jolene, train out of the Arrowhead Ranch in Medford, Ore., where they have been for about 12 years.
Click here for rest of article in Features>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 28, 2009
The 36th Annual NCHA of Australia Cutting Horse Association Futurity starts today, May 28. The 10-day event, held in the new Tamworth Equine Centre, includes a horse sale on Friday, June 5 and runs through Sunday, June 7.
Click here for rest of story in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 28, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
If you’ve been to the Texas Classic Horse Show, held at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, you may have seen the booth for the Herd Collection, featuring a saddle worth a half million dollars.
Click for more in Who, What, When>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 28, 2009
The hearing on Summary Judgment motions filed by Paula Gaughan and the NCHA in her lawsuit against the association has been delayed ; the Circle Bar H Arena, Van, Texas, has opened and a “Century Cutting” is planned in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Click here for more in Breaking News>>

May 27, 2009
PBR's J.B. Mauney is also making a run at the PRCA National Finals Rodeo; The Cooper clan had a big weekend at the Windy Ryon Memorial Day Roping and should Trevor Brazile win both the PRCA all-around and steer roping gold buckles this year, he will increase his number of world championships total to 11.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

May 27, 2009 – Chino, Calif.
Late on Friday, May 22 or early on Saturday, May 23, the Hobby Horse Clothing Co., Chino, Calif., was robbed of approximately $250,000 worth of chaps and show tops.
Click here for more>>

BEAU AND WES GALYEAN TAKE TOP TWO SPOTS IN OPEN DERBY; DUSTIN ADAMS WINS NON-PRO

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 23, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.
Brothers Beau and Wesley Galyean kept it “all in the family,” during the Breeders’ Invitational Derby & Classic/Challenge, held May 13-23 in Tulsa, Okla.
Click here for Aged Events>>

May 22, 2009
Jackson Land and Cattle LLC is offering the chance to win a FREE 2010 breeding to Peptoboonsmal.
Click here for more>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 20, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.
Adan Banuelos, the 21-year-old son of trainer Ascencion and Tiffany Banuelos, won the Breeder’s Invitational Non-Pro Classic/Challenge Finals, held this morning.
Click here for Aged Events>>

May 20, 2009 - Marietta, Okla.
Susie Reed, co-founder of the semi-annual Ranchers and Breeders Sale held in Ardmore, Okla., announced her 16-year association with that entity has ended. Reed also announced a new venture, The Marketplace at Ardmore, a consignment auction for performance horses slated for Oct. 31, 2009.
Click here for Sale info>>

May 20, 2009 – Timonium, Md.
It wasn’t the best horse sale by far – and it wasn’t even as good as last year; however, optimism for the racehorse sale market was generated at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training sale.
Click here for Sale section>>

TEXAS SENATE BILL WOULD REQUIRE PROTECTIVE GEAR BE WORN BY CHILDREN IN RODEO ACTIVITIES

May 20, 2009
Texas Senate Bill 2505, which would require protective gear be worn by children engaging in certain rodeo activities, was introduced by Senator Chris Harris of Arlington.
Read more by clicking here>>

HOW SOPHISTICATED CATT IS BEING PROMOTED?

SECOND IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES SHOWING HOW YOUNG STALLIONS ARE BEING PROMOTED.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 18, 2009
When Keith Feister was in Fort Worth for the NCHA Summer Spectacular in 2001, he picked up a copy of Quarter Horse News, and saw that Billy Cogdell had a Remuda Sale coming up. In fine print at the bottom of the ad was a statement that four embryos out of Shania Cee would also sell.
Click here for rest of the story in Features>>

ADAN BANUELOS WINS BREEDER’S INVITATIONAL NP CLASSIC--CHALLENGE $200K LTD RIDER FINALS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 19, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.
Adan Banuelos, Jacksboro, Texas, captured the finals of the Breeder's Invitational Non-Pro Classic/Challenge $200K Ltd. Rider Finals which took place on Monday.
Click here for Aged Events>>

CINDY WATKINS, CAITLIN ENRIGHT AND MISSY ROSENBERG SHINE IN BREEDER'S INVITATIONAL AMATEUR FINALS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 18, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.
Cindy Watkins, Prescott, Ariz., Caitlin Enright, Sun Valley, Idaho, and Missy Rosenberg, Bush, La., were the big winners in the Derby and Classic/Challenge Amateur finals held during the Breeder’s Invitational in Tulsa, Okla.
Click here for Aged Events>>

GARY GONSALVES RIDES TOM BAILEY’S REY DOWN SALLY TO BREEDER’S INVITATIONAL OPEN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE TITLE

By Glory Ann Kurtz - Photos by Sheri Forrest
May 16, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.
Many would say, “It was supposed to be.” Gary Gonsalves riding Rey Down Sally missed the May 15 finals of the Breeder’s Invitational Open Classic/Challenge because of a penalty. However, after a judges’ review, the penalty was reversed and the pair qualified for the clean-slate finals with a 214 – and then won it by two points.
Click here for Aged Events>>

May 15, 2009 – Austin, Texas
The Texas Gambling Bill, which would have created up to 12 resort-style casinos and legalize slot machines at racetracks (HB 1724) failed to meet the deadline for a House vote, as did a House Joint Resolutions Bill HJR 137. Both resolutions; therefore, are dead for the session.
Click here for rest of article>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 14, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.
With over 1,000 entries, the 2009 Breeder’s Invitational Derby & Classic/Challenge, held May 13-23 in Tulsa, is set to be the largest ever.
Click here for Aged Events>>

By Corrie MacLaggan
May 12, 2009
The Texas House adjourned abruptly tonight after state Rep. Edmund Kuempel, R-Seguin, was found collapsed in a Capitol elevator. He was taken to University Medical Center at Brackenridge.
Click here for rest of article>>

May 13, 2009 - Austin, Texas
With Texas being the nation's top cattle-producing state, penalties for theft are more lenient than neighboring Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. SB 1163, which flew through the Senate and House, is now headed to the Governor's desk.
Click here for full story>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 11, 2009
Yesterday was a sad day at the Langdon house in Aubrey, Texas. Little Bitty Hippy, a 5-year-old daughter of Hickorys Indian Pep out of Little Bitty Boon by Peptoboonsmal, died following surgery for a colon impaction.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

May 11, 2009
TY MURRAY TO COMPETE IN DANCING WITH THE STARS SEMIFINALS TONIGHT
Fans spoke to ABC with thousands of text messages, online voting and phone calls. The “King of the Cowboys,” Ty Murray, has advanced into tonight's semifinal round of the network’s reality show Dancing With the Stars.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 11, 2009 – Ogden, Utah
Three contestants claimed championship titles in two classes, which amounted to half of the 12 divisions of the NCHA Western Nationals held May 1-10 at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden, Utah.
Click here for Aged Events>>

ROY CARTER & TWO OF HIS NON-PROS TAKE HOME SIX PAYCHECKS FROM POLLY HOLLAR MEMORIAL

By Glory Ann Kurtz - Photos by Jim Arnold
May 9, 2009
The Polly Hollar Memorial Bluebonnet Stakes, held May 1 in Brenham, Texas, saw Roy Carter, Crockett, Texas, and two of his Non-Pros take home six paychecks totaling $13,929.
Click here for Aged Events>>

HOW TO KEEP YOUR STALLION IN THE PUBLIC EYE PRIOR TO HIS COLTS HITTING THE CUTTING ARENA

NEAT LITTLE CAT, WHO IS CURRENTLY LEADING FOR THE NCHA OPEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, IS PROFILED

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 6, 2009
Your stallion has just graduated from the aged events and after having constant exposure to the industry – you find yourself without an avenue to get your stallion’s name out in the public’s eye – especially in front of the illusive broodmare owner.
Click here for rest of the story in Features>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 7, 2009

Sweet Lil Lena, owned by Dana Harrah, was put down at Rick and Shelly Mowery's Cutting Horses on May 5. The great mare was 25.

It was the end of an era when Sweet Lil Lena, a 25-year-old daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Sonscoot by Son O Sugar was put down at Rick and Shelly Mowery’s cutting horse operation in Weatherford, Texas, on Tuesday, May 5.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

PAULA GAUGHAN AND NCHA FILE MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN 2008 CASE FILED AGAINST NCHA

BOTH ENTITIES ARE REQUESTING THE COURT TO DECIDE THEIR RIGHTS UNDER NON-PROFIT LAW

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 6, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Over a year after filing a lawsuit against the NCHA to see and copy financial records of the association, Paula Gaughan, an NCHA member from Las Vegas, Nev., filed a Motion For Summary Judgment on April 27, 2009.On that same date, the NCHA also filed a Motion For Summary Judgment.
Click here for Breaking News>>

JUDGE APPROVES AUCTION SALE OF MAGNA ENTERTAINMENT’S INTEREST IN LONE STAR PARK AND OTHER TRACKS

May 5, 2009
A Delaware bankruptcy judge granted Magna Entertainment Corporation’s (MEC) request for approval of a plan to sell several horse tracks and other assets at auction. Included in the sale would be the ownership of the Lone Star Park track’s Class 1 license and a lease. The city of Grand Prairie owns the racetrack.
Click here for Misc Industry News>>

May 5, 2009
There’s only four days until the Eastern Spring Sale, held May 9 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Md., but Professional Auction Sales has a unique marketing plan – a deal you can’t refuse.
Click here for Sale section>>

RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM UP FOR REAUTHORIZATION

May 5, 2009
The AHC is working to preserve the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP). If Congress does not take action this year this program could no longer be available to recreational riders.
Click here for Misc Industry News>>

May 5, 2009
Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks has dropped the Mesquite (Texas) Championship Rodeo series from his Hicks Sports Group empire after 10 years, for a price the Dallas Morning News estimates at less than $10 million.
Click here for Rodeo News>>

May 5, 2009
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) announced May 4 that the two organizations are working together on a number of initiatives designed to enhance the ProRodeo experience for their respective members.
Click here for Rodeo News>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
May 4, 2009
Enforcement action by the Internal Revenue Service has actually increased in recent months in the farming, horse and livestock fields, partly due to the need for the government to raise revenue, and partly due to an increase in taxpayers failing to file tax returns or failure to pay taxes owed.
Click here for Misc Industry News>>

May 2, 2009
When Governor Brian Schweitzer declined to either sign or veto a bill allowing the construction and operation of a horse-slaughter facility in Montana, it became law on Friday, May 1.
Click here for Misc Industry News>>

May 2, 2009 - Pierre, S.D.

Tracy Barton is moving from Virginia to the North Ridge Ranch, Pierre, S.D.

Just in time for summer, world class cutting training is coming to central South Dakota. National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame trainer, Tracy T. Barton is relocating his cutting training to the well-known North Ridge Ranch of Pierre, S. D.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

TOP FIVE ROPE HORSES AT BILLINGS AVERAGE $10,150

May 1, 2009 – Billings, Mont.
A complete rope horse showcase stuffed full of skilled veterans, eager prospects, and everything in between dressed up Billings Livestock’s 11th annual “Rope Horse Special and April Catalog Sale” held April 25-26.
Click here for Sale section>>

May 1, 2009 – Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The 2009 Southeast Spring Sale was held on April 11 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The sale showed surprising gains in nearly every statistical category.
Click here for Sale section>>

May 1, 2009
Usually when horse people are sporting splints, casts and crutches, they came from a skiing trip or from falling down a flight of stairs, rather than a horse accident. However, that’s not the case with horse breeder and real estate agent Corwin Collins.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

A SURPRISING AND HEARTWARMING STORY FROM THE BUYER OF LAST YEAR'S SUPER STAKES SALE TOPPER

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 27, 2009
Sometimes the daily news reported about the horse industry seems to be full of drama, reporting what the rascals in the industry are up to now. So it's refreshing to be able to report about a good deed from one lady in the industry who brought great joy to a fellow horse owner.
Click here for more in Features>>

April 28, 2009
After 13 years of managing the horse division for the Morrning Sun Ranch, located in Western Australia, Ricky Glen has taken up residence to manage Machiavelli Quarter Horses, located just outside Melbourne in Victoria, Australia.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 23, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
If you were following cutting in the late 1990s and early 2000, you were aware that Remedy For Sweets, owned and ridden in Non-Pro competition by Californian Linda Mussallem were the pair to beat, with the mare earning over $203,700. Therefore, it was no surprise when the 1995 daughter of Grays Starlight out of Sweet Remedy by Doc’s Remedy, topped the NCHA Super Stakes Sale, held Saturday, April 18
Click here for Sale section>>

By the Associated Press
April 23 2009
An official at a Florida pharmacy said Thursday the business incorrectly prepared a supplement given to 21 polo horses that died over the weekend while preparing to play in a championship match.
Click here for Late Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 23, 2009
According to an article posted on the NCHA site, the NCHA Nominating Committee, which selects candidates for the office of Vice President, will reconvene to recommend one or more additional candidates, in addition to Keith Deaville, to be included on the ballot.
Click here for Late Breaking News>>

FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW ELECTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS; REPORTS
YEAR-END RESULTS

April 22, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show’s membership met yesterday for their annual meeting to receive reports, elect new board members and elevate a long-time director to honorary vice president.
Click here to read more>>

April 20, 2009 - Weatherford, Texas
On Friday, April 17, Brian Durant, the son of Jerry Durant, Weatherford, Texas, one of the owners of the Silverado On The Brazos arena, was shot multiple times by police at his parent’s home in Weatherford after firing his weapon at police officers.
Click here for Who, What, Where>>

PETE BRANCH SUSPENSION UPHELD BY HEARING COMMITTEE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 20, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Following the meeting of the Hearing Committee and Pete Branch at the NCHA office this morning, the committee, consisting of seven past presidents, voted to uphold the decision of the Grievance Committee to suspend Branch for 90 days, fine him $1,000 and put him on probation for a year.
Click here for Late Breaking News>>

POLLY HOLLAR DIES AT 72
April 20, 2009

Donald Darwin Hollar, 72, better known as Polly Hollar, Brenham, Texas, passed away on April 18 at the Trinity Medical Center in Brenham, Texas.
Click here for more information>>

THIRD CUTTING AND BOYD RICE UPSET NCHA FUTURITY CHAMP METALLIC CAT AND BEAU GALYEAN TO WIN NCHA OPEN SUPER STAKES

By Glory Ann Kurtz and Julie Mankin
Photos by Julie Mankin
April 20, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Boyd Rice riding Third Cutting won the Open Super Stakes with a 230 score.

Scoring the second highest score earned during the history of the NCHA Open Super Stakes, Third Cutting, a stallion sired by Boonlight Dancer out of Crab Grass by Smart Little Lena, owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith, Jacksboro, Texas, and Boyd Rice scored a whopping 230, good enough for a $121,173 paycheck.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Julie Mankin and Glory Ann Kurtz
Photos by Julie Mankin
April 20, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Megan Miller rides Itawtathenapuddycat to second Non-Pro Super Stakes title.

When the 20-horse Non-Pro finals of the 2009 NCHA Super Stakes was over, Lindy Ashlock, Baird, Texas, riding Rey Nounce and Megan Miller, Poolville, Texas, riding Itawtathenapuddycat were tied for the championship of the event with a 219 score. However, a short time later, announcer Tom Holt announced a score adjustment to 219.5 for Megan – giving her the championship of the event and a $28,509 paycheck.
Read more in Major Events>>

LOUIS NOTO’S DEES MR CHARLES WINS OPEN GELDING FINALS; QUALIFIES FOR OPEN FINALS

By Julie Mankin and Glory Ann Kurtz
Photos by Julie Mankin
April 19, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Louis Noto, Cullman, Ala., is usually at the other end of the video camera when horses are cutting in the Will Rogers coliseum. However, on Saturday, April 18, during the finals of the Open Gelding class at the NCHA Super Stakes, Louis couldn’t stand to film the run of his gelding Dees Mr Charles. Instead he was cheering for his newly gelded son of Its Just About Me out of Dees Dually by Dual Pep being ridden by Sam Shepard.
Read more in Major Events>>

April 17, 2009. Tulsa, OK.
In line with kicking off its brand new venue at the Expo Square in Tulsa, the Breeder’s Invitational (BI) announces that it will also christen its inaugural big bash - the Stallion Owner’s Ball.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 17, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Following a 216 score in the second go-round, James Vangilder, Weatherford, Texas, riding Asscher Cat tied for the top spot in the two-go-round cumulative score, with a 436 during the NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes held at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, March 30-April 19. Tying with Vangilder is Carol Dewrell, Holt, Fla., riding Desires Katrina.
Read more in Major Events>>

April 16, 2009
According to an article in the American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, the Oklahoma legislature on April 7 approved a bill that prohibits cloned horses or the offspring of cloned horses from participating in races at tracks in Oklahoma.
Click for more in late-breaking news>>

April 15, 2009
The Texas Cattle Raisers Association is asking everyone to contact their state senator and urge them to increase the penalty for cattle theft. The Texas State Senate could vote on SB 1163 as early as Thursday, April 16.
Click for more in late-breaking news>>

BOYD RICE AND THIRD CUTTING HEAD TO SUPER STAKES SEMIFINALS FOLLOWING 4.5 POINT LEAD

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 14, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Boyd Rice, riding Third Cutting, a stallion by Boonlight Dancer out of Crab Grass by Smart Little Lena, and a bargain at the Polo Ranch Dispersal Sale, is headed to the semifinals of the NCHA Open Super Stakes, with a good supply of confidence.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Mike Hailey
Capitol Inside Editor
April 13, 2009
Gambling legislation that a Texas House committee weighed Wednesday could be all but dead on arrival if it reaches the floor as a fragile alliance between the racing and casino industries could be on the verge of collapsing.
Click for more in late-breaking news>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 13, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
It was a tie in the 21-entry Super Stakes Classic Limited Non-Pro Division for Kaitlyn Larsen, Millsap, Texas, riding Keechi Pep and Kristen Galyean, Claremore, Okla., riding Shady Boonlight.
Read more in Major Events>>

THIRD CUTTING AND TAMMY FAYE REY SCORE 222 TO TOP FIRST GO-ROUND OF OPEN SUPER STAKES

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 12, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Tammy Faye Rey and Kory Pounds, along with Third Cutting, ridden by Boyd Rice, tied with the top score of 222 following the first go-round of the NCHA Super Stakes Open competition, which was completed Saturday, April 12.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Julie Mankin
April 10, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas
Little more than halfway through the first set of the Super Stakes Amateur finals, held April 9 at the Will Rogers coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, Missy Jean Rosenberg, Bush, La., put up a 218.5 and held on for the win.
Read more in Major Events>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
April 10, 2009
Many people who own livestock farms are full-time professionals in non-farming fields. But another large segment of ranching consists of retired individuals who wish to supplement their retirement income with profits from ranching, farming or raising horses.
Click here for more>>

April 10, 2009
Over 43 percent of the horses consigned to the Keeneland April 2-Year-Old Sale were passed out and all divisions of the sale showed a downward trend.
Click here for more in Sale section>>

Article and photos by Julie Mankin
April 9, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Kayla Norris, 25, Sumrall, Miss., was third from last to show in the Classic Amateur finals, but still zoomed to the lead and held it by more than five points to win her first aged event with a 222, taking home a $5,638 paycheck.
Read more in Major Events>>

MEGAN MERRILL MILLER TAKES NCHA SUPER STAKES CLASSIC NON-PRO TITLE RIDING TRAVS SCOOTER

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 8, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Megan Merrill Miller, the 27-year-old daughter of Frank and Robin Merrill and wife of Matt Miller, a leading non-professional who turned professional at the beginning of this year, rode Travs Scooter to a 221.5 for a $15,803 paycheck and the championship of the Non-Pro Division of the NCHA Super Stakes Classic.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 8, 2009
Oscar Black, 58, was sentenced to six years in prison by a federal judge on Tuesday, April 7. The sentencing took place before U. S. District Judge Sam Lindsay in Dallas, Texas.
Click here for Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 7, 2009
The NCHA has resolved the buckle controversy which erupted during the NCHA World championship Finals held Feb. 12-21 in Amarillo, Texas.
Click here for Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 7, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Oh Cay Felix and Craig Thompson, the winners of the 2006 NCHA Open and Amateur Futurity, struck again – winning the 25-horse finals of the NCHA Super Stakes Classic on Monday, April 7.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 3, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.
Are you a weekend cutter? Would you like an Invitational World Championship Finals with $210,000 in added money and possible $620,000 total purse? If so, you’ll be happy to hear about the planned South Point Invitational World Championships, scheduled to take place at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center, next February, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Click here for Late Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 3, 2009
The 2009 NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic, scheduled for March 30-April 19 at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth is in full swing. The first two go-rounds of the Super Stakes Open Classic have already been held, with a tie for the highest cumulative score of 438 – Cherry Chex Dually and Little Silver Belles. Ironically both horses are sired by Hes A Peptospoonful.
Click here for rest of article>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 2, 2009
While the NCHA Grievance Committee put Pete Branch, Farwell, Texas, on suspension for 90 days, fined him $1,000 and put him on probation for over a year, following an altercation with Russell McCord Director of Judges during the World Finals in Amarillo, many readers had something to say about it.
Click here for From The Editor>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 2, 2009 – Ardmore, Okla.
If you are getting good vibes about the horse economy, you’ll agree with Susie Reed, co-owner of the Ranchers & Breeders Sale held during blustery weather on Saturday, March 28 in the Hardy Murphy coliseum in Ardmore, Okla.
Read more in Sale section>>

April 1, 2009 - Billings, Mont.
Pack, pull, ride, or drive - multi-tasking, industrial-strength stock stood front and center at Billings Livestock’s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” featuring “Outfitters, Guides, Guest, and Dude Horses & Mules” March 28 - 29.
Click here for rest of article>>

April 1, 2009
Ethel Heim, 89, mother of Triple Crown Champion Joe Heim, Thackerville, Okla., passed away on Tuesday, March 24 at her home in Louisville, Ky.
Click here for rest of story>>

April 1, 2009
Denny Hales, 63, Zanesville, Ohio, a staple at the helm of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, died of a massive coronary on Sunday morning, March 29 at Genesis Betheda Emergency Room in Zanesville.
Click here for rest of story>>

April 1, 2009 – Nampa, Idaho

In just one day of competition at the 2009 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes, held March 25-29 in Nampa, Idaho, Ed Robertson piloted That CD Rocks to win $39,672. He accomplished that feat by topping both the Open and Intermediate Open divisions with a score of 651. Mike Miller and Bucks Genuine Fever won the Non-Pro title.
Click here for rest of story>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
My interview with Pete Branch regarding his suspension will be posted on my E-Newsletter. If you are not signed up, please click on "Register Here for Newsletter" above and fill in your e-mail information. It's free! If you get this notice too late to sign up, e-mail me at glory@glorykurtz.com and I will send you a copy of the interview if you sign up for the Newsletter. Thank you.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 27, 2009
The 2008 World Champion rider Pete Branch, Farwell, Texas, who is a candidate for Vice President of the NCHA, was suspended for 90 days, fined $1,000 and put on probation for a year by the Grievance Committee of the NCHA. Action was taken by the Grievance Committee following an altercation with Russell McCord, Director of Judges during the NCHA World Finals held in Amarillo.
Click to read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 26, 2009
Pastels Smart Lena, a 1993 stallion by Smart Little Lena out of Pastel Playgirl by Freckles Playboy, with $237,137 in lifetime earnings, has new owners and a new place to stand at stud for the 2009 breeding season.
See more in Features>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 25, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
One Stylish Pepto, an Australian bred and raised stallion sired by Peptos Stylish Oak out of a daughter of the legendary Spinifex, Australia’s leading sire, will compete in the NCHA Super Stakes Classic/Challenge.
Click here to read more in Major Events>>

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A growing list of readers are commenting on Craig Morris' letter, as well as other subjects brought up by the readers.
Click here for Letters To The Editor received about trainers>>

March 26, 2009
Debbie Hart, mother of 2002 PBR World Finals Event Champion J.W. Hart, Overbrook, Okla.; 1999 PBR World Champion Cody Hart, Gainesville, Texas, and and mother-in-law to PBR rider Cody Byars, Marietta, Okla, passed away on Wednesday, March 18 at Mercy Memorial Health Center in Ardmore, Okla. She was 60.
Click here for the rest of the story>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 22, 2009
It's breeding season and if you haven't made your choices yet, the following link may be able to help you.

Previously, I published the leading sires of Open and Non-Pro money earners from the 2008 NCHA Futurity. Click on the following link to find the complete chart, including the sires of money earners in the Open, Non-Pro and Amateur. The chart is ranked by the average earnings of the sires' offspring - however, it gives number of entries, how many were in each division and total money won by the offspring. Also listed are the 2005 AQHA registered foals for each sire. Hopefully, this information will help you to make your own decisions.
*some stud fees have recently been changed since this chart was published.
Click here for Sire chart from the 2008 NCHA Futurity

March 18, 2009
Recently I received a letter from Craig Morris, a cutting horse trainer, who was responding to my an article that I wrote and published on this site on March 2, 2009 titled "Is the NCHA Executive Committee balanced?" The article was regarding the fact that currently trainers hold 58 percent of the seats on the NCHA Executive Committee, with half of the members coming from the Southeast, six being non-pros - while no amateurs or businessmen or women are included.

Click here to read the letter, along with my response. Feel free to respond to this letter by e-mailing your response to me at glory@glorykurtz.com. If you prefer, I will not use your name.

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
March 18, 2009
The farming, livestock and horse industries are facing challenges in hard economic times. These industries serve the economic lifeblood of millions of Americans, not only owners, but related industries and services as well. Casualties and setbacks from economic forces are recurring problems making it difficult to make a profit on a consistent basis.
Click here for rest of article>>

Brent Erickson rode Spookys Cat Deville to the PCCHA Open Classic/Challenge title.

Brent Erickson, Wilton, Calif., rode Jeff Barnes’ Spookys Cat Deville to a stellar score of 225 in the finals of the PCCHA Classic/Challenge, taking home the $13,291 first-place paycheck. Theresa Gillock rode Rockin Hoo Rey to a 223, winning the Non-Pro title.
Click here to read more in Major Events>>

March 16, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.

Sandy Bonelli won the PCCHA Open Derby riding Flo Rider.

Winning her first title as an Open rider, Sandy Bonelli, Petaluma, Calif., won the PCCHA Derby riding Flo Rider, a stallion she bred and raised, to a 221 and an $11,304 paycheck. The Non-Pro Derby was taken by Kim Vaughn, wife of trainer Brad Vaughn, Galt, Calif., riding Plastic Spoon, a.k.a. “Hawk,” to a 214 and $6,066 check. It was also Kim’s first aged-event championship.
Click here to read more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 16, 2009 – Whitesboro, Texas
Horse trailers and trucks parked bumper to bumper on both sides of Highway 82 in Whitesboro, Texas, for a mile on each side of the North Texas Horse Exchange, showed there is still a healthy demand for good horses.
Click here for article in Sale Section>>

The industry has lost legendary horseman and clinician Ray Hunt, Ernie Vest passes away from coronary heart failure and AQHA implements a "Green Pastures" program.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 12, 2009 – Weatherford, Texas
Compared to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, the Oscar Black Ponzi scheme played out in Weatherford, Texas, may seem very insignificant.But it may take longer to resolve the Black scheme than it did the Madoff’s scheme, as Madoff is already in prison.
Click here for rest of article in Who, What, Where>>

PBR ENTERTAINER SUFFERS MILD HEART ATTACK

March 11, 2009 - Pueblo, Colo.
Flint Rasmussen, PBR’s world-class Entertainer, suffered a mild heart attack at his home in Choteau, Mont., this morning He was airlifted to Great Falls, Mont. Rasmussen had blockage in two main arteries, but there was no permanent damage to the heart.
Read more in Rodeo News>>

Liz Haverty, wife of top reining horse trainer, Clint Haverty, is hospitalized with Bacterial Meningitis; John Mitchell and Peptos Stylish Miss take first go-round in the Open Classic/Challenge at the Bonanza Cutting; Eastern Nationals offering $334,000 in purse money; and who’s in the NCHA standings following the high-paying NCHA World Series held during the Houston Stock Show.
Read more in Breaking News>>

March 9, 2009 – Guthrie, Okla.
Six-time World Champion All-Around Cowboy Trevor Brazile extended his own record by winning his sixth Wrangler Timed Event Championship (WTEC) title, March 6-8, at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla.
Click here for more in Rodeo News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 9, 2009
Cloning decision by AQHA put off; AQHA lowers points for World Show qualifiers; PCCHA Derby and Classic/Challenge begins; NCHA World Series of Cutting winenrs named; Doug Williamson wins Open title at NSHA Classic; and Magna Entertainment bankrupt.
Read more in Breaking News>>

IT MAY BE TIME TO JUMP IN AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER STUD FEES AND HORSE PRICES

Where there are bargains, there are usually opportunities. Although a recent Thoroughbred sale's averages were down 31.5 percent from last year, it needs to be put in prospective. Last year on sale day, the Dow opened at 12,570 – this year on sale day it was 6,763 – down 46.2 percent - much more than sale prices were down. This could mean bargains are ripe to be taken in the cutting horse business too.
Read more in From The Editor>>

March 8, 2009 - Billings, Mont.
He'd won more money than any other horse ever offered at the Billings Livestock February Sale. CJ Sugar Lena, a 1993 AQHA Sorrel Stallion by CJ Sugar was offered by Josh and Amy King, Baird, Texas, and purchased by Douglas Hines of Saltcoats, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Read more in Sale section>>

March 8, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Harry Lee Tennison, the father of cutters Kit Moncrief and Lee Tennison, died Wednesday, March 4. He was 89.
Read more in Who, What, Where>>

TRAINERS CURRENTLY HOLD 58 PERCENT OF THE NCHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SEATS; CLOSE TO HALF COME FROM THE SOUTHEAST; SIX ARE NON-PROS AND THERE ARE NO AMATEURS OR BUSINESSMEN OR WOMEN

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 2, 2009
Although ballots have not yet been sent out, the word is out that the members have been given a choice between two trainers to run for Vice President of the NCHA. Regardless of who gets elected, trainers will still have a majority on the Executive Committee.
Click here for Letters from the Editor>>

Feb. 26, 2009 - Byars, Okla.
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Board of Directors announced in late February that it had reached an agreement with Professional Auction Services, Inc. to manage the 2009 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Horse Sale.
Click to read more in the Sale section>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 24, 2009
It’s the NCHA World Championship Finals – the culmination of a whole year’s work and travel – all which costs a lot of money. However, instead of elation and excitement, many members are expressing frustration and disappointment over the trophy buckles. Yet NCHA financials show it would not be a hardship to provide buckles of the quality that were awarded in the past.
Read more in Breaking News>>

From the American Horse Council
Feb. 24, 2009
President Barack Obama has signed the Economic Stimulus Act into law. The bill is intended to provide a jump-start to the U.S. economy.
Read more in Industry News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 21, 2009
Magna Entertainment's default on loans could affect Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas; the All-American Quarter Horse Congress could partially relocated to Hillard, Ohio, and the winners of the cutting at the San Antonio LIvestock Show.
Read more in Breaking News>>

Feb. 21, 2009
Georgette Hawkins, 64, Seguin, Texas, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, following complications from a lung transplant. Her husband, Bobby Hawkins, had a double tragedy during the month of February, as his son, Richard, 42, was killed Saturday, Feb. 7 in a motorcycle accident.
Click here for story in Who, What, Where>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 14, 2009
The AQHA Convention, scheduled for March 5-9 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, was going to be just another “ho-hum” convention, until the AQHA reported that there would be a Cloning Forum. Now a group of members are concerned that the registration of clones may violate AQHA Bylaws.
Click here for rest of article>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 12, 2009
A deadly tornado in Lone Grove, Okla., missed several cutting horse facilities; two trainers running for Vice President will guarantee that eight trainers will still be on the NCHA 14-member Executive Committee; Richard Fields of Jackson Land & Cattle Co supports AQHA Youth World Show Assistance Program; Tunica Non-Pro and Amateur champions named; stallion auction planned to fund Doug Ingersoll fire fund and economic turbulence affects Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale.
Read more in Breaking News>>

Feb. 12, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.
Paula Gaughan, show producer of the South Point Winter Championship and Wes Adams, producer of the MillionHeir Classic have released a statement regarding the cancellation of their NCHA-approved aged events scheduled for Feb. 22- March 5 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Read more in Breaking News>>

Feb. 12, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo hosted visitors from approximately 60 countries, generating business opportunities for Texas ranchers to ship their livestock - including horses - abroad.
Click here for rest of article>>

MICHAEL TOWNSEND DIDN’T MEAN TO GET INTO THE STUD BUSINESS WITH PEEKA PEP; HOWEVER, HE AND TOMMY MARVIN ARE DEFINITELY TURNING LEMONS INTO LEMONADE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 11, 2009
It was 2004 and Michael Townsend, 44, Edmond, Okla., and his wife Emily Friedman, decided that their 2-year-old twin boys were spending entirely too much time with babysitters. Michael was a plant manager for a plastics affiliate of Exxon Mobil and Emily was one of the few female neurosurgeons in the country. So something had to give.
Click here for more>>

COLORADO HORSEMEN'S BILL PASSES AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
Feb. 9, 2009
The Colorado House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee passed by an eight to three vote HB 1152. The bill will help revive the Colorado racing industry and jump start economic development for the overall Colorado horse industry.
Read more in Misc. Industry News>>

Feb. 8, 2009 – San Angelo, Texas
Russell Dilday made reined cow horse history on Feb. 8 at the 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena in San Angelo, Texas. Riding his great horse, Topsails Rien Maker, Dilday became the first to win back-to-back World's Greatest Horseman Championships on the same horse.
Read more in industry news>>

GALYEANS AND CATS TOP TUNICA OPEN FUTURITY

WESLEY WINS RIDING HANGEM CAT, BEAU FINISHES SECOND ON METALLIC CAT

Article and photo by Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 6, 2009 – Tunica, Miss.

It was a “Galyean” and “High Brow Cat” night during the Open Futurity Finals of the Tunica Futurity, held Feb. 2-10 in Tunica, Miss. Wesley Galyean, Marietta, Okla., won the 126-entry division riding Hangem Cat to a 223 on finals night,taking home $22,000.
Read more in Major Events>>

Press release from the AQHA
Feb. 6, 2009 - Amarillo, Texas
American Quarter Horse Association members who can’t make it to the equine cloning forum at the 2009 AQHA Annual Convention to be held March 6-9 in San Antonio, Texas, can watch the event online in the members section of www.aqha.com. The forum Webcast will begin at 2 p.m. March 6.
Read more in Breaking News>

TWO RIDERS TAKE HOME OVER 49 PERCENT OF THE OPEN CLASSIC PURSE AT TUNICA

CLINT ALLEN WINS EVENT RIDING WRIGLEY’S FAITH IN MY CAT; AUSTIN SHEPARD SECOND ON SNAZZY EASTER BUNNY

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 6, 2009 – Tunica, Miss.
It was in 2007 when Faith In My Cat had his last major win as champion of the South Point Derby; however, the 6-year-old gelding returned in style to capture the 108-entry Tunica Open Classic during the finals held Feb. 5.
Read more in Major Events>>

WHO’S MR PEPPYS FRECKLES AND SMART LENA BOON?
A STATISTICAL LOOK AT THE 2008 NCHA OPEN AND NON-PRO FUTURITY

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 28, 2009
Several unknown sires topped the lists of average money earned by their offspring in the 2008 NCHA Futurity – including Mr Peppys Freckles, Mr Jay Bar Cat (deceased), Smart Lena Boon and Smart Mouth. If you’re still uncommitted on breeding your mare, a look at the attached statistical charts may help you choose a sire. It’s rather ironic that three of these leading horses have stud fees of $1,000 or less and one is deceased.
Click here to read more>>

Feb. 5, 2009 – San Angelo, Texas
Spectators at the Fort Dodge Animal Health National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions had a lesson in horsemanship during the preliminary rein work round of the World’s Greatest Horseman competition. Bob Avila, Temecula, Calif., and Chics Magic Potion topped the field of 31 with a score of 227 – two points ahead of the very impressive field.
Read more in Major Events>>

Feb. 5, 2009 – San Angelo, Texas

The industry’s most versatile horseman, Boyd Rice, Spearman, Texas, rode First Fletch to an early lead during the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman preliminaries. The event, held in San Angelo, kicked off Wednesday, Feb. 4, with the herd work.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 4, 2009
Read on for results of the Fort Worth Stock Show NCHA Cutting and the ranch horse sales. Also, is there a new coliseum on tap for Fort Worth and the NCHA Futurity? New board members for the NRCHA and Todd Crawford wins the SRCHA Open Derby riding Cookin Merada.
Read more in Breaking News>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 3, 2009
“That was the best Christmas present I ever got,” said Debbie Patterson, Tecumseh, Okla., when she affectionately talked about how she got Gun Smokes Wimpy, the gelding who took her to two NCHA Non-Pro World Championship titles and won over $670,000. She had to put the gelding down last week.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law
Feb. 2, 2009
The IRS is focusing more on audits in the farming, livestock and horse industries in which taxpayers are claiming six figures or more in tax deductions.
Read more in Health & Wealth>>

Feb. 2, 2009
The American Horse Council has announced that the focus of this year’s National Issues Forum will be the “Welfare of the Horse.” The Forum will be held June 16, 2009 in Washington, DC as part of the AHC’s annual meeting.
Read more in Health & Wealth>>

PHIL RAPP WINS OPEN AT AUGUSTA RIDING DON’T LOOK TWICE; BARBARA BROOKS TAKES NON-PRO TITLE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Augusta, Ga. - Feb. 1, 2009
Dont Look Twice, a daughter of High Brow Cat, owned by Waco Bend Ranch, Fort Worth, Texas, was ridden by Phil Rapp to a 228 score and won the Augusta Open Futurity Finals and a $30,160 paycheck. Barbara Brooks, Thompson Station, Tenn., won the Non-Pro on Sass And The City.
Read more in Major Events>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 30, 2009
John McLeod and Sandy Sokol lose their battles with cancer; Meradas Money Talk sells, David and Stacy McDavid set to pass out millions in bonus money, and Brett Davis rides Grandpaws Playgirl to Open Classic title in Augusta. Elizabeth Queen rides Jazzy Touche to Non-Pro title.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 28, 2009
The Augusta Futurity finals in Augusta, Ga., are coming up; FW Stock Show cutting winners;, Flynn Stewart recuperating from heart surgery, Ken Bartlett scheduled for triple by-pass heart surgery, tax tips for the horse industry; NRCHA Celebration; the PBR makes cuts; Jim Prather dies at age 74 and are you interested in Color Genetics?
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 26, 2009
The Augusta Futurity is in full swing, former cutters Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt receive “Owner Of the Week” award in Thoroughbred racing, the Horse Slaughter Bill is re-introduced, Tarin Rice trades in his non-pro card and Dee Burke dies at age 93.
Read more in Breaking News>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 24, 2009
Despite the efforts of firefighters, a dozen cutting, reined cow horse and reining horses were killed early Friday morning, Jan. 23, when a 4,000-square-foot barn burned at the training stables of Doug Ingersoll, Lincoln, Calif.
Read more in Breaking News>>

JAMES AND GAIL HOOPER TOP SALES OF 2-YEAR-OLDS, PURCHASING CATS HITMAN FOR $200,000

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 3, 2009– Fort Worth, Texas
As expected, High Brow Cat offspring dominated the sale of 2-year-olds at the sales held during the 2008 NCHA Futurity. The industry’s leading sire topped the average of 2-year-olds selling – at $39,588 on the 17 head sold and was third in the median, with 17 head netting a median of $16,500.
Click for rest of article in Sale Section>>