Breaking News
Whats happening now...

AQHA RESPONDS TO LAWSUIT OVER REGISTRATION OF CLONES

CITES LACK OF JURISDICTION AND FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 16, 2012
On Tuesday, May 15, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the defendant in a lawsuit filed on April 23 by Jason Abraham, Abraham & Veneklasen Joint Venture and Abraham Equine Inc., answered the lawsuit by filing a Motion to Dismiss due to “lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim.” The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo division with judge May Lou Robinson presiding.

Abraham, a rancher from Canadian, Texas, and Dr. Gregg Veneklasen, an Amarillo, Texas, veterinarian are suing the AQHA for relief under the Sherman Antitrust Act, which is the watchdog over monopolies, due to their denial to register clones of registered Quarter Horses or their offspring that are sired by and out of registered Quarter Horses. Should they win, the plaintiffs are asking to recover three fold the damages sustained (which is allowed in antitrust cases) plus the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorney fees.

The plaintiffs are represented by Nancy J. Stone, Ronald Nickum and Sam L. Stein, all from Amarillo, Texas. Although AQHA General Counsel Chad Pierce responded to the lawsuit in an April 11, 2012 letter, stating that the cloned horses and their offspring that the plaintiffs were attempting to register with the AQHA, the Motion to dismiss from the AQHA came from W. Wade Arnold and Mike H. Loftin, registered with the Texas State Bar and Autumn L. White, registered with the Colorado State Bar, for the Underwood Law Firm, P.C., Amarillo, Texas.

The Motion to Dismiss states that 1) the Plaintiffs have failed to establish circumstances sufficient to overcome the doctrine on non-intervention in the affairs of private organizations and 2) the Plaintiffs failed to state a claim under Section 2 of the Sherman Act and under Section 15.05 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, stating the “the possession of monopoly power will not be found unlawful unless it is accompanied by an element of anticompetitive conduct.”
Click for Motion to Dismiss>>
Click for Brief in support of Motion>>

FROM THE EDITOR,

THE BALLOTS ARE MAILED; IT’S TIME TO VOTE!

DO YOU KNOW HOW YOUR PRESIDENT IS ELECTED?

An informational and opinion piece by Glory Ann Kurtz
May 4, 2012
It’s time to vote for the incoming NCHA Vice President – and the ballots have been received by most of you. Will you vote for Bruce Richerson, a commercial cattle business operator from Alexandria, La., or Mike Rutherford, Jr., with business interests in oil and gas exploration, real estate and ranching from Buda, Texas. Even though both candidates have been active in the NCHA, you need to make your choice and mail it to Whitley Penn. The ballots have to be received no later than June 12. The new Vice President will be inducted during the NCHA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., June 22-24.

At the Convention Ernie Beutenmiller will be taking over as President, Barbara Brooks will become President Elect, and will become President at the June 2013 Convention, and the candidate who takes a majority of your votes will be the new Vice President and will become president at the 2014 NCHA Convention.

Have you ever wondered how those names get on the ballot for Vice President? The NCHA Rule Book states that “a Nominating Committee appointed by the Executive Committee for the purpose of electing a Vice President shall meet 120 days prior to each annual meeting of the members (the annual Convention) and nominate not less than two candidates for the office of Vice President. The candidates nominated for the office of Vice President must be a member in good standing and have been a member in good standing continuously, without suspension or probation, for a period of six (6) years, be a present director of the association and have completed six years of service as a director of the association on or before the date of assuming the office of Vice President or have served a minimum of one year on the Executive Committee at some time point. In determining the nominees for the office of Vice President, the Nominating Committee shall solicit recommendations from the Board of Directors. The Vice President shall be elected to a one-year term.”

Ballots are then to be mailed to each member of the Association not later than 45 days prior to the annual meeting of the members and must be received to be tabulated not less than 10 days prior to the annual meeting.

That is how the Rule Book is written; however, I have been told by several people in the know, that each year’s Nominating Committee is actually chosen by the current President (in this instance, Keith Deaville) and then ratified by the Executive Committee. Although the members of the Nominating Committee are never made public, I have learned that this year’s Nominating Committee members included Ernie Beutenmiller, Barbara Brooks, Matt Gaines, Jerry Louie, James Eakin, Brett Davis, Becky Elliott and John Dublin – most are well-known members of the NCHA whom I respect

As usual, this year the Nominating Committee decided to nominate the minimum - two candidates: Bruce Richerson, a non-pro and Executive Committee member, and Mike Rutherford, also a non-pro and member of the Finance Committee. Both are in their 50s, both own their own family businesses and both have served the NCHA in many ways over the years.

Through my site, I receive a lot of input from members, and I have been told more than once that one of these candidates was very politically correct and was selected to be the winner – the other was the “sacrificial lamb.”

Included with the NCHA ballot, are biographies on both candidates; however, a more interesting assessment of the two candidates appeared in the May 1 issue of Quarter Horse News, in the form of a Question and Answer article, with the candidates answering questions put together by their staff, as well as some submitted by readers. It was pretty easy for me to see, who was politically correct and who had some out-of-the-box ideas and wanted to make some changes.
Click here for a link to the QHN article>>

Having covered the lawsuits in which the NCHA has been involved with over the years, it’s been made evident to me that the Texas and Tarrant County legal system is filled with cronyism … as is the NCHA. My theory is that if there is any hope for change, whether it will be in the way judges become judges, or the way candidates get in office, the people who make the decisions have to change. This can be your chance as a member to make a difference by putting a check mark in front of Mike Rutherford’s name.

I have nothing against Bruce Richerson; however, I do know that Mike is a member-friendly candidate who is willing to make changes to help the association grow again. I was at the Las Vegas Cutting Horse Association show this spring, a show that Mike paid his own way to attend. I watched him visit with West Coast members, listening to what they had to say and answering their questions. He even invited everyone to attend a meeting where they could ask questions and express their fears and feelings about the NCHA.

By watching him in action, I think he will do what he suggested that the new Executive Director be tasked to do: “Be fair, open and honest with all members and treat them like they matter, because they do.” He also indicates that he believes that the future of this association lies in the Amateurs and is a strong advocate for building that division stronger and deeper, realizing that if that happens, it will create an environment that encourages economic activity within the association. How long has it been since we’ve had a candidate brave enough to stand up and say that the Amateurs are the most important – realizing they are the owners and breeders and the ones whose money the association is running on.

If Mike Rutherford wins this election, the members win. That’s just my humble opinion; however, you as a member can make that possible if you mark your ballot and mail it today.

AQHA SUED FOR REFUSING TO REGISTER CLONES AND OFFSPRING OF CLONED HORSES

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 27, 2012
Two owners of clones of AQHA-registered horses and offspring of those clones sued the American Quarter Horse Association, Amarillo, Texas, on April 23, 2012 for registration of clones and the offspring of clones. Rancher Jason Abraham, Canadian, Texas, and Dr. Gregg Veneklasen, an Amarillo, Texas, A veterinarian specializing in clones, are suing for relief under the Sherman Antitrust Act which provides in part “every person who shall monopolize or attempt to monopolize or combine or conspire with any other person or person to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several states …..” Should they win, the plaintiffs are asking to recover threefold the damages sustained (which is allowed in antitrust cases) plus the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorney fees.

At the AQHA Convention on March 10, 2012, members of the AQHA Stud Book and Registration Committee were requested to consider registration of offspring of clones; however, according to court documents, one member of the committee who is an influential breeder and a past president of the AQHA objected, and made a threat, saying that “AQHA will allow cloning over my dead body.” The group moved to take no action.

Therefore, on March 29, 2012, Jason Abraham of Abraham Equine Inc., sent the AQHA a letter requesting registration of eight offspring of cloned horses, including Lynx Melody Too, cloned using a donor cell from Lynx Melody; a 2-year-old foal out of Lynx Melody Too, three yearling foals out of Lynx Melody Too; a foal “due any day” out of Lynx Melody Too; Clays Little Peppy III, using donor cell from Clays Little Peppy and Smart Little Lena III, using donor cell from Smart Little Lena.

A response letter from Chad Pierce, the AQHA’s General Counsel, dated April 11, 2012, said that “Pursuant to rule 227(a), horses produced by any cloning process are not eligible for registration, thus Lynx Melody Too, Clays Little Peppy III and Smart Little Lena III are ineligible for registration with the AQHA. Due to the fact that Lynx Melody Too is ineligible for registration with AQHA, foals out of Lynx Melody Too are likewise ineligible for registration with AQHA pursuant to AQHA’s registration rules.”

The AQHA was sued in 2000 for violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Texas Business and Commerce Code by a group of cutting horse stallion owners, seeking to register multiple embryo foals out of the same mare in a single year. This had never been questioned, until multiple embryos were registered by the AQHA “by mistake” out of a great cutting mare named Miss Silver Pistol. The lawsuit, labeled Floyd v AQHA, argued that the AQHA rule violated the Texas Constitution and the state’s antitrust laws. Plaintiffs included Kay Floyd, Kobie and Paula Wood, Dan Churchill, Lanie Mecom, Kit Moncrief, and Bill Freeman. Later Mecom, Moncrief and Freeman opted out of the suit.

The original suit was seeking $650,000 for decreased value of five horses but with added plaintiffs became $19.5 million. The AQHA rejected a settlement offer on Aug. 25, 2000 and then on June 11, 2001, when it became obvious that during a jury trial, the AQHA was more than likely going to lose, the lawsuit was settled. As requested, the plaintiffs received their papers, their lawyer fees and the embryo-transfer rule was changed so that all of the embryo-transfer foals could be registered. The settlement demand did not include any damages, even though if they would have asked for damages, they would have been tripled and could have been in the millions.

The Abrahamson lawsuit contends that the AQHA has changed their registration rules several times, including allowing horses with excessive white and cremello and other double-dilute colored horses to be registered, as well as foals born as the result of artificial insemination and multiple embryos out of a single mare in a single year. The association has also approved and allows the registration of identical twins and horses that are the result of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), which it claims utilizes the same procedure and equipment as used in Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer technology (also referred to as “cloning” or “nuclear transfer,”) which has been accepted in the industry and approved by the AQHA.

However, in 2004, the AQHA implemented rule 227(a), which says horses are not eligible for registration if they are “produced by any cloning process. Cloning is defined as any method by which the genetic material of an unfertilized egg or an embryo is removed and replaced by genetic material taken from another organism, added to/with genetic material from another organism or otherwise modified by any means in order to produce a live foal.”

The Abraham lawsuit claims that Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is the most recent evolution of selective breeding, providing owners with a powerful tool for breeding their best stock. Cloning is the ONLY assisted reproductive technique that can minimize or eliminate genetic disease, a problem that has plagued Quarter Horses.

It also claims that Rule 227 and the Defendant’ enforcement of it ) is an abuse of Defendant’s monopoly in the market for high-quality registered Quarter Horses; b) has an adverse effect on competition; c) is without reasonable business justification and d) has caused and continues to cause damages to Plaintiffs. Abraham claims cloning is “nothing more than an assisted reproductive technique.”

The Amarillo-based American Quarter Horse Association is the world’s largest horse-registry and membership organization, with more than 5 million horses registered since 1940. The plaintiffs claim that the market value of their horses has been diminished between 70 and 80 percent because of the AQHA’s refusal to register them and exclude them and their offspring from competitions sanctioned by the AQHA.

Included in the Complaint is Exhibit “A,” dated Feb. 23, 2012, which is purported to be a suggested a proposal by AQHA staff to the Stud Book and Registration Committee for changing the rules to allow the registration of the offspring of clones. (Offspring of clones are not clones.) The proposal included creating a “Clone Supplement,” with the AQHA issuing documentation evidencing the listing of the clone in the Clone Supplement to the record owner of the clone. It agreed that clones of Quarter Horses produced by any cloning process would NOT BE eligible for REGISTRATION; however, such horses would be listed in the Clone Supplement and their offspring, with one parent being AQHA-registered, WOULD BE ELIGIBLE for registration.

Before a horse could be listed in the Clone Supplement it must be genetically tested to confirm that the DNA profile of such horse matches that of the original Quarter Horse. The DNA markers utilized for this comparison will be those used in a typical parentage test panel or other tests deemed necessary by AQHA.

Nancy J. Stone, Amarillo, Texas, is the attorney for plaintiff Abraham Veneklasen Joint Venture; Ronald Nickum, Amarillo, Texas, is the attorney for plaintiff Jason Abraham and Sam L. Stein, Amarillo, Texas, is the attorney for Abraham Equine, Inc. Stein was also one of the attorneys, along with Robert Garner, who represented the plaintiffs in the Floyd v AQHA anti-trust lawsuit. Stone, who has won some major anti-trust cases, also at one time was associated with Garner and Stein.
Click here for a copy of the Complaint>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 20, 2012
Marlyn Egger, a cutting horse trainer from Norman, Ind., dies at 68; IRCHA holds stallion service auction and cases of “Pigeon Fever” on the upswing according to Texas Animal Health Commission.

MARLYN EGGER DIES AT AGE 68
Marlyn Walter Egger, 68, Norman, Ind., died, following a battle with cancer, on Tuesday, April 17 at the I.U. Health Bloomington Hospice House. Egger, a cutting horse trainer and a member of the NCHA for 44 years, was born Oct. 11, 1943 in Kenmare, N.D, the son of Walter and Eleanor (Eklund) Egger. He married Bonnie Jensen, June 13, 1964. He was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife Bonnie, Norman, Ind.; three sons: Micheal Egger and wife Ronette, Danville; Daniel Egger and wife Linda, Columbus, Neb., and Ryan Egger and wife Tracie, Delphi, Ind., and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Amanda, and one sister, Ivadelle Klein.

Funeral services will be conducted at 6 p.m., Monday, April 23 at the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Jason Forby officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the hour of service on Monday at the Day & Carter Mortuary.
Click to sign guest book

IRCHA HOLDS STALLION SERVICE AUCTION
Breedings to some of the premier sires of the reined cow horse industry are being offered in the 2012 Stallion Service Auction. Money raised by the auction will be added to the payout of the Annual IRCHA Futurity, Derby and horse show, as well as other shows. Each stallion service will be offered at 50 percent of their normal fee and the first person to provide either a check or credit card will purchase the service of the stallion of their choice. The price bid is for the actual breeding only and successful buyers will be responsible to pay any chute fee, booking fee, mare care, vet expenses, shipped semen expenses or any other expenses that are incurred. For further information contact Jaleene Bruce at 208-573-2404 or bjbruce@digis.net.

PIGEON FEVER ON AN UPSWING
Even though the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has no specific authority to regulate Pigeon Fever, also called “Dryland Distemper,” they are noting an upswing in calls and questions about the disease. The Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory obtained over 350 positive cultures for the pigeon fever, caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in 2011 compared with less than 100 cases each year from 2005-2010. The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M diagnosed more than four times as many cases in 2011 compared to 2010. They say a number of factors could be at play, including the recent severe drought, as well as fly activity.

Pigeon Fever causes abscesses and swelling in the horse’s pectoral region (breast muscles), causing a “pigeon-like” appearance. It is most common in the western United States but cases diagnosed in other parts of the country may also be on the increase. Horses affected may show a variety of signs including fever, weight loss, swelling of the breast muscles or ventral abdomen (belly) and other areas of the body. The abscesses are usually external so the swelling is visible. Less commonly, they form inside the horse’s body, where they are more difficult to detect and treatment can be difficult.

The bacteria can live for extended periods of time in dry soil and flies carry the disease. Affected horses should be isolated and abscess drainage (pus) should be disposed of properly. A vet should be called at the first sign. The California Department of Agriculture has recently released a helpful Biosecurity Toolkit for equine events and is available on line at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/pdfs/Biosecurity-Toolkit_Part_2.pdf. The AAEP also has information available at http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=358

TEXAS SUPREME COURT DENIES PAULA GAUGHAN V NCHA APPEAL

PAULA GAUGHAN ISSUES A LETTER TO ALLABOUTCUTTING.COM

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 4, 2012
According to a posting on the website of the Texas Supreme Court, on March 30, 2012, they have denied the appeal of Paula Gaughan and Dean Sanders v The National Cutting Horse Association, which requested that they review the decision of the Second District Court of Appeals in Fort Worth Texas, which was made last July. In a letter sent to www.allaboutcutting.com, Paula gives her response to the Supreme Court's denial.

Paula Gaughan, Las Vegas, Nev., and Dean Sanders, Anderson, Texas, filed a lawsuit on May 20, 2008 against the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) in Tarrant County District Court, stating that the purpose of the suit was to request inspection of the six categories of documents due to their concern that participation in certain NCHA events has declined while the costs borne by members wishing to compete in these same events have increased.

“We are genuinely interested in fostering increased participation in NCHA events by lowering the costs associated with that participation and making sure that the membership dues and other monies received by the NCHA are being spent with the best interests of the NCHA membership in mind,” said the suit.

The suit requested to review the NCHA’s financial records and other requested documents to confirm that the NCHA was not guilty of waste or mismanagement in its financial affairs and in the administration of the NCHA’s business. The review would include all
payments made and all compensation paid and expenses incurred by NCHA management over the past three fiscal years Gaughan and Sanders said in the lawsuit that they felt the information would enable the NCHA membership to make informed decisions as to the most responsible and prudent course of action affecting the NCHA’s future financial affairs. The request is made by the Plaintiffs under Section 22.351 of the Texas Business Organizations Code.

After losing the original lawsuit and follow-up appeals, a petition for review by the Supreme Court of Texas was filed on Nov. 21, 2011. On Jan. 13, 2012, the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) filed a 10-page Amicus Curiae (friend of the court) Brief with the Supreme Court, scolding the 67th Judicial District of Tarrant County Court, Fort Worth, as well as the Second Court of Appeals in Tarrant County on their rulings for the NCHA. The brief stated that the Supreme Court must act on Gaughan's request for review to prevent a non-profit corporation, or a court, from overruling a Texas statute by fiat. "The legislature has expressly made a non-profit corporation's financial information public information," said the brief.

The Texas Supreme Court gave no reason for their denial, and after receiving the news, Paula Gaughan issued the following letter to www.allaboutcutting.com:

"I am so sad about the ruling from the Supreme Court. I truly did, and still do, believe that it is the right of every member of a non-profit organization to see any records of that organization. I believe they belong to the members – not its staff. And who to care more about this organization’s safety than its members? It is so shocking that the courts in Texas chose to disregard the law that the legislature passed.

I will never again doubt my husband’s adage, “A person is better off in his lifetime if he never has to talk to any attorney.” (No personal insults meant.) I have never been involved in a lawsuit of any kind prior to this and the path of anguish is wide … from my shows, to my children, to my finances, to some of my friends. Lawsuits do not mean that people play fair! These were all adversely affected by the opposing side. I do wish it could have been kept out of the personal realm.

But so be it. This chapter is now closed. I do not feel it was all for naught as there have been many changes at the headquarters and more to come that I believe will be to the benefit of the members. And in the end, that is what this was all about, for me at least - the members.

Thank you all for your support and kind words and encouragement. It has meant the world to me."

ALLEN MITCHELS RESPONDS TO NRHA MOTION TO DISMISS CASE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 17, 2012
On March 12, a Plaintiff’s Response In Opposition To Defendant’s Motion To Dismiss was filed in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma City, Okla., by Allen Mitchels, who filed a lawsuit against the NRHA following his removal as President.

He had also been removed from the Teaching Panel and the Judges Committee, as well as having his Judge’s privileges revoked for five years and a lifetime ban on appointment or election to a position of authority within the NRHA.
Click here for Mitchels' legal response>>

The Response also states that Mitchels had already secured a Temporary Injunction against the NRHA based on his Breach of Contract and Breach of bylaw-Regulation claims, ordering that the NRHA could remove Mitchels as NRHA President, but is temporarily unable to carry out its disciplinary action against Mitchels, including revoking his judging privileges and removing him from the teaching Panel and Judges Committee.

However, for some unknown reason, this order has not yet been put in the court records. Phone calls to Mitchels’ lawyer Kevin R. Donelson were not returned. The Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss is scheduled to take place in front of Judge Bryan C. Dixon on Friday, April 13 at 10 a.m. To read the other legal documents and articles, check out previous articles in “Late Breaking News.”

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 8, 2012
Durant Auto Group Sale a “No Go,” Lee Garner, 67, Batesville, Miss., found guilty of kick-back bribe cases and could face life in prison; last call for consignments for the Marketplace At Ardmore Sale scheduled for March 31, Professional Auction Services hold online auction with bidding beginning March 23; Dispersal of 200 Babcock Quarter Horses to be held March 17-18 at Whitesboro, Texas sale arena and AQHA Convention scheduled for March 9-12 at South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

DURANT AUTO GROUP SALE A “NO GO”
When McKinney Toyota dealer Pat Lobb was unable to come up with the financing to complete the purchase of Weatherford-based Jerry Durant Auto Group, the sale was called off.

According to an article in the March 5-11 Fort Worth Business Press, Durant, 64, an NCHA member, contestant and stallion owner, had announced he was selling to Pat Lobb last December, citing his two back surgeries. However, he now says he has decided to remain in business for the long term, claiming he got renewed energy from customers and employees, saying they wanted him to stay.

The Durant Auto Group includes seven dealerships in Weatherford and Granbury, selling and servicing Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Hyundai and Toyota brands.

LEE GARNER FOUND GUILTY OF KICKBACK-BRIBES CASE
Lee Garner, 67, Batesville, Miss., was found guilty of a kickback-bribe case surrounding Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville, on March 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. Found guilty on four counts of a 12-count indictment, Garner could be sentenced to 25 years and a $1 million fine if he is sentenced to the maximum. Businessman Ray Shoemaker, 38, Tupelo, found guilty on 10 counts could get 145 years in prison and a $5 million fine if sentenced to the maximum.

Garner, the earner of $1.3 million in NCHA earnings, was a stand-out football player with the Ole Miss Rebels in his younger days. According to an article in the Mississippi Daily Journal.com, Garner has been involved in numerous enterprises, but it was his association with Guardian Angel Services and No-Call Billing, which supplied nursing staff to Tri-Lakes, that came into question in this case.

Prosecutors said their most useful information against the two came from David Chandler, former Panola county administrator, who pleaded guilty to non-related crimes and said he hopes for leniency for his testimony against Shoemaker and Garner. Chandler claimed Garner paid him $268,000 to influence nurse hirings from his company and he also claimed Shoemaker demanded a $25,000 bribe to keep things flowing for Garner. Attorneys for Garner insisted the nurse staffing deal was a business arrangement, not a bribe, to ensure Garner was paid in a timely manner.

Shoemaker’s attorneys insisted their client never demanded money from Garner through Chandler and that the $12,000 Shoemaker got from Chandler was a loan, not a bribe. The FBI-lies charge stemmed from Shoemaker’s claim he didn’t receive any money from Chandler. The jury apparently also believed that Shoemaker lied to the USDA about deals within a loan arrangement to secure operating capital for the hospital.

The four counts Garner was found guilty of include 1) nursing services kickback-bribery conspiracy, 2) nursing services kickbacks-bribes, 3) healthcare fraud conspiracy and 4) healthcare fraud.

Both defendants remain free on $50,000 bond until they are sentenced, which could take weeks or months for the U.S. Probation Service to develop for the court’s consideration. After the verdict, Shoemaker was taken to another courtroom in the federal courthouse in connection with an alleged altercation Thursday with an investigator. U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander declined to revoke or add to Shoemaker’s bond in that case.

LAST CALL FOR CONSIGNMENTS FOR THE MARKETPLACE AT ARDMORE SALE
With The Marketplace at Ardmore Sale coming up on March 31 at Hardy Murphy coliseum in Ardmore, Okla., sale manager Susie Reed has issued a “last call for consignments.” The Performance Horse Sale features a $250 catalog fee, an 8 percent commission and no “no-sale” fee. Consignment forms can be found at www.themarketplaceatardmore.com or you can e-mail Susie at polo@ardmore.com. Susie’s phone number is 580-276-4281.

PROFESSIONAL AUCTION SERVICES HOLDS ONLINE AUCTION
Bids will open on March 23 for an Online Horse Sale put on by Professional Auction Services. Bids will close March 27-March 30. There is a $99 basic entry fee or $119 with research on sire and dam of the entry. Commission will be 7 percent.

Sellers can enter their horses online using an online entry form or download an entry form package, fill it out and fax it to 877-202-3552. Entries can also be made by mail or faxed with a downloaded entry form. A negative coggins drawn within six months of the closing date of the auction is required and should be faxed to 877-202-2552. Also sellers will need to mail to Professional Auction Services, a completed entry form, original registration certificate, signed transfer, copy of coggins, HYPP report if applicable and pregnancy exam if applicable.

For more information go to http://professionalauction.com, e-mail at info@professionalauction.com, call at 540-955-5040 or 1-800-240-7900, fax 540-955-0881.

DISPERSAL OF BABCOCK HORSES TO BE HELD MARCH 17-18
The dispersal of 200 head Babcock Quarter Horses, Valley View, Texas, will take place March 17-18 at 10 a.m. each day, at the JL Cow Horse Arena (Jared and Sarah Lesh) on Highway 82 in Whitesboro, Texas. All horses will be sold with no reserves.

All equipment will be sold at the B and R Ranch prior to the sale each day. The B and R Ranch is also on Highway 82, just one mile from the arena. Horses will be available for viewing at 12 noon Thursday, March 15 at JL Arena. Show horses will be sold on cattle and a catalog will be available on the day of the sale.

The sale will include 25 breedings to stallions, including cowboy Smarts, Royal blue Quixote, Captain Nice, Bryer Wood, Chics Leavem Smoke and Hickaboom. Also there will be over 100 mares and foals and 2 & 3-year-old prospects by Smart Chic Olena, Trashadeous, Mister Dual Pep and Elans Playboy. There will be a total of 350 head sold, including special consignments from Allen Chappell, Winston Hansma, Bobby Lewis, David McDavid, Carol Rose, Jack Waggoner and Western States.

A line of credit or cash will allow for transfer of papers the day of the sale. Auctioneers include Don Green and Tony Langdon, with pedigrees by Bill Parker, Billings, Mont., and Tom Brown, Ruidoso, N.M. For more information on the Babcock horses, contact the BR Ranch 940-612-1655 or Blair Bailey 940-284-6781.

AQHA CONVENTION SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 9-12 AT SOUTH POINT IN LAS VEGAS
This weekend, the AQHA four-day convention of the American Quarter Horse Association will take place at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The convention will include general membership, board of directors and committee meetings. The 2012 Las Vegas Silver Dollar circuit horse show will be held at the South Point immediately following the convention on March 14-18. The show has been selected as one of the pilot shows for AQHA’s new leveling program. For more information go to www.silverdollarcircuit.com or email Jan Bruner at brunergroup@gmail.com.

One interesting subject to be discussed at the Stud Book and Registration Committee is to allow the registration of the offspring of a cloned horse. For more information, go to http://www.aqha.com/convention.

WHITMIRES FILE APPEAL AND RESPOND TO NCHA CROSS APPEAL

NCHA FILES CROSS APPEAL SEEKING NEW TRIAL IF JNOV WAS IMPROPER; AND RESPONDS TO APPEAL BY WHITMIRES

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 27, 2012
Following the filing of a formal brief on Dec. 14, 2011 by Ray and Lainie Whitmire with the Second Court of Appeals of Texas, in their case against the National Cutting Horse Association, the NCHA has responded with their own cross-appeal, filed Jan. 17, 2012. The Whitmire’s brief to the Appeals Court was in response to Judge Tom Lowe’s overturning a Jan. 24, 2011 jury verdict and entering his own final judgment in favor of the NCHA on April 15, 2011.

While the jury verdict was in favor of Lainie Whitmire in a “Breach of Oral Contract” (between NCHA lawyer Eldridge Goins and Clark Brewster, who was Lainie Whitmire’s lawyer at the time) and “False Imprisonment” claims, and awarded Whitmire $70,000 in damages against the NCHA on the charge regarding the alleged oral agreement, Judge Lowe reversed the jury’s decision without giving a reason. He then ordered Lainie Whitmire to reimburse the NCHA $302,000 in legal expenses and Ray Whitmire to pay $45,000. The NCHA has filed its own cross-appeal seeking a new trial if the appellate court decides the JNOV (Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict) of Judge Lowe was improper.

As an Appellee, the NCHA claims the trial court (Judge Lowe) was correct in reversing the jury’s verdict and entering judgment in favor of the NCHA; however, in the event the appellate court finds that the JNOV was improper, they are seeking a new trial on the Breach of Oral Agreement claim based upon the trial court’s denial of their offer to present Lindy Burch’s testimony regarding Eldridge Goins and the trial court’s allowing the Whitmire’s appraisal expert, Dave Johnson, to testify. The NCHA claims that the trial court erred by allowing into evidence the testimony of David Johnson, an equine appraiser regarding the value of three horses, due to the inability of Lainie Whitmire or anyone else to show those horses as a non-pro in NCHA events.

Whitmires’ recent response to the cross-appeal and her reply to the NCHA’s response to her appeal included reference to 1) testimonial and documentary evidence that the trial court excluded from the record regarding the denial of her non-professional application and suspension of her NCHA membership; 2) her position that the trial court properly excluded the testimony of Lindy Burch because they had excluded all of the items during the trial that she was going to refer to; 3) that the trial court did not err in excluding trial exhibits or testimony of Goins and NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper relating to certain documents, as they were irrelevant, prejudicial, misleading, hearsay and cumulative of other evidence presented during the trial; and 4) the trial court did not err in admitting the expert testimony of David Johnson.

In the Whitmires’ main appeal, they contend that the trial court erred 1) when they granted the JNOV and disregarded the jury’s findings in favor of Whitmire’s breach of oral contract claim, as there is overwhelming evidence establishing the existence of the oral contract to reinstate Lainie Whitmire after the conclusion of an agreed-upon six-month suspension and that the NCHA lawyer Eldridge Goins had the authority to enter into such a settlement; 2) when the trial court took away the damages awarded to Lainie Whitmire for the NCHA’s breach of contract, based on the loss in value of the horses due to the fact she could not show them; and 3) when the trial court awarded attorney’s fees to the NCHA, who had waived any claim they had for attorney fees for defending Lainie Whitmire’s declaratory judgment action on the membership issues, which was disposed of in the Prior Appeal and due to the Court’s Mandate that all additional claims had been disposed of by summary judgment ruling of the court.

Basically, there are two separate appeals going on – one from each side – each with requests for oral argument. The NCHA now has a right to reply to the Whitmires’ response to their cross-appeal, which should happen in the next 10 days, and then briefing will be closed. The lawsuit from the Whitmires against the NCHA has been going on for over five years, while Lainie has been fighting for her membership and non-pro status in the NCHA and Ray has been fighting to have his lifetime membership restored after it was taken away for financially aiding in his wife’s court battle against the NCHA.

Attached are copies of the legal brief from the NCHA, as an Apellee and Cross Appellant and Appellants and Cross Appellees Lainie and Ray Whitmire:
Click here for NCHA court briefs>>
Click here for court brief-1 of Lainie and Ray Whitmire>>
Click here for court brief-2 of Lainie and Ray Whitmire>>

NCHA FILES RESPONSE TO SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS IN PAULA GAUGHAN V NCHA

NCHA ADDS TWO AUSTIN LAWYERS TO CASE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 21, 2012
The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), through their lawyers James W. Morris, Dallas, Texas and Joseph R. Knight and Dustin M. Howell, Austin, Texas, responded on Feb. 13, 2012 to Paula Gaughan’s Petition For Review by the Supreme lic interest on open government and First Amendment problems.” The Brief contended that the NCourt of Texas, Austin, Texas, filed Nov. 21, 2011 and an Amicus Brief filed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) filed on Jan. 13, 2012.

In their response, the NCHA argued that the Court of Appeals properly concluded that 1) confidential vendor, sponsorship and employment contracts were not records of “financial activity” under Article 1396-2.23A and thus not subject to public disclosure, 2) the trial court’s protective order was the appropriate measure to protect the NCHA’s confidential material and 3) the Amicus failed to offer any more support than Gaughan for its sweeping view of the public’s right to inspect the records of a non-profit and the “guidance” it seeks is irrelevant to this case.

The 67th Judicial District of Tarrant County Court, Fort Worth, Texas, as well as the Second Court of Appeals in Tarrant County had both previously ruled for the NCHA in a declaratory judgment action filed by Paula Gaughan and Dean Sanders in 2008, seeking a declaration that Texas law requires non-profit corporations in Texas to produce their financial records for inspection and photocopying on request.

The Amicus Curiae Brief, filed on Jan. 13, 2012 by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas lawyer Joseph R. Larsen of Sedgwick LLP, Houston, Texas, provided support for the position taken by Paula Gaughan and pointed out several cases, statutes and additional authorities recording Open Records decisions that support their collective position. Founded in 1978, the FOIFT’s mission is to “serve as a statewide clearinghouse of information on open government and first Amendment matters and to take action in the pub

CHA’s position is contrary to the “plain wording of the Texas statute.” The day after the FOIFT filed their Amicus Brief, the Supreme Court of Texas requested a Response to Petition for Review from the NCHA.

Both parties will now have to wait to see if a full briefing on the merits is requested by the Supreme Court of Texas. There are no current deadlines in place at this time.
Click for copy of NCHA Rsponse to Petition For Review>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 13, 2012
Cam Foreman resigns as Executive Vice President of Ohio QHA; Rein In Cancer committed to fundraising for cancer patients; Voters OK slots at Florida barrel racing site.

CAM FOREMAN RESIGNS AS EXECUTIVE VP OF OHIO QHA
Cam Foreman, who spent 31 years with the American Quarter Horse Association prior to taking the job of Executive Vice President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association and show manager of the All American Quarter Horse congress, resigned Feb. 4 during the association’s annual membership meeting. During the meeting he said he wanted to “pursue other interests.”

His position at the AQHA included heading up the International department and under Executive Vice President Bill Brewer, became the AQHA’s director of judges. Later he was senior director of judges and shows. Prior to his resignation in 2009, he also was general manager of all the world Championship shows that AQHA produced.

He became the executive vice president of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association in August 2009 following the death of Denny Hales. He will be helping the association with their transition to a new executive vice president during the 90 days he is required to stay with the association following his resignation. Foreman and his wife, Lisa, have one son, Hayden, who owns his own welding fabrication business in Canyon, Texas, and who also ropes and trains a few horses. Even though they purchased a home in Columbus, the Foremans maintained a residence in Amarillo.

REIN IN CANCER COMMITTED TO FUNDRAISING FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Five years ago, Rein In Cancer was born through the efforts of three committed women: Shorty Koger, owner of Shorty’s Caboy Hattery in Oklahoma City; Tracie Anderson, a cutting competitor whose husband is a cancer survivor, and Cheryl Magoteaux Cody, co-owner of Pro Management Inc., which runs the NRCHA and whose sister was diagnosed with cancer. Close to $600,000 later, the Shirley Bowan Nutrition Center (named after Koger’s sister who succumbed to cancer) has become a reality and is housed in the Charles and Peggy Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City and now actively provides nutritional counseling to cancer patients regardless of their ability to pay, as insurance often does not cover these expenses.

But now the group has gone in a new direction. Beginning Feb. 1, 2012, members of the AQHA, NRHA, NCHA and the NRCHA who are diagnosed with cancer can receive a one-time donation of $500 from Rein In Cancer. It has also created a venue for loved ones of the patient to give a directed donation as well be benefit their friend or relative. They promise no red tape, with an application for support available for downloading at www.reinincancer.com and sent to Rein In Cancer, along with a current pathology report. Funding will be done immediately upon receive and approval. Rein In Cancer is a 501 © 3, tax deductable corporation offering tax benefits to people who donate. For information go to http://www.reinincancer.com.

VOTES OK SLOTS AT GADSDEN COUNTY, FLA. TRACK WHERE FIRST PARI-MUTUEL BARREL RACE WAS HELD
According to Bloodhorse.com, the legality of opening a casino at either the Gadsden or Washington County, Fla., race tracks, as well as the future operation and expansion of pari-mutuel barrel racing in Florida are among issues under review by the state’s legislature, its attorney general and several regulatory agencies.

On Jan. 31, voters approved a ballot issue authorizing a casino with slot machines at Gretna Racing, the facility that on Jan. 16 completed the first pari-mutuel barrel racing meet in Florida. The meet was held under a Quarter Horse license issued Oct. 19, 2011 by the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. Also on Jan. 31, voters in Washington County approved a ballot issue authorizing a casino with slot machines at Ebro Greyhound Park, located about 100 miles west of Tallahassee.

Two Florida Quarter Horse associations, supported by two of the state’s Thoroughbred associations, maintain that pari-mutuel barrel racing is not legal under Florida law and they are trying to get Gretna Racing’s licenses for Quarter Horse racing revoked. A hearing has been scheduled for March 28-30. If passed, the bill would become effective July 1, 2012; however, it is unknown if pari-mutuel barrel racing will be able to continue. The legislature is scheduled to end its 2012 regular session March 9. The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering have a scheduled public hearing March 13 on issues related to definitions of Florida pari-mutuel racing laws.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 26, 2012
Dan Simpson, Tyler, Texas, in ICU; Waggoner Ranch tops Best of Remuda Sale at Fort Worth Stock Show which is taking "smart" new direction"; memorial video for Jill Long on PCCHA website and NCHA Eastern Nationals scheduled for March 5-17 in Jackson, Miss.

DAN SIMPSON IN ICU
Dan Simpson had his complete stomach and gall bladder removed yesterday (Wednesday, Jan. 25) at the Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, Texas, following emergency exploratory surgery. After 5 1/2 hours on the operating table, he is in ICU, where they have him heavily sedated and on a breathing pump for the next few days. According to his wife, Danielle, Dan had been in the hospital for 41 days after an ulcer perforated his stomach; however, they couldn't seem to get the hole closed up. You can send your encouragement to Danielle at danjsimpson@yahoo.com. Dan's cell phone number is 830-285-2540; however, he will not be able to answer calls until he gets out of ICU.

WAGGONER RANCH TOPS "BEST OF REMUDA SALE" AT FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW
Both the high seller and the top-selling mare were consigned by the W. T. Waggoner Estate, Electra, Texas, in the Best of Remuda Sale held Jan. 14 during the Fort Worth Stock Show.wimpys Hombre, a 2008 sorrel stallion by wimpys Little Step out of Miss Solano Bee topped the sale at $20,000, selling to Jim and Marilyn Helzer, owners of JEH Stallion Station, with locations in Texas and Oklahoma.

The high-selling mare, Greyt Big Diamonds, was also consigned by the W. T. Waggoner Estate, bringing $11,500 from the Furnett Ranches (6666's Ranch), Guthrie, Texas. The 2007 sorrel mare is sired by Greyt Whiz and out of Poco Tuck Diamonds. The Waggoner ranch consigned nine head and averaged $7,066. The overall average for 72 head was $3,701.

FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW TAKING "SMART" NEW DIRECTION
There's an "app" for that - with that being the Fort Worth Stock show, currently going on in Fort Worth, Texas. With this new smart phone application, the free "app" will allow users of Apple and Android phones to navigate their way around the Stock Show grounds, find the next real-time event or plan an entire day at the show. The app is an interactive guide to parking maps, daily schedule of events and other user-friendly functions. Another feature, Friend Finder, can actually pin point a friend on the Show grounds. Users can also access their facebook and twitter pages from the application.The show is running through Feb. 4.

MEMORIAL VIDEO FOR JILL LONG ON PCCHA WEBSITE
A lovely video memorial to Jill Long, Gardnerville, Nev., who lost her battle with cancer on Dec. 18, 2011, is now available on the PCCHA website. Go to www.pccha.com, passing (on right side of the page), and click on the Jill Long video.

NCHA EASTERN NATIONALS TO BE HELD IN JACKSON, MISS., MARCH 5-17
According to the NCHA, cutters must only have paid an entry fee and ridden to the herd at least once in a class during the 2011 point year in order to be eligible to enter that class at the Eastern National championships, scheduled for March 5-17 in Jackson, Miss. The reasoning behind the strange qualification is the EHV-1 situation that happened last year, cancelling many shows. However, a number of show secretaries wish that the NCHA would have required qualifiers to attend a set number of shows, which would have helped entries for the shows as well as the finances of the NCHA affiliates after the EHV-1 scare was over.

Feb. 9 is the deadline to enter to make sure you are in the draw for the show which features $20,000 in added money in each of 10 classes, junior and senior youth classes and youth team cutting.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION FOUNDATION OF TEXAS FILES AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF PAULA GAUGHAN IN HER LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NCHA REGARDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 18, 2012
Paula Gaughan

According to the Texas Legislature, “A non-profit corporation’s financial information is expressly public.” So says the content of a plain-English, brutally succinct 10-page Amicus Curiae Brief of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT), filed Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 with the Supreme Court of Texas. The brief, filed by the Foundation’s lawyer, Joseph R. Larsen of Sedgwick LLP, Houston, Texas, and addressed to the Supreme Court of Texas in Austin, scolded the 67th Judicial District of Tarrant County Court, Fort Worth, Texas, as well as the Second Court of Appeals in Tarrant County on their rulings for the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) of Fort Worth.

The NCHA was the defendant in a declaratory judgment action filed by Paula Gaughan and Dean Saunders in 2008, seeking a declaration that Texas law requires non-profit corporations in Texas to produce their financial records for inspection and photocopying upon request. Following the Tarrant County trial court and appellate court rulings, Gaughan, through her lawyer James W. Walker of Walker Sewell LLP, Dallas, Texas, filed a “Petition For Review from the Second Court of Appeals” with the Supreme Court of Texas on Nov. 21, 2011.

The procedural rules allow an interested party to submit an Amicus Curiae, or “friend of the court”, brief to the Supreme Court of Texas if the party wants to weigh in on the issue before the Supreme Court. The Amicus Curiae Brief filed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas seeks to provide solid support for the position taken by Paula Gaughan regarding access to the NCHA’s financial records, and points out several cases, statutes and additional authorities recording Open Records decisions that support their collective position. Founded in 1978, the FOIFT’s mission is to “serve as a statewide clearinghouse of information on open government and first Amendment matters and to take action in the public interest on open government and First Amendment problems.”

The brief states that the Supreme Court must act on Gaughan’s request for review to prevent a non-profit corporation, or a court, from overruling a Texas statute by fiat. “The legislature has expressly made a non-profit corporation’s financial information public information,” says the brief. “The trial court is therefore without authority under the statute to seal financial information from release to the public, whether by protective order or otherwise. Indeed, the trial court’s ruling is directly contrary to express legislative history meant to specifically remedy the very evil Petitioner has stated she seeks to address – misuse of funds by a non-profit corporation.”

Also, while the court of appeals opinion says that agreements between NCHA and its employees, vendors, sponsors or other persons with whom it does business, will maintain certain information as confidential, the Foundation’s brief makes it clear that it believes this part of the appellate ruling from Ft. Worth is also contrary to the plain wording of the Texas statute.

The brief also addresses the costs claimed to have been incurred by NCHA in preparing information for Gaughan to review, stating “this case is shocking. Such high costs are the functional equivalent of the denial of access. In previous Texas Supreme Court cases, it was determined that ’it is the responsibility of the custodian of records to determine the least expensive method of supplying information.’”

James W. Walker of Walker Sewell LLP, representing Paula Gaughan, says “we are delighted that the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has lent their important voice to this appeal. We continue to believe that our Legislature fully expects non-profit corporations like the NCHA to practice complete transparency when it comes to their financial records at minimal cost to the public.” He went on to state that “any member of the public, and certainly any NCHA member, has a legal right to inspect and copy any records reflecting the NCHA’s financial activity, including its bank records, its investment records, records reflecting executive compensation and all sponsorship and vendor contracts. We look forward to urging this type of financial transparency before the Supreme Court of Texas. ”

The conventional wisdom suggests that an Amicus Curiae brief submitted by such a credible and well-established organization as the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas on an issue of such critical importance to its central mission – supporting the public interest in matters of open government and First Amendment constitutional issues – will have an effect on the Supreme Court’s decision to accept or reject Paula Gaughan’s appeal. In the very least, it is clear that a very credible organization agrees with Paula Gaughan’s view that the NCHA’s financial records are available for public inspection. The Foundation also makes the point that people, like Paula, should not have to pay any significant costs associated with exercising this legal right.

The parties are now waiting to see if the Supreme Court of Texas asks the NCHA to respond to Paula Gaughan’s Petition for Review. If so, once the response is filed, the parties will wait to see if full briefing on the merits is requested. There are no current deadlines in place at this time.
Click for copy of Amicus Curiae Brief>>

ALL NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR NRCHA

TWO MEMBERS OF NEWLY FORMED “OWNERS’ COMMITTEE” OBTAIN BOARD SEATS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 26, 2011
A very controversial election for six Board of Director members of the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) resulted in the removal of all six directors whose term limits were up, and six new directors being put in place.

The board members going off were Lyn Anderson, who wasn’t running again, Paul Bailey (Treasurer), Howard Erenberg (Vice President), Darren Miller (Executive Committee member), Marilyn Peters and Sam Rose. According to NRCHA President Kathy Gould, with 941 ballots cast, voted on the Board were million dollar riders, former Snaffle Bit Futurity and NRCHA aged-event champions, former members and some brand new faces. The trainers included Todd Crawford, leading the list by number of votes with 526; Todd Bergen, 410; Jake Telford, 390 and Bob Avila, 339. The brand new faces include Bill Tointon, who received the second highest number of votes at 423 and James Vangelos with 340.

The election was controversial because the interest in becoming a director was so high that 19 members were running for the six seats. It began when Teddy Robinson, an NRCHA legend as the first $1 million rider, a Hall of Famer, a seven-time World Champion of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, and a past Board member for 17 years, was refused by the Nominating committee to run for a director of the association due to the fact that he had a 1995 felony conviction for income tax evasion on his record. The conviction took place prior to his being on the board multiple times.

In a previous article on AllAboutCutting.com, Teddy said that he felt the whole thing was a little bit personal because he had helped start the National Stock Horse Association (NSHA), a privately owned reined cow horse association, that some felt was in competition with the NRCHA. Prior to his plan to run for the NRCHA directorship, Teddy sold his interest in the NSHA, to comply with a new rule that NRCHA had put in regarding eligibility to run for NRCHA directorships.

Tointon, Longmont, Colo., and Vangelos, Temecula, Calif., were part of a three-man team of businessmen called the Owner’s Committee, which is chaired by Newt White. The three ran an active internet and print media advertising campaign prior to the election, saying that the association hadn’t grown in the past five years and they needed to improve their Premier shows for more spectator appeal, better venues, increased pace and bigger purses.

The businessmen claimed the association didn’t have a long-term view and they needed to develop a five-year plan for the future in a step-by-step process including an honest look at the financial picture, an open dialog with members and a plan for positive change, including how to get new members, how to make it more fun and how to get people to try and stick with the sport by spreading the excitement and thrill. They also felt that showing needed to be affordable and rewarding for everyone and, therefore, they needed to secure new sources of revenue and funding to take the pressure off of the membership and entry fees and increase payouts. They wanted entry-level competitors to receive the attention, recognition and support they deserve.

The other member of that three-man Owner’s Committee was Dave Allen, Park City, Utah, who just missed the cut-off of the top six, with 322 votes. Other contenders who missed the cut-off were Paul Bailey, 377 votes; Jerry Peters, 282; Darren Miller, 274; Kevin Stallings, 237; Sam Rose, 233; Carol Rose, 226; Smoky Pritchett, 225; Ken Wold, 216; Marilyn Peters, 215; Howard Erenberg, 175; Dar Hanson, 133 and Ramona Koch, 120.

LAINIE AND RAY WHITMIRE FILE APPELLATE BRIEF AND REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT WITH TEXAS SECOND COURT OF APPEALS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 17, 2011
Ray and Lainie Whitmire

It has now been over seven years, since Lainie Whitmire first started fighting for her non-pro status in the NCHA and over five years that she has been fighting for her membership in the National Cutting Horse Association.

On Dec. 14, 2011, James W. Walker of Walker Sewell LLP, Dallas, Texas, the attorney for Ray and Lainie Whitmire in their case against the National Cutting Horse Association, filed a formal brief with the Second Court of Appeals of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, that includes a request that the court hear oral arguments. The actual appeal was started on May 13, 2011; following the overturning of a jury decision for the Whitmires by Tarrant County’s 236th District Court Judge Tom Lowe. The appellate court’s original briefing deadline was extended until for Dec. 14 due to an injury of the court reporter and the delay this caused in her preparation of the record needed for the appeal. As a result, the NCHA’s current response deadline will be January 13, 2012.

After a jury trial was held in January 2011, 10 of the 12 jurors found the NCHA guilty of false imprisonment of Lainie and a breach of an oral settlement agreement reached between her lawyer at the time, Clark Brewster, and the then NCHA lawyer Eldridge Goins, regarding a time table for Lainie to regain her membership and non-pro status. In a surprise move, after the jury award and at the hearing on Whitmire’s motion to enter judgment, Judge Lowe announced he was going to overturn the jury’s decision. The lawsuit against the NCHA had been going on since Oct. 1, 2006, following a dispute about Lainie’s amateur/non-pro status that has been ongoing since 2004.

During the trial, the jury awarded the Whitmires no monetary damages on the false imprisonment claim, but assessed $70,000 damages against the NCHA on the charge regarding the oral agreement found to exist by the jury, which amounted to the loss in value of their cutting horses because neither Lainie, Ray nor their trainer had been allowed to compete on them. After they lost their memberships, no horses owned by Lainie or Ray could be shown by them or anyone else.

The on-going suit has had many twists and turns over the years, including the loss of his NCHA membership by Lainie Whitmire’s husband, Ray, who attempted to seek reinstatement as a member of the NCHA after his membership had been terminated under Article II of the NCHA constitution because he was married to Lainie and was financially supporting her law suit against the Association. The prior year, Ray had been named “Rookie of the Year” in the NCHA.

Judge Lowe overturned the jury verdict and entered his final judgment in favor of the National Cutting Horse Association on April 15, 2011, which came nine days short of three months following a Jan. 24 jury verdict in favor of Lainie Whitmire in a “Breach of Oral Contract” and “False Imprisonment” claims. They were all that were left from the original claims in the case regarding loss of Lainie/s Non-Pro and Amateur Status. The judge previously ruled for the NCHA on Lainie Whitmire’s loss of her non-pro status and membership, saying that the judicial non-interference doctrine prevented him from interfering in the NCHA’s determination along those lines.

During the course of the final trial, when court costs were brought up, Judge Lowe said that there was one ruling he could make: each side would be required to pay the costs they incurred. Also, previously, the Whitmires had received a Summary Judgment from Judge Lowe, saying she would not be responsible for any NCHA legal fees because she had been suspended from the NCHA at the time she sued them and the NCHA had not included a request for the fees in their client’s pleadings.

Yet, when all was said and done, none of that happened. Following his overturning of the jury’s verdict, Judge Lowe awarded the NCHA $302,000 in attorney’s fees in the case of Lainie and $45,000 in attorney’s fees in the case of Ray, calling them “just and equitable.” Whitmire is arguing that the attorney’s fees awarded against her is in error because the NCHA waived this by not asking for it before the last appeal on those same claims. Whitmire is also seriously questioning the fee award against Ray Whitmire given the small amount of work his claim took and the fact that the NCHA waived this fee claim by not asking the jury for the award during the trial. Ray and Lainie Whitmire are asking the Fort Worth appellate court to reinstate the jury verdict, won after three weeks of trial and testimony, and to award Lainie Whitmire fees and costs on her breach of oral contract claim and to void the fee awards in favor of the NCHA. The appellate court has not yet responded to the oral argument request and no date for argument has been set at this time.
Click here for Appellants Brief>>
Click here for Certificate of Compliance>>

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 14, 2011
Jerry Durant to sell Auto Group; Cindy Dvorak loses battle with cancer; Bill Horn, NRHA Hall of Famer, dies at age 73; AQHA Rule-Change proposals due Dec.31 and PCCHA Stallion Service Auction includes top stallions.

JERRY DURANT TO SELL AUTO GROUP
According to an article in the Dec. 10 Fort Worth Star Telegram written by Bob Cox, Jerry Durant, 64, Weatherford,Texas, an NCHA member, contestant and stallion owner, has reached a tentative agreement to sell his entire auto dealership complex, including an outlet in Granbury, to Dallas auto dealer Pat Lobb, owner of Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas. According to Durant, after 41 years in the auto business, the deal to sell his business should close in approximately 90 days.

Durant's Auto Group consists of Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick-GMC, Toyota and Hyundai outlets, all in the Hudson Oaks area east of Weatherford, Texas. There are also outlets in Granbury for Toyota and Hyundai.

The article said that Durant had grown up in his father's Granbury Chevrolet dealership and in 1970, bought out a failing Chevrolet dealership in Weatherford and has built a major auto sales and service complex that he said would sell nearly 11,000 new and used vehicles this year.

Expressing his reason for selling, Durant said that he recently had his second back surgery and when the opportunity came, he decided it was a good time to slow down and take better care of himself and have more time for his family and grandkids. Durant has also been a principal in a real estate development project in Aledo. His younger brother, Tom, is owner of Classic Chevrolet, a top Chevrolet dealership in Grapevine, Texas, and other dealerships in the Metroplex, plus outlets in Sugar Land, near Houston and Plant city, Fla. he is also building a dealership in Cleburne.

CINDY DVORAK LOSES HER FIGHT WITH BREAST CANCER
Cindy Dvorak, the wife of cutting horse trainer Tom Dvorak, Weatherford, Texas, lost her battle with breast cancer following the semifinals of the NCHA Futurity on Dec. 9, where Tom qualified for the Finals. Following Cindy's last request for Dvorak to show in the finals on Dec. 10, he finished in a tie for 14th, earning $40,927. Cindy as a patient in the hospital where she had been a nurse for several years. Services were held for Cindy Dvorak at 11 a.m. today at Greenwood Baptist Church, Weatherford, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cindy's name may be made to the Michelle Lynne Holsey Foundation.

BILL HORN, FOUR-TIME WINNER OF NRHA FUTURITY AND MEMBER OF NRHA HALL OF FAME, DIES AT 73
If you have been a reining horse enthusiast - or simply a horse lover - over the past 40 years, you have heard of Bill Horn, whose name was synonymous with the reining horse. The champion of the NRHA Futurity four times during the 1960's through the 1980's, Horn was also the Futurity Reserve champion during some of those years as well as the 1990s. he was also named NRHA's first Million-Dollar rider.

Horn had been ill for several years and died at he and his wife Kim's home in Ocala, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 9. A Celebration of Life honoring Bill Horn will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Horn Ranch, 12932 SW 41st Place, Ocala, Fla.

AQHA RULE-CHANGE PROPOSALS DUE DEC. 31
AQHA members who have any suggestions for rule changes, must submit them to the AQHA by Dec. 31. During their annual convention, which this year is being held March 9-12 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., the standing committees will consider many items, including new rule proposals. For more information regarding the convention schedule, go to the AQHA web site at www.aqha.com.

PCCHA HOLDS STALLION SERVICE AUCTION:
Thinking about breeding your mare in 2012? The 2012 PCCHA Stallion Service on-line auction includes some of the industry's greatest cutting stallions - and they're from all over the United States. As an added benefit, there is a $10,000 Incentive purse being offered to the stallion owners this year

The on-line auction, held from Dec. 14, 2011 (8 am PST) and closes on Feb. 7, 2012 (8 pm PST, with the highest bidder winning. The list includes close to 70 great stallions, with some of them being the "flavor of the year." Some of the most popular include One Time Pepto, Cats Merada, Hes A Peptospoonful, Metallic Cat, Spots Hot, Sweet Lil Pepto, That Sly Cat, Third Cutting, Athena Puddy Cat, Boonlight Dancer, CD Royal, High Brow Cougar, Light N Lena, Neat Little Cat, Peeka Pep, Quejanaisalena, Rockin W, Smart Sugar Badger, Soula Jule Star, Tomcat Chex, Widows Freckles, Wild Thing DNA, WR This Cats Smart and Zack T Wood. Bids will start at 50 percent of the stud fee, which range from $8,500 down to $700.
Click here for list of stallions & stud fees>>

NOTICE: A SEARCH FOR 3 STOLEN HORSES

Nov. 11, 2011
On Oct. 30, Susan Palm, Coronado, Calif., reported three horses stolen from her farm in Queen Creek, Ariz. “The horses were being trained by a horse trainer and the trainer and horses have all disappeared,” said Palm. “The sheriff was called by tenants at the farm,” said Palm,” when they caught the trainer leading horses out of the barn. The trainer, who was living in the bunkhouse, left with four horses; however, one that did not belong to her was later found. Asked if she owed the trainer money, Susan said, “No.”

Palm said she has worked all of her life to learn about cutting, and now her horses have disappeared. The horses include:

1) a 2007 gray gelding named Tangy Blue (also known as Maus), sired by Tangys Classy Peppy out of Lena blue Frost by Lenas Jewel Bars. Standing over 15 hands, the gelding has a “triangle-like” brand on his right hip.

2) Shivers Lena, a 1997 sorrel mare with a big blaze and socks on her hind legs, sired by Shaken Shiver x Jay Lena x Doc O’Lena. The mare is an NCHA money earner and has an “XE” brand;

3) A 2009 bay roan mare named Pour Me A Smoothi, sired by Pour Mea Pepto x Patchwork by Peptoboonsmal. The small mare is not branded.

If you may have seen these horses or have any idea where they could be, please contact Susan Palm at 619-602-7522.

APPALOOSA WORLD SHOW AT FORT WORTH’S WILL ROGERS COLISEUM SUSPENDED FOR A DAY WHEN A SICK HORSE WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE EQUINE HERPES

Oct. 27, 2011
It was a scary day for horsemen in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Oct. 26 when during the ApHC World Show held at the Will Rogers Coliseum came down with a high temperature and neurological symptoms that prompted Dr. Loni Taylor, DVM to suspect EHV-1 – or the equine herpes virus. Vivid memories of the virus, which started at the 2010 NCHA Western Area Work offs came into play, where some 90 animals in 10 states became infected, with 13 dying or being euthanized, according to the Agricultural Department.

However, according to a press release from the Will Rogers Memorial Center, stated that test results which had been sent to UC Davis came back negative last night – much to the relief of contestants, horse owners, coliseum managers and the Appaloosa Horse Club. The association had gone into quarantine mode, sanitizing and isolating horses and cancelling the day’s classes. “It was weird seeing all the stalls being roped off with no one able to leave their isle,” said one spectator. Classes that were postponed will be “squeezed in” during the show, according to Steve Taylor, CEO of the Appaloosa Horse Club. A total of 720 horses from around the world were in Fort Worth at the weeklong event.

The horse in question and two others arrived in the same trailer and at press time it is still unknown what made the horse ill, and which remained ill on Wednesday evening.

This could have become a major catastrophe for the Will Rogers coliseum and the city of Fort Worth, with the one of the city’s largest shows, the American Paint Horse World Show and the high-paying NCHA Futurity scheduled within the next month.

$65 MILLION AWARDED TO INVESTORS IN MARE-LEASING SCHEME

FIVE DEFENDENTS, INCLUDING DAVID AND SPENCER PLUMMER, ORDERED TO PAY SIX INVESTORS $65 MILLION IN DAMAGES IN JUDGE’S SEPT. 30 99-PAGE OPINION

Oct. 4, 2011
David Plummer in a 2008 photo.

Following the demise of a massive Thoroughbred mare-leasing scheme that lasted from 2001 until 2006 and eventually spilled over into the cutting horse industry, U. S. District Judge Joseph M. Hood of Kentucky issued a 99-page opinion on Sept. 30, ruling that five defendants were to pay $65 million to six former investors. Since the case fit the criteria for damages to be awarded under the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Judge Hood awarded $49.4 million to the investors, which was three times their original investments, plus $15.6 million in interest.

The defendants included David Plummer and his son, Spencer; Geostar, the parent firm of ClassicStar, and Geostar executives Tony Ferguson, Thom Robinson and John Parrot. The two Plummers and Parrot, along with accountant Terry Green, have also pleaded guilty to committing tax fraud in Portland, Ore., totaling $200 million, and each faces five years in prison but none has been sentenced, and federal prosecutors are still pursuing evidence, raising the possibility of further criminal charges.

The six former investors involved in last week's judgment are Arbor Farms, Jaswinder Grover, Monica Grover, MacDonald Stables, Nelson Breeders and West Hills Farms. However, the amount the investors will actually receive is anyone’s guess since ClassicStar is now bankrupt and there are still more than a dozen lawsuits pending against ClassicStar, as well as its ongoing bankruptcy.

Judge Hood ruled that former ClassicStar operators had set up the mare-leasing program with the intent to funnel money into gas exploration operations and then swap out stock into Gastar Exploration, a publicly held spinoff company.
Representing ClassicStar, David Plummer purchased about $45 million worth of Thoroughbred mares at public auction and through private sales, and then sold more than $600 million in leases to high-income individuals.

Investors were told that the mares would be bred and produce foals that would make them money and that the whole investment could be used as a claim to the Internal Revenue Service. However, the ruling stated that ClassicStar sold more leases than it could provide foals. In fact, toward the end of the scheme, Quarter Horse mares were substituted for Thoroughbred mares in the program. But ClassicStar didn't own these mares just as they didn’t own many of the Thoroughbred mares. They were "on loan," allegedly, from the Plummers, who had a ranch in Utah.

Court documents also state that half of the investment could be financed through a lender, the National Equine Lending Corp., which turned out to be also owned by ClassicStar. Documents said that they took the original payment and pretended to loan the money back to double the investment and the tax write-off. The documents also said that “most of the investments were ultimately “illusory.” Records show that ClassicStar never owned more than $56 million in horses in any given year but they sold more than $600 million in leases, averaging about $150 million a year.

ClassicStar had a goal of converting 60 percent of its investors from the mare-leasing program into working interests and stock in Gastar, which operated the Geostar Oil and Gas company; however, according to Hood, most of the oil wells were never drilled. To make this swap appealing, GeoStar hugely inflated the tax benefits from the gas exploration, more than tripling well drilling costs to fabricate enough tax liability to completely pay off the mare leases. But the IRS caught on and quickly began to disallow related deductions. Also, last November, Gastar Explorations agreed to pay $21.15 million to the defendants and the bankruptcy trustee; GeoStar has agreed to pay the bankruptcy trustee $2 million.

However, the bubble began to burst in 2006 when the Plummers left ClassicStar. Shortly afterwards, the IRS raided ClassicStar's Woodford County farm, and the lawsuits started flying. GeoStar and Ferguson blamed the Plummers, while David Plummer pointed the finger at Ferguson. Hood noted that GeoStar completely controlled ClassicStar, down to signing for the checking accounts and scooping up more than $115 million in mare lease revenue.

“The funds transferred or siphoned from ClassicStar went to support GeoStar’s oil and gas operations, including those operated by and through Gastar, and ultimately to pay the principals of Geostar, Ferguson, Parrot and Robinson. In other words, Ferguson, Parrot and Robinson directed or permitted the transfer of funds from ClassicStar elsewhere knowing that ClassicStar had obligations that it could not meet,” said Hood.

Later that year, ClassicStar’s mares were sold at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale, generating some $20.8 million, which was used to pay off the sales company, Fifth Third Bank and Taylor Made Sales Agency. In 2007, 48 ClassicStar mares sold for $9.8 million in a private sale and later that year the same buyer, John Sykes, purchased their central Kentucky farm in partnership with Ferguson. In 2009, Sykes bought out Ferguson’s interest.

In September 2007, ClassicStar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, claiming they owed more than 200 persons $1.4 billion. Late last year, Geostar oil and gas company entered into an agreement to pay $21.15 in cash to settle claims made in seven lawsuits. Court documents claim Geostar was used to loot ClassicStar to the detriment of the plaintiffs and for their own gain of millions of dollars.

Hood finalized in his opinion, “Plaintiffs have set forth a compelling and well-supported account of how defendants misrepresented the reality of the mare-lease programs offered through ClassicStar and how, acting together, they took plaintiffs’ money to use for their own ends, then worked to prevent the discovery of the ruse and to perpetuate the cycle of investment. Whether that wrong is understood through the lens of a civil RICO claim, common law fraud or breach of contract, the gig is up. Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment will be granted.”
Click here for a copy of Judge Hoods Opinion>>

NCHA TO HOLD JUDGE APPLICANT CLINIC IN LYON, FRANCE DURING MERCURIA/NCHA WORLD SERIES

Sept. 6, 2011
According to a notice published by the NCHA, a European NCHA Judge Applicant Clinic will be held Oct. 25, 2011 at 8 a.m. prior to the World Class Clinic held Oct. 26-27 and the Mercuria/NCHA World Series held in Lyon, France, Oct. 28-30.

Application deadline is Oct. 14 and they need to be mailed to the NCHA Judges Department, 260 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107, faxed to 817-244-6188 or emailed to hdavis@nchacutting.com. Applications can be downloaded from the NCHA website or call 817-244-6188, ext 158.

European applicants must be over 21 years old and must be a member of NCHA or turn in a membership form with the application. There is no earnings requirement to apply for a European NCHA Judge's card and judge references are not required. For more information contact hdavis@nchacutting.com, calll 817-244-6188, ext 158 or fax 817-244-2015.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 25, 2011
NCHA Executive Committee publishes recommendations from Aug. 15-16 meeting; NCHA receives $3.5 million in support from Texas Major Events Trust Fund; Horse hair thieves strike in North Texas; new cases of EHV-1 in Sonoma County, Calif., premises; Jake Gorrell wins National Stock Horse Association (NSHA) Futurity for third time and NCHA Past President Dub Worrell passes away at 91.

NCHA PUBLISHES RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AUG. 15-16 MEETING:
Minutes from Aug. 15-16 meeting of the Executive Committee includes recommendations for spending $3.5 million from Texas Major Event Fund; applying for a Senior Limited Non-Pro status; change in Mandatory Weekend Show Payout system; award for Senior Amateur High Money Winner; change in NCHA major event entry payment dates; changes in Open semifinal payouts for Triple Crown events; Youth World Finals and long-range planning including Promotion and Developmen and Marketing and Advertising plan for 50th Futurity and new Judges Rules>
Click here for EC recommendations>>

NCHA RECEIVES $3.5 MILLION FROM TEXAS MAJOR EVENTS TRUST FUND:
The funding from the State of Texas for the next Triple Crown cycle (NCHA Super Stakes, Summer Spectacular and Futurity) has been approved for $3.558,281 million - an increase of $1,248,522 from the previous year when the NCHA received support from the Special Events Trust Fund of $1,309,759. Contestants in the events will see significant increases in available prize money during the 2012 shows.
Click here for NCHA press release>>

HORSE HAIR THIEVES STRIKE IN NORTH TEXAS
Last winter several horse owners in the Decatur, Texas, area, located about 40 miles west of Weatherford, Texas, found the manes and tails lopped off their equines. Sue Owens, owner of North Texas Isolation in Decatur, said the thieves are at it again with thefts reported in the Paradise and Decatur areas. She said horse owners need to be alert and on the lookout for suspicious persons. Mane and tail horse hair is sold for up to $300 per pound and used in a variety of uses including brushes, jewelry, stuffing and violin bows.

NEW CASES OF EHV-1 IN SONOMA COUNTY, CALIF.
On Aug. 23, a 15-year-old Oldenburg mare from Sonoma County was confirmed positive for the neuopathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1. The mare is isolated, quarantined and undergoing treatment at a veterinary referral hospital and the premises is being monitored twice daily. On Aug. 24, two additional horses on the affected premises were confirmed positive by nasal swab for EHV-1; however, the only clinical sign displayed by these two horses was a fever. Thirteen other horses on the property are being monitored. The investigation has determined the positive horses have no direct link to the May 2011 outbreak of EHV-1 in cutting horses which results in 22 positive confirmed equine cases in California.

JAKE GORRELL wINS HIS THIRD NSHA FUTURITY:
Jake Gorrell, 38, a California trainer, recently won the National Stock Horse Association (NSHA) Futurity for the third time on Aug. 21. Gorrell was riding a 3-year-old mare, Dulces Belle Starr (Dulces Smart Lena x Seven S Belle Starr x Shining Spark), owned by Bill Dickinson, Temecula, Calif. Gorrell picked up a $20,000 paycheck for his 653.5 total score. There was a tie for the Reserve title between Phillip Ralls, Paso Robles, riding Howz My Rey (Dual Rey x Dox Madalena x Doc O'Lena) and Les Vogt, Pismo Beach, Calif., riding Nic It Smartly (Nic It In The Bud x Shining Smartly x Shining Spark). Each scored a 653 and earned $14,535. Ralls also won the Intermediate Open riding Howz My Rey for an additional $1,164. Monica Debie took the Limited Open riding Shes The Business (Sophisticated Catt x Little Plain Pep x Mister Dual Pep) for $980.

The Non-Pro Futurity was taken by Annie Reynolds, King Hill, Idaho, riding Smart Magic Tric (Very Smart Remedy x Magical Lena x Little Lenas Legend) to a 640.5, taking home $2,256. The Amateur Champion was Stephen Silva riding Chicaroos Canyon (Hick Chicaroo x Zacks Lady x Zack T Wood) to a 627 and $1,740.

The debuting Derby was taken by Montana cowboy Zane Davis riding Reymanator (Dual Rey x Savannahy Hickory x Doc's Hickory), owned by John Semanik. The 2009 NRCHA Futurity Open Champion and past NSHA Futurity Open Champion won $10,000. The Reserve title went to Annie Reynolds riding Shiney And Verysmart (Very Smart Remedy x Shirley Shine x Shining Spark) to a 653.5, earning $8,000.

In the Intermediate Derby Open, Phil Ralls tied himself riding Nics Back In Black (Nic It In The Bud x Shinersdiamondjackie x Shining Spark) and Dom Dualuise (Dual Rey x Smart Little XX x Smart Little Lena). The Limited Open was won by Ryan Thomas riding Fletch My Slippers (Royal Fletch x Roseanna Dual x Dual Pep). Annie Reynolds won the Non-Pro Derby riding Shiney And Verysmart for an additional $2,130. Natall Melo took the Amateur Derby riding BR Winning Rey (TR Dual Rey x Lenas Putty Tat x High Brow Cat) for $1,500.

Russell Dilday riding Topsails Rien Maker (nicknamed Slider), a 1999 stallion by Topsail Cody x Jameen Gay x Toby Gay Bar, owned by Kevin Cantrelle and Dillday, won the NSHA World's Richest Stockhorse event with a 655.5 score, taking home a $10,000 paycheck. Dillday marked a 217 in the herd, 217.5 in the rein work and a 221 in the fence work.Dillday and the stallion have won the World's Greatest Hoseman three times in a row. The Reserve title went to Doug Willimson riding Hes Wright On, a 2003 stallion by Lenas Wright On out of Shesa Lota Nic by Reminic, owned by Gardner QH to a 654 score and a $7,000 paycheck.

NCHA PAST PRESIDENT, DUB WORRELL, PASSES AWAY AT 91
Services were held at 10 a.m. this morning for Dub Worrell, 91, a past president, lifetime director and a member of the Hall Of Fame of the NCHA. Worrell, who was a dentist, died Aug. 22 in the Care Center of Brenham and services were held at the Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. Since Worrell was a lifetime director of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Cutting Horse Show, PO Box 20070, Houston, TX 77225.

Worrell was born April 1, 1920 in Waelder, Texas, and was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio. He attended North Texas State University on a football scholarship and graduated from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, achieving the rank of lieutenant. He was called back into active duty for the Korean Conflict and was again ranked as a lieutenant.

According to his biography on the Memorial Oaks Chapel web site, he was instrumental in introducing the use of mouthpieces in Houston sports and served as team dentist for the Rice Owls from 1954-1964, the University of Houston Cougars for 20 years, the Houston Oilers in the 1960s and the Houston Rockets for 25 years. He was a member of the Greater Houston Dental Society, American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard Academy and International Academy of Gnathology.

Survivors include his wife, Charlene (Hickman) Worrell; sons, William H. “Bill” Worrell, Jr., of Houston and John Worrell of Brenham; stepdaughter Chrarisse Jones, grandson Perry Wooldridge, two step-grandchildren, Sophie Jones and Mathew Jones; one great grandson, Devon Woodridge and Wanda Dowell, a loving and devoted friend of 40 years.

KEITH HALL ARRESTED IN DEATH OF HIS HORSES IN WEATHERFORD

MILLIE MONTANA, WINNER OF 1990 NCHA FUTURITY, PUT DOWN

Aug. 23, 2011
Keith Hall, 76, the owner of eight horses found dead on Aug. 13 and another that later had to be euthanized in the 400 block of Old Brock Road in Weatherford, Texas, was arrested on Friday, Aug. 19, by the Parker County Sheriff’s Department on a charge of cruelty to livestock animals. Accused of not provided hay or water to the horses, Hall, who lived on the property adjacent to where the horses were being kept, was released on Saturday afternoon after posting a $15,500 bond.

The horse that had to be euthanized was Millie Montana, a 1987 daughter of Montana Doc out of Cal Filly Bar by Cal Bar, the champion of the 1990 NCHA Futurity, while owned by Hall and ridden by Joe Suiter. The mare’s 221.5 score in the Futurity finals earned her $92,468.

Reportedly the caretaker who was hired to care for the horses was Linda Pharis, who has also been charged with cruelty to livestock animals but has not been arrested because she has been in a mental health facility. After a search warrant was issued for Hall’s residence in the 2000 block of Newport Road, he was charged on a class A misdemeanor cruelty to livestock animals charge, as well as possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram and three charges of pssession of a dangerous drug.
Click here for the Weatherford Democrat article>>

RECORDED NOTES FROM THE FINAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING HELD AT THE 2011 CONVENTION

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 27, 2011
The following notes recorded from the Final Board of Directors Meeting held during the 2011 Convention in Oklahoma City, include the election of two at-large directors and their comments; the passing of the new balloting rules to be included in the NCHA Constiuttion and By-laws, a report from the Charities Foundation and a video of the creating of a bronze depicting Zack T Wood and its sculptor Kelly Graham

JEFF HOOPER: Asked for vote on approving the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting for period from June 18, 2010 to June 16, 2011. Moved by Terry Riddle, seconded by Joe Cameron to accept as written. Motion carried.

Following are the remarks from three candidates who are running for two At-Large positions on the Executive Committee: One three-year-term and a one-year term. The one who receives the most votes will fill the 3-year-term, next most votes will fill the 1-year-term. There was a random drawing for working order of presentations. First will be Craig Morris, followed by Phil Rapp followed by Don Bussey.

CRAIG MORRIS:
Good morning everybody. I feel like I know most of you. For those that I don’t know personally, I’m Craig Morris. I’ve been an NCHA member since 1980. I grew up in the sport. I started out as a kid cutting as a youth, and then moved into the non-pro and pro. My entire family is involved in this sport. My mother and father both cut, I have siblings that show, my wife shows and we raised 2 children in the sport that cut and love it just as I do.

I feel like I’m qualified to run for this position because I feel like I can represent all of the NCHA. I’m a trainer, an owner, a breeder; I sell horses and I buy horses. I was a show promoter, I was a hauler, and I was fortunate enough to be a champion sometimes in those. Some of the things that I feel are Important right now in our organization: I think we need to continue to strive to be more member friendly. We are NCHA. I heard sometimes it’s “us” against “them.” It’s not about that. This organization belongs to all of us. I think we need to continue to strive to make sure we’re all more informed, that we’re all on the same page and that we fight against anyone that comes against our family.

I also believe that everybody’s important in this organization, whether you’re a trainer, whether you’re a non-pro, or you’re an amateur. We’re all equal. We’ve all got one vote and we need to continue to make sure that’s recognized. Transparency is an important part of this. I think we’ve made great strides in the last couple of years, making sure that our members are more informed. I got the privilege to serve on Finance Committee for several which I think has made me very much more informed about our organization - how it operates, the importance of good, sound, financial decisions, and the ability for us to go in and do what‘s best for our entire membership. I just want you to know that if you do decide to elect me, I would be very honored to represent all of you. Thank you.

PHIL RAPP:
Happy Father’s Day to everybody. It’s very important to me and my family. I miss the people who were most important to me – my Father and another man who passed last year, so I want to wish everybody a Happy Father’s Day.
I want to thank Bruce Richerson for nominating me to this post. He has encouraged me to run for this At-Large seat on the Executive Committee. I appreciate that. Mr. Dunn seconded, and as a combination they have encouraged me, along with several other people, to run for the At-Large position. This means that I must serve every member of the NCHA and I’m willing to do that and want to do that.

I’m fortunate enough that I show on both coasts. I’ve helped the Augusta Futurity for several years, to try to enhance their Futurity. I’ve made some great friends out there on the East Coast. Of course, my young days as a youth were in California. It was great growing up in California. I have many true friends who still live out there in California. I go out there and help them show on anytime on the East Coast. In fact, I went to Canada last year while I was running for the “Horse of Year.” I thoroughly enjoyed that trip. So I go around the United States and I try to show to help the different shows.

Craig talked transparency. I think that we need to work on that transparency. I think there’s a lot that has happened in the past few years and we need to enhance the transparency. Cutting is strong in the central part of the United States. The money that we’re getting from the State of Texas is only going to enhance the Triple Crown events and it’s going to enhance every cutting in the United States. With that being said, we need to continue to help the East and the West Coast. They’re struggling from a financial crisis that’s out of our hands. But things are getting better. But, as the NCHA, we need to help the East and West Coast and all the people in NCHA to get our feet underneath us and continue to become strong as this financial crisis and recovery comes out.

The NCHA, as everyone has seen from the Friday slide show that we watched, is in great position right now as Terry Strange pointed out - financially we’re in a great position. It’s wonderful for us to come into this new financial time and we hope that it will only get better. But we need to continue to help our grass-root cutters. I don’t know anybody that has ever gone to the NCHA Futurity to show that won’t agree that it’s the grass roots that will develop our people. That’s where it comes from – the grass roots in California, the grass roots in Florida, the grass roots in Nebraska, and in Montana. That’s where it comes from.

Russell McCord has worked tirelessly to enhance judging. He’s done a great job. But he’s also worked for the grass-roots clinics. I was able to help Russell at one of those clinics and we had some people who had just gotten started in the NCHA and it was great that they were touched by Russell, and they had a good understanding of the rules and judging. That’s something we need to continue to enhance. We’ve got to bring the grass roots up for the entire industry to succeed.

I’ve heard some talk about doing an NCHA World Finals format for every class. I’m very interested in that. I think that would be great. NCHA is in a good financial position; NCHA’s on board to get some more money from the State of Texas. Somehow it would be great for us to figure out a way to take some of that Texas money from somewhere and continue to help in a World Finals program. I don’t know what that is but I’m sure it would be great to get everybody back involved.

We need to continue to bridge the gap between the membership and the office. We need that membership to feel like they can call the office and everybody will be treated the same. I think the office does a great job, we have a great staff. There’s no extra staff there and everybody works hard and does a good job. We just need to enhance that and let the membership feel that they’re getting the best bang at the office.

I have served on Executive Committee for four years. It was a privilege for me to serve on the Executive Committee and I believe I garnered respect among the members I served with I would feel honored to be able to serve again to represent the entire membership of the NCHA. Thank you very much.

DON BUSSEY:
I wish you had gotten me some men to run against. These kids keep coming up here. All of you are wondering what I’m going to say. There’s not much to say about these two. They’re just a little bit immature. Let me give you some examples. Craig and I were walking down the hall the other day. I think there was another convention going on. They had a sign out there saying “Seven-course meal being served.” Craig turned to me and I said, “What consists of a seven-course meal?” He said, “A can of Spam and a six-pack.”

We got to the lobby and this beautiful, beautiful girl walked by in a swimsuit, just coming out of the swimming pool. I said, “Boy, that’s a No. 10.” He said, “Huh?” I said, “That’s a No. 10”. He said, “What?” I said, “Do you know what a No 10 is when you see a beautiful girl?” He said, “Yeh – a No. 4 and a six-pack.” Now that worries me a little bit.

Phil Rapp. I probably wondered more about his mentality than anything else. Not long ago, he came home, walked into the bedroom and saw Mary Ann in bed with another man. He put his hands on his hips. He said, “What are you doing?” She turned to her lover and said, “See I told you he was stupid.”

His house caught on fire in one room and he ran to the phone and called the fire department. He said, “I’ve got a fire going on out here.” They said, “How do we get there?” He sat there for a minute and said, “You don’t have that little green truck?”

Craig Morris. Several years ago, he had the privilege of winning the Futurity. They gave him a gold ring. He had it bronzed! Do you not wonder about the mentality of these two? I’ll agree. Give them a few years and they’ll be ready.

I have joked. I love to tell stories, but there’s always a time to get serious. I have some banks that I run and the only thing that my bank can offer that other banks don’t have is service. Friendly service. That’s what I want to do for the NCHA. I want to put friendship back into the organization. I want it to be so every one of you will feel free to call anybody up here and complain. I’m not saying that your complaint would be answered immediately – because that’s an opinion and sometimes an opinion can be wrong. But at least, I want everybody to listen.

Transparency - I’m all for it – I think we’ve come a long way – but I think we’ve got a long ways to go. You can get along with anybody. I’ve proved that by getting along with Bronc Willoughby. He and I, I consider, are good friends. Chubby – Chubby – I think we’re still good friends. Chris is still in limbo. But you’ve got to work together when you sit on this Board and you’ve got to put your own agendas aside. We need to work together for the Association and that’s what I am going to do. I want to serve you. This will probably be my last term. I’m not planning on dying. Maybe by that time, these other two will be mature enough to take over. It has been privilege, and I want to continue that privilege. We’ve started a lot of new things and I want to continue to be able to be on that team. I’m seasoned. I served with Bronc, Chubby and with this man. I guarantee you I’m seasoned. Maybe a little bit well done. But it’s been a privilege in every case to serve with these people. And I’d like to have that same privilege again. Thank you.

Craig Morris, with 101 votes, will serve for three-year term in an At-Large position on the Executive Committee.
Don Bussey, with 91 votes, will serve for one-year term in an At-Large position on the Executive Committee.
Phil Rapp received 85 votes.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE NCHA CONSTITUTION AND BYLAW CHANGES, PROPOSED BY THE LONG-RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE, TO BE VOTED ON:
These amendments were printed in full in the May and June issues of the Chatter.

BUDDY WESTFALL, Chairman of Long Range Planning Committee:
These by-law changes are a very simple thing. First I’d like to thank Dick Mulligan, who has done pro-bono work on this handout that I’m you’ve all read. The simple story of it is that it changes the requirement for you to sign your ballot. Now you can sign it in secrecy. You insert the ballot in an envelope. When this has been done, the rest of the process has been done by the NCHA in past election. Then it is mailed to Whitley Penn or the entity employed by the Executive Committee. It is stored by them and handled by them throughout the process and strictly changes it to where your name is not on the ballot.

JEFF HOOPER:
Thank you Buddy and if there’s any questions, I’m sure Dick Mulligan or Buddy can answer them. The procedure will be, as per the By-laws, these By-laws need to be adopted by the Board of Directors and when we come back in a little while for the General Membership meeting, we would vote on them again at the General Membership meeting. If they are approved by both of these bodies, then they would be incorporated into the By-Laws. Any questions for Buddy or Dick. If not, it would be appropriate if someone would make a motion to accept these amendments: Moved by Bill Riddle, seconded by Jim bill riddle Second Jan Pardee. Motion passed and will go to the General Membership.

REPORT FROM NCHA CHARITIES FOUNDATION:
Rick Ivey is going through Financials; Rebecca Brian will talk about some exciting new projects she is spearheading.

RICK IVEY:
The last couple of years I’ve stood up here and given you sort of bad news about the NCHA Charities Foundation because of the economy we were in and the investment issues that have plagued just about everybody. We have the funds invested with professional investors and it wasn’t too great for the last two years but I’m happy about this year’s presentation because we’ve seen recovery in this.

The first thing I want to do though is than some of the people that I spend most of my time with. Everyone on the Board of the foundation is excellent and they have done great job but I see three people more than I see the rest: That’s Joey Milner, and he’s been the president for four or five years now. He does a great job on that. Ralph Shelton was the president for about 16 years and Joey took over after him.

The second one is Judy Morris, the secretary of the Foundation. I work with her on a lot of different things and she’s done an excellent job as well. I know the Foundation is very dear to her. The third is Anne Riddle and now that she’s not here, Bill, I want you to tell her how much I appreciate her. She is the chairman of the Crisis foundation and she does a tremendous job and has been there longer than anyone. We work real close together on the Crisis committee.

As I said, we’re doing better. I had a couple of years when I didn’t have great news for you but we’re doing better in the Foundation. We had $255,946 in revenue during the fiscal year – this is for June 30 year-end. It runs from July 1 through June 30. This is as much as we’ve had in a long time. We had a couple of years (2008-2009), with investment losses, but we are on the road to recovery. But I do want to mention one thing. I sat up here and whined for about three years that our dues continued to drop, but our dues actually went up this year so you’re not going to hear me whine about this.

On the Expense side, Scholarships went down. There’s a reason for that. Foundation scholarship funds are not allowed by the rules of the funds when they were set up, to pay out scholarships unless there’s revenue from those funds. Scholarships can only be paid out of the surplus. So that’s why scholarships went down. We still had the Walton Foundation and some other scholarships but some of the funds, by their own restriction, do not allow scholarships. (Chart showed down 8.6%).

CRISIS FUNDING:
Crisis funding situations during the year – we had a couple during the year and by June 30, we had two or three that made inquiries but didn’t actually put in an application. So if you ever hear from somebody about this, I put in an application to the Foundation and they never responded to me, please ask them to send it in again. We had two or three inquiries and never got the paperwork. We had one that did get lost in the mail; the postal service delivered it three months late. So sometimes if they don’t hear, it’s because we didn’t get the paperwork. We will always respond to those crisis deals. It’s not always “yes” but we will always respond. ( Chart showed $7,500 up 100% from 2009)

Professional Fees are holding steady at $1,500. They’re usually up a little bit when they’re doing a lot of trading. (Chart showed Investment Fees $8,292 up $4,539)

Other expenses $2,200 up $1,200 up $120%. Total Expenses are $159,243 (down $50,242) We made $105,000 last year. That’s a great improvement.

Financial position. Don’t be too alarmed by the cash position going down. It’s actually a good thing because we moved it to investments, so it’s making money for us. The overall asset position is up by $140,000. That’s really good news. (chart showed cash at $245,645, with $1.2 million moved to investments. Up 76.1%.)

On Liabilities side. We don’t carry liabilities in the Foundation.

What that means is that we’re not up to full strength on the scholarship funds, so we may be light on the scholarships again during the current year because we need to be at $400,000 by the document of those scholarship funds. There’s other scholarships besides those. The other funds increased to $1,213,875, up $104,206. Scholarships did go down but we are returning to strength so we should see them coming back soon.

If you have any questions, I’m not going to take them now but I’m going to be here so you can come and ask me anything you want. Scholarships went down but should see coming back up soon. Will be after over. Ask anything you want and I will answer your questions.

REBECCA BRIAN – NEW INITIATIVES:
I’m going to run through some new initiatives that we have going for the Foundation. There’s many things we can do with our funds can do with our foundation, other than our scholarship and crisis funding. With these funds, we can obviously do the youth scholarship and their activities, horse and cattle welfare, crisis funding, education clinics. There are many reasons and opportunities to get in legal legacy? receive tax benefits, education, research, promotion and preservation of our association.

We have projects we’re looking to fuel at this time: our grass roots cutting clinics, judges’ seminars and clinics, equine research, youth activities and scholarships and our promotion and education.

We formed several different levels of giving. They start at $25 and go up. Any amount received by the Foundation is greatly appreciated.
We have several new projects going: a raffle for a 12-gauge shotgun. This will be given during the Zack Wood 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, July 1, in Weatherford, Texas. Those raffle tickets are available – I have them here. Catch me before you go home.

We also have 30 pre-paid practice works – they are used at the five events, starting at the Futurity and will run throughout the year and are worth $1,350.

We have received four great breedings: We will do a live auction during the Mercuria World Finals. We’ll have one each night. Stallions are High Brow CD, Metallic Cat, Spots Hot and Third Cutting. We greatly appreciate these breedings.
For the Futurity, Sean Ryon donated a pair of 50th Anniversary Chaps signed by Open Futurity past winners. This will be paired with the opportunity sit in the 6th judging box during the Open Futurity finals. Can stand on the arena floor when the horses come in.

Another project we have is the life-size bronze of our past Executive Director Zack Wood. This bronze is currently in process of being completed by Kelly Graham. It will be unveiled during Futurity and will be in the NCHA offices.
All of these projects are happening now and we will fund new initiatives. None of the past money will be used for these projects. So we’re looking for more funds as a kick-off for this new foundation.

If you have any questions or new ideas to support this foundation, please call me at the NCHA office.

Russell McCord showed a video clip he put together on the progress of the Zack T Wood bronze being done by Kelly Graham that will be on display at the entrance of the Executive Committee board room in the NCHA offices in Fort Worth.

Kelly said he currently has put close to six months on the bronze and almost has it finished in clay. The bronze should be finished following the 2011 Futurity.

Rebecca thanked everyone, saying all the donors will be listed in the Chatter.

Motion to adjourn by Bill Carpenter – seconded by Jim Eakin. Approved.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 26, 2011
Marketplace at Ardmore adds a reining session to their Nov. 5 sale, a tornado destroys barns at Churchill downs and the Non Pro Plus Open breaks records with over 900 entries.

MARKETPLACE AT ARDMORE ADDS REINING SESSION FOR 2-YEAR-OLDS
Susie Reed, sale manager for The Marketplace at Ardmore, a consignment auction for performane horses held at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Okla., recently announced a new reining session for 2-year-olds at Ardmore during the sale, scheduled for Nov. 5.

"After I talked to quite a few reiners, I realized there was a definite need for them to have a place where they could showcase and market their 2-year-olds in training," said Reed. "We've already got a great facility with plenty of stalls, arenas, good dirt, fresh cattle and an established group of buyers."

A practice pen will be available for demonstration all day Friday, Nov. 4. At 4 p.m. that same day, a formal demonstration will be held with an announcer. The sale will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.

"We've always sold reining-bred horses at our sales," said Reed, "but being able to focus on a group of 2-year-olds in training and showing them to their best advantage will greatly benefit the seller and offer the buyer a chance to view a good selection."

Consignments open Aug. 1 and consignment forms are available at www.themarketplaceatardmore.com. For more information contact Reed at 580-276-4830, cell 580-490-1103.

TORNADO DESTROYS BARNS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
A confirmed tornado hit the Churchill Downs stable area on Wednesday night, June 22, leaving 6 1/2 barns uninhabitable and displacing horses. According to a June 24 article in Thoroughbred times Today, there were no equine or human injuries. Churchill Downs Vice President of Communictions John Asher, explained it as "miraculous." Training, live racing and simulcasting for Thursday, June 23 was canceled but it was planned to resume operations on Friday, June 24. A meteorologist said that the National Weather Serice would classify the tornado as either an F0 (winds up to 72 mph) or an F1 (winds up to 112 mph) on the Fujita Scale.

THE NON PRO BREAKS RECORDS WITH OVER 900 ENTRIES AND $374,100 PURSE
With 75 entries in the 4-Year-Old Open at The Non Pro, held June 14-21 in Oklahoma City, Shannon Hall, Comanche, Okla., rode Tim Drummond's Peptolistic to a 223 and the championship, earning a $7,500 total paycheck. The event, held at the State Fair Park while the NCHA Convention was going on in the same city at the Marriott Hotel, was a record with 902 entries paying out over $374,111. Peptolistic is a stallion sired by Peptoboonsmal out of Moms Stylish Socks by Drummond's now-deceased stallion Docs Stylish Oak.

Steve Oehlof, Grandview, Texas, rode Dualin Puddy Tap (Dual Pep x Puddy Tap x High Brow Cat), owned by Gordon Sevig, Walford, Iowa, to the 75-enry 5/6-Year-Old division with a 222 score, also taking home a $7,500 paycheck.

The 4-Year-Old Non-Pro was taken by Cody Hedlund, 21, Weatherford, Texas, the son of cutting horse trainer Rock Hedlund, Acampo, Calif. Hedlund rode Teles Bout This Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Teles Lies x Lenas Telesis) to a 222, earning $6,327.23 plus an additional $2,678.83 for topping the Limited Non-Pro. The 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro was won by Ray Baldwin, Fort Worth, Texas, riding Catlike Kit (High Brow Cat x Billie The Kit x Kit Dual). The pair scored a 224 for a $6,498.11 paycheck.

Jennifer Cooper, Bucyrus Kan., the wife of cutting horse trainer Michael Cooper, won The Shoot Out, which included champions for the six amateur and non-pro divisions, earning a $2,000 paycheck. riding Zacks Little Lena, she also won the $35,000 Amateur for a $5,436 paycheck.
Click here for full results>>

NCHA BALLOTING CHANGES TO BYLAWS TO BE VOTED ON BY DIRECTORS AND IF ADOPTED, BY MEMBERS JUNE 19 DURING ANNUAL MEETING AND CONVENTION

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 13, 2011
Every member of the NCHA needs to make plans to attend the 2011 NCHA Convention, scheduled June 17-19, in Oklahoma City if for no other reason to enhance protection of future voter confidentiality involving all aspects of NCHA membership voting. A change to the existing NCHA Constitution and By-laws on the way membership votes are currently counted will be reviewed and voted on by the Board of Directors at their June 17-19 meeting and then if adopted by the directors it will be considered by the members on June 19 for permanent change. This change would include votes for your local director, as well as votes for the officers and/or topics submitted to the general membership from time to time by NCHA direction (NCHA directors or membership).

Article X of the NCHA Bylaws prescribes the procedures required for any Bylaw or Constitution changes. The Board of Directors first considers the proposed changes to be followed by the full NCHA membership voting on any approved revision(s). A complete copy of the proposed changes is included in the May Chatter on pages 305-306.
Click for proposed changes>>

The reason stated for the proposed change is so that “all NCHA ballots shall be in such form as to prevent anyone from discovering the specific identity of the voting member marking such ballot.” (Currently all NCHA members, as a condition to voting in any election, are required to sign each ballot which then identifies the member voting but also the manner in which that member voted. Depending on the manner that completed ballots are counted or tabulated, the voting preferences of voting members can be known by unknown NCHA officials.)

Assuming the recommended changes are adopted, all ballots will become anonymous as to the NCHA member identity and be returned to an independent entity selected by the NCHA Executive Committee and NOT SERVING OR REPRESENTING NCHA IN ANY OTHER CAPACITY. The submitted ballots will then be held for tabulation in the “unmarked” envelope bearing only the word “BALLOT” on the outside with no member identification whatsoever to protect anonymity of all NCHA voting members in an improved manner from that currently existing for a number of years.

Once the BALLOT envelope is sealed with the ballot inside by each voting member, it will then be placed inside another envelope the outside flap of which will contain the voting member’s name and membership number, along with his signature. That certifying envelope will then be mailed together with the anonymous BALLOT envelope by the voting member to an Executive Committee-designated entity, which in all elections will be an independent entity not serving or representing NCHA in any other capacity.

It appears from the proposed wording that then the tabulation will result in the mailed envelope being compared against an active list of NCHA members to insure against non-member participation and duplicate voting attempts. In all elections the BALLOT envelope will then be separated by the tabulating entity from the member identified and certified envelope and placed along with other anonymous BALLOT envelopes for eventual counting with the ultimate tabulation of ballots to be conducted in the presence of a member of the firm tabulating the ballots, the NCHA Executive Director and a minimum of one NCHA officer, designated by the NCHA Executive Committee, with the results immediately certified by the tabulating firm member charged with completion.

After tabulation of the ballots from any election, ALL COUNTED BALLOTS, TOGETHER WITH ALL ACCOMPANYING CERTIFICATION ENVELOPES SHALL BE RETAINED IN SEALED STORAGE BY THE DESIGNATED TABULATION SERVICE ENTITY FOR A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE TABULATION PROCESS, OR LONGER IF DIRECTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Thereafter, the counted ballots and certification envelopes shall be destroyed by the entity charged with safekeeping those documents with written certification to the NCHA Executive Committee of the referenced destruction being completed.

The 2011 Convention will be held from June 17-19, with registration being available from 4-6 p.m. on June 16, at the Marriott Oklahoma City, 3233 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Make reservations by dialing 1-800-228-9290 and ask for NCHA Convention Rate or go online at www.marriott.com/okcok and type in code “nchncha” under Special Rules & Awards. Convention Registration is $50; however if you wait until you arrive, it will be $75. Convention registration forms are in the Chatter or online at www.nchacutting.com and clicking on “NCHA Convention”

QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED ABOUT www.NCHAMEMBERSVOICE.COM

A few questions have been asked about the site NCHAmembersvoice.com. AllAboutCutting.com sent an email to the address on the NCHAmembersvoice.com web site to ask the those questions. Following is the response received from the e-mail monitor:

To NCHA members and directors:

A few questions have been received asking who put the site together and whether the identity of the authors of any e-mails received would be revealed. Following is an attempt to answer those questions:

The site NCHAmembersvoice.com was put together and is being run by a group of members and directors (more than 1, less than a 1,000) who care deeply about the NCHA and it's future. It is an attempt to give members a voice in the future of the NCHA and to do so by giving members a way to communicate without fear of retribution. Unfortunately, Article II of the rules and by-laws allows for retribution by NCHA management upon those who may speak up in a way that NCHA management deems is unfavorable to, or in opposition to their decisions (conduct detrimental to the NCHA).

For this reason, an e-mail address was established (several links on the site) and is being monitored by Steve Warren to take responses by e-mail from members wishing to be heard. Mr. Warren is aggregating, collating the responses and forwarding the resulting information to the originators of this site. The names of those responding will never be published in any form to anyone at any time.

At no time, now or in the future, will Mr. Warren forward the e-mails received to anyone else. After the intended purpose of this site has been achieved, all e-mails will be destroyed and no records kept by Mr. Warren. This email address is simply a tool to allow interested individuals a central location to have their views about potential changes to the NCHA to be heard. And to do so anonymously. I can not stress enough the anonymous nature of this endeavor in order to protect members. The sole purpose of this website is to allow members to voice their ideas about the running of their organization and to do so without fear of retribution. This site was established to strengthen the NCHA. Everyone involved is concerned about the best interests of the NCHA and it's members.


Periodically the agenda items suggested will be posted on the site (as needed enhancements are made) for everyone's review. This information will be used to set an agenda of topics for a special meeting (when enough members and/or directors call such meeting as set forth in the NCHA rules and by-laws).

There are reports that some are having problems sending an email to the address on the site. If you encounter difficulty sending an email when clicking on the button on the site, please feel free to send it directly to: Directors.cuttinghorse@gmail.com

In an effort to make it even easier to make your views known, following is Mr. Warren's phone number. You may contact him with your agenda items.
(314) 629-4999

There are enhancements being made to the site which will be released in the very near future. Please return to the site for updates. I hope this answers any questions.

Sincerely,

Steve Warren
Cutting horse enthusiast

EHV-1 HITS TEXAS … AND MANY OTHER STATES

IT’S NOW NATIONAL NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz … with the help of many
May 18, 2011
On Wednesday afternoon, May 18, there was reportedly one horse in the Weatherford, Texas, area that had tested positive for the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). But it was just a matter of time… and Texas is now one of many states that has confirmed cases of the dreaded, fast-spreading virus. Also, mainstream media, that usually doesn’t carry horse news, is now carrying the message of horses infected and events cancelled

The Texas Classic, one of the largest Quarter Horse Shows in Texas, scheduled to take place at the Will Rogers Coliseum complex in Fort Worth this upcoming weekend, has cancelled its NCHA cutting classes and aged events.

The Weatherford horse recently testing positive was at the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah, and has been quarantined since its arrival in Weatherford. Although it is thought he is a very low risk of shedding the virus prior to the horse’s isolation from all other horses, the vet facility is also under quarantine.

However, another Weatherford facility was also under quarantine for three weeks when four horses were left at their place for someone to pick up the next day, with one of them being the horse that later was diagnosed and tested positive for EHV-1.

Prior to the Weatherford diagnosis, a press release from the Texas Animal Health Commission said they were currently investigating approximately 20 horses in Texas that were reported to have attended the event and that they are under movement restrictions.

They continued that they only had one confirmed clinical case of EHV-1 so far, which was a horse originating from New Mexico that sought treatment at a vet clinic in West Texas earlier this week. The horse has since been returned to New Mexico and is now quarantined on its premises of origin.

The NCHA said that all of their show producers had agreed to not hold any cutting horse shows this upcoming weekend, May 20-22 and would issue further information in upcoming days.

To help ease AQHA Select exhibitors, the American Quarter Horse Association in Amarillo, Texas, has opted to lower their qualifying points for the Adequan Select World Championship Show to be held for seniors on Aug. 28-Sept. 3 in Amarillo. The decision to lower the points was a result of the timing of the May 31 qualifying deadline for the Adequan Select event. Several show managers have either voluntarily canceled or are considering cancellation of their shows this weekend and some exhibitors have expressed their reluctance to move their horses out of concern of potentially exposing them to EHV-1.

Reportedly the disease has moved through at least nine states, with some of them now being on the East Coast, including cases in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and most recently Florida. It’s not clear if those cases are related to the cases, which seemed to originate in Ogden.

COLORADO:
Although Colorado hasn’t been shut down – yet – owners can’t bring their horses into Colorado unless they can convince state inspectors their animals are free of the equine herpes virus. Following MSNBC.com reported that Colorado State University’s veterinary teaching hospital in Fort Collins was closed to all non-emergency appointments, when they confirmed to horses in the state were diagnosed with EHV-1 and six horses were showing clinical signs of the disease. Two Colorado horses were euthanized with similar symptoms but test results had not yet been confirmed. Horses in Boulder, Larimer, Mesa and Weld counties were being investigated for the disease and were under hold or quarantine orders.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture issued a press release introducing a new travel requirement for any horses entering the state. Horse owners must obtain a permit to enter the state in addition to presenting the standard health certificate issued within 30 days prior to entry, and a proof of a current negative Coggins test. “Horse owners who wish to bring their horse into Colorado musts first call their veterinarian,” the release said. “That veterinarian can then contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian’s office at 303-239-4161 and request a permit number. That number would then be included on the health certificate.”

Five horses were quarantined in Nebraska and warnings from veterinarians have been sent out with increased urgency throughout Colorado, the Rocky Mountain region and neighboring states. The state of Nevada also had some horses return from Ogden with symptoms of the disease that are being treated, tested and under quarantine.

UTAH:
Although MSNBC reported that the Golden Spike facility in Ogden, Utah, where the NCHA Western Championships were held, was not under quarantine, the Aspen Grove Veterinary Clinic in West Haven, Utah had a posting on their website that they would not advise going there until there was more information available about the outbreak. “Additionally, any shows or events that would include horses from the Ogden show should consider postponing until a safe incubation period is over. According to Bruce King, Utah’s state veterinarian, that incubation period is 28 days. He said there were confirmed cases of EHV-1 in Colorado, California and Canada and there are tests pending in six other states, which they suspect are going to be positive. Those states included Arizona, New Mexico, Washington and Oregon.

Six horses from Utah County to Box Elder County are also showing clinical symptoms. The reports have prompted the cancellation of a Memorial Day weekend event in Salt Lake County that usually draws hundreds of participants and is among the biggest in the region for Paint horse enthusiasts. The outbreak calls into question the potential impacts to horse-heavy events that are a tradition in Utah, such as the Days of ’47 parade, rodeo or annual All Horse Parade this summer.

Word of the virus even led to the cancellation of the Utah Bureau of Land Management’s premier wild horse and burro adoption event slated for May 20-21. It has been rescheduled for Aug. 26-27. King said that he would recommend all event involving horses burrows and mules be canceled in Utah until the disease runs its course.

Officials from the Utah High School Rodeo Association also said they believe a horse owned by one of their members had contracted the disease. “There were horses there literally from all over the Western United States and Canada,” King said. “There were about 500 horses there. He urged all horse owners who attended the Ogden show to notify their veterinarian and isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs of the disease. Some horses may not show signs of the disease but may still be a carrier.”

WASHINGTON:
Washington State University (WSU) officials placed the school’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital under a voluntary quarantine effective May 13 after a horse admitted May 11 for orthopedic reasons tested positive for the virus. Debra C. Sellon, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor of medicine at WSU said that the horse had a very mild, low-grade fever of 101.5 but the owner told her that he heard rumors there were herpes-positive horses at the Ogden show that the horse had been at. After receiving positive test results a few hours later, WSU officials put the hospital under quarantine. While under quarantine, they are taking horses’ temperatures twice a day.

A second case was confirmed on May 18 after showing neurologic signs and being taken to Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital in Snohomish. The hospital said the horse is clinically stable and under quarantine.

ORGEON:
The state of Oregon has at least one confirmed case of EHV-1, with the horse coming from Ogden producing a positive test. However, no travel restrictions have been imposed yet.

CALIFORNIA:
Several horses left Ogden and went to a cutting in Bakersfield, Calif., which was produced by the Kern County Cutting Horse Association, with a horse being euthanized on May 13 after displaying clinical signs of the neurological form of EHV-1. The horse was taken to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, in Tulare for necropsy. Another horse, which had shown at Ogden, was taken to the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Teaching Hospital for observation.

As a result, there are now 10 confirmed cases in California, according to a news release sent out from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Fifty-four horses from California had competed in Ogden.

OKLAHOMA:
Following the Bakersfield, Calif., show, the Tejon Ranch cutting held at Lebec, was cancelled; however, many horses that had been at Ogden and/or Bakersfield went to the Breeders’ Invitational in Tulsa, Okla., however, the show was cancelled the first day, saying in a press release that at the time of cancellation, no horses had shown any clinical signs of the disease.

IDAHO:
Two horses were euthanized in Idaho that exhibited neurologic clinic signs of EHV-1 and several more were under veterinary care.

ARIZONA:
EHV01 has claimed the life of one horse in Mayer, Ariz. However, a major training facility in Cave Creek, Ariz., is reportedly under quarantine after the owner lent his trailer to someone who had hauled a horse that was later suspected of being a carrier.

NEW MEXICO:
With two suspected EHV-1 cases in New Mexico, Livestock Board officials said both horses were currently under quarantine and under veterinary care. However, they said there were no confirmed cases.

Events are being cancelled left and right in most states and most state veterinarians are suggesting that anyone planning on traveling to a show, check with the show personnel first to make sure the show is being held – and then check the states you will be driving through to make sure you have the right credentials. Better yet, travel is not advised.

NCHA SUGGESTS CANCELLATION OF SHOWS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF EQUINE HERPESVIRUS EHV-1

May 17, 2011
Following is a press release put out by the NCHA following an Executive Committee meeting held May 16. The statement suggests shows in Montana, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Wyoming, New Mexico, Washington and Nevada be cancelled for the weekend of May 20-22.

NCHA Members,
The NCHA continues to closely monitor the situation of reported cases of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) that were reportedly first clinically diagnosed in horses that attended the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah conducted April 29 – May 8, 2011. The virus can be contagious among horses, but is NOT transmittable to humans. While the NCHA does not want to unnecessarily alarm horse owners, we do want to be a clearinghouse of factual information so you can make informed decisions on this matter regarding your personal horses and production of NCHA-approved events.
Credible (but not official) reports indicate cases of EHV-1 in several Western states (Colorado, Utah, California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Western Canada). While reported cases of the virus are currently in Western states, the interstate transport of infected horses could cause a much wider spread of the virus if we are not all very cautious at this time.

In an effort to be proactive and provide the maximum safety to horses across the country, affiliate organizations and show producers in Montana, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Wyoming, New Mexico, Washington and Nevada have cancelled previously scheduled shows for the weekend of May 20 – 22, 2011. The NCHA supports these decisions to cancel shows that were made in the best interest of horse health. While the NCHA is at present not mandating cancellation of all shows nationwide scheduled for the weekend of May 20 – 22, we do strongly urge all show producer to consider the possible horse health risks of conducting an event this weekend. The NCHA knows that many qualified veterinarians are working on this EHV-1 issue, and we hope that during the week of May 23rd we have additional factual information and clinical diagnosis on the geographic extent (and any possible new case reports) of the virus that will allow us to make the best informed decisions for shows scheduled in the coming weeks, including AQHA/NCHA Weekend currently scheduled for June 3 – 5, 2011.

If you are the owner or trainer of a horse that has exhibited neurological symptoms of EHV-1, had a fever without neurological signs of the virus, or that has died from what you believe to be EHV-1, please contact the NCHA office by calling Pam Robison at 817/244-6188, ext. #111, or by e-mail at probison@nchacutting.com.

Additional information about the EHV-1 virus can be found at the following links:
Outbreak of disease>>
Horses showing risk of exposure>>
A guide to understanding EHV-1>>
USDA APHI Service Resources>>
AAEP Fact Sheet>>

ANY CHANCE OF BRINGING GAMBLING TO TEXAS AND ADDRESSING HORSE INDUSTRY NEEDS THIS SESSION IS UP TO THE SENATE

BUT THEY'RE LOOKING DIM

May 11, 2011
Last Friday, May 6, HJR 111, a bill that allowed Texans to vote on placing slot machines at licensed racetracks and federally recognized Indian reservations in Texas, was passed out committee. However, that bill did not include language that addresses the horse industry needs. HB 2111, which included distribution of gambling funds to the horse industry, never made it out of committee; however, a release from Texas H.O.R.S.E., said they would work to get language important to the horse industry into HJR 111.

However, to make matters worse, even though HJR 111 was voted out of committee on May 6, it was not filed by the deadline, which was midnight May 9. Since the deadline for the bill to be considered in Calendars has passed, the bill is by rule, dead for the session. Since HB 2111 did not even come out of committee, any chance of bringing gambling to Texas this session is now with the Senate.

The Texas Tribune has published a short lesson on bills: Senate bills have a little more time in the House. The same sequence for bills from the upper chamber starts on Saturday, May 21. The Senate’s rules are a bit more forgiving – or at least are slower to kick in. Their deadline for finally considering bills is on Wednesday, May 25. After that, all the two houses can do is consider legislation that’s been through both chambers, either sending it off to conference committees to settle differences, agreeing with what happened in the other chamber, or killing bills by failing to act.

Also, the power of delay increases as the deadlines approach. Senators have the ability to filibuster legislation – to stand and talk for as long as they wish in order to kill legislation by running out the clock. The House doesn’t have filibusters. The normal legislative session can’t continue past May 30 and the next big deadline after that comes on Father’s Day, June 19, when the governor can veto a bill that was passed during the regular session. Everything else goes into law with, or without, his signature, and if it doesn’t have a different enactment date, the new law takes effect on Aug. 29.

Also, if the legislature leaves something undone, the governor can call lawmakers back for a special session on the subjects of his choice. Each special session lasts up to 30 days and has its own set of deadlines.

DEADLINE FOR TEXAS GAMBLING BILLS IS MAY 9

TEXANS PARTICIPATING IN TEXAS HORSE ACTIVITIES NEED TO CALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON LICENSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

May 6, 2011
Monday, May 9 is the deadline for bills to be voted out of committee in the House of Representatives for gambling money that will help fund several state horse organizations. At stake is a constitutional amendment allowing slot machines at racetracks and tribal locations and the administration and regulation of such. To date, no gaming bills have been voted out of committee.

Texas Horse (Texas Horse Organizations for Racing, Showing and Eventing), which was founded in 2008 to unite for the first time, all of the major horse organizations in Texas, stand to profit for the passage of this constitutional amendment. The horse organizations involved include: the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), American Paint Horse Association (APHA), Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTHA), Texas Quarter Horse Association (TQHA), Texas Arabian Breeders Association (TABA), Texas Horsemen’s Partnership and the Texas Paint Horse Breeders Association.

According to the Texas H.O.R.S.E. website (http://texashorseweb.com) Twelve percent of the funds derived from this constitutional will be shared by the Texas horse industry, with the Performance Horse Development Fund (PHDF) receiving one-half of that 12 percent. The Performance Horse Development Fund allows for money from slots at racetracks to go to performance and recreational organizations for their horse shows, trails, drill teams therapeutic riding and other equine activities and events in Texas through the Texas Department of Agriculture. The slot money also goes to AQHA, APHA, NCHA and Arabian horse shows. This money could be substantial and would be added to the Texas event purses of these associations.

Representative Mike Hamilton, Chairman of the Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures, has indicated that he intends to pass one bill out of his committee, which is a bill authored by him. That bill has changed dramatically since being introduced and authorizes casino gaming as well as slot machines at racetracks and tribal locations. Very recently, there has been movement which adds language which is more favorable to the horse industry, but it is still a work in progress.

If you are from Texas and you would like to promote this bill, you need to call the members of this committee. Tell whoever answers the phone your name and that you are in the horse industry. Inform them that HB 2111 addresses all the issues that are critical to saving the Texas horse industry from being destroyed by competition from Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Tell them you are asking the Representative you are calling to please support your industry. Also, call family and friends and ask them to call as well.

Following are the members of the Licensing and Administrative Committee with their phone numbers. Their district phone number is listed first and their Capitol telephone number is second.

Mike Hamilton, Chairman (409) 745-3644 (512) 463-0412; Joe Driver (972) 276-1556 (512) 463-0574, Charlie Geren (817) 738-8333 (512) 463-0610, Roland Gutierrez (210) 532-2758 (512) 463-0452, Patricia Harless (281) 376-4114 (512) 463-0496, John Kuempel (830) 379-8732 (512) 463-0602 and Jose Menendez (210) 673-3579 (512) 463-0634.

Additionally, you could call the offices of Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House, telling them that it is critical the legislature act soon on this matter. Lt. Governor David Dewhurst’s telephone number is (512) 463-0001 and Joe Straus III, the Speaker of the House’s telephone numbers are (512) 463-1000 (Capitol) and (210) 828-4411 (District).

TEXAS PALO PINTO FIRE TOUGH ON HORSES AND CATTLE

IF YOU HAVE EXTRA PASTURE OR STALLS, LET US KNOW

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 21, 2011
A fast-moving, devastating fire raging in Palo Pinto County, Texas, located just west of Weatherford’s Parker County, has destroyed 160 homes and two churches around Possum Kingdom Lake. Many ranchers and livestock owners had to flee their homes without their animals, including horses and cattle. And if they do manage to get their horses or cattle out, where do they take them? Susan Ferguson has offered some acreage for cattle or horses. If you have extra pastures or stalls, let me know.

Susan, formerly Susan Waggoner, realized the need for temporary pastures, stalls and ponds, when visiting with a victim of the fire who had a herd of cattle and no place to put them. She is offering 300 acres on her facility in Boonsville, Texas, at no charge, to someone in dire straits needing a place for cattle or horses. There is grass and water in the pasture. She also has a 300 x 170-foot riding arena, where someone with a small group of horses could house them temporarily. Susan can be reached at 817-266-5700 (cell)

If anyone out of the range of the fire has barn or pasture space that someone could use for their livestock, give me a call at (940-433-5232 or 940-393-1865 or e-mail me at glory@glorykurtz.com and I will publish it.

An article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram said that according to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the cost of wildfires to livestock owners may go beyond the value of lost animals. Ranchers face paying $10,000-$12,000 per mile to replace lost fencing as well as the cost of feeding cattle and horses in burned pastures.

In Young County, officials opened the county arena to desperate livestock owners. Residents brought horses, show calves, even cats and dogs to the facility. Complicating the matters is the fact that firefighting helicopters are scooping up water to dump on the flames wherever they can find it, limiting water for animals. The fire also burned electric lines, which power some of the wells.

It will more than likely be weeks or even months before a true number and cost of the animals lost in this fire will be determined. According to the Star Telegram article; however, no one has reported any horses had been lost in the fire. Weatherford residents helped Waco Bend evacuate 40 head of horses that are now being housed at Chris and Vickie Benedict’s mare barn. Although there were some anxious moments, it is reported that Alice Walton’s facility off I-20 in Mineral Wells, Texas, is safe. Also Kathleen Braden Martin, manager of Strawn Valley Ranch in Strawn, said that so far, that facility is safe, saying, “It looked like it was coming right at them when the wind changed.”

According to an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the Texas Forest Service said that wildfires have scorched more than 1.4 million acres in Texas since Jan. 1. Some of these fires are still burning. Texas has received federal help with wildfires for more than a week, including personnel from more than a half-dozen federal agencies, including the Forest Service, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The Texas Forest Service owes $36.3 million, of which $23.8 million is due the federal government for air support.

Also, the fires have not been without loss of life, as an Eastland volunteer firefighter died last week battling a blaze near Gorman when he apparently was hit by a vehicle in the smoky area. Another firefighter died from third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body in an April 9 fire in the Texas Panhandle.

WACO BEND RANCH EVACUATED WITH WILDFIRES BURNING 55,000 ACRES IN PALO PINTO COUNTY

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 18, 2011
With over 55,000 acres already burned in Palo Pinto County due to wildfires, 40 horses from Waco Bend Ranch were evacuated with the help of NCHA members. Oswood Stallion Station took a trailer load, as did Natalie Martus, Bill and Chris Martin, Phil and Mary Ann Rapp and others from the Weatherford, Texas, area. The ranch also has a log house on the property, as well as barns. Palo Pinto County is located just west of Weatherford, Texas, which is in Parker County. The horses are being housed at Chris and Vickie Benedict’s mare barn in Weatherford.

According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, a church and more than 30 structures, which by now may have climbed to 20 more, near the Possum Kingdom reservoir have been burned as well as an estimated 90 head of cattle. Gov. Rick Perry has appealed to President Obama to declare the state a major disaster areas as wildfires have raced through or threatened all but two of Texas’ 254 counties.

Since November more than 7,800 fires have charred more than 1.5 million acres, about 2,400 square miles, burning 244 homes and threatening more than 8,500 others. Aided by strong winds and low humidity, wildfires burned Sunday from Austin to North Texas and from San Angelo to East Texas.

NCHA RECEIVES STATE OF TEXAS FUNDING FOR UPCOMING TRIPLE CROWN EVENTS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 15, 2011
According to an article in today’s Fort Worth Star Telegram, the NCHA Triple Crown events have been made eligible for the state of Texas Major Events Trust Fund. The money squeaked by on Senate Bill 309, sponsored by Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington, when he added the event through a floor amendment by Harris on March 21, the same day it passed the senate.

The Association is in good company, as the fund will also include such marquee events as the Academy of Country Music Awards and major political conventions at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. The Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game and NCAA Final Four are already eligible under the fund. The fund is designed to lure events typically held in other states (i.e.) the Academy of Country Music Awards show had been held in Las Vegas but it can now be relocated to the much larger Cowboy Stadium. No amount of the amount going to the NCHA was mentioned in the Star Telegram article.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 9, 2011
More NCHA Super Stakes winners; new Texas Racing Commissioner appointed; Decatur, Texas roping event could become largest Amateur and Novice roping in the country; and smaller selection at Fasig-Tipton Texas 2-year-old in training sale yields big numbers.

SUPER STAKES CLASSIC NON-PRO TAKEN BY CONSTANCE JAEGGI; RYDER CARPENTER WINS AMATEUR TITLE
Constance Jaeggi, a college student from Switzerland, experienced her first limited age event win in the Super Stakes Classic Non-Pro riding Dual R Smokin to a 220 finals score, taking home the $13,463 paycheck. The 6-year-old son of Dual Rey out of Smokin Pepto by Peptoboonsmal is owned by her father Daniel Jaeggi, of Mercuria, the sponsor of the World Series of Cutting. Her trainer, Chubby Turner, had qualified the stallion to the World Series finals after winning the Rancho NCHA World Series and taking reserve at the Oklahoma Battle in the Saddle.

The Reserve title went to Kaitlyn Larsen, Weatherford, Texas, riding Laredo Montana, a gelding by Light N Lena out of Little Memory Maker by Peppy San Badger, owned by her father, Billy Martin. The pair scored a 219.5, taking home $13,055. The pair is currently fifth in the NCHA Non-Pro World Championship standings. Third place was tied with a 217 between Kyle Manion, Aubrey, Texas, riding A Smooth Criminal, a stallion by the Manion’s stallion Smooth As A Cat out of Carolena Moon by Peptoboonsmal, and Itawtathenapuddycat, a gelding by Athena Puddy Cat out of SR Miss Peppory by Doc’s Hickory, ridden by Megan Miller and owned by her husband Matt Both took home $12,443, also tied for seventh riding Smooth Going Cat for an additional $10,810.

The Non-Pro Classic Senior Finals went to Glade Knight riding Smooth Asa Zee, a gelding by Smooth As A Cat out of Zee Dualy by Dual Pep, owned by Knight’s Slate River Ranch. The pair scored a 429 following two go-rounds of competition and collected $3,861. The reserve title went to Billy Atwood riding Luke 311, a gelding by Dual Rey out of Amanda Starlight by Grays Starlight. The pair scored a 428.5 and collected $3,089.

A new generation of champions showed up in the Super Stakes Classic Amateur Finals when Ryder Carpenter, Silverton, Texas, the 17-year-old son of Penny Carpenter – the daughter of Billy Cogdell, who bred and owned NCHA Futurity Champion Shania Cee, took the title and $5,078 for a 221 high score. Carpenter was riding Hangem Cat, a gelding by High Brow Cat out of Hangem High Playboy by Freckles Playboy.

The Reserve title went to Isidro Sigala, Weatherford, Texas, who scored a 220 for $4,919 riding Sofie Rey, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Safari Fever by Playin Safari. Third went to Viki Williamson, Argyle, Texas, for a 217.5 riding Meradas Gotta Gun, a son of Cats Merada out of Young Guns Katie by Young Gun. The pair took home $4,760.

In the 4-Year-Old Super Stakes competition, Travis Linville, Fox, Ark., won the Amateur Finals, scoring a 218 on What Stylish Badger, a gelding by Reys Dual Badger out of Keep Me In Style by Docs Stylish Oak. The pair took home $5,165. The Reserve title went to Italian Marco Sacchett riding Smart Freckled Cat, a son of Widows Freckles out of Sheza Smart Cat by High Brow Cat to a 217.5, taking home $4,984.

The Senior Amateur Division was won by John Lindsey, Olympia, Wash., riding Disco Crat (Smart Aristocrat x Jazzy CD) to a 211, earning $3,267. Douglas Pritchett, Quinlan, Texas, took the Reserve and third place titles riding Awesome Autumn Blue (Mecom Blue x Little Autumn DNA) to a 207 for $2,723 and Blue Model Baby (Mecom Blue x Playboys Girl) to a 204 and $2,178 check.

The Super Stakes Limited Non-Pro Finals was won by Kade Smith, Cedar City, Utah, son of trainer Greg Smith, riding Spork (Hes A Peptospoonful x Hal O Kai) to a 218.5, winning $9,397. The Reserve title went to Dianna Helm, Nowata, Okla., riding EE Ichi Bar (Cat Ichi x Freckles Beauty Bar) to a 217 and a $9,051 paycheck. Tom Bailey, Carbondale, Colo., took the Non-Pro Senior title riding Catatude (High Brow Cat x Spookys Smarty Pants, scoring a 211 for $2,376. Reserve went to Arlis Justice, Camden, Ark., riding Smooth Thumper (Smooth As A Cat x Bambi Freckles) to a 209 and ?$1,188.

CHUCK TROUT NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TEXAS RACING COMMISSION
Chuck Trout, who has served as the Texas Racing Commission’s Interim Executive Director since the retirement of Charla Ann King, was recently named the Executive Director. Trout has worked in various capacities for the Commission since 1994, including Test Barn Supervisor, Chief Test Barn Supervisor, Veterinary and Drug Testing Program Manager and Director of Racing. Before joining the Commission, he served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel.

TEXAS ROPING EVENT HAS BIG PLANS TO BE THE “BIGGEST”
Today over 400 pair of team ropers landed in Decatur, Texas at the NRS arena to compete in the first Team Roping Classic. NRS Arena director and professional roper Krece Harris, organizer of the event, hopes the event will grow into the largest amateur and novice roping event in the world. Cash and prizes total more than $300,000, which include a truck and trailer, plus a portion of the jackpot, going to the champions of each division. The event has drawn 30 local team ropers, including multiple PRCA World Champion Roy Cooper, who still qualifies since he has not won enough roping professionally to disqualify him. The finals will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 12.

TEXAS FASIG-TIPTON 2-YEAR-OLD SALE YIELDS BIG NUMBERS
Even though the Fasig-Tipton Texas 2-year-olds in training sale was smaller in numbers consigned, the resulting prices showed a 23.5 percent increase in the average ($21,080 compared to $17,064) and 42.9 increase in the median ($15,000 compared to $10,500) over last year. The number offered (132) were down 31.3 percent from last year when 192 were offered. The number sold (98) was down 29.5% from last year’s 139. Total sales of $2,065,800 were only down 12.9%.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 4, 2011
Lee Francois rode Reys Desire to a repeat win of the NCHA Super Stakes.

Lee Francois rides Reys Desire to a repeat of his 2010 NCHA Super Stakes win; you better read your rule book for new rules before entering the arena; AQHA to sponsor NCHA Weekend, June 3-5; Western States March show the biggest show in several years; four to be inducted into NCHA Members Hall of Fame and frozen semen and embryos available from Babcock Quarters Horses through bankruptcy trustee

LEE FRANCOIS RIDES REYS DESIRE TO REPEAT SUPER STAKES WIN
Last year the pair of Lee Francois, Murchison, Texas, and Reys Desire, won the 4-Year-Old Open Super Stakes. The pair returned to pick up where they left off, winning the 5/6-Year-Old Open Finals with a whopping 225 score in the finals held Sunday, April 3 at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. Owner H. B. “Woody” Bartlett, Pike Road, Ala., took home the $50,000 first-place paycheck.

The daughter of Dual Rey out of Playguns Desire by Playgun, bred by Bartlett, had lifetime earnings prior to this year’s NCHA Super Stakes finals of $239,041. She now is closing in on the $290,000 mark.

The Reserve title, with a score of 222.5, went to Special Nu Baby, owned by Gary and Shannon Barker, Madill, Okla., ridden by Matt Gaines. The pair scored a 222.5, taking home $36,594. The mare, who is also a daughter of Dual Rey, is out of Nu I Wood by Zack T Wood, has prior earnings of $220,641 Third place, with a 220.5 score went to A Little Bossy, a gelding by CD Lights out of Pistol Smart by Smart Little Lena, owned by Wrigley Ranches, Weatherford, Texas, ridden by R. L. Chartier. Prior to this year’s Super Stakes, the gelding had $84,136 in lifetime earnings. Chartier was the only rider to qualify three horses for the 25-horse Classic finals.

The event continues through Saturday, April 16, with the Western Bloodstock Sale being held at 9 a.m. and the Non-Pro and Open Finals at 3 p.m.

HAVE YOU READ THE 2011 RULE BOOK?
If you haven’t read the 2011 NCHA Rule Book, you may be in for a surprise. Some trainers are learning the hard way during the NCHA Super Stakes. The Rule Book is filled with new rules, including Judging Rule 16b, which says that “any person horseback in the arena (both in and outside the working area) after the start of an NCHA approved weekend or LAE or NCHA sponsored event must wear western attire including hats. … Contestants must wear long-sleeved shirts with collars and buttons or snaps completely down the shirt front. Tank tops, T-shirts and all types of sweatshirts are not permissible.” Several contestants have discovered that violation of this rule carries a $200 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second offence and third and subsequent offenses within 12 months carry a 90-day suspension.

AQHA TO SPONSOR NCHA WEEKEND JUNE 3-5; CONTESTANTS WILL BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR AQHA WORLD SHOWS
NCHA weekend, traditionally held at 25 selected sites throughout the United States and Canada, will have a new twist and sponsor this year. This year, the AQHA will not only sponsor the event with $3,000 provided to each affiliate, but AQHA points earned will count toward the 2011 AQHA Open World Championship Show, the AQHA amateur World Championship, the AQHA Select World Championship and the AQHYA World Championship Show.

A maximum of $500 added money will be allowed in any added-money class with AQHA classes offered a minimum of one day and will be held as a class within a class of the corresponding NCHA class. The AQHA senior class will be offered within the NCHA Open Class, the AQHA Junior class will be held within the NCHA $10,000 Novice Horse class; the Amateur class will be offered within the Non-Pro class and the Youth class will be offered within the NCHA Youth Class.

Judges will be both AQHA and NCHA certified. AQHA membership will be required for all show secretaries and all riders in AQHA classes must have an AQHA membership (which may be paid at the show).

WESTERN STATES CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION HOLDS “BIGGEST SHOW IN SEVERAL YEARS”
According to show management, the March show of the Western States Cutting Horse Association, which included an aged event, was the “biggest show in several years.” Over the three days, they had 371 total runs paying out over $56,820. Two sets of Open Derby and Open Classic horses were held all three days.

The Open Derby Champion overall was NRR Cat King Cole, ridden by Tracy Barton, owned by North Ridge Ranch. The Non-Pro Derby Champ was Royal Red Play owned and shown by Pamela Shaeffer, the Open Classic Champion was PRF Reys Gingerpunch ridden by Scott Amos, owned by Peter DeLeeuw and the Non-Pro Classic Champ was Smart Anna Doc, owned and shown by Kathi Fisher. The next Western States will be the “Please Don’t Snow” show held April 16-17 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock, Colo.

FOUR TO BE INDUCTED INTO NCHA MEMBERS HALL OF FAME
Four NCHA members will be inducted into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame during the 2011 NCHA Annual Convention at the Marriott in Oklahoma City, June 17-19 including Pat Jacobs, Wayne Hodges, Don Bussey and Lisa Johnson.
Click here for Convention schedule>>

BABCOCK RANCH FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY TRUSTEES TO SELL FROZEN SEMEN AND EMBRYOS
Frozen semen and embryos owned by the bankruptcy estates of Jim Babcock and Babcock Quarter Horses Inc., are offered for sale to the public by Equine DNA. They include embryos and/or frozen semen from Mister Dual Pep, Elans Playboy, Smart Chic Olena, Royal Blue Quixote, Bueno Fritzi Nic, Cowboy Smarts and Trashadeous. All resulting foals will be eligible for registration with either the AQHA or APHA with the purchase of breeding permits. Also, a limited number of the Select Breeders Southwest doses of Smart Chic Olena are approved for transport overseas. For information, contact Maddi Williams, Equine DNA at equine DNA@hotmail.com or (940) 736-9491.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 16, 2011
New exercise arena, 848 new stalls and expansion of underground tunnel being completed at Fort Worth Will Roger’s Memorial Center; The Non-Pro moves from June 14-21 to June 8-15 to accommodate NCHA Convention, new payout schedule replaces the one printed in 2011 Rule Book and The Cattlemens Derby & Classic, held March 7-15 in Graham, Texas, up from 2010.

WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL CENTER TO CONSTRUCT NEW EXERCISE ARENA AND STALLS AND EXPAND UNDERGROUND TUNNEL
It won’t be finished in time for the 2011 NCHA Futurity; however, the Will Rogers Memorial Center is getting a makeover. According to an article in the March 7-13 Fort Worth Business Press, the improvements will have a $32 million price tag, with the most significant improvement being a new multi-purpose equestrian center on the complex’s east side at the corner of University and Harley drives. The new structure will add 848 horse stalls and the center’s first indoor exercise/warm-up arena for horses. The structure will have a flexible design, allowing for easy conversion to parking space.

There will also be an expansion of the underground tunnel system through which livestock are moved from building to building without interfering with traffic or being affected by inclement weather. It is estimated that construction costs will be close to $17 million and the stalls will add an additional $1.6 million. The construction debt will be paid by Fort Worth’s share in the rental car tax revenue generated at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Additionally, a five-year plan is in place to refurbish existing infrastructure across the complex, costing a total of about $13 million. The updates will include new seating in multiple facilities and new auditorium lights, street repairs and audio equipment upgrades. The first project tackled; however, will be the coliseum restrooms and replacing the exhibit hall’s 25-year-old dividing walls. Additional renovations are still being explored regarding space for trailers and RVs.

THE NON PRO MOVES THEIR DATES TO JUNE 8-15 IN OKC TO ACCOMMODATE 2011 NCHA CONVENTION
Since NCHA rules state that “no show will be approved by NCHA during the annual NCHA Convention, as well as the day before and the day after,” the Non-Pro recently moved from their scheduled date of June 14-21 (which was during the NCHA convention scheduled for June 17-19 at the Marriott in Oklahoma City) to June 8-15 at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City.
This will allow the additional day between the end of the event and the beginning of the Convention. The new The Non Pro schedule can be accessed at http://www.nchadella.com/nonpro/info.htm.

A Convention registration form is available at http://www.nchacutting.com; as well as reservation information for the Marriott Oklahoma City; however, to date there is no meeting schedule on the NCHA website.

PAYOUT SCHEDULE ADJUSTED FOR 2011
According to the NCHA, on Jan. 13, the NCHA Executive Committee voted to approve a recommendation from the Open Show Committee to adjust the payout schedule which was published in the NCHA's 2011 Official Handbook of Rules & Regulations. The new payout schedule replaces the one printed in the 2011 Rule Book. Based on input from members and the goal of developing a more logical placings chart, the new schedule takes effect Jan. 21. For the new payout schedule, go to: http://www.nchacutting.com/ag/shows/pdf/payout.pdf

ENTRIES UP FOR THE CATTLEMENS DERBY & CLASSIC
The rise in entries weren’t much – but entries were up at the $115,000-added The Cattlemens Derby & Classic, held March 7-15 at the Young County Arena in Graham, Texas. This year’s 338 entries (up 20 from last year) included 155 in the Derby and 183 in the Classic. Winning the 92-entry Open Derby was Reycy Moon, a daughter of Cats Moonshine out of Twice As Reycy by Dual Rey, owned by Gary and Shannon Barker and ridden by Matt Gains to a 224 and a $12,125 paycheck. The Reserve title went to Princess Clarence, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Miss Woody Two Shoes by High Brow Cat, owned by Lannie Louise Mecom and ridden by Matt Miller to a 223 and $11,060 paycheck.

The 40-entry Non-Pro Derby was won by Chad Bushaw riding Smooth As A Twist, a daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of LB Ms Cowtown Twist by Doc O Lena Twist, to a 217 and a $12,500 check. Mary Ann Rapp took the Reserve title riding Reytilda Red, a son of Cats Red Feather out of Reytilda by Dual Rey. The pair scored a 216 and won $10,934. The Amateur Derby was won by Carey Humphrey riding Hes One Smooth Cat, a gelding by Smooth As A Cat out of Hollys Little Smarty by Smart Little Lena, scoring a 216 for $2,310. Mary Pat Morris finished second with a 213 riding Majorettes Kitten, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of TR Majorette by Doc’s Hickory, collecting $1,925.

The 88-entry Open Classic was won by A Little Bossey, a 6-year-old gelding by CD Lights out of Pistol Smart by Smart Little Lena, owned by Wrigley Ranches LLC, and ridden by R. L. Chartier to a 222 for $12,067. Reserve went to Special Nu Baby, a 5-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of Nu I Wood by Zack T Wood, owned by Gary and Shannon Barker and ridden by Matt Gaines to a 220.5, winning $11,397.

Greg Coalson won the 55-entry Non-Pro Classic riding Dualinisalena, a 6-year-old daughter of Quejanaisalena out of Pretty Dualin by Dualin Jewels. The pair scored a 220 for an $11,808 paycheck. Reserve went to Megan Miller riding Itawtathenapuddycat, a 6-year-old gelding by Athena Puddy Cat out of SR Miss Peppory by Doc’s Hickory, scoring a 217 for $10,735. The 40-entry Amateur was taken by Shannon Barker riding Hoo Ray for Dreams, a 6-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of Dreams Of Oak by Docs Freckles Oak to a 220 and a $3,295 check. Reserve in the Amateur went to Kylie Knight riding DT One Rare Mate sired by Smart Mate out of Rare Hickory by Doc’s Hickory, scoring a 215 for $2,883

STUD BOOK AND REGISTRATION COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ADDING HERDA AS A GENETIC DISEASE DURING AQHA CONVENTION

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 5, 2011 – Grapevine, Texas
During the AQHA Convention , held March 4-7, in Grapevine, Texas, the Stud Book and Registration Committee will discuss amending Rule 205 regarding Genetic Defects and Undesirable traits, to include HERDA, as well as PSSM, GBED and MH.

If this amendment should pass, with respect to these additional diseases, mandatory testing will not be required, but the owner will be responsible for reporting the condition to the AQHA for recording of such condition(s) on the horse’s registration certificate.
Failure to timely report these conditions may subject the owner to possible disciplinary action. Also the condition does not prevent a horse from being used as breeding stock or from participating in AQHA-approved events, subject to rules of the individual event.

Also the rule amendment would modify Rule 203(b) by specifically listing the genetic defect, which would prevent a horse from being eligible for advancement from the Appendix or New Appendix.

Currently Western Bloodstock does not allow the announcement of HERDA regarding horses selling in the major NCHA sales, nor mention of it in their sale catalog, stating their position regarding HERDA as: “When the AQHA, other official associations or federal or state government regulatory authorities identify and adopt a final protocol for HERDA testing and identification, Western Bloodstock will act accordingly and will make all results disclosed to it available in its sale catalogs.”

Hopefully if this new rules passes at this year’s AQHA Convention, buyers of horses in sales held during the NCHA Triple Crown Events, can be informed as to their HERDA status.
Click here for Registration Committee agenda>>
Click here for current AQHA Registration rules>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 28, 2011
Jerry Carter, wife of John Carter and mother to Punk and Roy, passed away Tuesday morning (Feb. 22), and the memorial service will be held March 7; deadline for NCHA Super Stakes Sale to be held April 16, is March 1; the PCCHA Derby, Classic/Challenge will be held March 7-13 – entries close 5 p.m., March 6; Barbara Brooks and Randy Chartier to run for Vice President-Elect; CD Chica San Badger to sell at 29th Annual East Texas Easter Spectacular Ranch Gelding and Mixed Sale to be held March 11-13 and Jim and Mary Jo Milner will soon have 18 gas wells in their pasture.

JERRY CARTER PASSES AWAY TUESDAY, FEB. 22
Jerry Carter, wife of John Carter and mother to Punk and Roy Carter, passed away on Tuesday morning, Feb. 22. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 7 at a Cowboy Church in Aubrey, Texas.

NOMINATION DEADLINE FOR NCHA SUPER STAKES SALE MARCH 1
The nomination deadline for the NCHA Super Stakes Sale, scheduled for Saturday, April 16, is March 1. The selection date will be March 7 and owners will be notified of acceptance in the limited-number, select sale after March 7. Entry fee is $500 and will be deducted from the sale proceeds. Repurchase Fee (no sale) is also $500. A commission of 8 percent will be charged on accepted bids. A cattle charge of $115 for three head will be charged for horses shown on cattle. A shipping halter will be provided to buyers.

Horses must have an original coggins test dated within six months and a health certificate dated within 15 days of the sale. Health certificates must include pregnancy status for mares, the status of descended testicles for stallions 13 months and older and any other defect or injury. No copies will be accepted. To consign a horse, go to www.westernbloodstock.com and print out a completed consignment contract. It must be mailed to Western Bloodstock, Ltd., PO Box 1389, Weatherford, Texas 76086 along with a completed consignment contract, original registration certificate, signed transfer report and a breeders certificate for mares in foal. At this late date, they suggest calling them at (817) 594-9210 or faxing them at (817) 596-0430.

Other Western Bloodstock sales include The NCHA Super Stakes Sale, July 30, and the NCHA Futurity Sales Dec. 5-10.

NEW ENTRY CLOSING DATES FOR PCCHA DERBY, CLASSIC,CHALLENGE
The PCCHA Derby, Classic/Challenge is scheduled for March 7-13 in Paso Robles, Calif..Entries ($2,094) in the Open Derby are due by 2 p.m., Sunday, March 6, Non-Pro entries ($1,964) and the $200K Non-Pro ($1,645) are due Tuesday, March 8 and the $50 Amateur($846) is due Wednesday, March 9.

Classic/Challenge entry fees for the Open ($2,094) are due Saturday March 5, Non-Pro ($1,964)( due Monday, March 7, $200K Non-Pro ($1,645) due Monday, March 7 and $50K Amateur ($846) due Wednesday, March 9.

Entries for the new $500-added 4-Year-Old Open and Non-Pro will be held on March 7 and entries will close Sunday, March 6 at 5 p.m. All other NCHA classes held within the Derby, Classic/Challenge entries will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9. Any entries after deadline will be considered “add-on” entries and put at the end of the first available herd.

Also, the PCCHA Youth Auction will be held March 11 and celebrated with the PCCHA Trainers Dinner. All memberships to the NCHA and PCCHA must be current. For more information, e-mail them at info@pccha.com or go to their website: www.pccha.com.

BROOKS AND CHARTIER WILL VY FOR THE NCHA VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT
Barbara Brooks, 57, Nashville, Tenn., a non-pro competitor, breeder and show producer will be running against Randy Chartier,52, Cottrellville, Mich., a trainer for 29 years and a AAAA judge. Brooks is the wife of country singer Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn and the couple have two children. Chartier and his wife, Kelle, who also competes as a non-pro, have three sons.

The winning candidate will become Vice President during the NCHA Convention in June; Keith Deaville, currently the President Elect, will become President and Ernie Beutenmiller, currently the Vice President will become President Elect.

29TH ANNUAL EAST TEXAS EASTER SPECTACULAR TO BE HELD MARCH 11-13
A 28-year-old CD Chica San Badger, with $204,000 in earnings and a producer of money earners in excess of $15 million – including CD Olena, will be selling Sunday March 13 during the 29th Annual East Texas Easter Spectacular Ranch Gelding & Mixed Sale held March 11-13 at the George H. Henderson Expo Center in Lufkin, Texas. Demonstrations of performance horses will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday followed by the Ranch Gelding Sale starting at 5 p.m.

On Saturday there will be a free breakfast prepared by Ralph & Kacoo’s Restaurant at 8 a.m. followed by the Mixed Sale at 10 a.m. On Sunday, March 13, there will be a “Select Breeders Session” and the day will begin with Cowboy Church at 8 a.m. followed by a demonstration of sale horses at 9 a.m. The Select Breeders Session will begin at 11 a.m.

The online catalog can be viewed by clicking on the Havard Sale ad on the main page of this web site or by calling their office at (337) 494-1333).

18 WELLS ON MILNER RANCH APPROVED BY SOUTHLAKE CITY COUNCIL
The City Council of Southlake, Texas, a suburb between Dallas and Fort Worth, voted 5-2 on Wednesday, Feb. 23, to approve Southlake’s first gas well site. Officials with XTO Energy say a drilling rig could be on the Jim Milner ranch by mid-April. They are planning to drill up to 18 wells on the pasture of Jim and Mary Jo Milner, both NCHA non-pros, with both being World Champions in the past and members of the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame. Jim Milner was the NCHA President in 2000 and is an Honorary Lifetime Vice President.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 7, 2011
Sean Ryon Saddles stolen, NCHA member Wiley Caudle, 84, of Harrison, Ark., passes away, Livestock Marketeers honor Lefty, Cotton and Spader, horse hair thieves increase as horse hair increases in price and City of Southlake, Texas, votes on gas wells on Jim and Mary Jo Milner property.

SEAN RYON SADDLES STOLEN:
Sean Ryon is missing a number of new and used saddles that were stolen from their Fort Worth store early Saturday morning, Jan. 29. According to a press release, a canine unit from the Fort Worth police department arrived within minutes of the 2:40 a.m. theft, the thieves had already made their getaway. However, a security tape will provide police with an audio tape of the break in.

The saddles were cutters and ranch cutters with individual serial numbers located under the left fender. In addition, they all have “Sean Ryon” stamped on the cantle, seat, fenders and latigo keepers. If anyone has information about these saddles, please call (61) 743-4638 or (817) 626-5390 or e-mail Barbara@seanryon.com.

WILEY CAUDLE, HARRISON, ARK., PASSES AWAY AT 84:
Wiley Caudle, 84, Harrison, Ark., died Friday, Jan. 21, 2011. Caudle, a long-time NCHA member, was an amateur cutter and the breeder and owner of horses that trainers showed.

Two of his favorite horses were out of his good mare Tanka and included Mack Tank, a 1986 Open Futurity Champion of the National Western Stock Show in Denver and Tanka Doc, the 1994 State of Missouri Open Futurity Champion.

Caudle was born Jan. 6, 1927, at Loop, Texas. He served in the Army during World War II and was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 60 years. He was in the auto parts business, raised cattle and loved his cutting horses.

LIVESTOCK MARKETEERS HONOR LEFTY, COTTON AND SPADER:
The name of three livestock professionals were added to the Livestock Marketeers Hall of Fame wall at the National Western Stock Show Club on Jan. 15. The Livestock Marketeers, an informal fraternity of livestock fieldmen, auctioneers, sale managers and related livestock business leaders, met for their 46th Annual Banquet in Denver.

The 2011 honorees included Wm. F. (Bill) Lefty, Lincoln, Calif.; Terry Cotton, St. Joseph, Mo. And Richard “Dick” Spader, Rosendale, Mo., who was added posthumously.

Lefty has worked with high-profile horse and cattle producers, including the King Ranch in Texas, Bar 5 Ranch in Manitoba, Haythorn Land & Cattle in Nebraska, Walt Disney and the Parker Ranch in Hawaii. He has been an auctioneer at every major livestock show in North America.

Cotton has been with Angus Productions Inc., for 30 years, one of the largest publishers in U.S. agriculture. Besides growing the Journal substantially, Cotton introduced Angus Beef Bulletin, a 170,000-circulation publication, which mails five times per year and also launched Special Services which produce nearly 400 sale catalogs a year.

Spader is the former American Angus Association executive vice president, leading the association in his 32-year career to be the largest and most influential breed registry in the world. Under his direction, the association issued its first Field Data Sire Evaluation Report and Pathfinder Report. In 1981, he was named executive vice president and service in that capacity until his death in October 2001 after suffering a heart attack while in the pasture tending to his Angus herd.

HORSE HAIR THIEVES STRIKE IN TEXAS:
According to an article in the Wise County (Texas) Messenger, horse hair thieves have struck at a couple of horse ranches south of Decatur, located in North Central Texas. Sue Owen, who operates a horse exporting business, selling horses as far off as Europe and the Middle East, had her horses struck with the scissor-happy thieves twice: once in November and again in January.

At first she thought it was a prank before she discovered this was a nationwide problem, reaching from Montana to West Virginia, due to the decrease in the amount of horse hair available in the United States, causing a spike in costs. She claims that the closure of horse slaughter plants have led to the high demand.

Less than a half mile away, another horse was hit earlier in January, after Troy Hogan returned home from a trip to Oklahoma to find the tail hacked off his daughter’s barrel horse. Lt. David Hanks with the Wise County Sheriff’s Office is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, trying to figure a way to track stolen horse hair and the suspects. Owens is also working with the USDA and encourages other victims to contact her at 940-627-1000.

18 GAS WELLS ON MILNER PROPERTY SUBJECT OF SOUTHLAKE VOTE
According to an article in the Jan. 31 issue of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the City Council of Southlake will soon be voting on the city’s first gas wells, despite objections from some Planning and Zoning Commission members who voted against the application from XTO Energy. XTO is requesting to drill up to 18 gas wells on the ranch of NCHA members Jim and Mary Jo Milner off Texas 114. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted on Nov. 19 to reject a motion to recommend approval of the permit on a 4-3 vote. However, a city attorney ruled later that because the commission didn’t follow up that vote with a recommendation to deny the permit, XTO Energy could proceed to the council without a commission recommendation. Therefore, Attorney Tim Sralla advised City Manager that a supermajority would not be needed. That surprised many commissioners who said their intent was to deny the application.

DURING SEVEN-DAY JURY TRIAL, LAINIE WHITMIRE PREVAILS OVER NCHA ON BOTH COUNTS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 2,, 2011 - Fort Worth, Texas
At 3:10 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, a 12-member jury returned a verdict in favor of Lainie Whitmire in the Whitmire V NCHA trial that has been going on in Fort Worth’s 236th District Court since Tuesday, Jan. 11..

Ten of the 12 jurists had to agree on two major issues: 1) Whether Lainie Whitmire had an oral agreement with the NCHA and 2) Whether she was false imprisoned during the 2004 NCHA Futurity – with each issue having 3 parts.

Six women jurors and four men agreed on five charges: 1) There was an oral agreement, 2) NCHA failed to comply with it, 3) damages were set at $70,000 from loss of value of horses) and 4) she was falsely imprisoned; however 5) no damages were assessed for the false imprisonment.

Prior to the jury leaving the court room, Judge Lowe read to the jury six issues they had to decide on including 1) If there was an oral agreement that Clark Brewster had with the Eldridge Goins, attorney for the NCHA regarding her receiving her non-pro card back after six months of suspension, 2) Whether the NCHA failed to comply with Lainie Whitmire’s oral agreement in No. 1, 3) The sum of money that would compensate Lainie Whitmire resulting from their failure to comply. If No. 1 was answered yes, the jury voted on No.2 and if that was answered yes, they were ordered to go to No. 3.

The next issue, 4) false imprisonment, also had three issues to decide: 1) On Dec. 5, 2004, was Lainie Whitmire falsely imprisoned, 2) What sum of money would fairly compensate Lainie Whitmire for injuries from the false imprisonment and 3) If the vote for 2 was “yes” what harm resulted from the false imprisonment.

Since two of the 12 jurors disagreed, there were no punitive damage awarded. Whitmire’s attorney fees will be presented to the judge in upcoming weeks and he will determine the amount of James Walker’s fees that the NCHA will be obligated to pay. Should they decide to do so, the NCHA can appeal the case to the State Supreme Court. Click below for a copy of the Court's Charges and an outline for the jury's decision as well as the complete trial testimony day by day.
Click here for a copy of the Courts Charges>>
Click here for the trial testimony>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 9, 2011
Due to inclement weather, the Lainie Whitmire Jury tria, scheduled for Monday, has been postponed until Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 10:15 a.m. in Fort Worth; opinion on Gaughan V NCHA expected soon; entries at Abilene Spectacular up from 2010 and legendary Fort Worth rancher George Beggs III dies at 89.

WHITMIRE JURY TRIAL TO BEGIN TOMORROW:
.The Lainie Whitmire Jury trial will begin at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday,, Jan. 11, in Judge Lowe’s 236th District Court in Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. The trial, which originally had been scheduled for Monday, was moved due to inclement eather. The trial is a continuation of a lawsuit filed by Lainie Whitmire against the NCHA on Oct. 1, 2006, following a dispute about her amateur/non-pro status that has been going on since 2004. On April 9, 2008, Judge Lowe had issued a Summary Judgment in favor of the NCHA as to certain Whitmire claims including membership contract claims and a breach of oral promise claims. She appealed this ruling to the Court Of Appeals in the Second District of Texas in Fort Worth.

On July 23, 2008, the Court of Appeals issued its ruling affirming the trial court’s grant of Summary Judgment on the membership contract claims but it reversed the trial court’s decision on the breach of oral contract claim, which involves a settlement agreement Whitmire claims was reached between Eldridge Goins, acting as NCHA’s General Counsel, and Clark Brewster, who was Whitmire’s lawyer at the time.

The Court of Appeals ruled that the NCHA must prove there is not such an agreement. Goins had previously been disqualified by the trial court as the NCHA’s lead trial counsel in the case in light of his status as the principal trial witness for the NCHA on the breach claim. Besides the breach of oral promise claim, Whitmire is also claiming false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress by NCHA officials.

On Aug. 23, 2010, Judge Lowe issued an “Order on Plaintiffs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.” The court granted the Plaintiff’s motion in part – and denied it in part. The court ruled the NCHA could terminate Ray Whitmire’s membership under Article II of the NCHA Constitution because he is married to Lainie Whitmire and financially supported her lawsuit against the Association.

However, the NCHA had also sought to recover its attorneys’ fees and costs and that portion was dismissed as a matter of law, meaning that the NCHA could not recover fees and costs incurred over the course of the lawsuit and no longer has a claim allowing for such a recovery because they had suspended Lainie Whitmire before she sued and she was no longer a member of the Association.

GAUGHAN V NCHA APPEALS COURT OPINION EXPECTED ANY DAY
An opinion is expected any day from the Appeals Court regarding a lawsuit Paula Gaughan, Las Vegas, Nev., and Dean Sanders filed in May 2008 in Fort Worth’s 67th District Court, Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. Gaughan and Sanders were seeking a wide range of NCHA financial information, including bank account and payroll records within the prior three years, citing that due to the current economy, hard times might be ahead for the association.

In November 2009, Judge Don Cosby ruled in favor of the NCHA in his Summary Judgment, saying that Gaughan could not share the financial records and the information they contain that she had received from the NCHA with other NCHA members. Gaughan had stressed that she wanted the membership to have the right to view all of the financial records and discuss the information in them as part of their participation in the governance of the Association without having to go to court to do so.

Paula Gaughan’s husband, Michael, owns the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, where Paula had put on several NCHA-approved aged events each year, paying out millions of dollars to NCHA members who were contestants. The NCHA management subsequently told Gaughan that no cutting event produced at the South Point Equestrian Center would be NCHA approved.

ENTRIES AT ABILENE SPECTACULAR UP FROM 2010
Entries at Abilene Spectacular up from 2010 with the Open 4-Year-Old featuring 250 entries, up 36 from 2010’s 214. While the Non-Pro was down 28 entries from 2010’s 166, the Amateur was up nine for a total overall of 17 more entries than the event had in 2010.

Winning the 146-entry Open 4-Year-Old was Desires Blue Trinity, a stallion sired by Mecom Blue out of Desires Smart Lena by Smart Little Lena, owned by Cox Trinity Equine LLC, Lubbock, Texas, and ridden by Chris Johnsrud. The pair, that tied for 21st in the November NCHA Futurity, taking home $32,336, picked up an additional $30,000 for their Abilene win, with $20,000 coming from the regular pay-out and $10,000 from the Incentive Bonus.

The Reserve title was split between full brothers Wiley Cat, owned by Thomas and Deborah Herold and ridden by Dirk Blakesley and Woodys Wildest Cat, owned by the Cinder Lakes Ranch and ridden by Clint Allen. Both scored a 223 and took home $16,000. Ironically, both horses are sons of High Brow Cat out of Miss Echo Wood by Doctor Wood, with Woodys Wildest Cat finishing 23rd in the NCHA Futurity, winning $30,669, and Wiley Cat coming in 24th for a $29,557 paycheck.

Woodys Wildest Cat, ridden by Rick Ford, also finished Reserve in the 4-Year-Old Amateur, which was won by CD Lareda, a daughter of Laredo Blue out of Olenas Lil Hickory by CD Olena, owned and ridden by college student Luke Barnhart, Hesston, Kan. The pair scored a 220.5, taking home $3,000. The pair had finished in a tie for 16th in the NCHA 2010 Amateur Futurity, winning $5,184.

The record-breaking NCHA Open Futurity Champions, One Time Royalty, a One Time Pepto stallion owned by Matthews Cutting Horses, and ridden by Lloyd Cox had some tough luck in the Open 4-Year-Old finals, scoring a 0, following spectacular go-round runs.

The championship of the 5/6-Year-Old Open was split between Holly Is Smooth (Smooth As A Cat x Holly N Zack x Zack T Wood) owned by Tommy Manion, Inc., Aubrey, Texas, ridden by Matt Miller and Rascal Cats (High Brow Cat x Keena Pep x Dual Pep), owned by Steve Feiner, Los Angeles, Calif., ridden by Wes Galyean. Both scored a 224, taking home $14,000. Miller also finished third on Desires Katrina (High Brow Cat x Desire Some Freckles x Freckles Playboy), owned by Don and Carol Dewrell, Holt, Fla., with a 222.5, winning an additional $11,000 paycheck.

The 5/6-Year-Old Amateur title was taken by Tiffany Sterfels, Plattenville, La., riding Way Better Bet to a 219.5, taking home $4,000. The Reserve Amateur title, as well as the Senior title, went to Billy Emerson, Addison, Texas, riding Senorita Spoon to a 219 and a $3,000 paycheck.

The event continues Monday with 4-Year-Old Non-Pro competition, with the finals of the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro and 5-Year-Old Non-Pro taking place at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13.

GEORGE BEGGS III OF FORT WORTH-AREA RANCHING FAMILY PASSES AWAY AT 89
George Beggs III, a member of a historic Texas ranching family died Wednesday, Jan. 5 at his home on his 3,000-acre ranch three miles north of Aledo. He was 89.

Mr. Beggs won several prestigious awards for his ranching contributions, served on the board of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show for 50 years, was a director of the former Continental National Bank and served on the boards of the Tom L. and Anne Burnett and Anne Tandy testamentary trusts and the All Saints Episcopal Hospital, which his grandmother, Maria Dickie Beggs, helped found. He rode horses until he was 70 and worked in his Fort Worth office until two years ago.

He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Janie Martin Beggs, and his children, Janie Beggs, Judy Capera Beggs Clement and her husband, James Higbie Clement Jr., George Beggs IV and Ed Farmer Beggs II; grandchildren Capera Beggs Clement, James Higbie Clement III and Gregory Sayre Clement, and his sister Francine Beggs Dwyer. His service will be held Saturday on the Farmer Beggs Family Plot in Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to St. Andrews’s Episcopal Church, All Saints Health foundation, Union Gospel Mission or a charity of one’s choice, in his memory is suggested.

NCHA'S URBAN COWBOYS MAKE PAGE 1 OF TODAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 16, 2010
Today's issue of the Wall Street Journal carried an article "Rodeo Drive: Rich Urban Cowboys on Fine Horses Best Ranch Hands" on page 1 of the Dec. 16 issue. The article, written by Kevin Helliker, features Tom Bailey, 73, of the Iron Rose Ranch in Carbondale, Colo., who is retired as chief executive of Janus Capital Group, who has had success in the cutting arena.

The article stresses that a "would-be Westerner these days isn't riding mechanical bulls or visiting dude ranches. He's competing respectably in an Old West sport that measures the ability to handle horses and cows.

However, it also points out that many of today's "average cowboys" can't afford to play the game due to horse prices and purses rising so high.

I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Mr. Helliker and this web site is mentioned in the article.

To find the article online, go to http://www.WSJ.com and search for Urban Cowboys.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO NCHA CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS PASSED DURING NCHA MEMBERSHIP MEETING

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 11, 2010
During a membership meeting held at 3 p.m., Saturday Dec. 11, just prior to the NCHA Open Futurity finals and following the final horse sale of the year, members passed the proposed amendments and additions to the NCHA Constitution and Bylaws which had previously been passed by the Board of Directors during the NCHA Convention.

The meeting was held in the Round-Up Inn at the Will Rogers complex, located behind the exhibit hall. All Amendments and Additions were voted on in one vote, with 52 being in favor of all six and 34 opposed.
Click here for published notice>>

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 10, 2010
With the NCHA Futurity, NCHA Futurity horse sales, NRHA Futurity, and NFR and the in full swing, it's been a busy week. Also Tim Barry suffered a heart attack while riding and a silent auction is being held to help pay hospital and doctor bills.

NCHA FUTURITY NEWS:
The NCHA Futurity Open Finals will be held tomorrow night; however, the John Deere Limited OpenDivision has already been won by Kenneth Platt riding Downtown Smarts (Downtown Cat x Smart Lil Addition) for Dwight and Kathi Fisher, Denver, Colo. Kenneth scored a whopping 221 taking home the $15,335 first-place paycheck. The Reserve title went to Scott Wray riding Quejana Reeves (Quejanaisalena x Ms Highliner) owned by Bill and Anne Riddle, Ringling, Okla. The pair scored a 217, taking home $13,615.

In the Limited Non-Pro Division, Colleen Wold, Brenham, Texas, won the division riding KA Blue E (Mecom Blue x Ressa Cattin) for a 219, collecting $10,420. Second went to Teresa Padgett, Gainesville, Texas, riding Boonlight Fishin (Boonlight Dancer x Miss Docs Command), to a 217 and a $10,166 paycheck.

The Amateur Finals were won by Laura Fenimore, 21, a Californian who is a student at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Laura, 21, showed home-grown Misplaced Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Tangy Starlight) to a 219.5, collecting $7,202. The Reserve title went to Robert Tiemann, Pflugerville, Texas, riding Ubet Ima Barmaid (Ubet I Wood x Cats Barmaid Chick) to a 215 and a $7,067 check. Ronnie Rice, Valley View, Texas, trains the mare.

The Non-Pro Finals were won by Austin Blake, Canyon,Texas, riding One Rocking Pepto (One Time Pepto x Rockin Playgirl), to a 222 and a $35,884 paycheck. Austin, 29, had made a deal to sell the gelding to Rick Reeves, Hallsville, Texas, who created the supplement Equi-Pride, prior to his final run, and held up his end of the bargain by selling him to Rick following his winning run. Although Austin has competed in the Futurity for five years, this is his first finals. Although he trained the gelding himself, he credits several other trainers for helping him, including his mentor Boyd Rice.
Click here for full results>>

BENEFIT AUCTION FOR TIM BARRY:
During the first go-round of the Non-Pro, Tim Barry, 61, Byron, Ill., suffered a heart attack during his run. Thanks to the immediate help of Dr. Rick Rothwell, a surgeon from Abilene, Texas, and his wife Priscilla, who is a surgical nurse, they kept his heart going until the ambulance arrived and he was taken to Fort Worth's Harris Hospital. Barry had some broken ribs from the CPR and has received a defibrillator and will more than likely be released this weekend. According to Quarter Horse News website, Barry had also suffered a heart attack 10 years ago.

Sandra McBride, who is married to Wade McBride, a Fort Worth heart doctor, has put together a silent auction to be held in the Cutters Cafe in the exhibit hall, to help with Tim's medical bills. Many vendors, friends and cutters have donated items to be auctioned off plus days with a trainer, and many stallion breedings to be bid on. The silent auction will end while the final set of cattle are settled at today's NCHA Futurity semifinals.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 27, 2010
Jaime Snider rides Sly Playgirl, owned by Robert Borick, to highest score following first go-round of Open NCHA Futurity; Pete Branch captures 1st go of NCHA Open World Finals riding Ms Peppy Cat to 229; Tara Gaines rides Patrick La Dual to a 227, winning first go of NCHA Non-Pro World Finals; six days of NCHA Futurity sales start on Friday, Dec. 3; Nick Karanges named publisher of Fort Worth Business Press; Equine dentists could have only fleeting victory; NCHA’s Tom McGuane publishes new novel “Driving On The Rim”; Pat Jacobs has book signing over Thanksgiving Day weekend; William Chambers selling his new novel “Ghost Ponies – One Ranger’s Story” and Cooper brothers make PRCA rodeo history.

SLY PLAYGIRL/JAIME SNIDER TOP 1ST GO OF NCHA OPEN FUTURTY
A high score of 219.5 received the first day of the NCHA Open Futurity held up for six days, with Jaime Snider and Sly Playgirl, topping the 594 other entries. The first go-round was completed Friday, Nov. 26. A total of 249 entries with a score of 211 or above have advanced to the second go-round which starts today and continues through tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 28.

Sly Playgirl, a daughter of That Sly Cat out of Taquitas Playgirl, is owned by Robert Borick, Weatherford, Texas, after Snider purchased her last May from Slate River Ranch, who owned both her sire and dam. Jaime’s wife, Ashley, had won the 2009 NCHA Futurity Limited Non-Pro aboard the mare’s half brother.

A close second was a four-way tie between Bubble Wrapped Deal, a daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Olena Peppy Command, owned by Frank and Ora Diehl, Ruskin, Fla., and ridden by Curry Diehl; Grit And Grace (One Time Pepto x Justa Smart Peanut) owned by Tom Bailey’s Iron Rose Ranch, Carbondale, Colo., ridden by Chris Bates, who went to work for trainer Gary Gonsalves only six months ago; Peptos Sand Dancer (Peptoboonsmal x Dances In The Sand), owned by Barbara Brooks’ Painted Springs Farm, Nashville, Tenn., ridden by Brad Mitchell and Woodys Wildest Cat (High Brow Cat x Miss Echo Wood), owned by Cinder Lakes Ranch, Valley View, Texas, ridden by Darren Simpkins. All four scored a 219.

Four horses also tied for sixth with a 218.5, including: First Lookin and Tyler Merrill, Some Like It Hott ridden by Wesley Galyean, Smart Prince Moria and Boyd Rice and Smooth Peanutbutter, ridden by Tim Smith to the high score on the final day of the Open.

PETE BRANCH AND TARA GAINES TOP 1ST GO OF WORLD FINALS
Pete Branch increased his lead in the NCHA World Championship Open Standings by winning the first go-round of the NCHA World Finals held Friday evening, Nov. 26. Riding Ms Peppy Cat, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Ms Peppy Doc by Peppy San Badger, owned by Lonnie and Barbara Allsup, to a 229, the pair has an insurmountable lead in the Open with $85, 842 in year-end earnings to date, which includes their $6,410 they picked up for the win. Second, with a 226, went to Matt Gaines riding Just Playin Smart, owned by Ralph Gray.

Matt’s wife, Tara, won the first go-round of the Non-Pro Finals, riding Patrick La Dual to a 227 and a 6,410 paycheck, giving the pair total earnings of $55,665, which is just ahead of Mary Jo Milner’s $54,902. Mary Jo, who was leading going into the Finals, rode Dulces Joker to a 196, which didn’t earn the pair a check from the first go-round. Second in the finals went to Wade Rust riding Ajerita Annie to a 222.

SIX DAYS OF SALES TO BE HELD DURING NCHA FUTURITY
The first of the six days of sales to be held during the NCHA Futurity and produced by Western Bloodstock Company will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4. The World Finals Sale, with 195 consignments, will be held in the John Justin Sale arena. A demonstration will be held Friday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m.

The next two sales will be the NCHA Futurity Cutting Horse Sale (113 consignments) held at 9 a.m. in the Watt arena, Tuesday, Dec. 7, followed by the Western Bloodstock Invitational Yearling Sale, (115 consignments), held at 5 p.m. in the John Justin arena. The Yearling Sale will be the only sale .broadcast on RFD-TV. Between the sales, there will be fajita dinner by Joe Allen’s, with live entertainment by Dan Roberts.

Two sales will be held in the Watt arena on Wednesday, Dec. 8. The NCHA Futurity 2-Year-Old Sale, with all 167 2-year-olds nominated to the 2011 NCHA Futurity, will be held at 9 a.m., followed by the NCHA Futurity 3-Year-Old Sale, with all 34 consignments entered in the 2010 NCHA Futurity or previously shown.

On Thursday, Dec. 9, the complete dispersal of Kenneth Jackson horses (17 head) and Preferred Breeders Sale Session 1 Sale (184 head) will follow the Horsemen For Christ Stallion Service Auction and the private sale of lifetime and season breedings that will start at 9 a.m. in the John Justin arena.

Friday, Dec. 10, following the Open semifinals, will be the Western Bloodstock Invitational Mare Sale (39 head) followed by the Preferred Breeders Sale Session 2 with 45 head held in the John Justin Sale Arena.

Saturday, Dec. 11 will be the final sale, the Preferred Breeders Sale Session 3 (125 head) held at 9 a.m. in the John Justin Sale Arena following the Parade of Stallions. Joe Allen’s Cowboy breakfast will be held at 8 a.m.
Click here for full schedule>>

NICK KARANGES NAMED PUBLISHER OF FORT WORTH BUSINESS PRESS
NCHA member and Fort Worth businessman Nick Karanges was recently named Publisher of the Fort worth Business Press, following the change of ownership to Rich Connor. Karanges led the Fort Worth Business Press in 2001 just before Connor purchased it. Connor then sold the paper in 2007 and repurchased it in October 2010, under the name of DRC Media LLC, owned by Connor and his wife Deborah. Karanges is an NCHA member and a AAA judge. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in communications and in 1983 with a Master of Science degree. He previously was an associate in NAI Huff Partners, a real estate firm.

EQUINE DENTISTS COULD STILL HAVE A FIGHT ON THEIR HANDS
Even though a couple of weeks ago, Travis County District Court Judge Orlinda Naranjo ruled that the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners was out of bounds in early 2007 when it began ordering more than two dozen non-licensed equine dentists to quit working, those dentists could still have a fight on their hands. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the Texas Board will more than likely continue to press the issue because they feel the ruling puts horses in danger. Dewey E Helmcamp III, executive director of the veterinary medical examiners board, said both the veterinary board and the state legislature will take up the issue soon.

NCHA HALL OF FAMER AND FAMED AUTHOR TOM MCGUANE PUBLISHES NEW BOOK
Tom McGuane, a member of the NCHA Hall of Fame, has come out with a new novel, “Driving On The Rim,” which is now available for purchase. His new novel, which is his 10th, is about a Montanan named Irving Berlin Pickett, nicknamed Berl, who is a medical doctor who is “not quite at home in this world.” The story takes place between the Old West and the New West, when Dr. Pickett finds himself in a malpractice suit. However, according to an article in the New York Times, Berl also spends a lot of time hunting and fishing and thinking about the “old days.”

McGuane is also the author of Missouri Breaks, as well as screenplays and directed a movie versions of another one of his own novels. McGuane is married to Laurie, the sister of his friend, the singer Jimmy Buffett.

PAT JACOBS TO HOLD BOOK SIGNING DURING NCHA WORLD FINALS
Pat Jacobs returned to Kansas over the Thanksgiving holiday to sign books, cd’s and visit old friends. However, he will return to Texas for a book signing on Thursday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec.4 in the Watt arena during the NCHA World Finals at the Will Rogers Complex in Fort Worth for his second novel, “The Chameleon Rancher,” an intriguing book set in Kansas on the backdrop of the Great Depression and the ole’ Dust bowl era in 1941. Since Jacobs lived it, he used actual characters with made-up names from his bank of memories and woven in colorful individuals into a backdrop of actual events. You can also order books online at www.patjacobs.com.

WILLIAM CHAMBERS PUBLISHES NEW BOOK ON “GHOST PONIES”
William Chambers has published a new book just in time for the NCHA Futurity called “Ghost Ponies – One Ranger’s Story.” The book, which weaves fictional and real characters into a factual background of history, as well as the illegal trafficking of drugs, from Mexico across the United States border, in mares, is available during the NCHA Futurity. The book is an easy, but exciting read, that won’t let the reader put it down until they’re done. Chambers’ book is published by S&B Ranch Publishing, PO Box 1338, Boyd, Texas 76032.

COOPER BROTHERS TO MAKE PRCA HISTORY AT NATIONAL FINALS RODEO
Three brothers, Clif, 22, Tuf, 20, and Clint Cooper, 27, Decatur, Texas, have made national PRCA history by qualifying for the top 15 in calf roping at the PRCA National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. It’s the first time in the history of the event that three brothers have made the finals in calf roping. Tuf is second, Clint 8th and Clif is 14th. The 10-day event begins Dec. 2.

This is Clif’s first time to make the Finals; however, it’s a family tradition in the Cooper family, as their famous father, Roy Cooper, 55, a former world champion cowboy who is a member of the National cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City and the Prorodeo hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo. He won the All-around World Champion in 1983 and has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 19 times. Roy’s father, Tuffy, 83, of New Mexico, also rodeoed and was the first collegiate calf-roping champion.

Their brother-in-law and neighbor is Trevor Brazile, who is going into the finals in the All-Around is making history in the rodeo world, and their uncle, Stran Smith, Childress, Texas, is ranked third. That makes one-third of this year’s top 15 calf ropers at the NFR related.

NCHA MEMBERSHIP MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, DEC. 11

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 18, 2010
A very important full membership meeting is scheduled to be held during the NCHA Futurity on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. in the Round-Up Inn at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, Texas. The meeting will be held to review and vote on the six proposed amendments to the NCHA Constitution and Bylaws that were approved by the NCHA Board of Directors during their meeting during the Convention on June 18, 2010.

Some of these amendments are important to all members as they take authority away from the President, who is the member’s elected official, and gives it to the Executive Committee. Others are new rules.

A proposed is a new article is Article VIII – Political Action Committee – which states that from time to time, the Association may cause to be created Political Action Committee(s), herein referred to as “PACs” by majority vote of the Executive Committee or majority vote of the Board of Directors to represent the Associations in the sole pursuit of the Associations “Mission Statement.” Upon approval, the Associations Executive Director and President shall cause the applications and/or forms to be filed with the appropriate State Agency or Commission. The Executive Committee shall serve as the Association’s “PACs” committee. The Executive Committee shall provide for the lawful collection of PAC contributions and distributions(s) of all PAC funds. These funds are typically awarded to political candidates, most recently to get state funding for the Triple Crown events.

Also new is Article VII which states that each of the NCHA Standing Committees (with the exception of the Finance and Audit Committee and the Stallion Owners Committee) will have a minimum of one representative from each of NCHA’s eight regions. Additional members will be satisfied from the appointment of members from the Association in good standing in the manner outlined in the Standing Committee Guidelines.
Click here for published notice>>

A CASE AGAINST A SELLER MISREPRESENTING HORSES ON THE INTERNET

Nov. 12, 2010
Patricia Wilson, 38, Avinger, Texas, has had several judgments filed against her for selling horses over the Internet that did not turn out to be how she represented them on her web site E-Texas Equine Co. According to an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, this week Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced that Wilson has agreed to stop horse trading and to pay restitution of $65,300 to the buyers. In addition, she has agreed to pay $10,000 in civil penalties and $15,000 in attorney’s fees and investigative costs.

In the article Wilson claims she did nothing wrong but signed the agreement because of intense personal issues. She is represented by her attorney John Moore, Longview, who is also representing her in a farm implement theft charge in the East Texas town of Linden. She has a Nov. 29 hearing in that case.

Wilson, who is also a building remodeler, was accused of sending a Coggins test with a horse that did not match the horse; selling a team-roping horse for $1,850 that had been sedated and couldn’t be ridden when the drug wore off, as it “bucked like rodeo stock”; selling a horse as safe for children that bucked and was dangerous, and others were blind, lame and covered with skin lesions. In January 2009, the 424th State District Court in Lano ordered Wilson to pay $30,995 in damages and attorney’s fees for misrepresenting a horse she sold the couple for their daughter.

Although the couple has never received a dime from the judgment, Abbott’s spokesman said that Wilson owns property in two Texas counties in which liens could be placed if she fails to honor her agreement with the attorney general’s office. The properties, located in Cass and Marion counties, jointly owned by Wilson are valued at $108.500.

TEXAS EQUINE DENTISTS GIVEN “RIGHT TO WORK” BY COURT ORDER

Nov. 11, 2010
On Nov. 9, a judge in Austin, Texas, struck down an effort by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to put horse teeth floaters out of business. The court ruled that the Board violated state law when it changed its policy on horse teeth floating. Three years later, Clark Neily, a senior attorney with the Institute For Justice, said, “The ruling means that Texas’ horse teeth floaters are free to go back to work.”

The Texas Vet Board previously acknowledged and approved teeth floating by non-veterinarians. But in the fall of 2006, the president of the state veterinary association demanded that the Vet Board shut down non-veterinarian floaters and force them to turn over their business to state-licensed veterinarians. The Vet Board complied with the veterinarians’ request.

The Board sent cease-and-desist letters to floaters and even cancelled a public “stakeholder” meeting set for April 30, 2007. The Board stalled the lawsuit for two years and then acknowledged that it had changed its teeth-floating policy.

However, on Aug. 28, 2007, the Institute for Justice (IJ) filed suit in Travis County District Court in Austin on behalf of equine dental practitioners and Texas horse owners. IJ challenged the licensing scheme as a violation of Texas law and the Texas Constitution.
Above information taken from a press release from the Institute For Justice

TODAY'S NEWS

Nov. 5, 2010
Mine That Bird headed to the movie theatre; Pat Jacobs to sign books in Dodge City; Seven plaintiffs get $21.1 million in $500 million ClassicStar lawsuit and schedule for 2010 NCHA Futurity.

MINE THAT BIRD STORY COULD BE HEADED TO HOLLYWOOD
According to an AP article posted on the web, plans are in the works for a movie about the New Mexico-based Thoroughbred Mine That Bird that won the 2009 Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 longshot.

Among those being considered for roles are Mine That Bird himself and three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel.The horse is owned by Dr. Leonard Blach of Roswell and is currently trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who took the reins earlier this year from Chip Woolley.The director will be Jim Wilson, the Academy Award-winning producer of "Dances With Wolves." The production team also includes Santa Fe resident Tony Mark, who was executive producer for the Academy Award-winner, "The Hurt Locker." Preproduction will begin in February.

PAT JACOBS TO SIGN BOOKS IN DODGE CITY
Pat Jacobs, Burleson, Texas, will be returning to Dodge City, Kan., over Thanksgiving to sign books, cd's and visit old friends. He will be at the Hastings Books from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27.

He has written two intriguing books, with his latest being The Chameleon Rancher, in which he used actual characters with made-up names and personal experiences, along with fictional, yet believable, cowboys and ranchers and a a dash of love, sex, drama and human frailities. His first book was Outcasts, Outlaws and Second-Chance Horses now in its second edition. He recently received the 2010 Will Rogers Medallion Award for this book. For further information on the books, visit Jacobs' online at www.patjacobs.com.

SEVEN PLAINTIFFS GET $21.1 MILLION IN $500 MILLION CLASSIC STAR SUIT
According to an article on Kentucky.com published by the Lexington Herald Leader, Gastar Exploration, a publicly traded energy company, a key defendant in the complex ClassicStar mare-lease litigation has agreed to pay seven plaintiffs, including the U.S. bankruptcy trustee for ClassicStar (who received $7.75 million for the Classic Star estate, which has had more than $1 billion in claims filed against it), a total of $21.15 million. According to documents filed Friday, Oct. 29, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Lexington, the settlement could lead to more settlements. Gastar Exploration is a spin off from ClassicStar's parent, Geostar.

The other six sets of plaintiffs were investors in ClassicStar's fraudulent mare-leasing programs and are among dozens involved in lawsuits alleging fraud of more than $500 million. The deal means that Gastar will be dismissed from claims in the ongoing federal lawsuits, some of which are now set for trial in April in U.S. District Court in Lexington. The settlement could be approved after Nov. 19.

According to lawsuit filings. ClassicStar allegedly lured investors into Thoroughbred breeding with the promise or huge tax write-offs which later proved illegal. ClassicStar entered bankruptcy in 2007, with previous ClassicStar farm operators David Plummer and his son, Spencer Plummer, along with Terry Green and John Parrott pleading guilty to $200 million in federal tax fraud. They each face up to five years in federal prison.

NCHA FUTURITY DRAW POSTED
With the 2010 NCHA Futurity scheduled to be held Nov. 21-Dec. 11 at the Will Rogers complex in Fort Worth, Texas, the draw has been posted on their web site. The 3-Year-Old Open Futurity has 594 entries in the first go-round, taking six days, 95 fewer than a year ago when there were 689 horses entered. In the Non-Pro Division, 322 entries are listed for three days, down 60 entries from 2009's 382 entries. The Amateur features three days with 254 entries, down 83 from the 337 in 2009.

New for 2010 is a Limited Non-Pro Division with 174 entries. In previous years, the Limited Non-Pro Division was a part of the Non-Pro, with entries paying extra to enter both divisions. In the Open, Non-Pro and Amateur, entries are down 95 from a year ago; however, with the Limited Non-Pro Division added in, entries are actually up 79. The entire event is two fewer days than it was in 2009.

The two go-rounds, semifinals and finals of the Open and Non-Pro, as well as the single go-round in the Amateur, semifinals and finals will be held in Will Rogers Coliseum. However, the Limited Non-Pro single go-round will be held in the Watt Arena, with a semifinals and finals held in the Will Rogers Coliseum. The NCHA Open and Non-Pro World Finals will also be held during four go-rounds on Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 2 and Dec. 4 in the Watt Arena. A Celebrity Cutting will be held Friday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. The World Finals party will be held Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Round-Up Inn.
Click for complete schedule>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 4, 2010
The Marketplace Sale is scheduled for this Saturday, Jackie McGinnis back as advertising manager of the American Paint Horse Association, Gail Gee, daughter of E. B. Gee and Rosemary Gee, dies unexpectedly at 45, APHA Fall World Show starts today in Fort Worth, Texas, and the upcoming AQHA World Show begins Nov. 6 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

MARKETPLACE SALE SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, NOV. 6
Some well-bred performance horses are scheduled to be sold at The Marketplace Sale at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Okla., this Saturday, Nov. 6. Starting at 9 a.m., close to 200 horses will sell under the gavels of Don Green and Steve Friskup. Horses working cattle will be demonstrated as they sell.

Sires include Boonlight Dancer, Cat Ichi, Cats Merada, CD Olena, Dual Pep, Dual Rey, Freckles Playboy, Gallo Del Cielo, Hes A Peptospoonful, High Brow Cat, One Time Pepto, Peppy San Badger, Peptoboonsmal, Playgun, Smart Little Lena, Smooth As A Cat, Soula Jule Star, SR Instant Choice and many others. Consignors include Jeremy Barwick, Dick Cogdell, Cowan Select Horses, Billy Emerson, Melissa Gardner, Marc and Kathy Gordon, Tony and Lisa Langdon, John Paxton, Pieper Ranch, Phil Rapp, South Lazy H Ranch, Don and McSherry Weber and Wrigley Ranches LLC.
Click here for Sale Catalog>>

JACKIE MCGINNIES RETURNS TO APHA AS ADVERTISING MANAGER
Jackie McGinnis, who previously worked for the APHA Journal as Advertising Manager for 11 years, will return to that position. “It will be a slight pay cut but I’ll be back in the horse industry and a 20-minute drive as opposed to an hour, which is well worth the difference,” said Jackie. Her first day at the APHA will be Nov. 29; however, she will be working for the APHA at the Paint World in Fort Worth for the next two weekends on a contract basis. “I’m really looking forward to it,” said Jackie, commenting on the next chapter of her life.

GAIL GEE DIES UNEXPECTEDLY AT 45
Gail Gee, Ocala, Fla., died suddently at age 45.

Gail Gee, 45, Ocala, Fla., died suddenly on Tuesday morning, Nov. 2, at her Derby Daze Farm. She was found by one of the farm’s employees early in front of her barn in her car, which was still running. No foul play is suspected and an autopsy will be performed.

Although her parents, realtor E. B. Gee Jr. and Rosemary Gee, are known in the halter/pleasure-horse industry, Gail bred and raised Hooh Why, the winner of the $400,000 Ashland Stakes t Keeneland, when she was the second-longest shot in the field of odds of 24-1. She was a small, hands-on breeder who felt the win showed small breeders can win big races. Hooh Why was also named the 2009 Florida Champion 3-year-old filly by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. Gee was involved with Quarter Horses prior to her involvement with Thoroughbreds. Gee is survived by her parents; daughters, Rebecca Morales and Rosemary Pease; brother, E. B. Gee III and sister Ginger Gee.

APHA FALL WORLD SHOW STARTS IN FORT WORTH TODAY
The Fall World Championship Paint Horse Show starts today at the Will Rogers complex in Fort Worth, Texas. The APHA split the World Show into Summer and Fall editions, which allows the association to expand their time frame to offer classes, which this year includes Amateur Solid paint-Bred competition. This year, they offer 13 new Amateur Solid Paint-Bred classes during the Fall world Show. Starting in 2013, there will be a new Futurity for cutting horses, as it will be added to the Breeders’ Futurity line-up for eligible 3-year-old horses. The Breeders’ Trust nominated foals can also earn cash in a 4-year-old Futurity in 2014. For more information on the World Shows or the Breeders’ Trust events, click here>>

AQHA WORLD SHOW TO BEGIN SATURDAY
The AQHA World Show is scheduled to be held Nov. 6-20 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. The over 3,300 contestants had to qualify for their events by earning a predetermined number of points. The AQHA World Championship Show Sale, brought to you by Professional Auction Services, is scheduled for Nov. 17 (performance demonstration at 9 a.m.), through Friday, Nov. 19. On Nov. 20, the year’s leading owner and Superhorse will also be crowned. To follow the results of the AQHA World Show go to: http://www.aqha.com/worldshow.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 2, 2010
PCCHA Futurity in record books; Business Press purchased by Rich and Debbie Connors - again; AQHA has program so your horse will never be "unwanted"; Rodeo News update.

PUT THIS PCCHA FUTURITY IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Phil Rapp and RPL Itch This won the PCCHA 3-year-old Futurity, earning $32,607 for owners Bobbie and Henry Atkinson, Henderson, Texas.
Photo by Midge Ames

The PCCHA Futurity, Gelding and Cutting Stakes, held Oct. 21-31 in Paso Robles, Calif., is now history, with Phil Rapp taking home the big paycheck of $32,607 in the 114-entry Open 3-year-old Futurity riding RPL Itch This, owned by Bobbie and Henry Atkinson, Henderson, Texas, to a whopping 223 score. The Atkinsons had purchased the daughter of Cat Ichi out of Ruby Deuce by Smart Little Lena from the Rapps. The mare previously won the Music City Futurity and tied for Reserve at the Brazos Bash in October. Reserve was a tie between Heeza Smart Cat, owned by Peter Spadoni, Wenatchee, Wash., ridden by Shad Platt and This Kats Kool, owned by Donna Flanigan, Livermore, Calif., ridden by Tom Long. Both scored a 217 and took home $26,438.

Phil Hanson rode LHR Smart Dual N Cat, owned by John and Debbie Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alb., Can., to the championship of the Open Gelding Stakes Futurity Championship, with a 218 score that won them $18,210. The 3-year-old gelding is sired by WR This Cats Smart out of Rosie O Dual by Dual Pep. The Reserve championship and $13,838 was taken by Aristo My Ash (Smart Aristocrat x Stylish Eatenup000 x Playin Starlight, owned by Switchback Cutting Horses, Red Lodge, Mont., and ridden by Will Nuttall.

The 86-entry Open Cutting Stakes for 4-year-olds was won by Special Nu Baby, a Dual Rey daughter out of Nu I Wood by Zack T Wood, owned by Gary and Shannon Barker, Madill, Okla., after Matt Gaines scored a 225 in the finals for a $20,214 paycheck. It was the mare’s first limited-age title and pushed her career earnings past the $200,000 mark. The Reserve title and $17,681 went to Pounce (High Brow Cat x Haidas Little Shorty x Haidas Little Pep), owned by Clarke Butte Ranch, Bend, Ore., and ridden by Phil Hanson.

The 63-entry Open Classic Challenge for 5/6-year-olds was won by Third Cutting (Boonlight Dancer x Crab Grass x Smart Little Lena, owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith and ridden by Boyd Rice to the record-breaking score of 231, taking home $14,182. Reserve went to Rey Down Sally, owned by Tom Bailey’s Iron Rose Ranch and ridden by Gary Gonsalves to a 227, picking up an $11,596 paycheck.

Katie Fonsen-Young and For Instance, the Non-Pro Futurity Champions.
Photo by Midge Ames

The Non-Pro Futurity Champion was Katie Fonsen Young, Windsor, Calif., riding her home-bred horse For Instance, a gelding sired by SR Instant Choice out of Travelin Tessie by Travalena. The pair scored a 220, taking home $8,704. Her father is top trainer Stan Fonsen. Reserve went to Bob Williams, Red Bluff, Calif., riding Catlena Rey to a 217 and $8,020.

The 43-entry Non-Pro 4-year-old Cutting Stakes Finals went to Kyle Manion, Aubrey, Texas, riding A Smooth Criminal, a gelding sired by Smooth As A Cat, a High Brow Cat stallion owned by Kyle’s father, Tommy Manion. The pair scored a 222, taking home $12,630. Reserve went to Suzi Rodoni Silverberg, Santa Cruz, Calif., riding a Dual Rey gelding, Reys Hot Wheels, to a 219 and an $11,442 paycheck.

Matt and Tara Gaines.

While Matt Gaines was busy winning the Open Cutting Stakes title, his wife, Tara Gaines, was chalking up wins of her own – four of them to be exact. She won the 48-entry Non-Pro Classic/ Challenge finals, the $200,000 Limited Finals, the $100,000 Limited division and the NCHA Non-Pro cutting riding Peptacular, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Miss Echo Wood by Zack T Wood. Experiencing her first aged-event championship, Tara took home a total of $16,246. After her win, she said the mare, who has produced six foals, can now be retired to the broodmare band. The Reserve title was taken by Kyle Manion riding Bling Bling Bling, scoring a 216 and earning $6,135.
Click for full results and the Daily Cutter>>

BUSINESS PRESS PURCHASED BY RICH CONNOR - AGAIN
According to a Nov. 2 article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the Fort Worth Business Press has been purchased by Rich Connor and his wife, Deborah for the third time since 1998. The Connor's company, DRC Media LLC bought the weekly paper Friday, Oct. 29, from Ohio Comunity Media. The purchase also included the Collin County Business Press, websites and other specialty publications produced in Fort Worth.

Connor first bought the Business Press in 1998 when he founded Lionheart Newspapers, a chain that owned 70 newspapers nationwide. He bought the paper again in 2001 when he split from Lionheart, but sold it in 2007 to Brown Publishing Co. in Cincinnati. That group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. They expected to sell the Press to three company executives, but that didn't happen. According to published reports, the publisher's lender, PNC Bank, bought the assets out of bankruptcy under the newly formed Ohio community Media for $21.8 million.

Currently Connor, who previously was publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 1986-1997, is owner of MaineToday Media Inc., daily papers in Portland, Augusta and Waterville, Maine, as well as the Maine Sunday Telegram. He is also CEO and co-owner of the Wilkes-Barre Publishing Co., owner of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Dallas (Pa) Post, Pittston Dispatch, Go! Lackawanna and an alternative weekly, The Weekender.

HOW TO INSURE YOUR HORSE IS NEVER "UNWANTED"
The American Quarter Horse Association has developed a program entitled Full Circle Program. This program enables Quarter Horse owners and breeders to enroll their horses at no cost to ensure that these horses, even if sold, will never become unwanted. For more information, go to www.aqha.com or call the American Quarter Horse Association.

RODEO NEWS

Courtesy PRCA
Rocky Patterson looking to make history in Guthrie this week at National Finals Steer Roping, Notes along the rodeo trail and Trevor Brazile closing in on 8th All-Around title.

PATTERSON TRYING TO MAKE HISTORY AT NFSR
After a 10th-round win at last year’s Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping pushed him to his first world title, Rocky Patterson has done everything he can in 2010 to make sure this year’s NFSR, Nov. 5-6, at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., isn’t nearly as dramatic.

The Pratt, Kan., cowboy ripped through the PRCA steer roping schedule, winning 11 rodeos this season and splitting the victory in Guymon, Okla., with Neal Wood. Going into Guthrie, Patterson has already earned a whopping $83,801, which is $2,878 more than he earned in his world championship season and $4,126 shy of the regular-season record set by Guy Allen during his historic 1998 season.

Patterson, who finished the regular season with a lead of more than $32,000 over second-place Trevor Brazile, is in position to take down a pair of milestones with a good 10 rounds in Guthrie. Not only could he eclipse Allen’s total earnings record of $99,132, which was also set in 1998, but he could also become the first steer roper in PRCA history to surpass $100,000 in season earnings. Considering that he won $31,283 at last year’s NFSR, Patterson is well within striking distance.

While he would be honored by being the first six-figure steer roper, Patterson said he’s simply in the right place at the right time.

“Well, it was just a matter of time, because steer roping’s getting a little better all the time, and there’s getting to be a little more money involved in it,” said Patterson, who set a career high in earnings for the second consecutive year in 2010. “Someone’s going to do it; whether it’s me or not, it’s coming. It never was a goal of mine or anything like that, but it would be nice to do it.”
–Marvin Olberding

NOTES FROM ALONG THE RODEO TRAIL:
Former PRCA saddle bronc rider Billie Sutton is running for the state Senate seat in South Dakota’s District 26 in the Nov. 2 election, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Billie H. Sutton, who was a state senator and once ran for lieutenant governor in South Dakota. “Politics is in our family background,” Sutton told the Rapid City Journal. Sutton, 26, had his rodeo career abruptly ended at the 2007 Dodge Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in Minot, N.D., when a bucking horse reared up in the chutes and broke Sutton’s back.

“I have the agricultural background,” said Sutton, a Democrat. “Education is a huge issue for me,” and having to adjust to life as a paraplegic, he says, has informed him on health care and insurance issues. “I feel I have a pretty wide base of knowledge that I can bring as a senator.” Sutton is running against Republican John Meyer for the seat vacated by Democrat Julie Bartling, who left to run for state auditor.

Brothers Troy, Daniel and Wayne Weekley, organizers of the Davie, Fla., Pro Rodeo for 21 years and operators of Five Star Rodeo from 1986-2006, are being inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame Nov. 9 in Fort Lauderdale. They will be joined in the 2010 induction class by former NHL goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, former LPGA golfer Patti Rizzo, former Florida State and Canadian Football League quarterback Danny McManus and former Notre Dame and National Football League running back Autry Denson. Troy Weekley also serves on the PRCA Board of Directors as a Rodeo Committee Director and on the Rodeo Committee Executive Council.

Lance Robinson, the 1982 PRCA Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year and a six-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo, will be inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Nov. 16 in Salt Lake City. Robinson qualified for the NFR five times as a steer wrestler (1982-84, 1987-88) and once as a team roping header (1987). His son, Clint, has qualified for the Wrangler NFR three times as a tie-down roper. The other members of the 2010 USHOF induction class are former NBA stars Tom Chambers and Mark Eaton, former Brigham Young University track & field athlete Tiffany Lott Hogan and former Idaho State and Oregon State football coach Dave Kragthorpe.

Robinson will become the third rodeo cowboy to be inducted, joining Lewis Feild (1997) and Earl Bascom (1985) …
Despite rainy weather and having to compete for fan attention with the San Francisco Giants, the Grand National Rodeo Horse & Stock Show made a solid return to the PRCA schedule Oct. 20-23. The storied San Francisco event drew about 18,200 fans, according to Joseph Barkett, chief executive officer of the Cow Palace. The Giants were at home playing Philadelphia in the National League Championship Series during the first two days of the rodeo, and those two games – plus the deciding sixth game – were nationally televised during the hours of the rodeo.

The Colmo del Rodeo Parade, brought back this summer after a more-than 10-year hiatus to help celebrate the 100th California Rodeo Salinas, was so enthusiastically received that rodeo organizers are bringing it back in 2011. Applications and guidelines for participation will be available by Dec. 1 at www.carodeo.com.

Ty Williams of Telluride, Colo., the nephew of PRCA Director of Industry Outreach Cindy Schonholtz, won his second consecutive Colorado State High School 2A Cross Country Championship Oct. 30, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. He also led Telluride High to the team title.

The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame will be accepting nominations through Jan. 15 in numerous categories, including Rodeo Cowboy (pre-1940 and modern era). For more information, call 701.250.1833 or 701.623.2000.

TREVOR BRAZILE CLOSING IN ON 8TH ALL-AROUND TITLE:
Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, is expectged to win his 8th PRCA World Champion All-Around title at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 2-11. Brazile will be competing in tie-down and team roping.

With $268,344 in regular-season earnings, he is $130,873 ahead of Canadian Curtis Cassidy, who has $137,461. He is winning the Tie-down roping with $142,736 in earnings. He also has a chance to bolster his all-around lead at this weekend's Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., but he is not expected to catch Rocky Patterson, the defending World Champion from Pratt, Kan.

2010 PRCA World Standings Leaders:
AA: Trevor Brazile..………$268,344
BB: Ryan Gray................... $159,024
SW: Curtis Cassidy…..........$110,473
TR-1: Clay Tryan….…...... $146,608
TR-2: Travis Graves .…......$147,653
SB: Bradley Harter..............$106,808
TD: Trevor Brazile..............$142,736
BR: Wesley Silcox..............$137,392
SR: Rocky Patterson.............$83,801

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 28, 2010
Boyd Rice rides Third Cutting to career best of 231 to win PCCHA Open Classic/Challenge; Austin Shepard tops after two go-rounds of Southern Cutting Futurity and first go of Open Classic riding Peppy Catalena in the Open Futurity and NQH Tom Cat in the Classic -– Steve Oehlhof tops first go of Open Derby riding Dualin Puddy Trap; LHR Smooth Jamie May, owned by Sherry Chamberlain and ridden by Phil Hanson, leading for NCHA Horse Of The year; Thoroughbred mares-bred down 10.5 percent to lowest in decade; caps to be raised on senior Amateur earnings.

BOYD RICE RIDES THIRD CUTTING TO CAREER-BEST OF 231 AT PCCHA 5/6-YEAR-OLD FINALS
With the PCCHA Futurity and aged events in full swing in Paso Robles, Calif., Third Cutting, owned by Carl and Shawna Smith, Jacksboro, Texas, and ridden by Boyd Rice, gave competitors and spectators a treat when the pair scored a career-high 231 in the finals of the 5/6-Year-Old Open Division. The pair collected a $14,182 paycheck, bringing the stallion’s lifetime earnings to over $419,000. Rice has continually said that “He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden in my life.

The 5-year-old son of Boonlight Dancer out of Crab Grass by Smart Little Lena, was bred by the Polo Ranch and trained by James Payne. The Smiths purchased him from the Polo Ranch Dispersal Sale and gave him to Boyd Rice to Show. The pair tied for eighth in the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity then went on to win the final two legs of the NCHA Triple Crown – the NCHA Open Super Stakes and NCHA Open Derby. The Reserve title went to Rey Down Sally, owned by Tom Bailey’s Iron Rose Ranch and ridden by Gary Gonsalves to a 227 and an $11,596 paycheck. Third was Cats Full Moon, owned by the Brinkman Ranch LLC and ridden by Tim Smith to a 220.5 and $9,009 paycheck.

The Open Cutting Stakes is led by Matt Budge riding Im Catman for Reata Cutting Horses, following two-go-rounds. The pair has a 437 cumulative score. Second is a tie between Matt Gaines riding Special Nu Baby and Phil Hanson riding Pounce to a 435.5. Following two go-rounds of the Non-Pro Futurity, Donna Flannigan is in the lead with a 435.5 riding This Kats Kool. She is followed by Ray Baldwin riding WBRAbsolut Ruby Red, scoring a cumulative score of 432.5. The high score (219) of the first go-round of the Non-Pro Cutting Stakes is split between Heidi Warman riding Oskar The Grouch and Mary Ann Rapp riding Toy Engine. Janet Westfall is leading the first go-round of the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge riding Lil Dusty Lola to a 219. The Non-Pro and Amateur Finals will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30-31. The Futurity and Cutting Stakes Open Finals will be held Saturday, Oct. 30.

IT’S AUSTIN SHEPARD AT SOUTHERN
Following two go-rounds of the 35-entry Open Southern Futurity, Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., is in the lead with a 434 score on two go-rounds riding Peppy Catalenaf or Lois Hawkins, Abingdon, Va. Shepard also topped the 73-entry Open Classic riding NGQ Tom Cat for M Todd Quirk, Denham Springs, La., scoring a 220. Topping the first go-round of the 62 entry Derby is Steve Oehlhof, Centerville, Texas, riding Dualin Puddy Trap for the Sevig Ranch of Walford, Iowa, with a 220. The event is being held in Jackson, Miss., and will continue through Saturday, Oct. 30. The Open finals will be held today.

LHR SMOOTH JAMIE MAY SLATED TO WIN NCHA HORSE OF THE YEAR
Although it’s not yet official, LHR Smooth Jamie May, owned by Sherry Chamberlain and ridden by Phil Hanson, is slated to win the NCHA Horse of the Year title because the pair qualified for the finals of PCCHA Cutting Stakes in Paso Robles, while Don’t Look Twice was eliminated in the first go-round. Third Cutting, who won the 5/6-Year-Old Finals with a record-breaking 231, could still tie in points with the 4-year-old mare (Smooth As A Cat x Just Scarlett x Smart Lil Ricochet); however, LHR Smooth Jamie May has earned more money than Third Cutting at the 2010 shows where money is counted. Her total lifetime earnings top $226,557.

THOROUGHBRED MARES BRED IN 2010 DOWN 10.5 PERCENT; LOWEST IN DECADES
According to an Oct. 22 article in Thoroughbred Times Today, the 40,576 mares bred in 2010 in North America was down 10.5 percent from last year, the lowest in decades. According to the Jockey Club, last year, 45,317 mares were covered. The number of stallions in service this year (2,186), also represents a 9.3 percent decline from last year and a 36.8 percent decline from the beginning of the decade when 3,457 were in service, covering 58,318 mares. The average book this year was 18.6, down 1.3 percent from a year ago.

With Thoroughbred mares having to be life covered, or artificially inseminated with the stallion on the grounds, two stallions topped the list of mares bred, with Giant’s Causeway covering 217 mares and first-year sire Dunkirk covering 186 mares. The top 26 stallions (1.2 percent of all stallions in service) covered 10 percent of all mares bred while 75 stallions (3.4%) covered 25 percent of all mares bred; 215 stallions (9.8%) covered half the mares for a median book of seven mares per stallion. Kentucky led the states and provinces in mares bred with 266 stallions covering 17,303 mares – but the lowest since 1996 when 400 stallions covered 16,691 mares. Louisiana and Florida were in a race for second.

NCHA RAISES CAP ON SENIOR AMATEUR ENTRIES
According to a press release from the NCHA, the NCHA Executive Committee has approved a new Senior Amateur Exception Rule during a conference call on Oct. 18. The new rules will raise the Amateur eligibility cap for riders 60 years old and older and will go into effect with the 2011 point year. If you are eligible for Amateur status in the point year you turn 60 years of age, your Amateur lifetime cap will be raised from $100,000 to $200,000 with the LAE and Weekend split increasing from $50,000/$50,000 to $100,000/$100,000. You will continue to be eligible for Amateur LAE and Weekend based on the individual earnings in each. AT the end of the point year that you earn $200,000, you will no longer be eligible for Amateur status – regardless of your age. Read more in the November 2010 Cutting Horse Chatter. The magazine is currently available online at www.nchacutting.com.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 26, 2010
Robert Eubanks in ICU at Baylor All Saints in Fort Worth; Curt Donley loses his wife Nancy to a brain aneurysm; Kate and Cookie Gaughan have baby girl; Dustin and Deena Adams to have their first child; Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Ass’n Futurity and aged events in full swing.

ROBERT EUBANKS IN ICU
Robert Eubanks, who spent over 20 years at Quarter Horse News, is currently in ICU at Baylor’s All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth. According to his wife, Sharon, Eubanks, who was on a transplant list for a kidney and liver, had a sudden drop in blood pressure about a week ago following dialysis and now on 24/7 dialysis and a blood pressure drug that can only are given in ICU. Friends and church members have been praying for five miracles including 1) his blood pressure rising and staying normal, 2) getting back on the transplant list, 3) the ability to survive 6 ½ to 8 hours of surgery, 4) not rejecting the transplanted organs and 5) being able to resume his regular activities.

Robert came to Quarter Horse News from the Sports Desk of the Augusta paper and learned the cutting horse industry from the bottom up. He worked for me for over 20 years and was a stickler for detail and fair reporting. He loves to do features and they are some of the best and most complete in the industry. He was retired from Quarter Horse News several months ago.

CURT DONLEY LOSES WIFE TO BRAIN ANEURYSM
Nancy Donley. Photo from the Woodward, Okla., newspaper.

Curt Donley, Whitesboro, Texas, lost his wife, Nancy, 67, on Oct. 13, when she died from a brain aneurysm at the Plano Medical Center, Plano, Texas. Funeral services were held on Sunday, Oct. 17 at the First Assembly of God Church in Woodward, Okla., where the couple lived for years. Her son Reverend Russ Donley and Reverend Donnetta Hunter officiated, with burial following in the Elmwood Cemetery.

According to the Woodward, Okla., newspaper, Nancy Joan (Traxon) Donley was born June 6, 1943 in Mound Valley, Kan., to Johnny and Lola Traxon. She graduated from Labette County Community High School at Altamont, Kan., in 1961 and went directly to Brookside Beauty School in Tulsa. Nancy moved to Woodward in 1962 and worked as a beauty operator. It was then she met and fell in love with Curt Donley also of Woodward. In the fall of 1963, Nancy enrolled in Oklahoma State University where she was a full-time student and also worked at the Student Union Beauty Shop.

Nancy and Curt were married Oct. 16, 1968 in Woodward. She opened her own beauty shop, Aladdin’s Lamp, and operated the business until health forced her to retire in 1997. Not only was Nancy an outstanding beautician, she was an accomplished artist, painter, and interior decorator. Many of Woodward’s finest homes have paintings and drawings which Nancy was commissioned to paint. Nancy and Curt have two children, Dustin, who owns and operates Legacy Clothiers in Dallas and his wife Leslie and Russ who is a Missionary and President of Veritas Ministries also of Dallas, Texas.

Grandchildren are Emma Jane Donley age 8 and Benjamin Knox Donley age 6, of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by her mother, Lola Traxon, brothers Marvin and Eldred Traxon and her sister Shirley Kimrey, all of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Veritas Ministries, with the funeral home accepting the contributions. Remembrances may be shared online at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward. com
Donley is a former school teacher and a well-known announcer who buys and sells horses.

NEW CUTTERS
Kate and Cookie Banuelos, Las Vegas, Nev., welcomed their daughter, Bella Banuelos, into this world on Saturday, Oct. 16 – the final day of the South Point cutting held at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center, produced by Kate’s mother, and Bella’s grandmother, Paula Gaughan. Also, at the South Point event, Dustin and Deena, who won over $100,000 at the event, proudly announced that they would be having their first child in May.

PCCHA FUTURITY IN FULL SWING
The PCCHA Futurity, held Oct. 21-31 in Paso Robles, Calif., is in full swing with a three-way tie taking place following the go-rounds of the 114-entry Open Futurity. Sandy Bonelli, fresh off a Reserve title at the South Point Cutting, riding Mates Connie Quixote for her Turkey Track Ranch; Phil Rapp riding RPL Ich This for Bobbie Atkinson and Russ Westfall riding Cat Eyed Susan for Jim and Amber Reed, are in the lead following two go-rounds with a 434.5. Grant Setnicka and Little Nitro Sally are fourth. Phil Hanson and LHR Smart Dual N Cat, owned by Robert Thomas, tops the Gelding division with a total of 433 on two go’s, while there is a tie for second between Shad Platt riding Heeza Smart Cat , owned by Peter Spadoni, and Russ Westfall and Dusty N Ichi, owned by Julie Curts, with both scoring a 432.The Open Futurity and Gelding finals will be held Saturday, Oct. 30. The winner of the $50,000 Limited Rider division was Abraham Calvillo riding FCB Chantilly Lace for Regan Lancaster, with a total of 423.5 and taking home $1,638.

Following the second go-round of the Open Classic/Challenge, Gary Gonsalves tops the 63 entries riding Rey Down Sally, owned by Iron Rose Ranch, to a composite score of 441. He is followed by John Mitchell and Pepto Stylish Miss, owned by Slate River Ranch with a 440.5 and Lloyd Cox riding Little Lap Dancer for Jimmy Kemp to a 440. Aristo Twister, owned by Nelson Knight and ridden by John Mitchell tops the Gelding division with a 220. The Open 5/6-Year-Old Finals will be held today, Oct. 26.

The first go-round of the 86-entry Open Cutting Stakes found a five-way tie for first place between GP Scooter Cat, owned by Gil Porter and ridden by Jaime Beamer; Special Nu Baby, owned by Gary and Shannon Barker, ridden by Matt Gaines; Smokin Bobcat, owned by Ross and Carol Jenkins, ridden by Todd Bimat; Toy Engine, owned by Phil and MaryAnn Rapp and ridden by Phil and Holly Is Smooth, owned by Tommy Manion and ridden by Matt Miller. All five scored a 219. In the lead in the Gelding division is Smokin Bobcat. The second go-round takes place today and the finals will be Saturday, Oct. 30.

Matt and Tara Gaines monopolized the NCHA $1,000-added Open and Non-Pro cuttings, with Matt winning the 16-entry Open riding Special Nu Baby with a 228 and taking home $1,753.60. Reserve went to Morgan Cromer riding Chic CD Lights for Bob Corlett to a 224 and a $1,315.20 paycheck. In the Non-Pro Division, Tara Gaines topped the list of 15 entries, scoring a 220.5 on Peptacular, taking home $1,669. Reserve went to Stephanie Hames-Rover riding Somebodys Player to a 219 and a $1,251.75 paycheck.
For up-to-date results click here>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 9, 2010
Babcock Oct. 15 sale definitely cancelled; Western States CHA changes up stallion auction and will have a stallion stakes in 2011; Matt Gaines rides CD April Fool to Open Championship at Mercuria Cutting held during the All-American Quarter Horse Congress – Lauren Middleton takes Non-Pro title riding Cees Little Poo; AQHA to continue lower fees for registration and transfer until Dec. 31, 2011.

BABCOCK RANCH ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE CANCELED
According to a press release from Jim Babcock, who is involved in bankruptcy proceedings, the Babcock Ranch Annual Production Sale scheduled for Oct. 15 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date. However, he said that ALL of the horses listed on the website www.babcockranch.com are still for sale and are located at the Valley View Ranch, 1346 Prairie Grove Road, Valley View, TX 76262.

WESTERN STATES CHA CHANGES UP STALLION AUCTION; TO HAVE STALLION STAKES
The Western States Cutting Horse Association Stallion auction held the past two years has historically brought in $12,000-$15,000 for the association that was used for the scholarship fund and year-end awards. However, the Association has decided they want to build their Limited Age Event and have picked the brains of those involved in other programs.

They have decided to solicit donations of stallion stud fees for $1,000 or more and sell them during an on-line auction. Bidding will start at 50 percent of the advertised fee. Chute fees, mare care, shipping fee and any other fees are the responsibility of the buyer.

Ninety percent of the money generated will be put into a Stallion Stakes, which will be included within the 2011 Derby held during their regular Limited Age Event held in September. The added money will be prorated between the Open and Non-Pro and will be paid out in the Derby – only to the get of the stallions’ breedings that sold.

If an owner’s donated breeding doesn’t sell, the owner can buy it back at 50 percent of the stud fee, and all of his babies will be included. There will be no extra entry fee for this portion of the Derby. Bidding will be updated daily starting on Jan. 14 and hourly beginning at 8 a.m. Jan. 19 until 12 noon MST. At that time, the entire auction remains open 10 minutes past the last submitted bid, with the intent being this method will allow bidders to discover the winning bid.

“We visited with the owners and got the sense that they didn’t think there was enough in our program for them to just donate,” said Bonnie McClure. “Since we have announced this new program several have called to tell us they are willing to donate and have faxed me contracts.”

According to McClure, the association will keep 10 percent of the money, with 2 percent of it going to the youth scholarship fund. Ninety percent of the proceeds will go into the purse, with 10 percent of that 90 percent split 60/40 and paid to the stallion owner (60%) and breeder (40%).

For further information call Todd Adolf at (970) 395-0520 or e-mail Bonnie McClure at bonnie@westernstatescha.com. Make checks payable to the WSCHA and send to 26849 CR 388, Kersey, CO 80644. You can go to the Western States website: http://westernstatescha.com/StallionAuction.html

The site includes an invitation and a contract. Several stallions are already listed on the site.

CONGRESS MERCURIA CUTTING FEATURES 63 ENTRIES VYING FOR A $67,766 PURSE
With 35 entries in the Open Division of the Mercuria Cutting held during the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, Matt Gaines took home the top Open prize money of $9,023 for a 231 scored on CD April Fool, owned by the Flying A Ranch, in the nine-horse finals. Second, scoring a 225, went to Austin Shepard riding Thomas E Hughes for Don and Kathy Boone. The pair collected $7,478 of the Open purse. The first go-round was led by Phil Rapp riding Don’t Look Twice for Waco Bend Ranch, with a 227. Rapp zeroed in the finals, which took a 217 to qualify.

With 28 entries in the Non-Pro Division, Lauren Middleton collected the largest paycheck - $10,298 for a 227 scored on Cees Little Poo in the eight-horse finals. Second, scoring a 221, was Ken Sitton riding RCC Skeet N Scooter. The pair collected $8,049.The first go was topped by a 221 scored by Jason McClure riding Panolas Memory. To qualify for the eight-horse finals, a rider need a 215.5 score. Jason scored 214.5 in the eight-horse finals, and had to be satisfied with sixth place and a $1,300 paycheck.
Click here for full results>>

AQHA TO LOWER FEES FOR REGISTRATION AND TRANSFERS:
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has extended its offer of reduced registration fees for horses 3 years old and older until Dec. 31, 2011. Typically, the AQHA charges $550 to register a 3-year-old and $1,000 for horses older than 4.

The reduced rate is $300 to register and only $15 to transfer – no matter how many times the horse has been sold. For further information, call 806) 376-4811 or go to their web site at www.aqha.com and download the registration application or transfer report from AQHA forms.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 8, 2010
Great American Horseman competition starts today in Fort Worth, the Sandy Sokol Memorial Cutting will be held Oct. 22-24 in Brenham, Texas and cutting at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, is wrapping up today.

GREAT AMERICAN HORSEMAN COMPETITION STARTS TODAY IN FORT WORTH
Beginning today, 170 contestants will vie for the title of “The Great American Horseman,” at the Watt Arena located in the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. The winner will receive a $10,000 paycheck, a trophy saddle, trophy buckle and appearances at other equine venues – with a shot at stardom. The three-day competition is being taped before a live crowd as a pilot for the reality show Project Cowboy.

Patti Colbert, who is co-producing the event with Tootie Bland, also created the Extreme Mustang Makeover held annually in Fort Worth. Participants will compete in events that test their horsemanship, camera readiness, horse knowledge and livestock-handling skills. Each day, contestants will be eliminated and the winner will be crowned on Sunday. The cowboys and cowgirls are coming from around the country, bringing their best horses. Seating will be limited; however, tickets are available at www.projectcowboy.net or at the door. The best seats cost $100 and are good for all three days. Other seats are $50 for all three days and a one-0day ticket for $20 can be bought at the door.

SANDY SOKOL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP CUTTING AND AUCTION TO BE H ELD OCT. 22-24
Limited-aged events and Open and Non-Pro cuttings, including a youth scholarship cutting, are scheduled during the Sandy Sokol Memorial Scholarship Cutting and Auction, Oct. 22-24 during the Bluebonnet Cutting Horse Association NCHA-approved show. The event will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Brenham, Texas. With donations being auctioned off in a silent and live auction, one hundred percent of all donations are being awarded in the form of youth scholarships.

The schedule includes an aged-event cutting held Friday, Oct. 22 with a silent auction. On Saturday, Oct. 23, NCHA classes will be held, starting at 9 a.m. At 4:30 p.m. snacks and cocktails will be served at the entertainment pavilion and at 6 p.m., dinner will be catered by the Oxbow Steakhouse. Pre-sale tickets for the dinner will be $30 per person, at the door $35) The silent auction closes at 7 p.m. and a live auction will start at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Wranglers live band at 8:30 p.m. Included in the live auction will be a 2011 breeding to High Brow CD, Third Cutting, Metallic Cat, Lethal Dual and Thomas Hughes – along with a white tail hunt, a fishing trip, a futurity basket, diamond jewelry, artwork and much more. The Youth winner on Saturday will receive a scholarship, tuition to a Horsemen for Christ Cutting Camp and a custom buckle made by Matt Litz Silversmith. On Sunday, Oct. 24, NCHA cutting classes will be held.

For further information or to make a donation, contact Courtney Sokol at (979) 421-0310 or e-mail her at courtneybsokol@yahoo.com.

ALL-AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS CUTTING IN FULL SWING
An aged event, NCHA weekend classes and the Mercuria Open and Non-Pro events are taking place at Oct. 1-8 at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.

The aged events included 176 entries vying for $48,000 in added money and a total purse of $124,272. The 26-entry Open Futurity was won by Austin Shepard riding Peppy Catalena for Lois Hawkins, taking home $5,370.80. The reserve title went to Tracy Barton riding Lena Starlights for North Ridge Ranch Inc., for $4,590.30. The 15-entry Non-Pro Futurity was won by Ronette Egger riding Mia Fine Jose, earning $2,179.70.

In Derby competition, Shepard also won the 36-entry Open division riding Bet Hesa Cat for the Bet Hesa Cat Syndicate, taking home $5,245.80. He also took Reserve riding Shes Pretty And Wise, owned by Shepard and his wife, Stacy, earning an additional $4,322.80. The championship of the 25-entry Non-Pro Derby was a tie between Nico Delserro riding Smooth Cat Bygeorge, and Kelle Chartier riding Don’t Blinkk. Both earned a $2,532.50 paycheck.

Walt Erwin took the 40-entry Classic Open title riding Stylish Moves owned by Lisa Wood. He collected a $4,680 paycheck. Reserve was won by Randy Chartier riding WSR The Black Cat for Eric Vanboekel, collecting $3,944. The 34-entry Non-Pro Classic was won by Jason McClure riding SS Shooting CR Cat, earning $3,198. Reserve went to Barry Tutor riding SB Rey Charles for $2,718.40.

The Open NCHA class was won by Austin Shepard riding his and his wife’s horse, MH San Tules Dually, to a 150, for a $1,417.02 paycheck. Reserve was Eddie Braxton riding High Brow Doll (P) to a 147 for Ricky Brown. The Non-Pro was won by Nick Pilcher riding PA Wobble Davidson, scoring a 147 and earning $1,459.14. Reserve was taken by Kassidy Stough riding SH Heidi Jazz to a 145 and $1,198.58. Forty-nine entries entered the $50,000 Amateur with Matthew Dedden riding A Cat Named Sue and Eddie Luttrell riding MH Movin Little Lena tying for the championship with a 147. Each collected $1,171.35.

The $10,000 Novice Horse class was won by Randy Chartier riding Widows May Play for KC Farms LLC, the $15,000 Novice Horse Non-Pro title was won by Lauren Minshall riding A Swingin Pepto and the $35,000 Non-Pro was won by Buster Quirk riding Playin At The Mall. MacKenna Van Boekel rode Wild Start to the Junior Youth title while Zoe Woodland won the Sr. Youth riding Oh Cay Chester.

The Mecuria NCHA Open and Non Pro were going on as we are posted this, with Phil Rapp riding Don’t Look Twice, owned by Waco Bend Ranch, topping the first go-round of the Open with a 227. Austin Shepard finished second riding MH San Tules Dually, scoring a 223.5. The Non-Pro competition will be held today as will both finals.
Click here for full results of Congress cutting>>

EMERGENCY LIQUIDATION TO BE HELD FOR BABCOCK HORSES

SINGLE BID FOR ALL HORSES DUE AT NOON FRIDAY, SEPT. 24

By Glory Ann Kurtz and Steve Warren
Sept. 21, 2010
Last week an email notice was released by Mike and Tim Jennings regarding a new sale on their Professional Auction Services website: the “Emergency Liquidation of Babcock Quarter Horses, Inc." This notice was given because of filings with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division regarding bankruptcy proceedings for Babcock Quarter Horses and Jim Babcock, personally.

Approximately 200 horses were scheduled to be sold in one lot with the high bidder taking all of the horses. Included was a link to the list of horses to be sold. This list has been updated several times since the original ad. The horses sell “as-is” and “where-is."

The deadline for offers is noon on Friday, Sept. 24, after which they will be presented at a hearing tentatively scheduled for next week, where bidders can be present at the hearing. A 20 percent deposit will be required by the Trustee prior to the hearing. Bidders wishing to inspect the horses should contact Tim Jennings (703) 216-6818 and he will inform ranch personnel and ask them to arrange a viewing schedule. The Trustee will sign any and all applicable documents to facilitate transfers and registrations with the AQHA.

The latest list, published today, included 30 weanlings, 49 yearlings, 51 2-year-olds, 15 3-year-olds, eight older horses, 37 broodmares and four recipient mares. The stallions Captain Nice, Lucky Little Lena, Trashadeous and Cowboy Smarts were included; however, their frozen semen would be in a separate offering.The transfers on Trashadeous and Cowboy Smarts will be delayed until permits are secured to transfer the frozen semen. Trashadeous has 469 total doses of frozen semen, including 258 doses at Select Breeders and 211 at the Babcock Ranch. Cowboy Smarts has 295 does, with 81 doses at Select Breeders and 213 at the Babcock Ranch. Smart Chic Olena and his frozen semen were not included in this offering – this would seem to imply there will be an additional offering at a later date.

According to Larry Levick, an Addison, Texas, a lawyer representing the trustee handling the Babcock Quarter Horses bankruptcy, “We have a bidder that we are going to go with and present to the bankruptcy court sometime next week and if someone else wants to come in and overbid them, Tim Jennings will work with them on how to overbid them. He will figure out who the serious people are this Friday and deal with them and whoever is really interested would probably go to bankruptcy court sometime next week

When asked about the stallions and semen not in the sale, he said, “ I think we’re going to throw in the stallions and some of the semen, but you need to talk to Professional Auction Services about that but we are planning on holding some of the semen back for a later sale.

THE BANKRUPTCY:
The bankruptcy documents for the Babcock case reveal the following information (copies of some of the major documents are included at the end of this article):

On July 13, 2009 Babcock Quarter Horses, Inc., filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Texas and on Aug. 3, 2009, Jim Babcock filed an individual Chapter 11 case. Babcock is the 100 percent owner and manager of Babcock Quarter Horses, and derived all of his income from the Babcock Quarter Horses, Inc., horse operations.
Click here for Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy>>

According to the Babcock bankruptcy documents. Babcock Quarter Horses, Inc. (BQH), ranch operations were dependent on Babcock’s personal assets, namely the Gainesville and Valley View ranches, where the horses were kept, and Babcock depended on Babcock Quarter Horse’s operations for his living expenses. BQH’s assets were horses, frozen semen, frozen embryos and other personal property used to operate the business. The Gainesville and Valley View ranches were owned by Jim Babcock - BQH’s 100 percent owner and manager.

The U.S. Trustee appointed a creditors’ committee in BQH’s bankruptcy case on Aug. 27, 2009 and on July 15, 2010, the committee filed a motion in each case requesting appointment of Chapter 11 trustees. BQH and Babcock were represented to Bill Payne, a Paris, Texas lawyer

.
In an Aug. 4, 2010 court document, the U. S. Trustee moved to convert the Chapter 11 bankruptcy (which protected Babcock from any creditors) to a Chapter 7 due to the fact that “the monthly operating reports demonstrated there was no likelihood of rehabilitation.” It went on to say that Babcock had enjoyed the protection of Chapter 11 for a full year and had not yet even filed a plan. “Babcock does not have the ability to fund a plan at any level of repayment to creditors. Given his non-exempt assets, creditors are better served by an immediate conversion to Chapter 7.” It went on to say that Babcock failed to meet his reporting requirements in Chapter 11.
Click here for Request to convert to Chapter 7>>
Click here for granting to convert to Chapter 7>>

The document stated that Babcock filed schedules, describing gross income derived solely from BQH of $6,500, net income of $4,841 and living expenses of $3,550, with a monthly surplus of $1,291; however, the schedules did not include any payments made on any of his secured debts which included both ranches, his Mercedes Clk 500, Ford F350 pickup, 2007 Lincoln Navigator, ATV or Redman mobile home located at the Gainesville ranch.

In reports filed for February through June 2010, Babcock operating statements showed a loss in every month except March, with a total net loss for the period of $67,269 and an average monthly net loss of $11,211.

Several banks and insurance companies received relief from an automatic stay applicable to the Gainesville and Valley View ranches and the properties were subject to foreclosure jeopardizing BQH’s future viability as an income source for Babcock. Babcock amended his asset schedule to include potentially significant non-exempt assets, including jewelry of $25,000, a 50 percent interest in HB Equine LLC – valued at $343,500; a 33.33 percent interest in Babcock/Salt Fork Equine partnership – valued at $221,000 and home furnishings from foreclosed properties with significant liquidation value.

A hearing was held on Sept. 13, 2010 and the order to convert to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy was granted. A list of close to 125 creditors was attached to the document and included Babcock, partners in some of the horses, breeding facilities, governmental agencies, banks, publications, horse associations, his lawyer, his accountant and Viagen (an Austin cloning company).
Click here for list of horses to be sold>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 13, 2010
Whitmire jury trial delayed; Turner Broadcasting settles with David McDavid over $281 million award; first day of Keeneland September Yearling sale shows 49 percent increase in average; Heath Sinclair wins Australia Victoria Open Cutting Futurity and Derby; Malte Doring sweeps European Cutting Championships and Seth Kirchner wins Iowa Breeders Cutting Open Futurity and Derby.

WHITMIRE JURY TRIAL DELAYED:
The jury trial of Lainie Whitmire v NCHA, scheduled for Sept. 27, has been delayed, possibly being scheduled for Oct. 25 in Tarrant County, Texas. The jury trial is a continuation of a lawsuit filed by Whitmire against the NCHA on Oct. 1, 2006, following a dispute about her amateur/non-pro status that had been going on since 2004. On July 23, 2008, the Court of Appeals issued its ruling reversing the April 9, 2008 trial court’s decision on the breach of oral promise claim between Eldridge Goins (NCHA counsel) and Clark Brewster (Whitmire’s lawyer) plus the false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress charges. Also Judge Lowe of Tarrant County’s 236th District Court in Fort Worth, has not yet ruled on the suspension of Whitmire’s husband, Ray, under Article II of the NCHA Constitution for being “disharmonious” by supporting his wife financially when she filed the lawsuit against the NCHA.

TURNER BROADCASTING SETTLES WITH DAVID MCDAVID:
According to Bloomberg Reports, a Time Warner’s Turner Unit reached a settlement the end of August with Texas businessman, former auto dealer and cutting horse enthusiast David McDavid over the sale of the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers sports teams. McDavid won a $281 million jury verdict over a failed deal in December 2008 with the Georgia courts upholding the verdict twice. McDavid had negotiated with Turner Broadcasting System officials for $215 million after which the teams ended up in the hands of an Atlanta-based group of investors that included the son and son-in-law of TBS’s billionaire founder Ted Turner. McDavid has sought $450 million in damages and interest over the failed deal. McDavid is a supporter of the cutting industry, owning the popular stallion Hes A Peptospoonful, for which he and his wife Stacy are offering a Million Dollar Bonus, guaranteeing a $1 million incentive payment to the owners of any horse that wins the NCHA Open Futurity until 2013.

KEENELAND YEARLING SALE SHOWS FIRST-DAY 49 PERCENT AVERAGE INCREASE
The first day of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale surprised even the Thoroughbred industry when new owner Ben Leon, attending his first sale, purchased an A.P. Indy colt for $4.2 million. The sale average went up 49 percent to $347,319, while the median rose 25 percent to $250,000. Also, the “no sales” were 25.8 percent, down 35.5 percent from 2009. The number cataloged and sold were close to half of what they were last year. According to Throughbred Times Today, Leon founded Leon Medical Centers in Miami and now is a director of HealthSpring Inc. Todd Pletcher also purchased the $1.2-million sale topper for Leon’s Besilu Stable at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings in August. The three-day sale continues today and Tuesday.

HEATH SINCLAIR WINS AUSTRALIA VICTORIA CUTTING FUTURITY AND DERBY:
According to futurity results reported by Robin Glenn Pedigree (RGP), Heath Sinclair won both the Australia Victoria Open Cutting Futurity and Derby, held in Werribee, Australia, and which ended Aug. 29. The Futurity was won on Reys Little Dreamer (Dual Rey x Smartlittledreameras x Grip It And Rip It), owned by I. G. and B. A. Buckeridge, while the Derby was won aboard Dulces Tiny Dancer (Aus) (Instant Dulce x Spins Dancer (Aus) x Docs Spinifex). Sinclair and Reys Little Dreamer had finished seventh in the Australian NCHA Open Futurity, when Reys Little Dreamer was owned by Rob and Collette Geoff. Dulces Tiny Dancer had finished sixth in the Australian NCHA Derby with S. W. Campbell aboard.

The Futurity Non-Pro Champion was Billy Neville riding Scots Holly (Aus) (Smart Little Scotty x Winderadeen Pepatres (Aus) x Little Peppy Doc) and the Derby Non-Pro champion was Dominic Williams riding Instant Sweet Oak (Aus) (Instant Dulce x Oaks Cherie (Aus) x Docs Freckles Oak. The Open Classic was won by Todd Graham riding One Stylish Pepto (Aus) (Peptos Stylish Oak x One Moore Spin (Aus) x Docs Spinfex) The Non-Pro Classic was taken by Bernadette Lucas riding Erin Hendrix (Aus) (Winderadeen Get Shorty (Aus) x Erin Crackin Jess (Aus) x Docs Drackin Oak (Aus.)

MALTE DORING TAKES THREE CUTTING TITLES DURING EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHPS:
It was Malte Doring times three during the European Championship cuttings held in Kreuth, Germany, and which ended Sunday, Aug. 22. Doring won the Senior Cutting riding Smart Einie (As Smart As The Fox x Katie Dry x Dry Doc) and the Reserve title riding Kiss My Cat (High Brow Cat x Brogans Lady Pep xc Mr Dry Peppy). He also won the Amateur cutting riding Kiss My Cat. Both horses are owned by Malte’s father Jurgen Doring.The Junior Cutting was won by Karel Spacil riding Ichin Poisen Oak (Cat Ichi x Styled By Oak x Docs Stylish Oak). (RGP reports)

SETH KIRCHNER DOMINATES IOWA BREEDERS CUTTING FUTURITY
Seth Kirchner, Clarinda, Iowa, dominated the Iowa Breeders Cutting Futurity, which ended Aug. 22 in Waterloo, Iowa, by winning the Open Cutting Futurity, Open Incentive and Open Derby. In the Futurity, he rode Little Disco Cat (Little Disco Tucker x Kindle Kat x High Brow Cat) owned by Jim and Joyce Healy, Hillsdale, Ill., and in the Derby he rode Mini Morias Disco (Little Disco Tucker x TM Mini Moria x High Brow Hickory) owned by Jim Kropf, Wall Lake, Iowa. (RGP reports)

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 29, 2010
Horsemen For Christ's 2nd Annual Silent Auction to be held during Brazos Bash at Silverado, Sept. 24-Oct. 3; National Cowgirl Hall of Fame to induct five women on Oct. 28; Ocala Breeders’ August Yearling Sale shows total sales, average and median all up and Monday’s auction at Lone Star Park features Texas and Oklahoma-bred yearlings.

HORSEMEN FOR CHRIST 2ND ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION
The Second Annual Horsemen For Christ Silent Auction will be held during the Brazos Bash at Silverado on the Brazos, Weatherford, Texas, Sept. 24-Oct. 3. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Horsemen For Christ Ministry. Highlighted in the auction will be Freckles, a 2010 registered black and white McCallum/Scottish Border Collie started on cattle, donated by the Sweet Iron Ranch www.sweetironranch.com. For further information, contact Brian Bond (817) 341-7771 or (817) 629-9436 or Joe Howard Williamson (940) 704-3648.

FIVE WOMEN TO BE INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL COWGIRL HALL OF FAME
Five women will be honored during the 35th annual Induction Luncheon Ceremony of the National Cowgirl Hall of fame on Oct. 28. The Hall is located at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth.

Inducted will be Betty Dusek, Vancourt, Texas, part of the golden age of all-girl rodeo; Kay Gay, Terrell, Texas, an important part of Texas rodeo history; Temple Grandin PhD, Fort Collins, Colo., a champion of the agriculture and livestock industry; Joyce Roach, Keller, Texas, an author, teacher, cattle rancher and naturalist, and Hortense Ward Houston (1872-1944) a defender of women’s rights and the first woman admitted into the Texas Bar Association.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to preserve the history and highlight the impact of Western women living roughly from the mid-1800s to the present. There are over 190 women who have been inducted since 1975.

MEDIAN RISES 60 PERCENT DURING OCALA BREEDERS YEARLING SALE
All indicators were up during the Ocala Breeders’ August Yearling Sale which ended Thursday, Aug. 26. A total of 615 yearlings sold for $9,105.350, a 22.7 percent increase over the $7,421,700 total for 651 horses sold in 2009; The average totaled $14,805, up 29.9 percent from the $11,400 in 2009 and the median was up a whopping 60 percent: $8,000 to last year’s $5,000.

Tom Ventura, OBS general manager said, “It seems like we’ve seen the bottom and working our way up.” The high seller was a filly by Any given Saturday, bringing a $280,000 bid. The filly’s sire, whose first foals are yearlings this year, lead the sire average with four head averaging $116,250.

TEXAS YEARLING SALE TO BEGIN MONDAY, AUG. 30 AT LONE STAR PARK
With 363 horses cataloged for Monday’s yearling auction at Lone Star Park, 330 will be Texas-bred while the other 33 will be Oklahoma-bred. Oklahoma racetrack purses and incentives are helped by the racetrack slot machines – which many racehorse fans hope will soon be seen at Lone Star Park. Oklahoman mare owners are allowed to breed in-state one year and out-of-state the next year and the offspring can both be classified as state-bred. Should the slot machines be allowed at Texas tracks, all facets of the horse industry in the state will profit – including the cutting horse industry.

TOM HOLT GIVEN CHOICE OF NCHA OR GAUGHAN SHOWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 24, 2010
It's decision time for Tom Holt, the voice of the NCHA.

Tom Holt, the voice of the NCHA, was recently given the choice by NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper, of announcing NCHA major aged events and continuing his Tom's Tidbits - or announcing shows produced by Paula Gaughan at her South Point facility in Las Vegas, Nev. After 20 years of working for Gaughan, Holt chose the multiple shows produced by NCHA and their directors over Gaughan's shows.

Holt has removed the South Point ad from his bus and their ad from Tom's Tidbits on the NCHA website and although it was initially reported that he was asked to do it, he later posted the following on Facebook: Dear Friends. I would like to clarify something I let get misunderstood. I was not asked to take the ads off the RV or the internet. It was a decision I made myself. Based on what had happened, I felt this "choice" would be coming soon and I was trying to avoid anymore unpleasantness. I felt that if I could not do the shows in Las Vegas, it was not right to ask them for sponsorship.

Tom had to make a choice following a lawsuit by Gaughan and Dean Sanders against the NCHA to see and share financial records of the association with other members of the association. Following an unsuccessful mediation attempt, the case is currently waiting for a decision by the 2nd District Court of Appeals.

Even though Gaughan is planning on holding the 17th Annual South Point Futurity Oct. 10-16 and three days of open cuttings prior to that (Oct. 7-9), along with the final MillionHeir Classic, the NCHA will not approve it; however, it will be PCCHA approved - for this year. Since 1994, the South Point and MillionHeir aged events have paid out close to $17 million.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 21, 2010
Soon Tex Cutting Horse Association ending their “long ride;” Laird Burke, equine kinesiologist and chiropractor spends 13 days in ICU; Western Bloodstock announces NCHA Futurity Sales; Stan Thomas Dispersal Sale to be held Oct. 8 at EE Ranches in Whitesboro, Texas; Sandy Sokol Memorial Cutting & Auction scheduled for Oct. 22-24 in Brenham, Texas; Institute for Justice joins horse owners in Austin, Texas rally to allow non-veterinarians float horse teeth; Tax benefits for the horse industry; plans for Weatherford Convention Center and Arena still are on the board; Quarter Horses with HERDA can also have ocular problems;

SOON TEX CHA TO END THEIR “LONG RIDE”
It’s been four years since the Soon Tex Cutting Horse Association was formed and cuttings were held at the El Lobo Ranch in Gainesville, Texas. However, according to a recent mailing from the Board of Directors, the Sept. 4 show has been cancelled and the association will no longer be holding shows. “The number of entrants in weekend shows has really gone down,” said secretary Barbara Jett, “so we thought we better quit while we were ahead.” The Association was started in Muenster, Texas, and moved to Rebecca Algar’s facility in Gainesville, Texas, last year. The President of the association was Lloyd Truenbach.

LAIRD BURKE SPENDS 13 DAYS IN ICU
Laird Burke, a popular equine kinesiologist and chiropractor for performance horses, from Whitesboro, Texas, recently spent 14 days in ICU at the Sherman Hospital following a visit to the emergency room after he had problems breathing. You can contact Laird and his wife Brenda at burkeequine@verizon.net or call them at 903-564-7703. Unfortunately, the Burkes have no insurance and friends are planning some fund raising events to help pay hospital and doctor bills.

NCHA FUTURITY SALES:
Western Bloodstock has announced the dates and posted nomination forms for their seven sales to be held during the NCHA Futurity. The sales will be held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4 during the NCHA World Finals; Tuesday, Dec. 7; Wednesday, Dec. 8 for 2-year-olds; Thursday-Saturday, Dec 9-11. Nomination deadline for all of the sales is Oct. 8, with the selection date being Oct. 11. Owners will be notified of acceptance. For consignment forms go to: www.westernbloodstock.com.

STAN THOMAS DISPERSAL:
Stanley Thomas of Three Trees Ranch, Newman, Ga., will be holding a complete dispersal on Friday, Oct. 8, at the EE Ranches in Whitesboro, Texas. Thomas will be selling around 50 head and EE Ranches will consign about 50 head, including some top cutting-bred broodmares. Sale manager will be Troy Stewart, May, Texas. For more information, contact Troy at 325-646-2767.

SANDY SOKOL MEMORIAL CUTTING & AUCTION:
The Sandy Sokol Memorial Cutting & Auction is planned to be held in conjunction with the Bluebonnet Cutting Horse Association Show in Brenham, Texas, on Oct. 22-24. Saturday, Oct. 23, there will be a steak dinner and live auction and on Friday and Satur4day a silent auction. Friday an aged event will be held and Saturday and Sunday, weekend cuttings. For further information e-mail: Courtneybsokol@yahoo.com.

QUARTER HORSES WITH HERDA CAN ALSO HAVE OCULAR PROBLEMS
According to a study done by Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Quarter Horses that are homozygous for hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) have been found to have alterations in corneal thickness, arrangement of collagen fibers and incidence of corneal ulcers, indicating that abnormalities in horses with HERDA are not limited to the skin. The cohort portion of the study involved 10 Quarter horses with HERDA and 10 without and the retrospective case series involved 28 horses with HERDA and 291 without.

Further study is also being done by Michigan State University and Nena Winand,DVM, PhD, in the Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Cornell University, who came up with the first HERDA test is also doing research on other HERDA-related problems in Quarter Horses.

The study, “Ocular Findings in Quarter Horses with heredity equine regional dermal asthenia” was published in the August 1, 2010 edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. According to Ann Rashmir-Raven, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, “Approximately 28 percent of cutting horses are carriers of the gene responsible for HERDA, a recessive genetic disease of horses resulting in fragile skin that tears easily and heals poorly.”

INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE JOINS HORSE OWNERS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, RALLY:
On Friday, Aug. 20, the Institute for Justice joined horse owners, floaters and supporters at a rally in Austin to free Texas’s horse teeth floaters and by extension all Texas entrepreneurs, from unreasonable and protectionist regulations on their right to earn an honest living. At 9 a.m., the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners held a public hearing on a proposal that would hurt non-veterinarians’ ability to float horse teeth. A rally was organized in the park across the street. Recently the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners moved to apply the state’s veterinary medicine law to horse teeth floaters, making it illegal for non-veterinarians to provide this service.

For further information go to: http://www.ij.org/about/3462 and to find out more about the lawsuit, go to: http://www.ij.org/economicliberty/650. For a study on entrepreneurship in Texas, Bureaucratic Barbed Wire: How occupational licensing fences out Texas entrepreneurs: http://www.ij.org/images/pdf_folder/texas/txstudyv3.pdf. For more information contact Christina Walsh (703) 682-9320 or go to: www.ij.org,

TAX BENEFITS FOR HORSE INDUSTRY:
According to an article on the AQHA website, earlier this year, Congress passed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, which included an extension of the equine expensing allowance through 2010. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law immediately. The Act allows the Stimulus Bill allowing for bigger write-offs for horses and other property purchased and placed in service during 2009 to continue through 2010.

A total of $250,000 can be expensed for horses or other business property through 2010. Once total purchases reach $800,000, the expense allowance goes down $1 for each dollar spent. The provision will benefit any business involved in the horse industry that purchases and places depreciable property in service in 2010. Also, payroll taxes are forgiven for hiring unemployed workers and the legislation gives a business tax credit of $1,000 for every new employee retained for 52 weeks to be taken on the employee’s 2011 tax return.

WEATHERFORD CONVENTION CENTER AND ARENA STILL ON THE BOARD
According to an article in “Parker County Today,” the Weatherford (Texas) Convention Center and Arena is still a viable project, even though it has been scaled down considerably. The original plan to include two arenas has been dropped to one arena, with 6,000 permanent seats and 2,500 to be added for concerts. The new plan would also make the roof size smaller and further cuts would be made with exterior changes. However, the arena size will stay the same – as it is an optimum size for rodeos, hockey and concerts.

The hold-up is financing and Jim and Jack Eggleston, attorneys ramrodding the project, hope more individuals will help with the financing and the city of Weatherford will approve a Tax Increment Financing District around the proposed site to offset costs of necessary infrastructure upgrades. It is planned that the Center would be located at the site of a razed livestock sale barn on the Fort Worth highway. In the article Eggleston said the proposed facility has drawn the attention of several equine groups, however, the word “cutting” was not mentioned.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 9, 2010
ClassicStar trial date set for Nov. 30 in Lexington, Ky.; New York-bred sale closes with lowest buy-back rate since 2002 and Pat Jacobs to receive Will Rogers Medallion Award for "Outlaws, outcasts and Second Chance Horses."

CLASSICSTAR TRIAL DATE SET FOR NOV. 30
According to a June 16 article on www.kentucky.com, several lawsuits, including trustee's case, involving the ClassicStar mare leases will go to trial Nov. 30 in Lexington, Ky. U.S. District Judge Joseph M. Hood set the trial dates for the suits against the former Woodford County Thoroughbred breeding operation ClassicStar; its operators, including David and Spencer Plummer; its parent company GeoStar; GeoStar's operators, and a publicly traded spinoff called Gastar, among almost 100 defendants.

About two dozen suits have been filed in Kentucky, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Utah, Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin and Texas against the breeding operation since 2006. ClassicStar has been in bankruptcy since 2007 and is no longer in business. More than $1 billion in claims, including potential triple damages, have been filed against the debtor; a settlement is pending in bankruptcy court in Lexington to fix the claims at out-of-pocket expenses, which could still amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. Four of the defendents - the Plummers, Terry Green and John Parrott - have pleaded guilty in federal court in Oregon to $200 million in tax fraud.

The Plummers, who managed the breeding operation, and Green, an accountant pleaded guilty in October to conspiring to an elaborate, multi-layered fraud that is at the heart of the civil suits. They have not been sentenced and are cooperating with the Department of Justice's investigation. Parrott, an exective and part owner of GeoStar, pleaded guilty april 1 in Oregon court documents and Parrott is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced June 28. He and the others each face up to five years in prison.

The Plummers allege that GeoStar took the money while GeoStar's operators, including defendant Tony Ferguson, Tampa, Fla., blame the Plummers.
Click here for complete article>>

NEW YORK-BRED SALE CLOSES WITH LOWEST BUY-BACK RATE SINCE 2002:
According to an article in the Aug. 9, Thoroughbred Times TODAY, The Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale, which ended Sunday night, Aug. 8, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., featured saw the buy-back rate improve from 46 percent a year ago to 33.8 percent this year - the lowest for the New York-bred sale since 2002.

With 172 horses cataloged, compared with 231 in 2009, 142 were offered, down 25.5% from 2009's 198 and 94 sold, down 12.1 percent fromm the 107 sold in 2009. Total sales were down 15.6 percent, from $4,353,500 in 2009 to $3,676,000 in 2010. The average was down 3.9 percent, from $40,687 in 2009 to 439,106 in 2010. However, the median of 430,000 was up 11.1 percent from the 2009 median of $27,000.

The highest-selling horse was $140,000 brought by a yearling colt sired by Tale Of the Cat out of Regard by Fusaichi Pegasus. According to Fasig-Tipton Chaimran Walt Roberson, "A higher percdentage of horses sold, the median was up and the average was very similar... and similar is very good in these days and times."

PAT JACOBS RECEIVES WILL ROGERS MEDIALLION AWARD FOR BOOK
Even though Pat Jacobs, Burleson, Texas, just got home from the hospital, he is feeling pretty good these days. Jacobs,who is recovering at home from major stomach surgery, received an Aug. 2, 2010 letter from the Will Rogers Medallion Award Committee Executive Director, Charles E. Williams, that his book, "Outlaws, Outcasts and Second Chance Horses," has been selected as a 2010 'Will Rogers Medallion Award Winner. The Medallion Award plaques will be awarded at the Cowboy symposium in Lubbock, Texas, Sept. 9-11.

The award is presented each year to those books that represent an Outstanding Achievement in the Publishing of Western Literature. The letter said that Jacobs' book "exemplifies the combination of excellent content, high production values and honoring of the Cowboy Heritage that the award was created to acknowledge." The letter continued that Jacobs' book "set a high standard."

Will Rogers was a respected writer as well as cowboy entertainer and it is believed that the Will Rogers Medallion Award will help to expand the heritage of literature which honors the traditions and values of the American Cowby, which Will Rogers did so much to embody and demonstrate. The award was created initially to encourage the continued upgrading of the quality of published books of Cowboy Poetry. Other categories were added to honor a wide range of Western literature, including Non-fiction Western.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 25, 2010 - Fort Worth, Texas
Jon Winkelried, shown with his wife, Abby, won the NCHA Amateur Classic Challenge riding Cherry Chex Dually.

Jon Winkelried hits a double during the NCHA Amateur Classic Challenge; Phil Hanson rides LHR Smooth Jamie May to top score of 220 in first go-round of Open Derby; David McDavid scores a 225 to win NCHA Summer Spectacular Sponsors Cutting and Pat Jacobs has major surgery.

A DOUBLE WIN FOR JON WINKELRIED AND CHERRY CHEX DUALLY DURING NCHA AMATEUR CLASSIC CHALLENGE
It was a double win for Jon Winkelried on Thursday, July 22, when he rode his great mare Cherry Chex Dually, a daughter of He's A Peptospoonful out of Bueno Chex Dually by Dual Pep, to the championship of the 178-entry Amateur Classic Challenge, held during the NCHA Summer Spectacular.

The pair scored a 219 in the 32-horse finals, taking home the first-place prize money of $6,069 plus that much again from the McDavid Family, who guaranteed the bonus to winning offspring of their stallions He's A Peptospoonful and Widows Freckles.

Winkelried, who retired in 2009 from being a top executive with Goldman Sachs, is the owner of the Marvine Ranch, Aledo, Texas, and was experiencing his third show riding the great mare and his first win in an NCHA Triple Crown event. With over $207,500 in lifetime earnings prior to Winkelried’s paychecks, Cherry Chex Dually was trained by Eddie Flynn; however, when Winkelried hired Roger Wagner, following the dispersal of the Rock Creek Ranch last October, he took over Winkelried’s and the mare's cutting careers. Winkelried had made the finals of this year's NCHA Amateur Super Stakes Classic, earning $1,850; however, he scratched the mare the last minute when she came up sore. Prior to that, he finished seventh in the 2007 Breeders invitational Amateur. According to Winkelried, the mare will join his exclusive broodmare band next spring.

The Reserve title went to Laura Landers riding Weatherford, Texas, riding Sweet Lil Scoot, a 6-year-old daughter of Smart Lil Scoot out of Hickorydickoryddolly by Freckles Playboy. The pair scored a 217 and collected a $5,838 paycheck, the largest of the mare's career, raising her lifetime earnings to over $23,300. Laura is the wife of Joe Landers, who operates Joe Landers Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas.

Scoring a 216.5, Nicholas Johnson rode Just a jazzy Cat to third place. Owned by his parents Lisa and Jamie Johnson, Benson, N.C., the 5-year-old gelding by High Brow Cat out of Just a Swinging Jane by Justa Swinging Peppy, earned his largest paycheck of $5,607, upping the gelding's lifetime earnings to over $40,500.

The Senior Amateur Division was won by T. W. Donahue, 66, Centerville, Texas, riding CD Sonita, a gelding by CD Olena out of Sonitas Magic Girl by Sonita's Last. The pair scored a 205, which also gave them a 15th-place paycheck of $2,836 in the Amateur Division. The Reserve title went to Norda M. Berger, Simonton, Texas, riding High Classed JPB (Cats Merada x High Classed Model). The pair also were finalists in the Amateur Division.

PHIL HANSON RIDES LHR SMOOTH JAMIE MAY TO BEST SCORE FOLLOWING FIRST GO-ROUND OF OPEN DERBY
Phil Hanson and LHR Smooth Jamie May won the first go-round of the Open Derby held during the NCHA Summer Spectacular.

With 237 entries vying for the Open Derby championship, Phil Hanson, Weatherford, Texas, rode LHR Smooth Jamie May to the highest score of 220 following the first go-round. The daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of Just Scarlet by Smart Lil Ricochet, with over $150,000 in lifetime earnings, is owned by Sherry Chamberlain's South Lazy H Ranch, Inc., Weatherford, Texas.

The pair are fresh off their win at the 2010 Breeders Invitational Open Derby, where they picked up $80,618.52. The pair also won the 2010 Bonanza Open Derby for $30,172.66 and were finalists in the 2010 NCHA Open Super Stakes for $23,517 and finished third in the Open of the 4-year-old futurity at the Arbuckle Mountain Cutting.

Hanson had purchased the mare when she was a 3-year-old from Australian trainer Scott Johnston, who worked out of the Slate River Ranch in Weatherford, Texas.

There was a tie for the second high-scoring horse in the first go-round of the high-paying Derby between A Smooth Criminal, another Smooth As A Cat offspring out of Carolena Moon by Peptoboonsmal, owned by Roxanne Koepsell, Aubrey, Texas, ridden by Matt Gaines, and Mamas Cats A Star, a High Brow Cat daughter out of Star Fillaree by Grays Starlight, ridden by Craig Thompson and owned by Carrie Rhodes, Arlington, Wash.

The stallion, A Smooth Criminal, currently has $46,746 in lifetime earnings, including their largest paycheck of $12,655 for being a finalist in the 2010 NCHA Open Super Stakes. Mamas Cats A Star has $112,129 in lifetime earnings, including the $81,310 they earned for third in the 2010 NCHA Open Super Stakes.

A total of 137 horses scored a 207 and above and competing in today's second go-round. NCHA Futurity Champion, Rockin W, owned by Alice Walton's Rocking W Ranch, Millsap, Texas, finished sixth, this time with trainer Gary Gonsalves in the saddle. During the Futurity he was catch-ridden by Walton's trainer Tony Piggott, who recently left to start his own training operation. When asked to ride the stallion, Gonsalves accepted - giving his entry, Spooked By A Cat, to Grant Setnicka to ride. Setnicka scored a 218.5, tying with Phil Rapp riding Whiskeynadirtyglass, owned by Vincenzo Vario, Weatherford, Texas.

DAVID MCDAVID SCORES 225 ON DMAC SNOOP DOG, WINNING SPONSOR'S CUTTING
The 23-entry NCHA Sponsor's Cutting held Friday, July 23, was taken by David McDavid riding DMAC Snoop Dog, owned by his wife Stacie. The pair scored a whopping 225 points. Representing Cinch, Bobby Smith finished second with a 220 while Sandy Brannon representing Dennis Moreland and Bob Kingsley tied for third, with each scoring a 218.5.

PAT JACOBS IN ICU FOLLOWING MAJOR SURGERY
Pat and Nellie Jacobs shown during their wedding anniversary.

According to Nellie Jacobs, her husband Pat Jacobs is in the hospital following major surgery for a bleeding ulcer. "he wasn't eating and had lost a lot of weight," said Nellie, "and even though they though he was too weak to make it through surgery, we had no choice. But you know Pat - no one can tell him he can't do something; he'll do it to prove them wrong. The doctor cut out a hernia around his esophagus, cut out the lower third of his stomach and reattached it to his small intestine - plus took out a real bad gall bladder and anything else he didn't need. We had everyone praying for him and God answered our prayers by sending us the best surgeon in the country." Send your get-well wishes to Pat and Nellie at 2825 Brookhollow Dr., Burleson, TX 76028-1954.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 15, 2010
RFD-TV buys Trigger for $266,500; PBR Express Classic from Tulsa, to be LIVE on www.PBR.TV/live for first time; Beau Galyean takes Open and Caleb Anderson wins Non-Pro at Mercuria NCHA World Series at Battle In The Saddle; J. D. Yates and Bald N Shiney win World’s Greatest Horseman Shootout; Jerry King, Parkton, N.C., wins the Champion of the 3-Year-Old Cutting Challenge held during the APHA World Show and Special Nu Kitty, owned by Julie Wrigley Ranches leads NCHA Open Classic Challenge.

RFD-TV BUYS TRIGGER FOR $266,500
Roy Rogers great palomino horse Trigger, preserved by a taxidermist after his death in 1965 at the age of 30, was purchased Wednesday, July 14, for $266,500 by RFD-TV, Omaha, Neb., during an auction at Christie’s in New York City. The station had announced plans to acquire more Roy Rogers and Dale Evans memorabilia at the auction and open a museum.

Trigger was just one of the items up for sale during the auction of items once owned by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans that came from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Victorville, which was relocated to Branson, MO., and closed in late 2009. Trigger was featured in over 100 movies and had 150 trick cues – including walking 50 feet on his hind legs.

GALYEAN AND ANDERSON CLAIM NCHA WORLD SERIES CUTTING AT OKC
Beau Galyean, riding Sweet Abra, sired by Abradabracre, for Alvin and Becky Fults, scored a 226 to win the Open Division at the Mercuria World Series of Cutting held July 7 during the Battle In The Saddle. The Non-Pro Division was won by Caleb Anderson, who also scored a 226 riding Las Vegas Lights by Smart Mate.

The upcoming events, include the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alb., Canada, July 11-15; El Rancho Futurity in California, Sept. 17-18 and the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 7-9. The series of eight events have $25,000 added in each division for a total of $400,000.

J. D. YATES RIDES BALD N SHINEY TO WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMAN SHOOTOUT TITLE
J. D. Yates, world champion roper J. D. Yates rode Bald N Shiney (Shining Spark x Leos Raffle Lady x Hank Leo) owned by Nell Murphy, Burneyville, Okla., to the title of World’s Greatest Horseman, July 9, which was held during the Battle In The Saddle competition in Oklahoma City. The competition included reining, cutting and steer stopping. Todd Wright and Mambo Number Shine, owned by Hoby Horn, Oklahoma City, finished second while Matt Budge rode Mr Playinstylish to third. Fourth was taken by Doug Milholland ring Doc O Boots for the W. T. Waggoner Estate.

APHA WORLD SHOW FINISHES ON JULY 3 WITH CUTTING CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED
Jerry King, Parkton, N.C., won the 3-Year-Old Cutting Challenge during the APHA World Show in Fort Worth, Texas, June 23-July 3, riding Bodees Mercedes Doll (Bodee Boonsmal x Dolls Pretty Peppy (P) x Doc Doll (P), The Reserve title went to Salvador Cabral, Jacksboro, Texas, riding Gusz Lori Darlin (Abrakadabracre x Ima Hickory Model (P) x Banditshikcorytip (P).

The 4-Year-Old Cutting Challenge was won by Kenny Platt, fort Lupton, Colo., riding Paint Me A Pepto (Peptoboonsmal x Dox Colored Smart (P) x Color Me Smart (P), as well as claiming the Reserve title in the Junior Cutting. The 4-Year-Old reserve title went to Phil Hanson, Weatherford, Texas, riding Picasos SR Hickory (Senor Pablo Picaso (P) x Go Lightly Hickory x Grays Starlight. The Senior Cutting title went to Terry Clifford riding TR Bar Time Blues (Mecom Blue x Bar Time Karen (P) x Texan Bar Time (P).

The 5/6-Year-Old title went to Richard Johnson, Decatur, Texas, riding HB Catandmouse (High Brow Cat x Colored Field Mouse (P) x Color Me Smart (P). Reserve was taken by Ricky Rosewell, Cookville, Texas, riding Miss Smart Priss (Color Me Smart (P) x Lenas Smokin Oakie (P) x White Is (P).

Daniel Joyce, Watseka, Ill., won the Amateur and Novice Amateur cutting riding Get A Flying Skip (Delta Flyer (P) x Getsya Skippin (P) x Delta Getsya There (P), while the Solid Paint-bredcutting was won by David Moseley, Fouke, Ark., riding WH Diablos Playgirl (JR Red Diablo (P) x Pampa Playgirl x Freckles Playboy).

IT’S SPECIAL NU KITTY AFTER 2 GO’S IN NCHA OPEN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE
Special Nu Kitty, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Nu I Wood, owned by the Wrigley Ranches of Weatherford, Texas, and ridden by R. L. Chartier, are leading following two go-rounds of the Open Classic Challenge taking place during the NCHA Summer Spectacular, July 11-31 in Fort worth, Texas. The pair scored a 219 in the first go and a whopping 221 in the second go for a total of 440 points.

Second, with a total of 439.5 is Lil Bit Reckless (CD Royal x Trouble Lynn 495), owned by Russ and Janet Westfall, Los Olivos, Calif., ridden by Russ. Third is Third Cutting (Boonlight dancer x Crab Grass), scoring a 438.5 under Boyd Rice. The stallion is owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith, Jacksboro, Texas.

The first go-round of the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge was led by Constance Jaeggi, Switzerland, riding Dual R Smokin (Dual Rey x Smokin Pepto), with a 218.5. Second was a six-way, 218-score tie between Chad Bushaw, Weatherford, Texas, riding Snow Rey (Dual Rey x Lenas Snow; Dualinisalena (Quejanaisalena x Pretty Dualin), ridden by Greg Coalson; Financial Sugar (Smart Sugar Badger x Quite The Cat), ridden by Ashley Flynn; Playin N Fancy Smart (Smart Little Lena x Playin N Fancy Peppy, ridden by Glade Knight, and Letithappen Captains (Smokin Trona x TM Quiver), ridden by Mary Ann Rapp.

The second go-round of the Non-Pro will be held Friday, July 16, followed by the finals of the John Deere Division (Ltd) of the Open.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 7, 2010
A Canadian Bill could stop U.S. exports of horses for slaughter; Cookie Banuelos hurt in four-wheeler accident; Battle in the saddle taking place in Oklahoma City, Okla.; Veterinarian looking for a ride for a horse from Sacamento, Calif., to Texas.

CANADIAN BILL COULD STOP SLAUGHTER HORSE EXPORTS FROM U.S.
A bill introduced on June 16 to the Canadian House of Commons could amend the Canadian Health of Animals Act, forbidding slaughter horses for human consumption to be imported into Canada.

According to proponents of current bills in Congress, if Canadian Bill C-544 is passed, it could bring horse processing in Canada to a halt; thereby, increasing the numbers going to Mexico. They are hoping the passage of the Canadian bills will persuade U.S. Legislators to act on HR 503 and SB 727, which ban the transport of U.S. horses to processing plants in Canada and Mexico .

BATTLE IN THE SADDLE IS INDUSTRY'S NEWEST MAJOR EVENT
Billed as the newest and most exciting event to come to Oklahoma City, the Battle In The Saddle is taking place July 5-10 at the State Fairgrounds.

Taking place will be cutting, reining, roping, ranch remuda and working cow horse events sponsored by the AQHA, NCHA, NRHA, NRCHA and ARHF. The NCHA Mercuria World Series of Cutting July 5 & 7, the World's Greatest Horseman Shootout Cutting, July 7; USEF selection trial preliminaries, July 8; World's Greatest Horseman Shootout Reining, July 8; Ranch Remuda Preliminaries, July 9; World's Greatest Horseman Shootout Steer Stopping, July 9; $10,000 Match Roping (Fred Whitfield and Hunter Herrin), July 9; World's Greatest Horseman Shootout Working Cow Horse, July 10; USEF Selection Trial Finals (2 sections) July 10 and the Battle in the Saddle Kids' Corral, July 10.

The Battle In The Saddle Shootout, sponsored by the State Fair Park and the American Quarter Horse Association, hosted by the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), is a unique competition for associations (American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and the American Rope Horse Futurities Association (ARHFA) to nominate two single-horse, single rider entries into the World's Greatest Shootout - creating eight competitors. The entry fees were paid by the sponsoring association and the competitors will compete in a class-within-a-class in herd work, rein work, steer stopping and cow work.

Kris Wilson and Craig Haythorn will represent AQHA, Doug Milholland and Todd Wright the NRHA, Chris Benedict and Matt Budge, NCHA and J. D. Yates and Clay Logan from the ARHFA. For more information go to www.battleinthesaddle.com.

COOKIE BANUELOS HURT IN FOUR-WHEELER ACCIDENT IN COLORADO
Cutting horse trainer Cookie Banuelos was hurt in a four-wheel accident near Vail, Colo., over the Fourth of July weekend. Cookie sustained a concussion, four broken ribs, as well a other broken bones. The only saving grace was the fact that Vail has some of the best orthopedic doctors in the country. With the big-money aged events coming up, Cookie has hired help to get his horses ready, and sent of them out to other trainers. Cookie, who is looking forward to becoming a father, is married to Kate Gaughan, the daughter of Michael and Paula Gaughan, and is their resident trainer.

RIDE FOR HORSE NEEDED FROM SACRAMENTO TO TEXAS
Randall Murray, a veterinarian from Texarkana, Texas, recently purchased a mare in Sacramento and needs transportation back to Texas. If anyone is headed to Fort Worth for the NCHA Derby, or for any other reason, please contact Murray at RSMDV@aol.com.

NCHA CONVENTION HAS OVERTONES OF PROGRESS AND CHANGE;

UNDERTONES OF WHAT TO DO ABOUT CURRENT ECONOMY AND ONGOING LAWSUITS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 24, 2010 – Fort Worth, Texas
Members of the Limited Age Event Committee, including (at podium), Phil Rapp, Chairman.

With the NCHA Executive Director report showing a glowing picture of the advances made by the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) during the past year, the NCHA Convention, held June 18-20 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas, had undertones that were not on the agenda showing a slightly different picture.

Two Board of Directors meetings were held, along with a membership meeting at the end of the three-day conference. In between were meetings by 11 different committees discussing agenda items plus new business. All members were allowed to attend all meetings; however, only committee members were allowed to talk during the closed meetings of the committees. All members were also allowed in the Board meetings; however, only Board members were allowed to vote.

New Regional Directors included Dennie Dunn, Region 1; Jerry Black, Region 2; Edley Hixson Jr., Region 6, and At-large members Don Bussey and Barbara Brooks. Going off the board were: Randy Chartier, Phil Rapp and Punk Carter. With four vacancies on the Executive Committee, Matt Gaines, Weatherford, Texas; Don Strain, White River, S.D.; Bruce Richerson, Alexandria, La.; and Chuck Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio, were elected.

Therefore, the Executive Committee now consists of: Chris Benedict, President; Keith Deaville, President Elect; Ernie Beutenmiller, Jr., Vice President; At Large: Barbara Brooks, Bruce Richerson and Don Bussey; Region 1, Dennie Dunn; Region 2, Jerry Black, Region 3, Don Strain; Region 4 Chuck Smith; Region 5, Maben Thompson; Region 6, Edley Hixson, Jr.; Region 7, Jon White and Region 8, Matt Gaines. Seven of the 14 Executive Committee members are trainers and only Texas and Louisiana have multiple members (3) on the EC. Texas: Chris Benedict (Pres.); Jon White and Matt Gaines. Louisiana: Keith Deaville, Bruce Richerson and Edley Hixson, Jr.

Even though members were allowed to speak at the committee meetings, and straw votes were taken, only committee members decided what would go to the Executive Committee to be considered. No Executive Committee meeting was on the agenda and members were told suggested changes would be brought up and voted on during a September Board meeting.

LITIGATION AGAINST NCHA BY PAULA GAUGHAN AND DEAN SANDERS:
Although it wasn’t on the agenda, Jim Morris, lawyer for the NCHA, gave an update on the legal status of the Gaughan and Sanders case against the NCHA. Both parities filed motion for a Summary Judgment on Nov. 17, 2009, with the judge ruling in favor of the NCHA. Gaughan and Sanders appealed in the Second Court of Appeals and the hearing was held June 15 with oral arguments from each side. Morris said it would take days or even years for the appellate court to rule; however, it usually takes weeks or months.

Outgoing President Chubby Turner said he was not at liberty to discuss the case or answer questions; however, he said he did want to tell the members why the Executive Committee did not approve shows at the South Point. “After the trial court entered a judgment for the NCHA, they continued to go on with the lawsuit,” said Chubby, “spending more of the members’ money to defend the NCHA.” He said the Executive Committee reviewed the South Point request and felt it was in the best interests of the NCHA to not approve and support events, under rule 6(m) – not in the best interests of the Association. with someone who is suing the NCHA .

“Sometimes you have to step up and do the right thing,” said Chubby, “so until this stops, we all love to cut and need a place to cut, and it’s the most perfect cutting facility in the U.S. But we have to do the right thing and I’m proud of the Executive Committee for being unanimous for this. They all stood up for this.”

Executive Director Jeff Hooper made remarks which included the brutal facts of the cutting horse industry: The economy is down; breedings are down, meaning fewer foals down the line and fewer entries at shows; membership in organizations is down, and the fact that cutting horses are not essential for the life of most people. Yet, membership in the NCHA was up (due partly, according to CPA Terry Strange, to the fact that a husband and wife could have separate memberships and double votes), purses and awards were up during that period due to sponsorship money and State of Texas money; and salary dollars spent per member had gone down. Yet, the NCHA financial picture followed that of the New York Stock Exchange.

He said we needed to focus the next few years on the NCHA Charities Foundation, a 501 (3) c foundation. He said the AQHA’s foundation is a $34 million foundation. “There is a lot we could do with our foundation – we could do research and not spend NCHA money. We could also use it for additional legislative opportunities. Through involvement with the State of Texas, we have received over $6 million and we are working in Texas with the AQHA, APHA and eight others in the performance horse development fund, and 2011 legislation could created $1.5 million to $5 million a year for purses and awards if it works.

The NCHA has a Political Action Committee (PAC). When it first started, Jim Short went door to door, asking for money and 52 people wrote checks the first year – in 2006. Two years later, 22 people participated. Now it’s given voluntarily through entry fees with 65 percent of the people adding it on to their entry fees in amounts from $25 to $100.

FINANCIAL REPORT:
Terry Strange, a CPA on the Finance Committee, gave a financial report covering the past 10 years plus comparisons between 2008 and 2009. Net assets were down from $6,518,064 in 2008 to $6,338,400 in 2009. Horse Sale income was $675,000 in 2008 and down to $650,000 in 2009. Income was down, but so were expenses. He said condensed financials would be posted on the web site in August.

He gave a report on Jeff Hooper’s salary, which he revealed at last year’s Convention as $200,000. “I said Jeff Hooper’s base salary was $200,000 plus an incentive determined by the Executive Committee,” said Strange. “Having said that, things have changed since 2008 as the IRS has changed the rules on 501 (c)5’s – you have to now give more information.”

Strange said that until about two weeks ago, he didn’t know about GuideStar.org, an Internet site which discloses 990 returns of Non-Profit and Charitable organizations. “It’s a website that’s accessible for anyone to see and it will be that way forever,” said Strange. “It’s both a curse and a blessing. Now we have personal information on there that we would prefer not to have out there. Now pier companies will know what our folks make. They will see the talent and know what they have to offer to come and get it. The blessing is that now we know what their people make and now we can capture information from others and see if we are paying market wages compared to their operations.”

Strange said that Hooper’s base salary has been $200,000 for five years, but an incentive bonus was in his original contract with evaluation from all aspects of his responsibilities, which is used by the Executive Committee to determine his bonus for a 12-month period that is generally paid in August. In addition, he participates in benefits like a $1 million split-dollar life insurance policy with a 15-year term. If he gets hit by a truck, $500,000 will be paid to the association for the loss of Hooper. If he stays 15 years and leaves, the whole life insurance policy would be his. Between six and 15 years, it would be split between him and the association. In year 7, NCHA gets a good chunk of the insurance. A lot of companies have these policies to protect the institution and executive. It’s part of his original contract. He is also provided an automobile, which is part of his original contract, but in lieu of a truck or car, he gets an allowance of $400 per month.

His bonuses were $25,000 in 2006; $60,000 in 2007, $120,000 in 2008 and $40,000 in 2009. In 2007, we offered Jeff a $30,000 raise on base pay and a $60,000 bonus. He deferred part of that $60,000 bonus to 2008, so in 2008, he got a $90,000 bonus plus $30,000 from the prior year – making a $120,000 bonus. In 2009, we gave him a $10,000 bonus. His W-2 wages in 2006 were $206,133; 2007 $234,566; 2008 $299,533 and 2009 $221,201. His group benefits in 2006 were $7,582; 2007 $8,320, 2008 $8,609 and 2009 $8,681. So his grand total was $225,715 in 2006, $254,906 in 2007, $328,542 in 2008 and $243,902 for 2009, which will be filed in August 2010.

Strange reiterated how the Executive Committee was the decision-making body.

Chubby Turner got up and said, “We wouldn’t be where we are today without Terry Strange. If we had to pay him, there would be a big deficit. He’s what holds this place together.”

He went on to say, “Jeff is one smart guy. But he made the dumbest statement: ‘Cutting horses are not an essential of life.’ He’s never been on one – if he had been on one, he’d know why the numbers are up – we’re stupid even though we can’t afford it. I challenge you in front of this crowd that you are going to ride cutting horses. We’ll have Bill Riddle do this. Then these horses will go up because you will pay every dime of it (your income) on horses, saddles, wife and kids, and you will be working for us. That’s what keeps us going. There’s no rehab for cutting. Once injected, you cannot shake it. We see people here that quit. But they didn’t quit – they took a sabbatical and are back.

COMMITTEE SUGGESTONS:
Change Amateur Exception Rule:
Both the Amateur and Non-Pro Committee voted unanimously to change the current Amateur Exception Rule, increasing the current $5,000 money earned in a sworn listing of all winnings in all cutting horses competitions in the last five years, to $15,000.

Age 60 Lifetime Amateur:
Another subject brought up in various committees was the Age 60 Lifetime Amateur issue. In the Amateur Committee, it was recommended since a straw poll showed 65% in favor. The suggestion also passed by a majority vote in the Non-Pro Committee; however, the Limited Age Event committee moved to not approve it to “protect the integrity and pristine status of the Amateur class.”

Raise $50,000 cap to $200,000 for Non-Pros Open earnings:
The Non-Pro Committee also passed by a majority rule the raising of the $50,000 cap to $200,000; however, in the Limited Age Committee meeting, no action was taken. This is in regard to a the amount of money a Non-Pro can earn in the Open division before he has to declare whether he is going to compete in the Non-Pro or the Open at the beginning of the next point year. According to back-up material presented, the change would only affect five non-pros: Greg Coalson, Dustin Adams, Hope Mitchell, Lee Garner and Carl Gerwien – who would still be able to compete as Non-Pros, even though they won more than $50,000 in the open.

Riding three horses if one is gelding:
It was brought up in the Limited Age Event committee, for a rider to ride three horses if one is a gelding at the Derby and Summer Spectacular. Since this was shot down several times before, Clint Allen made a motion to add a third horse, that had to be a gelding entered in a gelding class only. That gelding would not be able to make the finals of the regular 4-year-old – just the finals of the gelding class. There would be $25,000 in added money and If there are 100 or more entries at time of the final nomination, there will be a 15-horse working finals. The motion was passed to be sent on to the Executive Committee, with Winston Hansma opposing.

It was brought up in the Non-Pro meeting that a non-pro be able to rode a third horse if it was a gelding in the Derby Non-Pro and Limited but it was tabled, as it was in the Open Show Committee meeting.

Recognition of owners and breeders at aged events:
Following a suggestion by some of the owners and breeders, several committees passed resolutions for the owners and breeders of winning horses to also be recognized besides the trainers. It was passed unanimously by the Professional Trainers Committee that the owner and breeder of the horses that made the NCHA Open Futurity finals be honored with the riders in front of the judges’ stands instead of having the riders ride their turn back horses in front of the back fence. They also agreed to recognize go-round winners at the futurity with a buckle or money. They also agreed unanimously that there be a winner’s party on the floor of the coliseum following the Finals.
It was also unanimously approved by the Limited Age Event Committee to post the breeder of the horses that participate in the limited age events on the scoreboard, in addition to the rider and owner. And to also honor the owner and breeder of horses that make the Futurity finals during rider introductions.

Comments from potential directors:
It was passed by the Long-Range Committee to post comments from the directors online on the NCHA web site, allowing the voters to know about the directors whom they are voting for.

Hoodie-gate brought up:
A couple of committees brought up the hoodie-gate problem, where this winter, members were told they couldn’t wear sweat-shirts with hoods – even in the warm-up pen. In the Judges Rules Committee, Bob Mayfield suggested a change to rule 16 that tee shirts and all types of sweat shirts were not permissible. However, he also suggested that safety helmets be permissible rather than Western hats. The Professional trainers committee agreed on fines for dress code infractions.

Two-Minute clock:
Both the Judges’ Rules and Professional Trainers Committee passed unanimously a fine for late crossing of the clock from $200, $400 or $800.

Increasing purses in Super Stakes with foal nominations:
The Stallion Owners Committee focused on the Super Stakes with discussion of nominating stallions by foal crop. Also to increase the purse, foals would be required a nomination fee to be eligible. They also felt that a third horse – a gelding - in the Summer Spectacular would increase entries, and thereby help maintain purses. It would also encourage more geldings which would be beneficial to the industry.

New Payout structure:
A new payout structure was presented extensively in the Open Show Committee and passed unanimously. They also unanimously voted to create a $1,000 Amateur class and raise the earnings cap in the Limited Rider class.

Limited Age Event Committee:
The Limited Age Event Committee passed several subjects unanimously, including the possibility of selling an Open horse entry in the Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular after the draw before the start of the first go-round, similar to the cost of late entering a horse after the draw, for owners of injured horses (with no substitutions). It was passed to approve on a one-year trial basis, for a fee of $2,000 with $1,750 jackpotted and a $250 office charge. A vet certificate would be needed.

Also passed was the possibility of a revolving door class, a stair-step up from the John Deere (Limited Open) for riders who had not won over $200,000 in the last three years, with no lifetime limits. It would be a class within a class until 100 or more entries. Hall of Fame riders would not be eligible.

Under New Business, it was voted unanimously to adjust the starting time of the Futurity semifinals to 10 a.m. It had previously been 8 a.m. Also, PAC fees for riders in NCHA produced events were discussed and it was passed that letters would be distributed to solicit voluntary contributions from the riders - like $100 per entry – not to exceed $1,000.

Long-Range Planning Committee Constitution and By-Law amendments:
The Long-Range Planning Committee, headed up by Mike Rutherford, Jr., recommended several amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, including that the Board of Directors could repeal or approve them and they would be mailed to members 30 days in advance of a meeting. All of their recommendations were passed by the Executive, except for No. 1, which said, “Beginning in 2011, no nominee for “Vice President can be from the same region as the individual who is presently serving as Vice President.”

Constitution and By-Law changes included: 1) The President shall not be authorized to enter into contracts or agreements binding on the association without prior approval by a majority vote of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors. Anything contained herein to the contrary, this paragraph shall prevail.

2) Article VI, Section 6: take out “or the President.” (i.e.) The Executive Director shall serve as the Secretary of the Association, and in such capacity keep minutes of all meetings, see that all notices are duly given in accordance with this Constitution and Bylaws or as required by law, keep and safeguard the records and funds of the Association, and in general exercise such duties and powers incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties and powers as the Executive Committee (take out or the President) may from time to time assign or confer.

Also add Executive Committee in three locations: Section Nine .. Any officer who engages in conduct which his, or may be, detrimental to the Association, as determined by a 2/3 vote of the Directors or Executive Committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the Directors or Executive Committee present at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee in which a quorum is present.

3) Institute a new Article VII: POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE(S). Section One: The Association from time to time may cause to be created Political Action Committee(s), herein referred to as “PACs”, by majority vote of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors, to represent the Associations in the sole pursuit of the Associations “Mission Statement.” Upon approval, the Associations Executive Director and President shall cause the applications and/or forms to be filed with the appropriate State Agency or Commission. Section Two: The Executive Committee shall serve as the Association’s “PACs” Committee. Section Three: The Executive Committee, at its sole discretion, shall provide for the lawful collection of PAC contributions and lawful distribution(s) of all PAC funds.

4) Pursuant to the new Article VII being approved, the number of subsequent Articles would need to be addressed. Change Article VII to article VIII and Article VIII with Article IX.

5) Standing Committees, with the exception of the Finance and Audit and Stallion Owners, will be required to have a minimum of one representative from each of the eight regions. Additional members shall be satisfied from the appointment of members from the association in good standing.

2011 NCHA Convention:
It was brought up in the Long-Range Planning Committee that there was a conflict on the dates for the 2011 NCHA Convention that is currently planned to be held in Nashville. With Convention dates of June 11-13, it would conflict with the dates of The Non-Pro. A check of the following weekend revealed a Country Music awards show going on in Nashville that weekend. It was moved and seconded to check out Charlotte, N.C., and Hot Springs, Ark..

At the Board of Directors meeting held on June 20, Jeff Hooper said that it had been talked about going to Nashville, but it was not a good time due to a lot of flooding and country music stuff going on. He said Barbara Brooks agreed and went on to say that if they stayed in Fort Worth instead, the NCHA would save from $30,000 to $50,000. However, after several members of the Long-Range Planning Committee and others spoke, a vote of the directors was taken by paper ballot, with two people counting the votes: One person counted 63 in favor of staying in Fort Worth, and 68 opposed. The other had 64 in favor of staying in Fort Worth and 68 opposed. The motion failed and alternative cities will be looked at. Several years ago, the Board voted to hold the NCHA Convention in Fort Worth every other year, with the prior year being east of the Mississippi and the latter year being west of the Mississippi.

Also during the final Board meeting, two candidates were voted on to serve for one 3-year-term at large on the Executive Committee. Both gave a short speech, with Richerson saying he was not always in the limelight but he kept the best interests of the association in mind. “I speak from my heart and I’ll be here to represent each and every one of you.”

Riddle stressed that he would try to 1) make the playing field more level, and 2) fight to get more money to play for. He also said he was tired of lawsuits and tired of changing schedules to fit others. Richerson won with 85 votes to Riddle’s 78.

Rick Ivey showed a financial statement on the NCHA Charities Foundation, which is managed professional by NYC firms. Dues were down 54.9 percent and contributions were down 30.8 percent. Yet, scholarships were increased 1% and there were no crisis funding. Jeff Hooper talked about the Foundation, saying it was a “sleeping giant” for the NCHA and would receive charitable tax-free contributions. “This vehicle is great if someone wants to give $5 or put in their estate planning or will,” said Hooper. He said 230 directors were involved in supporting the fund with from $5 to $500,000.

Many other subjects were also discussed and voted on. Watch for the suggestions that will be incorporated in the rule book following the September Executive Committee meeting.

GAUGHAN V NCHA FOR FINANCIAL RECORDS HEARD IN APPELLATE COURT

June 16, 2010 - Fort Worth, Texas
By Glory Ann Kurtz

In May 2008, NCHA members Paula Gaughan and Dean Sanders made a request to the NCHA to see financial records of the association so that the information could be shared with other members during the 2008 NCHA Convention. Two years, a lawsuit, hundreds of thousands of dollars and three NCHA Conventions later, a majority of the financial records requested, are still unavailable to members and are still treated as being “confidential” by the NCHA.

On Tuesday, June 15 during an approximate 45-minute hearing, Justices Anne Gardner, Bob McCoy and Senior Justice Bill Brigham of the Second District Court of Appeals (Fort Worth) heard oral arguments from attorneys representing Gaughan and the NCHA. The ruling of the Court of Appeals is not expected to be received for weeks or even months; however, should the ruling be in favor of the plaintiffs, it would be a landmark court case regarding members of a non-profit association, or the public at large, having access to all of the association’s financial records.

With attorney James Morris representing the NCHA and Dallas attorney James Walker representing Gaughan, the court room included Gaughan, NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper, both outgoing and incoming NCHA presidents Chubby Turner and Chris Benedict and previous NCHA attorney Eldridge Goins, who is a partner with Morris in a Dallas law firm.

In her original request for financial information, Gaughan expressed concern that participation in certain NCHA events has declined while the costs borne by members wishing to compete in these same events have increased.

“We are genuinely interested in fostering increased participation in NCHA events by lowering the costs associated with that participation and making sure that the membership dues and other monies received by the NCHA are being spent with the best interests of the NCHA membership in mind. Having this [financial] information will also enable the NCHA membership to make informed decisions as to the most responsible and prudent course of action affecting the NCHA’s future financial affairs. We believe this stated purpose is entirely proper and appropriate under Section 1396 – 2.23 of the Texas Business Organization Code.”

However, the NCHA disagreed, and although they ultimately turned over 89,214 pages of financial information to Gaughan and Saunders, following their written requests, the NCHA sought and received a protective order from the court, designating 36,555 of the pages, or about 41 percent of the financial information, “confidential,” which meant that Gaughan and Sanders could not share it with the rest of the membership – or anyone for that matter.
On Nov. 17, 2009, District Court Judge Donald Cosby of Fort Worth’s 67th District Court in Fort Worth, granted a judgment in favor of the NCHA, declaring that the records marked “confidential” were entitled to confidential treatment under the law and could not be revealed to other members or non-members. The court also granted attorney fees totaling $75,000 and granted the NCHA the right to recover additional attorney fees totaling $20,000 if the plaintiffs unsuccessfully appealed the case.

Gaughan appealed her case to the Appeals Court and during the oral argument, Morris claimed that the NCHA had turned over all the information Gaughan had asked for and if some of the information was marked “confidential,” they could challenge it by going to the judge.

Justice McCoy said to Morris, “It’s inconceivable to me that each member is entitled to the information, but it can’t be shared.”

Morris’ response was, “They wanted to publish it and put it on their web site.”

Regarding vendors’ contracts, he said that they (the plaintiffs) claim they want to help the association by asking for this information, but it could hurt the association. He brought up that many of the vendors’ contracts were “confidential” under the NCHA’s Financial Non-disclosure Policy.

Walker responded by saying that the NCHA’s corporate policy and employee handbook both provided that they would protect the information and contracts “to the extent allowed by applicable law” and since the law clearly allowed for the public disclosure of these documents and the information in them, the NCHA’s policies were without effect.
He also pointed out that none of the contracts marked as “confidential” by the NCHA had a single confidentiality clause in them and the contract with the City of Fort Worth was even subject to disclosure to the public upon request. Walker asked “how can the NCHA say the vendors, sponsors and the city of Ft. Worth have an expectation of confidentiality when they did not even ask for a confidentiality clause and the city contracts are available to the public upon request?”

“We are living in tough economic times,” said Walker, “and if the association was transparent, products that vendors supplied could be put up for bid so the Association would get the best bargain for their money. That way, the members could see that their money had been spent appropriately and wisely. It seems to me that if we publish the cattle contract, as an example, that people that want that work and want an opportunity in these difficult times to provide cattle to the NCHA will bid as low as they can to get the job and this type of competition is ultimately in the best interests of the NCHA members.”

Justice McCoy asked about the magnitude of the number of documents requested, and Morris responded there were over 89,000 individual pages with 40,000 being confidential. Walker said the count was so high because the bulk of the pages came in the second wave, because the first time, “we got the run around and “it was only after we hired an accountant as an expert to review the first wave of documents at great cost to Ms. Gaughan did we learn that the NCHA had produced a bunch of dry cleaning receipts and receipts from Sonic submitted by judges at cutting events, but had not produced any genuine financial records. The second wave of documents were the bulk of the documents they designated as “confidential” and these were all the financial records we were after.”

Prior to the Appellate Court hearing, Gaughan had sent out letters to members of the NCHA, explaining her plight of being unable to speak of, or share with any of the members, information she obtained from the NCHA due to the “confidentiality order.”

She explained how she found a web site called www.guidestar.org which lists all non-profit and charitable entities’ IRS 990 tax returns, including those filed by the NCHA. Form 990 pointed out that the NCHA, as a non-profit organization, had to provide the financial information – including the salaries of the highest-paid officers of the association, to anyone who asks for it – not just members. The Form 990 also asked how they intended to distribute this information and the NCHA had checked “on request” – yet Gaughan said that she had to sue to get that information.

Gaughan and her husband Michael own the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nev., where she has paid out millions of dollars to contestants in NCHA aged events, and paid the NCHA thousands of dollars in approval fees. She went on to say that the NCHA Executive Director had said that no shows would be approved at the South Point Equestrian Center, even if affiliates from other states applied for approval for that location – unless she stopped the lawsuit – on the grounds of Rule 6(m), which says that the NCHA reserves the right to refuse approval or cancel the approval of a show which it deems not to be in the best interest of the Association.”

Gaughan said that in her opinion, that decision was made out of anger and vindictiveness over the lawsuit. She asked members to call her or respond by e-mail to paulagaughan10@yahoo.com. Gaughan said she has received hundreds of phone calls and e-mails supporting her quest for transparency within the association.

NCHA officials would not comment.

BEAUTENMILLER WINS NCHA VICE PRESIDENT ELECTION

June 9, 2010 - Fort Worth, Texas
According to posting on the NCHA web site, Ernie Beutenmiller Jr., Union, Mo., was elected Vice President of the National Cutting Horse Association, by 566 votes. Beutenmiller received 1,914 votes while Jim Milner, Southlake, Texas received 1,348 votes (totaling 3,262 votes). Ballots were tabulated under the oversight of the accounting firm of Whitley Penn LLP. Beutenmiller will assume his duties as Vice President at the general membership meeting on June 20, 2010 during the NCHA Convention at the Hilton DFW Lakes Hotel in Grapevine, Texas.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 27, 2010
Non-pro cutter Bob Kingsley nominated for induction into National Radio Hall of Fame; non-pro cutter Lew Stevens forms new law firm; Dennis Moreland's Second Edition announces new web site with weekly specials; the latest in PBR bull riding competition is “mini-bulls” with “mini-riders and New York lawmakers approve $25-million loan to NYRA.

BOB KINGSLEY NOMINATED FOR INDUCTION INTO NATIONAL RADIO HALL OF FAME
NCHA Non-Pro cutter Bob Kingsley, known as the syndicated voice of Country music, has been nominated to be inducted into the National-Active division for awards sponsored by the National Radio Hall Of Fame. Nominees now move forward through the 24-member National Radio Hall of Fame Steering Committee (NRHOFSC). Balloting, which is open to the public, will begin on June 14, 2010 and will end at midnight on Aug. 1.

Kingsley began countdown hosting in 1978 and starting in 1987, Billboard magazine named his show the top syndicated country program for 16 straight years. Distributed by Jones Radio Network, it is now called Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40. His recording studio is located in Weatherford, Texas. He has received many awards, including twice being named the CMA’s National Broadcast Personality of the Year and in 1998 was inducted into the County Music DJ Hall of Fame. For many years he has been a member of the board of directors of the Academy of Country Music.

Other nominees in his division include Bob Brinker, the host of “Money Talk” on Citadel Media Networks for 20 years; Carl Kasell, a 50-year-plus broadcasting veteran and Howard Stern, one of the most talked-about and controversial radio hosts of all time.

Voting is free and open to the public; however, a simple online registration will be required. Go to www.radiohof.org to learn more. Votenet, a highly respected online vote tabulating firm, will supervise the balloting. The NRHOFC will meet on Aug. 4 to ratify the voting results and will then select additional 2010 inductees, including worthy posthumous and n on on-air individuals.

The inductions will take place during a live national radio broadcast from Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 6. Westwood One will produce and distribute the two-hour broadcast at 10 p.m. (ET). For more information go to www.radiohof.org.

LEW STEVENS FORMS HIS OWN LAW FIRM
Non-Pro cutter, Lew Stevens, has formed his own law firm in Fort Worth, Texas, and will be continuing his general business law practice, and is also expanding to provide a personalized general counsel service by referring matters to his network when that is warranted by the need for specific expertise. He and his associate, Jordon L. McCarroll, can be reached by calling 817-332-4466. E-mail: lstevens@lstevenslaw.com or jmccarroll@lstevenslaw.com , Fax: 817-332-4476. Their offices are located at 100 Throckmorton Street, No. 700, Fort Worth, Texas.

DENNIS MORELAND SECOND EDITION announces his new web site at www.dmtack.com. According to Moreland, his web site will include high-quality handmade tack that will enable riders to get the highest performance from their horses. There will also be weekly specials for amazing deals, as well as a “show schedule” for his upcoming booth locations. His shop is located in Weatherford, Texas. You can call Moreland at 817-312-5305.

JUNIOR PBR BULL RIDERS TO RIDE MINI BULLS AT SOME PBR EVENTS
A small group of junior bull riders have been chose to ride mini bulls at a short list of PBR events, with the first of its kind taking place at the 7th annual JW Heart PBR Challenge held Saturday, May 22, in Decatur, Texas. The event raises funds for local charities.

Aaron Pass, 21, Hillsboro, Texas, won the event riding two tough Classic (Futurity-age) bulls that bucked most of the 40-plus riders off, with only 8 of the 47 riders managing to score in the go-round and only three riders hanging on for eight seconds in the finals.. Pass scored a 91, taking home $4,568.20.

But the hit of the night were the mini-bulls and their mini-riders which rode between the first round and the championship round. Scoring a 77 and winning the beautiful trophy buckle was 10-year-old Colton Kelly, a blossoming bull rider from Rhome, Texas. Kelly, the son Shawn Kelly, a supervisor at a Boyd bleacher company and a horse shoer, and Kris, a special needs school teacher, started riding mini-bulls this year, but has been riding sheep and calves for years.

Proportionally, the pound-for-pound ration for mini-bull riding is equivalent to what the professionals ride, as the mini-bulls range from 500 to 800 pounds and the riders average 70 pounds. Kelly has been honing his skills with the help of Mike Lee, who lives in the same county. Lee is currently ninth in the PBR Built Ford tough standings.

The short list of mini-bull riders earns points and awards during the year, and the current plan is that they will also be competing in Las Vegas during the PBR Finals in October.

NEW YORK LAWMAKERS APPROVE $25-MILLION LOAN TO NYRA
In the latest in a series of “extender bills” designed to keep the state government operating until a budget is adopted, the New York state legislature approved a $25-million loan on Monday, May 24, to keep Belmont Park racing and the Saratoga Race Course season intact. Four days prior to the approval, the NYRA sent notices to its 1,400 employees warning them of a possible June 9 shutdown. The 1 1/2 –mile Belmont Stakes will be held Saturday, June 5 at Belmont Park.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 22, 2010
Paula Gaughan v NCHA appeal date set for June 15; ballots for Vice Presidential election will be counted and verified June 8; two special production offerings added to Western Bloodstock’s NCHA Summer Spectacular Sale; Fort Ranch Sale scheduled for June 19; Dennis Moreland rolls out new web site; Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale up in most categories; New York Racing Association to shut down June 9 following Belmont; Mine That Bird has a new trainer top reining sire Spooks Gotta Gun moves to Arizona.

PAULA GAUGHAN V NCHA CASE SCHEDULED FOR APPEALS COURT
June 15 will be the date for the Paula Gaughan v NCHA case to be heard by the Second Court of Appeals at the Fort Worth Court House at 9 a.m. A panel of three appellate judges will hear the oral arguments from each side, take them under advisement and issue their opinion at a later date.

Gaughan filed suit in May 2008 seeking a wide range of NCHA financial information from the NCHA. In November 2009, Judge Don Cosby ruled in favor of the NCHA in his Summary Judgment and also that as much as 41 percent of the financial records the NCHA records turned over to Gaughan were designated as “confidential.” Therefore, Gaughan cannot share the financial records she received and the information they contain with other NCHA members.

VOTES FOR NCHA VICE PRESIDENT TO BE COUNTED JUNE 8
According to a release by the NCHA, the ballots for the NCHA Vice President election for 2010 were mailed last week and the results will be counted and verified June 8 “under the supervision” of the account firm Whitley Penn. The release did not say who was actually going to count and verify the votes. The new Vice President will take office during the 2010 NCHA Convention, June 18-20 in Grapevine, Texas. The Vice President will become President-Elect the following year and will become the NCHA President in 2012.

SPECIAL PRODUCTION OFFERINGS ADDED TO NCHA SUMMER SPECTACULAR SALE
The Western Bloodstock Sale held during the NCHA Summer Spectacular will include two special production offerings, including 17 head from the Sunrise Ranch and seven head from the Black Rock Ranch.

The Sunrise Ranch, Fayetteville, Ark., will offer four broodmares by Grays Starlight, High Brow Cat and Shorty Lena with an average of $177,183 individual and produce earnings, plus four weanlings and nine yearlings sired by High Brow CD, WR This Cats Smart, High Brow Cat, Smooth As A Cat, Hes a Peptospoonful, Dual Rey, Boonlight Dancer, Reys Dual Badger, Soula Jule Star, Cat Ichi, Autumn Acre and Duals Blue Boon.

Marshall Chesrown’s Black Rock Ranch, Harrison, Idaho, consignments will include a broodmare by Doc’s Hickory plus six yearlings sired by Dual Pep, CD Olena and Peptoboonsmal.

The sale will also include 125 select horses selling on Derby Finals Day at 9 a.m. in the Watt arena. Nomination deadline is June 10 with the selection date being June 15. For more information or nomination forms, go to www.westernbloodstock.com.

FORT RANCH PRODUCTION SALE TO BE HELD JUNE 19
The Fort Ranch 32nd Annual Production Sale, will be held in zPromontory, Utah, on June 19, 2010. Online bids will be accepted. Go to www.horseauctions.com.

DENNIS MORELAND HAS NEW WEB SITE
Take a moment to check out Dennis Moreland’s newly designed website.Moreland’s shop, located in Weatherford, Texas, produces the finest firm harness leather and latigo and only stainless steel buckles, rings and chains. His bits and spurs are made of quality steel and silver and are hand finished. Moreland stresses that all of his products are designed for the needs of and suggestions from horsemen who have rigorously tested the products before they are marketed. The new website has an easy selection process for the description and prices of the products you are interested in shopping for. The address of Moreland's web site is http://www.dmtack.com/shop. Click here to go to Moreland's web site>>

FASIG-TIPTON MIDLANTIC SALES SHOWS GAINS
The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale which ended Monday, May 17, showed an increase in all categories except in the number of horses offered. The 312 horses offered was down 2.8 percent from 2009, yet the total sales of $13,099,500 were up 23 percent over last year; the average of $47,984 was up 14 percent and the $27,000 median was up 8 percent. But what excited the sale company was the low buy-back rate of 12.5 percent; down from the 21.2 percent in 2009. The high seller was a Medaglia d’Oro filly bringing $650,000, the second highest price ever and a record price for a filly. The record was achieved last year when a colt brought $850,000.

NEW YORK RACING ASSOICATION WARNS OF POSSIBLE JUNE 9 SHUTDOWN
Even though prices are looking better in the Thoroughbred industry, it is far from being “out of the woods.” On Saturday, May 22, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) notified its more than 1,400 employees that it will stop racing and close down its racetracks on June 9 – only four days following the running of the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel in the Triple Crown. Although the NYRA continues to pursue solutions with state officials that could avert a racing shutdown, President Charles Hayward said in an article in the Thoroughbred Times Today, “When we’re out of money, we stop.” Gov. David Paterson pledged on Tuesday, May 18, that the state would approve a loan of up to $25 million to keep racing going, even though some of New York’s most prominent horsemen have already taken portions of their stables to Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Several prominent trainers are also moving.

MINE THAT BIRD JOINS LUKAS STABLE
Mine That Bird, the upset winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, has again left New Mexico in a van; however, this time he won’t be traveling with trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. His owners Mark Allen and Leonard Blach, D.V.M., have decided to move the gelding to the racing stables of D. Wayne Lukas, a member of Racing’s Hall of Fame. After his Derby win, Mine That Bird closed 2009 with five straight defeats, finishing second in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes, third in the Belmont Stakes and ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Blach said that the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs is the long-term target for Mine That Bird.

REINING SIRE SPOOKS GOTTA GUN MOVES TO ARIZONA
The reining sire Spooks Gotta Gun, a son of Grays Starlight out of the great mare Katie Gun, recently was sold by Duane Hicks of Oklahoma to Michelle and Michael Miola of Silver Spurs Equine LLC in Arizona, where he will stand for the remainder of the 2010 breeding season.

Silver Spurs Equine is already standing Boomernic, NRHA million-dollar sire, and Conquistador Whiz, the No. 2 Junior reining sire, who is on his way to becoming the world's first third-generation million-dollar sire. Spooks Gotta Gun, is both an AQHA and APHA World Champion and the only horse to earn both an APHA and AQHA title in the same discipline, with earnings in excess of $81,000. Top trainer Andrea Fappani rode the stallion to the 2008 Reining Byu The Bay Open Derby Championship, the Reserve Championship of the 2008 Rancho Murietta and third at the 2008 NRHA Derby. For more information go to www.SilverSpursEquine.com or www.SpooksGottaGun.com or call (480) 563-1966.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 17, 2010
Clint Allen and Heather Stiles take Mercuria World Series Finals at Breeder’s Invitational; NCHA Convention agenda published; horse slaughter goes down in four states and tornado at Royal Vista Ranches near Purcell, Okla., kills an estimated 10 horses.

MERCURIA WORLD SERIES FINALS
With the Breeder’s Invitational Derby & Classic/Challenge now in full swing until Saturday, May 29, the 2010 Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting held two days prior to the Tulsa, Okla., event are history. With 45 entries in the $25,000-added Open, all-man, 11-horse finals, Clint Allen rode Tom Lyons Faith In My Cat, a son of High Brow Cat, to a 228, taking home the $8,548.56 first-place paycheck of the $41,918.02 total purse. The Reserve title went to Sister CD, owned by Skip and Elizabeth Queen, ridden by Skip, to a 226.5, earning $7,390.48.

In the 42-entry $25,000-added Non-Pro, Heather Stiles rode Dulces Joker (Dulces Smart Lena) to a 224, taking home $8,226.30 of the $40,792 purse. Eleven horses and riders competed in the finals, which featured seven women and four men. The Reserve title went to Stacie McDavid riding DMAC Snoop Dogg, owned by Stacie and her husband David, to a 221 and collecting $7,121.90. An interesting fact was that in the Open division, it took a 218.5 to qualify for the 11-horse finals, while in the Non-Pro, it took a 219.

Upcoming World Series events include events held during the Reno Rodeo, Reno, Nev., June 24-26; the AQHA “Battle In The Saddle,” Oklahoma City, Okla., July 5-7; Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, July 11-5; El Rancho Futurity, Rancho Murieta, Calif., Sept. 16-18 and the All American Quarter Horse Congress held in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 7-9.
For full results, click here>>

NCHA PUBLISHES TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 2010 CONVENTION
A tentative schedule has been published by the NCHA for their 2010 Convention, scheduled for June 18-20 at the Hilton DFW Lakes in Grapevine, Texas. Registration to the convention is $45 per person and all attendees will have the ability to attend all the Committee Meetings.
The Zack T Wood NCHA Memorial Golf Tournament will be held prior to the convention on June 17 starting at 9 a.m. and The Tribute Golf Club, 1000 Lebanon Rd., The Colony, TX 75056.

All Committee meetings will be held on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19. Regional Directors meetings will be held at 8 to 8:45 a.m. on Friday, and the NCHA Board of Directors Meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. that same day. On Saturday, Faster Cut Users will have a meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., a talk on Welfare Initiatives in the Performance Industry will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be a reception honoring NCHA Hall of Fame Inductees.

Sunday’s agenda will include a Christian Cutters for Christ Church Service from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., the Board of Directors Meeting from 8 to 9:15 a.m. and the General Membership Meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – where all the decisions of the committees will be announced by the committee heads.

For hotel reservations call the hotel at 1-800-984-1344 or go to http://tinyurl.com/nchaconvention2010. For further information, contact the NCHA at 817-244-6188.
Click here for Convention agenda & registration>>

HORSE SLAUGHTER INITIATIVES FAIL IN FOUR STATES
Four states recently passed legislation to outlaw horse slaughter, including Florida which on Friday, May 14, was signed into law by the governor, a Florida Horse Protection bill which will become effective July 1, 2010 as Chapter 2010-87 of the Florida Statutes. The new law also requires drugs to be administered by a qualified equine veterinarian following the death of several polo ponies at the Wellington Polo march last year.

Also, yesterday a bill allowing horse slaughter for human consumption was pulled out of a Missouri agricultural bill May 13. If the bill had passed, horse slaughter would have again been made possible in Missouri. In Tennessee, a horse slaughter bill that received national attention because it was criticized by Willie Nelson, failed the current session of the Tennessee General Assembly.

And Montana said no to a proposed horse slaughter plant in Hardin. The city unanimously passed Ordinance No. 2010-01 that amends the current zoning ordinance to prohibit the slaughter of more than 25 animals in a seven-day period. The action effective bars the building of a slaughter plant in Hardin.

OKLAHOMA TORNADO KILLS ESTIMATED 10 HORSES AT ONE FACILITY
The night of Monday, May 10 was deadly for horses and people as a reported five people across the state of Oklahoma were killed a rash of tornados that destroyed a mare barn, an indoor arena, houses and fencing at the Royal Vista Ranches outside of Purcell, and killed an estimated 10 horses.

According to a press release from Royal Vista Ranches, “Fortunately, the stallion barn and four stallions escaped without serious damage or injury.
According to co-owners Vaughn Cook, who flew to the Oklahoma Ranch from Colorado, and Laura Wipf, business was continuing as normal and despite the damage, they were collecting stallions and continuing to breed mares. Also, nearby Oklahoma Stud received minor damage.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 13, 2010
The Bank of Weatherford sold to local group; Breeder’s Invitational to be held March 15-29 in Tulsa, Okla.; NCHA Convention to be held in Grapevine, Texas, June 18-20; cool cuttings in Colorado this summer; Bill Underhill, Gainesville, Texas, in a coma Jim Sharp and Randy Bernard inducted into PBR Ring of Honor.

THE BANK OF WEATHERFORD SOLD TO LOCAL GROUP
Texas Banc Financial Corp., a holding company owned by the Bill Knight family of Weatherford, is buying The Bank of Weatherford. The bank was founded in 2000 by local owners, and then sold to an outside group in 2007.

Mark Riebe, chairman of The Bank of Weatherford and current manager, was one of the original group who founded the bank 10 years ago. He said that the current management will remain and due to the change of ownership, the bank will now remain an independent, locally owned bank. Knight’s firm also owns a Brownwood bank. He was also chairman of Texas Bank, a 100-year-old Weatherford bank before it sold to Compass Bank in 2006.

BREEDERS INVITATIONAL TO BEGIN MARCH 15 WITH WORLD SERIES OF CUTTING
The Breeder’s Invitational Derby & Classic/Challenge, held May 15-29 at the Expo Square in Tulsa, Okla., will start with the Mercuria NCHA World Series Open go-rounds on Saturday May 15 and the finals on Sunday, May 16. With $610,000 in added money, riders able to ride as many horses as they want in an Open, Non-Pro and Amateur Derby and an Open, Non-Pro and Amateur Classic/Challenge.

During the first seven years, the event has paid out more than $10 million. The event is funded by stallion owners who become members to the event by paying $125 per mare for each mare bred, with a minimum of 20 mares and a maximum of 80. The stallion owner and mare owner split 60/40, a payout of 10 percent of what each finalist is paid in all classes. In the first seven years, the event h as paid out nearly $750,000 to stallion owners and mare owners. The event will be web cast on the Internet. Go to www.breedersinvitational.com.

NCHA CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, JUNE 18-20
The 2010 NCHA Convention will be held June 18-20 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center, located on Highway 26 East, Grapevine, Texas. The cost is $45 per person to attend all Committee meetings. You may also make reservations at the hotel by dialing 1-800-984-1344 and asking for the NCHA Convention Rate or online at http://tinyurl.com/nchaconvention2010. You may mail your registrations to the NCHA, Attn Convention Registration, 260 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107.
Click here for the Registration Form and Tentative Schedule of Meetings>>

WANT TO COOL OFF AT A COLORADO CUTTING THIS SUMMER?
The Western States Cutting Horse Association has published their Calendar of upcoming events and they will start in Colorado in June with the Wiens Ranch Cutting on June 19, followed by the June 26-27 “Legacy Cup” at A Painted View Ranch, Westcliffe, Colo. (Call Kathy Cardon 661-342-0575). There will also be another cutting at that facility July 22-25. On Aug. 6-8, there will be a cutting at Colorado Springs, Colo, The WSCHA Limited Aged Event will take place Spt. 29-Oct. 3 at Loveland, Colo. For more information, call Pam Shaeffer (970) 390-5808 or President Todd Adolf (303) 304-4585.

BILL UNDERHILL IN COMA
Long-time NCHA member Bill Underhill, 75, Gainesville, Texas, is in a coma, following a fall he took coming out of his barn, when he hit his head on the asphalt. A CAT scan revealed blood seeping into his brain. He was sent to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth and was in ICU for over a week in April before being transferred to a Denton Hospital. He went home for a short while, had a seizure and was taken back to the hospital where he was put in an induced coma. However, the coma he is in now is no longer being induced. According to NCHA records, Underhill has won close to $75,000. Send your words of encouragement to his wife Pat at 3511 I-35 South, Gainesville, Texas 76240-9739.

TWO INDUCTED INTO PBR RING OF HONOR
Jim Sharp, one of the greatest bull riders of all time, and Randy Bernard, a former CEO of the PBR, will be inducted into the Ring Of Honor on Saturday, May 15 during the PBR Built Ford Tough event being held in Pueblo, Colo. Sharp and Bernard will become the 31st and 32nd inductees into the Ring Of Honor, joining the likes of Jim Shoulders, Larry Mahan, Cody Lambert and Ty Murray.

You can follow the action in Pueblo by logging on to http://www.pbr.com/newlive, where you will find live scoring, live blogging and event-related Podcasts and interviews. Or you can watch it on Versus. Also, the J. W. Hart PBR Challenge Enterprise Rent-A-Car Touring Pro Division show will be held May 22 at the Wise County Sheriffs Possee Arena in Decatur, Texas.

Former PBR World Finals qualifier Cord McCoy and his brother, Jet, finished as runner-up to the champions during the Amazing Race, which aired Sunday on CBS. Although the winners received $1 million, the Oklahoma cowboys won sailboats and vacations to Patagonia, Hawaii and Alaska.
In other PBR News, you can watch PBR Now on RFD-TV hosted by J. W. Hart and Justin McBride. The weekly live one-hour TV series airs every Thursday on RFD-TV at 10 p.m. ET.

TODAY’S NEWS

May 4, 2010
Pam Minick celebrating with the owners of Super Saver, the winner of the Kentucky Derby. Photo credit Jonathan Palmer MCT

Pam Minick celebrates with owners of Super Saver, winner of the Kentucky Derby; Susie Reed adds January sale at Ardmore; Los Alamitos reduces commissions on Oct. 2-3 sale to 4 percent; Open and Youth Champions named at NCHA Western Nationals; Deborah Thigpen, Chilton, Texas, 59 passes away April 30.

CALVIN BOREL BREAKS RECORD WITH THIRD KENTUCKY DERBY WIN ABOARD SUPER SAVER
While the world was watching Calvin Borel win his record-breaking third Kentucky Derby win aboard Super Saver, this year’s event had a Texas connection. Before Super Saver, a bay stallion by Maria’s Mon out of Supercharger by A. P. Indy, picked up his $1,425,200 paycheck, Fort Worth’s Pam Minick was cheering with his co-owner Bill Casner of WinStar Farm LLC, Versailles, Ky., who also has a home in Texas. “He’s my team-roping partner,” said Pam. Pam is well known as the former Miss Rodeo America, rodeo television commentator and the face of Billy Bob’s Texas – the world’s largest honky tonk.

Casner and his partner Kenny Troutt bred the young stallion, trained by Todd Pletcher and who is now headed to the Preakness, as they purchased h is dam when she was carrying the Derby winner for $160,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. His now-deceased sire, Maria’s Mon, also sired the 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos.

Wager and handle were both up at this year’s event, even though it rained most of the day, with the sun breaking through just in time for the race. Churchill Downs reported a 7.8 percent increase in all-sources of wagering for the Derby and a 1.5 increase in attendance. Handle improved 7.8 percent to $112.7 million on the first jewel of the Triple Crown, compared with $104.6 million last year. Churchill down reported $162.7 million was wagered on 13 races, up 4.3 percent compared with $156 million in 2009. The race even had the best overnight television rating on NBC for the Derby in 18 years. These numbers were posted even though the AmTote system shutdown made it difficult throughout the country for customers to place their wagers.

SUSIE REED ADDS NEW SALE AT ARDMORE
Susie Reed, manager of The Marketplace at Ardmore Sales held in the spring and fall, announced a third sale has been added to the schedule. The new sale will be held Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the same site as her other sales, the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

“I always planned on eventually having three sales a year in Ardmore,” Reed explains. “I was going to wait a couple of years before adding a January sale. However, we had a great response last fall, filled that sale early and had to turn away quite a few consignors. So, I feel like there is a demand for that third sale sooner than I anticipated.”

Like her other two sales held in Ardmore, the January sale will also sell performance horses as they work cattle and will have the same auctioneers, Don Green and Steve Friskup.
Consignments for the January sale will open August 15 and consignment forms are now available on the website: www.themarketplaceatardmore.com. Consignments for the upcoming Nov. 6 sale open on July 15. For more information, contact Susie Reed, 32 Cattle Company, 580-276-4830, cell 580-490-1103.

LOS ALAMITOS EQUINE SALE DROPS COMMISSION TO 4 PERCENT
Since 1951, Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, Calif., has been the nation’s premier Quarter Horse track and the home of four races worth over $1 million, including Quarter Horse racing’s only $2 million guaranteed race – the Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity.

With the Oct. 2-3 Los Alamitos Equine Sale, held in conjunction with the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity & $200,000 (est.) Breeders Derby, also managed by PCQHRA, they have done something innovative by offering 4 percent commission on any sale or repurchase – the lowest commissions and fees of any major sale. The sale will consist of yearlings, with a $450 consignment fee and mares and mixed stock, with a $400 consignment fee. The deadline for both divisions is June 1, with a late consignment deadline of July 1, for an additional $50. For more information call (714) 236-1755, mail PO Box 919, Los Alamitos, CA 90720 or e-mail pcqhra@earthlink.net.

KENNY INGALLS TOPS OPEN AT NCHA WESTERN NATIONALS
Kenny Ingalls, Lexington, Neb., took home $4,455 for his 220 scored on Ms Travalin Mylena, a daughter of Mylanta Lena out of Ms Travalplan by Travalena owned by Mike and Brenda Ferrel, Chadron, Neb., at the NCHA Western Nationals.

The Reserve title went to NCHA President Chubby Turner riding Explicit Lyrics, a daughter of CD Olena out of Hickory Prescription for Daniel Jaeggi of Switzerland. The pair picked up $3,602 for their 218 final score. The Open class at the Western Nationals is only open to horses who did not qualify for the NCHA World Championship Finals. Third place went to J. P. Bell riding Desirable And Catty, (High Brow Cat x Desire Some Freckles) for Chuck Yahnke, Le Suean, Minn. The pair scored a 217.5, earning a $2,751 paycheck.
Click here for Open results>>

A brother and sister, Wyatt, 17, and Fallon Nuttall, 18, the son and daughter of cutting horse trainer Will Nuttall, Red Lodge, Mont., earned the first- and second-place honors in the Senior Youth Division. Wyatt finished first with a 218 riding Attractive Wipeout (CD Olena x Attractions First) owned by Richard Neustaedter, North Fork, Idaho, and Fallon’s 216 was second. She was riding Shortys Royal Blue (Bet On Me 498 x Miss Shorty Lena), owned by her parents, Will and Krista.
Click here for Senior Youth results>>

The Junior Youth was won by Carly Christianson, 12, the daughter of cutting trainer Loren Christianson, Alberta, Canada, riding Bob Playin (Bobs Freckle x Playboys Master Lady), owned by Equistar Enterprises of Canada. The Reserve title went to Gracie Paul, 11, George Wash., riding Somebodys Cupcake (Somebody Smart x Colonels Cupcake), owned by Dan and Rusanne Wagner, Wilbur, Wash.
Click here for Junior Youth results>>

The event continues today with the Finals of the $2,000 Limited Rider and continues through Sunday May 9.

DEBORAH THIGPEN PASSES AWAY AT 59
Services for Deborah Thigpen, Chilton, Texas, the wife of Robert Thigpen, will be held Tuesday, May 4, at 1 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home in Marlin. Deborah passed away at the age of 59 on Friday, April 30 in Waco, Texas. Robert owns the Thigpen Livestock Company in Chilton. Survivors include their sons, Jason Thigpen and wife, Patricia, Dripping Springs, and Todd Thigpen and his wife Elizabeth of Chilton; her parents Mike and Frances Short; brother Timothy Short, all of Marlin, plus several grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Abundant New Life Assembly of God Church in Waco, Chilton Cemetery Association in Chilton, the Volunteer Fire Department in Chilton or to Teen Life Challenge. You can sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com or send your condolences to her family at P O Box 518, Chilton, TX 76632.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 26, 2010
NCHA is back to the old schedule for the Summer Spectacular July 11-31, 2010; the NCHA Summer Spectacular Select Horse Sale, featuring 125 select horses, will be held Saturday, July 31; Bradford Barnes takes over as the Fort Worth Stock Show President, replacing W. R. “Bob” Watt; Trevor Brazile on schedule to break his own record and Rodeo Austin breaks records despite a down economy.

NCHA SUMMER SPECTACULAR OLD SCHEDULE RETURNS
The NCHA Executive Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday, April 20, to revert to their old schedule for the NCHA Summer Spectacular scheduled for July 11-31. The revised format voted for at last year’s NCHA Convention was tried for the NCHA Super Stakes, which resulted in poor attendance by spectators, which in turn affected the attendance at the horse sales and the exhibit hall vendors. Although the Open and Non-Pro riders preferred the new format, which held the Open division first, they did agree that it more than likely affected attendance.
Click here for Summer Spectacular schedule>>

Western Bloodstock has announced that the NCHA Summer Spectacular Select Horse Sale, featuring 125 select horses will be held Saturday, July 31, the final day of the Summer Spectacular. Nominations Open May 1 with the deadline being June 10. The selection date will be June 15. For nomination forms go to www.westernbloodstock.com and click on Summer Spectacular Sale.

W. R. “Bob” WATT RETIRES FROM FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW
During the annual meeting of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show held April 20, Bradford S. Barnes, formerly Executive Vice President and General Manager, was elected as the organization’s seventh President and W.R. “Bob” Watt, Jr. was named President Emeritus, as he retired following years of service at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

All other officers were re-elected to their positions including Edward P. Bass – Chairman of the Board; Charlie Geren - Vice President; Charlie Moncrief – Secretary; and Randy Rogers - Treasurer. Barnes was also reappointed General Manager.

The annual meeting encompassed annual reports and addressed business matters pertaining to the 2010 Show. The annual meeting allowed for the election of officers, one new executive committee member, four new members of the Board of Directors, and the elevation of five members to Honorary Vice Presidents.

Newly elected to the executive committee is Larry Anfin, President/General Manager of Coors Distributing Company of Fort Worth. New directors include: Matt Carter, Clay Melton, Howard Pena and Larry B. White, Jr. Elevated to the position of Honorary Vice President were George Beggs, III - elected to the Board in 1950, Gene Gray - elected to the Board in 1985, T.E. (Gene) Jernigan - elected to the Board in 1985, Frank L. Neve - elected to the Board in 1985 and Dr. Tom Woodward – elected to the Board in 1984. In addition, the Board of Directors elected the officers of the organization, with Bradford S. Barnes assuming the office of President and W.R. “Bob” Watt, Jr. that of President Emeritus.

Barnes reported that the Stock Show experienced another successful season. “We are privileged to continue to be a favorite among the livestock exhibitors, as we had livestock entries totaling 22,495. Livestock show participants came from 41 states as well as three foreign countries. Our junior show entries totaled 10,077. Reporting the success of the Show’s auctions, Barnes noted gross receipts from 17 auctions totaling $5,662,307. He also reported that the Stock Show awarded more than $860,000 in scholarships, educational grants and charitable contributions during the fiscal year ending March 31.

The Show’s PRCA rodeo hosted a record 1,287 professional athletes from 20 States and Canada competing for $594,000 in purse money including a 10 percent increase in our added money. Total estimated grounds attendance was 920,000. “We are all very proud of the 114 year history of this legendary event. Year after year we’ve enjoyed loyal support and hard work from our Board, Superintendents, committee members, volunteers, employees and sponsors. We thank them for making the 114th annual Show a success.”

The 115th Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show is scheduled for January 14 through February 5, 2011. It’s not too early to begin making plans to attend next year’s legendary event. Rodeo tickets may be ordered by mail through the Stock Show office beginning May 1. For additional information call (817) 877-2400 or visit www.fwssr.com.

TREVOR WATCH
Despite a frustrating weekend at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, Trevor Brazile remains in reach of breaking his own all-around cowboy record for surpassing $100,000 in earnings at the earliest point in the season.

With his $741 in tie-down roping money at Red Bluff, Brazile has total all-around earnings of $91,553 and rodeos this week at Clovis, Calif., and Lufkin, Texas, to get him the $8,447 he needs to hit six figures. Brazile surpassed $100,000 in season earnings in Tulsa, Okla., on May 14, 2006, the earliest that any all-around cowboy has hit that milestone by a margin of five weeks (also Brazile, in 2008).

A year ago, he reached April 20 with total earnings of $53,366. Brazile did manage to cut $232 off Stran Smith’s lead in the tie-down roping world standings and is now just $1,250 out of first place.

And for those eagle-eyed fans who notice that Brazile’s total earnings in team roping, tie-down roping and steer roping come to $368 more than his all-around total – it is not a mistake. Brazile, limited to 70 all-around rodeos in his season count, as opposed to 100 in tie-down roping, opted to unofficial the all-around at Henderson, Texas, where he won, that’s right, $368 in the tie-down roping.

RODEO AUSTIN BREAKS 10 RECORDS DESPITE DOWN ECONOMY
The 73rd annual Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo shattered records in 10 categories last month despite a still-struggling economy. For the first time, both Rodeo Austin (with concerts) and carnival sales reached all-time highs. Rodeo Austin went up 10.2 percent with total attendance of 67,586, and carnivals grew by 6.2 percent.
Other records were surpassed in overall fairgrounds attendance (up 13.1 percent), parking revenue (3.4), official concessionaire sales (17.9), commercial exhibit sales (15.2), fairground food and exhibit sales (48.8), trade sponsorship (34.5) and youth participation (5).
The total contribution from all Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo sources to its education programs is anticipated to exceed $1.5 million this year.

2010 PRCA World Standings Leaders
AA: Trevor Brazile………$91,553
BB: Ryan Gray................. $79,705
SW: Cody Cassidy.............$65,983
TR-1: Turtle Powell…...... $64,275
TR-2: Cory Petska……......$61,966
SB: Rod Hay......................$67,505
TD: Stran Smith.................$61,773
BR: Shawn Hogg................$90,465
SR: Vin Fisher Jr................$11,305

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 20, 2010
Long-time NCHA member Benny Tidwell is murdered during a robbery at his pawnshop; Demidoc, owned and ridden by Cindy Love to the 1984 NCHA Non-Pro Derby Championship, succumbs to a bout with colic at the age of 30; Western Nationals breaks records; one indicator up at Ocala 2-Year-Old sale and stallion owners coming up with incentives to lure mares.

LONG-TIME NCHA MEMBER BENNY TIDWELL MURDERED
Long-time NCHA member, Benny Tidwell, 62, Appling, Ga., was murdered during a robbery of his pawnshop Mo’ Money Jewelry and Pawn Shop in south Augusta, Ga., on Monday, April 19. A customer who came to do business at the pawn shop found Tidwell on the floor. He had been shot to death.

Later that same evening, 21-year-old Clinton Alexander Shelton, who was on his way out of town with four other people in a car, was arrested and charged with murder. Ironically, the investigation also led to the arrest of seven other people on meth-related charges, as investigators seized meth along with ingredients and equipment to make the drug from a home in what was called one of the largest methamphetamine labs ever discovered in Augusta...

At press time, funeral arrangements had not yet been made; however, you can send your condolences to his wife, Susie, at 2628 Dozier Rd., Appling, GA 30802-3062.

DEMIDOC, NCHA DERBY WINNER PUT DOWN
They called her “Cinderella Cindy,” when Cindy Love, now living in Sunset, Texas, won the 1984 NCHA Non-Pro Derby aboard Demidoc, a 1980 daughter of Doc’s Prescription out of Jinx’s Li’l Squaw by Hollywood Buck. The pair took home $44,387 – which at that time was a lot of money to pay out in the non-pro division of an aged event. The 30-year-old mare, nicknamed “Princess,” was recently put down after a bout with colic – with Cindy at her side.

According to Robin Glenn Pedigrees, the mare had lifetime earnings of over $135,150, which included non-pro wins at the 1983 East Texas Futurity and West Texas Futurity; 1984 Co-Champion West Texas Maturity; 1985 Shelton Ranch 5-Year-Old Classic, The Non-Pro 5-Year-Old Classic $5000 and the 1986 Bonanza 6-Year-Old. She placed in many other events, including third at the 1986 The Masters Non-Pro. She was a full sister to Dosey Doc, a 1982 mare also owned and ridden by Cindy to lifetime earnings of $154,252, who died in 2008. Their largest win was the 1986 NCHA Super Stakes Non-Pro for a $99,733 paycheck.

WESTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BREAK RECORDS
The economy may be suffering, but the weekend events, including the Eastern and Western Nationals aren’t. According to the NCHA, this year’s Western Nationals, scheduled to be held April 28-May 9 at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden, Utah, attracted 915 entries, a 35 percent increase from last year and an all-time record in the 15-year history of the event. The added money of $200,000 is a 67 percent increase over last year and the total purse of $411,579 will be a 46 percent increase. First place in each added-money class will pay from $5,005 up to $6,824. Also during the event, NYCHA activities will be held, including a team roping on May 2, a golf tournament on May 3, a steak fry luncheon on May 7 and other special events.

MEDIAN UP 16 PERCENT AT OCALA SALE
The OBS 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which started Monday and will go through Thursday, showed a 16.1 percent increase in the $18,000 median - up from last year’s $15,500. Other statistics were not quite that rosy; however, with 196 head selling for $4,579,100, down from last year’s $5,427,500. The average was down 10.5 percent, $23,363 to last year’s $26,094. The high-seller brought $260,000, and with Tom Ventura, general manager and director of sales for OBS, saying that with one standout horse selling for over a quarter of a million dollars, it is a sign that the top horses will sell well.

THOROUGHBRED STUD OWNERS USING INCENTIVES TO LURE MARES
An article in the April 20 Thoroughbred Times Today, said that the number of mares being bred is on the decline and the stud farms are finding creative ways to entice mare owners to do business with them. Incentives include discounted stud fees for multiple mares, trading stud fees for co-breeder rights, helping with mare transportation costs and even giving away lifetime seasons.

One stud owner promised that if his freshman sire didn’t sire a graded stakes winner by the time a 2011 foal by him is born, the stud fee would be free. Another farm promised that any mare owner who produces two live foals by his stallion receives a lifetime breeding to his stallion. Another farm gave away 50 free breedings – then continued to receive paid breedings, bringing them up to the same number as they had last year.

The free breedings and co-breeder rights (the breeder of the offspring will be both the stallion owner and the mare owner and they will both receive lucrative breeder awards) are especially a win-win situation for the stallion and mare owners when they are standing a freshman sire.

FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL APPROVES PARKING CHARGE AT WILL ROGERS

CONTESTANTS, VENDORS AND SPONSORS TO HAVE HANG TAGS WITH IN/OUT ACCESS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 7, 2010 – Fort Worth, Texas
On April 6, the Fort Worth City Council adopted a schedule of rates and charges for the Will Rogers Memorial Center parking system, which will be implemented on May 1, 2010. Standard Parking Corporation will be managing the operation for the Will Rogers Memorial Center parking facilities, with the only exclusion being the approximately 30 days per year when the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show lease the entire complex.

The initial parking fee will be $5 per day, with no in/out, for most parking facilities, with a reduced rate of $3 per day will be charged in the Harley Street parking lot. Also, the Western Heritage Garage will charge a $5 daily parking rate, but will provide reduced rate short-term parking with validation from the museums or Community Arts Center. But have no fear – there will be special rates and exceptions made for multiple-day events – such as the NCHA Triple-Crown events.

There has been an exception made for multiple-day events such as equestrian shows, livestock shows and other events, with an annual pass being negotiated on request. Hang tags will be sold in advance to contestants, vendors and event sponsors to allow in/out access during the entire length of a specified event. Rates will be set based on the expected demand at the entire facility and the expected number of times that a particular parking space may be turned during an event. Requests by clients to have exclusive use of parking areas for their event will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

RV Parking will be available at the Swine and Sheep barns and the Harley RV lot (30 Amp) at $30 per day. A 50 Amp lot will be $40 per day. The VIP lot at N. Richardson Bass, with 50 Amp will be $55 per day with a $125 connection fee.

Equine and cattle trainers are to park in specific areas on the grounds and a map will be provided prior to the event indicating the area(s) trailers are permitted to park.

The fee is being used to fund a $27.1 million, 1,117-space garage between the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History and the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. When the Fort Worth treasury found itself $35 million short for the 2010-11 fiscal year, they issued certificates of obligation to build the Western Heritage Garage and a parking system that would serve the entire complex. The Council thought that a parking fee would be a better move than taxing every Fort Worth city resident or institute. But when the $5 fee was announced, museum officials, complex employees and other clients who use the facilities were vocally against the idea.
Click here for brochure>>

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 29, 2010
Geoffrey Sheehan riding Dualin Cats Merada, owned by Cal and Debbie Sanders, Camden, Ark., wins first go-round of the NCHA Open Super Stakes; AQHA names Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year; Houston Stock Show attendance record broken; North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame announces new nominations.

GEOFFREY SHEEHAN LEADS NCHA SUPER STAKES FOLLOWING FIRST GO-ROUND:
Geoffrey Sheehan, a 24-year-old trainer from Australia, took the first step toward his first major Open win. Sheehan, riding Dualin Cats Merada (Cats Merada x RW Milagro), scored a 220, the highest score of the first go-round of the 321-entry NCHA Open Super Stakes, which ended Sunday, March 28. The mare is owned by Cal and Debbie Sanders, Camden, Ark. Sheehan’s only other win was at the 2009 NCHA Limited Open Futurity riding JoJo Boon (Peptoboonsmal x Tricka Lena). Kory Pounds rode JoJo Boon, now owned by Steve Anderson, Victoria, Texas, to eighth place in the first go-round, which is in a five-way tie for eighth place with a 218.

Second with a 219.5 was T. J. Good, a former roper who is now the trainer for Jackson Land & Cattle Co., LLC, Weatherford, Texas, riding Trick Pepto (a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Tricka Lena.

Third was a two-way tie between Somekindapurrfect (High Brow Cat x Some Kinda Memories), owned by Southern Cattle Co., Marianna, Fla., ridden by Allen Crouch; Spoonful Of Seahorse (Hes A Peptospoonful x Playing My Style, owned by Lori and Bobby Gale, Conway, S.C., ridden by Skip Queen, and Special Nu Baby (Dual Rey x Nu I Wood), owned by Gary and Shannon Barker, Madill, Okla., ridden by Matt Gaines. All three scored a 219

NCHA Futurity Champion, Rockin W, owned by Alice Walton’s Rocking W Ranch, Millsap, Texas, ridden by Tony Piggott, scored a 218 in the first go-round, which was involved in a five-way tie.
For full results of first go, click here>>

The event continues today with the first go-round of the 213-entry Super Stakes Classic Open, which ends on Tuesday. The Second go-round of the Open Classic takes place on Wednesday March 31, while the second go-round of the Open Super Stakes is being held Thursday and Friday, April 1-2. The Open Wildcard will be held following the second go-round of the Open, followed by the John Deere Ltd. Open Finals of the Super Stakes.

Saturday, April 3 will be the Finals of the Open Super Stakes Classic John Deere Ltd. Open, followed by the $10,000 Novice Horse Open Finals. At 4 p.m., the semifinals of the Open Super Stakes will be held, with tickets being taken.

There will be no cutting on Easter Sunday, and the event will continue on Monday, April 5, with the Finals of the Super Stakes Open Gelding, followed by the Super Stakes Classic Open and the Super Stakes Open. Tickets are a must for these two finals. Amateur classes start Tuesday, April 6. The event runs through Friday, April 16.

The Western Bloodstock Sales start at noon on Friday, April 2 and again at 9.a.m. on Saturday, April 3. They will be webcast on the NCHA website. Go to http://www.nchacutting.com.

DIANNE EPPERS NAMED AQHA HORSEWOMAN OF THE YEAR; JEFFREY PAIT IS HORSEMAN OF THE YEAR
During the AQHA Annual Convention in Kissimmee, Florida, two professionals were chosen as the best by their peers.

Dianne Eppers of Grayslake, Illinois, was named the Professional’s Choice Professional Horsewoman of the Year. Jeffrey Pait of Sparta, New Jersey, was named Professional’s Choice Professional Horseman of the Year.

The award, sponsored by AQHA Corporate Partner Professional’s Choice, is voted on by AQHA’s Professional Horsemen Association members and is a surprise to the recipients. The award comes with a ring to commemorate the occasion.

Eppers trains and coaches amateurs and youth in all-around events. She is executive director of the National Snaffle Bit Association, an AQHA alliance partner. In addition to her own world and reserve world championships, she has coached six youth and amateur exhibitors to high-point all-around titles.

In 1983, Eppers helped organize the National Snaffle Bit Association. She is among the organization’s top-100 western pleasure riders. She also helped organize the Midwest Pleasure Horse and the Midwest Reining Horse associations. She serves on AQHA’s judges committee.

Pait works for Cofrancesco Farms as resident trainer, a position he has held for 25 years. His focus is western pleasure and halter. He has made five AQHA Champions and has trained 11 world champions. He has also coached many youth and amateur exhibitors to world championships. In addition to competing, Pait leads clinics and conducts lectures about horses to educate new horse owners and 4-H and other youth groups. He is also an AQHA judge.

HOUSTON ATTENDANCE RECORD BROKEN; SHOOTOUT RESULTS
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo broke its general attendance record at 3:58 p.m. (CT) on March 20, finishing with a total of 2,144,077. The previous mark of 1,890,332 was set last year. The rodeo also surpassed its single-day attendance record March 14 with 74,222 on Go Tejano Day.

Unofficial shootout round results
Bareback riding – 1. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 90.5 points on Classic Pro Rodeo’s Fancy Free, (total money) $55,350; 2. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 87, $22,350; 3. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 84, $14,250; 4. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., $12,000.
Steer wrestling – 1. Cody Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, 3.8 seconds, (total money) $52,650; 2. Justin Blaine Davis, Bartonville, Texas, 4.4, $18,550; 3. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., 4.5, $10,650; 4. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 14.2, $10,350.
Team roping – 1. Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas, and Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla., 4.1 seconds $56,250 each; 2. Chad Masters, Santo, Texas, and Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 4.8, $21,600; 3. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 5.1, $12,500; 4. Justin Yost, Hico, Texas, and Kyle Crick, Lipan, Texas, NT, $7,000.
Saddle bronc riding – 1. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 87.5 points on Burch Rodeo’s Lunitic Fringe, (total money) $54,250; 2. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 86.5, $18,250; 3. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., 83.5, $10,000; 4. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 82.5, $6,300.
Tie-down roping – 1. Stran Smith, Childress, Texas, 8.5 seconds, (total money), $54,175; 2. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, 11.2, $23,000; 3. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, $7,000.
Barrel racing – 1. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 14.63 seconds, (total money) $61,500; 2. Christina Richman, Glendora, Calif., 14.76, $29,375; 3. Jill Moody, Letcher, S.D., 14.79, $11,000; 4. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, 20.23, $15,000.
Bull riding – 1. Shawn Hogg, Odessa, Texas, 86.5 points on Classic Pro Rodeo’s Sweetwater, (total money) $56,250; 2. Douglas Duncan, Alvin, Texas, 85, $21,250; 3. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo., 83.5, $13,000; 4. Luke Haught, Weatherford, Texas, $6,000.

PENDLETON ROUND-UP SEEKING EX-CHAMPIONS TO ATTEND CENTENNIAL RODEO:
The Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up committee is engaged in a little pre-rodeo roundup. They are trying to contact all former champions so they might consider attending this year’s centennial celebration, Sept. 15-18.

Past champions will receive a registration package, which will include admission to a welcome breakfast, four dinners with Western entertainment, a pair of tickets to all four days of the rodeo, two tickets to a night at Happy Canyon and a gift bag from Pendleton’s sponsors. Contact Nancie Paxton at 541.276.6662 or 817.304.5888 for details.

CHRISTOPHERSEN, SELLAND, FREDERICKS AND KLEIN NOMINATED TO NORTH DAKOTA COWBOY HALL OF FAME
Steer wrestler Bob Christophersen, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo six times in the 1970s and won the NFR average in 1971 and 1975, has been nominated for induction into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, along with long-time PRCA all-around hand Lee Selland, the late John “Buzz” Fredericks and the late Ralph Klein. The NDCHF’s 200 trustees will begin voting in mid-April, and induction ceremonies will be held June 26 in Medora, N.D.

TOM CRUISE, REESE WITHERSPOON TO STAR IN RODEO FILM
The Los Angeles Times has reported that Tom Cruise has entered into negotiations with Sony Pictures to star in the film Paper Wings as a rodeo champion who falls in love with a talented young country singer, to be played by Reese Witherspoon.
No writer or director has been attached to the project yet, but the Times reports that Will Smith will produce the film through his Overbrook Entertainment company and would like to hire Gabriele Muccino, who directed Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds.

2010 PRCA World Standings Leaders
AA: Trevor Brazile………$74,580
BB: Ryan Gray................. $77,055
SW: Cody Cassidy.............$65,983
TR-1: Turtle Powell…...... $60,655
TR-2: Cory Petska……..... $61,966
SB: Rod Hay......................$67,505
TD: Stran Smith.................$59,478
BR: Shawn Hogg................$81,385
SR: Bryce Davis.…..............$9,252
Rodeo News received from PRCA.

HAVE YOU HEARD NCHARADIO.COM?

March 16, 2010
If you haven’t listened to “Real Country music for Real Cutters,” go to NCHAradio.com on your computer. This is a new internet station that goes around the world around the clock.

The radio station not only includes the world’s most popular country music but also up-to-the-minute news of cutting events. Currently there is a section called "Inside the Judge's Stand," featuring Chubby Turner, Phil Rapp and Matt Gaines. It airs every couple of hours. Also Tom Holt's "Tom's Tidbits" featured every three hours.

In the next couple of months, there will be a website called www.ILoveCutting.com and right now you can get a free e-mail at www.ILoveCutting.com.

The venture is a partnership between the NCHA and Internet Cowboys LLC. You can send your personal comments to Program Director Billy Thorman at BillyThorman@ILovecutting.com. Advertising is available and for rates and information contact Shawn McCoy at 817-929-8597 or Mark Herron 817-244-6188.
Click here to listen now>>

WYOMING GOVERNOR SIGNS LANDMARK LEGISLATION PROVIDING THE OPTION OF HORSE PROCESSING

LEGISLATION DEALS WITH ABANDONED HORSES

Press release from United Organizations of the Horse
March 10, 2010 - Cheyenne, Wyo.
Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal has signed HB 122-Disposal of livestock into law which provides the Wyoming Board of Livestock three options to deal with abandoned, estray (animals whose ownership cannot be determined), feral, or abused animals which come under their control. The first option is taking the animal to a public sale, which was the only alternative before passage of this legislation. Additional options provided are sending the animal to slaughter, or destroying the animal.

While the legislation applies to all classes of livestock, the need arose because of the current lack of a market for low-end horses that are small or are in poor condition. Since the closure of the last US horse slaughter plant in 2007, the only unusable horses that have any value whatsoever are those that are big enough, or healthy enough, to be worth the transportation costs to Canada or Mexico.

This has resulted in a huge increase in abandoned and neglected horse cases in Wyoming, and across the nation. Wyoming has seen more than a tripling every year in these numbers, which has required emergency funding through the Governor since they are unable to recoup the cost of care and feeding by selling the horses.

Historical photo from Seattle's Pike Place Market that reminds us that horse meat was appreciated nation-wide during World War II as a delicious, healthy and high-quality meat that is 50% higher in protein, 40% lower in fat than beef.

If the Board of Livestock chooses the slaughter option they are required to provide the meat to Wyoming state institutions or nonprofit organizations at their cost. They are authorized to sell the meat to profit entities at market price. Meat intended for human use will be state inspected and used in Wyoming.

The United Organizations of the Horse is coordinating a working group that includes state agencies, private meat processing businesses, nonprofit relief organizations, Dr. Temple Grandin, veterinarians, and other experts to design a system for the processing of horses, and the efficient and practical use of valuable meat and byproducts. The product of this working group will be a pilot Equine Assurance Program which will be a model for other states to utilize to address animal welfare concerns, and ensure the humane handling, transportation, and processing of horses.

HORSES FOR HUMANITY
The United Organizations of the Horse will provide horse meat at their cost to Wyoming relief organizations for distribution to those in need. Once the roadblocks to federal inspection of horsemeat in the US can be lifted, the United Organizations of the Horse is planning to implement a partnership with national and international relief organizations to provide wholesome, healthy, humanely harvested horsemeat to the hungry.

Through this program horse owners have the option of donating a horse that would otherwise be disposed of. Owners are assured a quick, humane death for their animal, and the comfort of knowing that the meat is going to a good and useful purpose.

For additional information, please contact Sue Wallis or visit www.UnitedOrgsoftheHorse.or

MORRIS PUBLISHING EMERGES FROM BANKRUPTCY

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.

William S. Morris III, chairman of Morris Publishing said, “Yesterday, we completed our formal debt restructuring, with Morris Publishing emerging with a significantly de-leveraged balance sheet. I am grateful for the support of all of our lenders, bondholders and professionals who have worked cooperatively, constructively and tirelessly to arrive at this mutual resolution.

"In addition, I want to thank all of our employees, suppliers, advertisers and readers for their patience and dedication during the restructuring process. We can now focus without distraction on our ongoing efforts to improve all facets of our core newspaper business."

Consistent with the plan confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Feb. 17, 2010, approximately $278.5 million principal amount of senior subordinated notes plus accrued and unpaid interest has been cancelled in exchange for $100 million of new secured notes due in 2014.

Concurrent with the exchange of bondholder debt, the Morris family, through its affiliated entities, made a capital contribution to Morris Publishing of approximately $85 million and repaid approximately $25 million in intercompany debt due Morris Publishing. In addition, Morris Publishing repaid from cash on hand the entire $19.7 million principal amount of Tranche A senior secured debt plus accrued interest.

Morris Publishing Group, LLC is a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga. Morris Publishing currently owns and operates 13 daily newspapers as well as nondaily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska.

The Company has a concentrated presence in the Southeast, with four signature holdings: The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville), The Augusta Chronicle, the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News and the Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald.

For more information on the Company's restructuring, visit Morris Publishing's Web site, www.morrisrestructures.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BETWEEN SCIENTISTS REGARDING CLONING

ON JULY 31 NEW RULES COMMENCE REGARDING SLAUGHTER HORSES IN CANADA

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).

On March 5, I published an article on this site; however, since then, there has been much more written by the professors and scientists regarding this subject. Therefore, I am attaching several links to additional information regarding cloning for those who are interested.

Click for Bulla response to Heinrichs
Click for Prof Heinrich response to Bulla>>
Click for AAEP article by Heinrich>>
Click here for Seidel letter to committee>>
Click for description of SCNT cloning>>
Click for Hidden complexities of cloning>>
Click for infomration on mitochondrian>>
Click for MTDNA Mutations>>

Also, effective July 31, 2010, it will be mandatory for all Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspected facilities in Canada engaged in the slaughter of equine for edible purposes to have complete records for all animals (domestic and imported) presented for slaughter. These records will include unique identification for each animal, a record of illness and a record of medical treatments administered to the animal for the six-month period preceding slaughter. The template entitled "Equine Information Document" (EID) of this annex (see E.2) shall be used by equine owners for this purpose.

A completed EID contains a standardized description of the animal or unique lot identification, as well as a comprehensive record of the equine's medical treatment for at least the preceding six months. The various options for identification, including visual and written descriptions, are listed in the document. The document is intended to accompany the equine, at the time of ownership transfer, to the buyer of the animal. The EID requires a signed declaration by the owner of the equine as to the accuracy of the information recorded in the EID.

Since ViaGen Inc., the only commercial entity offering horses cloning, has moved their facilities to Canada for closer proximity to slaughterhouses, which is where they obtain most of their donor mares, these new Canadian rules regarding slaughter animals may put a hitch in obtaining oocytes from donor mares.
Click here for Canadian slaughterhouse rules>>

As of this writing, the official decision of the Stud Book & Registration Committee regarding allowing clones to be registered has not been announced. However, word leaking out of the committee is that the recommendation to register clones was defeated unanimously.

RUSS AND JANET WESTFALL SELL THEIR WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, RANCH TO LINDY BURCH

Article and Photo by Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 28, 2010 – Weatherford, Texas
Russ and Janet Westfall will close on the Texas Ranch on Monday, selling it to LIndy Burch.

Monday 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.

The Westfalls, who have owned a 35-acre ranch in Los Olivos, Calif., for the past 13 years, say that it was a business decision. They have owned the Texas Ranch for almost a year, but were unable to sell their California ranch, so they decided to move back to the California ranch and sell the Texas ranch.

“It was a funny thing,” said Janet. “We were the ones who almost bought Lindy’s place in Weatherford. Then our place in California didn’t sell, and after we’d been in Texas for almost a year, I got really homesick for our ranch in California.”

“It was a tough decision,” said Russ while at the South Point Winter show in Las Vegas. “”We loved our place and had a lot of friends in Texas but it made more sense to move back to Califonria where we had more customers, family and friends. We may have another place in Texas some day.”

According to Janet, who yesterday won the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge and was Reserve in the Derby at the South Point in Las Vegas, “The California place was vacant when we were in Texas. All those bills and it was vacant. It was my pride-and-joy place. The California place is a really neat, historical ranch owned by some very famous pioneers. Our house is about 120 years old and we remodeled it several years ago and it was my passion to fix it up – so now I’m excited we sold the Texas place because I’ll have more money to fix this one up.”

Janet said the California ranch is only 35 acres but feels much larger because they are surrounded by big ranches that they lease. “We have a much better cattle source in California than we did in Texas,” said Janet. “We have pretty much unlimited access to cows there because we have different ranches tied up. It’s different when you keep the cattle out on grass and its really good for the horses to go gather them. Also, I love the weather in California although I saw pictures of our place in Texas in the snow. It was pretty.

And I have fond memories of it and I wouldn’t have traded that one year for anything. It (living in Texas) was a great learning experience. It was more competitive and we learned a lot being out there. Also, the camaraderie between the people in Weatherford is so much – they are a close-knit group. They were so sweet us and we made so many friends. They still check on us all the time.

“Also, we didn’t have an indoor arena in Texas, and you really need one. Every time that it rained, Russ would get six phone calls from his buddies saying, ‘Hey, do you want to come and work over here?’ “

The Westfalls have been married for 13 years and have one son, 9-year-old Brandon. Russ is a top Open trainer, earning over $1.6 million in NCHA lifetime earnings, while Janet has won over $771,000 in NCHA Non-Pro lifetime earnings.
, a Hall of Famer who was also President of the NCHA, is often called the "first lady of cutting," having been the first woman to win the NCHA Open Futurity.

PARKING FEES DELAYED AT WILL ROGERS

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.

The city of Fort Worth had planned to start charging $5 or $6 a day to park, beginning March 1. The money is to be used to pay for a $32 million, 1,100-space Western Heritage parking garage.

Parking is becoming more of a premium at entertainment venues, as the American Airlines Center in /Dallas and Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie charge $10 to $30 for parking. The new state-of-the-art Cowboy Stadium charges $65 for Cowboy games, down to $30 for the most recent PBR Iron Man competition.

MORRIS PUBLISHING'S RESTRUCTURING PLAN CONFIRMED

COMPANY EXPECTED TO EMERGE FROM BANKRUPTCY BY MARCH 1

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.

Once it emerges from bankruptcy, Morris Publishing and its 13 daily newspapers will operate from a stronger financial position, having reduced its overall principal amount of indebtedness from approximately $418 million to approximately $107 million.

"We are delighted with the Court's decision today," said William S. Morris III, chairman of Morris Publishing. "This restructuring process has been lengthy and difficult, especially for our dedicated and loyal employees. I want to personally thank them, along with our advertisers, suppliers and readers, for their valued support during this period.

"Our commitment is to remain an agile and innovative market-driven newspaper company whose core mission is to gather and distribute news, support our advertisers and publish great newspapers and Web sites."

Morris filed its Pre-Packaged Plan of Reorganization in January with the overwhelming support of its bondholders as well as its senior secured creditors. Upon emergence, the Company will exchange $100 million of new second lien secured notes due in 2014 for the cancellation of approximately $278.5 million of principal amount of outstanding senior subordinated unsecured notes due 2013 plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Concurrently with the exchange of bondholder debt, affiliated entities owned and controlled by the Morris family will make a capital contribution of approximately $85 million and a repayment of intercompany indebtedness of approximately $25 million, resulting in the cancelation of approximately $110 million of Morris Publishing's senior secured debt.

For more information on the Company's restructuring, visit Morris Publishing's Web site, www.morrisrestructures.com.

TODAY’S NEWS

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.

IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR HIGH BROW CAT
With offspring earning over $38 million in lifetime earnings, High Brow Cat recently made news when he passed Smart Little Lena as the cutting industry’s leading sire. However, the personal lives of his owners Jack and Susan Waggoner, have hit the rumor mills since Susan filed for divorce on Oct. 31, 2009. The couple has been married since 1991.

According to Susan, she’d like to dispel any rumors about any changes for the stallion, saying that it will be “business as usual” for the 1988 son of High Brow Hickory out of Smart Little Kitty by Smart Little Lena, who will be standing the 2010 breeding season as usual at Chris and Vicki Benedict’s DLR Ranch in Weatherford, Texas. “Our personal lives will not affect the business of High Brow Cat and all of the stallions will continue to be promoted as they always have,” said Susan. “We are looking forward to 2010 being another successful breeding year.

DON POOLEY WINS SAN ANTONIO NCHA WORLD SERIES OPEN FINALS; JULIE HANSMA CAPTURES NON-PRO
Don Pooley rode Peppys Shorty Nino, owned by Larry and Alice Irvin to a 222, taking home a $7,260.38 paycheck from the NCHA World Series Open Finals held during the San Antonio Stock Show. The reserve title went to Steve Oehlhof, who rode Justa Lil Freck, owned by Missy Jean Rosenberg to a 220, taking home $6,416.04. Third, with a 217.5 was Robert Rust riding MH San Tules Dually, owned by Austin and Stacy Shepard, winning $5,571.70. Finishing fourth was Craig Morris riding Gabreyella, owned by Gary and Karen Fields, to a 217 for $4,727.36.

In Non-Pro competition, Julie Hansma rode Al Poocino to a whopping 226, winning the Non-Pro title and $8,665 paycheck. Dan Hansen riding Woody Be Lucky finished second with a 222, collecting $7,445.83. Mica Chartier and SL Jaybird finished third with a close 221, winning $6,226.67.Michelle Anderson finished fourth riding Purrceptive Cat to a 220 score and collected $5,007.50.
FASIG-TIPTON WINTER MIXED SALE AVERAGE UP 36.9 PERCENT
Total sales and the average was up at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, held Monday, Feb. 8 at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Ky. The sale experienced a 26.9 percent increase in the average price and a 27.6 percent increase in total sales. The median of $5,000 was the same as it was in 2009.

With more horses being offered this year (270 compared to 244 in 2009), the buy-back rate increased from 15.6 percent a year ago to 28.9 percent this year. In 2009, 206 of the 244 head sold, while in 2010, 192 of the 270 offered changed hands. The highest-selling horse, a 6-year-old mare, brought $340,000. In fact, even though horses of racing age averaged the best ($43,314), 120 broodmares sold for an average of $19,718 – the second highest. Two-year-olds averaged $5,383 and yearlings $5,947.

Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning Jr., said that the reason for the rise in the total sales and average percentages was due to “better horses this year and particularly the top end of the market was stronger.” He said that according to the feedback from sellers who brought horses to the sale, it was a success. “I think they’ll have confidence to bring more quality horses here in the future.”

PRORODEO HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE SCHUMACHER DEAD AT 89
Jimmy Schumacher, the first rodeo barrel man to ply his trade with a barrel open at both ends and a member of the inaugural class of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979, died at a Las Vegas hospital Jan. 24. He was 89.

Schumacher, who grew up in Prescott, Ariz., began his rodeo career as a rough-stock competitor. He won the bull riding at the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede in 1945 and also won the bareback riding event there twice.

After 15 years of competition, he gave it up to replace the “original barrel man” Jasbo Fulkerson who was killed in a truck accident. Schumacher took the bottom out of the barrel as a means of escape and originated the first ‘walking barrel.’ He even had a patent on it, and it is on display at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Schumacher was injured badly by a bull named Buster at the 1969 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City when the bull picked up the barrel, with Schumacher in it, and tossed it over his head. Schumacher broke all the ribs on one side and one punctured his lung. The doctor told him he’d have to undergo surgery to remove the rib unless Schumacher could cough hard enough to dislodge it. He did what the doctor suggested, and he left the hospital the next week without surgery.
“You had to be able to bruise easy, but heal quick,” Schumacher said of his chosen occupation.

He began his career as a barrel man in 1948 and didn’t retire until 1972. He was hired by many of the top rodeos such as Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Belle Fourche, S.D., Denver, Fort Worth and Houston, and was selected to work as the NFR barrel man nine times (1960, 1962-69).

After retirement, Schumacher did many things, but was known for working for various casinos, beginning at Binion’s, running the Big Six Wheel of Fortune. When he retired from the casino world, he and his wife, Alice, moved to Prescott, but said, “There were too many old people there. I was startin’ to walk like them,” so the consummate funnyman returned to Las Vegas.

Schumacher and Alice were married 56 years at the time of her death in February 2009. He is survived by two sons; Sid and Rodney; wife, Robin; and two grandsons, Adam and Sean, all of Las Vegas. Schumacher was cremated and his ashes will be scattered on a favorite butte of his in Prescott, Ariz. Memorials should be made to the Justin Crisis Cowboy Fund in his name.

WYOMING MAN SKIPS JAIL AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH BULL RIDER’S DEATH
According to an Associated Press article posted on Feb. 3, a Wyoming man accused of supplying the heroin and cocaine that killed a young professional bull rider failed to return from a furlough a judge granted him this week to attend his mother's funeral.

U.S. District Judge William F. Downes on Wednesday signed an arrest warrant for 44-year-old Vernon V. Ellefson Jr. of Cheyenne. Ellefson and a group of other men are accused of supplying the drugs that killed bull rider 21-year-old Bryan John Guthrie, the 2003 national bull riding champion from Cheyenne last December and a Cheyenne woman last summer.

On Monday, Downes ordered Ellefson's release to the custody of his daughter, Victoria Ellefson. She says he refused her request to go back to jail on Wednesday.

KATHY GOULD ELECTED 2010 NRCHA PRESIDENT
The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Board of Directors elected Kathy Gould, Raymond, Calif., to be the association’s President. Gould, is a former Rules Committee Chairman and NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Non-Pro Champion.

Returning officers were: Vice President Howard Erenberg, Santa Ynez, Calif.; Secretary Carol Rose, Gainesville, Texas and Dave Archer, Clovis, Calif., as Treasurer. Jon Roeser, Lemoore, Calif., returned as a member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Show Committee, while Paul Bailey, Sparta, Tenn., who serves as the chairman of the Non-Pro and Youth Committees, is the newest Executive Committee member.

Sam Rose will become the Judges Committee Chairman; Erenberg will serve as the Ethics and Stallion Auction Committee Chairman; Marilyn Peters is the Affiliate Committee Chairman; Lyn Anderson, the new Rules Committee Chairman; Jay McLaughlin will continue as the Marketing Committee Chairman; Darren Miller will take over the reins as the Stock Horse News Committee Chairman; Dave Archer the Long Range Planning Committee Chairman; Ronnie Richards the Hall of Fame Committee Chairman and Carol Rose will continue as the Sponsorship Committee Chairman.

DENVER STOCK SHOW VERSATILITY RANCH CLASSIC
The Denver National Western Livestock Show Versatility Ranch Classic came to an end on Monday, Jan. 11, with Mike Major winning the Overall Ranch Horse Open competition riding Black Hope Stik, a 5-year-old daughter of Smart Whiskey Doc out of Hope Stik by Rails Skipper Pine owned by Major. Second went to Karen Arlin riding De Luxe Comet, a 10-y3a4-old gelding by De Luxe Doc out of Streak Of Comet by Docs Cedar Bar owned by her and her husband George.

TODAY’S 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.

TRAINER ON THE MOVE:
Casey Green has moved his training operation to Gary and Renee Lord's facility in Weatherford, Texas, and is accepting outside horses. Call (817)-304-1740 or (817) 304-1450, or e-mail him at caseycodie@yahoo.com.

YEARLING CUTTING HORSE SHOT AT CLOSE RANGE; REWARD OFFERED
Members of the cutting horse community have helped create a reward of $7,000 for information leading to the arrest of persons responsible for shooting a yearling owned by Billy Martin and Kris Larsen of the 72 Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, on Jan. 25. The cutting-bred yearling, named Bald Face Lie, was shot between the eyes at close range. She was sired by Martin’s Light N Lena and out of Playboys Special Copy. Larsen said a full brother of the filly sold for $25,000 last year. According to the NCHA web site, Shane Plummer, Jeff Oswood and Jeffrey Matthews had each contributed $1,000 to the reward fund. Anyone with information about the shooting should call Parker County Crimestoppers at (817) 599-5555, or Kris Larsen at (817) 594-3272.

WILL ROGERS TO RECEIVE REVAMP AFTER STOCK SHOW
According to an article in the Fort Worth Business Press, following the close of the Fort Worth Stock Show on Feb. 7, construction is expected to start March 1 on improvements to the aging Will Rogers Memorial Center. The upgrades include new equestrian facilities, such as horse stalls and warm-up arenas, parking an overall maintenance projects such as sidewalk and seating improvements and bathroom renovations.

The renovations are expected to help bring more events and, therefore, a larger economic impact to Fort Worth. Over the years, the facility has lost major equestrian and livestock events to facilities in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Las Vegas. Also, it has been announced that a new equestrian facility is being built in Weatherford, Texas, west of Fort Worth.

Improvements will include a multipurpose building at the corner of University and Harley streets with 848 stalls, two covered exercise arenas, expanding the center’s already existing tunnel system for transporting livestock, a new covered staging area outside of the Justin Arena. The building will have a flexible design to convert some of the areas for extra parking. The preliminary cost for the building is $32 million, which will be paid through a combination of rental car taxes along with a 25-year debt service agreement. Construction on the new equestrian facility is set for February 2011. The maintenance portion of the planned improvements to the center is expected to span about five years and cost more than $13 million. According to Kirk Slaughter, director of the city’s Public Events Department, the city has $8.6 million available at this time. The equestrian shows at Will Rogers bring in more than $86 million in economic impact each year for worth from the 25 events annually.

JAY MCLAUGHLIN WINS SWRCHA CIRCLE Y DERBY OPEN TITLE
Jay McLaughlin, Gainesville, Texas, and CD Dee Vee Dee, a 5-year-old stallion by CD Lights out of Shiners Missy Jay by Shining Spark, won the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association (SWRCHA) Circle Y Derby Open title, Feb. 1 in San Angelo, Texas. Bred and raised by Carol Rose Quarter Horses, Gainesville, Texas, the stallion recently sold to Shannon and Hershel Reid.

Boyd Rice, riding Mr Playinstylish (Playin Stylish x Tari Chick Gay), owned by Kit and Charlie Moncrief, Fort Worth, Texas, was Open Reserve Champion. The pair had won the 2009 AQHA Junior Working Cow Horse World Championship last November.

Wayne Hinder rode Hickorys Chic Olena (Smart Chic Olena x Hickorys Red Rey), owned by the Double HH Ranch to the Derby Intermediate Championship. Reserve went to Darren Miller of Colorado riding Little Cooter Lena (Cinnabars Lil Lena x Can U Dig An Eighty x) The Limited Open was won by Zeb Corvin riding Lady Dox owned by Neo Villa Ranch. Reserve went to Kyle Trahern riding MH Bold Intentions.

In Non-Pro competition, it was McKenzie Merrill riding her 4-year-old gelding Ill Be Skeets (Skeets Peppy x Oak Ill Be x Doc’s Oak), while the Reserve title went to Tish Wilhite and The Fresno Fox.Wilhite also won the Intermediate Non-Pro.

Dennis Moreland, who is usually the prize donator of his beautiful leather goods, won the Amateur competition riding Getthecashsybil (Nu Cash Cow x Four Valentine). The 60-year-old businessman and owner of Dennis Moreland Second Edition in Weatherford, Texas, said that the win satisfied a couple of personal victories, including the best reining run he’d ever had and he didn’t fall off. Reserve went to Nickey Smith, Franklinton, La., riding HA Chairman Mystique (Im Chairman x Hopefully Fletch).

NRHA NEW FUTURITY/DERBY NOMINATION PROGRAM A HIT
A new program to raise more money for the NRHA Futurity and Derby seems to be a hit with 2,842 weanling nominations being made by the Dec. 31 deadline. The association claims that contestants will be able to compete for a $2.5 million purse at the NRHA Futurity and Derby each year.

Weanlings can be nominated for only $300; however, horses can be nominated at any time with an increased fee. The yearling fee of $2,000 was taken advantage by 33 yearlings. The amount can be made in two payments and would be a great option for breeders who missed the deadline with their 2009 foals. The NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Program also requires a $300 one-time weanling nomination fee. This fee makes nominated foals eligible to enter the NRHA Futurity as 3-year-olds, NRHA European Futurity as 4-year-olds, and the NRHA Derby as 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds. At that time all other applicable entry and judges fees will apply. Horses may be nominated to the program after their weanling year; however, the fees increase substantially as they get older.

For more information on the NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Program, a nomination form and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, go to www. nrha.com and click on the NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Program logo in the sidebar.

TODAY’S NEWS
By Glory Ann Kurtz

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.

CUTTING TRAINER STEVE OEHLHOF SETS UP SHOP IN CORSICANA
Cutting trainer Steve Oehlhof is taking outside horses at his facility in Corsicana, Texas.

Cutting horse trainer Steve Oehlhof, 33, with lifetime earnings of $500,000 and also a great teacher for non-pros and amateurs, is now training out of his facility in Corsicana, Texas. His facility is located approximately 60 miles from Fort Worth.

Showing his consistency in the winner’s circle, during the two previous years of training (2008-2009), Oehlhof added $100,000 each year to his lifetime earnings. Recently he was an Open finalist in Houston and qualified for the NCHA Open World Finals. He was also a finalist at such events as the Breeders Invitational, NCHA Summer Spectacular Derby, Music City, Brazos Bash and the Southern Futurity. Oehlhof is currently in the process of creating his own web site at www.steveoehlhofcutting@att.net. His address is 3615 NW CR 1100, Corsicana, Texas 75110 or call him at (504) 234-0095.

FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW CUTTING
Brandon Dufurrena, Gainesville, Texas, won the 41-entry AQHA Amateur Cutting at the Fort Worth Stock Show riding Miss Ella Rey.

randon Dufurrena, Gainesville, Texas, won the 41-entry AQHA Amateur Cutting at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo on Jan. 18. Brandon was riding Miss Ella Rey, his 5-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of Huggs Olena by Smart Chic O’Lena. The pair, who ranked first under judges Bill Enk and Sam Rose, have lifetime earnings of over $10,170 including their largest single paycheck of $23,629 for 4th in the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes.

The Reserve title was split, with Purdy Feather, a 2005 daughter of Cats Red Feather out of Purdy Aristocrat by Smart Aristocrat, owned and ridden by April Widman, Weatherford, Texas, taking second under Judge A. Neat Choice, a 1997 son of SR instant Choice out of Anita Freckles by Doc Freckles, owned and ridden by Robert Thigpen, Chilton, Texas, took second under Judge B.

Purdy Feather has $26,376 in lifetime earnings, including her highest aged-event paycheck of $14,241 coming from the 2009 NCHA Open Super Stakes. Neat Choice is the earner of $141,178, with most of his earnings coming from weekend shows.

In the APHA Paint Horse competition, held the same day, the judging of the Junior cutting was split with Wild Irish Bandit and David George taking the Junior Cutting under Judge A, while Rey Haida Rey, ridden by David Taylor was second. Judge B put Rey Haida Rey first and Taylor first and Wild Irish Bandit and George second.

Wild Irish Bandit (P) is a 5-year-old son of Caddo Cody (P) out of Time To Get Wild (P) by Dryin Time. Owned by Nathan Gooch, Red Oak, Okla., he has previous earnings of over $3,000. Rey Haida Rey, 5, double-registered with the APHA and AQHA, has $1,125 in prior earnings.

The Senior Paint Cutting was won under both judges by Color Silverpistol, a 7-year-old gelding by Smart Stinger (P) out of Chittis Silverpistol by Smart Little Pistol, ridden by Leslie Remington. Reserve under both judges was TWR Bar Times Blues, a 6-year-old son of Mecom Blue out of Bar Time Karen (P) by Texan Bar Time (P) ridden by Terry Clifford.

Jennifer Bowers, a veterinarian from Bellville, Texas, won the Amateur Cutting under both ridges riding Miss Smart Bar, a 6-year-old daughter of Color Me Smart (P) out of Handle Bar Smokey by Handle Bar Doc. The pair also finished 4th under Judge A and 3rd under Judge B in the Senior Paint Cutting. The pair had shown extensively in APHA world Show and ACHA competition. Reserve under both judges was Glenda Wilson, Paris, Texas, riding Smart N Jazzy, a 10-year-old son of Dual Jazz out of Little Lena Boots (P) by Smart Little Lena, with over $23,600 in lifetime earnings in APHA and NCHA competition.

AUGUSTA CUTTING FUTURITY:
The finals of the $100,000 5/6-Year-Old Amateur was won by Luis De Armas of Venezuela riding Chief Red Putt, a 5-year-old gelding sired by Cats Red Feather out of Pepilena Lass by Ill Be Smart. The gelding had previous earnings of $6,963 in Open and Amateur competition. The pair scored a 219, taking home $4,463. The Reserve title went to Clint Hixson of Louisiana riding Peppers Stylish Cat to a 216, winning $3,719.

TODAY’S 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.

FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW AQHA CUTTING:
Bill Riddle rode full sisters, owned by Glenn and Debbie Drake, to the championships of the Junior and Senior Cutting at the Fort Worth Stock Show AQHA cutting.
Photo by Kurtz

Owner Glenn and Debbie Drake, Napa, Calif., and trainer Bill Riddle, Ringling, Okla., swept both the AQHA Junior and Senior Cuttings held Monday, Jan., with two full sisters, during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo AQHA Cutting held in Fort Worth, Texas.

Riddle rode Eyez On Me, a 5-year-old son of Peptoboonsmal out of Stylish And Foxie by Docs Stylish Oak, to the championship of the 26-entry Junior Cutting class. Eyez On Me has over $107,700 in lifetime earnings, including a third in the 2009 NCHA Open Super Stakes, where he picked up $87,137 plus an additional $8,500 for placing second in the SSIF Super Stakes Sire Award.

Second under both judges went to Bet Shesa Cat, a 5-year-old daughter of High Brow Cat out of Bet Yer Blue Boons by Freckles Playboy, owned by Lindy Burch’s Oxbow Ranch and ridden by Lindy. The mare had no prior earnings.

With six places under each judge, Judge A had 3) Ignorance Is Bliss, owned by Ray Baldwin and ridden by Turner West, 4) Purdy Bet, owned and ridden by Burch; 5) Whiskeynadirtyglass, owned by Vincenzo Vario and ridden by Phil Rapp and 6) Miss Ella Rey, owned by Brandon Dufurrena and ridden by Ed Dufurrena. Judge B placed 3) Fletch The Cat, owned by Kit and Charlie Moncrief, ridden by Curtis Bass; 4) Ignorance Is Bliss; 5) Cats Chilly Chilly, owned by Brad and Jane Teel, ridden by John Wold and 6) Whiskeynadirtyglass.

In the 23-entry Senior Cutting, Riddle rode Miss Stylish Pepto, a 6-year-old full sister to Eyez On Me. The great mare has over $193,560 in lifetime earnings, including a third in the 2008 NCHA Open Super Stakes and a fourth in the 2008 NCHA Open Derby.

Second under both judges was Swingin Star Pepto, a 6-year-old daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Swingin Star Lady by Justa Swinging Peppy, owned by Dr. Stephen and Lisa Ralston, Ogden, Utah, and ridden by Phil Rapp. Under Judge A, 3) Faith In My Cat, owned and ridden by Tom Lyons; 4) Meradas Armada, owned by Clark and Debbie Brewster, Tulsa, Okla., and ridden by Jimmy Dundon; 5) Dual Spark, owned and ridden by Bobby Lewis, Overbrook, Okla., and 6) Boon San, owned by Walton’s Rocking W, Millsap, Texas, ridden by Tony Piggott.

Under Judge B, 3) Faith In My Cat, 4) A Cattin Jack, owned by the Whitmire Ranch, Sallisaw, Okla., ridden by Teddy Johnson; 5) Playin Pistol, owned by the Brewsters, ridden by Jimmy Dundon and 6) Mates Irish Mist, owned by Pat Fitzgerald, Paoli, Okla., ridden by Dean Domann.

Judges were Bill Enk, Paso Robles, Calif., and Sam Rose, Pilot Point, Texas.

NO PASS-OUT FEE HIGHLIGHTS NCHA SUPER STAKES SALE
The NCHA has announced some major changes for the NCHA Super Stakes Sale, scheduled for April 3 during the Open finals weekend of the Super Stakes, since this year’s Super Stakes will dedicate separate weekends of finals competition to the Open and the Non-Pro/Amateur divisions.

The main change will be that for the first time, there will be no pass-out fee charged for horses that do not meet the seller’s reserve. The consignment fee will be $450, commission will be 8 percent of the accepted bid and a $115 charge will be leveled for three head of cattle on horses shown on cattle. Also, the sale will be limited to horses ridden under saddle and breeding stock, including broodmares and aged stallions. The entry deadline will be March 1. For sale contracts, go to www.westernbloodstock.com or call (817) 594-9210.

DUAL SMART REY TO STAND AT ESMS ON THE BRAZOS
Dual Smart Rey, a son of Dual Rey out of The Smart Look, a producer of offspring earning over $1.1 million, sired by the leading broodmare sire Smart Little Lena, will be standing the 2010 breeding season at the new Equine Reproduction Center “ESMS on the Brazos,” in Weatherford, Texas. With over $330,400 in lifetime earnings, Dual Smart Rey was the Open Champion of the 2006 NCHA Super Stakes and also the Incentive Fund, taking home $130,000. His first foals will be 3-year-olds and eligible for the cutting arena this year. For contracts or information, contact Kellee Clark (817) 594-9232 or go to www.equinesportsmedicine.com. Dual Smart Rey is owned by Don Horton’s Strawn Valley Ranch, managed by Kathleen Braden-Martin (254) 672-5044 or (817) 550-3123 – or go to www.strawnvalleyranch.com.

MAJOR TAKES SECOND WORLD TITLES IN AQHA VERSATILITY RANCH HORSE COMPETITION; DANIEL COMPLETES DREAM BY WINNING AMATEUR

Mike Major won his second AQHA World Championship Versatility Ranch Horse title riding Smart Whiskey Doc.
AQHA photo

Mike Major, Fowler, Colo., rode Smart Whiskey Doc to back-to-back World Championships in the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Show held Jan. 14 in Denver, Colo. At the same show, Colton Daniel, Truscott, Texas, rode his homebred gray stallion Circle Bar Pistol to the Amateur World Championship title. The Reserve title in the Open went to Chic Packin and Kris Wilson, Lubbock, Texas. Reserve in the Amateur was won by Betty Lou Valdez riding Smart Tic Tack.

Mike, a 40-year-old rancher, and Whiskey won the ranch riding, ranch horse conformation, ranch cutting and finished second in ranch trail and third in working ranch horse at the finals. Owned by Mike and his wife, Holly, Smart Whiskey Doc is a 1999 son of Paddys Irish Whiskey out of Smart Little Carol by Smart Little Aleck. They purchased him as a yearling from John Scott’s S Ranch in Billings, Mont. In addition to his 2009 title, he also was Reserve Champion in 2008, won several high-point awards and was the 2006 Select World Champion in Working Cow Horse. Mike said they were going to retire the stallion from the Open Versatility World competition; however, Holly may show him in the Amateur. However, Mike plans to return to the World competition next year riding Black Hope Stik, a daughter of Whiskey.

Colton Daniel wins Amateur riding Circle Bar Pistol.
AQHA photo

During his second shot at the Versatility Ranch Horse World Show, Colton went home with the championship riding Circle Bar Pistol, a 2000 gray stallion by Playgun out of Preferred Future by Preferred Pay. The stallion was bred by the Circle Bar Ranch. In 2008, he was entered in the competition; however, bad weather ended his dream when his stallion “cramped” between classes. This year the pair won the ranch horse cutting, working ranch horse and ranch horse conformation classes. They also finished seventh in the ranch horse riding and ninth in the ranch horse trail.

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 12, 2010

ABILENE SPECTACULAR:
The Abilene Spectacular held Jan. 2-13 is now history with the completion of the Non-Pro and Amateur Finals on Monday, Jan. 11. The 79-entry 4-Year-Old Non-Pro was won by Leah Hanson riding Phils Pull Toy to a 223 and collecting a $12,000 paycheck. Leah is the wife of top trainer Phil Hanson, Weatherford, Texas. Leah is still a Limited Rider and the pair also won the Limited Division, collecting an additional $2,400 for a total of $14,400.

Phils Pull Toy, named after Leah’s husband, is a daughter of Dual Pep out of Times Oak by Doc’s Oak. Phil had ridden the mare to the semifinals of the 2009 NCHA Open Futurity, collecting $10,000. She was bred by Sherry Chamberlain, who is a customer of Phil’s.

The Reserve Champion was Kelle Earnheart, Weatherford, riding Badgers Perscription (Reys Dual Badger out of An Apple A Day by Doc’s Prescription) to a 217 and taking home $10,000. Kelle previously rode the mare to the 2009 NCHA Futurity Non-Pro title, earning over $50,750.

In the 87-entry 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro, Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, rode This Kats King to a 224 and a $13,000 paycheck. The stallion, sired by High Brow Cat out of Docs Becky King by King Peppy San - a full brother to Smart Peppy, the dam of Smart Little Lena - was purchased by Phil and Mary Ann in July from John Harrah and have since earned approximately $80,000 on the stallion. Mary Ann also finished 15th on Smokin Tap, earning an additional $2,500.

The Rapps already have an incentive for breeding program for This Kats King for foals resulting from the 2010 breedings (foals of 2011). Each foal that makes the finals of the NCHA Triple Crown events will be eligible for financial incentives, including $10,000 to the breeder, $10,000 to the owner on the night of the finals and $10,000 to the rider in the Open NCHA Futurity.

Reserve was split between two entries, with each scoring a 219.5, including Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, riding MH Unexplainable and Alexa Stent, The Woodlands, Texas, riding Haida N Cat. The winner of the Limited Non-Pro Was Denver Mead of the Divine Rock Ranch Inc., Aledo, Texas, riding TRS Smokin Gun. The pair also finished in a tie for 11th in the Non-Pro – for a total of $5,350.

Although the Abilene Spectacular is always a well-attended and fun show, this year’s entries were down over 30 percent from 2009. Also, an interesting observation was made by several of my readers regarding the finals of the Non-Pro classes, with eight of the 20 finalists (40 percent) in the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro being wives, daughters or sons of trainers and nine of the 24 finalists (38 percent) in the 5-Year-Old Non-Pro also being wives, daughters or sons of trainers.

The 42-entry 4-Year-Old Amateur was won by Luis De Armas, Miami, Fla., riding Smooth Alley Cat to a 216. Second, scoring a 215, was Kathleen Moore, Madill, Okla., riding Heres Lookin At You. Kathleen was also 4th riding DJE Widows Doll to a 210and 3rd in the 5/6-Year-Old Amateur riding Scoot A Lil Closer to a 215.5.

The 55-entry 5/6-Year-Old Amateur was won by Laura Landers, Weatherford, Texas, riding Purely Rey to a 219. Laura also tied for 11th in the 5/6-Year-Old on My Little Abra and finished 6th in the 4-Year-Old riding DMAC Heaping Spoon..Second went to Robert C. Turner, Midland, Texas, riding Double Spoonful to a 216.5.

SALES DOWN 44.8 PERCENT AFTER FIRST DAY OF KEENELAND SALE
With 256 horses offered the first day of the five-day January Horses of All Ages Sale held Monday, Jan. 11, total sales of $6,693,600 were down 44.8 percent, with the average of $37,037 being down 37.4 percent and the median of $20,000 down 25.9 percent. The buy-back rate was 30.5% compared to 26.5% a year ago. However, in Thoroughbred Times Today, Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell said the declines were probably more of a statement on the quality of offerings than the health of the industry.

PRCA CONTRACTORS DONATE $34,000 TO PRORODEO HALL OF FAME AND OTHERS
PRCA stock contractors have announced donations of $34,000 following the 2009 Benny Binion’s World Famous Bucking Horse & Bull Sale, held Dec. 5-6 at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas.

The Binion family – through the bucking sale committee – has annually provided a donation to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. This year’s sale committee decided to donate to a few more organizations after enjoying increased attendance at this year’s event and getting additional support from sponsors.

Organizers donated $25,000 to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy, in Colorado Springs, Colo., and $3,000 each to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, United Organizations of the Horse and the Unwanted Horse Coalition.
A two-hour show about the bucking sale is scheduled to air on In Country Television from 7-9 p.m. (ET) on Jan. 15, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29.

In Country Television is available through DISH Network (Channel 230) and DirecTV (Channel 344). The show also will include excerpts from the film ProRodeo Livestock and have footage about the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Binion’s legacy.
The sale featured 276 animals, including 137 bucking bulls and 67 bucking horses. The auction sales, which included a rifle, pistol, hunting trip and other items, totaled nearly $740,000. It is an increase of about $200,000 from the 2008 sale.

TOP REINER, RANDY PAUL, RELEASES ALBUM
Most performance horse lovers know Randy Paul, Scottsdale, Ariz., as an NRHA million-dollar trainer and rider – not a singer. However, Paul, who has a secret talent as a singer and songwriter, has just released his first album called “The Sky.” Reining fans got a sneak peek of many of the songs on the album during a special concert with Lyle Lovett during the NRHA Futurity. It was the second concert Paul has performed with Lovett. The album will soon be available at www.randypaul.com. It will also soon be released on iTunes and Amazon

TODAY’S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 4, 2010
Paul Hansma rode Reyminate to the lead in 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.

HANSMA RIDES REYMINATE TO 4YO OPEN LEAD AT ABILENE
Paul Hansma, Weatherford, won the first go-round of the 4-Year-Old Open following the first day of the Abilene Spectacular. Hansma is riding Reyminate, owned by Dub and Christy Leeth.

After the first two days of competition at the Abilene Spectacular, held Jan. 2-3 in Abilene, Texas, Paul Hansma holds the lead in the 124-entry 4-Year-Old Open riding Reyminate, a stallion sired by Dual Rey out of Amanda Stargun by Playgun, owned by Dub and Christy Leeth, Cleburne, Texas. The pair, who sent to the semifinals in the 2009 NCHA Futurity, scored a 221.

Following close behind with a 220 is Wesley Galyean riding Rascal Cats, a son of High Brow Cat out of Keena Pep by Dual Pep, for Billy Martin, Millsap, Texas. The pair also made the semifinals of the 2009 Futurity. Third, scoring a 219, was a tie between Trick Pepto, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Tricka Lena by Poco San Lena, owned by Jackson Land & Cattle, Jackson, Wyo., ridden by T. J. Good; Pretty Fletch, a son of Pretty Boy Fletch out of Abigail Fletch by Jae Bar Fletch, owned by Jack and Susan Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, ridden by Clint Allen, and Smart Moria Boon, a stallion by Peptoboonsmal out of Smart Moria by Smart Little Lena, owned by Ralph Gray, Argyle, Texas, ridden by Clint Allen..

With 124 entries, the Open 4-Year-Old division guarantees $25,000 to the Champion. The event continues today with the first group of the 91-entry 5/6-Year-Old Open. The second go-rounds will take place Tuesday through Thursday, with the finals being held Friday, Jan. 8.

JACK FINNEY PASSES AWAY JAN. 2
Jack Finney, 93, who started riding pleasure horses at 63, was a legend in the Western Pleasure industry. The Greenville, Texas, businessman passed away on Jan. 2.

Jack Finney, 93, Greenville, Texas, a legend in the pleasure horse industry, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 2. According to his friend, long-time photographer Ray Bankston, Jack had a doctor’s appointment last week, with the doctor finding no problems and telling him he might live another 10 years. Jack’s father had lived to be 100.

Jack, who didn’t start showing pleasure horses until he was 61, was one of the earliest competitors in the AQHA amateur western pleasure classes in the mid-1970’s and into the 90’s. He and his wife of 67 years, Lou, owned Ja-Lu Quarter Horses. She died several years ago.

According to the AQHA, Jack won a long list of awards and honors in western pleasure, including Register of Merit, Superiors, High-Point and All-Around awards – along with top-10 finishes at the AQHA World Show and the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. In 1979, riding Schootische, Jack earned a Reserve World Championship in Amateur Western Pleasure. The following year, he repeated the honors. In 1982, he and Sophisticated Sue won the Amateur Western Pleasure World Championship.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Finney, who was one of Greenville's most influential and well-known business and civic leaders. According to the Commerce Journal, in August 2006 for his 90th birthday, Finney, who was a Commerce native, donated more than $1 million to the Hunt Memorial Hospital District Charitable Health Foundation. At 91, he donated $500,000 toward the construction of the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M University-Commerce. He was presented a scrapbook of articles related to his legacy at the event. Responding to the presentation of the scrapbook, he said, “When I get old, I’ll sit down and look at them.”

PHOTOGRAPHER MIDGE AMES CREATES NEW WEB SITE
Midge Ames, one of the premier photographers in the performance horse industry has a new web site at http://www.midgeamesphoto.com. With cutting and cow horses being her specialty, Midge has been the official photographer for the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association since 1978 and for 21 years has been the official photographer for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.

AQHA QUALIFYING POINTS APPROVED FOR 2010 AQHA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
The qualifying season for the 2010 AQHA World Championship Show is underway and the recommendations for qualifying points have been approved by the AQHA Executive Committee. The World Show Committee uses a formula to determine the qualifying points that includes information on entries for the previous World Show. They then present the recommendations to the Executive Committee for approval.
According to the AQHA the points for the 2010 AQHA World Show will remain the same as in 2009, with the exception of progressive working hunter – which will require 4 points to qualify, compared to 6 points in 2009. The qualifying period for the 2010 World Show began Aug. 1, 2009 and will conclude July 31, 2010. The AQHA World Show will return to Oklahoma City Nov. 5-20, 2010.

AQHA CONVENTION SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 5-9 IN KISSIMMEE, FLA.
The 2010 AQHA Convention, scheduled to be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee, Fla., will be held March 5-9. Convention Registration is $100 prior to Jan. 31 and $135 after that date. Registration will allow admission to the President’s Reception, three continental breakfasts, open committee and general membership meetings. Tickets for the Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Inductions Banquet are additional at $75 each prior to 1/31 and $100 each after that date. Rates for the hotel range from $222 for single or doubles to $450 for Deluxe Suites. All proposed agenda items must have been submitted by Dec. 31, 2009.

A highlight of the Convention will be a Breeder’s Education Seminar, Friday March 5 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., where a panel of representatives from the equine industry and the AQHA will include an update on genetic disease and testing, as well as a new initiative for breed integrity, an in-depth analysis of today’s trends, comments on breeding and a talk on what the AQHA can learn from other breeds, species or countries. Go to http://www.aqha.com for further information and forms.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 29, 2009

NEWS FROM THE AQHA

AQHA RULE CHANGES ON SORTING AND TEAM PENNING TAKE EFFECT JAN. 1
Horses competing in team penning and ranch sorting in AQHA competition may continue to be ridden with a snaffle bit or hackamore no matter the age of the horse. Riders using a snaffle bit or hackamore in team penning or ranch sorting may use two hands on the reins. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, a curb bit may be used on any horse regardless of age in team penning and ranch sorting, but when using a curb bit, the horse must be ridden one-handed.

Also language has been added throughtout the 2010 haqndnake to make clear AQHA's commitment to the welfare of the horse. Excessive use of a whip, rope, crop, bat or reins anywhere on the horse will result in a no-time for team penning and ranch sorting competitors at AQHA-sanctioned events. This new rule applies to other classes as well. These and other rule changes can be found in the AQHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations posted at www.aqha.com.

AQHA'S JOURNALS WILL BE REUNITED
After 20 years of separation, the AQHA Journal and AQHA Racing Journal will reunite starting with the January 2010 issue. The AQHA Journal, which starting publication in 1948, will contain the Racing Journal section, called Q-Racing - and will join the other discipline sections: halter, rail and pattern; reining, cutting and cowhorse, and ranch, rodeo and ropes.

"Many consumer publications have had to restructure how they do business or have gone out of business altogether," said Jim Bret Campbell, AQHA's senior director of marketing and publications. "After considering all of the options, allowing this change seemed the best way to continue serving our members, subscribers and advertisers."

Subscriptions to the Racing Journal will roll over to a Journal subscription.

AQHA SECOND VP DICK MONAHAN PASSES AWAY DEC. 26
AQHA’s second vice president Dick Monahan of Walla Walla, Wash., passed away on Dec. 26. He was 69. Dick had been diagnosed recently with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and pancreatic cancer. A Celebration of Life service will be held 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2 at the Walla Walla Country Club. Arrangements are being handled by Herring Groseclose Funeral Home of Walla Walla.

Monahan served for 20 years as an AQHA director from Washington and became an AQHA Director at Large. He also served as chair of the racing committee and racing council, was a member of the Hall of Fame committee, and chairman of the nominations and credentials committee. He was elected to the AQHA executive committee in March 2007. Dick and his wife, Brenda, raised and raced American Quarter Horses for more than 30 years. Condolences may be sent to the Monahan family at 1015 Bryant, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Above information provided by the AQHA.

RODEO NEWS

TOP RODEO JOURNALIST MICHAEL DIES OF LEUKEMIA
Ground-breaking sports journalist George Michael, honored in 2007 with the PRCA award for broadcast excellence, died Dec. 24 in Washington, D.C. of complications due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Michael was 70.

“The George Michael Sports Machine,” was the first nationally syndicated sports show to make liberal use of highlight films, and Michael, who loved rodeo, made sure the cowboy sport was part of the package with baseball, basketball, football and hockey.

Michael may be best remembered in the Western community for his coverage of the Challenge of the Champions bull riding series in 1988, matching World Champion Lane Frost and Red Rock, a bull unridden in 309 outings.

He covered all seven rounds of the series in California, Utah and Oregon, lending it credibility with coverage on his nationally syndicated program.

Michael was sports director and sports anchor of WRC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Washington, for 27 years. His strong work ethic, larger than life personality and his belief in the power of video highlights anticipated what much of television sports reporting has become, especially as presented on ESPN’s Sportscenter.

PENDLETON ROUND-UP LEGEND CARDEN DIES AT AGE 100
Monk Carden, a rodeo clown who performed for many years at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up, died on Dec. 24 at the age of 100. Carden and George Moens started a tumbling act at Pendleton High School, which eventually led to the clown act at the Round-Up, delighting fans from 1928 to 1934. He later served on the Round-Up Board and was inducted into Pendleton’s Hall of Fame in 1978.

RODEO AT THE MOVIES
Scott Mendes, the 1997 world champion bull rider, has been cast in Gold Score, a feature film now in production and directed by Stephen Baldwin.

Bullfighter Rowdy Barry has made his movie debut this month with a credited part in Have You Heard About the Morgans, starring Hugh Grant and Sara Jessica Parker.

The Coen Brothers are doing a remake of the John Wayne film True Grit and, through Dec. 29, are holding an open casting call at the Cowboy Christmas Youth Challenge in Jackson, Miss., hoping to find a young actress to play the role of Mattie Ross.
Above news provided by PRCA.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will be held Jan. 15-Feb. 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. The legendary Stock Show will start out with the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Class, APHA and SHOT/ASHA Working Ranch Horse classes and the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo on Friday, Jan. 15. The Best Of the Remuda Sale will be held at noon on Saturday, Jan. 16, followed by Paint and Quarter Horse Working Cow Horse classes and the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, Jan. 16. The Invitational Ranch Horse Show and Sale will be held in the coliuseum at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17. The Quarter Horse Cutting classes will be held Monday, Jan. 18 at 8 a.m., followed by Paint Horse Cutting classes at 2 p.m. NCHA cutting classes will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 8 a.m. in the Justin Arena. Visit www.fwssr.com for a full schedule.

The two January NCHA-approved aged events include the Abilene Spectacular and the Augusta Futurity. The Abilene Spectacular, held Jan. 2-13, in Abilene, Texas, has $226,000 in added money. For information and results go to www.gullyranch.com/abilenespectacular/2010_Schedule.htm. The Augusta Futurity will be held Jan. 22-30 in Augusta, Ga., with $200,000 in added money. New this year will be a Champions Challenge, held for all past Champions and Reserve Champions.For further information, go to www.augustafuturity.com.

If you're into sales, the National Stock Horse Association (NSHA) classic Horse Sale is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. in Tulare, Calif. Sale entries are due by Jan. 15. Contact Dar Hanson, NSHA (559) 897-8616 or (559) 897-1712 fax, Dar@wardranch.net or www.nationalstockhorse.com.

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 7, 2009
A RADIO STATION FOR NCHA:
NCHA has entered a new venture in a partnership with Internet Cowboys, LLC, launching a new internet radio station, ncharadio.com, bringing "Real Country for Real Cutters," around the clock and around the world. The innovative station is believed to be a first for an equine association, offering the world’s most popular country music, along with up-to-the minute news of NCHA events, promotions and more - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - around the world. The station can be heard by anyone with an internet connection, an Iphone or any other mobile device by going to www.ncharadio.com.

For information on advertising on NCHA radio.com, you can contact either NCHAradio.com Sales Manager Shawn McCoy at (817)929-8597 or Mark Herron, the NCHA Director of Advertising, at (817) 244-6188, ext. #115.

SAM SHEPARD WINS ZANE SCHULTE AWARD:
Sam Shepard, 63, a National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame trainer from Verbena, Ala., has been named the ninth winner of the Zane Schulte Award.

The award is given each year to a cutting horse trainer in memory of Zane Schulte, son of Tom and Barbra Schulte, Brenham, Texas, who passed away at age 16 on June 18, 2000, after losing a battle with cancer. Barbra Schulte is a leading cutting trainer and clinician, while Tom Schulte is a non-professional rider.

HOW ABOUT A "MECHANICAL HORSE"
We've all heard about the mechanical cow cutting devices - but how about a "mechanical horse?"

Now anyone can experience the thrill of riding a cutting horse, with a ride on the "mechanical cutting horse" cutting a "mechanical cow." The duo are located in the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall during the NCHA Futurity. Rides are free, thanks to the inventor Lannie Ashley, Marshall, Texas. The mechanical horse and cow are located near the Cutters' Café at the Southwest corner of the Western Mercantile that is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with extended hours on semifinals and finals nights through Sunday, Dec. 13.

NRHA FUTURITY CHAMPIONS A RE-RUN OF PREVIOUS YEARS:
Shawn Flarida won his fifth National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity in the past eight years - this time riding Gunnatrashya for Arcese Quarter Horses USA, on Saturday, Dec. 5 in Oklahoma City, Okla. Flarida scored a 228.5, taking home the $125,000 first-place paycheck.

The Reserve title went to Lil Magnum Jessie (Magnum Chic Dream x Lil Ruf Jessie x Lil Ruf Peppy), owned by Casey and Kathy Hinton, Whitesboro, Texas, and ridden by Casey.

For the fifth time, Shawn Flarida, Springfield, Ohio, rode a horse to the National Reining Horse Association Futurity Championship. Riding Gunnatrashya (Colonels Smoking Gun x Natrasha x Trashadeous) for owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA on Saturday, Dec. 5, in Oklahoma City, Okla., Flarida scored a 228.5 to win the $125,000 first-place paycheck. Flarida also finished third with a 225.5 score, riding Whizkey N Diamonds (Topsail Whiz x Princess In Diamonds x Shining Spark), owned by Clinton Anderson and Kathy Worley.


Reserve in the Open was Lil Magnum Jessie (Magnum Chic Dream x Lil Ruf Jessie x Lil Ruf Peppy) owned by Casey and Kathy Hinton, Whitesboro, Texas, ridden by Casey Hinton, Whitesboro, Texas, marking a 226.

On Friday, Dec. 4, Mandy McCutcheon, Aubrey, Texas, earned her sixth NRHA Futurity Non-Pro Championship riding West Coast Mizzen (West Coast Whiz x Mizzen Shine x Shining Spark), owned by Mandy and her husband, Tom. The pair won the title followig a run-off with Matt Armenta, Whitesboro, Texas, riding Sparklin Chic (Lena Spark x Dudette Nic x Bueno Chexinic). McCutcheon won $36,164 while Armenta picked up $28,405 for the Reserve title.

Third went to Jana Simons, Aubrey, Texas, riding A Gal With A Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun x Roxanne Winder x Docs Sidewinder), picking up a total of $50,935 for third in the Non-Pro and the Championship of the Intermediate Non-Pro, Limited Non-Pro and Level 1 divisions.

TODAY’S 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.

JOICE HEIM DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT
Joice Heim, Gainesville, Texas, was killed in a one-car accident in Colorado, where she was visiting her daughter, Joette Duvall of Granada, Colo., and family. Reportedly her grandson, Trail Duvall, was in the SUV with her in wintry weather, when Joice lost control of the SUV and it rolled; however, Trail was only shaken up with a cut on his forehead. Joice was previously married to NCHA Triple Crown Champion Joe Heim. Send your condolences to Joette and her husband Cody at 18334 Rd 25, Granada, CO 81041.

KEENELAND SALE STILL DOWN 12.1 PERCENT IN TOTAL SALES; 30 PERCENT IN AVERAGE
On Day eight of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, prices were still down substantially from a year ago, even though a dispersal of Overbrook Farms helped shore up prices. For the day, the total sales were down 12.1 percent, the average dropped 30 percent to $20,343 and the median dropped 40.9 percent to $13,000. However, the cumulative figures were not that bad, as the total sales were down 10.4 percent to $150,359,400, the average was down 20.3 percent to $84,188 and the median down 22 percent to $39,000. The sale continues until Nov. 21.

PAINTING OF WIMPY P-1 BRINGS $120,000 at AQHA WORLD SHOW SALE
An original painting of Wimpy P-1 sold at the AQHA World Show Sale on Sunday, Nov, 15, for $120,000. The legendary painting by the late American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame member Orren Mixer was purchased by Hendrik and Lettie Smeding of Pope Valley, Calif., via a telephone bid. The painting was commissioned by Rex Cauble, the last recorded owner of Wimpy P-1, the first horse registered with the American Quarter Horse Association at its founding. It was consigned by Reynolds and Lisa Moreland of Mays Lick, Kentucky, who purchased the painting from Cauble prior to his death in 2003. The Smedings own a ranch in Napa County, and have horses and cattle, and recently acquired a new stallion, Dual Star Cat.

BATTLE IN THE SADDLE, COMBINING FIVE WESTERN DISCIPLINES, TO HAVE ESTIMATED $340,000 TOTAL PURSE
A new and exciting event that will showcase the best horses and riders in five Western disciplines, will move into Oklahoma City in July. The inaugural Battle In The Saddle, scheduled for July 6-10 at the State Fair Park, is owned by the Oklahoma State Fair and managed by the AQHA – but it will be open to all breeds and have $130,000 in added money, for an estimated $340,000 purse. Cutting, reining, roping and working cow horse will be the classes

All breeds can compete; however, AQHA-registered horses will receive AQHA points. The ranch horse competition will be open to all ranches that meet the criteria of the AQHA-Bayer Best Remuda Award. Roping events will be recognized by the American Rope Horse Futurity Association and follow ARHFA rules. Horses competing in the cutting will receive National Cutting Horse Association recognition. Ancillary reining classes will be approved by the Oklahoma Reining Horse Association. The National Reined Cow Horse Association will be involved, as well.

WHITMIRE PETITIONS SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS IN SUIT AGAINST NCHA

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.

On Oct. 1, 2006, Whitmire filed a lawsuit against the NCHA following a dispute about her amateur/non-pro status that had been going on since 2004.

After Judge Tom Lowe of the 236th District Court, Fort Worth, Texas issued a Summary Judgment on April 9, 2008, in favor of the NCHA as to certain of Whitmire’s claims, including the membership contract claims and the breach of oral promise claims. Whitmire appealed this ruling to the Court of Appeals in the Second District of Texas in Ft. Worth. On July 23, the Court of Appeals issued its ruling affirming the trial court’s grant of summary judgment on the membership contract claims and reversing the trial court on the breach of oral promise claim. The latter claim involves a settlement agreement Whitmire claims was reached between Eldridge Goins, acting as NCHA General Counsel, and Whitmire’s lawyer Clark Brewster. Enforcement of the oral agreement would result in reinstatement of Whitmire as a non-pro NCHA member.

The Second Court of Appeals appears to have ignored other similar cases that have found Texas law to be “well settled” such that a court cannot interfere in the affairs of a non-profit corporation as long as the organization complies with its rules. The NCHA’s motion for summary judgment at the trial court level argued that the NCHA was entitled to deference from the trial court because, in its treatment of Whitmire, the NCHA complied with its rules. Whitmire denied that the NCHA had complied with its own rules and that summary judgment was certainly not appropriate given the NCHA’s contradiction of its own evidence in some instances.

The Second Court of Appeals extended the level of deference due the NCHA by holding that the courts could not interfere with the NCHA as long as it did not impose a “wholesale deprivation of due process” upon Whitmire. Whitmire is arguing that this new standard is inconsistent with Texas law and goes too far in allowing the NCHA deference in its treatment of its members. On another point, Whitmire is seeking to overturn the trial court’s grant of summary judgment on the fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims because summary judgment was granted in connection with parts of the claims the NCHA did not even file a motion upon.

Whitmire has now petitioned the Supreme Court of Texas, located in Austin, which has jurisdiction over certain court cases, to hear her appeal of the Second Court’s ruling on the membership contract related claims. According to an attorney, who asked not to be named in light of the pending appeal, the Supreme Court of Texas will first determine whether they will accept the case, then both parties will likely be ordered to file up to a 45-page brief. A date may then be set for oral arguments, which would take place in Austin.

Whitmire is arguing that the evidence put forth by the NCHA contradicted the NCHA’s alleged compliance with its own rules, including the fact there was no written complaint as required under NCHA Rule 37, the NCHA improperly placed the burden of proof on Whitmire and that she had proved that she had not trained horses astride for remuneration but was punished anyway. Whitmire points out that Hooper, for example, contradicted the substance of his testimony on certain of these key points as between his sworn affidavit and his deposition testimony. The filing also says that the NCHA misrepresented that Whitmire would have her non-professional status reinstated if she accepted a six-month membership suspension and abandoned further appeals.
Click here for a copy of the Nov. 16, 20009 Petition to the Supreme Court of Texas>>

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

Oct. 27, 2009 - Portland, Ore.
David Plummer

According to the Associated Press, 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.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kent Robinson says the scheme was nationwide. The government identified the three men as David Plummer; his son, Spencer Plummer, and an accountant, Terry Green.

The government says the operation known as ClassicStar was based in Utah, where Spencer Plummer and Terry Green lived. David Plummer was identified in court documents as a Texan.

No sentencing date was set.

According to a Oct. 26 article in The Oregonian, Allen Garten, the assistant U.S. attorney leading the ClassicStar prosecution, the Plummers and Green are cooperating with the government in its continuing investigtation of ClassicStar, which will earn them some points in the sentencing equation. The maximum sentence for conspiracy to defraud the government is five years, but it's unclear how much time the trio of defendants will serve. The government is believed to be focusing on other executives involved with ClassicStar, including some officers with GeoStar, a Michigan oil and gas exploration company that bought ClassicStar.

The case was held in federal court in Portland because the case embroiled several Portlanders, including Joe Hanna, a Portland lawyer who is being investigated for potential ethics violations by the Oregon State Bar for his role in the tax deal. Also, Portland homebuilders Wally Remmers and Dennis Sackhoff were among several locals who invested more than $14 million each in the breeding scheme in 2004-2005. They are the founders and top executives of Beaverton-based Arbor Custom Homes, the area's largest home builder.

Shane Plummer

In response to the guilty plea by his father and brother, Shane Plummer, the owner of Buffalo Ranch in Fort Worth, Texas, said, "What people need to know and the important facts for the Industry:

"Buffalo Ranch is not affected by the guilty pleas in Portland, Ore., on Monday. Buffalo Ranch is owned and operated by Shane Plummer and he is not going to be prosecuted.

"David Plummer Spencer Plummer and Terry Green entered guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy. Each of them has been cooperating fully with the government for several months and have agreed to testify regarding the actions of others. They have been released on their own recognizance. Sentencing has been continued until after the government concludes its investigation, which could be several months.

"Buffalo Ranch looks forward to continuing to serve its customers. The Industry should expect the same quality and level of service in the future. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about Buffalo Ranch and its ability to provide you with first rate service."

The ranch has closed down its training operation and trainer Greg Smith has moved to Cedar City, Utah and is working for Mike and Becky Coronado; however, the Buffalo Ranch still has some cutting horses in training with local trainers.

The Buffalo Ranch own and stand three major stallions: Hydrive Cat (High Brow Cat x Ruby Tuesday DNA), earner of $416,709 including Reserve Champion of the 2006 NCHA Open Futurity; TR Dual Rey, a son of Dual Rey that has won $431,773 including the Reserve Championship of the 2003 NCHA Open Super Stakes and the NCHA Summer Spectacular, RC Fancy Step, a top reining horse sired by Wimpys Little Step with $261,906 in lifetime earnings, including the Champion of the 3-Year-Old Futurity at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and Reserve Champion of the 4,5 and 6-year-old at the NRBC.
Click here for a release from the Department of Justice>>

TOURISM PROMOTION BILL BENEFICIAL TO HORSE INDUSTRY PASSES SENATE

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.

“Equine tourism is a growing and diverse segment of the horse industry. Because it encompasses many parts of the industry including recreation, showing and racing its continued growth is beneficial to the entire horse industry,” Said AHC President Jay Hickey. “If equine tourism in the U.S. is to expand, it is important that we promote it abroad as well as at home. We believe this bill has the potential to increase the number of international visitors to the U.S. who participate in equestrian events and activities, either as participants or spectators.”

The purpose of the bill is to market the U.S. as a tourist destination to people around the world. It would create a non-profit Corporation for Travel Promotion, which would be responsible for correcting misperceptions regarding U.S entry policies, and providing useful information to foreign tourists and others interested in traveling to the United States.

Notably, the bill requires the Corporation for Travel Promotion to “identify opportunities and strategies to promote tourism to rural and urban areas equally.” A travel promotion fund requiring non-federal matching funds would also be established.

The bill would additionally authorize the creation of an Office of Travel Promotion in the Department of Commerce. This office would support and encourage the development of programs to increase the number of international visitors to the United States. Also it would collect data on the number of international visitors to each state and support state, regional, and private sector initiatives to promote travel to and within the United States.

“Whether it’s a packing trip in the West, one of the outstanding horse shows throughout the country or one of our exciting races, this bill has the potential to help let those abroad know what the U.S. horse industry has to offer,” said Ben Pendergrass, AHC Legislative Director.

“The House of Representatives passed similar legislation last year so we hope they will approve this bill quickly,” said Hickey.

PERFORMANCE HORSE MAGAZINE CEASES PUBLICATION

Aug. 26, 2009
Performance Horse Magazine, one of the equine publications owned by Morris Publishing, will cease publication with the current issue. Several months ago, the publication moved from a monthly to a bi-monthly.

According to a posting on their web site by Publisher Darrell Dodds, unless the magazine hears from their subscribers within 30 days, they will automatically receive Western Horseman Magazine for their remaining issues.

If subscribers already receive Western Horseman Magazine, or would prefer to receive one of Morris Publishing's other publications, they can choose either Quarter Horse News or Barrel Horse News for their replacement issues. They will receive two copies of the publication of their choice for every issue of Performance Horse they were currently receiving.

AQHA BAYER SELECT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW TOUTS GAINS OVER 2008 SHOW

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.

The show, held exclusively for amateur exhibitors age 50 and older, begins Aug. 31 and continues through Sept. 6 at the Amarillo National Center in Amarillo, Texas. Admission is free for the world’s largest, single-breed horse show. Exhibitors will be competing in 41 classes for champion prize packages including trophies, belt buckles and other products.

The Sooner Trailer Bayer Select All-Around Amateur Award goes to the top Select amateur exhibitor-and-horse team that earns the most points in three or more events in two categories during the Select World Show. The winner of this award receives a $25,000 gift certificate for a Sooner Trailer, an original Lisa Perry bronze, an embroidered WeatherBeeta horse blanket and rose bouquet. The Reserve All-Around Amateur receives a Tex Tan saddle, silver bowl and $2,500; while third- through fifth-place finishers each receive $1,000 courtesy of AQHA. The All-Around Amateur awards will be presented on Sunday, Sept. 6.

The show brings more than $2 million into the Amarillo economy. Local businesses such as restaurants and hotels feel a direct impact, but local residents also benefit from sales and hotel taxes generated from exhibitors, trainers and others attending the show.

Judges include: John Abrams, Tim Bartlett, Chris Benedict, Mario Boisjoli, Pierre Briere, Dawn Clason, Ralph Depew, Casey Devitt, Greg Hale, Clay Johns, Joe Jones, Kim Meadows-Hall, Jeff Pait, Kenda Pipkin, Bruce Richerson, Russell Sibley and Chris Thompson.
Click here for schedule and entries>>