Cutting
The National Cutting Horse Association’s biggest and most exciting cutting competition of the year, the 2008 NCI Building Systems NCHA World Championship Futurity is set to begin its 23-day run on November 22, boasting a record number of entries and a record amount of prize money. More than 1,800 entries, an increase of more than 100 entries from last year, will be competing for $4.4 million in prize money. Due to the increased entries, the show will span a record 23 straight days, beginning November 22 and concluding with the Open division finals December 14, 2008 at the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum in Fort Worth.
The annual NCHA Triple Crown trail begins with the $4.4 million NCI/NCHA Futurity and continues with the $3.4 million Ford Super Stakes in April, followed in July and August by the $2.3 million NCHA Derby, a division of the Summer Spectacular presented by Great American Insurance. All three events are held at Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Cutting horses have earned more than $600 million in NCHA approved competition since the association was founded in 1946, the Triple Crown events alone add $10 million to the total each year.
NCHA Triple Crown purses have increased 55 percent in the past five years. The total annual prize money for cutting’s Triple Crown is over $10 million, surpassing Thoroughbred racing's total Triple Crown purses (from the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) by almost $6 million, and Quarter Horse racing's Triple Crown (Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American futurities) by almost $7 million.
For many, the NCHA Futurity represents the beginning of a successful career in the show ring. The 3 year-old equine competitors have been training rigorously for this show, and will join thousands of other hopefuls to make their professional debut over the course of this 23-day event. Trainers enter their young horses in hopes of having the highest scores over the course of several two-and-a half minute-run rounds. The Open Champion takes home $250,000 and the title of NCHA Open Futurity Champion.
In addition to cash prizes, the Futurity champions will receive awards from sponsors including M.L. Leddy’s, Murray Leather, Read’s Jewelers, Teskey’s, Trefethen Vineyards, Platinum Performance, Dennis Moreland Second Edition, LubriSyn, La Reina Collection, Tioga Territory and trophy buckles from Gist Silversmiths.
Along with the Futurity cutting competition, there will be several events held in conjunction with the show, including: the Celebrity Cutting, The Charles Goodnight Gala, Western Bloodstock horse sales and the Western Mercantile Exhibit Hall.
Charles Goodnight Gala
The 18th Annual Charles Goodnight Gala honoring Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. and introducing the NCHA Hall of Fame inductees will be held at The Renaissance-Worthington Hotel at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2008. Entertainment will be provided by country music star, Trace Adkins. For more information, visit www.charlesgoodnightgala.com.
Celebrity Cutting
The 14th Annual Celebrity Cutting Event will be held Friday, December 5, at 7 p.m. at the Will Rogers Coliseum. This event is presented by the Careity Foundation, proceeds from the cutting event provide funding for a variety of supportive clinical services for cancer patients in the local area. The event will feature national and local celebrities in the cutting pen. Some of the celebrity cutters are Betty Buckley, Jon Bonnell, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Dr. Amy Gunter, Ron Hall, Bob Kingsley and Heidi Newfield to name a few. For more information, visit www.celebritycutting.org.
Western Bloodstock Sales
Western Bloodstock will host cutting horse sales beginning on Saturday, December 6 and continuing through the finals on Sunday, December 14. For a complete list of events and sales please visit www.westernbloodstock.com. Several sessions will be broadcast live on RFD-TV. Here are some of the sales to look for: The Western Bloodstock Invitational Yearling Sale will be live
Tuesday, December 9, The Oxbow Event, A Production Sale at the NCHA Futurity will also be broadcast live, followed by the Preferred Breeder’s Sale Session 2: New Sire Spotlight.
Beginning on Saturday, December 13, 7:30 am will be the two day display of Cutting's Finest Sires, there will be a Cutter’s Breakfast, sponsored by XTO Energy. The Super Stallion Weekend continues on Sunday with a Cutter’s Breakfast again at 7:30 am, sponsored by Weatherford National Bank.
The 2008 NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity finals will also be broadcast live on RFD-TV Sunday, December 14, 2008, presented by David Mc David and Hes A Peptospoonful. This special three-hour live telecast of the Open Finals begins at 6:30 pm Central time and will also feature highlights from the Non-Pro and Amateur Finals at the NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity. There will be a rebroadcast Monday, December 22, 5 am Central time. RFD-TV is available through DirecTV, DISH Network, Mediacom and NCTC cable systems in all 50 states.
Western Mercantile
The Western Mercantile presented by Coors Light opens November 22 through December 14, closed for Thanksgiving, in the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall. Featuring over 150 merchants from all over the country selling the finest quality clothing, art, tack, jewelry, furniture and much more. The exhibit hall will be open daily from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. during go-rounds, and will remain open with extended hours through the semi-finals and finals performances.
Ticket information
Show and exhibit hall parking is free. Admission to the Western Mercantile is always free. Amateur and Non-Pro go-rounds are also free, admission starts at $6 for the Open competition November 22 through December 3 and the Non-Pro and Open Semi-finals and Finals December 11 - 14.
For more information about the 2008 NCI Building Systems NCHA World Championship Futurity, or the long list of events and activities associated with this 23-day show, please call the NCHA at 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.
The National Cutting Horse Association is made up of 21,000 members across the United States with a wide range of backgrounds. The sport of cutting has roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a necessity for everyday ranch work and cattle handling. From cowgirls to CEOs, from firefighters to professional football players, the common ground is often in the cutting arena. Each year more than 2,200 NCHA-approved events are held throughout the country with more than $42 million in prize money awarded. For more information about the NCHA or the sport of cutting, please call 817-244-6188 or log on to www.nchacutting.com.
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