Cutting
NCHA'S FIRST SANCTIONED CUTTING HONORED BY AQHA
By
Apr 25, 2008, 14:54

On April 15, 2008, the American Quarter Horse Foundation Historical Marker Program dedicated its 30th marker at a special reception commemorating the first National Cutting Horse Association-sanctioned event in Dublin, Texas. Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst was the featured speaker at the unveiling ceremony, which was also attended by State Representative Sid Miller. American Quarter Horse Association First Vice President Jim Helzer presented the marker and Executive Vice President Bill Brewer hosted the ceremony.
>
> The first NCHA-sanctioned contest was held September 10, 1946, at the
Colborn
> Bowl in Dublin. Twenty-one contestants each paid a $10 entry fee while
NCHA
> offered $200 in added money. Riding his American Quarter Horse Snooks,
Jimmy
> Maddox took first place. The first NCHA-sanctioned cutting paved the
way for
> the discipline to become an official American Quarter Horse
Association event.
> The success of the show also was a positive sign that the fledgling
NCHA would
> not only succeed but flourish. Today, more than 17,000 NCHA members,
the vast
> majority of whom are riding American Quarter Horses, compete in 2,200
shows
> worldwide for more than $44 million in prize money.
>
> "We are excited to have the site of NCHA's first approved cutting
recognized
> as a historical site by the American Quarter Horse Association," said
Jeff
> Hooper, Executive Director of the NCHA. "The American Quarter Horse
has always
> played a strong role in the cutting industry. The cooperation between
our two
> associations as we come together to commemorate such a historic event
is
> evidence of the strength of the continuing relationship between the
NCHA and
> the AQHA."
>
> American Quarter Horse Historical Markers commemorate people and
events
> historically important to the development of the American Quarter
Horse breed
> or the American Quarter Horse Association. With the dedication of the
marker
> commemorating the first NCHA-sanctioned cutting, the program boasts 30
> permanent historical markers throughout the United States and Canada.
The
> program is administered by the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame &
Museum
> and is a project of the American Quarter Horse Foundation.
>
> "Our partnership with NCHA is long-standing, and we're pleased that
the 30th
> marker commemorates this milestone event," said AQHA President Ken
Mumy.
> "American Quarter Horses have long been the breed of choice by cutting
> participants and it's exciting to honor this discipline."
>
> As Strategic Marketing Partners, AQHA and NCHA work to promote the
American
> Quarter Horse and the western discipline of cutting. The sport of
cutting has
> roots in Western ranching traditions, where good horses were a
necessity for
> everyday ranch work and cattle handling. The National Cutting Horse
> Association is made up of more than 17,000 members with a wide range
of
> backgrounds. From cowgirls to CEOs and firefighters to professional
football
> players, the common ground is 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. To learn more about the NCHA and the
sport of
> cutting, visit nchacutting.com.
>

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