SPRING ROUNDUP

The annual Novice Challenge on April 13th was a fun filled day for all. This day is a special day for those cutters who have earned under $2000 in NCHA money. The AZCHA and some generous anonymous supporters who were once beginners and understand what a day like this can mean to the novice rider financed the event. Entry fees are kept low and professional trainers donate their day to support, help, and teach the exhibitors. The camaraderie and caring support of those in attendance demonstrated what cutting is all about.

Prizes as well as cash purses were awarded to the top exhibitors in each class. A beautiful belt buckle was awarded to first place winners and the reserve champions received a handmade rope bosal with reins crafted by Don Perkins. Awards were given through sixth place.

Dan Manning did a superb job of judging while Nina Hardin announced at the event. Lindsey Mills and Kim McElroy worked the entry office and processed the paper work. Charlie and Kathy Maynard wrangled the cattle while Drew Dunham, Don Perkins, Bill Murphy, George Sargent, Floyd Brooks, and Rick Overstreet helped with turnback duties. Photographer Kim Cook was there to capture all of it on film as was Jill and John Fetz of Action Video.

The top two winners from each class rode in a final Shootout. The shootout riders were Pam Clements, Roxie Gosney, Cheryl Lenox, Joanne Bowles and Terry Gammill. When the dust cleared after the shootout, Terry Gammill emerged victorious and won a beautifully carved pocketknife along with his championship title.

The entire event was planned and organized by AzCHA Vice-President Terri Smith. President Steve Terrell was also present to hand out awards and cheer us on. Thanks to all for making this a great event. If you still have not reached that elusive $2000 benchmark by next year, plan on attending this special event.

Arizona was also proud to send it's top contenders from each NCHA class to the Chevy Western Nationals in Ogden, Utah. Cathi Cox was part of the Team Arizona and wrote the following:

Congratulations to the 36 members of the Arizona Cutting Horse Association who qualified for and participated in the 2001 Chevy Trucks/NCHA Western National Championships.  In order to qualify, cutters must have finished in the top 10 for 2001 in their respective classes at their respective affiliates.  At the Western Nationals, 635 entries from 22 states, Canada and Austria competed for $215,000 in purses at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden, Utah from April 27th through May 5th.

In addition to the individual cutting competitions, the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge introduced a "team" concept to the show.  All entrants competed on behalf of their local NCHA affiliate organization (51 affiliates competed), with points awarded for both participation and for excellence of performance.  The affiliates whose members accumulated the highest scores received cash prizes of up to $7,500 for 1st place.  To further enhance this "team" concept, the AzCHA provided team shirts to all its participants; a white Cinch shirt with the AzCHA logo embroidered in red on the front and a patriotic blue "ARIZONA" silk-screened down the left sleeve.  After the final day of competition, AzCHA was proud to receive a check for $4,000 for placing 3rd in the Affiliate Challenge with 1,205 points, just behind the Idaho CHA (1,245) and Northwest CHA (1,575).

Arizona cutters making it to the finals of their respective classes, and receiving winning checks and Finalist vests, were as follows:

• Open: 

Joe Suiter riding Charming Que

Al Dunning riding LB Texas Twist

• NonPro:           

Dave Uthoff on Specialized Playboy

Kim Chamberlain on Pegis Play Pretty

Dawn Chapman on Cheyenne Sugar Doc

Patsy Chamberlain on Bits N Hickory

$10,000 Novice:           

Joe Suiter riding Athenas Little Girl

Drew Dunham riding Smart Power Playboy

Al Dunning riding Coffee In An Instant

• $10,000 Novice NP:            

Kay Pew riding Money From Dad

• $3,000 Novice:           

Joe Suiter riding Little Body Snatcher

• $50,000 Am:           

Kay Pew riding Athenas Little Girl

Dave Uthoff riding Specialized Playboy

Dave Schuff riding Peppy Go Lightly

• Junior Youth:           

Kara Pew riding Money From Dad

• $20,000 NonPro:           

McKenzie Dunning riding LB Texas Twist

• $10,000 Am:           

Terri Smith riding Playboys Miss Priss

Cliff Schlosberg riding Skeeto Gal

• $2,000 LR:           

Leslie Troyer riding Bobs Pistol Doc

Shelley Bird riding Ill Be A Cowboy

Arizona finalists who finished in the top ten of their class finals received a Gist belt buckle as well as a check and other prizes, and included:  Open: Al Dunning (10th);  NonPro: Dave Uthoff (1st), Dawn Chapman (5th), Kim Chamberlain (7th);  $10,000 Novice: Al Dunning (3rd), Drew Dunham (4th (t)); $3,000 Novice: Joe Suiter (4th); $50,000 Am: Dave Schuff (6th (t)), Dave Uthoff (9th); $2,000 LR: Shelley Bird (Reserve (t))

Congratulations to all of our spring winners and thanks for representing Arizona in such fine fashion!

 

The big winner of the day, Dr. Terri Gammill riding Doc Otoes Cowlick to win two classes and the shootout championship.

 

Lenas Smokin Chance and Cheryl Lenox finalists in the shootout

 

Joanne Bowles and SammiesHaidas were finalists in the shootout

 

Pam Clements is all smiles after winning her first cutting belt buckle.

 

Shootout finalist Roxie Gosney riding Haidas BJ while Drew Dunham looks on

 

photos by Kim Cook