2008 Newsletter

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April - 2nd addition

Montana Cutting Horse Association News:

All NCHA members should be aware of a proposal submitted to the NCHA Amateur and Non-Pro Committees, by Bronc Willoughby, to eliminate all NCHA Amateur Classes. You can go to the MCHA web site at www.montanacha.com and review the body of this proposal. Please make your voices heard on this important issue. You can send your comments to Jim Armstrong at jimarmstrong@uci.net.

The MCHA 08 show season is now in it's second month and quite a few MCHA members are hauling down the road to the shows. The Western National Championships is just around the corner May 1st, and hope many of you have entered for this great show. The MCHA has been represented by the great cutters it has in its membership and placed second in the AQHA Affiliate Challenge for the past several years. I hope we can take the number one spot this year!

Welcome to our newest Corporate Sponsor, SciencePure Nutraceuticals, Inc. They are sponsoring all four of the Never Won A Buckle classes. We feel fortunate to have them on board. The internationally known company is dedicated to the development of safe alternative Nutraceuticals that produce the results you want in equine, dog and humane supplements. Visit their website, www.pureformequinehealth.com for more information.

Thank you to Lisa Hendrickson for answering the questions for the member profile this month. Be sure to read all about this special lady. We are happy to once again offer the member profile section. We hope you enjoy it. Please contact Shirley at info@montanacha.com if you have someone you would like profiled or questions you would like asked.

Carrie Bruch is organizing a National Youth Cutting Horse Association Scholarship Cutting, August 9-10, at Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, Montana. In order to raise the $10,000 for scholarships, we must have donations of $8000. NCHA will contribute $2000. We need your tax-free donation to support our Youth so they may have the opportunity to win scholarship money for post high school education. This is totally tax-free contribution! Please contact Carrie at 406-222-0330 or 406-222-0330 or at info@bigskyinternetdesign.com for more information! Or visit the NYCHA website at http://nycharegionalscholarshipcutting.com

Last month we listed Montana CHA members placing in the top 20 at the World Finals. Congratulations to An Oaken Playgun owned by Mike Willey and ridden by John L. Dublin. They placed 10th in the first go of the Open and 14th in the second go at the World Finals and went from 54th to 41st in the world standings of the Open class. Mike also showed An Oaken Playgun in the $10,000 Amateur and finished 20th in the World Standing. We unintentionally overlooked these results and didn't mention them last month. Our sincere apologies for this oversight and congratulations on your great achievements.

Congratulations to Robert and Kristie Donaghey, on the birth of their new baby, Isabella Marie. She joins two-year-old brother, Wesley. They welcomed Isabella to the world on Thursday morning, March 20, 2008. She weighed 6 lbs. 2.8 oz. and was 19 in. long at birth with beautiful blond hair. They can't wait to show off their new little girl at cuttings this year and we can't wait to see her.

One of the reasons it is important to join the MCHA is to continue receiving the newsletter. This will be your last issue of The Wrangler if you are not a 2008 MCHA member. Don't delay use the enclosed membership form and join today.

Good luck to everyone competing at the Western Nationals in Ogden and at the upcoming cuttings.

Email us if you have anything you would like mentioned in the newsletter.

Be sure to visit the MCHA web site, www.montanacha.com for the latest in news, results, show info and other information.

Todd Wirthlin, President
Shirley Williams, Secretary/Treasurer


 

APRIL
Montana Cutting Horse Association News:

The 2008 Montana cutting season is off to a great start with shows held at the Double D Creek Ranch and Miller's Horse Palace in March. Thank you to Dave and Deb Weyer and Bill and Jann Parker for producing these shows. They were well attended considering they were the first shows of the year and the weather hasn't been very conducive to getting horses in shape. Perhaps the weather will be more cooperative for riding and cutting since spring is here (according to the calendar).

Remember any MCHA member competing at Western National Championships at Ogden, Utah, in May and riding for the Montana affiliate will receive a vest compliments of MCHA. Please contact Todd Wirthlin at 406-756-1500 or wirthlin@centurytel.net with your size. We need to have all sizes by APRIL 4 so we can order the vests and have them embroidered. You can pick the vest up from Todd at Ogden.

The NCHA World Finals was not complete at the writing of the last newsletter. MCHA members did extremely well. ** John L Dublin riding An Oaken Playgun for Mike Willey & the RockinWQH.com move up to 41st place, after placing in the first 2 go's of the Open! Congratulations to Debra Weyer for placing third at the finals in the $20,000 Non Pro class riding Young Boogie Man. This bumped Deb up to 10th in the World Standings. Also in this same class, Theresa Nelson ended the year in 7th place aboard Debra Badger. Kelly McDonald and Headacres Fancy placed 6th at the world finals and ended the year in 20th place in the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro. Kelly won money in all of the goes. Bill Parker and Duallys On Safari placed 13th in the world standings of the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro. In the $50,000 Amateur division Jann Parker and Tachitas Jewels placed 6th in the world standings. Mike Willey riding An Oaken Playgun showed at the world finals and finished 20th in the world standings in the $10,000 Amateur class. In the $10,000 Novice, Non Pro class Dave Weyer showed DMAC Tooty Rudy and placed 18th in the year-end standings. In the Non Pro class Bill Parker and Shorty Box JD finished in 18th place in the world standings. Fifteen year-old Lane Ternan rode his great horse, Badgers Danny Dry and placed 12th at the World Show in the $2,000 Limited Rider class. Lane won money in every go round at the world finals show and finished in 4th place in the world standings. Shelby Burrows riding Lucky Boy 942 ended the year 16th in the $2,000 Limited rider class. A lot of cutters will be glad that Lane and Shelby no longer qualify for the $2,000 rider class. What a great accomplishment for all of these cutters who placed in the top 20 of the World Standings. We are all very proud of you and all the MCHA members who competed at the world finals. Congratulations.

Be sure to pay your MCHA dues. A membership application is enclosed with this issue. Each year only a few dollars determines the year end winners and the Western National Championships standings. Remember both horse owner and rider must be MCHA members before competing in order for earnings to count toward year-end awards. Don't delay join today. Presently we have 141 members. Last year we had 214 members.

Attention all MCHA youth members. The Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship application deadline is April 15, 2008. Last year the winner of this $2,000 scholarship was Jacob Bruch. Applications need to be mailed to Kathy Foote at 12451 East Fort Lowell, Tucson, AZ 85749. Applications may be e-mailed to Kathy at kathy@tsquareranch.com with accompanying original signature and supporting documentation mailed to Kathy at the above address. Application forms and rules can be downloaded from the MCHA website, www.montanacha.com. Applicants need to be Montana CHA members. On a related note the Angela Bauer Scholarship cutting dates have been announced. The scholarship cuttings are April 12th at Cow Country $pring Cha-Ching Cutting in Billings, May 24th at Sun River Cattle Company Cutting in Great Falls, June 28th at Never Swear Ranch Cutting in Hamilton and July 26th at Double D Creek Ranch cutting in Columbus. Both rider and horse owner must be Montana CHA members before showing in the scholarship cutting in order to be eligible for the scholarship proceeds. Also of interest to our high school members - Montana High School Rodeo Association (MHSRA) approved high school cuttings will be held at the Horse Palace in Billings on April 11th and in Miles City on April 18th. Cutters need to be Montana High School Rodeo Association members and need to pre-enter through that association. Consult the MHSRA website, www.mhsra.com, for more details.

NYCHA Regional 1 Youth Scholarship Cutting Needs Your Support!
A $10,000 NYCHA Scholarship Cutting is scheduled to held on August 9-10 at Four Season Arena, Great Falls, Mt before the Big Sky Aged Event. In order to raise the $10,000, we must have donations of $8000 and the NCHA will contribute $2000. We need your tax free donation to support our Youth so they may have the opportunity to win scholarship money for post high school education. This is totally tax free contribution! Please contact Chairperson Carrie Bruch at 406-222-0330 or at info@bigskyinternetdesign.com for more information!


Thank you to David and Sandra Sabey, Rex and Gina Ternan, and Randy and Vicky Lynn for their sizeable donations to the Youth Scholarship fund. We appreciate your supporting our youth's education and the youth's cuttings a the MCHA shows.

We have three weekends of cuttings planned for April. The Weyers will host a cutting April 4-6 at their Double D Creek Ranch Arena at Columbus. They always have great cuttings with good cattle and lots of added money. This cutting is offering a derby class for those of you that have younger horses. The next weekend, April 11-13, cutters will be off to the Horse Palace arena in Billings for the Cow Country $pring Cha-Ching cutting produced by the Parker's. As the name implies there is lots of added money and as usual there is fresh cattle in every class. On Saturday the open, non-pro and $2,000 limit rider classes will have one go and a finals. The finals will be at 7:00 p.m. All finalists will receive a check and a vest. There will be circuit awards in the $20,000 Non Pro and the $10,000 Amateur. There will, also, be the Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship cutting on Saturday and a MHSRA approved cutting on Friday. The Wes Tibbets Memorial cutting will be in Miles City on April 19 & 20. This is always a good cutting. Lots of our neighbors in the Dakotas come to this cutting so this gives us a chance to compete against some other horses. This is, also, a good tune-up for Ogden as it is a couple weeks before the Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah, May 1 – 11. Also there will be a MHSRA approved cutting on Friday, April 18. Good luck to everyone as you compete at all of these cuttings.


The NEVER WON A BUCKLE CLASS is back this year. Four (4) times this class will be availible throughout the MCHA 208 show year. The first date will be at the Sun River Cattle Co. Cutting in Great Fall on MAY 17th. The four (4) buckle winners will be eligible for the MCHA year end show's shoot out. Any one that entered the NWAB Class three (3) of the four (4) times offered will be eligible also.

Be watching for the next issue of The Wrangler. The member profile is returning. Shirley has some interesting and special people selected for the next couple months. Email info@montanacha.com if you have someone you would like profiled or questions you would like asked. Also email us if you have anything you would like mentioned in the newsletter.

Be sure to visit the MCHA web site, www.montanacha.com for the latest in news, results, show info and other information.

See you at the MCHA shows.

Todd Wirthlin, President

Shirley Williams, Secretary/Treasurer
 

March

Dear Cutters,

When you read this article the show season will be about to start in Montana. Make sure you have paid your MCHA dues and have your ownership and membership documents ready to give to show management at the up coming MCHA shows.

Several changes were made at the last MCHA Directors meeting. This year the Foundation Class has been cancelled. The NEVER WON A BUCKLE (NWAB) Class has been added and will be scheduled at four shows this year. The Buckle winners and any other rider that has entered the NWAB class in at least three (3) shows will be eligible to compete in the shoot-out at the year end show for prizes.

Several out of state shows were approved by the MCHA. The Barb Dahl Cutting Classic, June 14-15 at Jackson, Wyoming and the Meadow Vue Cutting, August 28 - September 1, at Henry’s Lake, Idaho. Please note the show schedule is included in this issue. Remember to check the website, www.montanacha.com, for the latest news, standings, show updates, show results, classifieds, etc.

Any MCHA member competing at Western National Championships at Ogden in May and riding for the Montana affiliate will receive a vest to wear compliments of MCHA. Please contact me at 406-756-1500 or wirthlin@centurytel.net to let me know your size. We need to have all sizes by March 31 so we can order the vests and have them embroidered. You can pick the vest up from me at Ogden.

It looks like a great show season for 2008. I hope you can attend the shows.

See you in the Cutting pen.

Todd G. Wirthlin
President
 

February

Dear Cutters,

Well it is February now and in a couple of weeks the show season starts in Montana. Make sure you have paid your MCHA dues an have your ownership papers ready to give to show management at the up coming MCHA shows.

Several changes have been made at the last MCHA Directors meeting. This year the Foundation Class has been cancelled, the 800 Rider Class has been added as a class within a class to the 2000 Rider Class. If you qualify for the 800 Rider Class let the show secretary know at time of entry in the 2000 Rider Class. Points will be accumulated from your entry and placement with other 800 Rider entries in the 2000 Rider Class. Year end awards will be given to the riders with the most points earned through the year in the 800 Rider Class. The NEVER WON A BUCKLE Class has been added and will be scheduled at 4 shows this year. The Buckle winners, and any other rider that has entered in the NWB class at least three (3) shows will be eligible to compete in the shoot-out at the year end show for prizes.

Several out of state shows were approved by the MCHA. The Barb Dahl Memorial Cutting, June
14 and 15 at Jackson, Wyoming and the Meadow Vue Cutting, August 28-September 1, at Henry's Lake, Idaho.

It looks like a great show season for 2008 and hope you attend the shows.

See you in the Cutting pen.

Todd G. Wirthlin
President


MCHA President's Letter
By Todd Wirthlin

It's time to get the horse in shape because next month marks the start of the 2008 Montana Cutting Horse Association show season. The year kicks-off with the Double D Creek Ranch cutting, produced by Dave Weyer, in Columbus on March 1 and 2. The next weekend, March 8 and 9, cutters will head to Millers Horse Palace Arena in Laurel for the Cow Country Cutting produced by Parker Horse Company. March 22 and 23 will find cutters in western Montana at Corvallis for the Sapphire Event Center cutting produced by John and Cindy Stefka. Consult the MCHA website, montanacha.com, for the complete 2008 cutting schedule. Good luck to everyone.
Now is the time to pay your 2008 MCHA membership dues. They remain $50 for adults and $10 for youth (18 years and younger). Remember both horse owner and rider (including youth) must be paid MCHA members before showing in order for earnings to count toward year-end awards and Western National standings. A membership form is included in this issue and one is available on the website. Be sure every dollar you earn counts – pay your dues today. One of the benefits of being a member is receiving the Cascade Horseman. Renew today so you will continue receiving this magazine.
Welcome to MCHA's newest Corporate Sponsors, Joe Liss Water Wells, Inc. and Red Lodge Country Real Estate. We are glad to have you on board. Contact Shirley Williams or me for information on becoming a sponsor of MCHA.
Congratulations to Bart and Kelly Heiken on the adoption of Isabell Rachel Heiken. I'm sure you all have seen this cute little red headed girl at the cuttings with Bart and Kelly. Isabell just turned four years old on New Year's Day. We are very happy for the Heiken family.
The MCHA extends sincere condolences to Jann Parker on the loss of her great horse, Catsonita. Jann won numerous awards on this good gelding including the 2007 MCHA $10,000 Novice Horse, Non Pro Championship.
There are some wonderful candid shots of the year-end awards banquet. It is not possible to publish all the photos in the Cascade Horseman or on the MCHA website. For details on viewing these photos contact Shirley Williams or Carrie Bruch at info@montanacha.com
See you in the cutting pen.


 

January
MCHA President's Letter
By Todd Wirthlin

As the incoming President of the MCHA, I want to extend a big welcome to the 2008 officers and directors and to thank the 2007 Board for a terrific job of guiding our association this past year. The MCHA is your association so please feel free to contact any of the officers or directors with suggestions or comments. Contact Shirley Williams or myself if you have financial or general questions regarding the association. Also, contact Kathy Foote for any information on the MCHA youth scholarship program.

In just a few months the 2008 MCHA cutting season will begin. Now is a great time to pay your Montana CHA dues. The dues remain the same as last year, $50 for adults and $10 for youth 18 years and under.
Remember both horse owner and rider must be paid members before showing in order for earnings to count toward year-end standings and to qualify for the Western National Championships at Ogden. Last year only a few dollars determined the year-end winners and Ogden qualifiers. So make every dollar earned count - pay your dues today. A membership form is enclosed in this issue.

Congratulations to all the 2007 Western National Championship qualifiers. A complete list is on the website www.montanacha.com . This competition is open to the horses/riders that placed in the top ten of our affiliate in NCHA approved classes. We are allowed to drop down and take additional riders/horses in classes if any in the top ten of MCHA are also in the top ten in Area 4.

Thanks to our members, Montana has done an outstanding job in the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate challenge, in Ogden, Utah the past few years. The last several years we have been reserve champions at Ogden and won $5,000 for the affiliate each year. So remember when your entry form comes from the NCHA to return it and mark that you will be riding for the MCHA.

Wanted – classified listings. Did you know that as a MCHA member you can place classified ads on the MCHA website, www.montanacha.com, for free? For only $10 you can add a photo to your ad. Why not do some early spring-cleaning and list that unused tack, trailer or horse on the website. The website is also a reasonable way to advertise your business, farm or ranch. For only $25 per year you will receive a listing on the website that reaches thousands of people. There is also a stallion section. The cost to promote your stallion is only $25 per year. Contact Shirley at info@montanacha.com for more details or give her a call at 208-542-1144.

We invite all cutters from around the Northwest, Canada, and the rest of the country to come and compete at our shows in Montana for the 2008 year. We always have good cattle, good ground, good facilities, good help and great members.