The major fundraiser for the Montana Cutting Horse Association is the auction. Thank you to Theresa Nelson and Carrie Bruch for organizing this event at our year-end banquet. Special thanks to the following who donated items:

  In addition to the MCHA live and silent auctions the youth held their own activities to raise funds for scholarships. The youth donated buckets filled with assorted items for their silent auction. In addition, the youth were auctioned with their buyers receiving a day's work at one of the cuttings next year. Thanks to Kathy Foote for organizing the youth auctions. The auctions raised over $5,000 for the MCHA and just over $1,500 for the youth scholarship fund. Many thanks to all of the buyers at this year's auctions and to everyone that helped at the auctions.

  If you haven't already done so, you will want to checkout the newly updated MCHA website, www.montanacha.com. Big Sky Internet Design did a fantastic job. If you have any photos for the photo gallery you can email them to info@montanacha.com or tomwilliams@mcn.net. Photos can be mailed directly to me if you don't have access to the internet.
 
  Remember it is FREE to place a text classified ad on the MCHA website and costs just $10 to add a picture to your ad. Classified ads need to be renewed every 60 days. Stallion ads are $25/year for members and $50/year for non-members. Business ads are $25 for MCHA members and $50 for non-members for 1 year of advertising. Farm and Ranch ads are priced the same as business ads. Advertise in both the business section and farm/ranch section and receive a discount - $40 for members $90 for non-members. New this year – each month a different stallion, business, or farm/ranch ad will be featured on the front page of the MCHA website. You can submit your ad on-line or contact me at the above email addresses or by mail.

  At the General membership meeting it was voted to raise the 2006 dues to $50 for adults and $10 for youth (18 and under). Don't delay - it's not too early to join for 2006.

  Be sure to return the MCHA survey that you received in the mail recently. Your response will help the Board members make important decisions concerning your association.

  Congratulations to the following MCHA members who are in the top 30 of the NCHA World standings (based on results processed to 11/07/05).
  $20,000 Non-Pro – 7. Roy Gebhardt, 11. Mark Hendrickson, 20. David Weyer
  $10,000 Amateur – 8. Roy Gebhardt, 12. Debra Weyer, 19. Theresa Nelson
  $2,000 Limit Rider – 9. Theresa Nelson, 15. David Markette, 26. Carrie Bruch, 29. Eli Auger
  Senior Youth – 18. Tyler Weyer
  $10,000 Novice Horse – 14. Zacks Little Lena, owned by John and Alexandra Spizziri and ridden by John L. Dublin
  $3000 Novice Horse - 17. Mates Jo Lena, owned by Jerry & Doreta Mullins and ridden by John L. Dublin
  There are many more members that are in the top 100 World Standings. You can view the standings on the National Cutting Horse Association website at www.nchacutting.com.

  Thank you to Theresa Nelson for answering my questions for the member profile. Theresa had an awesome year winning both the $10,000 Amateur AND $2,000 rider classes. Congratulations, Theresa.
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday season!

Shirley Williams
MCHA Secretary/Treasurer

MCHA'S OWN......

Author, rancher and cutter Tom McGuane of McLeod, MT,
inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Members Hall of Fame on December 11!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!!
Futurity Program Release - Click Here
Member Hall Of Fame Release - Click Here

November Newsletter

  The 2005 show season ended with two great weekends of cuttings. John and Cindy Stefka produced a cutting at their Sapphire Event Center in Corvallis, Sept. 24th & 25th. Bill and Jann Parker hosted the year-end show at the Double D Creek Ranch Arena in Columbus the following weekend. Many thanks to both these families for all of their efforts in making these cuttings a success. There was good attendance at both cuttings and both featured the hilarious dog races with some of the proceeds from the races going to the MCHA show fund and to the Red Cross to help with the Katrina and Rita hurricane disaster relief in the south.

  The Never Won A Buckle Finals was held at the year-end show. This class had an exciting finish with Molly Taylor riding her newly purchased horse, Little Safari Miss, to a score of 75. Molly took home a beautiful saddle. Congratulations to Molly and the other riders in this class. It was great watching with some tough competition. Thank you to the sponsors of the NWAB class: Haberno Cutting Horses – John Schuler and Kathy Markette, Matt and Nancy Crawford, John and Alexandra Spizziri, Sr., Clay Christian, Perry's Trailer Sales, Inc. – Dale and Lori Cahoy and Tim O'Reilly, Stewart Excavating, Inc. – Walt and Vickie Stewart, and Big Sky Internet Design, Inc. – Tom and Carrie Bruch. This class would not be possible without all the work and organization of Kelly Heiken. She contacts all the sponsors, makes poster, writes articles, etc. THANK YOU KELLY!

  The earnings at the year-end show determined some of the winners of the year-end awards. Each cutter/horse in the top five year-end standings in their class received an award: 1st Gist Silversmiths buckle; 2nd saddle blanket with corner-silver-engraved concho; 3rd tooled brief case, 4th embroidered winter horse blanket; 5th embroidered boot bag. (For the winners of the year-end classes please read the year-end standings in this newsletter). Four lucky year-end winners also walked away with saddles – two of which went to a father and son. David Markette and his son, Jeffrey, took two saddles back home to Hamilton. Theresa Nelson from Missoula, and our MCHA President, Darrell Lee, from Hamilton were the other saddle winners. The four year-end saddles are given on a "lottery" system. All the year-end first place winners are brought to the front of the room. As they stand the classes are drawn out of a hat. As the class is drawn the winner of that class sits down. The last one standing receives a saddle. To add drama and suspense this is done four times to give the saddles away. The winner of the Don Girard Memorial trophy was Betty Lou Weeding. The Rookie of the Year (Bud Campbell award) was presented to David Markette. Senior Youth Rookie was Jessica Bruch and the Junior Youth Rookie winner was Riley Dublin. Horse of the Year honors went to Tico Montana owned by Darrell and Sherry Lee. They also won the Turnback Horse of the Year with their horse, "Macs" - Macs Little Oak. The trophy for the Non-Pro earning the highest (most) money in all classes was awarded to Darrell Lee with a whopping $14,375.76. Tyler Weyer won a $500 scholarship awarded by the MCHA to the Senior Youth Year-End winner. Jake Bruch was recognized as the MCHA candidate for the NCHA Todd Drummond Award. The winner of the Todd Drummond Award will be announced during the 2005 NCHA World Championship Futurity the end of November. The recipients of the Angela Bauer Scholarships were acknowledged. They are as follows: Hamilton Cutting: $200 – Jeff Markette, $150 – Mackenzie Banner, $100 - Fallon Nuttall, $200 – Tyler Weyer, $150 – Jacob Bruch, $100 – Lindsey Lee, $100 – Alison Markette; Columbus Cutting: $200 – Fallon Nuttall, $150 – Jeff Markette, $100 - Riley Dublin, $200 – Lindsey Lee, $150 – Tyler Weyer, $100 – Jessica Bruch. Summer Series Buckle Winners were $20,000 Non-Pro – Dave Weyer; $10,000 Amateur – Susan Lucchesi; $10,000 Novice Horse, Non-Pro – Playnbingo Night owned and ridden by Bill Parker. Congratulations to all the winners.

  The awards were given at the Banquet on Saturday after the cutting. A big thank you to Sherry Lee and Jann Parker for all of their work on the banquet. Thank you, also, to John and Dorothy Seymour, Theresa Nelson, Carrie Bruch, Kathy Foote, Dewey Nollmeyer, and Cody Lee for all of their work on the awards and auction. The auction was a huge success. I will have a list of all the donors in next month's newsletter. We were pleased to have many of our Corporate Sponsors attend the banquet to present awards. Awards would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors – Randy Holman Cutting Horses, Precision Fence, Mission Mountain Tire, BFI Waste Systems, Alpine Veterinary Service, Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales, Switchback Cutting Horses, LLC, Johnson Saddlery, and Rockin W Quarter Horses. Be sure to thank these sponsors and patronize them.

  We want to welcome Carrie Aasen from Sartell, Minnesota to our association. Carrie joined our association in September. To date we have 207 members slightly down from a record high 219 last year.
The General Membership meeting was held Sunday, October 2, at the Double D Creek Ranch Arena in Columbus. Minutes of the meeting are included in this newsletter. Thank you for sending in your ballots for the 2006 election of officers and directors. The results of the election are President - Darrell Lee, Vice-President - Mark Hendrickson, Secretary-Treasurer - Shirley Williams, Directors – David Markette, Randy Holman, John Seymour, Will Nuttall, Wylie Fraser and John L. Dublin, Youth Director – Fallon Nuttall.
Congratulations to the following MCHA members who are currently in the top 20 of the NCHA World Standings based on results processed by the NCHA to 10/10/05. $20,000 Non-Pro – 9. Mark Hendrickson, 19. Dave Weyer; $10,000 Amateur – 7. Roy Gebhardt, 11. Debra Weyer, 19. Theresa Nelson; $2,000 Limit Rider - 9. Theresa Nelson, 14. David Markette; Senior Youth – 17. Tyler Weyer.
Thank you to Phil Zoller for answering my questions for the member profile.
If you have any information or suggestions for the newsletter, please contact me. Happy Thanksgiving!

Shirley Williams
MCHA Secretary/Treasurer

October Newsletter

The 2005 Montana Cutting Horse Association show season is rapidly drawing to a close. Many of the year-end winners won't be decided until the close of the year-end show. What a great year of cutting it has been.

The awards banquet and auction will be at the Billings Holiday Inn on October 1 starting with no-host cocktails at 5:30 p.m. The banquet, awards, and auction will follow. Be sure to contact Sherry Lee at 406-363-5246 for banquet tickets. Some tickets will be available at the door. There will be some great items in the live and silent auctions so come prepared to bid and buy lots to support your association. Please contact Theresa Nelson at 406-369-2024 if you have items to donate. Thanks to Sherry Lee, Theresa Nelson, Carrie Bruch, and Jann Parker for all of their work on the banquet and auction.

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION AND TIME. The General Membership meeting will be held Sunday, October 2 at 10:00 a.m. at the Double D Creek Arena in Columbus. This should give everyone time to tend to his or her horses before the meeting. The meeting is your chance to provide input on many important issues.

The year-end show has been moved to the Double D Arena at Columbus. A big thank you to Dave and Deb Weyer for hosting this show and the other shows throughout the summer at their wonderful facility. The September cutting was very well attended with aged events held on Friday and the weekend cutting following. If you weren't there you missed out on a lot of fun. In addition to some great cutting, dog races were held on Saturday, September 10. There were 5 entries in the medium dog category. Andy Bits of Style, owned by Mark and Tamra Hendrickson, took first place, earning $30. Capoo, owned by Bill and Jann Parker won second, earning $20. Mark Hendrickson won the Calcutta, earning $199.80, while Bill Parker won second place, earning $133.20. The high selling dog was Roadie, owned by Deb Weyer, and purchased by Ellie Rome. In the small dog category there were three entries. Smart Little Trucker, owned by John Dublin won the competition, earning $30. John Dublin also won the Calcutta, earning $207. The high selling dog was Pistol, owned by Karla Camp, and purchased by Bill Parker. Thank you Jann Parker for suggesting this fun filled event!

Dog Races will be held at the year-end show. Categories: Small dogs, medium dogs, large dogs, Heinz 57 (must meet 2 of the following criteria to qualify: must be a mixed breed (otherwise known as a mutt), and be part corgi, cockerspaniel, dachshund, poodle, schnauzer or other non-stock dog type, overweight, sedentary, 12+ years, hard-of-hearing, toothless, 3 legs, 1 eye, answer to the name of lucky etc. Race producer to give final approval to all entries in this category. Dog Racing Rules:

1. $20 entry fee ($10 jackpotted and $10 to MCHA Show Fund). Payout made according to NCHA payout schedule.
2. Dogs must be on a leash at all times until the start of the race.
3. When Handler releases dog, it must run to designated Catcher on voice command only.
4. Dog must be caught at the finish line by designated Dog Catcher.

There will be a Calcutta held with the dog races. High bid wins the dog. 10% of the money collected will be donated to the MCHA Show Fund, with the balance jackpotted according to the NCHA payout schedule. Late entries will be accepted with no penalty, HOWEVER, early entry is appreciated.

The Meadow Vue Ranch Cutting at Henry's Lake, Idaho, attracted many tough horses from several states. Congratulations to the MCHA members who took home some big pay checks. Many thanks to Dennis Moedle for producing this show.

Welcome to our newest MCHA member, Alison Thomas from Great Falls. Alison was the 205th member to join this year. We are happy to have you as a member.

Thank you to Matt Crawford for agreeing to answer my questions for the member profile. I think you will enjoy reading all about Matt.

If you have anything you would like in the newsletter, please let me know.

Good luck to everyone competing at the year-end show and enjoy all the activities that are planned.

Shirley Williams
MCHA Secretary



 

A new event took place at the Double D Creek Cutting, Sat Sept. 10th!  Dog races... fun was had by all!

There were 5 entries in the medium dog category.
Andy Bits of Style, owned by Mark and Tamra Hendrickson, took 1st   place, earning $30
Capoo, owned by Bill and Jann Parker 2nd, earning $20.
  Mark Hendrickson won the Calcutta, earning $199.80, while Bill Parker won 2nd place, earning $133.20.
 
  The high selling dog was Roadie, owned by Deb Weyer, purchased by Ellie Rome.
  In the small dog category there were 3 entries.
Smart Little Trucker, owned by John Dublin won the competition, earning $30.
John Dublin also won the Calcutta, earning $207.
The high selling dog was Pistol, owned by Karla Camp, purchased by Bill Parker.

September Newsletter

  The days are getting shorter as is our show schedule. We only have four weekends of cutting remaining – Mountain Vue Ranch at Henry's Lake, Idaho, Double D Creek Ranch at Columbus, Sapphire at Corvallis, and the year-end show in Billings.

ATTENTION MCHA MEMBERS:

  The Year-end Show will be at Miller's Horse Palace in Billings (take 1-90 east of Laurel, exit 437) on September 29, 30, and October 1. A highlight of the year-end show will be the finals of the Never Won a Buckle Class. David Adelmann, Connie Basham, Vickie Stewart, Jake Bruch, Lou Morris and one yet to be determined winner (from the Sept. 10th NWAB class at Columbus) will be competing on Friday, Sept. 30th for a chance to win a saddle.

  The Holiday Inn, 5500 Midland Road (take King Avenue Exit off interstate 90), Billings, Montana, is the host hotel for the year-end show, awards banquet, and auction. A special room rate of $65 has been arranged. Make reservations by Sept. 15. Phone the Holiday Inn at 406-248-7701 and ask for the special MCHA cutter rate. The year-end banquet/auction and awards ceremony will be Saturday, October 1, at the Holiday Inn. A no-host happy hour is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The awards and auction will follow dinner. The cutting is planned so that it will be finished in plenty of time on Saturday so you can take care of your horses and get yourself ready for the banquet, auction and awards. You need to contact Sherry Lee at 406-363-5246 for Banquet reservations. Please try to notify Sherry by Wednesday, September 28 as to how many will be attending the banquet. There will be some banquet tickets available at the door. The menu and cost ($25.00) will be the same as last
year – slow roasted sirloin with hunter sauce, baked chicken, salad bar, vegetables, potatoes, rolls, relishes, fruit, desserts and coffee. When you are entering the cutting remember to call Sherry with your banquet plans.

  Every year in conjunction with the awards banquet we have an auction. It is the primary fundraiser for our association. We need items for the auction. Theresa Nelson has agreed to chair the auction. Call Theresa at 406-829-3495 or 406-369-2024 and let her know what items you will be donating. You can also contact Darrell Lee of me if you have auction items. Please be thinking of what you can donate and get the items to Theresa at one of the remaining cuttings or bring them to the year-end show. There will be some great items in the live and silent auctions so be prepared to come and buy and support our Association.

  The General membership meeting is Sunday, October 2 at 9:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn. Be sure to attend so you can vote on any issues that need to be decided. Also, don't forget to return your ballot for officers and directors to me, if you haven't already done so.

  Two new future cutters joined us recently. Congratulations to Todd and Kate Banner on the arrival of their new little boy, Emmett McCoy Banner. He was born on July 26. Also, congratulations to Mike and Tracy Willey on the birth of Ryan Christopher on August 11.

  Thanks to Dave and Debra Weyer – Double D Creek Ranch for producing two great weekends of cutting in July. They also hosted a Chubby Turner clinic and a youth cutting camp at their wonderful facility. Also a big thank you to Bill and Jann Parker for producing the Cow Country Cuttings. We appreciate all the effort and time these people put into producing cuttings so that we are able to show our horses.

  Welcome to the following new MCHA members. Jackie Fehrenbach (Wilson, Wyoming), Michelle Roberts (Billings), Jason Priest (Red Lodge), and Rex Ternan (Roberts). We now have 204 members slightly down from 214 at this time last year.

  Congratulations to the following MCHA members who are in the top 20 of the NCHA World Standings (based on results processed by the NCHA to 8/09/05). $20,000 Non-Pro - 10. Mark Hendrickson; $10,000 Amateur - 8. Debra Weyer, 14. Roy Gebhardt; $2,000 Limit Rider - 10. Erica Dube, 16. Theresa Nelson, 18. Eli Auger; $10,000 Novice Horse - 20. Zacks Little Lena owned by John and Alexandra Spizziri, ridden by John L. Dublin; Senior Youth Rookie - 8. Jessica Bruch. It's great to see so many MCHA members at the top of the standings.

  The member profile this month features Duane Nollmeyer. Many thanks for answering my questions.

  We have some great cuttings scheduled as we approach the end of our cutting season in Montana. I hope you are able to attend them and enjoy the end of summer and start of fall.

  Shirley Williams
  MCHA Secretary
 

August Newsletter

  The MCHA lost a very dear friend July 4th. Gary Dyer passed away at his home. Gary always rode great horses and was a tough competitor. He will be missed. We extend our sincere condolences to his family.

  We have four MCHA members in the top 20 of the National Cutting Horse Association World Standings. $20,000 Non-Pro: Mark Hendrickson – 10th, $10,000 Amateur: Debra Weyer - 7th, $2,000 Limit Rider: Eli Auger - 16th, Theresa Nelson - 18th. Congratulations to these fine cutters!

  A BIG thank you to the Never Sweat Ranch and Bill and Stef Murphy for hosting the Bitterroot Valley Cutting. As always this was a fabulous cutting. There were six teams entered in the team cutting that generated $300 for the Angela Bauer Memorial Scholarship fund. The winning team was the Ya-Ya Sisterhood with a cumulative score of 284.5 points and earned $300 for team members Susie Lucchesi, Kathy Foote, Bambi Gress, and Bert Moran. The highest overall money winner in the class determined circuit awards. The awards were BMB halters with matching lead ropes, donated by individual sponsors of each class and purchased from John Seymour - Johnson Saddlery. The winners are listed in the Bitterroot Valley Cutting results. Jake Bruch had a terrific Saturday. He scored a 74 in the Never Won A Buckle class to beat his mom, Carrie, by two points and win the class. This was the largest class of the day with 22 entries. Jake won a beautiful Montana Silversmith's buckle and now qualifies to ride for the saddle at the year-end finals. He also won a scholarship in the Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship cutting held Saturday. The top three winners of the Junior and Senior Youth classes on Saturday won $200, $150 and $100 scholarships respectively. This was the first of the Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship cuttings. The next scholarship cutting will be held Saturday, July 23, at the Double D Creek Ranch Cutting in Columbus. The lucky winners were Senior Youth – 1. Tyler Weyer, 2. Jacob Bruch, 3. Lindsey Lee and Alison Markette; Junior Youth – 1. Jeff Markette, 2. Mackenzie Banner, 3. Fallon Nuttall. Congratulations to all of the winners at Hamilton!!

  Laurie McGuane worked hard to revive the Sweetgrass Cutting. It's nice to be back cutting in Big Timber. There were 125 entries on Saturday and 91 on Sunday. The cutting was held at the fairgrounds, which was nice and green due to recent rains. Thanks Laurie for producing this show.

  We are midway through the Summer Series. Most of the leaders have been changing after each cutting. August will certainly be a crucial month. I'm sure the winners won't be determined until the dust settles at the Lazy J Cross cutting, which is the last cutting in the series.

  Welcome to our newest MCHA members – John Stefka, Corvallis; Charlie Cord, Jr. Sun Valley Idaho; Teres Vining, Chewalah, Washington; and Danny Thomason, Jerome, Idaho.

  The Year-end show is scheduled September 29, 30, and October 1 in Billings. The awards banquet and auction will be October 1. The general membership meeting will be October 2. The auction is the primary fundraiser for our association. Be thinking of what you or a business you patronize might like to donate.

  This month's member profile features our two high school graduates, Tyler Weyer and Meghan Foote. Thanks for answering my questions. Best of luck to Tyler and Meghan in their future endeavors.

  Remember to check the classified ads on our web page, www.montanacha.com. Text listings are free for members. There is a nominal charge to include a picture with your ad.

  We have some great shows coming up as we approach the end of our cutting season in Montana. Good luck to everyone.

Shirley Williams
MCHA Secretary
 

July Newsletter

  What a great month of cutting. New sand, good cattle, improved practice pen and loping area all helped make the Majestic Valley Cutting in Kalispell one of the  best cuttings of the season. Many thanks to Larry Gimple and his crew for producing this cutting. Lucchese/NCHA Days in Columbus was a huge success. Thanks to Dave and Deb Weyer – Double D Creek Ranch -- for hosting this event at their wonderful cutting arena. There were 163 entries each day. Thanks to of all of you – Montana cutters - and to our Wyoming neighbors for supporting this great competition. The next weekend found cutters in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley at Todd Banner's Lazy J Cross cutting in Corvallis. Thanks to Todd for putting on a well-run cutting. The cutters appreciated the fresh cattle in all of the classes. The MCHA wants to thank Majestic Valley Arena, Double D Creek Ranch, and Lazy J Cross for all of their work in producing these cuttings. We feel privileged to show at these wonderful facilities.

  We now have two more Never Won A Buckle winners that will be competing for a saddle at the finals at the Year-end show. Connie Basham was the winner at Kalispell beating out 10 other riders and Vickie Stewart topped the field of 12 contestants at Corvallis. They are both the proud owners of new Montana Silversmith buckles. Congratulations! Thanks to our Never Won A Buckle sponsors and to Kelly Heiken for organizing these classes and writing the articles on the winners. Note the next never won a buckle class will be held Sunday, July 31, at Double D Creek Ranch at Columbus.
 
  We have some great shows to look forward to in July and August. Please note the Ennis cutting July 29-31 has been cancelled due to lack of available cattle. Instead, there will be a show in Columbus the same three days. The Sweet Grass Cutting will be July 2–3 at Big Timber. It is nice to see this cutting revived after a hiatus. Double D Creek Ranch in Columbus will be hosting two weekends of cuttings, July 22- 24 and July 29-31. These cuttings will be two-day shows over three days. The first weekend, July 22-24 will feature the Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship cutting. Three scholarships to Junior Youth and three scholarships to Senior Youth will be awarded. Remember both the youth and horse owner must be MCHA members prior to cutting in order to win the scholarships. The next weekend the popular Never Won A Buckle class will be held on Sunday at Columbus. The Sapphire Events Center will host jackpot cuttings on July 16 and August 6 at their arena in Corvallis. Practice will be held on Friday before the jackpots. Bill and Jann Parker will hold a cutting at the Horse Palace in Billings August 13-14. The following week Todd Banner will host Lazy J Cross Aged Events and Cutting August 17-20. We will finish August with the cutting at Henry's Lake, Idaho, on Aug. 31 – Sept. 4.

  A big thank you to Lucchese and NCHA for donating the numerous awards at Lucchese/NCHA Days. Congratulations to the following winners. Junior $250 Scholarship – AJ Fuchs, Senior $250 Scholarship – Tyler Weyer. Mike Willey won a pair of Lucchese Boots that were awarded to the high score of the day on Sunday. Mike scored a 74 in the $2,000 Limit Rider class on Polly Pep O Lena. There were several scores of 74. It was Mike's lucky day as all the names were placed in a hat and his was drawn. Mike, also won the trophy awarded by NCHA to the top $2,000 limit rider. Darrell Lee won a Resistol  hat certificate. Certificates for 50 pounds of Purina feed were awarded to non-pro or amateurs who lost a cow or  of the weekend and Mark Hendrickson as the high money earning non-pro or amateur for the weekend. Lucchese boot bags were given by random drawings. The lucky winners were Molly Taylor, John Spizziri, Michelle Van Dyke, Suzi Minter, Donald Weeding, Roy Pezoldt, Ellie Rome, Dorothy Seymour, Hank True, and Tom Bruch.

The Circuit award winners were:
Open – Tico Montana – Darrell Lee
Non Pro – Tom McGuane
$50,000 Amateur – John Hofeldt
$10,000 Novice Horse – Zacks Little Lena – John Spizziri, Sr.
$10,000 Novice Non-Pro – Bill Parker
Junior Youth – AJ Fuchs
Senior Youth – Tyler Weyer
$3,000 Novice Horse – RG Bits of Style – Mark Hendrickson
$3,000 Novice Non-Pro – John Hofeldt
$20,000 Non Pro – Hank True
$10,000 Amateur – Duane Nollmeyer
$2,000 Limit Rider – Mike Willey
$800 rider – Carrie Bruch. They won embroidered cooler sheets.

  If you want to nominate someone or if you would like to run for an MCHA officer or director position contact John Seymour, Kathy Markette, Mark Hendrickson, or John L. Dublin. The ballots will be distributed in August so contact them soon.

  Welcome to our newest MCHA members – Casey Crandall, Ponoka – Alberta, Canada; Duchess Roney – Whitefish; Dr. Jonathan Magid – Bridger; Lane Ternan – Roberts; Brady Pilster – Blackfoot, Idaho; and Trudy Knudsen – Blackfoot, Idaho. We have 183 members down from 197 at this time last year.
The summer series started with the Lucchesi/NCHA weekend and runs through Lazy J Cross cutting at Corvallis on August 20.

  Thanks to Dave Weyer for agreeing to be featured in the member profile section. Dave has produced numerous MCHA cuttings at his Double D Creek Ranch arena and is a fierce competitor.

  If you have any information you want in the newsletter, please contact me. There are plenty of MCHA cuttings scheduled the next couple of months. Good luck to everyone.
 

  Shirley Williams
  MCHA Secretary  

June Newsletter

  Congratulations to the contestants riding for Montana at the Western National Championships at Ogden. Montana placed third with 1,460 points in the NCHA/AQHA Affiliate Challenge and we will be receiving a check due to their splendid efforts. Be sure to read the article on how everyone placed.

  After a break for a few weeks the show season will kick off with the Majestic Valley cutting at Kalsipell over the Memorial Day weekend. The next weekend it is off to Columbus for the Lucchese/NCHA Days where cutters from Wyoming and Montana will compete. The following two weekends will find cutters in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Lazy J Cross Cutting at Corvallis is scheduled for June 11th and 12th. Bitterroot Valley Cutting at the Never Sweat Ranch in Hamilton will conclude the June cuttings the 17th through the 19th. The Never Won A Buckle class will be offered at Kalispell, Corvallis, and Hamilton. Kalispell is having a 4 year-old Open and Non-Pro competition. They have hauled in new sand and improved the practice pen and loping area. Thanks to Dave Weyer for allowing the Montana affiliate to co-produce Lucchese/NCHA Days at Columbus. It should be a fun weekend cutting with our Wyoming neighbors. The Lazy J Cross cutting is, also, featuring a 4 year-old Open and Non-Pro competition. They will have FRESH cattle in ALL cutting classes. Hamilton is having a team cutting (like they have in the past) to benefit the Angela Bauer Scholarship Fund. Also, the first Angela Bauer Scholarship cutting will be held June 18. All of you youth will want to participate as there will be scholarships given to three juniors AND three seniors. Remember both horse owner and rider must be MCHA members prior to competing in order to win the scholarships. A ranch class is also planned. Circuit awards will be given in all classes at the Bitterroot Valley Cutting. Lots of extra events are planned at all of these cuttings. Thanks so much to the producers and sponsors!

  The Miles City cutting was very well attended. A four year-old Open derby was held Friday and Sunday in conjunction with the cutting. Thank you to the Sage Riders Club for hosting such a fine cutting competition. The first Never Won A Buckle class was held at Miles City. Dave Adelmann topped the field of ten with a score of 72 to take home the beautiful Montana Silver Smith Buckle and have a chance to ride for the saddle at the year-end show. Thanks so much to Kelly Heiken for organizing and overseeing the NWAB classes. We couldn't have the classes without our sponsors – Habanero Cutting Horses LLC, Stewart Excavating, Inc, Perry's Trailer Sales, Inc., Matt and Nancy Crawford, Clay Christian/Stewart Title, John and Alexandra Spizziri, Sr., and Big Sky Internet Design, Inc. Thanks so much!

  Have you noticed one of "Montana's Own" in the new NCHA Guide to Cutting that we all received with a recent issue of the Chatter? Amongst the articles and photos of some of the elite cutters and champions is a photo of a Montana horse on page 19. True he's not cutting a cow; in fact there is not even a cow in front of him. And true, his saddle is a bit odd… but he's in there. He is SNEAKERS! He has had a long fall, from cutter to show horse, to trick horse for Paige Hadlock, and to turn back. What a Renaissance man, er, horse. (Thank you to Kathy Markette for letting me quote). For those of you that receive the "Western Horseman" there is a nice article in the March issue on the Weaver Ranch. Stan and his horses are always a threat to his competition at the cuttings.

  Welcome to our newest MCHA members – Dave Adelmann (Farmington, Minnesota), Howard Shull (Byron, Wyoming) and Debarah Dwyer (Alexander, North Dakota). We now have 174 members slightly down from 192 at this same time last year. The new membership directory is now available. Look for it at the cuttings.

  Members – here is your chance to offer suggestions for the year-end awards. Send your suggestions via email to info@montanacha.com. The Directors will meet June 10 to decide the year-end awards so you need to make your suggestions before then.

  Be sure to make plans to attend the Sweet Grass Cutting in Big Timber July 2-3. Laurie McGuane and crew have been working hard to once again offer you this cutting. Make your motel reservations (and stall reservations) early as this is the fourth of July holiday weekend. You will, also, want to mark your calendars to attend the Columbus cutting in July. The Ennis cutting July has been cancelled. Also, there will be a jackpot cutting July 16th at the Sapphire Event Center in Corvallis.

  Thank you to my sister, Dorothy Seymour, for agreeing to answer my questions for the member profile. As always, if you have anything you would like in the newsletter, please contact me.

  Good luck to everyone as we start the busy summer season of cutting.

  Shirley Williams
  MCHA Secretary