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CUTTING INDUSTRY LOSES TREMENDOUS COMPETITOR IN ELIZABETH BOOTH

Article and photo by Glory Ann Kurtz
July 15, 2010
Elizabeth Booth shown with her son David.

Elizabeth Mary Booth, 48, Acton, Calif., passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, July 12, after a short battle with colon cancer. The tough NCHA cutting competitor won the Amateur 5/6-Year-Old at the South Point in February and was hauling for the World Championship in the $50,000 Amateur Division. In fact, according to her friend Barbi Madgwick, she will still more than likely end the year as the $50,000 Amateur Champion of the PCCHA. She was also a finalist in last year’s Amateur division of the NCHA Derby.

Liz, who has lifetime NCHA earnings of $92,602, was part of an entire family of cutters, including her husband, Roger, who recently won the $50,000 Amateur division at the Western Nationals at Ogden and has lifetime earnings of $124,375.28. Her son, David, who turned 22 only two days before his mother’s death, has $185,094 in lifetime earnings and is presently hauling for the NCHA Non-Pro Championship. Another son, Matt, 17, with $32,954 in lifetime NCHA earnings, hauled for the Junior Youth title in 2006 and in 2007 hauled for the $2,000 and $10,000 Amateur titles.

Liz and Roger own an excavating business on the west side of Los Angeles and worked for many well-known actors and actresses living in the area. David works for the excavation company when he’s not taking college courses or cutting – which is what he enjoys the most in life.

According to Madgwick, who along with her husband, Lance, are also in the excavating business, the Booths got involved in cutting since the early 1980s, but then they took a long hiatus while their children were growing up by getting into dirt bikes and boats. “They returned to cutting as a family sport in 2005 and have been “smoken’ ‘em” ever since,” said Barbi. Lance is the president of the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association.

One of six children, Liz was born in California on March 19, 1962 and grew up in Chino. Funeral services will be held this Saturday, July 17, at 1 p.m. at the Eternal Valley memorial park, located at 23287 Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA 91321-4099. Visitation will be Friday, July 16, from 4-8 p.m. Anyone wishing to order flowers or send their condolences, can go to www.dignitymemorial.com or call 818-365-3292. Cards and notes can be sent to 2149 Carson Mesa Rd., Acton, CA 93510-1829.

PRESTON CARTER JR. PASSES AWAY FOLLOWING BATTLE WITH CANCER

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 23, 2007
Preston Carter, Jr., Weatherford, Texas, a member of the NCHA; a Texas Horse Racing Hall of Famer; co-owner of On A High, the 1983 winner of the All-American Futurity; a top polo player; prominent real estate developer; co-developer of Trinity Meadows Race Track and an original principal of Lone Star Park, passed away on June 21 following a year-long battle with cancer.

Formerly president and chairman of the Board of the Texas Horse Racing Association, Preston was a life member of the American Quarter Horse Assoiciation, the Texas Thoroughbred Association and the Texas Quarter Horse Association, where he was an honorary vice president. He was one of the key figures in the passage of pari-mutuel legislation in Texas in the 1980s. After the successful passage of pari-mutuel wagering in 1987, he embarked on his dream of building a racetrack in North Texas: The track was Lone Star Park located located between Dallas and Fort Worth.

He formed a partnership of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse owners known as Lone Star Jockey Club and in 1992, was awarded the license to build Lone Star Park. He sold his interest just prior to the track opening in 1997.He was inducted into the Texas Racing Hall of Fame in 2007. He was also a top polo player, and at one time won the U. S Open in Polo.

In 1993 Carter became involved in the National Cutting Horse Association and although most cutters have known him over the years as a real estate developer and cutter, few realize his background in the real estate business included the revitalization of the West End Historic District in downtown Dallas in 1976. Old warehouses and other brick buildings were converted to restaurants and shops and the West End became one of the better urban areas in Dallas. In the 1980s, he was involved in the real estate boom in Dallas.

A memorial service for Carter will be held at the Carter Ranch, located at Silverado on the Brazos, Weatherford, on Sunday, June 27 at 4 p.m.

ZACK T WOOD JR., FORMER NCHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PASSES AWAY AT AGE 83

Feb. 13, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Zack T Wood

Zack T. Wood, Jr., the executive director of the NCHA for 28 years, passed away this morning. Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 20.

Wood, referred to by many as “Mr NCHA” became the Executive Director of the NCHA in 1962, when the association had only 1,200 members and Cutter Bill was the World Champion Cutting Horse. He was inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame in 1986.

He retired in 1991 and in 2002 received the Charles Goodnight Award. In 2003, he was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame during their Convention and in 2005 received the Bill King Award. He was inducted into the Atlantic Coast CHA Hall of Fame in 2008.

He was an original member of the committee that established the Hall of Fame in 1975 to honor people and horses instrumental in the development of the Quarter Horse breed and AQHA. Coincidently, Cuttter Bill was also posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

He was also an honorary lifetime vice president of AQHA and chaired the Hall of Fame selection committee in 1999 and 2000. He was a director of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and a member of the Equine Advisory Committee for the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. The great stallion Zack T Wood was even named after him. The son of Doc Tari is owned by Dick Gaines – who bred and named him after his friend.

Wood was born in Little Rock, Ark., in 1926 to Zachary T Wood Sr. and Frederica Rutland Wood. His father was a successful banker and his grandfather was a farmer. He would go to his grandfather’s farm every summer, where he learned to love horses. Wood served in the Navy during World War II (1945-1946) and then attended Louisiana State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Animal husbandry. He returned to his grandfather’s farm in the 50’s to help run it. In 1960, he went to work for the Arkansas Extension Service.

In 1955, he helped charter the Delta Cutting Horse Association and in 1961, J. D. Craft offered him a job as secretary-treasurer of the NCHA for $600 a month. Later his title changed to NCHA Executive Director.

Wood married Gloria June Reid on Jan. 19, 1959 and was preceded in death by her. The couple had five children: Frederica Wood, Montrose, W.V., Roy Wood, Arlington, Tracey Mince and Candy Harwell, Fort Worth, and Shelley Walker, Rockfville, Md., a sister, Julie Truemper, Little Rock, Ark., and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20. at the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, 3900 Longvue Ave., Fort Worth. A reception will follow at the church. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Holy Apostles Memorial Fund (a church that he and his wife were charter members) or the foundations of the American Quarter Horse Association or National Cutting Horse Association.

HORSEMAN ROSS CHURMAN DIES FROM MASSIVE STROKE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 14, 2010
Ross Churman, 59, Burleson, Texas, a former cutter who was a successful trainer of rope horses and young ropers, died Thursday, Jan. 14, of a massive stroke.

Ross Churman, 59, Burleson, Texas, died today of massive stroke at his home. Ross was an excellent horseman and had been a cutting horse trainer several years ago. He was also a trainer of top rope horses – but best of all, he was known as one of the best trainers of young ropers.

Ross trained horses his whole life and he was happiest at his home in the barn – or with his friends at the coffee shop. His life was fulfilled and enriched by those whose lives he touched, especially his precious granddaughter Olivia Li.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lari Williams Churman; sons, Sloan and Sarah Churman; grandchild Olivia and soon-to-be-born Elise; mother, Louise Sloan Churman; siblings, Andy and Frances Churman, Jean and Allen Beach and Earl and Gail Churman; brothers-in-law, Kirby and Lilnda Williams and Shawn and Leigh Williams and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Churman.

An additional tragedy is that Ross’s father-in-law Charles Allen Williams died only eight days earlier and was buried last Saturday, Jan. 9. Williams was also a horse trainer who retired 15 years ago and then raised and showed border collies and stock dogs.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Retta Baptist Church in Burleson. Burial will be private in Hawkins Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Ross’ heart would be to support the precious orphans in Kenya through Living World Outreach-African Missions, 107 N. Main, Mansfield, Texas, 76063.

JUDGE ENTERS JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF NCHA IN GAUGHAN CASE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 23, 2010– Fort Worth, Texas
According to the NCHA web site, on Nov. 17, 2009, Fort Worth’s 67th District Court Judge Don Cosby entered a Judgment in favor of the NCHA in the case filed by Paula Gaughan and Dean Sanders against the NCHA, requesting NCHA records.

In May 2008, Gaughan filed a motion in Fort Worth’s 67th District Court seeking a wide range of NCHA financial information, including bank account and payroll records, money paid to NCHA administrators and to all vendors and attorneys who had worked with the association within the prior three years.

According to Gaughan’s attorney, Jim Walker of the Dallas firm of Walker Sewell LLP, she is entitled to all NCHA financial information with “no strings attached,” under provisions of a Texas Business Organization Code. However, in a 2008 hearing, the judge signed a temporary restraining order preventing Gaughan from sharing records with others that the NCHA labeled “confidential.” Even though the NCHA turned over 89,214 pages of financial information to Gaughan, they designated 36,556, or about 41 percent, as “confidential.” Gaughan previously said that she also wanted the membership to have the right to view all the records without having to go to court to do so.

Ironically, Judge Cosby revealed several times during the trial that he served on the board of four non-profit organizations. Also, during the final hearing, he asked Walker to give him a copy of the new and relatively untested Texas state law that he said applies in this case. Also, in his closing statements, Cosby forewarned the plaintiffs of his upcoming decision when he said, “Another judge might eventually rule that all non-profit organization financial records are public records in Texas – but I probably won’t.”

The hearing ended with Judge Cosby asking both attorneys to file new motions restating summary judgments on why they should win the case. At that time, it was expected that the case would proceed to a trial; however, the judge still retained the option to give his Summary Judgment to one side or the other.

According to the NCHA article, Judge Cosby found that the NCHA fully complied with Plaintiffs’ requests and legal requirements relating to the review of the Association’s records. The Court further found that the records designated as confidential by the NCHA are entitled to be treated as confidential and awarded attorney’s fees to the NCHA.

Gaughan has the option to take the case to an appeals court; however, when reached, Walker said he had no comment.

IT WAS A GREAT RIDE!

HAIDAS LITTLE PEP DEAD AT AGE 29

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 3, 2009
It was 1986 and the NCHA World Finals was being held in Houston. Bob and I watched as Greg Welch showed a then 6-year-old Haidas Little Pep in the final go-round. The result was history-in-the making. When the pair walked out of the herd, they had scored a 230 – the highest score ever earned by a cutting horse – winning the Open Finals.

The run gave Haidas Little Pep the Reserve title for the year with $90,542.41 in year-long earnings behind Jazzote, ridden by Sonny Rice and George Glover to $102,096. He was also named World Champion Stallion. For me, it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck as I realized I had just witnessed a “historical happening.”

But that was only one of the accolades earned by the 1980 legendary stallion sired by Peppy San Badger out of Doc’s Haida by Doc Bar. According to horse trainer Billy Pinion, Stanford, N.C., the 29-year-old stallion died on Monday, Oct. 26 in his 10-acre pasture where the stallion happily spent the past nine months of his life with a gelding as company.

Bred by Norman Bruce, Rutledge, Ga., Haidas Little Pep was syndicated in June 1983 after he won $264,397 as the Reserve Champion of the NCHA Open Futurity, owned by Helen Groves’ Silverbrook Farms and ridden by another legend – Buster Welch.

In 1984, the pair finished fifth at the 1984 Atlantic Coast Open 4-Year-Old Futurity, 15th in the NCHA Open Derby, and split 11th at the NCHA Open Super Stakes. Before his aged event career was over, he had racked up lifetime earnings of $425,174. At the time of his death, he was owned by John Walker, Pinson, Ala., who purchased him in December of 2000.

But after his cutting career, the stallion’s next calling began – as a sire. During his breeding career, Haidas Little Pep sired 1,389 AQHA foals, with 620 foals earning over $9.5 million – averaging $15,986 per money earner. His largest breeding year was 1988 when he had 113 foals registered with the AQHA. According to AQHA, his final crop of foals were born in 2007, although Pinion said he thought there was some frozen semen still available.

His highest money earner was Snack Box, a 1991 stallion out of Brudders Sunday Best by Docs Sugs Brudder, owned by Jerry Durant and ridden by Craig Morris to over $202,829 in earnings, including being the 1998 World Champion Stallion and placing third in the NCHA Top 10, earning $46,168.18.

There was also Haidas Jan, a 1994 mare out of Lemac Jan by Dan’s Sugar Bars, who earned over $171,808 with Greg Welch in the saddle, including the Reserve Championship of the NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic, earning $39,465. Sporty Little Pep, a 1988 gelding out of Warm Up Sport by Sport Model Nick, won over $168,547, owned and ridden by Kelly Welch, and Haidas Becky, a 1986 gelding out of Becky Lynx by Doc’s Lynx, collected $101,426, owned by Mrs. Buster Welch and ridden by Buster.

Haidas Dude, a 1989 gelding out of Miss Dry by Dry Doc was owned by Silverbrook Ranches and ridden by Rodney Schumann to over $158,271.53, and Little Moonpie, a 1989 mare out of Sujo’s Sunshine by Captain Joker, owned by Dan and Sallee Craine was ridden by Greg Welch to over $153,231.

Other high money earners included Our Little Haida, a 1987 mare out of Our Little Lena by Hesa Doc O’Lena, $138,049.03, who finished second in the 1994 NCHA Top 10 Non-Pro, earning $61,763; Smart Smokin Pep, a 1990 stallion out of Smart Smokin Lena by Smart Little Lena, who was third in the 2000 NCHA Top 10 Open, with $47,694 in earnings and was World Champion Stallion. Lintons San Badger, a 1990 stallion out of Ms Linton by Mr Linton earned $114,167 and Peps Southernthunder, a 1988 mare out of Fondacandybar by Ima Dandee, earned $113,427.34.

During 2009, there were 80 offspring of Haidas Little Pep still competing in the performance arena in various disciplines. He was buried at Pinion’s ranch.

JOE HEIM TO CONDUCT CUSTOM ADVANCED TRAINING AND SHOWING COURSES

Oct. 11, 2009
Joe Heim, Thackerville, Okla., an NCHA Triple Crown Champion and a member of the NCHA Rider Hall Of Fame, will be offering custom-designed training and showing courses at his ranch specifically geared for intermediate to advanced riders, non-pros and trainers.

Courses will be offered in 1-3 days, 4-5 days or a week-long course. Unlike other clinics or workshops, there are no prescribed formats, schedules or categories you must fit along with others. These courses are customized to meet your needs. You will be able to ride a variety of horses, learn various styles and methods. Groups will be of no more than three (semi-private) or you can have private lessons.

The intensive one-on-one, individually planned and customized course costs $500 per day per person and includes a catered lunch, stalls for your horses and the use of cattle, a mechanical cow and a variety of horses personally owned and trained by Joe. Lodging accommodations on the ranch are also available for an additional fee.

Heim, who is the only Triple Crown Champion to ever breed, train and win riding his own horse – Docs Okie Quixote. His accolades are not restricted to cutting, as he has also been a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) World Champion. Currently training and showing outside horses as well as his own, Heim is adept at recognizing and bringing out the best in a horse and its rider. Currently he and his wife Holly have a nice son of High Brow Cat out of a money-earning Smart Little Lena mare that Joe plans to show in the 2009 NCHA Futurity.

For more information or applications for his individual courses, contact Joe or Holly at 580-276-5147, check out his web site at www.joeheimqtrhorses.com or e-mail him at joeheimquarterhorses@gmail.com.

JIMMY AND TERRYE KEMP: A TEAM TO BE RECKONED WITH

Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 12, 2009
Jimmy Kemp is closing in on the $1 million mark in NCHA earnings.

Jimmy Kemp, Eastland, Texas, who will turn 65 on his next birthday, was born into the horse industry. His father, James E. Kemp, owned such great cow horses as Commander King, Hollywood Bill and Leo San, and though he didn’t cut himself, he knew good cow horses when he saw them - and didn’t shirk from buying them. If he were alive today, he'd be proud of his son who has won close to $1 million in the cutting arena.

Terrye Kemp, an amateur, was the 1999 NCHA Rookie Of The Year and has won close to $100,000 in NCHA lifetime earnings.

Today Jimmy doesn't shirk from buying a good cow horse either. He started riding cutting horses when he was a teenager – but didn’t get serious until he was 40 – during the fall of 1984 - when he took lessons from George Combs and Sonny Rice.

Currently, the Kemps’ trainer Neil Roger is training 38 horses at Jimmy’s Texas ranch – and only five are outside horses. Jimmy spends most of the year on the aged-event cutting circuit with Terrye, his wife of 13 years who has won close to $100,000 in Amateur competition and was the 1999 NCHA Rookie Of The Year.

Currently the couple, Neil and his family are following the West Coast aged-event circuit with approximately 20 horses in five rigs, which includes five that Neil is getting ready for the NCHA Futurity, plus turn-back horses. I caught up with Jimmy as he was leaving Idaho headed for Rancho Murieta which starts on Wednesday, Sept. 16. From there, they will head to Texas but Jimmy and Terrye will again head west for the October South Point and MillionHeir Show in Las Vegas. From Las Vegas, they will head for the PCCHA Futurity in Paso Robles, where Neil and his wife, Allie, and two sons, will meet them – bringing 3- and 4-year olds entered in the show.

Asked why he spends so much of the summer on the West Coast, Jimmy said, “Aside from the great cuttings, we’ve got four or five really close friends on the West Coast.”

Also, the Kemps have another trainer in Idaho - Jody Cada. “She doesn’t ride many outside horses,” said Jimmy. “She takes a lot of time and patience with them. Last September, I sent a TR Dual Rey gelding – a 3-year-old that we weren’t getting along with very good. She called me the first of March and said that he would make Terrye a nice Amateur horse. So she sent him to us and now he’s won about $40,000 in the Amateur. Neil has made the Open finals on him a couple of times; I’ve made some Non-Pro finals and Terrye’s made four Amateur finals on him. It doesn’t matter who gets on him, he just goes and cuts.” Jimmy was talking about SDP Ute Man, the 4-year-old gelding that Neil just won over $3240 riding in the Idaho Open Derby.

The Kemps hired Neil to work on their ranch and ride for them full time in March of this year and gives the trainer credit for much of their success. “In January and February, we won a little money. However, since the first of March when Neil moved to the ranch, we’re at $200,000 in winnings,” said Jimmy. “Also, when he came to work, Terrye was still eligible for the $50,000 Amateur in weekend and aged events. She has over $100,000 in earnings now – she’s had a fabulous year.

“I give a lot of credit to Neil and Allie,” said Jimmy. “Like Neil says, ‘I’m not one to go to all of these shows. When I came to work out there, I was riding two horses for you – the next thing I know, we’ve got 12 horses ready to go haul. I like staying home with my wife and kids – I really don’t want to take them on the road, but I’ve never had an opportunity to go on the road like this.’ He’s right. None of us want to be gone as much as we are, but like Neil says, ‘I never believed we would do what we’ve done. All we’ve done is cut one cow at a time.’

PURCHASING HORSES:
Asked how he determines which horses to purchase, Jimmy responded, “I’m pretty much what you would call a 'garbage feeder.' I look around at what other people aren’t getting along with. I’m patient – everyone else wants results immediately. If I have to spend six to eight months with a horse, I’m happy. I have a Petoboonsmal gelding that I gave $12,000 for that had belonged to another trainer and had been started by another .. and he never won anything. This year, we won about $70,000 on him.”

But Jimmy gives credit to his trainer. ““He very seldom works a horse in a bit – he works him in a hackamore,” says Jimmy. “A correction bit is a monster bit for Neil. He gets away from the bridle, he doesn’t handle them. You go left and stop – right and stop. Keep it soft, keep it simple. Everything we’ve done this year, we owe to Neil and Allie.”

In October, they purchased a 6-year-old gelding by Soula Jule Star from Andrew Coates. “Sandy Bonelli trained and showed him and gave him to Andrew for his wife, Nicole. They decided they would have a family and wanted to sell him. I think the world of Andrew and Nicole and last year in Paso Robles, I tried the horse, thinking he would be a great non-pro horse for Terrye. I showed him a couple of times and then Neil came. All of a sudden, he’s the Open and Non-Pro finalist at nearly everything we go to.

“I’ve got a couple of nice Futurity horses for Fort Worth – a TR Dual Rey and three Dual Reys. I went up to Linda Holmes to look at the horses she had for sale. Paul Hansma had been there with some customers , as well as some other trainers. They decided they were going to wait a little. When I saw what the horses did, knowing that I had Neil at home, I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll buy them.’ I spent a day at Linda’s and bought a yearling, a 2-year-old and three 3-year-olds. She said – ‘You want to come back Jimmy!’

In that transaction, there was one mare and the rest were geldings. “Geldings are solid every morning when you get on them,” said Jimmy. “Mares and studs have attitude adjustments. They have other things on their minds. Also, you can compete in the gelding classes – and then I can also have a shot at the ‘old-man’s’ class.

WHY ALL THE TRAVEL?
“I love this,” said Jimmy. “This has been good to us. Give me two or three more years and I’ll be old enough that .I won’t be as competitive as I am now. I hope that when I’m Billy Martin’s age, I can do what he’s done. He’s done such a great job and I’m so proud that he won the Non-Pro Derby this year – it was unreal. That made me think, ‘Hey, there’s some more of us old coots who can do it too.’ There’s a lot of young people out there right now who are unbelievable – they’re hard to beat.”

We’re having a lot of fun with it and having Neil, Allie and their boys with us is great. Their two boys are 2 and 4 years old. They are the cutest things in the world – especially the 2-year-old. He’s a hoot. They wear their boots and hats but they’re not quite old enough to ride. The oldest boy is a John Deere Tractor man – he just loves equipment, but it must be painted green. If it’s any other color, he ways it’s not as good as a John Deere.”

Asked which shows were his best, Jimmy said, “Three or four years ago at the MillionHeir, I had two 4-year-olds and when we left there, they had both won about $75,000. Tom Long showed them and I showed in the Non-Pro. Tom won both of the first go-rounds on one of them and wound up third and fourth in the finals. I wound up second and fourth in the Non-Pro finals. The other best show would have to be this year’s Bonanza. I won two divisions.”

Jimmy has two children and seven grandkids. His son owns an electric company in Midlothian, Texas, and his daughter is married to a Tractor Supply manager in Brownwood, Texas.

Jimmy met Terrye when she was working for a ranch near Fort Worth, where he helped with the cattle a couple of times. “We knew each other for three or four years, then we both were at a party one night and sat down and started talking. That was it. She’s a sweetheart. I couldn’t have been more proud of what she has accomplished. She’s the one that organizes everything and does all the entering. She has two computers that she is working on all the time. I couldn’t do this if it wasn’t for her.”

SERVICES FOR CARLOS BANUELOS TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, AUG. 28

Aug. 26, 2009 – Jacksboro, Texas
Services for Carlos Banuelos will be held Friday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Ascencion and Tiffany Banuelos’ ranch in Jacksboro, Texas, where he will be buried. All friends, customers and acquaintances are invited to attend.

Carlos, 34, was a top cutting horse trainer with lifetime earnings topping $600,000. He was a brother to cutting horse trainers Ascencion, Diego and Cookie Banuelos, and an uncle to non-pro rider, Adan, who is Ascencion and Tiffany’s son. He has four other brothers and two sisters in Mexico, and a son Jhett.

He was born in Zacatecas, Valparaiso, Mexico, coming to the United States with his brothers to train horses. His life was one of “rags to riches” when he started training cutting horses in 1994 and soon owned his own training facility and ranch outside of Jacksboro. He died of an apparent gunshot wound on the morning of Aug. 25, when he was found in the barn on his ranch.

Jack County Sheriff Danny Nash said there would be no official ruling on the death until results come back from the medical examiners’ office; however, he said evidence showed he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to Nash it will take at least three weeks before there will be a final determination of death.

CARLOS BANUELOS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH AT HIS RANCH

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 25, 2009 – Jacksboro, Texas
Cutting horse trainer, Carlos Banuelos, 34, was found deceased at 7 a.m. this morning at his ranch outside of Jacksboro, Texas. According to Sheriff Nash of Jack County, Texas, current evidence shows that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that there will be no further rulings or inquiries until they receive results from the medical examiner’s office.

Further information and funeral arrangments will be posted as they are received.

RALEY MAE RADOMSKE HAS SECOND SURGERY

Aug. 16, 2009
On Friday, Aug. 14, Raley Mae Radomske, the 18-year-old daughter of Harland and Jody Radomske, Ellensburg, Wash., had a second surgery to take out the rest of her brain tumor. During the surgery, there were some problems with a blood clot, bleeding and her brain swelling.

She came through the surgery with the doctors feeling that they got all of the tumor removed; however, as predicted by the doctors, all of her language skills have not come back to her. She can only say a few words and it is very frustrating for her. Also, her right side is still not showing any movement. The family is asking for prayers during this trying time.
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RALEY MAE RADOMSKE OUT OF SURGERY

Aug. 12, 2009
The surgery to remove a tumor from the skull of Raley Mae Radomske was completed on Monday, Aug. 10; however, the doctors informed Raley’s parents, Harland and Jody Radomske, Ellensburg, Wash., that the surgery was more intertwined within the brain than the scans had shown.

“The doctor removed a large portion of it (the tumor), but ended up leaving some that was too entangled, for fear of damaging her motor skills,” said Jody, following the surgery. “He thinks that there is a good chance the tumor will end up being cancerous based on the tissue and nature of it. The pathology report in a couple of days will indicate the next course of actions.”

Raley Mae, 18, who during the 2008 National High School Rodeo Association Finals was the All-Around Cowgirl, the Girls Cutting Champion for the second time in three years and the current student president of the national association, had strong vitals when she came out of surgery, and it was decided to skip intensive care and let her stay in the intermediate zone where her family could see her. “She was able to respond to the doctors very shortly after surgery and her strength surprised them,” said Jody. “She also responded to us and even made a joke about her ‘head-wrap.’ It was very reassuring to us that our little girl was still Raley.”

However, Jody and Harland are understandably stressed and ask that no one mention to Raley, via phone or card, what has been said so far, until they get the full details from the pathology report. The Radamskes have a page on CareBridge, where you can leave your messages and read ones written by others.
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RALEY MAE RADOMSKE TO HAVE SURGERY AUG. 10 FOR BRAIN TUMOR

Aug. 6, 2009
Raley Mae Radomske, 18, the daughter of Harland and Jody Radomske, Ellensburg, Wash., has been diagnosed with a brain tumor too large to radiate, that must be surgically removed. The top youth cutter and honor student has a fully paid scholarship to college in New Mexico for next year and is currently the president of the National High School Rodeo Association.

According to an e-mail sent out by Harland, an NCHA director, the surgical approach will be fairly tough as the tumor is basically in the middle of the brain – but more on the left side – and could affect her language and speech, which may require some additional recovery time. She will have part of her head shaved but will keep a “comb over” piece to hide the shaved part.

“I doubt most of you know this, but Raley donated her long hair to “Locks for Love” two weeks ago at the National High School Finals before she even knew she had a
tumor,” said Harland. “Her hair is only shoulder long now. Bless her heart!

“She has four or five cysts next to the tumor; one is very large, bigger than the tumor itself. That is a blessing as they will take the fluid out and then there will be a nice large cavity for the surgeon to work in to remove the tumor without too much trauma to the brain.

“Depending on how the recovery goes, she may not be able to start college this fall. For sure, there will be no riding horses for two months and no competition for four months, which more than likely means no college rodeo this fall. At first she was pretty upset about that.

“We have had three doctors evaluate the tumor from the MRI's and all three feel the tumor is non-cancerous. Praise the Lord!! However, the pathology report will be the final judge on that.

“Following the Aug. 10 surgery, she will be in the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for two to five days, depending on her recovery rate. We will then bring her back to Las Cruces to her new place and I will stay with her until Aug. 23 or as long as she needs her Mommy!”

Jody is currently in Ellensburg, but will be flying back to Phoenix on Sunday, Aug. 9. Harland is currently staying with Raley in Phoenix.

“We are all scared as there are risks,” said Harland, “but we do feel the peace from your prayers. We love and thank you all for all you have and continue to do for us. We could not make it without all of your love and support.”

Harland will report on Raley Mae’s progress following the surgery. You can e-mail Harland or Jody at Harland@venturefarms.info, send cards to 1850 Venture Rd., Ellensburg, WA 98926-7052.

CAROL ROSE, STRETCH BRADLEY AND SCOOP VESSELS TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE 2010 AQHA HALL OF FAME

HORSE INDUCTEES INCLUDE ROSE’S ZAN PARR BAR, POCO PINE AND ROCKET WRANGLER

July 30, 2009 – Amarillo, Texas
Carol Rose, a three-time NCHA Non-Pro World Champion, the first woman to make it into the NCHA Futurity finals and a top breeder of World Champion horses, will be one of three individuals and three horses inducted into the 2010 AQHA Hall of Fame scheduled to be held with the AQHA Convention, March 5-8 in Kissimmee, Fla. One of the horses inducted is Rose’s famous Zan Parr Bar.

The Hall of Fame, established in 1975 to honor people and horses instrumental in the development of the breed, is one of the highest honors bestowed by the AQHA. The three individuals and three horses will join the other 215 human and equine members of the Hall of Fame.

THE PEOPLE:
Rose, who bred horses winning 25 world championships and 30 reserve world championships, also bred 14 year-end high-point winners, three year-end all-around winners and two year-end reserve all-around winners. Her stallions Shining Spark, Genuine Doc, Zans Diamond Sun and Zan Parr Bar, that is also being inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame this year, have extensive show, performance and sire records. Her mare Diamonds Sparkle is also in the Hall of Fame.

Besides Rose, Bailey “Stretch” Bradley, was among the small group who in 1967 founded what turned out to be the world’s largest Quarter Horse Show, the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, where he took on the ground work for 20 years. The highly successful horse trainer was the second president of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, which put on the Congress, and executive vice president of the NRHA. In 1988, he was named to the NRHA Hall of Fame just months after his death at age 66. That same year, he was inducted into the Congress Hall of Fame.

Frank “Scoop” Vessels III, served as AQHA president in 2004 and is an AQHA life member. His grandfather, Frank Vessels, Sr., who started both Los Alamitos Race Course and the Vessels Stallion Farm, was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1989. Scoop was the recipient of the 1999 AQHA Champion Breeder of the Year and the 2000 Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award. He was first appointed to the AQHA Racing Committee in 1992 and was awarded the John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry from the University of Louisville’s equine industry program in 2003.

THE HORSES:
Zan Parr Bar, a 1974 foal, was World Champion Halter Stallion three times – the first horse to achieve that mark in the AQHA. He earned 114 grand champions and 13 reserve champions and in 1977 was Grand Champion of the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. He was also a great rope horse and rope horse sire. He was the AQHA High-Point steer roping horse in 1979, the same year he was World Champion Aged Stallion. In 1980, he was third at the AQHA World Championship Show in senior heeling – the same show he defended his World Championship in aged stallions. He also placed in the top 10 at the World Show in heading and heeling. He also earned points in reining and western pleasure, acquiring 602 total lifetime points.

Zan Parr Bar retired from the show ring after the 1980 World Show. His foals had 43 year-end High-Point wins, five year-end All-Around High-Point wins and three Reserve Year-end All-Around wins. In all divisions, his foals have earned 25,593.5 points. Of 653 foals, 236 have been point earners. He died Nov. 27, 1987 of colitis . At the time of his death, he was AQHA’s leading sire of performance horses. Currently, he is sixth on the list of sires of all-time leading point earners and 17th on the list of sires of AQHA Champions. He was owned by Rose from the time he was a 2-year-old.

Poco Pine, named after his trainer Pine Johnson, was purchased by Paul Curtner (who incidentally is NCHA Vice Presidential candidate Brady Bowen’s grandfather) during the Paul Waggoner’s 3D Stock Farm dispersal in 1954. Curtner purchased Pretty Rosalie, with a long-haired Poco Pine by her side. The stallion won AQHA grand championships and 7 reserve, and 135 AQHA points at halter. He earned 115 cutting points and two Western pleasure. His first foal crop included two AQHA champions and his get earned $14,794 in NCHA competition. Of 464 offspring, 199 earned 10,949.5 points, with 41 becoming AQHA Champions.

Rocket Wrangler, a 1968 stallion, won seven of his 13 starts as a 2-year-old, including the Rainbow and All-American futurities. He was the year’s high-money-earning horse and was named World Champion 2-Year-Old Colt. As a 3-year-old, his owner J. R. Adams, Guymon, Okla., sold half interest in him to B. F. Phillips, who retired him to stud at his ranch for two years, before Adams bought back is half interest and returned the stallion to the track. He was retired in February 1973 and was syndicated in 1980. He sired 1,629 foals, with 1,221 starters and 762 winners. He is 30th on the AQHA list of all-time leading sires by earnings and eighth on the list of all-time leading sires by winners. He is 14th on the list of all-time leading broodmare sires by earnings and fifth all-time leading broodmare sire by winners. He was euthanized Nov. 28, 1992, after suffering from colic and was buried at Royal Vista Equine in Fort Collins, Colo., where he was standing.

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DON AND NETHA LESTER LOSE SON

July 24, 2009
Dennis Lester, son of Don and Netha Lester of the Southridge Ranch, Canby, Ore., passed away after an extended illness on June 29, 2009. Dennis was the ranch manager for the Southridge Ranch where he handled daily ranch operations.

His favorite part of the job was working with broodmares and foaling out babies. He truly loved his job as the one thing he cherished most in life was horses. Dennis grew up riding, showing and training horses aned was a natural horseman and accomplishyed rider. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Send your condolences to Don and Netha Lester at 26825 S Elisha Rd., Canby, OR 97013-9307

PRESTON CARTER JR DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 13, 2009
Preston Carter, Jr., Weatherford, Texas, well known in cutting horse circles, was recently diagnosed with cancer and will soon be headed to M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas.

Carter is an active member of the National Cutting Horse Association, a Texas Horse Racing Hall of Famer, a co-owner of On A High, the 1983 winner of the All-American Futurity, a top polo player, a prominent real estate developer, a co-developer of Trinity Meadows Race Track and an original principal of Lone Star Park.

Carter and his lovely wife, Amy, live at Silverado on the Brazos, a popular housing and cutting-horse facility west of Weatherford, that he was also involved in developing.

Although many cutters have known him over the years as a real estate developer, few realize his background in the real estate business, which included the revitalization of the West End Historic District in downtown Dallas in 1976. Old warehouses and other brick buildings were converted to restaurants and shops and the West End became one of the better urban areas in Dallas. Today, over seven million people visit the West End annually. He was involved in the 1980s real estate boom in Dallas.

A top polo player, Carter at one time won the U.S. Open in Polo. He was also intensely involved with horse racing, being a co-owner of On The High, the `1983 winner of the All-American Futurity. He was inducted into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2007, along with Carl Nafzger, and was later on the advisory board of the Museum and Hall of Fame. He was one of the main forces behind Trinity Meadows Race Track outside of Weatherford, and from there became one of the original principals in Lone Star Park, the popular race track in Grand Prairie, Texas.

I will try to keep you posted on his prognosis and progress; however, if you wish to send cards of encouragement, they can be mailed to Preston and Amy at 100 Carter Ranch Trail, Weatherford, TX 76087.

JOE LANDERS SPEAKS OUT ON THE ACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE LOSS OF 11 MARES

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 7, 2009
On Thursday, July 2, 11 horses were found dead in a pasture near Dicey, Texas, located some 25 miles north of Weatherford, Texas, which was leased by Joe Landers.

According to Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler, a Txdot (Texas Department of Transportation) worker had spotted a horse struggling to get up and called Fowler’s office. From there, the animal control officers got involved and then the media. The horses, which had died from lack of water during a period of time when the temperature rose above 100 degrees, were buried in a mass grave, with many questions left unanswered.

Landers, the co-owner of a breeding operation in Weatherford, and admittedly the responsible party for the horses, is now speaking out about the unfortunate incident, and trying to get the facts straight.

“I’m not trying to sweep anything under the carpet, I just want people to know the facts,” said Landers in a recent interview. “The bottom line is, these were my mares and they were my responsibility. But I had contracted with a trusted employee, who has been with me for four years. I have never had a problem with him taking care of or feeding and watering my mares. And although he had never once given me a reason to believe that he wasn’t doing his job – this one time, he flat didn’t check the water supply for these horses – and the consequences were deadly.”

Landers said that he had leased the 500 acres, located approximately 25 miles from his breeding facility in Weatherford, for the past four years that the 35 horses were on. (Some reports had said that the horses were found in a 3000-acre pasture and 40 horses were involved) He said that the mares had been purchased from a sale barn in Wyoming two and one-half weeks ago.

“They were not pregnant and were not surrogate mares carrying embryos sired by cutting stallions,” said Landers, referring the articles published about the incident. One article also said that the horses were co-owned by David McDavid, a partner with Landers in his breeding operation. However, according to Landers, McDavid had nothing to do with the mares or the pasture.

Landers said that even though he had had the mares for two and one-half weeks, he had not even paid for them. “I hadn’t even bought those mares yet,” said Landers. “They were just delivered to me and I hadn’t even looked at them. We were going to leave them out in the pasture for a few weeks to make sure there wasn’t anything sick before I brought them here. The deal I have with the seller is that once I bring them here and make sure they are OK, then I pay for them. Obviously, I have to pay for what was lost.”

“The man that I trusted to take care of the horses was not someone I put out there by the seat of my pants,” said Landers. “Honestly, he has done a wonderful job. At times I have had 250 mares out there at a time and he would go out there and if a mare had a cut or something, he would spend all day trying to get that one horse and bring her in for us to look at. However, for whatever reason, this time he didn’t check the water supply – and when you assume something like that is OK, that’s when you get in trouble. Obviously he dropped the ball on the deal; however, ultimately at the end of the day, I’m the one who is responsible. Asked if the employee had been let go, Landers said he had.

“Who would have thought there would be a malfunction on the breaker and it would flip off,” said Landers, “According to the well people, this is very common for this time of the year – that the heat did something to one of the breakers and it popped.

“When you deal with animals in the numbers I deal with, all it takes is one little bobble like this – and you’re not talking about one – you’re talking about 11 horses. It’s very sad, very unfortunate. I’ve said to myself a hundred times, ‘What can I do to make it right?’ and I don’t know the answer to that.

“Maybe something good will come out of this and I, as well as other people, will learn from this unfortunate experience: You better check your waterers and your employees – and anything else you need to check – when you put animals in other people’s hands. I’m not passing this off on the help, it’s my responsibility and I take the blame. I’m sure most horse people have hired someone to care for their horses while they go away on vacation. If that someone doesn’t do what they’re supposed to do, ultimately, the animal and you pay the price.”

TODAY'S NEWS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 29, 2009
Karen Franklin, mother of Justin Franklin, is gravely ill; The rodeo family of David Key and Tammy Key-Fischer, lost their son in a single-vehicle accident and the Clem McSpadden NFSR dates have been changed to Nov. 13-24.

KAREN FRANKLIN GRAVELY ILL
Karen Franklin, 50, the mother of Justin Franklin, who works for Louis Noto at Back Fence Video, is gravely ill. She was put in ICU on Friday morning (June 26) suffering from pneumonia. Within a couple of hours, they transferred her to a larger, better-equipped hospital and they almost lost her three times. She is heavily sedated and on a respirator and today the doctors say the outlook is grim. Presently she is in the University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. Karen is married to Harold Franklin, who has strong NCHA ties, having been a judge. You can send your cards to Harold Franklin, 1395 Sandhill Ave., Baldwyn, MS 38824-8571 or e-mail Justin at Justin@horsealley.com.

RODEO FAMILY SUFFERS HORRIFIC LOSS
Riley Key, the 18-year-old son of veteran PRCA team roper David Key and barrel racer Tammy Key-Fischer, was among three teenagers who died in the early hours of June 27 from injuries suffered in a single-vehicle accident in Washington County, Texas.

A prayer service was held the evening of June 28 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine, Texas, and the funeral service was held earlier today at the Dube Family Cemetery in Giddings, Texas, with the Rev. Paul Bohot officiating.

Riley Cole Key was born on April 15, 1991, in Brenham, Texas.He graduated last month from Round Top-Carmine High School and intended to enroll at Blinn College in College Station, Texas, this fall. He loved hunting and was an accomplished team roper.

Riley is survived by his parents, Tammy (Brian) Fischer of Ledbetter, Texas, and David (Josey) Key of Caldwell, Texas; brothers, Kooper Key of Caldwell and Jack Fischer of Ledbetter; grandparents, Peggy Dube of Giddings, Texas, Kenneth and Linda Key of Caldwell, and Paul and Jolene Fischer of Giddings, along with many other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Riley Key Scholarship Fund at Classic Bank, P.O. Box 820, Giddings, Texas 78942.

DATES CHANGED FOR CLEM MCSPADDEN NFSR
The dates for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., have been moved back one week from what they were previously announced, to Nov. 13-14. “After discussions with officials of the state of Oklahoma and the PRCA it was decided that the Nov. 13-14 dates would work better for everybody concerned,” said Tim Lanier, general manager and chief operating officer of the Lazy E Arena.

The year-end championship features the 15 best steer ropers in the world as determined by the PRCA World Standings.A record $255,000 in prize money will be offered for the 51st annual NFSR, including an $18,972 payoff to the winner of the average title.

It had been earlier announced that the event would have a new name – the Clem McSpadden NFSR, to honor one of the event’s greatest supporters – for its return to its old home at the Lazy E Arena, after a decade at other venues. McSpadden worked the NFSR as the event announcer a record 27 times, taking his last turn in 2000, the last year the event was held in Guthrie.
Information for the rodeo articles above were provided by the PRCA.

TODAY’S NEWS

June 25, 2009
Ryan Motes (right) Caleb Mitchelll (left) with Bob Feist and awards.

Photo by Kirt Steinke

Ryan Motes, riding a CD Olena gelding, and his partner won the BFI, taking home $149,410 plus bonuses; Pat Earnheart awaits lung transplant; PCCHA hires new Executive Director and Cathy Cook starts new business; NCHA weekend highly successful; NCHA Summer Spectacular sale features 243 horses – to date, and Welfare of the Horse forum can be seen on HorseTV.com.

RYAN MOTES WINS BOB FEIST INVITATIONAL TEAM ROPING RIDING A CUTTING-BRED GELDING
Ryan Motes and Caleb Mitchell, both from Texas, had only been team roping partners for two weeks, when the pair won the prestigious 32nd Bob Feist Invitational (BFI) Team Roping Classic, earning $149,410 plus $15,000 in bonuses. The richest one-day open roping paid out over $700,000 overall.

However, the biggest news to the cutting industry about the team’s win was the fact that Ryan, 28, is the son of cutting horse enthusiast Danny Motes, Weatherford, Texas, who raises top cutting horses. Ryan’s sister, Mica, is a top NCHA Non-Pro competitor and her new husband, R.L. Chartier, is a well-known, up-and-coming cutting horse trainer who trains for Julie Wrigley.

Ryan’s father is David Motes, the 1977 PRCA World Champion Team Roper and the 1981 champion of the BFI. The event is held annually in conjunction with the $1 million Reno Rodeo, held June 18-27.

Ryan, who lives in Weatherford with his wife Courtney, was riding CD Starbucks sired by CD Olena. The gelding was also named the BFI top heeling horse. Danny and Winston Hansma also own a stallion sired by CD Olena named CD Lights.

Mitchell, 26, from Charlotte, Texas, was experiencing his first BFI roping. The pair topped the 100-team field with 7.15, 7.95, 7.66, 7.40, 7.34 and 7.99, for a total of 45.49 seconds on six head.

“I’ve been coming here since I was little said Motes, who cut off his thumb last October while roping. “This has been the big once since I was born. Bob does a great job of putting it on and the cattle were great this year. Everybody dreams of winning the world and the BFI. One down, one to go.”

For full results go to: http://www.bobfeistinvitational.com/index.htm

Some of the above information was taken from an article written by Kendra Santos. Photo by Kirt Steinke.

PAT EARTHEART WAITS FOR LUNG TRANSPLANT:
While Pat Earnheart, Hernando, Miss., was being inducted into the Members Hall of Fame during the NCHA Convention, he was lying in a hospital bed awaiting a lung transplant. Pat trained and showed some of the great horses in the industry, including Dual Pep. You can reach Pat at 901-277-4583

PCCHA HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; CATHY COOK STARTS NEW BUSINESS
Phil Benadum, Banos, Calif., was hired as the new Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association, as of June 15. Benadum, a cutting horse trainer and past member of the Board of Directors of the Association who replaces Cathy Cook, was hired following a recommendation by a search committee to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors..

Cook has started a new company called Corporate Cowgirls, a “Virtual Business and Event Production” company offering a wide variety of services. Her web site is currently under construction; however, a cover page is currently posted that provides an outline of services available. You can contact Cathy at 916-870-8788 (cell) or cathy@corporatecowgirls.com.

NCHA WEEKEND A HUGE SUCCESS
According to the NCHA, NCHA Weekend, held the first weekend in June, set an all-time record, with entries being up at over half of the 25 Area shows..The events paid out $614,024, an increase of nearly 20 percent over 2008 and broke the 2007 record payout of $604,793. Entries totaled 6,461, an increase of more than 10 percent over the 5,842 entries that showed in 2008.

SUMMER SPECTACULAR SALE FEATURES 243 HORSES; INCLUDES SLATE RIVER RANCH’S 32 HEAD
The Summer Spectacular Sale held during the NCHA Summer Spectacular at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, will take place Saturday, Aug. 1 in the John Justin Sale arena. On Friday, July 31 will be live demonstrations of show horses, 3-year-olds and 2-year-olds in the Watt arena.

The 32 Slate River horses will include two of their stallions: Playdox, a 1995 stallion by Freckles Playboy out of Dox Come Back by Bob Acre Doc and Bobs Freckle, also a 1995 stallion, sired by Bob Acre Doc out of War Of Freckles by War Leo.

Videos will be taken of the horses during their demonstration on July 31 and the video will be shown while the horse is selling in the John Justin Arena on Aug. 1. The catalog will be posted on line and will be available at the Western Bloodstock booth during the trade show. Check out their web site at www.westernbloodstock.com.

AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL FEATURES “WELFARE OF THE HORSE” ON HORSETV.COM
The 2009 American Horse Council held “The Welfare Of The Horse” forum in Washington, D. C., on June 16. The forum was part of AHC’s National Issues Forum and featured speakers from segments of the horse community as varied as competition, sport, work and entertainment. Speakers and panelists discussed the many welfare and safety initiatives that various segments of the horse industry have in place or are instituting.

The forumn is available for on-demand viewing on http://www.horsetv.com/hspan_ahc1.htm. H-SPAN is a digital channel providing coverage of industry symposiums, meetings, educational presentations and more on its equestrian television portal HorseTV.com. You can go to HorseTV.com and click on the H-SPAN icon.

INDUSTRY HEALTH NEWS

GLORIA REHM, BILL MCDAVID DIE OF CANCER; RUTH-ELLEN STRAIN PASSES; PAT EARNHEART WAITING FOR HEART TRANSPLANT AND WAYNE LONG HOPES THIS YEAR IS BETTER THAN LAST

June 15, 2009
GLORIA REHM PASSES AWAY- FUNERAL TUESDAY, JUNE 16
For years, cutters in North Texas were treated to Gloria and Pete Rehm, Weatherford, Texas, at the cuttings. They were inseparable - Gloria watched and visited while Pete showed his cutting horses.

However, on Saturday, June 13, Gloria passed away from the ravages of cancer, which started as breast cancer and spread to her pancreas. Her death came shortly after Pete was diagnosed with prostrate cancer.

Gloria's funeral will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., at the Methodist Church on Garner Road. Send your condolences to Pete at 2505 FM 113N. Weatherford, TX 76088-3401.

BILL MCDAVID DIES AT 69
Bill McDavid, Aledo, Texas, a former car dealer and cutting horse enthusiast, died Friday, June 5, at his home from lung cancer. He was 69.

Bill McDavid was the brother of another well-known cutting horse enthusiast, David McDavid, the owner of the popular cutting sire Hes A Peptospoonful. Both brothers were born into the car dealership business, with their father, Bill Sr., who opened his first car dealership in 1946. They both opened car dealerships around the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolex over the years, with Bill opening his first General Motors dealership when he was ony 19.

However, in 1992, Bill McDavid suffered a heart attack, and that along with financial problems prompted him to get out of the car business, as well as the cuttin horse business. From there he dove into other interests including music, motorcycles and airplanes.

Survivors include his wife, Sherry McDavid of Aledo; sons Bill McDavid of Fort Worth and Brad McDavid; daughter Michele Napier of Colorado Springs, Colo.; stepson Ian Stewart of Georgetown; mother Dawn Queen McDavid of Weatherford; brother David MDavid of Fort Worth; sisters Deddy Dawn Srimavin and Toni Williams of Aledo and Kandy Lamb of Irving, plus numerous grandchildren.

Information for the above article and photo from the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS:

RUTH-ELLEN STRAIN, Colorado Springs, Colo., passed away on Friday, June 12. Ruth-Ellen was a familiar sight at most of the cuttings held in the Western States Cutting Horse Association area, as she is the mother of Jon Strain, Elbert, Colo. the President of the Western States Cutting Horse Ass'n; Randy Strain, Ault, Colo., and Stacey Warren, Peyton, Colo. The family is planning a "life Celebration" gathering on Thursday, June 18 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Ruth-Ellen's home, located at 7015 McFarren Rd., in the Black Forest. There will be no formal funeral service.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, Ruth-Ellen wanted donations be made to either the Pikes Peak Hospice or the Western States Youth Scholarship Fund. Donatioins may be left at the gathering. Send your cards to Jon at 16947 Eastonville Rd., Elbert, CO 80106; Randy at 44033 WR 49, Ault, CO 80610 or Stacy at 10890 Indian Paint Tr., Peyton, CO 80831-6852.

PAT EARNHEART, Hernando, Miss., a top NCHA trainer with over $1.8 million in lifetime earnings, is currently on the waiting list for a heart transplant. You can send him an encouraging card or letter at 4346 Hwy 304, Hernando, MS 38632-8434 or give him a call at 662-429-4583.

WAYNE LONG, Decatur, Texas, hopes 2009 will be a better year than 2008. Last year he suffered from terrible headaches, and then found he had a tumor on the back of his neck at the base of his spine. After many tests, he found out that the tumor was non-malignant; however, they couldn't remove it because it was too close to his spine. He returned to the cutting arena, only to have knee problems and consequently had knee surgery. However, his parts are now up to par and he was showing his cutting horse at the weekend show at Salt Creek arena this weekend. You can't keep a good cowboy off his horse!

SO YOU THINK YOUR VOTE DOESN’T COUNT

KEITH DEVILLE WINS NCHA VICE PRESIDENT ELECTION BY 42 VOTES OVER BRADY BOWEN

June 11, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
When the votes were counted at the NCHA office on June 11, Keith Deaville, Covington, La., had received 1,784 of the 3,526 ballots, to take his place as the new Vice President of the NCHA. Brady Bowen, Jacksboro, Texas, was only 42 votes behind – at 1,742. According to a release put out by the NCHA, the votes were tabulated under the oversight of accounting firm Whitley Penn, LLP. Deaville will take over his new duties at the NCHA Convention, June 19-21 in Denver, Colo.

UPSCALE RESALE SHOP OPENED BY HOLLY REED-HEIM IN THACKERVILLE, OKLA.

June 9, 2009 - Thackerville, Okla.
An upscale, Western resale shop has been opened by Holly Reed-Heim, at the Joe Heim training facility and ranch outside of Thackerville, Okla.

"I decided to open a Western resale shop to both stimulate the economy and put some cash in the pockets of those who need it most," said Holly. "There's nothing like this around for miles and I've had a great response and interest already."

Called "The Second Go-Round," the shop is located at Exit 5 and I-35, Thackerville, Okla., at the corner of the ranch. With plenty of parking, the shop is easily accessed from I-35. The grand opening is set for this Thursday, June 11, at 10 a.m.

"After careful consideration and planning, I decided that since there isn't much to offer in this area I will also be carrying new items such as gifts, jewelry, and home decor as well as a wide selection of unique western things," said Holly.Consignments are limited to Western related items.

"I will be accepting consignments daily but the hours of operation of the shop will be Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.," said Holly. There will also be an experienced saddlemaker setting up shop in front of the building in August, who will be specializing in repir work and taking orders for new saddles.

Consign your western wear, furniture, saddles, tack, jewelry, art, home decor, and other items - and make some extra cash. Contact Holly at RR1, Box 2300, Thackerville, OK 73459 (580-276-4646 (shop) or (817) 675-2989 (cell phone).

SILENT MOVE STAR-CAUBLE SADDLE FOR SALE FOR A COOL HALF MILLION

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 28, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Silent screen star William S. Hart, shown with Rex Cauble. The saddle Hart had commissioned and was later presented to Rex Cauble by Bugsy Siegel, is shown between them. It is now for sale for a cool half a million dollars.

If you’ve been to the Texas Classic Horse Show, held at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, you may have seen the booth for the Herd Collection, featuring a saddle worth a half million dollars.

“That’s what we’re asking for it,” said Tommy Herd, who is selling the saddle that was commissioned by William S. Hart, one of the first silent screen stars and was so well liked that when he died, Wyatt Earp was a pallbearer at his funeral. After Hart’s death, the saddle sold in 1946 to Bugsy Siegel and was displayed in the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., when he first opened it.

History has it that in 1962, the saddle was awarded by the Flamingo Hotel to Rex Cauble when he won the NCHA World Championship, held in Las Vegas, riding Cutter Bill. Cauble was a flamboyant Denton, Texas, rancher and businessman who went to prison for his part in an international smuggling operation known as the Cowboy Mafia. After he got out of prison, he died of natural causes at a hospital in Durant, Okla., in June 2003 at the age of 89.

For years, the saddle was displayed in the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, which had possession of the saddle until about a month ago. Herd, Cleveland, Tenn., whose main business is fine equestrian jewelry, has been commissioned by Cauble’s ex-wife, Anna, to sell the saddle – for a cool half million dollars. Should you be interested, you can contact Herd at 423-650-1515 or e-mail him at jtherd@aol.com.

SWEET LIL LENA LEAVES A REGAL LEGACY

“SWEETIE” EARNED OVER $125,000 AND HAD OFFSPRING EARNING OVER $744,595

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 7, 2009
It was the end of an era when Sweet Lil Lena, a 25-year-old daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Sonscoot by Son O Sugar was put down at Rick and Shelly Mowery’s cutting horse operation in Weatherford, Texas, on Tuesday, May 5. “Sweetie will forever be missed but never forgotten,” said a distraught Shelly, who, along with Rick, had cared for the more for almost 10 years. “We loved her.”

Nicknamed “Sweetie,” Sweet Lil Lena has suffered from Cushings disease for many years, causing her to founder. The blood flow to her right foot worsened, making her left front foot bear all the weight. The staff and vets did everything humanely possible to prevent the unavoidable.

“The mare looked great, was still happy to eat her three meals and still had conversations with her buddies right up to the end,” said Shelly. “She was especially fond of two cats, Baker and Elton John, and border collies Susie and Bear. Rick should have been a vet because he truly provided most of the care – especially toward the end of her days. Sweetie knew it too!”

Shelly and Rick Mowery shown with Sweet Lil Lena, better known as "Sweetie."

The gritty, little chestnut mare, owned by Dana Harrah, Frisco, Texas, was considered by many as royalty in the cutting horse industry. She earned over $125,000 in the 1980s, when the purses weren’t near the size they are today. She is also the dam of 18 foals, with 16 of them being of money-earning age. Eleven of the 16, or 69 percent, of all her foals were performers who earned $744,595 – an unbelievable average of $67,690 per offspring. Two of her offspring are today’s popular sires, including Dana Harrah’s Sweet Lil Pepto and Pepto Taz, owned by Don Lester, Canby, Ore. Both are sired by Peptoboonsmal.

Sweet Lil Pepto, a 1999 stallion with earnings of $228,340, won the 2003 Breeders Invitational Open Derby for $101,030 and was fourth in the 2002 NCHA Open Futurity, earning $97,797. He has sired offspring with earnings of over $693,110, earned by 48 offspring – an average of $14,439. A total of $114,300 of that money has been earned this year by his offspring.

Pepto Taz has earned $132,224, winning several major aged events, and has offspring earning over $765,359 – an average of $11,092 for the 69 performing foals.

Sweet Lil Lena is also a full sister to Smart Lil Scoot, another one of today’s popular stallions who won the 2002 NCHA Super Stakes Open Classic and has earned over $266,425 and has sired offspring earning over $1,762,556. A total of 134 of his money-earning foals have averaged $13,454 per offspring; $162,973 of that total amount was earned by his offspring this year.

The “Magic Cross” for Sweet Lil Lena was with Peptoboonsmal. Six offspring were born of that cross, earning $473,911 for a $78,985 average. She also had two offspring by Doc’s Oak, earning $97,626 for a $48,813 average; two by High Brow Cat, earning $66,971 for a $33,486 average and one by CD Olena – the great mare Sweet Little CD, earning $106,085.

Bred by Diamond M Cutting Horses, Houston, Texas, she was owned by six other owners, including Eli Shitabsky, Paradise Valley, Ariz., who owned and showed the great mare from October 1987 until December 1989, when she won most of her money in Open and Non-Pro competition. Jack Waggoner, the owner of High Brow Cat, purchased her in 1989.

Sweet Lil Lena was laid to rest next to her best friend, Some Kinda Playgirl, who was put down on July 6, 2005. Her special friends at the ranch included Jae Bar Maisie, Special Freckles, Sport Model Lynx and Missin Minerva – all old famous mares living out their days at the Mowery’s.

“It got pretty quiet in and around our barn that afternoon,” said Shelly. “May we all remember the greats and how fortunate we are for the time we had to make memories with them.”

CORWIN COLLINS HURT IN HORSE ACCIDENT

May 1, 2009
Usually when horse people are sporting splints, casts and crutches, they came from a skiing trip or from falling down a flight of stairs, rather than a horse accident. However, that’s not the case with horse breeder and real estate agent Corwin Collins, Harrison, Ark. On Thursday evening, April 23, he was riding a friend’s mare and while playing with cattle, he got bucked off.

“As wrecks go, it wasn't… or should not have been… much. The mare was not bucking hard and, for most of my life, I'd have ridden her through the episode,” said Collins. “However… even though it should not have been much of a wreck… I was injured more badly than I ever have been in my life. I guess that age has caught up with me and slowed my reflexes, though, because I left the saddle and hit the ground shoulder first with my feet and legs up in the air.”

The result was 10 fractured ribs (some broken in more than one place), a punctured lung and a separated shoulder. Collins got out of intensive care on Wednesday, April 29, and the doctors say it will probably be months before he heals – and have no idea about when, if ever, he’ll be able to ride again.

Corwin is feeling pretty depressed and has given some of his horses to his grandkids because he doesn’t think he’ll be able to continue to care for and enjoy them. You can cheer him up with a card sent to 2414 Hwy 43 S., Harrison, AR 72601, or e-mail him at clcs@cox.net.

POLLY HOLLAR DIES AT 72

April 20, 2009
Donald Darwin Hollar, 72, better known as Polly Hollar, Brenham, Texas, passed away on April 18 at the Trinity Medical Center in Brenham, Texas. Although details of Polly’s death are still sketchy, we were told that he more than likely died of a heart attack while at the hospital; however, an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death.

According to NCHA records, Polly had $513,879 in lifetime earnings. He was ranch manager and trainer for Lannie Mecom’s Wichita Ranch, Brenham, Texas, He also held an annual horse sale in Brenham. Just over a year ago, he and Lannie Mecom were involved in an accident when a truck hit them. Both of them were injured; however, Polly was injured the worst and hospitalized and in rehab for a good part of the year.

Following is the obituary posted by the Memorial Oaks Chapel:

Polly was born in Guthrie, Texas to E. W. (Dub) and Vera Dove Flippin Hollar on Sept. 8, 1936. He was baptized in the South Wichita River in Guthrie. In 1959, he received a B.S. in Animal Husbandry from Texas Tech University. Polly was a rancher and horse trainer, and horses were truly his passion. From 1957 to 1959 he was The Texas Tech Masked Rider, and in 1974 and 1994, he was the American Quarter Horse Association Senior Cutting World Champion. Polly was active in the National Cutting Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and was the founder and first president of the Bluebonnet Cutting Horse Association, as well as the former president of the Washington County Horse Committee. His favorite hobbies included hunting and working cattle, but a treasured pastime was working on his tractor.

Survivors include his children, Mike Hollar and Tami Sayko and daughter Kelsey Sayko of Brenham, Mark Hollar of Katy, Texas, Julie Hollar Carr and David Carr, of Brenham, his partner in life, Lannie Mecom, Sally Hollar, the mother of his children, brothers Douglas Hollar of Muldoon, Texas, and Wesley Hollar and his wife Faye of Seymour, Texas, sisters and brothers-in-law Gloria Belle and Allan Morton and Gail and James Gilmore, all of Athens, Texas. An anticipated event is the arrival of a grandchild to be named Sara Nicole Hollar in the near future. Other surviving relatives are Cutter and Betsy Jones, Blake Jones and Ashley Ribbon Jones, Steve and Nancy Martin, and Bobby and Erin Moses. He was preceded in death by his parents, E. W. (Dub) Hollar and Vera Dove Hollar, and by his brothers Luther Ray Hollar, Carlton Hollar, Billy Joe Hollar, and Jimmy Keith Hollar.

The funeral service for Donald Darwin "Polly" Hollar will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Gary Oliver and Joe Howard Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Visitation will take place Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

Serving as pallbearers are Cutter Jones, Bobby Moses, Bernie Kirkland, Jon White, Richard Sims, Steve Martin, Pete Branch and Ken Flippin. Honorary pallbearers are Bud Smith, Paul Kenjura, Mike East, Johnny East, Bill Masterson, Mark Lavender, Tooter Waites, George Chappell, Keith Slover, Billy Klapper, and Bobby Glover.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Boys and Girls Club or to the charity choice.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To view the obitutary online or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

OSCAR BLACK SENTENCING DELAYED – AGAIN

DUE TO LACK OF DOCUMENTS, ACTUAL LOSSES IN CASE CAN’T BE DETERMINED

Article and photo by Glory Ann Kurtz
March 12, 2009 – Weatherford, Texas
Compared to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, the Oscar Black Ponzi scheme played out in Weatherford, Texas, may seem very insignificant. However, to the innocent people whose lives and savings it shattered, it’s pretty important. But it may take longer to resolve the Black scheme than it did the Madoff’s scheme, as Madoff is already in prison.

Black, 58, a Weatherford mortgage banker, cattleman and investor in cutting horses, was arraigned and plead guilty to one count of federal mail fraud on May 20, 2008 and was released on his own recognizance after agreeing to restitution to his victims. Sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 2, Nov. 17, Dec. 15, 2008 and finally Feb. 17, 2009 - and now has not been rescheduled. The reason for the continuance is that Black is concerned about the amount of loss which had been reported to the U.S. Probation Officer.

The scheme, which took place from 2004-2006, when Black offered investment opportunities to his acquaintances, including trainers and owners in the cutting horse industry. The investment scheme guaranteed a 12 percent annual rate of return. He mailed investors fictitious monthly account statements and falsely represented their investments, when in fact his OB Cattle Company was going broke. It was later discovered that Black allegedly owed the First National Bank of Weatherford, where he was a member of the Board of Directors, $590,016.03; the Wells Fargo Bank, $3 million and his investors a total of $3,137,230.78.
However, Black became concerned when the probation officer had filed an Addendum that raised the amount of loss by approximately $3.6 million, significantly raising Black’s sentencing exposure. Black is now seeking an itemized list of assets and the money received from their liquidation. In his “Unopposed Motion for Continuance of Sentencing Hearing” which was filed with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, on Dec. 3, 2008, Black said he filed his objections on Nov. 3, setting out concerns about the accuracy of the information given to the government as to the amount of loss. One concern was the amount owed the Wes-Tex Feed Yard, which submitted additional information to the government that doubled the amount of their loss from the previously reported $3 million to over $6 million.

Assistant United States Attorney Jay Weimer had requested more specific supporting documentation from Wes-Tex Feed Yard, yet had not received it prior to the current filing. Tim Evans, Black’s attorney called Vic Anderson, a Fort Worth attorney representing Wes-Texas Feed Yard and asked if he could get the supporting documents. He was first told that Anderson was out of the office. He later was told Anderson had suffered a stroke and had been out of the office for three weeks and it was unknown when or if he would return. Later, Evans learned that another lawyer had been assigned to the Wes-Tex case – but he was on vacation. Evans called again on Dec. 1, 2008 and the replacement lawyer confirmed that he had the file but didn’t know what the documents were and had not familiarized himself with the case. He said he was supposed to have lunch with Mr. Anderson, who was improving, and would ask whether or not he had received the documents. Black and Evans claim that the documents are critical to determining a significant amount of the actual loss in this case – as feed yards, which are in the business of feeding buying and selling cattle keep very specific records of cattle transactions and these records should be available.

In the filing, Evans also noted Black’s serious concerns about whether or not the First National Bank of Weatherford had accurately reported their loss of $590,016. Since the date of filing his objections, Black has retained a forensic investigator and both Black and Evans have been interviewing witnesses who helped round up and load Black’s cattle, which were collateral for Black’s loans, on behalf of the bank.

Evans obtained a spreadsheet submitted to attorneys for parties who have sued the First National Bank of Weatherford alleging that the Bank sold some of Black’s cattle that they either owned or had an interest in. Evans believes that this spreadsheet was also submitted to the government by the Bank. Recently, Evans also received an inventory sheet showing the number and location of Oscar Black Cattle on ranches operated by cutting horse trainers. Comparing the spreadsheet of the Oscar Black cattle sold, to the inventory sheet of the number of cattle on the ranches, it was found that there were approximately $2.2 million dollars worth of cattle on those ranches that were not separated as being sold on the spreadsheet, which they believe was used to support the loss amount submitted to the government by the Bank.

In the Motion, Black and Evans said they have spoken to cowhands who helped round up and load the Oscar Black cattle, located on the cutting horse ranches for shipment and sale by the Bank. Evans has also obtained documents from the plaintiff’s attorneys that the bank paid the rancher for weight gain on the cattle, indicating that the Bank shipped them - thus, showing the $2.2 million that is unexplained at this time.

According to the Motion, there is much work to be done to obtain a reliable loss amount. If Black’s concerns are accurate, not only would this affect Black’s sentencing guidelines, but it would also affect the amount of restitution money that should be, or should have been, made available to victims – other than the First National Bank of Weatherford.

Black claims he has limited resources and since Evans has other clients and commitments, investigation has been slow. Black had hoped that the FBI Case Agent would be available to do some investigation on his own, which would have not only been more efficient and productive, but would have produced credibility to his results. However, ironically, the original FBI Case Agent on the case resigned from the FBI and this case was added to an already heavy case load of the current Case Agent.

Now, with the increased demand for investigation of the Bank and mortgage fraud, coupled with the fact that Black has already plead guilty and his case is essentially over, it has fallen on the resources of Black to get to the truth as to the disposition of his collateral.

According to an article in the Weatherford Democrat, on Feb. 6, 2009, U. S. District Judge Sam Lindsey approved a motion seeking documentation to clarify Black’s financial standing. According to Black’s attorney, the motion will not affect the sentencing, but could significantly change Black’s ability to pay restitution to victims. Evans also asked Judge Lindsey for a subpoena in the case, which Evans feels is necessary to determine how much restitution to the victims should be and how much money will be available to repay those victims.

As of this writing, sentencing of Black has not been rescheduled.

GEORGETTTE HAWKINS DIES FEB. 17 AFTER LOSING HER SON ON FEB. 7

Feb. 21, 2009
Georgette Hawkins, 64, Seguin, Texas, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, following complications from a lung transplant. Although Georgette was a graduate of Texas Tech University and a life-long rancher in Guadalupe County, most cutters will remember her and her husband, Bobby, as the founders of the D&D Farm and Ranch store in Sequin.

Bobby Hawkins had a double tragedy during the month of February, as his son, Richard, 42, was killed Saturday, Feb. 7 in a motorcycle accident. Richard Hawkins was buried on Tuesday, Feb. 10 in the Dugger Cemetery in Seguin, while Georgette died the following Tuesday. Visitation for Georgette is Feb. 22 from 12 to 6 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. at Emanuel’s Luthern Church. Interment will follow in San Geronimo Cemetery. A reception will follow at Nolte Island.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Baker, Gary Hefllin, Ronnie Morrow, Dr. Richard Nelson, Bob Marcellus and Mark Dietz. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Hawkins, James Dietz, Edward Cassin, Jon White, Hugh Sprott, Dr. Carlos Menendez, Louis Pearce, Jr., Robert Julian, Ronald Jackson and Bob Walker.

Survivors of Georgette include her children: Audra Hawkins and wife, Shawn; Dale Hawkins and wife, Beverly; Christy Hawkins and Jamie Hawkins; daughter-in-law Rhonda Hawkins; stepmother Flo Dietz; brother,James Dietz and wife, Linda and many grandchildren. She also left behind her special friends Susan Hubbert, Wendy Marcellus and Ellen White – along with her beloved Corgi Mugsey. She was preceded in death by her parents Jesse Dietz, Jr. and Alma Anderson Bartels Dietz. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to to the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center, 1865 East US hwy 90, Seguin, Texas 78155. You can sign the guestbook at www.treshewell.com.

Richard was born March 11, 1966 in Seguin to Bobby Hawkins and Linda Smith Martinez. He was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his wife Rhonda Hawkins, his father Bobby; siblings Audra Hawkins, Dale Hawkins, Christy Hawkins, Jamie Hawkins and Susan Evans. Pallbearers were Frank Pooley, Matt Engbrock, Lance Siltmann, Larry Williams, Marc French, Austin Ridgeway, Clay DeLaney and Ron Swartz. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Hawkins, Kenny Boeder, Ed Cassin and Hugh Sprott.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any children’s charity of choice and you can sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com.

Send your condolences to Bobby Hawkins at PO Box 1839, Seguin, Texas 78155 or call (830) 305-3124.

FORT WORTH COURT OF APPEALS HEARS LAINIE WHITMIRE VS NCHA CASE

Article and photo by Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 2, 2008 – Fort Worth, Texas

Ray and Lainie Whitmire

A three-judge panel with The Fort Worth Court of Appeals heard arguments for 40 minutes on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from James W. Walker, of the Walker Sewell firm in Dallas, attorney for Lainie Whitmire, Sallisaw, Okla., and James Morris, representing the NCHA in Whitmire’s lawsuit against the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA). Throughout the proceedings the judges, which included the court’s Chief Justice and two female justices, asked several questions and were an active panel.

Walker presented his case first as to why the appellate court should allow a new trial. Walker stressed that the summary judgment rulings issued on April 9, 2008 by Judge Tom Lowe, of the 236th District Court, Fort Worth, Texas, should be reversed for three major reasons: 1) the evidence contradicts the NCHA’s claim that it complied with its rules; 2) the NCHA failed to establish as a matter of law that their lawyer, Eldridge Goins, lacked authority to enter into the oral agreement with Whitmire’s lawyer Clark Brewster and 3) judgment should not have been made on Whitmire’s fraud and misrepresentation claims relating to the assurances provided by Mr. Goins of her Non-pro status because the NCHA did not seek Summary Judgment on those claims.

He stressed that the NCHA violated its own rules because there was never a written complaint against Whitmire, which is required by the rules. The summary judgment motion filed by the NCHA claimed in Hooper’s supporting affidavit that a complaint was received by his office. Hooper testified about three weeks after signing the affidavit that there was no such complaint. Also, NCHA Rule 38 requires the NCHA to prove a rule violation by a preponderance of the evidence. This means the NCHA has the burden of proving such a rule violation. However, Walker pointed out that Hooper and other NCHA witnesses admitted that the NCHA placed the burden of proof on Lainie to prove she was not a trainer. Walker asked the court, “How do you prove a negative?”

Morris used a chronological exhibit of the case, stressing that it has been decided by the courts in several cases that they should not interfere with the internal management of a non-profit association. The only exception would be 1) if there was no notice given to the accused and 2) if they did not have an opportunity to be heard. He claims the NCHA went above and beyond the law by sending several letters to Whitmire and scheduling hearings for Nov. 15, 2004, Aug. 21, 2006 and Nov. 19, 2007.

One judge questioned the two separate suspensions given Whitmire: a six-month suspension in 2005 and a one-year suspension in 2006 and also what happened to the promised membership reinstatement.

Morris said that the six-month suspension was the revocation of her membership privileges as well as her non-pro and amateur status. After six months, her membership privileges would be reinstated but she still would not obtain her non-pro or amateur status. The second suspension came after Whitmire’s membership privileges were restored and she requested to compete in the Open class. She said she would apply for her Non-Pro Card again if there was a rule change. In the spring 2006, which she did and was told she did not qualify as a non-pro or an amateur because she had made false statements on her new application – saying she had never trained horses for remuneration. She was then given an additional one-year suspension.

Walker emphasized that an agreement made in an oral agreement between Whitmire’s previous lawyer Clark Brewster and NCHA lawyer, Eldridge Goins, had not been complied with which included the fact that if Whitmire’s membership was suspended for six months but her non-pro status was left intact.

He also said that Whitmire had taken a lie detector test and passed and then offered to take another one by an examiner of the NCHA's own chosing, but they declined to require a second such exam.

Morris said that during an Aug. 21 hearing, there was nothing said about a “special deal” and in Whitmire’s deposition, she only said that if the rule changed, she would reapply for her Non-Pro card. She did not plead anything on the “special deal” made between Goins and Brewster.

Walker said the case did not fall under any of the cases referred to by NCHA counsel – in one case, they sued a non-profit association, but admitted that “they just didn’t like the rules.” In the other case, they failed to disclose that a psychologist had a relationship with the client.” In both cases relied upon by the NCHA, Walker pointed out that the member admitted to violating the rule and that the rule was correctly applied, but that the rule was unfair. In this case, he argued, Whitmire has never admitted to being a professional trainer, has offered other testimony supporting this and believes the NCHA has not complied with its own rules in its treatment of her case. He continued that NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper even contradicted himself in his testimony as to what rule Whitmire had violated. Walker said he felt the issue was a due process problem because there was no complaint and the entire process it initiated was based on a lie.

Whitmire filed suit against the NCHA on Oct. 10, 2006 and also through an amended petition filed on Nov. 29, 2006 following a dispute about her amateur/non-pro status that had been going on since 2004. The former barrel racer-turned cutter and her husband Ray were lifetime members of the NCHA. She has not competed in an NCHA cutting event since the 2005 suspension of her non-pro and amateur status, followed by the eventual revocation of her NCHA membership. Ray started competing in 2005 and earned the NCHA Aged Event Rookie-of-the-Year award that year. He remained an active cutter until mid-December 2007 when the NCHA suspended his membership. He filed suit against the NCHA and still has that single claim pending that asks for his membership back. This claim was not included in the Summary Judgment and was kept by Judge Lowe.

Walker said that the Court will not announce the result or issue an opinion for at least a couple of months. Also, if the appellate court overrules the Summary Judgment given the NCHA, the case will go back to Judge Lowe’s 230th District Court in Tarrant County.

Click here for the Whitmire Appellate brief
Click here for NCHA responding brief>>

CUTTING HORSE INDUSTRY LOSES A GREAT HORSEMAN AND FRIEND IN GEORGE COMBS

Article and photo b y Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 16, 2008
George Combs and his wife Nancy during George's induction into the ACHA Hall of Fame.

George Combs, 75, Tolar, Texas, was a horseman all his life. However, he lost the battle for his life this morning following five years of being on dialysis. Also, he recently was diagnosed with colon cancer.

George was an NCHA member for over 40 years and he was one of the original founders of the American Cutting Horse Association over 24 years ago, serving as the first Vice President when Don Carr was the first President.

George’s entire life was spent on horseback. His parents divorced when he was young and his cowboy career began at age 8 when he grew up on the ranch of Edgar Norton, who raised him on his ranch in Quanah, Texas. It was there he honed his skills in the horse business and where he learned to be a man. He started roping and continued roping through the years; however, when he was introduced to cutting, he fell in love with the sport.

He loved to teach newcomers about the sport of cutting and according to his son, Mike, he never turned anyone down who needed help learning about cutting. Many of them are still cutting today.

In fact, just weeks ago, Mike met Wayne Long from Decatur, Texas, in Boyd, Texas. Wayne told Mike that George had cost him a half million dollars. George had sold him his first cutting horse, which Wayne’s son, Wayland, hauled for an NCHA Youth Championship title. That was the beginning for the entire Long family to be involved in the cutting industry.

George made the finals of the 1975 NCHA Futurity and also won the Open Championship of the Area Work-offs in Jackson, Miss., in the 1970s. Although he had earned over $45,000 in NCHA lifetime earnings, showing was not George’s passion; he enjoyed helping others most of all. His son, Mike, remembers warming up his rope horse when he was only 7 years old.

George and Nancy Henson went to school together in Quanah, where they were born and raised and later married. The couple have been married for 58 years and have five sons: Grady, who lives in El Paso, Texas, with his wife Juanita; Mike, an NCHA judge’s monitor, who lives with his wife, Judy, in Tolar, Texas; Gary, who lives with his wife, Pam, of Eddy, Texas; Larry and his wife, Linda of Cleburne, Texas and Doug and his wife, Nancy, of Cleburne, Texas.

Other survivors include their grandchildren: Kim Cummings, Tolar; Ryan and Misty Combs, Tolar; Jeremy and Lisa Combs, Granbury; Joy Laurie Stewart, Whitney; Sheri Johnston, Tolar; Kerri and Steve Tuggle, Granbury; Terri and Kris Schuett, Prescott Valley, Ariz.; Leah and Pete Rios, Waxahachie; Chance and Britney Combs, Granbury and Zachary Combs also of Granbury. They also have 18 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In a recent interview, George said, “I’ve had a good life and I’m very proud of my family.”

A viewing will be held Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m. at the Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Triple Cross Cowboy Church, located between Granbury and Lipan on Hwy 4. Send your cards to Nancy Combs, PO Box 54, Tolar, Texas 76476.

JIM RENO PASSES AWAY AFTER EXTENDED ILLNESS
Article and photo by Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 2, 2008 - Kerrville, Texas
Jim Reno (left) and Roger Anderson, shown during the 2007 NCHA Futurity.

Jim Reno, 79, Kerrville, Texas, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 1 after being in bad health for at least three months. He had been in a coma following a couple of strokes and a very serious infection in his foot.

Jim was a famed artist and sculptor, creating the statue of a horse and rider in front of the National Cutting Horse Association in Fort Worth. He also was commissioned to create the statue of Secretariat that greets people at Kentucky Horse Park; Dash For Cash, standing in front of the American Quarter Horse Association in Amarillo, Texas; Robert Justus Kleberg Jr., the founder of the King Ranch; Quanah Parker in San Antonio’s Sea World and Charles Goodnight on the park’s Walk of Texas Heroes. Reno was known as the “horseman’s sculptor” and was nationally and internationally recognized.

A horseman all his life, he trained cutting horses for 30 years before he retired in 1995. Jim and his wife, Mary Jo, showed cutting horses successfully over the years and they co-owned the stallion Shorty Lena. His experience with the horse and his knowledge of the anatomy of the horse contributed to his immense success as a sculptor of horses.

Jim was President of the NCHA six times, serving a total of seven years and was also on the Executive Committee. He also was awarded the 2005 Zane Schulte Trainer of the Year Award.

Survivors include his wife Mary Jo and three children: Jimmy Reno, Kerrville; Kathy (Mrs. Don) Boone, W. Columbia, Texas and Johnny Reno, Houston. Mary Jo also had two sons that Jim raised. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 600 Jefferson, Kerrville, Texas.

HEARD AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS FROM AND ABOUT THE CUTTERS

Oct. 23, 2008

JOE HEIM MARRIES HOLLY REID IN BOTANIC GARDEN CEREMONY
Joe Heim, Holly and Dudley at their Sept. 19 wedding.

NCHA Triple Crown winner Joe Heim married Holly Reed during a beautiful fall day during an intimate ceremony befitting the quiet understated personalities of both, on Sept. 19. The couple were married in the Fuller Garden at the beautiful Fort Worth Botanic Gardens among their families and close friends. The couple are living at their horse ranch in Thackerville, Okla. Send your cards to them at PO Box 100, Thackerville, OK 73459-0100

BOB FREEMAN TO HAVE SHOULDER SURGERY FRIDAY, OCT. 24
Bob Freeman, a well-known cutter and judges’ monitor, will be undergoing surgery, Friday, Oct. 24, from a badly torn ligament in his shoulder. He will be given a cadaver ligament in its place. Freeman, who was the monitor at the South Point aged event, was sporting his right arm in a sling. After the event, he went to the doctor for more tests and it was then when they discovered the torn ligament. He said that he was riding a “dead-gentle” horse, when he stepped on a board, which flew up and hit the horse in the belly. You can send him a Get Well card to: Rt 1, Box 154A, Arnett, OK 73832.

TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION JUSTIN MCBRIDE UNEXPECTEDLY RETIRES FROM THE PBR
Two-time reigning PBR World Champion Justin McBride, Elk City, Okla., announced yesterday that he will retire from the sport of bull riding at a press conference held at the Silverton Casino Lodge in Las Vegas, Nev. No reason was given for the sudden announcement, even though he has not been entered in the last couple of weekly events.

Justin is one of the most decorated bull riders in PBR history and is the defending World Champion. He recently crossed the $5 million mark in career earnings, making him the richest cowboy in history. During his 10-year career, he has an extensive list of records including 32 career event wins, the most money earned in a single season ($1,835,321) and eight single season event wins. He will be competing in his last PBR Finals this year in Las Vegas Oct. 31-Nov 2 and Nov. 6-9.

STATUE OF BENNY BINION MOVED TO SOUTH POINT HOTEL
Benny Binion’s history in Fort Worth is legendary – as is his history in Las Vegas, Nev. He is the man who moved the National Finals Rodeo from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas – getting free housing for the contestants, as well as an unheard-of free entry fees. A statue of him on horseback first showed up at Billy Bob’s, a nightclub in Fort Worth. However, later a gapping hole was all that was left, and the statue mysteriously showed up in front of Binion’s Horse Shoe Casino in Las Vegas. With that casino being bought out, the statue is now gracing one of the halls in the South Point Hotel & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, which is owned by Paula and Michael Gaughan, who are huge cutting and rodeo fans. The statue is in front of the many halters of famous bucking horses from the NFR.

ALL SMART LITTLE LENA LAWSUITS COULD COME TO AN END

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED BY ALL PARTIES

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 13, 2008
A Settlement Agreement has been drawn up by lawyers on both sides of a number of lawsuits between Bill Freeman, Jill Freeman and Bill Freeman Inc., and Tommy Manion and Hanes Chatham as representatives of the “class of owners” of the Smart Little Lena Syndicate (SLLS).

All parties involved are expected to sign the Settlement Agreement prior to an Oct. 16 hearing scheduled for 3 p.m., in the 181st Judicial District Court of Potter County, Amarillo, Texas, for “class” settlement of all lawsuits between the two sides. The “class” owners involved in several lawsuits with the Freeman parties include a dozen of the 80 Smart Little Lena Syndicate members.

The Settlement Agreement, filed on Oct. 8, 2008, is the result of extensive negotiations conducted among the various parties’ attorneys over several days regarding a variety of lawsuits and claims by both sides and individuals. If signed, all settlement funds are being provided by several insurance carriers, including $350,000 of Bill Freeman’s personal claims for libel and slander by his estate from Manion’s, Karen Freeman’s and Ron Ward’s insurance companies. The money will go to Jill Freeman, as the executrix of the Bill Freeman estate. Bill Freeman, the NCHA’s first Triple Crown winner, passed away on July 29, 2008 at the age of 58..

The SLLS members in the suit will be receiving $447,500, with $310,000 of the settlement amount going to the members of the class to pay all of its attorney’s fees – equaling $3,750 to each of the 64 shares of the SLLS. The amount slightly exceeds the damages to each share as calculated by Alix Partners LLP, the forensic firm hired by the SLLS members to calculate those damages.

The remaining amount of $137,500 will be distributed to Manion for the release of his libel/slander claim against the Freeman parties. The Freemans also hired a firm to do a forensic audit, which the Freeman parties say exonerates the Freemans from any wrong doing. Both forensic audits can be found by clicking below.

If all of the signatures are not received, both sides will have to go into the Oct. 16 mediation hearing and if agreement cannot be reached at that time, a court date of Oct. 20 is scheduled.

Members of the SLLS class suit include: Tommy Manion of Texas, Inc.; Kyle Manion; Duncan Investment Fund Ltd. Partnership; Elaine Hall Barclay; Mark Kendall d/b/a Kendall Farms; Phil Rapp; Ronald M. Ward individually; Ronald M. Ward Irrevocable Trust; Judy Zurbriggen; Karen Freeman; Karen Claycomb; Arcese Quarter Horses USA and Antoinette Chatham.

A last-minute addition to the releases in the settlement is that the SLLS parties will be released from any claims arising from any transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the claims in the lawsuit or “wrongful death and survival claims causes of action arising from the purported or actual wrongful death of Bill Freeman.” The SLLS also releases the Freeman parties from all future claims and lawsuits.

The following links include the forensic audits done by both sides - including the SLLS audit done and the Freeman audit. Also, there is a link to a complete copy of the Settlement Agreement.
Click here for complete Settlement Agreement>>
Click here for SLLS forensic audit>>
Click here for Freeman forensic audit>>

HIGH BROW CAT TOPS $30 MILLION IN OFFSPRING EARNINGS

SMART LITTLE LENA STILL LEADS WITH OVER $37.4 MILLION

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 9, 2008
When High Brow CD won the Brazos Bash Open Derby finals and the $21,000 paycheck, Jack and Susan Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, were elated. Not only because the most-talked-about horse of the year is a son of their great sire High Brow Cat, but because he pushed the stallion over the $30 million mark in offspring earnings. He is currently the sire of offspring earning $30,501,671.

According to Robin Glenn Pedigrees, High Brow Cat is only topped by Smart Little Lena with $37,411,472 earned by his offspring and the now-deceased 1973 stallion, Freckles Playboy, has moved to third with $27,967,554.

Owned by Jack and Susan Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, High Brow Cat, a 20-year-old son of High Brow Hickory out of Smart Little Kitty by Smart Little Lena, earned $110,800 during his lifetime, with his largest paycheck of $19,746 being won for the championship of the 1993 Augusta Open Classic. Most of his money was won with Bill Freeman in the saddle.

High Brow Cat became the first stallion to sire three consecutive NCHA Futurity Champions when High Brow CD won the 2007 NCHA Futurity. He also tied Doc Bar’s record for siring four NCHA Futurity Champions. Both High Brow Cat and Doc Bar have also sired two NCHA Futurity Reserve Champions. His highest money-earning offspring is Boon San Kitty, an 8-year-old mare out of Boon San Sally by Boon Bar, with $565,504 in lifetime earnings.

The highest money-earning stallion by High Brow Cat is Tommy Manion’s Smooth As A Cat, a 1999 stallion out of Shes Pretty Smooth by Wheeling Peppy, with $501,873.81 in lifetime earnings. The stallion earned checks in 48 aged events, with the highest paycheck of $59,884.59 coming from a third place in the 2003 Breeder’s Invitational Open Derby. He earned three paychecks over $20,000 and the last year the stallion showed was 2006.

Closing in fast is High Brow CD, a 2004 stallion out of Sweet Little CD by CD Olena, who has now earned $489,845.23 in only six aged events. Showing the rise in cutting purses within the past few years, his largest paycheck of $250,000 came from the championship of the 2007 NCHA Open Futurity, followed by $107,922 won for a first-place tie in the 2008 NCHA Open Super Stakes plus $39,899 in sire and dam awards. Four of those paychecks were over $20,000. With only $12,029 separating the two stallions, you can bet that High Brow CD will remain on the road so he can become the leading money-earning stallion sired by High Brow Cat. High Brow CD is owned by Chris and Staci Thibodoux’s Grace Ranch, Jennings, La., and was ridden by Austin Shepard to all his paychecks.

Another stallion by High Brow Cat that is still showing is Hydrive Cat, is a 2003 stallion out of Ruby Tuesday DNA by Peppy San Badger. With money earned from 22 events, the stallion owned by Buffalo Ranch, Farmington, Utah, and Weatherford, Texas, has $394,564 in lifetime earnings. Five of those paychecks were over $20,000, with his largest check of $184,023 coming from his Reserve Championship title of the 2006 NCHA Futurity.

DANA WISE RIDEOUT LOSES BATTLE WITH CANCER

Sept. 24, 2008
Dana Wise Rideout, Baird, Texas, lost her battle with cancer on Sept. 23. She had been diagnosed two years ago. Dana had worked with and supported the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association American Quarter Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, as well as many other groups.

Survivors include husband Teryl, son Colby, daughter Danyelle Hemphill and husband Heath, grandchildren Ethan and Hadley Hemphill, mother Janice Martin, and sister Darla McLeod. Memorials may be made in honor of Dana Rideout to the Ben Richey Boys Ranch, 501 Ben Richey Drive, Abilene, Texas 79602 or to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601.

Also, the Texas Quarter Horse Foundation has set up a fund to help with expenses. They can be written to: Dana Rideout Fund, 1101 W Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757

JASON HUMPHREY SERVICES SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, SEPT. 26

Sept. 24, 2008
Jason Humphrey, 33, Stillwater, Okla., was killed Sept. 21 in a tragic car accident near Gordon, Neb. The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Highland Church of Christ, Tecumseh, Okla. The funeral home is the Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

Humphrey was working in Nebraska, but most friends remember him for his help at Waurika, Okla., when he was always turning back or holding herd. "He was such a good person and will be missed," said one friend. "It's just a shame such a young life and good person was taken from this earth."

A 1993 graduate of Tecumseh High School, the graduated from OSU with a degree in Animal Science. He began showing cutting horses under the guidance of his grandfather Fred Humphrey and Uncle Randy. He had success in both NCHA and the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association, riding Ollies Sallie and Rondos Lynx. He was also an NCHA judge and the newphew of cutting horse trainer Greg Hillerman, Tecumseh, and his wife, Della, who is a popular show secretary.

He worked for the Walking F Ranch in Stillwater, and more currently was training cutting horses at the Whitstone Krebbs Ranch in Gordon, Neb.

Survivors include his parents, Toni & Debbie Humphrey, Tecumseh, a sister Allison Humphrey and brother Carson Humphrey, both of Stillwater. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund for Jason has been set up and contributions can be sent to: Jason Humphrey Memorial Fund, Banc First, PO BOX 1608, Shawnee, OK. 74802.

The Highland Baptist Church is located on the east end of town on Hwy 9, just before you reach Hwy 177.

NRCHA READYING FOR THE SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY IN RENO BUT IS SADDENED BY THE DEATH OF TWO MEMBERS

Sept. 20, 2008 – Reno, Nev.
While the National Reined Cow Horse Association is readying for their big Snaffle Bit Futurity and sales, scheduled to be held Sunday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 5, the death of two members has dimmed the usually buoyant mood.

NRCHA member Rod Wiemers, age 55, of Galt, Calif., died on Sept. 13, 2008, in Acampo due to a motorcycle accident. He was born on April 29, 1953, in Eugene, Ore., graduating from Lowell High School in 1971. After graduation Rod began his life long career of training horses. He was a successful horse trainer and NRCHA judge, and was the 2004 Magnificent 7 Champion.

Rod was a resident of the Sacramento area for 22 years. He enjoyed his horses and was a Harley Davidson enthusiast. He enjoyed his life and lived it to the fullest. Rodney is survived by his wife Denise Wiemers; daughters Jennifer Brushia of Oregon and Jennifer Fernandes of Fresno; grandson Korbin Perkins of Fresno; mother Betty Wiemers of Oregon; sister and brother-in-law Susan and Wayne Evans of Oregon; sister and brother-in-law Connie and Mat Perlot of Arizona; niece Kelsie and Mick Miller of Oregon. Preceding him in death was his father Jim Wiemers.

Funeral services were held Friday, Sept.19, 2008, at the Lodi Funeral Home in Lodi. Another service will be held Oct. 25, at Rancho Murrietta.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, September 28, at 6 am at the Snaffle Bit Futurity. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Reined Cow Horse Foundation Crisis Fund, 13181 US Hwy 177, Byars, OK 74826.

Also, this week, the NRCHA experienced another loss. On Sept. 16, longtime NRCHA supporter and patron, Jack Cooke, Paso Robles, Calif., passed away. Cooke, who among other duties served as the President of the Cow Palace Board 20, was 83 when he died. Jack was also the Chairman of the Board of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla., and he and his wife, Phoebe, were longtime supporters of the Western horse industry.

The NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity begins on Sunday, September 21, with the Open Herd Work, and runs through October 5. There will be a live feed of the Futurity, beginning September 21 at 8 am. The live feed can be accessed through the NRCHA web site, www.nrcha.com.

OSCAR BLACK SENTENCING PUT OFF UNTIL NOV. 17

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 18, 2008 – Weatherford, Texas
On May 20, Oscar Black, 58, was arraigned and pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud; however, he was released on his own recognizance after agreeing to restitution to his victims and sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 2. However, the sentencing, which could include a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, plus restitution, has been put off until Nov. 17.

During the course of a scheme, which took place from 2004-2006, where Black offered investment opportunities to his acquaintances – including several individuals in the cutting horse industry – a guaranteed 12 percent annual rate of return. Black mailed investors fictitious monthly account statements that falsely represented their investments were appreciated, when, in fact, he and his OB Cattle Company, were going broke. It was later discovered that Black owed the First National Bank of Weatherford $590,016.03, the Wells Fargo Bank, $3 million and his investors a total of $3,137,230.78. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay S. Weimer is prosecuting the case.

Restitution requires Black to pay $3.6 million to 17 individuals, including $590,000 to the First National Bank Weatherford, where he was a member of the Board of Directors. However, since the arraignment there have been additional developments in the case.

In May, an article was published by Galen Scott in the Weatherford Democrat in which several of Black’s victims expressed their frustrations, saying that they felt Black was hiding some of their money. They also expressed hope that the presiding judge in the case will take Black’s bankruptcy in Mississippi more than 25 years ago into consideration when issuing a sentence. In a sad ending to that scheme, a Mississippi investor, who reportedly lost $400,000, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for conspiring to have Black killed and that investor died in prison.

The article said that one investor, William Atwood, a Mississippi native and a newcomer to Parker County, claims he lost more than any other individual and is intervening in a Parker County District Court case between the First National Bank of Weatherford and Wes Tex Feed Yards, Inc./Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

The two parties are wrangling for the legal ownership of cattle that Black purchased with money he borrowed from the banks, while Atwood claims $3 million of his money from a July 2006 partnership with Black (called the Blackwood Cattle Company), also funded the purchase of the cattle. He claims the cattle were co-mingled and falsely misbranded, so the rightful owners could not be identified.

Atwood also introduced a conspiracy claim alleging that the First National Bank intentionally defrauded him by accepting cattle as collateral for the repayment of Black’s loans – even though the bank knew the cattle were not Black’s to be used as collateral for several loans.

According to Atwood’s attorney, in a statement published in the May 24 issue of the Weatherford Democrat, he said that even if First National Bank didn’t know Black was pledging cattle he didn’t own outright, the bank should have investigated Black’s money transfers, including $3 million he removed from the Blackwood partnership account and placed in his own personal accounts shortly after the partnership was formed. The bank has formally denied all of Atwood’s allegations.

Another victim, who lost $150,000, feels that the First National shouldn’t be paid restitution before individual victims – especially since Black was a director of the bank and was involved in the bank’s business and decisions. Black’s directorship was terminated when the First National learned Black had bounced checks to the investors
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The only comment from Black came through his lawyer, Tim Lewis of Fort Worth, who said his client was sorry for his crime. “He really feels bad about this and he knows he hurt a lot of people that he respects and likes.”

HEARD AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS ABOUT AND FROM THE CUTTERS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 17, 2008
NEWLYWEDS:
Non-pro cutting competitors Megan Merrill and Matt Miller, Weatherford, Texas, were married on Sept. 6 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Also, an upcoming wedding is NCHA Triple Crown winner Joe Heim, Marietta, Okla., and Holly Reed, who will be getting married on Friday, Sept. 19, at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth at 6 p.m. Joe has also won national honors in reining and was a finalist at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nev. Holly was a civil trial paralegal for many years and also a marketing director for a couple of large law firms. She is now helping to promote Joe’s cutting program. She has already developed a beautiful web site for him – you can check out the site at www.joeheimqtrhorses.com.

MONCRIEF RANCH OFFERS $10,000 REWARD
The Moncrief Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, has placed a $10,000 reward for the capture and arrest of the culprits who shot and killed four cattle and two valuable cutting horses Sunday night, Sept. 14, at their Parker County ranch located just east of Hwy. 171 in Parker County. According to Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler, the animals were shot at the Reid Ranch and the Moncrief Ranch and were likely shot with a high-powered rifle from a vehicle as the animals were found about 150 yards from the road. But the weird detail was that the tongues were missing from two of the heifers. One heifer shot in the jaw is expected to survive.

There were reports of a newer model gray or silver SUV speed away shortly after the shootings. Anyone with information should contact investigators at (817) 594-8845 or 596-3131.

YOU GOTTA HAVE HEART
Tomcat Chex finished third in the 5/6-Year-old Open at the Mebane Ranch Festival in spite of having a 16-penny nail in his hoof the day before.

The young stallion Tomcat Chex, owned by Jalinda Covey, Dixon, Calif., recently showed he's one of those special ones with "heart."

Last month at the Mebane Ranch Festival, the stallion and Gavin Jordan were entered in the 5/6-Year-Old Open Classic. Two horses before they were to cut in the second go-round, Tomcat Chex stepped on a 16-penny nail in the loping arena. Luckily, a vet happened to be in the stands, and he pulled the nail out which had gone into the hoof a full inch.

"We put his show bridle on and he and Gavin Jordan marked a 217 and made the finals," said Jalinda. "We immediately starting the doctoring process because the finals were the next day and We didn't know if he would be sound enough to show.

"We gave him 10cc of banamine at 10:00 a.m. and checked his progress every hour, saying that if he can warm him up without him limping, we would show him."

At 3 p.m., the son of Highbrow Cat out of Miss Reed Chex by Bueno Chex, trotted out sound. There was not time to practice - just time to lope and show.

"He and Gavin were awesome," said Jalinda. "They marked a 219.5 in the finals and ended up third. Many of those who saw him work told me that he should have been the Reserve Champion. But I'm just so thankful that he recovered and is doing great. I think this horse has a heart as big as Texas. I know he does."

Tomcat Chex currently has over $54,700 in lifetime earnings, according to Robin Glenn Pedigrees.

PREMIUM BOOKS FOR FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW MAILED
Premium Lists for the 113th Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, a 24-day event in Fort Worth, were recently mailed to more than 5,500 potential exhibitors for the 2009 Show, scheduled for Jan.16-Feb. 8.

The deadline for entering livestock and horses is Nov. 15. Entries for horses received between Nov.16 and Dec.30 will be accepted with applicable late fees. The Premium List is a complete exhibitor’s guidebook containing judging schedules, rules, classifications and prize monies. The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show will also host 17 auctions.

MCSPADDEN TO BE HONORED
Celebrating 50 years of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala also will pay homage to the late Clem McSpadden as the 2008 Wrangler Legend in festivities in Las Vegas.

The Gala gets underway at 7 p.m. PT on Dec. 1 at the South Point Hotel and Casino’s Grand Ballroom. Entertainment will be provided by Grammy Award- winning country music recording band Asleep at the Wheel.

McSpadden, a PRCA announcer for 60 years who also served as longtime Oklahoma state senator and former general manager of the National Finals Rodeo, died July 7 after a battle with cancer. All proceeds benefit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy. For details, call 719.528.4728.

BUFFALO RANCH MOVING ENTIRE OPERATION TO TEXAS

Aug. 20, 2008
Buffalo Ranch, one of the most high-profile stallion stations in the industry, is transitioning its headquarters to its Fort Worth, Texas, facility, located just 11 miiles from the Will Rogers Equetrian Center.

Accoding to Shane Plummer, President of Buffalo Ranch, construction is underway, making the Fort Worth facility ready for the breeding season next year. The entire stallion roster, training division, broodmare band and yearling division will all be moved.

"The move is being made to facilitate the needs of Buffalo Ranch's customers and expand operations where it will be the most effective," said Plummer. "Buffalo Ranch's Fort Worth Facility has a location that is second to none. Besides being located just 11 miles from the Will Rogers Equestrian Center, we are also only 35 miles from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The move will minimize expense passed onto customers as well as allow other top industry stallions to stand along with the Buffalo Ranch stallion roster."

Nick Plummer, General Manger of Buffalo Ranch, will remain in Utah to manage the magnificent Utah facilities and work with the local customers in this transition. The near 300-acre piece of property, once farmland, has been developed into the crown jewel of more than three decades worth of experience in the horse business.
The property is currently surrounded by residential housing and a view of the Wasatch Mountains that is second to none. With over 400 horses on the facility, operations there will continue until that facility is sold.

"The goals and mission of Buffalo Ranch is still the same - to enhance the performance horse Industry and further equine standards while achieving the highest level of cistomer satisfaction," said Plummer. Buffalo Ranch is dedicated to building long-term relationships and is working toward being an integrity leader in the performance horse industry.

"Moving to Texas is something I and my Family are looking forward to. We are eager to start a new chapter in our business. This has not been the first move and you never know, it just might be its last. But one thing is for sure, horses have been our only business for more than 35 years and we know how to take care of our customers. This is just a natural progression as we expand our business. We will continue to take care of those that take care of us. Our Customers are key, we are committed to them and the industry."

CUTTING COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER WHEN DISASTER STRIKES AT CUTTING IN THE ROCKIES

By Janet Jaques
Aug. 4, 2008 – Granby, Colo.
We had just wrapped up our four day show in Granby, Colorado, when we helped our trainer, Rex Rossoll and his assistant Dottie Brinkley, load six horses up for the trip back to California. Within a couple of hours, we got a call from Rex that his truck and trailer had burnt to the ground. (Rex had his truck repaired in Colorado Springs the week before.)

Rex indicated that they were okay and that they got all of the horses out of the trailer safely. However, our 5-year-old gelding had injured himself in the trailer before the fire started. He is still in Colorado at the Littleton Large Animal Clinic and is doing well. They were also able to salvage some items from the truck and some tack from the trailer.

By the time we got Rex’s call, everyone at the show was on their way home or had put their horses up and were at dinner. Two cutters that were still on the grounds were Cookie Banuelos and Katie Gaughan. After they heard about our situation, they offered to hook up their six horse trailer to help us pick up the horses and bring them back to Granby.

Also jumping in to help us out were Ron, Sue and Sedar Thurston, our neighbors in Granby. Sue and Sedar are cutters that had been riding that day and they are big supporters of our show. Ron drove his dually while Sue drove an SUV to help bring back all the gear that they saved. This group didn’t get back into town until after midnight. Sedar met the group down the road with another truck and trailer to transport our gelding to the clinic in Littleton. They didn’t back until 3 a.m. Ruben Mageno hauled two of the horses back to California while Sedar and Dottie hauled the remaining three. Here is another example of cutters helping cutters. We will be forever grateful.

God Bless Cookie, Katie & the Thurstons!
Skip & Janet Jacques

HE’S GONE

LEGENDARY TRAINER BILL FREEMAN PASSES AWAY AT DALLAS HOSPITAL

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 29, 2008
Bill Freeman having fun during the 2007 NCHA Futurity.
Photo by Glory Ann Kurtz

While the NCHA Summer Spectacular was being held in Fort Worth, Bill Freeman, 58, Rosston, Texas, should have been celebrating his 25th Anniversary win of the first NCHA Triple Crown aboard Smart Little Lena. Instead, he was in the hospital fighting for his life. Today at 1:36 p.m. CDT., he lost that fight.

Freeman was originally hospitalized in the Denton (Texas) Regional Hospital due to complications from chronic asthma. With the need for more specialized care, on July 17, he was moved to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. He had been on a respirator for over three weeks and was heavily sedated. His oldest daughters, Tina, Erica and Kim Freeman arrived last night to be by his side, along with other family members.

Bill has fought the battle of chronic asthma for years, most currently aggravated by fungal pneumonia. Ironically his famous father, Shorty Freeman, died in 1990 from chronic asthma. In fact, during Shorty Freeman’s dispersal sale, he sat by the sale ring, breathing with the help of an oxygen tank and smoking a cigarette.. Shorty was made famous by the stallion Doc O’Lena, while Doc O’Lena’s son, Smart Little Lena, made Bill a household word in the cutting industry. He was not only a great individual; Smart Little Lena is currently the leading sire of cutting horses.

As the No. 1 Open Cutting Horse Rider of all time and the No. 2 overall rider, Bill has earned more than $5.4 million in the cutting arena, including three NCHA World Championship Futurity titles. He was the first rider to win the Triple Crown riding Smart Little Lena to the championship of the1982 Futurity and the 1983 Super Stakes and Derby. His Futurity titles are only surpassed by Buster Welch, who has won five. (The second Triple Crown winner took place the following years when Docs Okie Quixote and Joe Heim won the Futurity in 1983 and the Super Stakes and Derby in 1984. Chiquita Pistol ridden by Tag Rice took the title by winning the Futurity in 2002 and the Futurity and Derby in 2003).

According to the NCHA web site, services will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday in Will Rogers Coliseum. Memorial contributions may be made to NCHA Charities Foundation, 260 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107.

Private funeral arrangements for friends and family are pending; however, cards can be sent to Bill’s wife, Jill, and daughter Elayna, to PO Box 27, Rosston, TX 76263. You can mail cards to his sister, Sharon, and her husband, Terry Riddle, to RR 2, Box 112, Wynnewood, OK 73098. Cards to his three daughters with his previous wife, Karen, can be sent to Karen at 3432 Clearwater Dr., Clarksville, TN 37042.

HEARD AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS ABOUT THE CUTTERS FROM THE CUTTERS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 18, 2008

J. W. LINDLEY DIES AT 75
J. W. Lindley, a horse trainer for over 35 years, and credited by Shannon Hall for starting NCHA‘s 1999 NCHA Futurity Champion Shania Cee, died Wednesday, July 16. Lindley, Memphis, Texas, was 75. Officiating at his funeral, held Saturday, July 19, will be his son, Scott Lindley, as well as Dr. Alberta Helton. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery.

Lindley, a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association, also was a member of the Arabian Cutting Horse Association, where he was a three-time National Champion. He was also a member of the National Cutting Horse Association and a past director of the Panhandle Cutting Horse Association.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jay Preston Lindley in 1971 and a brother. Survivors include his wife, Darlene; two daughters, Jayne Sweatt and husband Greg of Cochise, Ariz., and Chlo Brdecko and husband Kenny of Wheeler; a son, Scott and wife Summer of Madisonville; six grandchildren; a brother, Thollie Lindley and wife Patti of Lakeview and a sister Nancy Montgomery and husband Lacy of Memphis.

Online condolences can be left at www.hughsfuneralhome.com. The family suggests memorials be sent to the Westview Boys’ Home, P.O. Box 533, Hollis, OK 73550.

BILL FREEMAN STILL IN THE HOSPITAL – THIS TIME IN FORT WORTH
Bill Freeman, who has been hospitalized for almost three weeks in Denton Regional Hospital, while suffering from pneumonia and a blood clot in his leg,, was transferred yesterday, July 17, to Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth and is again in ICU with pneumonia. You can send your cards to Bill at P.O. Box 27, Rosston, TX 76263.

TOP REINER SHAWN FLARIDA TO HOLD WEEK-LONG CLINIC
Have a desire to ride reining horses? NRHA’s all-time leading money earner, Shawn Flarida, will be holding a week-long clinic at his Springfield, Ohio, facility Aug. 4-8. The cost will be $2,500 per rider, with a limit of 10. The price includes a stall and, shavings for one horse at the Springfield fairgrounds, breakfast and lunch each day, a dinner on the final night and a video of the rider’s first and last day. Accommodations are at the rider’s expense. A $1,000 deposit is required. Contact Michele Flarida at 937-631-2033 or e-mail shawnflaridareiner@netzero.net.

MICHAEL ORR PROPOSES A “TRAINERS FUND”
Michael Orr, Dickinson, Texas, recently made a proposal to NCHA President Bronc Willoughby to establish a “trainers fund.” The purpose of the fund is to give support to any NCHA trainer in good standing, for any type of medical or catastrophic event in their life. The fund would also serve as a one-time retirement fund.

The proposal would add $5 to every entry fee, weekend or aged event. The money would be invested in a mutual fund account. Orr said that the $5 fee would accumulate to approximately $750,000 per year and if compounded at 12.1 percent, would total $50 million in 20 years before capital gain taxes. This figure takes into account that 20 percent would be withdrawn per year for those particular medical or catastrophic events.

Orr also suggests that a qualifying trainer must have won a minimum of $40,000 in Open NCHA events, with a penalty if a trainer is suspended or put on probation. He suggests that a trainer would be able to withdraw funds for any member of his/her immediate family and would also have a right to declare a one-time full draw for retirement – if retiring.
Click here for full Trainers Fund Proposal>>

CHUCK AND MARY CRAGO TO HOLD PRIVATE TREATY SALE
Chuck and Mary Crago, Belle Fourche, S.D., are planning a private -reaty Performance Quarter Horse sale. The couple has been selling proven performance-bred horses for 32 years and has had a production sale for 29 years. For the last few years, they have been selling at private treaty from their ranch.

They are offering 19 weanlings plus several yearlings, 2-year-olds and started prospects, along with a few proven broodmares and seasoned barrel horses. “These horses are trainable, athletic and have the minds to continue to be successful in the arena and on the ranch,” said Chuck. “In today’s world, a sound horse with bone, conformation and try are the ones winning. They are the kind of horses we like to ride and enjoy.”

The horses can be viewed on their new, updated website www.crago.com or you can call them at 605-892-4297.

BIG WINNERS NAMED AT CALGARY STAMPEDE CUTTING
Pete Branch was the big winner at the Calgary Stampede Cutting held July 13. Riding Ms Peppy Cat, a 6-year-old daughter of High Brow Cat out of Ms Peppy Doc by Peppy San Badger, owned by Lonnie and Barbara Allsup, Branch scored a total of 149, taking home $9,129.

The large paycheck will help Branch on his quest for the 2008 NCHA Open World Championship title. He currently has a huge lead with $52,179 in earnings. His closest competitor, Robert Rust, has ridden Cattins Lil Darling to $13,172. Branch and the great mare have gone to 70 shows, while Cattins Lil Darling, owned by Ron Jones, Lexington, Texas, has gone to 23 shows.

Reserve Champion at Calgary was Peppy San Zack ridden by Brad Pedersen, Lacombe, Alberta, Can. The 7-year-old stallion by Zack T Wood out of Peppy Sue Lena by Peponita, is owned by Maureen Stewart. The pair took home $5,165 for a 148. Third went to My Own San Lena, a 6-year-old daughter of My Own League out of Pepinics San Badger by Pepinics Master, owned by Ria and Al Gerta, and ridden by Loren Christianson, Stony Plain, Alberta, to a 145.5. The pair took home $3,323.

The Non-Pro champion was Canadian Kevin Baumann riding Lectric Shock, an 8-year-old daughter of Lectric Playboy out of Smart Trouble Wilson by Smart Little Lena. His whopping 151 score netted him $6,048. The Reserve title went to Mary Jo Milner, Southlake, Texas, riding DMAC Dandy Devine, a 7-year-old daughter of Smart Little Abner out of Miss Toot N Shoot by Young Gun, owned by Mary Jo and her husband, Jim. The pair scored a 148, taking home $5,436.
Mary Jo is currently third in the NCHA Non-Pro World standings with $20,536 won in 33 shows.

Third went to Dan Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, riding Woody Be Lucky, an 8-year-old gelding by Nitas Wood out of Playboys Ladyluck by Freckles Playboy, owned by Dan and his wife Karen. Because of go-round scores, their 147.5 score netted them the larges paycheck of $6,252. Hansen, who was the 2007 Non-Pro World Champion, is currently in 14th place with $8,186 won in 19 shows.
Above results from Robin Glenn Pedigrees

PRO RODEO HALL OF FAMER CLEM MCSPADDEN DIES AT 82

July 8, 2008 - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Clem McSpadden, a member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and an immensely popular political figure in his native Oklahoma, died at 10:51 p.m. July 7 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston after a lengthy struggle with cancer.

McSpadden, of Chelsea, Okla., was general manager of the National Finals Rodeo for 18 years in Oklahoma City (1967-84), a past president of the Rodeo Cowboys Association and one of the sport's legendary announcers for more than half a century. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1990.

"The entire Western world has lost a friend with the passing of Clem McSpadden," said Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Chairman of the Board Keith Martin. "I’ve known Clem all my life, and no one knew rodeo better or loved it more than he did. This is a sad day for our sport, but the legacy of Clem McSpadden will live on forever."

As an announcer, McSpadden worked the National Finals Steer Roping (NFSR) a record 27 times from 1963 to 2000. He announced rodeos in 41 states, Mexico and Canada, where he became the first American to serve as the voice of the Calagary Stampede and the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

McSpadden conducted the opening for the "Command Performance" Rodeo for President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and was the American announcer chosen for the U.S. versus Canada Rodeo during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary.

In 1986, McSpadden was named PRCA Announcer of the Year and Cowboy Hall of Fame Man of the Year.

"Clem was the godfather of all of ’em," said fellow ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee Roy Cooper. "He was the voice of rodeo. He loved roping, and he saw them all -- from Toots Mansfield, Jim Bob Altizer and Dean Oliver to Joe Beaver, Fred Whitfield and Cody Ohl. Clem McSpadden has done more for our sport than any other individual. He always worked hard, and he always made a difference in everything he did. Clem was a man who got things done. He was a good friend to all cowboys, and was a real blessing in my life. Now Clem’s up there where the great ones roam, with Sonny Davis, Freckles Brown and Jim Shoulders."

A tribute to McSpadden was already being discussed for the 50th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 4-13 in Las Vegas, and WNFR general manager Shawn Davis is going ahead with plans for honoring a man Davis describes as "an icon in our sport."

"This is definitely a loss," Davis said. "There are very few people who you can say really made rodeo, and he is one of them. The NFR is the most stable thing in rodeo, and he played a very instrumental role in getting the NFR up to that next plateau, carrying the sport with it."

A graduate of Oklahoma State University, McSpadden served in the U.S. Navy (1944-46) before launching himself into the dual careers of politician and rodeo announcer. He was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 1954 and served until 1972, twice being elected president pro tempore; he was the first to serve consecutive terms.

In 1972, McSpadden was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and became the first freshman to serve on the prestigious Rules Committee before launching an unsuccessful campaign for the governorship of Oklahoma, losing to David Boren. The Chelsea post office was named in McSpadden's honor in January.

"Clem McSpadden was a cherished mentor and adviser to me and so many other elected leaders across Oklahoma," U.S. Representative Dan Boren (D-Okla.) told the Tulsa World. "He was a state legislator, U.S. congressman, businessman, rancher, long-time rodeo announcer and always remained a devoted public servant to his community, state and country."

A moment of silence for McSpadden will be observed tonight (July 8) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Chelsea Funeral Home and Crematory (www.mmsfuneralhomes.com/mms_funeral_homes.asp). McSpadden is survived by his wife, Donna, his daughter, Kay and his sons, Bart and Paul.
Above information courtesy PRCA

HEARD AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS FROM AND ABOUT THE CUTTERS
June 26, 2008

NCHA ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE:
The members of the new NCHA Animal Welfare Committee members include Lindy Burch, Flynn Stewart, Wylie Gustafson, Gail Holmes, Janet Bowen, Lynn Satalino, Kristen York and Tim Frasier.
WESTERN HORSEMAN CUP CANCELLED
The NCHA and Augusta Futurity have “agreed to disagree” and as a result, the Western Horseman Cup will no longer be held with the Augusta Futurity. The five-year-old event initially was funded basically by the NCHA for three years; however, the past two years has been funded mainly by the Augusta Futurity. The event, which has paid out over $1 million to cutters, was held during the Augusta Futurity for qualifying Open and Non-Pro riders.
AQHYA WORLD SHOW MOVES TO OKLAHOMA CITY FROM FORT WORTH
Following 16 years of the American Quart Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) World Show being held in Fort Worth, the show will be held in Oklahoma City, Aug. 1-9. The new 'superbarn' and improvements to the stalls and warm-up arenas was mentioned as one of the reasons for the move.
NEW COMBINED DNA INFORMATION SYSTEM (CODIS) FOR HORSES
Raymond Sigler, President of Wall Street Detectives Inc. and developer Equine CODIS (Combined DNA Information Systems) and the EDNA test, said, "We are on the cutting edge of technology now applied to the Horse, enabling an Equine Identification number (EIN) to track, trace and provide absolute identification. The proven low-cost tool of identification is based on the same process as the FBI's own CODIS crime lab. It identifies a horse to an accuracy of 99.999999999999 percent and is now available. Dr. Gus Cothran supervises the Equine CODIS program for Wall Street Detectives at Texas A&M College. For more information, go to http://www.equinecodis.com
CONDOLENCES:
Everett Salley, 73, horseman, cattleman and Tulsa Stockyards owner, died Friday June 13. Graveside service 11 a.m. Tuesday, Calvary Cemetery. Moore's Eastlawn.

Dean Reeves, the father of future ProRodeo Hall of Fame saddle bronc rider Tom Reeves, died May 25 from head injuries suffered when an all-terrain vehicle he was driving near his Eagle Butte, S.D., ranch overturned. Reeves, 71, operated Reeves Quarter Horses on the Dean Reeves Family Ranch in Eagle Butte. Tom Reeves, who won the 2001 World Championship, qualified for 18 National Finals Rodeos and will be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on July 12, has always credited his father as being the inspiration for pursuing a career in rodeo and for his knowledge of livestock. Dean Reeves is survived by his wife, Emma Lu; his sons Tom (Carmin) and Jim (Janna); and daughter Mary Reeves.

Memorial Services for Barney Hinds, 75, were held June 3 at the ranch of longtime friend Dale Tingle in Corning, Calif. Hinds was born Dec. 1, 1932, in Driggs, Idaho, and died May 18 in Red Bluff, Calif. Hinds, who showed Leonard Milligan to the AQHA Superhorse award trained horses in Idaho and Montana and for the Shelton ranches in Kerrville, Texas and was a judge for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
SEEING DOUBLE!
Kathie and John Taylor's grandbabies have arrived! Yes - it's plural - grandbabies. Gabriel and Jenna arrived - first a boy - then the girl. According to Kathie, Gabriel, who got bruised a bit on the pull out, looks like a boy and weighed in at 6 lbs, 5 oz. Little Jenna came next, with lots of dark hair and weighing a little less at 5 lbs, 1 oz. The proud parents are Scott and Erin Libby, Yelm, Wash. The twins are the first grandbabies for grandparents are John and Kathie Taylor, Chehallis, Wash.
KRISTINA HEDRICK AND ALAN WILSON MARRY
After a whirlwind romance that took place following a meeting Dec. 1, 2007 in Barnes & Noble in Fort Worth, Kristina Hedrick, 43, and Alan Wilson, 38, got married in April, 2008. Kristina, who owns an equestrian insurance firm, and Alan, a project manager for an electrical contractor, discovered they both had blue heelers and the connection was on.
The couple was married at Fort Worth Botanic Garden in mid-April, with friends and family from around the country attending – and Alan encouraged Kristina to don white boots and show spurs beneath her beautiful white wedding gown.

SLATE RIVER RANCH TO HOST MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CHRIS ATKINS

June 19, 2008 – Weatherford, Texas
Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 21 at the Slate River Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, for Chris Atkins who died Wednesday morning, June 18. There will be a funeral service at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 301 S Main Street at 4 p.m. and then a memorial service will be held at Glade Knight’s Slate River Ranch from 5:30 to 8 p.m.. The ranch is located at 4903 FM 113, Weatherford, Texas 76088.

MARK AND ANNE MARIE PEARSON LOSE DAUGHTER IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT

By Glory Ann Kurtz

June 18, 2008
Spearman, Texas
Mark and Anne Marie Pearson, Spearman, Texas, lost their 4-year-old daughter Georgia in a drowning accident on Monday, June 16. The accident happened at the home of Anne Marie’s parents in an above-ground swimming pool. They also have a son, Charles, age 6.

Georgia has had a lifetime of health issues, including seizures that she has had most of her life. “She has been at death’s door many times,” said Dan Pearson, Mark’s father. “We have held her through the night many times, thinking she wasn’t going to make it. We took her to all kinds of doctors and they never could figure out what caused the seizures.”

Mark's mother, Charolotte said that friends Kory Pounds and Phil and Mary Ann Rapp drove from Weatherford after finding out about the accident and were there for the families on Tuesday morning.

Mark is a top NCHA non-pro competitor with NCHA lifetime earnings topping $668,160. His largest paychecks came from winning the Non-Pro division of the MillionHeir Classic two years in a row. Dan, a Non-Pro/Amateur has $27,384 in lifetime earnings and Anne Marie, also a Non-Pro Amateur has $10,026.

A couple of years ago, Mark had a terrible horse accident, when he got bucked off and drug. Ironically, during this year’s MillionHeir Classic, the horse fell with Mark while they were cutting. However, this time, he was uninjured.

Services will be held Thursday, June 19 at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ, 121 Haney Street, Spearman, Texas (806) 659-3244. Send your condolences to Mark and Anne Marie at PO Box 766, Spearman, Texas 79081-0766,

2-1/2 MINUTES

NEW CUTTING PUBLICATION STARTED IN NORTHWEST

By Glory Ann Kurtz
June 14, 2008 – Thornton, Wash.
“Celebrating the cutting horse in the Northwest,” is the theme of a new area cutting horse publication called “2-1/2 Minutes.” Published by Rick and Carolyn Kiesz of the Promised Land Ranch, Thornton, Wash., the mission statement of the new publication is “to promote Northwest cow cutters and the horses that bring them so much joy.”

The spine-bound booklet printed on high-quality paper, includes color photos, clever cartoons created by Carolyn, news from NCHA affiliates located in the Northwest, guest editorials, general news bits, opinion pieces, and trainer, judges and non-pro articles. Top-three division standings for each of the affiliates are also printed. Also included is an interesting, and sometimes controversial, opinion piece by Rick, which he claims are “occasional strong opinions on life, politics, religion and sometimes even the cow cutting deal.”

“2-1/2 Minutes is a labor of love that has been a long time in the making,” said Carolyn in the introductory publication. “On every trip to the Northwest to visit our grandsons, we would pack along a pencil and notepad, brain-storming ideas that we would use someday in a publication for fellow cutters.”

"The NCHA affiliates included in the publication are the Northwest Cutting Horse Association, Washington Cutting Horse Association, Cascade Cow Cutters and Southern Oregon Cutting Horse Association. Also included are the following local clubs: Blue Mountain Cutting Horse Club, Clearwater Cutting Horse Club, Kaniksu Cutting and Cow Horse Association, Okanogan Valley Cutters and Central Oregon Cutting Horse Association. The publication is open to all Region 1 NCHA affiliates.

Advertising rates are available, or if you have news about something going on in your area of the country, send it to carolyn@twoandahalfminutes.com. For subscriptions, send $14 to “2-1/2 Minutes”, 1132 Trestle Creek Road, Thornton, WA 99176. There will be eight issues mailed this year and nine next year. (Subscriptions are $8 if an association subscribes for all members as a group) The telephone number is (509) 478-3043.

CUTTING’S LINK TO BIG BROWN

RICHARD FIELDS, THE OWNER OF PEPTOBOONSMAL, PUTS UP MILLIONS FOR “CURLIN-BIG BROWN MATCH” IF BIG BROWN WINS TRIPLE CROWN

June 7, 2008 – Boston, Mass

Richard T. Fields, the largest shareholder of Suffolk Downs and the owner of Peptoboonsmal, has put up additional purse money through Coastal Development LLC if Curlin and Big Brown start in the Massachusetts Handicap, held Sept. 20, at Suffolk Downs in Boston.

The story broke today in an on-line article in the June 7 issue of Thoroughbred Times Today. Coastal Development LLC is a company controlled by Fields. Curlin is the Horse Of The Year and the industry’s highest money earner. Big Brown won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness and will make his bid today to win the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont.

The purse, originally set a $500,000, would rise to $5 million if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown and both horses remain undefeated in 2008. The $5 million would include a $1-million participation bonus for each horse. The purse would be $3 million if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown and both he and Curlin start the race, but one or both horses suffer a defeat in 2008. The $3 million would include a $500,000 participation fee.

The 66th Massachusetts Handicap (MassCap) will be held at Suffolk Downs, a track in which Fields became the largest shareholder when he purchased his interest in March of last year. He was responsible for reviving the MassCap last September after a two-year absence.

Fields, 62, purchased the Jackson Land & Cattle Co. of Jackson, Wyo., and then purchased Peptoboonsmal in 2007 from Elaine Hall, Weatherford, Texas. A native New Yorker, Fields is a successful businessman involved in the entertainment business and casino gambling. He was also the driving force in the development of the Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino, with locations in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla.

Jackson Land & Cattle Co. is located on 2,000-plus acres in the historic spring Gulch corridor of Jackson Hole, Wyo. The cutting operation is run by Al Dunning, Scottsale, Ariz., and Jackson, Wyo. The stallion stands at Carol Rose Quarter Horses, Gainesville, Texas.

JERRY WELLS LOSES HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER AT 67

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 5, 2008
Jerry and Betty Wells shown when Jerry became a member of the Oklahoma QHA Hall of Fame.

He showed Quarter Horses for over 40 years and garnered more World Champion halter horses than any other competitor. Horses were his passion, his livelihood , his life and he was one of the first people to make a career and living showing horses. He was Jerry Wells and the industry lost a legend on May 3 when at 67, he lost his battle with cancer. He died at the Baptist Medical Center in Sulphur, Okla., with his family at his side.

Wells owned some of the most famous stallions of our time: Te N Te, Windchester, Sonny Go Lucky, Conclusive, Impressive, The Investor, Boston Mac and Merganser, the winner of the All American Futurity. He made Kid Meyers the first AQHA Supr4eme champion and showed such greats as Obvious Conclusion, Im A Cool Skip, Barn Burner, Cluiton and The Money Broker – making them legends along the way. He had 59 World Championships at Halter, one in Senior Calf Roping and one AQHA race horse.

At halter, he showed the industry’s greatest horses to 597 grands, 371 reserves, and 1,364 halter points at 2,079 shows. But he didn’t just show halter horses – he was also a real cowboy, earning 17 wins with rope horses at 165 shows, garnering 130 AQHA points. He was also a founding member of the World Conformation Horse Association. Ironically, he died just days after his friend Orren Mixer.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday May 7 at the First Baptist Church in Sulphur, Okla., at 2 p.m. Viewing will be at Havenbrook Funeral Home, Norman, Okla., Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: The Jerry Wells Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund c/o First American Bank & Trust, Attn: Tom Cooper, 570 24th Ave. N. W., Norman, OK 73069.

Wells leaves behind his wife Betty; children Nancy Wells Barr of Ada, Okla., and son Marty Wells of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and three younger brothers, Jerold and Joe, Sulphur, Okla., and Jim, Lexington, Ky..

IT’S BLACK AND BENEDICT VYING FOR NCHA VICE PRESIDENT

April 25, 2008
An NCHA cutting horse trainer and an Amateur – both running stallion stations – are trying their hands at vying for NCHA Vice President. The two candidates come from far different backgrounds and have a different outlook on their future as Vice President. Benedict is a Californian-turned-Texan, while Black is a Texan-turned-Californian.

Ballots to members were mailed Wednesday, April 30, and the winner will be announced just prior to the NCHA Convention, scheduled for June 20-22 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas, and will take office at the Convention. To eliminate my showing any favoritism, I will address the qualifications and mindsets of these two candidates in alphabetical order.

Chris Benedict

With a highly controversial proposal by incoming NCHA President Bronc Willoughby on the table that would eliminate the Amateur Division and divide the Non-Pro into money-earned divisions, Chris Benedict, owner of DLR Ranch and a trainer from Weatherford, Texas, is in favor of the proposal. Benedict claims that it will generate more members, more entries in the classes and more sales of horses. He said that during the NCHA Super Stakes, he had several people come up to him asking about the proposal. “Ninety-nine percent of them never saw the proposal,” said Benedict. “They just heard about it but hadn’t seen it. Once they have the facts and get informed, they are for it.”

Benedict also feels there should be more horse trainers on the Executive Committee. “We’ve gotten in trouble before when we didn’t have horses trainers on the Executive Committee,” says Benedict. This industry creates so much emotion – you can’t run it like a car dealership. To me, people who do this for a living need to run it. It’s our way of life. We need to make decisions that benefit a majority of the members.”

Benedict claims he has no personal agenda and says, “What is best for the Non-Pro and Amateur is better for me.” He plans on listening to the general membership and what a majority of them want – not what a small group of financial people want.

Jerry Black, DVM

Although Jerry Black, a veterinarian and owner of Valley Oak Ranch and Stallion Station, and an amateur cutter from Oakdale, Calif., hasn’t said he is opposed to the Willoughby proposal, he did say he is running a campaign which says that any proposal significantly affecting the Amateur division must have the approval of the Amateur Committee and a majority of the 7,500 amateurs it represents.

Black, who is currently a member of the NCHA Executive Committee, says he is in favor of the current structure of the NCHA through the regions, areas and committees. “It’s important that this discussion and planning continue at the committee level with the input of the NCHA members to assure the continual growth and stability of our Association,” says Black.

Black says that if he is elected Vice President, he promises to use the organizational experience he has obtained through the years to assist the Executive Committee and Board of Directors to effectively manage the business of the NCHA during this period of declining economic conditions. “I am committed to represent all the members fairly and to personally be available to the NCHA membership,” says Black.

BACKGROUND OF THE CANDIDATES:
Chris Benedict has been married to his wife, Vickie, a non-pro cutter, for 28 years. They have a son, Cole, and a daughter-in-law, Crystal, who both show in weekend and aged-event competition. Originally from California, he is a life member of the NCHA for over 30 years and served as president of the California Cutting Horse Association, an NCHA Director for both California and Texas, and served on the NCHA Stallion Committee for six years – being chairman for three of those years. He is currently on the Judge’s Rules Committee and the Limited Age Event Committee. He has also been an NCHA judge for over 30 years.

He has been President of the North Texas Cutting Horse Association, one of the largest NCHA affiliates, for the past three years. The association produced one of the largest weekend cuttings in NCHA history at will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth. He is currently show manager for the Brazos Bash in Weatherford, one of the largest limited age events not produced by the NCHA. While in California, he produced some of the largest cuttings on the West Coast at the DLR Ranch in Temecula.

He and Vickie currently own and operate the DLR Ranch and Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas, standing some of the industry’s finest stallions, including High Brow Cat – the No. 1 stallion in the industry.

Jerry Black majored in animal science at Texas Tech University after being born and raised on a farm in West Texas. He then graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in veterinary medicine after which he moved to California and started his practice. “As soon as my practice grew to the point to allow a little time off, I began riding cutting horses and since that time my family has actively participated in weekend and aged event cuttings in the amateur and non-pro divisions.

Black is currently serving his third year on the Executive Committee, and has been chairman of the NCHA Long Range Planning committee, as well as the Information Technology Task Force. An NCHA Director since 1994, he served four terms as President of the Pacific Coast cutting Horse Association and was on the Board of Directors for 15 years. He is also past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and on the Executive Committee of the American Horse Council (AHC).

WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY:
Benedict feels that his experience and knowledge would be beneficial to the membership in the leadership and promotion of the NCHA. “Cutting is a way of life and not just a hobby for me and my family,” said Benedict. “I am willing to put forth the time and effort that this position requires to make it a success.”

Black said, “I understand the commitment and am prepared to dedicate the time necessary to be an effective officer.”

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS ABOUT AND FROM THE CUTTERS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 21, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS:
Congratulations to Sean Ryon and Dixie Murphy who became engaged during the NCHA Super Stakes. Sean owns Sean Ryon Western Enterprises on North Main in Fort Worth and is a sponsor of the NCHA. Dixie, is the daughter of Stephanie Murphy and Bill Murphy and works for Justin Insurance in Justin, Texas. A wedding date has not yet been set.

CONDOLENCES:
Condolences go out to Ron and Gary Gonsalves on the loss of their mother, Rosie Gonsalves. Rosie, an ad and graphics-design artist that worked in the magazine department of the Pacific Coast Journal, died unexpectedly. Serevices will be held April 24 at 2 p.m. at the Celebration Church, 5736 North Ave., Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 484-6700 for directions. Send your condolences to Ron at 515 North Lake Dr., Weatherford, Tx 76085 and Gary & Jessica at 1901 FM 3028, Millsap, TX 76066.

GET WELL WISHES:
Send your get-well wishes to Randy Witte, the former publisher of the Western Horseman Magazine. Randy was diagnosed with colon cancer in mid-March and underwent immediate surgery. Currently, he has a very positive outlook and is starting chemo and radiation soon. Send your cards to randy at 15525 Sweet Road, Peyton, CO 80831.

Talking about past employees of Western Horseman, I recently talked with Pat Close, the long-time Editor. She is currently chairman of the magazine committee for the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association, a job she accepted in 2006. Since then, she has turned the magazine around financially and made it such a good publication that they placed second to Germany nationally in the affiliate magazine category of AQHA media awards. Pat still rides and participates in the Rocky Mountain QHN and the AQHA trail rides.

GREAT LOSSES TO THE INDUSTRY

April 14, 2008
JUTTA HELLER:
Jutta Heller, the wife of Uwe Roeschmann, Gainesville, Texas, lost her valiant battle with cancer in a hospital in Germany following a bone marrow transplant on March 31. Jutta was cremated and Uwe has brought her ashes back to the United States and services will be held Monday, April 21 at 2 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Muenster, Texas. The last time she cut in the United States was the middle of March. Send your condolences to Uwe at PO Box 1485, Gainesville, TX 76241.

DAVE HYBARGER:
Dave Hybarger, Fallon, Nev., passed away on Wednesday evening, April 9th. Dave, who was very instrumental in a lot of large cuttings for years on the West Coast, will be missed by many. He leaves behind his wife, Gayle of Fallon and daughter Gaylene Hybarger, Fernley, Nev. Services will be Wednesday, April 16 with viewing at 11 a.m. and services at 1 p.m. They will be held at the Smiths Family Funeral Home, 505 Rio Vista, Fallon, Nev., directly across the street from Churchill county cemetery on the east end of Fallon. Send your condolences to Gayle at 7007 Leter Rd., Fallon, Nev. 89406-6424

SHYNIA RENAE RANDLES:
Also, Shynia Renae Randles, Syracuse, Kan., died in a horrific four-wheeler/dune buggy accident on April 6. Services were held April 9 at the Shelton Memorial Christian Church, Ulysses, Kan. Survivors include her parents, Todd and Susie (White) Randles, Ulysses, Kan. (she was an only child) , and grandparents Gene and Linda White and Verna Randles, all of Ulysses.

Shynia, a seventh grader at the Elkhart Cyber School in Elkhart, was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association, Kansas Cutting Horse Association, National Youth Cutting Horse Association, Beef Empire Cutting Horse Association and the Panhandle Cutting Horse Association. She was also active in the Little Britches Rodeo Association, the American Quarter Horse Association and the Pony Club. Memorials may be given to the National Youth Cutting Horse Association Scholarship Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant, Ulysses, KS 67880.

To help with expenses, send contributions to Kris Davis, PO Box 290, Holcomb, KS 67851 (316) 993-2783.

BOBBI PULLIN
Bobbi Pullin, Conroe, Texas, died March 30 as a result of a blood clot. She leaves behind her husband, Doug Pullin, an AQHA professional horseman, and her daughters Wendy and Stephanie, who have been part of the AQHA show circuit all of their lives. Services were held April 4 at the Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, located 30 miles north of Houston. Donations may be made in the name of Bobbi Pullin through AQHA for the Therapeutic Riding Program at the AQHA website. Send your condolences to the Pullin Ranch, 14165 Horseshoe Bend, Conroe, Texas 77384.

HEARD AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS ABOUT AND FROM THE CUTTERS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 28, 2008

CAROL DEWRELL HURT IN HORSE ACCIDENT
Carol Dewrell, Holt, Fla., was bucked off a horse at her home and fractured her back in three places. “I was very fortunate,” said Carol. “I have frull movement of all of my limbs and hopefully will not have a lot of residual pain.” Carol’s doctors say she should expect the pain to subside in four to six weeks; however, she is more optimistic because “I am very determined to get better,” said Carol, who has close to $222,000 in lifetime earnings.

“My cutting friends have been so concerned and have really rallied to comfort me with their friendship, cards and flowers,” says Carol. “There are so many challenges in our sport. It is difficult, it is expensive, it is humbling, but the people I have been honored to associate with in it are pure gold and worth it all.”

You can Carol an email at caroldewrell@embarqmail.com or send her a note or card at 4094 Cooper Lane, Holt, FL 32564.

BILL HORN HAS COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING SURGERY
NRHA Hall of Famer Bill Horn, Valley View, Texas, has had complications following surgery on March 19 for the removal of a benign tumor near his lungs. Horn was the first NRHA member reach million-dollar rider status. He is currently in intensive care at the Altoona Regional Medical Center, Altoona, Penn., with his wife, Kim, by his side.

LARRY ROSE BACK ON HORSEBACK
NRHA Futurity Champion Larry Rose is back on horseback at his home at Greenbriar Farms in Ohio. His friends feared they would never see him on horseback after a 2006 accident in which the saddle slid back on a horse he was riding and the horse went over backwards on him. He had nerve damage and surgery on his neck.

PAT JACOBS HAS A REDO ON HIP
Pat Jacobs, Burleson, Texas, had hip surgery on March 3 and he was assured he’d be on horseback in two months. However, a few days after he got home, he started to feel pain. He felt he had overdone it; however, it got so bad, he had to go to the emergency room. It was determined he had a staph infection and they had to redo the whole hip replacement, flushing everything out. Pat is home now with a “fanny pack” that he will have to wear for awhile, but he thinks he’s getting better. Jacobs recently had a CD produced by the NCHA, where he plays bass, plus Red Steagall, Leon Rausch, Barry Corbin, Dave Alexander and others. The CD is available for purchase from Pat Jacobs for $15 plus $2.95 shipping and handling. Contact Jacobs at pjacobswestern@hotmail.com or 2825 Brookhollow Drive, Burleson, Texas.

NEW PHOTOGRAPHER HIRED BY NCHA
With the retirement of Don Shugart, the NCHA has hired an in-house photographer for the association. Dave Atteberry’s first introduction to the NCHA major aged events will be taking photos at the upcoming NCHA Super Stakes.

JOE HEIM/HOLLY REED SET THE DATE
NCHA Triple Crown winner, Joe Heim, Thackerville, Okla., and Holly Reed will be tying the knot on Saturday, Sept. 19, at a ceremony planned for the Botanic Gardens in Fort Worth. There will be a dinner for close friends and family members immediately following the wedding. The Botanic Gardens, located on University Ave. in Fort Worth is usually passed by cutters headed to Will Rogers coliseum. Holly was a civil trial paralegal for many years and also a marketing director for a couple of large law firms, She is now helping to promote Heim’s cutting program. She has already developed a beautiful web site for him – you can check out the site at www.joeheimqtrhorses.com. Heim has also won national honors in reining and was a finalist at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nev.

ROY HUFFAKER DIES AT AGE 81
Roy Huffaker, Kerrville, Texas, best known for riding Jose Uno to the 1969 NCHA World title, died on Friday , March 14. He placed Jose Uno in the NCHA Hall of Fame.

AQHA NEWS
AQHA OFFERS AMNESTY FOR HORSE REGISTRATIONS
While not transferring your horse isn't a federal offense, we’re offering a limited-time amnesty program: Have your American Quarter Horse’s ownership paperwork updated for only $15 per horse, regardless of how many times he or she has been sold.

Normally, there would be a $15 charge for every time the horse changed hands and the transfer paperwork wasn’t completed. That charge would be $50 for nonmembers.

With this limited-time offer, completed and signed transfer forms from each previous owner are still needed, but the fee is a one-time charge of $15 for members. Nonmembers can take advantage of the $15 transfer offer by joining AQHA for only $35.

BENEFIT CLINIC TO HELP COWBOY ARTIST JUSTIN WELLS
Cowboy artist Justin Wells is renowned for giving back to his community. But on Feb. 29, a fire destroyed his home and art gallery in Amarillo – and now it’s time for his community to give back to him.
Justin's artwork includes pencil, watercolor, oils and acrylics, and are realistic depictions of a cowboy’s life. He also has painted several life-size Fiberglas horses that are part of the “Hoof Prints of the American Quarter Horse” public art display in Amarillo.

Sadly, all of the art in his private collection was destroyed in the fire, along with his art supplies and personal belongings. In the “cowboy circle” of friends, that kind of devastation can’t go unanswered.

Horsemanship clinician Brent Graef of Canyon, Texas, and legendary reining-horse man Jack Brainard of Tioga, Texas, have joined forces to put on a benefit clinic May 17-18 at the Cowboy Church arena in Amarillo.

Fees to ride both days (with one clinician) are a minimum donation of $150. Auditors are also welcome, for a donation. The benefit clinic will also feature a silent auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to Wells.

Jack's clinic, which will be held in the afternoons, will focus on lead changes. As he says, “If you can’t change leads, you don’t know Jack!” … and this is your chance to change that. Brent's clinic, which will be during the morning sessions, is geared toward helping riders come to a better understanding of their horses. He always looks at things from the horse’s perspective and tries to teach his students to do the same.

For more on the clinicians, visit their Web sites, www.jackbrainard.com and www.brentgraef.com. For more on Wells, and to see a gallery of his art, visit www.justinwellscowboyart.com. For more information on the clinic or to reserve your rider spot, e-mail or call Brent at (806) 499-3239. If you can’t make it to Amarillo in May but would still like to help out, a fund has been set up at Wells Fargo under the name “Justin Wells Catastrophe Fund.” Any Wells Fargo location nationwide will accept donations. Visit www.wellsfargo.com to find a branch.

WYLIE’S MADE IT BIG … AGAIN

WYLIE GUSTAFSON TO APPEAR ON CONAN O’BRIEN APRIL 1

March 24, 2008
Wylie Gustafson, a cutter from Lacrosse, Wash., who is also a great entertainer and has retained and perfected the lost art of yodeling, will appear on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Tuesday, April 1. He will be yodeling and yowling with Conan to promote his new book, “How to Yodel: Lessons to Tickle Your Tonsils” published by Gibbs-Smith Publishing. Gustafson gained fame as the yodeler on the Yahoo commercial.

The show is at 11:37 p.m on CDT & MDT. or 12:37 a.m. EDT & PDT. If you can’t stay awake, you can watch the full episode on Wylie’s clip at: http://www.nbc.com/Late Night with Conan O’Brien/video/episodes.shtml#vid=230992&plt=1f.

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS FROM AND ABOUT THE CUTTERS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 10, 2008

BILLY BAKER PASSES AFTER LONG BATTLE WITH CANCER
Billy Baker, 69, Hernando, Miss., died on March 6 in Augusta, Ga., following a courageous battle with cancer. Baker was a member of the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame, an NCHa judge, director and a member of the Executive Board. Baker was preceded in death by his wife, Verlie Boyd House Baker; a son Dr. Lee Baker and his wife Susie Morris Baker; a daughter Wende Rachels and her husband Bill; brothers James Lee Baker and wife Thelma, Ralph Edwin Baker and wife Corrine, Jerry Savage Baker and wife Nanette, and one sister Martha Baker McKay, Leaksville, Miss.

PAT JACOBS HAS HIP SURGERY
On Monday, March 3, Pat Jacobs, Burleson, Texas, went into the hospital and got a new right hip. “The doctor said it was too many years horse back,” said Pat, “but he assures me I will be horseback within two months. You can send get-wel cards to Pat at 2825 Brookhollow Dr., Burleson, TX 76028-1954.

WESTERN ARTIST CHUCK DEHAAN LOSES WIFE
Joy DeHaan, 74, the wife of famed Western artist Chuck Dehaan, passed away on Friday, March 7 in Graford, Texas. Survivors include her husband and their children Connie Davis, Cindy Gale and Gary McCoy, Dee Dee Clark, Cindy Lou Burns, and Sandy and Diane DeHaan. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, in White’s Mineral Wells Chapel.

WEDDING BELLS
Pat Curry, Crawford, Texas, the owner of EQ Solutions and other business ventures, will be tying the knot on april 12 with Jami Symank, McGregor, Texas. Pat, who had six horses in the finals at the MillionHeir/South Point show said that John McClaren introduced them. Pat is also a partner in the Color Me Smart Syndicate.

MORE GOOD FORTUNE
Pat Taylor, Pilot Point, Texas, had a great time in Las Vegas. Pat won the $200,000 MillionHeir Amateur class at Las Vegas, collecting a $50,000 paycheck, but that was eclipsed by the $100,000 he won earlier in the week when he won a slot machine tournament at the Mirage. Pat runs a wholesale/retail saddle and tack supply company, founded by his father, Paul Taylor.

CARL GERWIEN IS BACK
Carl Gerwien, Nanton, Alberta, Canada, is back on the cutting scene. It has been four years since Carl was unable to come to the United States due to a mark on his record when he was a teenager. But he's just as tough as he was - making two finals at the South Point on two different horses. Some call him the "Phil Rapp of Canada."

However, Carl and his wife, Julia, have decided to have a complete dispersal sale of their horses on May 31 at their ranch. They are offering 85 head of performance horses. They have leased out their ranch and will be leasing out the indoor arena and are going to spend some time traveling - they're even thinking of a trip to Australia. But you may see Carl buying an aged-event horse later on if he can't stand to be away from the competition. You can find the horses that are for sale on his web site www.willowspringranch.com or call them at (403) 850-0617. Online bidding is available.

JON WINKELRIED MAKES NATIONAL NEWS
Jon Winkelried, 48, a Co-President of Goldman Sachs made news in the Wall Street Journal on March 9. The publication said that the owner of Marvine Ranch in Meeker, Colo., and a new facility taking shape in Weatherford, Texas, received total compensation of $67.5 million during fiscal 2007. It stressed that the $66.9 million bonus to Winkelried was a sign that Goldman Sachs Group had avoided much of the m ortgage-related misery that hurt its rivals last year. Winkelried and his family compete in NCHA Non-Pro and Amateur competition.

COLOR ME SMART (P) CONTROVERSY OVER – MOVES TO ESM
You may have noticed that during the past few months, Color Me Smart (P), a Paint son of Smart Little Lena, has been advertised by two different entities for two different stud fees. According to Craig Morris of the Color Me Smart Syndicate, they have satisfied all claims and are sole owners of the stallion, which was listed as the 10th leading sire on the all-time leading sire list. Syndicate members are Morris, Pat Curry, Jerry Durant and John McClaren. The stallion stand the 2008 breeding season at Equine Sports Reproduction in Weatherford, Texas, for a $1,500 stud fee.

Also, Craig is the commentator on the “Road To The Winners’ Circle” which is shown on RFD-TV on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Highlighted this year will be 13 or 14 finals of NCHA aged events, human interest pieces and preludes to events. Morris said that this year, the show will involve more people and horses, using the same concept as NASCAR and PBR started with.

PCCHA FUTURITY HELD MARCH 8-16
The Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Derby is off an running in beautiful Paso Robles, Calif. The event includes a $50,000 added Open and Non-pro Derby, $50,000 added Open and Non-Pro Classic/Challenge, a $3,000 added $50,000 Amateur Derby and Classic Challenge and the new $200,000 Non-Pro Purina Series and 7-Up Open, Non-Pro and Amateur divisions.

Also the show will debut the 3-year-old Gelding Stakes Qualifying Sale on March 15. Geldings sold through the sale will automatically be eligible for the Gelding Stakes purse at the 2008 PCCHA Futurity this fall. A performance horse sale will follow the gelding sale. For more information, go to www.pccha.com.

OTHER EVENTS
The Eastern Nationals start today in Jackson, Miss., and will go through March 21. The Bonanza Cutting in Abilene, Texas, with $110,000 in added money, will start tomorrow, March 11 and go through March 18. It's a busy time for cutting horses.

NEW AQHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTED
Ken Mumy was elected by the AQHA Board of Directors as president of the Association on March 3. From Metamora, Mich., Mumy has served on the Executive Committee for four years. He owns FEA Management, an environmental engineering consulting firm. A long-term director of the Association, Mumy and his wife, Maryellen, have been involved in multiple facets of the American Quarter Horse breed from cutting to Western pleasure.

Joining Mumy on the Executive Committee are first vice president Jim Helzer, Arlington, Texas; second vice president Johannes Orgeldinger, Groswallstadt, Germany; and member Dick Monahan of Walla Walla, Wash. Also elected to the Executive Committee was Peter J. Cofrancesco III. From Sparta, N.J

AQHA INCENTIVE FUND AWARDS $4 MILLION
The American Quarter Horse Association will distribute a record $4,000,447 of Incentive Fund money for the 2007 show season. More than 10,000 checks were mailed to recipients of Incentive Fund nominated horses, proving that it pays to show with AQHA.

In 2007, more than 7,200 foals and 2,700 stallions were nominated into the program. Enrolled horses earned 137,798 points during the year, with the top horse, Vital Signs Are Good, earning 605 points. The value of each point was $29.03, which is an increase of $2.54 from last year. Vital Signs Are Good is owned by Kristen N. Glover of Bixby, Okla. The 8-year-old red roan mare earned $17,563.15 through the Incentive Fund.

The Incentive Fund is a multimillion-dollar program involving stallion and foal nominations with paybacks to the stallion nominators, foal nominators and owners of the competing horses. The program is owned, managed and operated by AQHA. In 23 years of existence, the program has paid almost $60 million.

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
NEWS FROM AND ABOUT THE CUTTERS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 25, 2008

CUTTING CLINIC AND SPA RETREAT DATES CHANGED
The Women’s Spa Cutting Retreat, previously scheduled to be held March 14-16 in Weatherford, Texas, has been postponed. If you think you might be interested in joining a group of women, who are interested in learning more about their cutting skills, contact Alexandria Harrel (352) 361-9172. Your weekend will include a stay in a restored Victorian mansion, dinner, educational speakers, gourmet food, spa treatments, massages and yes – cutting lessons and critiques from World Champion and NCHA Hall of Famer Leon Harrel. New dates have not yet been determined.

ON THE MOVE
Smart Sugar Badger, a 1998 stallion with $185,000 in lifetime earnings, sired by Smart Little Lena out of Badger San Doc, will be standing the 2008 breeding season at Mowery Cutting Horses & Mare Care Inc., Weatherford, Texas. Subscribed to the Breeders Invitational and NCHA Super Stakes, his fee is $2,000, which includes the chute fee. Owned by S. E. Montgomery, Lake Panasoffke, Fla., Smart Sugar Badger sired 12 Open and two Non-Pro entries in the 2007 NCHA Futurity. From his limited age money earners from his first crop, he sired eight that were champions, reserve champions or finalists a number of the major aged events, including the NCHA Futurity, Augusta, Music City, South Point, PCCHA Derby, El Rancho, Memphis, WCTCHA, Brazos Bash and Texas Futurity. For more information, contact Shelly Mowery at (817) 596-4479 or go to www.mowerycuttinghorses.com.

SMART LITTLE LENA BACK TO BREEDING
We’re happy to report that SMART LITTLE LENA is back to breeding and his sperm count is back to the point it was before his surgery to remove a testicle because of a growth.

LISA JOHNSON IMPROVING; FOLLOWING COMMANDS
Lisa Johnson, a cutting horse trainer from Angier, N.C., who was hurt in a horse-related accident in January, is making progress. Although she is still in a coma, she is following commands and has facial expressions – smiling, frowning and raising her eyebrows. The Circle M Ranch in Pelzer, S.C., held a fundraiser on Feb. 23, where they raised upwards of $85,000 to cover every-day expenses and hospital and doctor bills.

THEY’RE ENGAGED
Katie Gaughan and Cookie Banuelos, Las Vegas, Nev., have become engaged. With their busy cutting schedule, plans are for a possible June wedding. Katie is the daughter of Michael and Paula Gaughan, owners of the South Point Hotel & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. The Gaughans produce the South Point Futurity and Winter Championship shows held in the South Point Equestrian Center.

SOUTH POINT WINTER CLASSIC/MILLIONHEIR CLASSIC FIRST GO:
The first two days of the South Point Winter Classic & MillionHeir Classic are over. Winning the first go-round of the 33-entry MillionHeir Open Classic is MH San Tules Dually, owned by Austin and Stacy Shepard, ridden by Austin to a 216 and $4,641.86 paycheck. Second was Jae Bars Tule, owned by Ron Knutson and ridden by Matt Sargood, while third went to MH Dyno Peppy, owned by James or Margareta Patrick, ridden by Tommy Marvin.

The first go of the 82-entry South Point Open Classic was Alexa Stent’s Bowmans Cat ridden by Eddie Flynn, scoring a 219. Following close with a 218 were Reydiculous, owned by ATL Cutting Horses and ridden by Lloyd Cox and Sophisticated Catt, owned by Keith Feister, ridden by Phil Hanson.

GOT SOME CUTE BABY PHOTOS?
Baby horses – that is! I’d love to have you e-mail your colt photos to me and I will put them up on this site. Be sure and include the sire, dam, maternal grandsire, sex, date of birth, and your name, city and state. Send them to glory@glorykurtz.com.

Do you have some news – stallions moving, trainers moving, horse sales, a cutter who is ill? Send them to me at glory@glorykurtz.com.

LADIES FIRST …

AN ALL-LADIES CUTTING SPA-RETREAT DESIGNED TO PAMPER, CHALLENGE AND CHARM YOU

Feb. 18, 2008 – Weatherford, Texas

If you’re a lady interested in cutting – and love to be pampered - set aside the dates of March 14-16. Taking place that weekend will be a Women’s Spa Cutting Retreat held in the luxuriously restored Victorian mansion in Weatherford, Texas, and the Pat Taylor arena. The weekend will be produced by NCHA World Champion and Hall of Famer Leon Harrel.

On Friday night, there will be happy hour and you will be entertained, educated and enlightened by speakers discussing innovative ways to simplify your life, improve your health and improve every relationship in your personal and professional life. You will be fed with healthy gourmet food served on real china, silver and crystal – along with healthy desserts. You will also receive spa treatments in your room, a complimentary massage, facial or a purifying and detoxifying ionic footbath. You can sip on complimentary wine and nibble on delectable munchies in your room. You can also relax in a soothing, aromatic hot bath, then cuddle in a cozy robe.

On Saturday, you will be served a fresh, hot, healthy breakfast in your room – then taken by a ranch shuttle to your cutting lessons, where beautiful, yet safe and fun horses will be furnished. There will be a cutting session followed by a video review, as well as lots of social interfacing with the other women during the session. A Sunday brunch will be served, followed by a team cutting competition for those who dare. There will also be an awards ceremony.

Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-choice basis and there are two rooms which have double king beds for those wishing to bunk together. Due to the number of rooms available at the inn, the space is limited to 12 total participants. No exceptions. For information and reservatons contact Alexandria Harrel (352) 361-9172 or go to www.LeonHarrel.com.

HEARD AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

NEWS FROM AND ABOUT THE CUTTERS

By Glory Ann Kurtz

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

Feb. 8, 2008
John Mitchell, the trainer at Slate River Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, and his wife, Hope, are expecting a baby boy the end of March. Send your congrats to them at 301 Docs Road, Weatherford, TX 76088.

Sue Ryan, who has been in very serious condition following complications from a simple gall bladder surgery, is not only out of intensive care, but is at home and is “up and around.” Sue went downhill following the surgery when her blood didn’t clot. “She looks terrific. We’ve got her back again,” said Nancy Rapp who is a frequent visitor. They are still doing tests to see why her blood doesn’t clot correctly. Send your get wells wishes to Sue and Tom at 112 Arapahoe Ridge, Weatherford, TX 76087.

Charlotte Ames, Sacramento, Calif., recently suffered a stroke. According to her friend Gaylene Hybarger-Lowry, Charlotte, who has been a supporter of the horse industry for many years, is unable to work and make ends meet. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated to help with rent, food and medical expenses. There has been a benefit account set up on her behalf. Anyone wanting to contribute, contact Gaylene at zogbie@sbcglobal.net.

Kathleen Taylor, Chehallis, Wash., has been on a roller coaster. She was on a high when her 3-year-old colt made the finals of the NRHA Futurity in November. However, shortly thereafter, a bad weather system moved in. “We had a perfect storm,” said Kathleen. “First a dump of snow, then a pineapple express, high tides, etc. Levees broke and places that had never flooded experienced 8-10 feet of water. Countless dairies lost their cattle or the owners destroyed them so they wouldn’t have to suffer. I-5 was closed between Centralia and Chehalis.”

Kathleen’s son had two businesses under one roof and even though he was told, he’d be OK, he got about a foot or more of water. It was a big clean-up but thanks to friends and family he’ll come through OK – but with great financial loss. Floods, blizzards and fires – they’ve affected a lot of us. It’s a strange year.

Flynn and Norma Stewart, Bowie, Texas, are just having a great time with their kids and grandbaby. However, Norma’s son, Vic Morrison, is making news. He has built a web site called www.rodeokidz.com, which is a service to all rodeo kids - to help them find colleges, rodeo schools and scholarships. Morrison says in the mission statement on the site that is is dedicated to bridging the gap between rodeo kids of today and a college education of tomorrow. There's even a listing of every high school rodeo association in the country. You can sign up on the site if you would l ike to apply for a scholarship. Give the site a visit - it will be well worth your time if you have kids. You can call Vic at (940) 366-0790.

Lisa Johnson from North Carolina, who was hurt in a horse accident while unloading a 2-year-old stud from a horse trailer, is still in a coma. Reports are that she is opening her eyes; however, the belief of the doctors is that it is due to over stimulation."When she opens her eys as a result of being asked to or follows other commands - then we will know that her body is doing what she intends for it to do. Until then we have to understand that most of what we see is reflextive," said a niece.

http://web.mac.com/bluecash1/lisa_johnson/lisa_johnson.html
Listed above is a link to Lisa Johnson's fundraiser web page at Circle M Ranch in Pelzer, SC on Feb 23. Pass it on. Encourage people to attend. Email or phone bids accepted. As auction items are received they will be posted. For you that have vacation properties, a donation of a long weekend is great. The only limit is your imagination and encouraging your friends to attend and bid.

Public horse auctions and sales have been cancelled in Virginia through Monday, March 5 due to a continuing effort to stop the spread of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) currently present in Northern Virginia. While virus is not harmful to humans, people can spread it on their shoes or with their vehicles and an infected horse at an event could infect other horses, which would then carry the disease back to their points of origin.

GOT A NEW FOAL YOU'RE PROUD OF? E-mail us photos of your new babies. We we be publishing a "new-baby" section. Be sure to include your name, city and state and the pedigree of the foal. E-mail them to glory@glorykurtz.com.

A big thank you to everyone who has sent news to me - it's really appreciated. If you have news, send it to glory@glorykurtz.com.

Jan. 31, 2008
There's lots of new news - some very sad. Bruce Dugas, Aubrey, Texas, died from suspicious circumstances in Scottsville, Ky., on Jan. 25, when they found him in his burned-out car. Lisa Johnson, Algier, N.C., is still in a coma following a terrible horse accident; Lannie Mecom and Polly Hollar are in Methodist Hospital in Houston following getting hit by a run-away truck in Laredo and Susie Wilson is home after having a liver transplant.

BRUCE DUGAS DIES IN BURNING VEHICLE
William “Bruce” Dugas, 46, with homes in Scottsville, Ky., and Aubrey, Texas, was found dead in a burning vehicle on Friday, Jan. 25. According to Kentucky State Police, he was identified Saturday morning through dental records.

Dugas, who built a cutting facility in Aubrey, was the grandson of Dollar General founder Cal Turner. The family still owns Dollar General Corporation. He was a native of White Castle, La., and the son of Wayne and Laura Jo Turner Dugas of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.

According to an article in the Bowling Green Daily News, the burning vehicle was reported at 11:08 p.m. at a rest area at the 29-mile marker of Interstate 65 South,” said Trooper Todd Holder, spokesman for the state police. “When the police arrived, the vehicle was fully engulfed and people were telling responders there was a person inside.”

Warren county Corner Kevin Kirby removed the body from the vehicle but was initially unable to identify Dugas. According to Holder, the police haven’t determined why the vehicle caught fire or what caused Dugas’ death, and they have not yet determined whether foul play was suspected in his death. An initial autopsy performed Saturday morning in Louisville didn’t provide a conclusive cause of death and the medical examiner’s office was still awaiting the results of a toxicology report.

Dugas was the stepfather of Lucas Goodrum who has been living in Aubrey, Texas, on Dugas’ ranch and riding cutting horses, since he was acquitted in 2005 of the murder of Western Kentucky University student Melissa “Katie” Autry, 18, who killed and set on fire in her dorm room in May 2003. Another man, Steven L. Soules of Scottsville, pled guilty to murder and other charges in the case in March 2004, part of a plea bargain for his testimony against Goodrum.

Other survivers include his wife, Donna Dugas and a daughter, Laura Nicole Dugas, both of Aubrey; a son, Will Dugas, Corinth, Texas and two brothers, Foster and Steve Dugas, both of Santa Rosa.

CRITICALLY INJURED TRAINER LISA JOHNSON STILL IN COMA
Lisa Johnson, 53, Angier, N.C., is still in a coma following a horse accident Sunday, Jan. 27 at her home.

According to a neighbor, Buck Kerns, the East Coast cutting horse trainer and NCHA Director from Area 18 was unloading a 2-year-old stud she had purchased at the Augusta Futurity sale. No one saw the accident, however some heard her scream and found her under the horse, bleeding from the nose and mouth. They called an ambulance, and someone else insisted that she be sent to the trauma unit in Raleigh, where they operated on her that evening, removing a blood clot in her brain. They were told the next day that if they hadn’t brought her to the trauma unit, there would have been a 90 percent chance she would not have survived.

According to Kerns, she is now breathing on her own, her pupils are responding to light and she has no fractures in her neck or spine. However, she has not regained consciousness. A report from her niece today revealed that a CAT scan was not what they had hoped for - she has fluid on the bran and has suffered some setbacks as a result.

The single horse trainer has several non-pro customers and is highly thought of. Her niece is updating a page on www.carepages.com, where you can go to hear about her progress and leave comments. Put in your name and password and then for the carepage name insert “lisajohnsoncutting” – all lower case. You can send notes or donations to Lisa at 1427 Young Rd., Angier, N.C. 27501; however, they are working on some benefits and fund raising situations.

LANNIE MECOM AND POLLY HOLLAR HOSPITALIZED AFTER ACCIDENT
Lannie Mecom and Polly Hollar have been moved to Methodist Hospital in Houston, following an accident late Jan. 7 near Laredo, Texas, when an out-of-control truck hit them head on. They were initially taken to the Laredo Hospital but several days later transferred to Houston. Both Lannie and Polly have sustained some serious injuries but are expected to be OK. Lannie owns the Wichita Ranch and the great stallion Mecom Blue. Polly Hollar is her long-time ranch manage, trainer and companion. Send your encouragements to them at 4007 Hwy 290 E., Brenham, Tx 77833-9012.

SUSIE WILSON RECUPERATING AFTER LIVE TRANSPLANT
Susie Wilson, wife of Sam Wilson, a world champion who rode Bob Acre Doc to the NCHA World Champion Open horse in 1991, is home in Pattison, Texas, following a liver transplant. You can send her your get-well wishes at Po Box 59, Pattison, Txs 77466-0059 or call her at (281) 375-5367.

MATT MILLER AND MEGAN MERRILL ENGAGED
Matt Miller, Poolville, Texas, who recently won the Non-Pro Classic Challenge at the Augusta futurity, proposed to Megan Merrill, Weatherford, Texas, the daughter of Frank and Robin Merrill, Purcell, Okla., on Dec. 9. The two cutters plan to wed in September in Colorado.

THERE'S A NEW STALLION IN TOWN
Oasis Ranch, Herald, Calif., has become the managing partner in Great Inspiration, earner of over $33,000 and a full brother to Smart Lil Ricochet and Smart Equalizer. Sired by Smart Little Lena and out of Moria Sugar, earner of $112,893 and producer of foals earning over $897,68, the 1997 stallion is owned by Great Inspiration LLC of Idaho and was shown by Dave Glaser and Mike Giannini. Tested N/N for HERDA, he will be standing for $1,500 and will be subscribed to the stallion incentives as his foals become eligible.

THINKING ABOUT BREEDING YOUR MARE …
Don’t miss the close to 30 stallions included on this site under No. 1 Stallion Place on the main page. There are some really nice stallions and some of them are definitely real bargains. New stallions include Sophisticated Catt, which is currently leading following two go-rounds at the Tunica show; Abrakadabracre, Bobs Hickory Rio, Neat Little Cat, WR Smart N Hickory, Hesa Smarty Pants, Jasons Peptolena, Little Bit Of Smarts and Tomcat Chex.

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, SOLD!
AQHA life member Shelly Nielsen of Dewinton, Alberta, was the winning bidder in the auction of AQHA Registration No. 5 Million at the end of December.

"My husband, Steve Brown, was the one that really wanted the 5 millionth registration number," Shelly says. "He was really excited and followed the bidding until it closed."

For $8,750, Steve and Shelly have reserved the right to use No. 5,000,000 for a foal they expect in 2008. "When our foals arrive this spring, we will determine which one will be the best to have the number," says the AQHA Professional Horsewoman, who trains reiners, and pleasure and working cow horses. "We are probably going to name the foal Wynns Five Million, after our 21-month-old son, Wynn. Besides, 'Wynn' also sounds like 'win.' "

Jan. 25, 2008

News about how NCHA cutter Linden Blackmon is coping with cancer, a cutting retreat just for women, a barnfire that takes the lives of 43 horses, a possibility of NRCHA-sanctioned events at AQHA shows, Bill Miller to return to cattle pen for Super Stakes and Wendy Allen designs a bronc saddle for the PRCA's first woman saddle bronc rider.

LINDEN BLACKMON:
NCHA cutter Linden Blackmon, Fort Worth, Texas, competed in the amateur cutting competition during the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The night was dedicated to cancer research in connection with the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign, taken up by rodeos nationwide, including the NFR. Half of the proceeds from the event’s rodeo went to the Tarrant County affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

According to an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Blackmon, 53, was especially happy to be part of the cutting that evening, as the environmental scientist for Bimbo Bakeries USA has breast cancer. She signed up last summer before she knew she had breast cancer and chose Jan. 22 for the night she wanted to compete – not knowing it was the night dedicated to cancer research. Today, she is halfway through her chemotherapy, which will be followed by surgery and radiation.

WOMEN’S CUTTING RETREAT:
March 14-16 will be the days for a “ladies only” program in Weatherford, Texas, sponsored by Alex and Leon Harrel. The program, which is designed to pamper ladies interested in cutting, is geared toward female entrepreneurs and business owners as a way to get away, brainstorm on business matters, as well as enjoy a break from their all-consuming lives. And there will be plenty of riding cutting horses also, as well as videos, feed-back and guest speakers. You’ll hear more about this later, but to make a reservation call Alex Harrel (352) 361-9172 or go to www.LeonHarrel.com.

43 HORSES DIE IN BARN FIRE
Eddie and Donna Willis and their family from Atoka, Okla., have trained racehorses for over 30 years. Late during the night on Jan. 19, the Willlis family, including Eddie’s sons Kevin, Kasey and Eddie Lee, had a fire in their barn and before they realized what was going on, they had lost their barn and 43 horses.

“It’s unimaginable what that family must be going through,” said neighbor and friend Kathy Hall, who along with her husband, raise and show cutting horses. “That was their whole life – I mean financially and emotionally. The entire family made up that business. They are good people and only the ‘horse world’ can understand what they must be going through.”

According to Kathy, the community is doing what they can to help, but it would be nice to hear from some fellow horse lovers. Their address is 1031 S Buckholt Rd, Caney, Okla 74533.

NRCHA-SANCTIONED EVENTS AT AQHA SHOWS
Pete Bowling of the Oasis Ranch is promoting NRCHA-approved events at AQHA shows this summer. “Currently, we have two classes within classes: Junior Cutting and Junior Working Cow Horse,” says Pete. He suggests that the 3-year-old event (combined cutting and cowhorse) could be NRCHA approved. At least one judge would also be NRCHA approved and the NRCHA judge or judges would have two score sheets in the herd work in the Junior Cutting. For example, in the cutting, the 3-year-olds in the snallfle might be 60 on the AQHA card, but score higher on the NRCHA card because of scoring differences and not being disqualified for using two hands. Or maybe they can designate they are in the 3-year-old event when they walk into the herd to simplify the scoring. They may be able to place in both AQHA and the NRCHA event if their horse is good enough to get through the entire run one handed.”

According to Pete, the NRCHA doesn’t have any conflicts so one score sheet could be used. However, in order to be in the event, you would have to enter the AQHA show too, unless breed restrictions prevent it (ie) Paints or Appaloosas.

Pete feels that the main advantage of this partnership would be that cowhorse trainers will be able to try their 3-year-olds in a big pen with good ground and usually good cattle in 70+ degree weather at the Watsonville, Calif., show or any other July show in “cowhorse country.” Also, AQHA trainers and Amateurs will get more entries in a show right at World Show qualifying time. PCCHA will get a much larger show as well as the AQHA.

Pete says plusses include bigger AQHA classes and an NRCHA 3-year-old event at low cost. “It seems like it will be a win-win for all involved,” said Pete, who has also talked with Bob Avila, Benny Guitron, Doug Williamson, Al Dunning, Jimmy Stickler about the idea. Anyone interested in this concept, give Pete a call or e-mail him at petebowling@oasisranchinc.com.

BILL MILLER WILL RESUME BEING A COWMAN IN APRIL
Bill Miller, Tolar, Texas, who missed working at the NCHA Futurity due to knee surgery, will be back as the cowman for the NCHA at the NCHA super Stakes, scheduled for April 1-20 in Fort Worth. Miller has never competed as a cutter, but has worked the cattle for the NCHA for 25 years.

WOMAN SADDLE BRONC RIDER HAS WENDY ALLEN DESIGN SADDLE
Kaila Mussell, the first and only professional female saddle bronc rider and member of the PRCA, proved she’s a cowgirl, by entering the saddle bronc event at the Fort Worth Stock Show. She was the first female to compete against male bronc riders in the show’s 90-year history.

Kaila, 29, a native of Canada living in Stephenville, Texas, didn’t hae a lot of luck with her Fort Worth Stock Show bronc, bucking off in 3.6 seconds. She joined the PRCA in 2000 and earned her first PRCA check two years later. She moved to Texas in 2005. When asked why she chose to ride broncs, she said she loves it.

With the help of saddlemaker Wendy Allen, Dublin, Texas, Kaila recently came up with a saddle bronc saddle built specifically for her because “women have special needs according to their body structure.” Wendy Allen also makes cutting horse saddles.

Kaila has already seen the difference in riding in a saddle that fits perfectly and is confident that it will allow her to make the world-class rides she so greatly wants to achieve – and possibly even qualify for the prestigious National Finals Rodeo. For more information, contact Kaila at (254) 977-3328 or kaila@kailamussell.com.

YOUNG GUN DEAD AT 19

Jan. 18, 2008
Young Gun, the 1988 son of Freckles Playboy out of the legendary mare, Lenaette, the winner of the 1975 NCHA Futurity sired by Doc O’Lena, died in a tragic accident on Dec. 18 when he broke his leg while he was cast in his stall and had to be euthanized. The stallion was bred and owned by Terry and Sharon Riddle, Wynnewood, Okla.

Ridden by Terry, the stallion had $34,750 in lifetime earnings. His largest paycheck of $15,437 came from the championship of the 1992 Bonanza 4-Year-Old Open. However, showing the signs of a great sire, he outbred himself, siring 210 money earners, which won close to $3 million. His offspring winning the most money was a 1994 Paint gelding, Big Gun (P), out of Ladys Son Ofa Doc by Son Ofa Doc, with earnings of $229,219 (according to www.robinglenn.com). He also sired Young Gun Classic, a 1994 gelding out of Juanitas Classic by Docs Classic, with $162,715 in lifetime earnings.

Young Guns Babe, a 1997 daughter of Lizzielena by Doc O’Lena, won $146,664 and Miss Kitty Wilson, a 1994 mare out of Wilsons Gay Jewel by Doc Wilson, won $116,779. Other greats include Malenas Gun,$97,374, Hesa Magnum PI, $87,214, Young Rey Gun, $86,490, Young N Freckless, $83,691 and Miss Toot N Shoot, $81,426.

Young Gun is also a leading maternal grandsire. In 2006, he was listed 23rd by Equi-Stat for maternal grandsires, with grandbabies earning over $250,000. He was the sire of the dams of Woody B Gun Shy, $207,334 and Livin Lavida Loca, $83,482. QHN rated him the 31st leading cutting sire over the past five years, with 126 offspring earning over $1,164,147.

Young Gun was buried on the Riddle Ranch, alongside his dam, Lenaette.

HEARD AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

Jan. 14, 2008

OSCAR BLACK STILL A FREE MAN; NO CRIMINAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED

It's been 10 months and although Oscar Black owes over $18 million and 32 head of cattle to the First National Bank in Weatherfod and Wells Fargo, he is still a free man with no criminal charges filed against him. He has also has had over $4.7 million in judgments filed against him in Parker County district court since March.

According to a Jan. 7 article by Galen Scott in the Weatherford Democrat, following the seizure of financial records from Black's Mortgage Company in March, Weatherford Police indicated one or more arrests in the case were likely. However, due to the possible violation of federal law, the local authorities turned the Black investigation over to the FBI.

According to Assistant Parker County District Attorney Jeff Swain, the FBI officials have been working with the United States Attorney's Office for the Northn District of Texas to determine the direction of a possible federal prosecution. That case is still pending.

A number of local citizens and businesses are suing Black separately, including several members of the cutting community, who invested funds with Black, who promised them abnormally high returns. No one seeems to know here Black is living at the present time.

THE OKLAHOMA SWING PROJECT
An Oklahoma "Swing" CD, celebrating Western Swing, has been produced by NCHA member Pat Jacobs. The CD features Jacobs on the bass, plus Red Steagall, Leon Rausch, Barry Corbin, Dave Alexander and several others.

From 1957-58, Jacobs played bass on Hurshul Clothiers "Oklahoma Travelers Road Band." Later, the renowned writer and playwright Thomas McGuane introduced Jacobs to Jimmy Guresco, who owned Caribou Studios, one of the leading studios in the world. A mutual friendship formed and as a result of some "horse trading,, Jacobs acquired three days of recording time. He contacted Hurshul Clotheir and they put their headsd together and selected the very best Western swing musicians available. Ironically, they were all from Oklahoma or had Oklahoma ties.

In 1982, they made a recording; however, they let it die in the can. Shortly before Hurshul's death in 2006, he gave Jacobs the original tapes and told him to "do something with this." jacobs teamed up with Dave Alexander, whose father, Ashley Alexander, played trumpet and trombone on the original recording. In a labor of love, they produced the Oklahoma Swing Project.

The CD is available for purchase from Pat Jacobs for $15 plus $2.95 shipping and handling. Contact Jacobs at pjacobswestern@hotmail.com or 2825 Brookhollow Drive, Burleson, Texas. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery. Jacobs said that all e-mail orders will be mailed promptly and billed later.

NEW PHOTOGRAPHER IN TOWN
Bill Baldwin, who took some of the most famous photographs of Doc Bar, will be continuing his photography business as The Image Maker in North Texas. Bill, who now lives in Peaster, Texas, can be reached at (817) 594-1672 or (951) 837-1551. He can be e-mailed at cowgirldzz@yahoo.com.

DON SHUGART RETIRES FROM NCHA EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
Don and Jan Shugart with NCHA President Bob Mayfield (left)

Talking about photographers, Don Shugart made his last appearance as the official photographer of the NCHA during the 2007 NCHA Futurity.However, Don will continue making farm calls, taking photos.The new official photographer of the NCHA has not yet been announced.

JOCKEY CLUB TO INSPECT BROODMARE STATUS
The Thoroughbred Times has reported that for the third consecutive year, the Jockey Club will send representatives to inspect broodmares with early 2007 breeding or foaling dates. They will visit numerous farms in six states and one Canadian province, prompted by the increasing number of Thoroughbred foals reported as being born in the first several days of January and a concern as to whether the foaling dates were being reported accurately.

HOUSTON ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP FOR STOCK SHOW & RODEO
Besides playing host to the most lucrative event during the ProRodeo regular season, RodeoHouston also puts on quite a show. The roster of 21 entertainers scheduled to perform during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, March 3-22, represents a wide variety of musical tastes with a combined 18 Grammy awards, 73 Country Music Association awards and 90 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Country music superstar Tim McGraw opens the event on March 3, while his wife, Faith Hill, follows on March 4. The top names in country music, including Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson and Rascal Flatts, among others, are scheduled to perform, as is legendary rocker John Fogerty and Miley Cyrus, the daughter of former chart-topper Billy Ray Cyrus and star of the hit Disney Channel show Hannah Montana.

NCHA HONORS INDIVIDUALS
Ray Baldin, 28, Fort Worth, Texas, recently took the NCHA Limited Age Rookie Of The year award which was presented during the 2007 NCHA Futurity. Baldwin was the Amateur Reserve Champion at three aged events.

Other winning rookies include the Senior Rookie Hunter Williams; Junor Rookie of the Year Travis Barton, and the Weekend Rookie of the Year Kathy Morrison.

Chris Benedict, Weatherford, Texas, was awarded the Zane Schulte Award during the NCHA Futurity, which is awarded annuallly in honor of Zane Schulte, the son of Tom and Barbra Schulte, Brenham, Texas, who died at age 17. The award is presented to a professional trainer who exemplifies the character Zane is remembered by including integrity, respect of peers, contributions to the industry, service values and excellence in the arena.

Copaspepto, a gelding by Peptoboonmsal out of Miss Martin Play by Freckles Playboy, was awarded the NCHA Horse of The Year Award. He is owned by the Jon Winkelreid's Marvine Ranch, Meeker, Colo., and was ridden by Tag ride to the championship of five aged events during 2007.

Linda Holmes, Longmont, Colo., was also inducted into the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame.

TOM LYONS INDUCTED INTO TEXAS COWBOY HALL OF FAME
Tom Lyons, Grandview, Texas, was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame on Jan. 10 at their museum in the Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth, Texas. Lyons is a former president of the NCHA, was two-time NCHA World Champion and conducted 80 cutting schools for over 2000 students, both here and abroad.

Also inducted was PRCA All-Around Cowboy Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas; George Doak, Katy, Texas, and Carl Nafzger, Plainview, Texas. Don Edwards received the Spirit of Texas Award.

EE RANCHES TO OFFER $100,000 GELDING INCENTIVE
Remember for the 2008 breeding season, the EE Ranches and the horses that stand at that facility, which have offspring eligible for the 2008 NCHA Futurity, are offering a $100,000 Gelding Incentive for Amateurs and non-Pros in the 2008 NCHA Futurity. In 2007, the Incentive paid off $80,000 and in the Amateur class, the winnere of the incentive award received more than the class winner.

NEW COWBOY IN TOWN
Brad and Anna Mitchell are the proud parents of Jayden Ian Mitchell, who was born Thursday, Jan. 3, weighing in at 9 pounds, 7 ounces. You can send your congratulations to 3625 Bear Creek Rd., Thompsons Station, TN 37179.

MATLOCK ROSE, FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION, DIES AT AGE 83

Jan. 6, 2008 – Van, Texas
Matlock Rose, a legendary five-time World Champion during four decades, died Saturday evening, Jan. 5, at his home in Van, Texas, with his wife Laverne at his side. He was 83.

Matlock was born in Little Elm, Texas, in 1924 and was riding horses before he could walk. He said that his dad was a pretty good horseman and taught him a lot. By the time, he was in his 20's, he was already a legend. He could rope and cut with the best rodeo cowboys as well as break and train horses for several different disciplines, including roping and cutting.

Matlock was an NCHA and AQHA World Champion five times on four different horses. He was one of those rare “cowboys' cowboy.”

He was not yet 30 when he started winning World Championships. In 1951, he was NCHA Reserve World Champion riding the great Jessie James. In 1962, he was Reserve Champion of the NCHA Futurity riding Peppy San and in 1965, he was again Reserve Futurity Champion riding Christmas Four.

In 1966 and 1967 he earned back-to-back World Championships on two different horses owned by Douglas Lake Cattle Co, Douglas Lake, B.C., Canada.. In 1966, he rode Stardust Desire and in 1967 he was aboard Peppy San. In 1969 he won his first NCHA Futurity championship riding Cee Bars Joan.

In 1971, Rose won his first NCHA Derby title riding Holly Bobby and was the NCHA National Champion riding McCue Sam. That same year, he was again Reserve Champion of the NCHA Futurity riding Cutter's Cee Bar. In 1974, Matlock rode Chunky's Monkey to the co-championship of the NCHA Derby and the following year, 1975, he was the NCHA World Champion riding Peppy's Desire. He was again NCHA World Champion in 1977 riding his stallion Peponita. That same year he won the NCHA Derby riding Tip It San.

In 1978, Matlock was Reserve Champion of the NCHA Derby riding Doc A'Lock. Riding Peponita in 1979 he again won the NCHA World Championship as well as the AQHA World Championship title.

His latest World title came in 1991 when he won the ACHA World title riding Deans Lucky Rose. He was also a member of the NCHA Riders and Members Halls of Fame, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and was the trainer of multiple NCHA and AQHA champion horses.

He has had hundreds of articles written about him, including a book “Matlock Rose The Horseman,” written by Sally Harrison and published by Fifth Leg Publishing, Arlington, Texas.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 at Covenant Church-Crossroads, 8690 Liberty Drive, Aubrey, Texas. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. At the DeBerry Funeral Home, 2025 W. University, Denton, Texas. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Cutters In Action, the American Heart Association or the AQHA Foundation.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Charles Graham, Bubba Cascio, Mike East, Mark chestnut, Larry Sullivant and Frank Merrill. Burial will be in the Little Elm Cemetery.

Send cards to Verne at 6741 FM 16, Van, TX 75790 or Sam Rose, 10221 cole Rd, Pilot Point, TX 76258.