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December
Montana CHA News
(25 years-old and still going strong):
Happy New Year!! It's hard to believe it is 2009
already and our first MCHA approved show is the end
of next month.
Montana CHA wishes Muffy Rogers success on her new
lung transplant!! Yes, Muffy received a lung
transplant in December and continues to improve
daily. Muffy has been a long time supporter of
cutting and its success. Please visit the site,
www.muffyrogers.com, to keep track of her progress
and let her know you are out there! She would love
to hear from you! We are very happy for Muffy and
her family.
Congratulations to Randy Holman. Randy made the
finals of the NCHA Futurity riding ML Pepto Cat
owned by Dave and Sandy Sabey of Bigfork. Randy and
ML Pepto Cat scored 209 in the final round, placed
17t h and won over $51,000. Ironically they were the
fourth horse to work in the first bunch of the
finals which is the same draw he was in 2006 when he
made it to the finals riding Smart N Catty. This duo
placed tenth at the finals and went on to continued
success which we are sure Randy and ML Pepto Cat
will achieve.
The MCHA board will meet January 17. Contact any
board member if there is something you would like
discussed at the meeting. The rest of the 2009 show
schedule will be decided at that time along with
other important business.
Remember to pay your 2009 MCHA dues.
Contact us if there is anything you would like on
the MCHA website, www.montanacha.com, or in the
newsletter.
Todd Wirthlin, Montana CHA President
Shirley Williams, Montana CHA Secretary/Treasurer
Montana CHA News
(25 years-old and still going strong):
The Holidays are upon us and a New Year is just
around the corner.
The MCHA Board met electronically to approve any
cuttings scheduled for January, February and March.
Requests for Sapphire Event Cutting on February
21-22, Double D Creek Ranch Cutting on March 7-8,
Cow Country Cutting on March 14-15 and Sapphire
Event Cutting, March 21-22 were considered. All
cuttings were approved.
The 2009 MCHA Board will meet for the first time
January 10, 2009 in Butte, Montana. At that time the
rest of the 2009 show season will be reviewed and
approved as well as other appropriate issues that
effect the MCHA. Please contact any Director or
Officer if you would like something discussed or
have concerns to be addressed. You can also email
info@montanacha.com if you would like an item on
the agenda.
Now is the time to pay your 2009 MCHA membership
dues. They remain $50 for adults and $10 for youth
(18 years and younger). Remember both horse owner
and rider (including youth) must be paid MCHA
members before showing in order for earnings to
count toward year-end awards and Western National
standings. A membership form is included in this
issue and one is available on the web site. Be sure
every dollar you earn counts – pay your dues today.
One of the benefits of being a member is receiving
The Wrangler. Renew today so you will continue
receiving this magazine.
Good luck to Randy Holman. Randy will be riding ML
PEPTO CAT owned by Sandy Sabey in the Open semi
finals at the NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas. As
of press time, this is the only class whose semi
finalists have been decided.
Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New
Year. See you in 2009.
Todd Wirthlin, Montana CHA President
Shirley Williams, Montana CHA Secretary/Treasurer
November
Montana CHA News:
We hope that everyone is enjoying the nice weather.
Behind the scenes at Montana CHA we are still quite
busy. Year-end reports have been sent to NCHA. We
are in the process of arranging the 2009 show
schedule, we are securing 2009 corporate sponsors,
membership dues for 2009 are arriving and the web
site has numerous daily inquiries that need
attention.
Sapphire Event Center is planning a saddle series
for 2009. They are planning to award 10 saddles –
one for each of the NCHA approved classes (excluding
youth). There will be no limit on the number of
saddles a person may win and no limit on the number
of classes one may enter. Contact John or Cindy
Stefka at 406-360-2169 or
www.sapphireeventcenter.com for more
information. We will publish details at a later
date.
It's not too early to join Montana CHA. The dues
remain the same ($50 per adult and $10 per youth –
18 years and younger). Remember both horse owner and
rider must be members of Montana CHA before entering
the show pen in order for earnings to count toward
Montana CHA year-end awards.
We want to remind all of our members that it is FREE
to place a text classified ad on the Montana CHA web
site and just $20 to add a picture to your ad.
Stallion ads, business ads, and farm and ranch ads
are only $25 or advertise in both the business
section and farm/ranch section for $40. For more
information or to place an ad, e-mail Shirley at
info@montanacha.com or check out our web site at
www.montanacha.com.
If you have anything you would like mentioned in the
newsletter, please let Todd or Shirley know or
e-mail info@montanacha.com.
Todd Wirthlin, Montana CHA President
Shirley Williams, Montana CHA Secretary/Treasurer
Montana Cutting
Horse Association (25 years old and still going
strong) News
One of the joys of cutting is the people you meet.
We get to know each other and consider ourselves one
big family. As with any family we are sadden when
something terrible happens to one of our members, as
it did to Robert and Kristie Donaghey. We are
thankful that Robert and Kristie and their family
are safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Following is an account of their tragedy as told to
us by Robert.
I thought that I would pass along some info to you
to share with our extended family in the MCHA.
Kristie and I had a chimney fire at our house on the
night of October 23, 2008 (ironically, my birthday).
The fire burned in our attic for several hours
before we woke up, it appears, but Kristie woke up
before the alarm went off. When we realized that it
was our house that was on fire, we got our children,
Wesley and Isabella, next door to her mom's house.
By the time the fire was put out, and the damage
from the fire department was taken into account, our
house is completely un-livable and we lost many of
our personal belongings.
We have spent countless days trying to figure out
where we are with insurance and what not, but we are
hoping that we will be able to re-build in the next
few weeks and months.
We are also hoping to be raising some money in this
time as well, by possibly raffling off, or selling,
a breeding to Duals Blue Boon that we have a
re-breed to, as well as several 2 year olds that are
started and 1 finished cutting horse that Kristie
has trained and shown, French Cut Jean.
If anyone is interested we would be more than happy
to discuss any and all options.
This has been a pretty rough week or so, so any
thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
Thanks,
Robert Donaghey
Lake Glass Big Sky
Cell (406)539-0084
Fax (406)995-7289
Once again, we are thankful that the Donaghey family
is safe but very sorry for their misfortune.
As the NCHA show season comes to a close our Montana
CHA members are still holding their ground in the
World standings. It is awesome that some members can
rank in the top of the world standings by just
competing at Montana CHA approved shows. Thank you
to our show producers for making this possible.
Congratulations to the following Montana CHA members
who are in the top 20 (results processed to
11-05-08) of the NCHA World standings. Non-Pro: 4 -
Dan Hansen; $50,000 Amateur: 1. Evan Sutton, 5. Dave
Weyer; $20,000 Non-Pro: 6. Kelly McDonald, 10. Debra
Weyer, 14. Lane Ternan, 17. Wyatt Nuttall; $10,000
Amateur: 12. Colton Strain, 15. Vickie Stewart, 18.
Dr. John Beug, 19. Richard Neustaedter, 20. Audrey
O'Keefe; $3,000 Novice Horse, Non-Pro: 15. Altair
Mate, ridden by Todd Wirthlin, owned by TLC Ranch,
LLC; $2,000 Limit Rider: 17. Walt Stewart; Junior
Youth: 17. Colton Strain; Senior Youth: 5. Evan
Sutton.
Just a reminder that you can purchase a video of
your run from the Montana CHA year-end show through
Three Pines Productions, LLC. Contact them at Three
Pines Productions, LLC, 121 Reservoir Road, Wilsall,
MT 59086. Phone 406-578-2321 or visit their website,
http://www.threepinesproductions.com. Our hats off to
Kent and Mary Grabau for the long hours they put in
at the cuttings to produce quality, professional
video. Thank you so much!
Scootemnshootem Photography of Ogden, Utah shot
still photos of the year-end show. Many thanks to
Laurie Errington for the great job. Contact Laurie
at 801-791-9050 or visit
scootemnshootem.photoreflect.com if you wish to
purchase photos.
We wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Todd Wirthlin, Montana CHA President
Shirley Williams, Montana CHA Secretary/Treasurer
Montana Cutting Horse Association (25 years old and
still going strong) News
The 2008 weekend show season for the Montana CHA is
now in the books. We have started to review the 2009
show dates submitted from our Montana producers.
Anyone that is looking at producing a Montana CHA
Show in 2009 should contact Theresa Nelson as soon
as possible.
Again a big THANK YOU to all that participated this
year at the Montana CHA events. With out you the
Montana CHA would not be successful for over 25
years.
Fall is the time for aged event competitions.
Congratulations to our members who have had much
success this fall.
At the South Point Aged Event in Las Vegas, Nevada,
Randy Holman struck it rich. He claimed the
Classic/Challenge Open co-championship riding Smart
N Catty. You'll remember that in 2006 Randy and this
High Brow Cat daughter owned by Dave & Sandra Sabey
of Bigfork, had the honor as the first Montana
resident to qualify for the NCHA Futurity finals.
Randy has had much continued success with this
horse. Randy claimed another championship aboard Taz
Dually in the Open Futurity Gelding class. This pair
also placed sixth in the Open Futurity. In the
Futurity Non Pro, Diehl Hiner riding Toucha Style is
the reserve champion and Robert Borick riding Date
With TR placed fourth. Diehl and Toucha Style are
the Futurity Non-Pro Limited champions. In the Derby
Non-Pro Limited Diehl riding Starlight N Pearls
placed fourth. Jessica Hiner riding Starlight N
Pearls is the Derby Amateur champion.
MCHA members fared very well at the Rocky Mountain
Limited Aged Event in Loveland, Colorado. Robert
Borick, riding Date With TR, is the Non Pro Futurity
champion. Michelle Van Dyke and Bahama Lllama is the
$50,000 Classic Amateur champion. Reserve Champion
in the $50,000 Amateur Derby is Jann Parker and her
horse Sharkbait. Wee Little CD owned by Bambi Gress
and ridden by Scott Amos placed fifth in the
Futurity Open finals.
John and Cindy Stefka held their 3rd Annual Sapphire
Event Center Aged Event competition in August. Randy
Holman riding Taz Dually owned by Dave & Sandra
Sabey claimed the Open Futurity championship.
Reserve Champion honors went to Dual Paris owned by
John & Cindy Stefka and ridden by Kenny Pugh, Jr.
John Dublin rode Kuzma, owned by John Bostedt, to a
third place finish. Non-Pro Futurity champion was
Dan Hansen riding his horse Woody Tee Up. Dan also
claimed reserve champion honors aboard his horse Cat
Nip Merada. Reserve champion in the Open Derby was
Loves Cat owned by Sandra Sabey and ridden by Randy
Holman. Stylish Raz A Taz owned by Switchback
Cutting Horses LLC, ridden by Will Nuttall placed
third; Highbrow Lena 004 owned by Sandra Sabey and
ridden by Eli Auger were fifth and Diamond J Stardom
owned by Judy Siebel, ridden by Will Nuttall, placed
sixth in the Open Derby. Dan Hansen and his horses
claimed all three spots in the Non-Pro Derby. He
rode Odeeodle Oak (champion), Hakuna Merada
(reserve) and Zacks Tiana Doc (third). The Open
Classic reserve champion was Smart N Catty ridden by
Randy Holman and owned by Sandra Sabey. Tom Campbell
had two horses in the finals. He placed third aboard
Red Shady Cat owned by Ingram Quarter Horses and
fourth on Lizzys Lil Player owned by Mark
Hendrickson. Michelle Van Dyke riding Bahama Llama
claimed reserve champion in the Non Pro Classic.
Michelle was the lone "American" to place in this
class all others were from Canada. Diehl Hiner and
Catty Jewel were the reserve champions in the
Non-Pro 7 Up class. Dave Weyer riding the Montana
Cutting Horse Association's Horse of the Year, Docs
Stylish Acre, claimed fourth place.
Congratulations to the following MCHA members who
are in the top 20 (results processed as of 10-17-08)
of the NCHA World Standings. $50,000 Amateur – 1.
Evan Sutton, 5. Dave Weyer; $20,000 Non-Pro - 6.
Kelly McDonald, 13. Debra Weyer, 14. Lane Ternan,
17. Wyatt Nuttall; $10,000 Amateur – 11. Colton
Strain, 13. Vickie Stewart, 17. John Beug, 18.
Richard Neustaedter, 20. Audrey O'Keefe; $3,000
Novice Horse, Non-Pro – 12. Altair Mate ridden by
Todd Wirthlin owned by TLC Ranch, LLC; $2,000
Limited Rider – 3. Andrea Rudkin, 15. Walter
Stewart; Junior Youth – 13. Colton Strain and Senior
Youth – 5. Evan Sutton.
Please contact Todd Wirthlin or Shirley Williams if
you have any results or submissions for the
newsletter.
Todd Wirthlin, Montana CHA President
Shirley Williams, MontanaCHA Secretary/Treasurer
October Montana
CHA News:
WOW what a year and year end show!!! The Montana
Cutting Horse Association, now 25 years strong, had
a fantastic year-end show, awards banquet, auction
and general membership meeting the last weekend of
September. If you missed it, you missed great fun.
Our year-end cutting judge, Dennie Dunn, did an
excellent job of judging the 225 runs. A big thank
you to Dennie for his excellent work and for his
generosity in donating $100 of his judge's earnings
back to the MCHA Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship
Fund.
Thanks to all those who supported the Never Won A
Buckle calcutta, dog race calcutta and those who bid
on the hide donated by Bill and Jann Parker and
bought by Tim Johnson. The calcuttas and hide raised
$1500 for Dennis Moedl's medical expenses. Dennis is
the producer of the Meadow Vue Ranch cutting. He was
injured in a horse accident the day before his
cutting the end of August.
A huge thank you to our Year-end show added money
sponsors – Rockin W Quarter Horses (Mike Willey),
Triple Pines Productions, Stewart Excavating (Walt &
Vickie Stewart), John Dublin Cutting Horses, Dr.
John Beug, Robert Pilster and the riders at his
Barn, Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship Fund and Sun
River Cattle Company. Also thank you to the
following for donating to the year-end show: Cindy
Garoutte (hay), Theresa Nelson (show secretary),
Donald & Betty Lou Weeding, Double D Creek Ranch
(Dave & Deb Weyer) show facility and portion of
stall income. Many thanks to Shawn Boe for "manning"
the practice pen the whole weekend. Also thank you
to Stephanie Finley who donated a percentage of
jewelry sales transacted at the cutting back to
MCHA. Many thanks to Laurie Errington,
Scootemnshootem photography, who captured wonderful
shots at the cutting and banquet. Be sure to view
your photos on our website, www.montanacha.com , and
order the pictures directly from Laurie.
The live and silent auctions at the year end banquet
raised over $4,500. Thank you to everyone who
donated auction items. Hopefully there will be a
list in the next newsletter. A huge thank you, also,
to all those who bought items and to Cody Lee and
Tyler Weyer the auctioneers, Dewey Nollmeyer -
clerk, and John Dublin and Todd Wirthlin - ringmen.
Thank you to Todd and Lee Wirthlin and John and
Dorothy Seymour for organizing the auction items as
well.
A huge thank you to Bambi Gress for organizing the
Year End Banquet and selecting the awards. Your many
hours of hard work and detail made it a great
success.
Thank you to Sherry Lee for overseeing the banquet
and to Sherry and Dorothy Seymour for collecting
money for the meals, which was no easy task.
Once again the MCHA will be the envy of all other
affiliates because of the fantastic awards that were
presented. Year end winners received Hy O Silver
trophy buckles for first place, Yucca flats saddle
blankets with corner sliver belt buckle conchos for
second place, hair-on-hide duffel bags with laser
engraved trophy plates for third place, monogrammed
Nettles stirrups for fourth place and leather tooled
day planners with silver conchos for fifth place. A
list of winners is included in this newsletter.
If your name was John you had a good night when it
came to winning a saddle. John Bostedt won the
drawing for the Roo-hide saddle from the year-end
class winners. John's horse, Cats Rockin Robin, was
ridden by John Dublin and won the $3,000 Novice
Horse Class. John Seymour won the Roo-hide saddle
drawing for those entered and competing both days in
the year-end show. John rode Telesisynotaneighty
owned by John and Dorothy Seymour in the Non-Pro
class. Congratulations to the saddle winners.
Following are awards presented in addition to the
year-end winners. Lindsey Lee won the MCHA $300
scholarship which is presented to the senior youth
year-end winner. Her mom, Sherry Lee, was presented
a plaque for the MCHA Inspirational award. Sherry
cheers for everyone, encourages everyone and is
always willing to help in and out of the cutting
venue. The MCHA members voted to honor Docs Stylish
Acre as Horse of the Year. Docs Stylish Acre is
ridden by Dave Weyer and owned by the Double D Creek
Ranch. The Don Girard trophy was retired this year.
Don was the video person for MCHA for many years
until his sudden untimely death. The trophy will be
given to his wife, Jan, for all of her work helping
Don and then after his passing, continuing to video
for the MCHA. Winner of the Bud Campbell Rookie of
the year trophy is Walt Stewart. Junior Youth rookie
winner is Mackenzie Banner and the Senior Youth
rookie is Bailey Jo Thompson. The non-pro earning
the highest money in all MCHA classes is Dave Weyer.
Dave won an amazing $21,039.01 in MCHA shows this
year. Congratulations to all cutters this year.
The youth sold raffle tickets for a Roo-hide saddle
throughout the summer to raise money for the Angela
Bauer Scholarship Fund. The lucky winner of this
saddle was Craig Fackrell. Congratulations, Craig.
Thank you to the MCHA Board and Officers. They
sponsored the social before the dog races and NWAB
finals. The food, drinks and dessert were delicious
and welcomed after a long day of cutting.
The NWAB participants, Scott Steyee, Renate
Dorenkamp, Tim Johnson, Cooper Evans, Marcia
Cantrell, John Stefka and Walt Stewart, rode to the
cheers of the lively crowd Friday night. Cooper
Evans riding Shorty Rey Jay won the saddle donated
by MCHA and Van Greenwell. Congratulations to Cooper
and all the NWAB contestants.
The dog races Friday night were great and exciting.
The winners of each category small, medium and large
dogs won goodie dog baskets donated by TLC Ranch
LLC. Winners were: small dogs – Double D Creek
Ranch, medium – Double D Creek Ranch, and large –
Todd Banner.
General membership meeting was well attended by 30
members. President Todd Wirthlin let the membership
know that 2008 was one of the most successful years
for the Montana Cutting Horse Association. Most
entries in 5 years (3,937) and the membership for
2008 stood at 237 which was also the most in 5
years.
New directors elected are Mike Willey, Michelle
VanDyke and Dave Weyer. They join the other
directors, Todd Banner, Karla Camp and Don Weeding.
Shirley Williams was re-elected Secretary/Treasurer.
Youth director is Macall Banner. Also, a big THANK
YOU to Betty Lou Weeding and her election crew.
Many thanks to the out going Directors Bambi Gress,
Laurie McGuane, and Darrell Lee. Your dedication and
work made 2008 a great success for the Montana
Cutting Horse Association.
Thanks, again, to everyone who helped make the
year-end show, banquet, auction, and meeting a
success. We hope we have not overlooked anyone as we
really appreciate all the time and help that
everyone gave.
Again, congratulations to all the members for a
great and wonderful year.
Todd G. Wirthlin
Montana CHA President
Shirley Williams
Montana CHA Secretary/Treasurer
Last Sept News!
By the time you read this the year-end show,
awards banquet, auction and general membership
meeting will be completed. Results will be in the
next newsletter along with the election results.
Thank you to all of our 2008 Corporate Sponsors -
Open class: Montana Ranch of Bigfork LLC, Non-Pro: T
Square Ranch; $50,000 Amateur: Joe Liss Water Wells,
Inc.; $20,000 Non-Pro: Allied Waste Services;
$10,000 Amateur: Flawless Skin Care, LLC; $10,000
Novice Horse: Flying Diamond Cutting Horses; $3,000
Novice Horse:TLC Ranch; $10,000 Novice Horse,
Non-Pro: Ace Hardware; $2,000 Limit Rider: Billings
Livestock Commission Horse Sales; Senior Youth:
Switchback Cutting Horses, LLC; Junior Youth:
Johnson Saddlery; $800 Rider: Big Sky Internet
Design; $1,000 Novice Horse: Red Lodge Country Real
Estate, Inc.: $3,000 Novice Horse, Non-Pro: Sport
Land Trailer Sales & Service; Never Won A Buckle
Classes; SciencePure Nutraceuticals, Inc. We truly
appreciate your support. Be sure to patronize and
thank these sponsors. Anyone wanting to be a
Corporate Sponsor for 2009 should contact Todd
Wirthlin, Theresa Nelson or Shirley Williams.
Congratulations to all the Montana Cutting Horse
Association members for making the 2008 cutting
season a very successful one.
Shirley Williams
Montana CHA Secretary/Treasurer
September News:
We're having a party and you're invited! Make
plans to attend the Montana CHA year-end show and
festivities September 26, 27 and 28 in Columbus. The
weekend starts with cuttings, Friday, Sept. 26 and
Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Double D Creek Ranch
arena. On Friday, in addition to the regular weekend
classes, we will be holding the finals for the Never
Won A Buckle Class (NWAB). The winner of the class
will walk away with a saddle, donated by Van
Greenwell and MCHA. Also, on Friday, dog races will
be held after the cutting. There will be three
divisions: small (20 pounds and under), medium
(21-35 pounds), and large (36 pounds and up). Prizes
will be awarded to the winner of each division.
There will be a calcutta for the dog races and NWAB
class. Some of the money will go to help Dennis
Moedl with medical expenses. Saturday will be busy
with the cutting starting early at 7 a.m. No host
social hour at the 307 Bar and Grill in Columbus is
at 7 p.m. Dinner is scheduled for 8 p.m. with awards
and auction to follow. Call Sherrie Lee at 363-5246
with your banquet plans. The General membership
meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Double D Creek
Ranch arena on Sunday, Sept. 28.
The year-end show should be very exciting because
many of the classes are very close and the weekend
will determine the year-end winners. Just a
reminder, a saddle will be awarded in a drawing to
people entering and showing at the year-end show.
Must enter both days to be eligible. Owner and rider
names will be entered in the drawing upon entering
the year-end show. The more times you enter, the
more chances you have to win the saddle. The winner
will be drawn at the MCHA Banquet, Saturday, Sept.
27 at the 307 Bar & Grill in Columbus. Winner must
be present at the banquet to win the saddle. Contact
Todd Wirthlin, Theresa Nelson, Shirley Williams or
any director if you can help with the show. Also,
please remember to bring your auction items and give
them to Todd or Lee Wirthlin or Karla Camp. This is
the major fundraiser for MCHA. This is your
association - the more you support and contribute to
the association the more successful the association
will be.
The Sapphire Event Center cutting was very
successful with 130 entries on Saturday and 106 on
Sunday. John Stefka topped the field of 12 NWAB
contestants. Congratulations to John and his good
horse, Dry Lantana. Thank you to John and Cindy
Stefka for producing this cutting.
The Meadow Vue Ranch cutting at Henry's Lake, Idaho
was very well attended. There were 141 entries in
the first show and 106 entries in the second show.
The NWAB class had 16 entries. Congratulations to
Cooper Evans who won the class riding Theresa
Nelson's horse, Shorty Rey Jay. Dennis Moedel
produced this cutting. Dennis had an unfortunate
accident with his horse and had to spend time in the
hospital and missed his cutting. Once everyone found
out about Dennis, they rallied and came up with many
fundraisers. An unbelievable amount of over $3,000
was raised to help Dennis with medical expenses.
Hats off to all those participating, you are to be
commended. It is amazing and fabulous that so much
money was raised in such a short time. Great job. We
wish Dennis a speedy recovery.
Be sure to vote and return your ballot to Betty Lou
Weeding by September 20.
Come join the fun at Columbus Sept 26-28. This is
one cutting – weekend - you won't want to miss. It
will be great and jam packed with exciting
activities. See you there.
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary/Treasurer
August
Montana CHA Aug News:
Mark your calendars for the MCHA year-end show, banquet, auction and
general membership meeting. September 26th & 27th is
the date for the MCHA produced year-end show at the
Double D Creek Ranch arena in Columbus. The banquet
and auction is Saturday, Sept. 27 at the 307 Bar &
Grill in Columbus. You have your choice of prime rib
or shrimp. No host cocktail hour is from 7 to 8 p.m.
Dinner at 8 p.m. with awards and auction to follow
dinner. Please notify Sherry Lee (406- 363-5246) by
Sept. 20 as to how many will be attending the
banquet and whether you will be dining on prime rib
or shrimp. Cost of the banquet is $25.00 per person
The auction is the main fundraiser for the MCHA.
Please contact Todd Wirthlin as to the item you will
be donating so we can list it on the website. The
General Membership meeting is Sunday, Sept. 28 at
9:00 a.m. at the Double D Creek Ranch arena. When
making reservations at the Super 8 motel ask for the
cutting horse rate and receive 10% off your room.
Anyone wanting to help with any of the activities
should contact MCHA President, Todd Wirthlin, at
406-756-1500. This is your show, the more help we
have the more successful it will be. Any help will
be greatly appreciated. Last year the year-end show,
banquet, auction, breakfast and meeting were a big
success and everyone enjoyed it.
Bambi Gress and the awards committee are working
hard to once again have awesome year-end prizes. All
the year-end class winners will have a chance for
one saddle in a drawing as has been done in the
past. New this year -- one saddle will be awarded in
a drawing to people entering and showing at the
year-end show. The name will be drawn at the banquet
and the winner must be present to win the saddle.
The owner and rider names will be entered in the
drawing upon entering the year-end show. If entering
multiple classes, will only receive one entry in the
drawing. Must enter both days to qualify for the
saddle.
The Big Sky Aged Event weekend cutting at Great
Falls, August 9 - 10, was well attended. On Saturday
there were 116 entries and on Sunday 121 entries.
The aged event, August 11 - 16, also was very well
attended. Thank you to the Big Sky committee for
producing these cuttings.
By now you should have received your MCHA ballot. In
addition to Secretary/Treasurer you will vote for
three directors. We encourage you to contact the
nominees and ask questions on issues relating to
MCHA and make an informed decision when marking your
ballot. These directors will serve for two years.
Proposed directors are listed with their phone
number. John Dublin 628-4436, Robert Pilster
208-785-7552, John Stefka 360-2169, Dave Weyer
322-6248, Michelle Van Dyke 842-7711, Mike Willey
323-1312 and Kelly McDonald 539-1034. Be sure to
vote and return your ballot to Betty Lou Weeding by
September 20.
Congratulations to Allison Darrow. Allison is the
niece of Walt and Vickie Stewart. If you saw Walt
competing the end of July you probably noticed he
wasn't on his usual horse. That is because Allison
was riding Draw Ya Gun at the cutting at the
National High School Rodeo finals. Allison finished
16th in the nation. Montana was well represented
with the following MCHA youth members also competing
for the Montana team - Kelsey Jo Fraser, Jesse
Pichler, Jeff Markette and Duston Stephens. Good job
and congratulations to all these youth.
Congratulations to the following MCHA members who
are in the top 20 (as of 8-15-08) of the NCHA World
Standings:
$20,000 Non-Pro – 4. Kelly McDonald, 8. Lane Ternan,
14. Wyatt Nuttall
$50,000 Amateur – 1. Evan Sutton, MCHA member from
Texas, 5. Dave Weyer
$10,000 Amateur – 10. Colton Strain from Colorado,
12. Vickie Stewart, 16. John Beug
$3,000 Novice Horse – 16. Hesa Holly Oakie, Randy
and Vickie Lynn owners, MCHA members and corporate
sponsors from California;
$2,000 Rider – 4. Andrea Rudkin, MCHA member from
Canada
Jr. Youth - 12. Colton Strain
Sr. Youth – 4. Evan Sutton
Adult Rookie of the Year, Weekend Shows – 9. Kristin
Omvig
The show year is winding down with only the year-end
show left. Some of the races for the year-end awards
are very close and will be decided when the last cow
is cut. Thank you to all the producers and
contestants who have made this a successful show
season.
Be sure to return your ballot to Betty Lou Weeding
by September 20. Notify Sherry Lee by September 15
as to how many will be attending the banquet and
their main-dish choice. The chef at the 307 needs
time to order the entrée, so let's all cooperate in
notifying Sherry.
See you in Columbus!!
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary/Treasurer
The year-end show will be held at the Double D Creek Ranch arena in
Columbus, Montana, September 26 & 27. The banquet
and auction will be Saturday evening, September 26
and the general membership meeting is scheduled for
the morning of September 28. The Montana Cutting
Horse Association will produce the year end show.
Since this is your association and your show, please
contact any officer/director to let them know in
what capacity you will be willing to help in
producing the show, banquet and auction.
The MCHA will be presenting two saddles this year.
All the year-end class winners will have a chance
for one saddle in a drawing. This is the same as has
been done in past years. New this year -- one saddle
will be awarded in a drawing to people entering and
showing at the year-end show. The owner and rider
names will be entered in the drawing upon entering
the year-end show. If they enter multiple classes
they will only receive one entry in the drawing.
This saddle will be drawn and presented at the
banquet and the winner must be present at the
banquet to win the saddle.
The auction is the main fundraiser for the MCHA. Be
thinking of what you would like to donate or contact
a business in your area for donations and come
prepared to the auction to buy something and support
the MCHA. Anyone willing to help with the auction
please contact Todd Wirthlin or Shirley Williams.
It is also election time for the MCHA. Be watching
your mailbox for your election ballot, which should
arrive soon. This year you will vote for
secretary/treasurer, three directors, and the youth
members will vote for the youth director. Nominees
for directors include Robert Pilster, John Dublin,
Dave Weyer, John Stefka, Michelle Van Dyke, Mike
Willey and Kelly McDonald. Secretary/Treasurer:
Shirley Williams. Youth Director: Macall Banner,
Eric White, and Lane Ternan. Now is the time to talk
to the perspective candidates to find out their
position on issues that will affect the MCHA and
determine who you feel will be best for the job. You
will also vote for Horse of the Year. Horses on the
ballot are Headacres Fancy, Shortys Royal Blue, HR
Cat Olena, Docs Stylish Acre, Duallys On Safari,
Barbs King Colonel, Remanitas Alegria and Badgers
Danny Dry. As in the past, you also have the option
of writing in a name for any of the positions and
horse of the year.
The MCHA produced the Double D Creek Ranch cutting
July 25-27. This was a three-day cutting with very
good attendance. Thanks to Dave and Deb Weyer for
their facility and all of their help. It could not
have happened with out them. The Never Won A Buckle
(NWAB) class was held on Saturday, July 26th, with a
whopping 10 entries. Tim Johnson riding his great
horse, Debra Badger, scored a 140 and won the buckle
and $125.00. Robert Donaghey, aboard Si Olena Senor,
just missed winning the buckle by one-half point.
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all
that participated. Thank you, also, to our NWAB
sponsor, SciencePure Nutraceuticals. NWAB classes
will be held at Sapphire Event cutting at Corvallis
on August 23 and Meadow Vue Ranch cutting at Henry's
Lake, Idaho on August 30. The finals will be held at
the year-end show.
Saturday was a busy day at the Double D Ranch
cutting as the Angela Bauer Scholarship cutting was
also held. Scholarships were awarded to the winners
of the Junior and Senior youth classes.
Congratulations to the following winners: Senior
Youth – Wyatt Nuttall, $200; Fallon Nuttall, $150;
Eric White, $100; Junior Youth –Aislynn Hamann,
$200, Mackenzie Banner, $150 and Macall Banner,
$100.
The 2008 show year is coming to a close but there
are still some great weekend and aged event cuttings
planned for August at Great Falls, Corvallis and
Henry's Lake, Idaho and September in Columbus. We
hope you will be able to attend these shows. It
looks like it will come down to the year-end show
earnings to determine some of the class winners for
2008. Some fantastic awards are planned, so plan to
attend the MCHA Year End Show in Columbus.
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary/Treasurer
Montana CHA July News:
The weather is heating up and so are the races
for year-end awards. These last few cuttings will be
very important in determining year-end winners.
Thank you to Dave and Deb Dwyer and John and Cindy
Stefka for producing some great cuttings in July.
August cuttings will be held at Great Falls,
Corvallis and Henry's Lake, Idaho. Sapphire Event
Center, in Corvallis, will be hosting a Never Won A
Buckle class as well as at the Meadow Vue Ranch
cutting, at Henry's Lake. Both of these Never Won A
Buckle classes will count in the Montana NWAB
series. Also, there will not be a $800 rider class
at the Meadow Vue Ranch, at Henry's Lake. Consult
the Montana CHA website, www.montanacha.com for more
details on these cuttings.
Scheduled with these August shows will be Aged Event
cuttings. The Big Sky Aged Event will be held in
Great Falls, The Sapphire Aged Event in Corvallis,
and The Meadow Vue Aged Event at Henry's Lake. Go to
the MCHA web site to find the dates, schedule and
entry fees for these great shows.
If you enter a cutting on line you will receive a
confirmation of your entry. Be sure to print this
confirmation and take with you to the cutting. If
there is a problem with your entry you can show the
secretary your confirmation which lists the class(es)
you entered and when you entered. You must enter for
these shows before the deadlines indicated on the
show schedule. Late entries will be accessed a late
fee. Because of the high cost of cattle the
Producers need to have a count of entries for the
number of cattle to have at the shows.
The MCHA auction is the main fundraiser for the
association. Please be thinking of what you would
like to donate or contact a business in your area
for donations. The date and location of the banquet
and auction will be announced soon.
Thank you MCHA Corporate Sponsors - you are the
heart of the MCHA; we appreciate all of you for your
kind donations, and support throughout the year.
Please be sure to patronize these MCHA Sponsors
whenever possible and be sure to thank them.
Everyone should have received a 2008 Membership
directory in the mail. Contact Shirley at info@montanacha.com
if you need additional copies.
See you in the cuttin' pen.
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary/Treasurer
Our condolences to MCHA President, Todd Wirthlin,
and his wife, Lee, on the loss of Todd's mom. Our
thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at
this difficult time.
Congratulations to Renate Dorenkamp for winning the
Never Won A Buckle class at the Bitterroot Valley
Cutting in Hamilton. Renate rode Dark Squall and
marked a 73 to top the class of 11 competitors and
walk away with the buckle. The next NWAB class will
be held at the Double D Creek Ranch cutting on July
26 at Columbus. The final NWAB class is scheduled
for August 23 at the Sapphire cutting in Corvallis.
Thank you to SciencePure Nutraceuticals Inc. for
sponsoring all of the Never Won A Buckle Classes.
The Angela Bauer scholarship cutting was held at the
Bitterroot Valley Cutting June 28th. Scholarship
winners are Seniors: Lindsey Lee riding DMAC
Peptosnap - $200, Bailey Jo Thompson aboard Tom
Tucker Smoke - $150; Juniors: Macall Banner riding
HR Cat Olena - $200 and Mackenzie Banner riding
Mexacalli Rose - $150. Congratulations girls! All
youth please note the next and last 2008 Angela
Bauer Scholarship cutting will be at Columbus on
Saturday, July 26th. Three scholarships are
available to senior youth and three to junior youth.
Both rider and horse owner must be MCHA members in
order to win the scholarships.
Thank you to Cody and Darrell Lee and family for
producing the Bitterroot Valley Cutting. It was well
attended and the weather cooperated for this outdoor
cutting. Thank you also to Dave & Deb Weyer for
producing the Double D Ranch Cutting July 4-6. They
also held an aged event show July 2-4.
This month cuttings will be at the Sapphire Event
Center arena in Corvallis July 18-20. The next
weekend the cutting will be in Columbus at the
Double D Creek Ranch arena July 25-27. August will
be busy with cuttings in Great Falls August 9-10,
Corvallis August 23-24 and Henry's Lake, Idaho
August 29-31. In addition to the weekend cutting
each of these August cuttings have aged event
competitions. Consult the MCHA website,
www.montanacha.com, for more details.
Good luck to all of our high school cutters at the
National High School Rodeo Finals in Farmington, New
Mexico. We are proud of you!
Remember to contact Donald Weeding, Kathy Foote,
Laurie McGuane or Karla Camp if you want to run for
a MCHA director/office position or if you want to
nominate a horse or turnback horse of the year. You
need to contact them by July 25.
If you want anything listed in the newsletter,
please contact me.
Shirley Williams
Montana CHA Secretary/Treasurer
June Newsletter
Montana CHA News:
Thanks to our Wyoming friends for hosting NCHA Days
in Casper, Wyoming. Once again, they did an
outstanding job with a well-run show and lots of
nice awards given.
Thank you to John & Cindy Stefka for producing the
Sapphire June cutting. They did an excellent job. If
you missed this cutting be sure to attend their
cuttings in July and August.
Many MCHA members competed at the Barb Dahl cutting
classic in Jackson, Wyoming. The Jackson Hole
Cutting Horse Association did a great job of
producing this cutting.
By the time this newsletter is in your hands the
Bitterroot Valley cutting at Hamilton will be
completed and the Double D Creek Ranch aged event
and weekend cutting will be underway. Other July
cuttings will be held at the Sapphire Event center
at Corvallis on July 18-20 and Double D Creek Ranch
at Columbus on July 25-27. Good luck to everyone!
Congratulations to our high school youth who will be
representing Montana at the National High School
Rodeo Association Finals in Farmington, New Mexico
in July. Winning the girls cutting again this year
was Kelsey Jo Fraser. Kelsey has won the state
cutting championship and the saddle the last 4 years
– all the years she has been in high school. This is
no easy accomplishment. Way to go Kelsey! Jesse
Pichler was the reserve champion. Alison Darrow
ended the year in third place and Murphy Hirschy was
the fourth place winner. Katelynn Rennaker, Kay Tee
Schaffer and Brooke Hirschy placed fifth thru
seventh respectively. Jeffrey Markette and Jack
Brown are the co-champions in the boys cutting
competition. Duston Stephens and Zane Holdbrook tied
for third and fourth place. Charlie Hollenbeck, Levi
Walchuk and Nevada Newman placed fifth through
seventh respectively. The top four are eligible to
compete at the High School National Finals cutting.
The others are eligible to compete at the Silver
State International Rodeo cutting in Fallon, Nevada.
Katelynn Rennaker and Jack Brown are the winners of
the bronze trophies sponsored by MCHA and presented
to the winners of the state high school rodeo
cutting. Kelsey, Jeff and Jack won saddles in
addition to other awards presented by MHSRA as the
result of winning the year-end state high school
cutting competition. Again, congratulations to all
of our high school cutters.
Standings are posted at the cuttings, on the
website, and in The Wrangler. Please check the
standings and if there is a discrepancy notify
Shirley Williams. The race for the year-end awards
is very close in some classes.
Remember if you are doing some spring/summer
cleaning don't just throw it away, list it in our
classified ads on the MCHA website. You can also
list horses, vehicles, just about anything. Send an
email to info@montanacha.com to place your ad or
contact Shirley.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July.
HOW DO WE GET THERE NOW
Over the past several months fuel prices have
increased at an alarming rate. And for most of us we
now have to really decide which shows we are going
to based on the "Old Pocket Book". With that in mind
I have put together some tips you can use to go down
the road.
11 Tips to Maximize MPG for the Show Trips
1. SPEED KILLS (Economy)- Wind drag increases with
the cube of speed, at a cost of about 10 percent in
economy for every 5 MPH over 60 MPH. At $5.00 per
gallon, you can plan on spending $20 to $40 an
hour for the time you save by not speeding down the
road.
2. KEEP IT SLICK- Avoid brush bars, auxiliary fog
lights, anything else that bolts to the out side of
your
truck and trailer. Try and keep the hayrack on the
trailer clean and not over stacked with hay and bags
of
shavings. If you have a horse slot open put the hay
and shaving in this slot to reduce drag on the
outside of
your truck and trailer.
3. TOP OFF TH E TIRES- A drop of just 6 psi in
recommended tire pressure can increase fuel
consumption
by 5 percent, according to Tire Rack tests. It also
diminishes handling and precision and increases tire
wear. Most truck tires won't look deflated, so check
the pressures frequently.
4. KEEP YOUR RIG CLEAN- Wash your truck and trailer
before and after use. Bugs and other debris will
cause excess drag on your truck and trailer. Mud and
dirt on your truck and trailer can add pounds. Clean
under and round the wheel wells of your truck and
trailer.
5. MAINTAIN THE MOTOR- Follow the recommended change
intervals for fluids, and filters (a clogged
air filter can increase fuel consumption by more
than 4 percent). And never ignore the "Check Engine"
light- a dead sensor increases fuel consumption as
well.
6. DRIVE SMARTER, AND TRUCK POOL- If you are going
to a show and have space for other horses
and riders in your truck and trailer share the ride
and expense. Avoid zero-mpg idling. Shut the truck
down
and open the windows when stopped for any amount of
time.
7. AIR THINGS OUT- In hot weather, drive the first
mile or so with the windows down to ambient
temperature, then set the temperature as high as you
can stand and run the recirculate mode on the AC to
reduce the load on the compressor. At highway
speeds, AC generally beats window-down drag mode.
8. CRUISE MORE- Unless you r foot is uncommonly
steady, running cruise control can eliminate
consumptive slowing and accelerating when driving on
the open highway.
9. KEEP THE TRAILER LIGHT- Most of the shows we go
to there is a local supermarket and fresh water
available. Buy your food when you get to the show if
you have a LQ trailer, and fill the water tank when
you get there. A 60-gallon fresh water tank can
weigh over 500 pounds when full. Keep your waste
tanks
empty when you travel to a show and try and dump the
waste from the tanks when you leave. The gray and
black tanks, when full, can weigh over 500 pound s
as well.
10. HOOK-UP TO ELECTRICITY WHEN POSSIBLE- Pay the
fee for electricity when at the show
grounds for your LQ trailer. Running your generator
will cost a lot more in fuel than the hook-up fee.
11. SPEND MORE TIM E OUTSIDE- When at the show spend
more time outside the trailer and keep the AC
off until you are ready go in LQ trailer. An outside
cook-out with friends can be a great time to thank
God
how blessed your are to do what you like to do.
Montana CHA News:
Congratulations to Scott Steyee for winning the
Never Won A Buckle (NWAB) class at the Sun River
Cattle Company Cutting in Great Falls in May. There
were eight contestants in this class. There will be
three more NWAB classes this year. The next NWAB
class will be at the Bitterroot Valley Cutting at
Hamilton on June 28 then at Double D Ranch cutting
at Columbus on July 26 and the last one will be at
Sapphire Cutting in Corvallis on August 23.
Congratulations to Jessica Bruch and Kelsey Jo
Fraser. They are the winners of the Angela Bauer
Scholarship. This scholarship differs from the
scholarship cuttings because the youth submit an
application then the winner is chosen by the
scholarship committee. This year the selection
committee decided both Jessica and Kelsey were
equally deserving of the scholarship so they each
will receive $1,000 to help further their education.
Good luck at college, we know each of you will excel
in college as you have in cutting. Previous
recipients of the scholarship are Allison Markette
and Jacob Bruch.
The Angela Bauer Scholarship cutting was held at the
Sun River Cattle Company Cutting in Great Falls.
Scholarships were awarded to the winners of the
Junior and Senior youth classes. Congratulations to
the following winners: Senior Youth – Lindsey Lee,
$200; Eric White, $150; Bailey Jo Thompson, $100;
Junior Youth –Macall Banner, $200; Mackenzie Banner,
$150. Angela Bauer Scholarship cuttings will be held
at the Bitterroot Valley Cutting in Hamilton on June
28 and at the Double D Creek Ranch cutting in
Columbus on July 26.
Good luck to all of the high school cutters
competing at the Montana High School Rodeo finals.
The MCHA awards trophies to the champion boy and
champion girl cutter at the Montana State High
School Rodeo, which will be held June 11th at
Missoula.
Remember to contact the nominating committee, Donald
Weeding, Kathy Foote, Laurie McGuane or Karla Camp,
if you are interested in running for an office or
director of the MCHA. The nominating committee will
meet July 25th at the show in Columbus. All
nominations will be made at this time. Nominations
are needed for three Directors, youth director and
MCHA Secretary/Treasurer. Nominations also include
horse of the year and turnback horse of the year.
Please contact us if you want to mention something
in the newsletter.
Good luck at the cuttings.
See you in the cuttin' pen.
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary/Treasurer
Thank you to ALL MCHA MEMBERS that showed at NCHA
Western National Championships at Ogden, Utah. For
the third year in a row MCHA took second in the
NCHA/AQHA Affiliate Challenge. $5,000 was awarded to
the MCHA Affiliate. It shows that the MCHA has some
of the best riders and horses in all of North
America. It must be noted without our youth members
stepping up and contributing at Ogden this would
have never happened. THANK YOU MCHA YOUTH MEMBERS.
And to top it off, Fallon Nuttall took home the
trailer and saddle for having the highest score at
the Western National Championships with a 224!!
Fallon was riding Shortys Royal Blue in the Senior
Youth finals. Way to go Fallon!!
Last month the MCHA winners who had already shown at
Ogden were reported. Following are more winners.
Open: Docs Stylish Acre - 4th owned by David & Deb
Weyer ridden by Les Bates; Savannah Kitty - 10th
owned by Switchback Cutting Horses ridden by Will
Nuttall. Non Pro: Kathy Foote – 5th riding Remanitas
Alegria and Fallon Nuttall 9th riding Shortys Royal
Blue. $50,000 Amateur Finalists: Kristin Omvig
riding Color Me Peppy, Todd Wirthlin riding STR
Playgun Silver and Bambi Gress riding Cross Town
Cat. $10,000 Novice/ Non Pro Finalists: PD Smart
Starlight owned and ridden by Suzanne Nellen; Hard
Hat Harry owned by Thomas & Laurie McGuane and
ridden by Tom McGuane. $20,000 Non Pro Finalists:
Mike Willey riding An Oaken Playgun and Deb Weyer
riding Catson. $10,000 Amateur Finalists: Mike
Willey riding Dualin Smart Gun and Audrey O'Keefe
riding Lena Sett A Smoke.
All NCHA members should have received a survey on
the Amateur and Non Pro Classification Issues by
email. If you have not received the questionnaire,
email or call the NCHA or contact Jim Armstong
(jarmstong@uci.net 541-218-0472) for the survey.
Your survey must be received by the NCHA before June
5, 2008 to be considered by the NCHA Amateur
Committee. So get your comments in NOW.
Please take a few minutes to complete this short
survey.
Thank you to John and Cindy Stefka and Todd Banner
for producing the May MCHA approved cuttings. By the
time this newsletter reaches you NCHA Days at
Casper, Wyoming will be completed and everyone will
be heading to Corvallis, Montana for the Sapphire
Cutting. Then it is off to Jackson, Wyoming for the
Barb Dahl Memorial cutting. The June cuttings will
wrap up with the Never Sweat Ranch Cutting at
Hamilton, Montana the last weekend in June.
The Stefka's are hosting a Tim Smith clinic June
9-10 at the Sapphire Event Center in Corvallis. It
is limited to 15 participants. The cost is $750,
which includes stalls and lunch. Call John or Cindy
Stefka at 406-381-1370 or 406-360-2169 for more
details and to reserve your spot.
The NCHA Convention is June 20-22 at Dallas/Ft.
Worth, Texas. Important issues will be discussed. If
you can not attend and want your voice heard be sure
to contact our NCHA Directors – Buddy Westphal, Bill
Parker and Will Nuttall.
Visit the MCHA website, www.montanacha.com for show
information, results, standings and the latest
information.
See you in the cuttin' pen.
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary/Treasurer
May Newsletter
Montana CHA News:
As this newsletter is written, Western National
Championships at Ogden, Utah is in full swing.
Following are results of those members riding for
the Montana affiliate. Montana has fared well so
far. Lane Ternan and his great horse, Badgers Danny
Dry, has dominated the competition at the cuttings
so far this spring and he continues to do so. Lane
was the last to work in the first go and came away
the winner in that go and eventually was crowned the
reserve champion of the $2,000 Limited Rider class.
In addition to this he is the Junior Youth Champion.
Other finalists in the $2,000 Limited Rider class
were Shelby Burrows riding Lucky Boy 942 and Eric
White on his horse, Miss N Kisses. We all know
Montana has tough youth competitors and it showed as
Fallon Nuttall aboard her horse, Shortys Royal Blue,
won the Senior Youth class and Lane Ternan on
Badgers Danny Dry won the Junior Youth class. McCall
Banner was a finialist in the Junior Youth riding
Joe Liss's horse, HR Cat Olena. In the $3,000 Novice
Horse/Non-Pro, Caren Coffee and Rose Pep rode away
with 4th place and Kelly McDonald on her awesome
horse, Headacres Fancy, placed 12th. Will Nuttall
rode Savannahs Kitty owned by Switchback Cutting
Horses LLC to 3rd place in the $3,000 Novice Horse.
Also, Will was in the finals riding Shortys Royal
Blue, owned by his daughter, Fallon. Headacres Fancy
owned by Kelly McDonald and ridden by Wylie Fraser
and Cats Rockin Robin owned by John Bostedt and
ridden by John Dublin were also finalists in the
$3,000 Novice Horse class. Will Nuttall has been
busy as he placed 7th in the $10,000 Novice horse
aboard Chipotle Cat owned by Switchback Cutting
Horses LLC. Other finalists in this class were HR
Cat Olena owned by Joe Liss and ridden by Todd
Banner and Snakin Hickory owned by Kristin Omvig and
ridden by Joe Archuleta. Congratulations to all the
members who have ridden so far and good luck to
those remaining to show. We will have more results
and news from Ogden in the next newsletter.
Be sure to read Montana's add in the May issue of
the Cutting Horse Chatter on page 199. There is lots
of added money and prizes offered at the remaining
cuttings this summer. There have already been 12
cuttings this spring with over $29,000 in added
money and prizes. Thank you to our great producers
for giving cutters the opportunity to compete for
large amounts of money and prizes.
Remember to contact the nominating committee if you
wish to run for an office or know of someone that
does.
Good luck at the cuttings.
Contact us if you have anything you want in the
newsletter.
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary/Treasurer
By the time this newsletter is in your hands,
Western National Championships at Ogden, Utah will
be underway. Good luck to all those participating.
We've had two full months of MCHA approved cuttings.
The cuttings have been well run and well attended.
Thank you to Dave & Deb Weyer, Bill & Jann Parker,
Caren Coffee & the Miles City Sage Riders Club for
producing cuttings.
May cuttings include Western National Championships,
Sun River Cattle Company Cutting at Great Falls,
Sapphire Event Center Cutting at Corvallis, and NCHA
Days at Casper, Wyoming. Hopefully you will be
attending these cuttings.
It is not too early to be thinking about MCHA
elections. The nominating committee will be meeting
July 25th at the show in Columbus. All nominations
will be made at that time. Nominations also include
horse of the year and turnback horse of the year.
Anyone wanting someone or a horse nominated or are
themselves willing to serve, should let one of the
members of the nominating committee know before that
meeting. Donald Weeding is the chairman of the
nominating committee. Other members include Kathy
Foote, Laurie McGuane, and Karla Camp.
Remember to read the Quarter Horse News this month
on line www.quarterhorsenews.com about the Bronc
Willoughby Proposal to eliminate the Amateur
Classes. Both Bronc Willoughby and Jonathan Foot
discuss the Willoughby Proposal. You still have time
to comment on this important issue.
If you are spring-cleaning, remember to use the MCHA
classified ads to sell that extra tack, horse,
equipment, etc. Contact Shirley Williams at info@montanacha.com
for more information or to list your items. Be sure
to visit the Montana CHA web site,
www.montanacha.com for the latest show results,
standings, classified ads, and other important
information.
See you in the cuttin' pen.
Todd Wirthlin, MCHA President
Shirley Williams, MCHA Secretary
April - 2nd addition
Montana Cutting Horse Association News:
All NCHA members should be aware of a proposal
submitted to the NCHA Amateur and Non-Pro
Committees, by Bronc Willoughby, to eliminate all
NCHA Amateur Classes. You can go to the MCHA web
site at www.montanacha.com and review the body of
this proposal. Please make your voices heard on this
important issue. You can send your comments to Jim
Armstrong at
jimarmstrong@uci.net.
The MCHA 08 show season is now in it's second month
and quite a few MCHA members are hauling down the
road to the shows. The Western National
Championships is just around the corner May 1st, and
hope many of you have entered for this great show.
The MCHA has been represented by the great cutters
it has in its membership and placed second in the
AQHA Affiliate Challenge for the past several years.
I hope we can take the number one spot this year!
Welcome to our newest Corporate Sponsor, SciencePure
Nutraceuticals, Inc. They are sponsoring all four of
the Never Won A Buckle classes. We feel fortunate to
have them on board. The internationally known
company is dedicated to the development of safe
alternative Nutraceuticals that produce the results
you want in equine, dog and humane supplements.
Visit their website,
www.pureformequinehealth.com for more
information.
Thank you to Lisa Hendrickson for answering the
questions for the member profile this month. Be sure
to read all about this special lady. We are happy to
once again offer the member profile section. We hope
you enjoy it. Please contact Shirley at info@montanacha.com
if you have someone you would like profiled or
questions you would like asked.
Carrie Bruch is organizing a National Youth Cutting
Horse Association Scholarship Cutting, August 9-10,
at Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, Montana. In
order to raise the $10,000 for scholarships, we must
have donations of $8000. NCHA will contribute $2000.
We need your tax-free donation to support our Youth
so they may have the opportunity to win scholarship
money for post high school education. This is
totally tax-free contribution! Please contact Carrie
at 406-222-0330 or 406-222-0330 or at
info@bigskyinternetdesign.com for more
information! Or visit the NYCHA website at
http://nycharegionalscholarshipcutting.com
Last month we listed Montana CHA members placing in
the top 20 at the World Finals. Congratulations to
An Oaken Playgun owned by Mike Willey and ridden by
John L. Dublin. They placed 10th in the first go of
the Open and 14th in the second go at the World
Finals and went from 54th to 41st in the world
standings of the Open class. Mike also showed An
Oaken Playgun in the $10,000 Amateur and finished
20th in the World Standing. We unintentionally
overlooked these results and didn't mention them
last month. Our sincere apologies for this oversight
and congratulations on your great achievements.
Congratulations to Robert and Kristie Donaghey, on
the birth of their new baby, Isabella Marie. She
joins two-year-old brother, Wesley. They welcomed
Isabella to the world on Thursday morning, March 20,
2008. She weighed 6 lbs. 2.8 oz. and was 19 in. long
at birth with beautiful blond hair. They can't wait
to show off their new little girl at cuttings this
year and we can't wait to see her.
One of the reasons it is important to join the MCHA
is to continue receiving the newsletter. This will
be your last issue of The Wrangler if you are not a
2008 MCHA member. Don't delay use the enclosed
membership form and join today.
Good luck to everyone competing at the Western
Nationals in Ogden and at the upcoming cuttings.
Email us if you have anything you would like
mentioned in the newsletter.
Be sure to visit the MCHA web site,
www.montanacha.com for the latest in news, results,
show info and other information.
Todd Wirthlin, President
Shirley Williams, Secretary/Treasurer
APRIL
Montana Cutting Horse Association News:
The 2008 Montana cutting season is off to a great
start with shows held at the Double D Creek Ranch
and Miller's Horse Palace in March. Thank you to
Dave and Deb Weyer and Bill and Jann Parker for
producing these shows. They were well attended
considering they were the first shows of the year
and the weather hasn't been very conducive to
getting horses in shape. Perhaps the weather will be
more cooperative for riding and cutting since spring
is here (according to the calendar).
Remember any MCHA member competing at Western
National Championships at Ogden, Utah, in May and
riding for the Montana affiliate will receive a vest
compliments of MCHA. Please contact Todd Wirthlin at
406-756-1500 or wirthlin@centurytel.net with your
size. We need to have all sizes by APRIL 4 so we can
order the vests and have them embroidered. You can
pick the vest up from Todd at Ogden.
The NCHA World Finals was not complete at the
writing of the last newsletter. MCHA members did
extremely well. ** John L Dublin riding An Oaken
Playgun for Mike Willey & the RockinWQH.com move up
to 41st place, after placing in the first 2 go's of
the Open! Congratulations to Debra Weyer for
placing third at the finals in the $20,000 Non Pro
class riding Young Boogie Man. This bumped Deb up to
10th in the World Standings. Also in this same
class, Theresa Nelson ended the year in 7th place
aboard Debra Badger. Kelly McDonald and Headacres
Fancy placed 6th at the world finals and ended the
year in 20th place in the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro.
Kelly won money in all of the goes. Bill Parker and
Duallys On Safari placed 13th in the world standings
of the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro. In the $50,000 Amateur
division Jann Parker and Tachitas Jewels placed 6th
in the world standings. Mike Willey riding An Oaken
Playgun showed at the world finals and finished 20th
in the world standings in the $10,000 Amateur class.
In the $10,000 Novice, Non Pro class Dave Weyer
showed DMAC Tooty Rudy and placed 18th in the
year-end standings. In the Non Pro class Bill Parker
and Shorty Box JD finished in 18th place in the
world standings. Fifteen year-old Lane Ternan rode
his great horse, Badgers Danny Dry and placed 12th
at the World Show in the $2,000 Limited Rider class.
Lane won money in every go round at the world finals
show and finished in 4th place in the world
standings. Shelby Burrows riding Lucky Boy 942 ended
the year 16th in the $2,000 Limited rider class. A
lot of cutters will be glad that Lane and Shelby no
longer qualify for the $2,000 rider class. What a
great accomplishment for all of these cutters who
placed in the top 20 of the World Standings. We are
all very proud of you and all the MCHA members who
competed at the world finals. Congratulations.
Be sure to pay your MCHA dues. A membership
application is enclosed with this issue. Each year
only a few dollars determines the year end winners
and the Western National Championships standings.
Remember both horse owner and rider must be MCHA
members before competing in order for earnings to
count toward year-end awards. Don't delay join
today. Presently we have 141 members. Last year we
had 214 members.
Attention all MCHA youth members. The Angela
Bauer Youth Scholarship application deadline is
April 15, 2008. Last year the winner of this $2,000
scholarship was Jacob Bruch. Applications need to be
mailed to Kathy Foote at 12451 East Fort Lowell,
Tucson, AZ 85749. Applications may be e-mailed to
Kathy at kathy@tsquareranch.com with accompanying
original signature and supporting documentation
mailed to Kathy at the above address. Application
forms and rules can be downloaded from the MCHA
website, www.montanacha.com. Applicants need to be
Montana CHA members. On a related note the Angela
Bauer Scholarship cutting dates have been announced.
The scholarship cuttings are April 12th at Cow
Country $pring Cha-Ching Cutting in Billings, May
24th at Sun River Cattle Company Cutting in Great
Falls, June 28th at Never Swear Ranch Cutting in
Hamilton and July 26th at Double D Creek Ranch
cutting in Columbus. Both rider and horse owner must
be Montana CHA members before showing in the
scholarship cutting in order to be eligible for the
scholarship proceeds. Also of interest to our high
school members - Montana High School Rodeo
Association (MHSRA) approved high school cuttings
will be held at the Horse Palace in Billings on
April 11th and in Miles City on April 18th. Cutters
need to be Montana High School Rodeo Association
members and need to pre-enter through that
association. Consult the MHSRA website,
www.mhsra.com, for more details.
NYCHA Regional 1 Youth Scholarship Cutting Needs
Your Support!
A $10,000 NYCHA Scholarship Cutting is scheduled to
held on August 9-10 at Four Season Arena, Great
Falls, Mt before the Big Sky Aged Event. In order to
raise the $10,000, we must have donations of $8000
and the NCHA will contribute $2000. We need your tax
free donation to support our Youth so they may have
the opportunity to win scholarship money for post
high school education. This is totally tax free
contribution! Please contact Chairperson Carrie
Bruch at 406-222-0330 or at info@bigskyinternetdesign.com
for more information!
Thank you to David and Sandra Sabey, Rex and Gina
Ternan, and Randy and Vicky Lynn for their sizeable
donations to the Youth Scholarship fund. We
appreciate your supporting our youth's education and
the youth's cuttings a the MCHA shows.
We have three weekends of cuttings planned for
April. The Weyers will host a cutting April 4-6 at
their Double D Creek Ranch Arena at Columbus. They
always have great cuttings with good cattle and lots
of added money. This cutting is offering a derby
class for those of you that have younger horses. The
next weekend, April 11-13, cutters will be off to
the Horse Palace arena in Billings for the Cow
Country $pring Cha-Ching cutting produced by the
Parker's. As the name implies there is lots of added
money and as usual there is fresh cattle in every
class. On Saturday the open, non-pro and $2,000
limit rider classes will have one go and a finals.
The finals will be at 7:00 p.m. All finalists will
receive a check and a vest. There will be circuit
awards in the $20,000 Non Pro and the $10,000
Amateur. There will, also, be the Angela Bauer Youth
Scholarship cutting on Saturday and a MHSRA approved
cutting on Friday. The Wes Tibbets Memorial cutting
will be in Miles City on April 19 & 20. This is
always a good cutting. Lots of our neighbors in the
Dakotas come to this cutting so this gives us a
chance to compete against some other horses. This
is, also, a good tune-up for Ogden as it is a couple
weeks before the Western National Championships in
Ogden, Utah, May 1 – 11. Also there will be a MHSRA
approved cutting on Friday, April 18. Good luck to
everyone as you compete at all of these cuttings.
The NEVER WON A BUCKLE CLASS is back this year. Four
(4) times this class will be availible throughout
the MCHA 208 show year. The first date will be at
the Sun River Cattle Co. Cutting in Great Fall on
MAY 17th. The four (4) buckle winners will be
eligible for the MCHA year end show's shoot out. Any
one that entered the NWAB Class three (3) of the
four (4) times offered will be eligible also.
Be watching for the next issue of The Wrangler. The
member profile is returning. Shirley has some
interesting and special people selected for the next
couple months. Email info@montanacha.com if you have
someone you would like profiled or questions you
would like asked. Also email us if you have anything
you would like mentioned in the newsletter.
Be sure to visit the MCHA web site,
www.montanacha.com for the latest in news, results,
show info and other information.
See you at the MCHA shows.
Todd Wirthlin, President
Shirley Williams, Secretary/Treasurer
March
Dear Cutters,
When you read this article the show season will be
about to start in Montana. Make sure you have paid
your MCHA dues and have your ownership and
membership documents ready to give to show
management at the up coming MCHA shows.
Several changes were made at the last MCHA Directors
meeting. This year the Foundation Class has been
cancelled. The NEVER WON A BUCKLE (NWAB) Class has
been added and will be scheduled at four shows this
year. The Buckle winners and any other rider that
has entered the NWAB class in at least three (3)
shows will be eligible to compete in the shoot-out
at the year end show for prizes.
Several out of state shows were approved by the MCHA.
The Barb Dahl Cutting Classic, June 14-15 at
Jackson, Wyoming and the Meadow Vue Cutting, August
28 - September 1, at Henry’s Lake, Idaho. Please
note the show schedule is included in this issue.
Remember to check the website, www.montanacha.com,
for the latest news, standings, show updates, show
results, classifieds, etc.
Any MCHA member competing at Western National
Championships at Ogden in May and riding for the
Montana affiliate will receive a vest to wear
compliments of MCHA. Please contact me at
406-756-1500 or wirthlin@centurytel.net to let me
know your size. We need to have all sizes by March
31 so we can order the vests and have them
embroidered. You can pick the vest up from me at
Ogden.
It looks like a great show season for 2008. I hope
you can attend the shows.
See you in the Cutting pen.
Todd G. Wirthlin
President
February
Dear Cutters,
Well it is February now and in a couple of weeks the
show season starts in Montana. Make sure you have
paid your MCHA dues an have your ownership papers
ready to give to show management at the up coming
MCHA shows.
Several changes have been made at the last MCHA
Directors meeting. This year the Foundation Class
has been cancelled, the 800 Rider Class has been
added as a class within a class to the 2000 Rider
Class. If you qualify for the 800 Rider Class let
the show secretary know at time of entry in the 2000
Rider Class. Points will be accumulated from your
entry and placement with other 800 Rider entries in
the 2000 Rider Class. Year end awards will be given
to the riders with the most points earned through
the year in the 800 Rider Class. The NEVER WON A
BUCKLE Class has been added and will be scheduled at
4 shows this year. The Buckle winners, and any other
rider that has entered in the NWB class at least
three (3) shows will be eligible to compete in the
shoot-out at the year end show for prizes.
Several out of state shows were approved by the MCHA.
The Barb Dahl Memorial Cutting, June
14 and 15 at Jackson, Wyoming and the Meadow Vue
Cutting, August 28-September 1, at Henry's Lake,
Idaho.
It looks like a great show season for 2008 and hope
you attend the shows.
See you in the Cutting pen.
Todd G. Wirthlin
President
MCHA President's Letter
By Todd Wirthlin
It's time to get the horse in shape because next
month marks the start of the 2008 Montana Cutting
Horse Association show season. The year kicks-off
with the Double D Creek Ranch cutting, produced by
Dave Weyer, in Columbus on March 1 and 2. The next
weekend, March 8 and 9, cutters will head to Millers
Horse Palace Arena in Laurel for the Cow Country
Cutting produced by Parker Horse Company. March 22
and 23 will find cutters in western Montana at
Corvallis for the Sapphire Event Center cutting
produced by John and Cindy Stefka. Consult the MCHA
website, montanacha.com, for the complete 2008
cutting schedule. Good luck to everyone.
Now is the time to pay your 2008 MCHA membership
dues. They remain $50 for adults and $10 for youth
(18 years and younger). Remember both horse owner
and rider (including youth) must be paid MCHA
members before showing in order for earnings to
count toward year-end awards and Western National
standings. A membership form is included in this
issue and one is available on the website. Be sure
every dollar you earn counts – pay your dues today.
One of the benefits of being a member is receiving
the Cascade Horseman. Renew today so you will
continue receiving this magazine.
Welcome to MCHA's newest Corporate Sponsors, Joe
Liss Water Wells, Inc. and Red Lodge Country Real
Estate. We are glad to have you on board. Contact
Shirley Williams or me for information on becoming a
sponsor of MCHA.
Congratulations to Bart and Kelly Heiken on the
adoption of Isabell Rachel Heiken. I'm sure you all
have seen this cute little red headed girl at the
cuttings with Bart and Kelly. Isabell just turned
four years old on New Year's Day. We are very happy
for the Heiken family.
The MCHA extends sincere condolences to Jann Parker
on the loss of her great horse, Catsonita. Jann won
numerous awards on this good gelding including the
2007 MCHA $10,000 Novice Horse, Non Pro
Championship.
There are some wonderful candid shots of the
year-end awards banquet. It is not possible to
publish all the photos in the Cascade Horseman or on
the MCHA website. For details on viewing these
photos contact Shirley Williams or Carrie Bruch at
info@montanacha.com
See you in the cutting pen.
January
MCHA President's Letter
By Todd Wirthlin
As the incoming President of the MCHA, I want to
extend a big welcome to the 2008 officers and
directors and to thank the 2007 Board for a terrific
job of guiding our association this past year. The
MCHA is your association so please feel free to
contact any of the officers or directors with
suggestions or comments. Contact Shirley Williams or
myself if you have financial or general questions
regarding the association. Also, contact Kathy Foote
for any information on the MCHA youth scholarship
program.
In just a few months the 2008 MCHA cutting season
will begin. Now is a great time to pay your Montana
CHA dues. The dues remain the same as last year, $50
for adults and $10 for youth 18 years and under.
Remember both horse owner and rider must be paid
members before showing in order for earnings to
count toward year-end standings and to qualify for
the Western National Championships at Ogden. Last
year only a few dollars determined the year-end
winners and Ogden qualifiers. So make every dollar
earned count - pay your dues today. A membership
form is enclosed in this issue.
Congratulations to all the 2007 Western National
Championship qualifiers. A complete list is on the
website www.montanacha.com . This competition is
open to the horses/riders that placed in the top ten
of our affiliate in NCHA approved classes. We are
allowed to drop down and take additional
riders/horses in classes if any in the top ten of
MCHA are also in the top ten in Area 4.
Thanks to our members, Montana has done an
outstanding job in the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate
challenge, in Ogden, Utah the past few years. The
last several years we have been reserve champions at
Ogden and won $5,000 for the affiliate each year. So
remember when your entry form comes from the NCHA to
return it and mark that you will be riding for the
MCHA.
Wanted – classified listings. Did you know that as a
MCHA member you can place classified ads on the MCHA
website, www.montanacha.com, for free? For only $10
you can add a photo to your ad. Why not do some
early spring-cleaning and list that unused tack,
trailer or horse on the website. The website is also
a reasonable way to advertise your business, farm or
ranch. For only $25 per year you will receive a
listing on the website that reaches thousands of
people. There is also a stallion section. The cost
to promote your stallion is only $25 per year.
Contact Shirley at info@montanacha.com for more
details or give her a call at 208-542-1144.
We invite all cutters from around the Northwest,
Canada, and the rest of the country to come and
compete at our shows in Montana for the 2008 year.
We always have good cattle, good ground, good
facilities, good help and great members.
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