May 20, 2008
Strait Country Cutting May 17 & 18
We might have called this cutting the “Big Windy” because there was of plenty of wind to go around. Even a port-a-potty blew over on Saturday afternoon. Never did find out if ol’ Chester made it outta there ok!
It was a fun show with about 187 entries over the two mostly sunny days. Pete Lewis produced this show and provided plenty of fresh cattle - right through the $3,000 Novice Non-pro classes and again for the Sunday $2,000 Limit Rider. Thanks, Pete, what a treat!!! The cattle were wily and tested the mettle of even the best horses. There were some outstanding rides as well as some last second heart breakers. But that’s cutting. If we wanted it to be easy, we’d play golf!
It was good to see some old faces return to the MCHA show pen, including Dennis and Holly Ginkens, Karen Londo, Jeff Kasten, and Larry Purdy. And we are grateful to Clyde Krebs, Paul Ihland, Robby Hansen, Leigh Gall, Erin, Scott and Brittany Staeck, and Len and Sandy Sheehan for making the trip from out of state (with apologies to any we may have missed).
Herd help was in short supply this weekend. JP Bell, Bob Janssen, Dave Scribner, Robby Hansen, and Dennis Ginkens put in some very long days helping everybody in all the classes. Thank you, thank you!
Upcoming Shows
Our next cutting is the Lubrisyn NCHA Days to be held May 31 and June 1, again at Strait Rail Ranch in Nevis, MN. NCHA Days is always a fun show with added money to make the wins even sweeter. We hope to see you there. Please call 218-652-2425 or 612-802 5939 to reserve stalls.
Two weeks after that will be the Red Horse Ranch AM/NP Extravaganza on June 13, 14 and 15, at the Red Horse Ranch in Fergus Falls. Please call 218-736-3000 to reserve stalls.
Sponors
MCHA is pleased that Nutrena has continued its generous sponsorship of our club activities with a contribution of $3,000. Nutrena is now in its third year of supporting cutting in Minnesota and we thank them very much. Thanks to Dave Scribner and Marc Asch for keeping Nutrena informed of our activities and how their support has helped us grow cutting in Minnesota.
Big North Distributing and Coca Cola Bottling Company of Bemidji have returned as $1,000 sponsors. Bullwinkles Restaurant in Nevis made a $500 donation this year. They serve a nice cold beer and a good burger. In addition, an additional $600 in smaller contributions were raised. Scott Baker’s hard work fundraising helps our club stay healthy financially and allows us to do some special extras for club members like the circuit awards for the club shows.
New National Directors
Congratulations to Dave Scribner and Pete Lewis for being re-elected as our state’s National Directors for the NCHA!
Non-Pro/Amateur Proposal
As we have reported previously, Bronc Willoughby is “determined” to change the NCHA rules regarding Amateur/Non-pro classes by eliminating the amateur classes and creating different non-pro classes.
By the time you read this, the Area 6 Directors will have held a membership meeting at NCHA Days to receive input from cutters on the proposal.
You can also participate in the process by doing all or some of the following:
- Go to www.allaboutcutting.com and check out each of the three proposals that have been offered on this subject. You can even participate in a quick poll about the subject.
- IMPORTANT: Tell Pete Lewis and Dave Scribner, what you think about Bronc’s proposal (or give them a call - their phone numbers are on the masthead and the website).
Go to www.nchacutting.com and complete the survey about the topic. Needs to be completed by June 9.
May 19, 2008
MCHA At The Western National Championships
The Minnesota Cutting Horse Association descended upon Ogden, Utah and the NCHA Western Nationals with a relatively small contingent, but they were hugely competitive!
JP Bell kicked off the club's success by earning a berth in the $3,000 Novice Horse finals riding White Cat Olena owned by Mark Lundeen. Bob Janssen rode Smart Chicaway owned by Fresh Horses Farm to a finals entry, then earned Top Ten status with his finals ride.
Ryan Lind followed in Bob's footsteps, riding Sunny Rey Solano to a Top Ten finish in an extremely competitive and high-scoring Junior Youth class. South Dakota resident (and MCHA member) Shannon McCoy took Reserve Champion honors in the Junior Youth on LL Playgirl. Alex Frantz made it to the Junior Youth finals as well riding Lil Lightning Bug.
Margaret McCoy was a finalist in the $3,000 Novice Non-pro on CD Legacy. Kristin Lundeen rode Honest as Karl to a finals-qualifying run in the $10,000 amateur. Mark Blackwell did the same on Smart Chicaway in the $2,000 Limited Rider. Gary Hansen, riding Kit Duals Altismo, rode to Reserve Champion in the $20,000 Non-Pro. The $20,000 Non-Pro Champion was Sandra Azinger, South Dakota resident and MCHA member, riding Rolladacker.
Sky Stukel, Patti Blackwell, Leigh Gall, Anita Janssen, and Mark Lundeen also showed.
Congratulations and thank you all for representing the MCHA so well.
April 30, 2008
Spring in Minnesota!
Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor (hail?)…..Sheesh! All we can say is that MCHA members are serious about cutting!!! Despite the Spring storm, we had a strong turnout for our first club-produced cutting, the “Jacks R Wild” in Hinckley on April 12 & 13. Cuttings don’t happen without the time and effort of many people. Dave Scribner was the ramrod behind this show, getting the cattle ordered and received, as well as getting the arena and cattle pens set up. Helping him set up on Friday afternoon were Marc Asch, Zach Bell, Rebecca Asch, and Nikki Shykes.Dava did her usual great job keeping the show running on track with assistance from Marc Asch announcing. Dave and the Asches stayed after to help take down the show. Thanks gang for your support and effort!!
We also want to thank the herd help who put in some long days, including: JP Bell, Dave Scribner, Bob Janssen, Neal Henning, Tom Bjorklund and Jim Bean. We really appreciate you guys!!
One of the things that made this show special was that no cattle broke out of thecutting pen and into the lunchroom (remember last year?). Whew! The other special feature was awards for the high-point rider/horse of each class for the weekend. The award was a shirt with the club logo embroidered over the pocket. Congratulations to all the winners who were as follows:
Class - Rider/Owner - Horse
Rookie - Jim Schwedinger - Play Little Dena
500 Rider - Rebecca Asch - Lectro Uno
1000 Horse - Zach Bell/ Dianne Churchill - High Brow Jones
2000 Limited Rider - Jon Dorau - Chex R Smartest
10,000 Amateur - Sandy Sheehan - Justa Swingin Farrah
20,000 Non Pro - Paul Ihland - Oakriver
3000 Novice Non Pro - Len Sheehan - Dual Little Lena
3000 Novice - Bob Janssen/Jon & Nicki Dorau - Discos Hickory Stick
10,000 Novice Non Pro - Gary Hansen - Kit Duals Altisimo
10,000 Novice (tie) Tom Bjorklund/Jim & Rose Bailey - I’m A Thirsty Badger
JP Bell/ Mark Lundeen - White Cat A Lena
50,000 Amateur - Dick Neubauer - Tamu Oak Rey Doakie
Youth - Alex Frantz - Lorenas Baby
Non Pro 4 Year-old - Catherine Hazelroth - SF Blueberry Pie
Open 4 Year-old (tie)JP Bell/ Catherine Hazelroth - SF Blueberry Pie
Dave Scribner/Len & Sandy Sheehan - Smart Little Skeena
Non Pro - Gary Hansen - Lorenas Baby
Open - JP Bell/Gary Hansen - Lorenas Baby
Overall, the club had 91 entries on Saturday and 77 on Sunday. A pretty good turnout considering Mother Nature’s curve ball. All of the results can be seen on the Results page of the website.
Club Shows
What are club-produced shows, and why do we talk about them? This year the club is producing four cuttings: Jacks R Wild, NCHA Days, Royal Flush and the Fall Festival of Cutting. This means the club is responsible for all the arrangements and costs of these cuttings. Your board of directors sets these and then organizes them. This year Dave Scribner, Mary Jo Lehmann and Pete Lewis are taking the lead in setting up these shows. When they succeed (we have a fun cutting and make money), the excess dollars are used to buy year end awards and build a “snowy day” fund to make up shortfalls from events like 8” of snow in April. NCHA days is rotated between South Dakota and Minnesota, this is our year.
This year the four club-produced shows have circuit awards for the weekend and for the four club shows. We did this to encourage members to attend club shows and help build a strong club.
General Membership Meeting
The annual membership meeting was conducted over a lunch break on Saturday with the MCHA providing pizza. Marc led us through the agenda which included letting everyone know the Wrangler is now our newsletter, and the MCHA web site, www.mncutting.com, is now operational. Three topics were discussed:
1. Offering a Select Non-pro class for 50 and older cutters,
2. Offering some AQHA cutting classes,
3. Bronc Willoughby’s proposal to eliminate the Amateur status and replace it with non-pro classes based on earnings. This is a link to the proposal www.nchacutting.com/ag/member/pdf/.0805_proposal.pdf.
Members are urged to contact Bronc and our current national directors, Dave Scribner and Pete Lewis, about the Non-Pro proposal. Results of the National Director elections should be available soon, and we will let you know who will be attending the National Convention where this will be discussed. Please contact your MCHA board members with your thoughts about Select classes and AQHA classes.
National Finals
In the last issue, we missed listing these MCHA members who, or whose horses, attended the National Finals: Barb and Jim Halligan, Dennis Ginkens, Pete Lewis, Sandy Nordstrom and Don Strain.
Lost and Found
After the Jacks R Wild, 2 coats (women’s/children’s), a child’s black/red western shirt, and a green/white striped polo shirt were found. Contact Marc Asch to retrieve them.
Upcoming Shows
Our next show is May 17 & 18 at Strait Rail Ranch in Nevis, MN. Two weeks later is NCHA days for Area 6, also to be held at Strait Rail Ranch on May 31 & June 1.
See you in the cutting pen!
April 9, 2007
First Club Show This Year
We’re looking forward to seeing you all at the cutting this coming weekend at Rhino Arena in Hinckley. This is the first club show of the season, and there are some special awards planned for the weekend to add to the fun. MCHA approves many shows throughout the year, but it only produces four shows. Come show your horse, have a great time and support your club – that’s a win-win-win!
PLEASE NOTE: The Montfort Cutting has been cancelled.
Loping Pen Etiquette
As our cutting season gets into full swing, it’s always good to review the etiquette for the warm-up pen. This applies any time, but especially in a smaller space such as Hinckley.
- Stay to the inside if you want to go slow, stay to the outside if you want to go fast.
- Never stop in traffic. Do dry work, apply boots, groom etc in areas with no traffic.
- If you must tie your horse, tie it to something secure. Do not tie studs, kicking or biting horses in the loping pen.
- Look before entering and leaving the pen. Yield to lopers.
- Maintain flow in one direction. Always ask when you want to change directions.
- Be careful of pedestrians and other lopers wishing to enter or exit.
- If on foot, walk around the outside edge of the loping area, and avoid crossing through the center.
- Maintain a good sense of humor.
For further information, please review the NCHA rulebook pages 45-47. By following these guidelines, we can all have a safe and pleasant show.
Herd Help Heroes
Have you ever tried to work a cow flat without herd help? Cutting is definitely a team sport! Many of the MCHA trainers volunteer their time, energy, and horses to help us get our horses shown. In addition to showing their own horses, sometimes they are in the pen all day with barely a break for lunch. Please do not take their support for granted. Ask them for help (don’t assume). Be sure to say thank you when you’re done. And to show your appreciation, you can bring them a soft drink, buy them lunch, or pay for a stall. Let them know you value their help.
April 7, 2008
Red Horse Ranch Arena LAE and Weekend Show, March 6-9
If you came to this show, you sure got a taste of Minnesota
in March: 20 degrees below 0 one night and 3 inches of snow
the next day. None of which stopped a strong turnout and a lot
of fun. It was warm inside the wonderful Red Horse Ranch Arena
This was the third RHRA Limited Age Event and weekend show,
and we’re sure grateful they put it on. Here are some
statistics from the show:
# LAE entries: 31
# Saturday entries: 122
# Sunday entries: 99
# of Practices: more than 150
Weekend payout total: $14,247
LAE payout total: $18,741
There was $10,000 added to the LAE, so the competitors were
taking it seriously. Greg Beutenmiller captured first place
in both the 4 year old open and 5/6 classic open, winning a
total of $2,599 in the finals. Jim Bean won the 5/6 non-pro
finals winning $604. Both received an engraved picture frame
and a picture of their choice from RHRA. Nice job guys! Unfortunately,
there were not enough entries to have the 4 year old non-pro
class.
The weekend show was a success both days, and it was good to
see some of our club friends emerge from hibernation, including
Dave Scribner back from Oklahoma. Special congratulations to
Anita Lind Janssen who won the $20,000 non-pro both days after
a break from showing the last half of 2007.
Several adult riders commented they were glad they didn’t
have to show against the youth! Those kids are well mounted
and show well. Competing were Brittany Staeck, Ryan Lind, Alex
Frantz and Shannon McCoy. Congratulations to Shannon who won
the class both days.
Be sure to check out all the show results here.
We’d like to extend a special thanks those who came from
outside of Minnesota, including: Robby Hanson, Clyde Krebs,
Dave Olasson, Margaret, Jeff and Shannon McCoy, Sky Stukel,
Kevin and Jacqui Daniel, Len Shehan, Dennis and Logan Ginkens,
Greg Beutenmiller with Mandy and Sarah, Bill Ritterath, Barb
and Jim Halligan, Ray and Brenda Lipsey, and Mark Lundeen.
Cutting is a team event, and we want to acknowledge all our
herd help over the 4 days of the show, especially Dave Scribner,
JP Bell, Bob Janssen, Robby Hanson, and Kevin Daniel. And a
special thanks to Barb and Jim Halligan who helped throughout
the show but also stepped up and helped the last several classes
on Sunday afternoon. We know you had a long drive ahead, and
we appreciate you helping to the end!
Pictures of the works were taken by Paula Saurer of Captured
Photography and can be seen on line at her website: www.capturedphotography.smugmug.com.
Be sure to check it out. Thanks Paula!
Next Show April 12-13
Our next show is “Jacks Are Wild,” an MCHA club
show to be held at Rhino Arena in Hinckley April 12-13. Some
special prizes are in the works, and the Annual Club Meeting
will be held during a lunch break. We look forward to seeing
you there.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The cutting in Montfort, WI has been cancelled.
Plan Ahead! MCHA days are being hosted by the MCHA for Area
6 this year. The event is being held May
31-June 1 at Strait Rail Ranch in Nevis, MN. Plenty of fresh
cattle and extra money added will make it fun for all.
NCHA World Finals
Congratulations to Area 6 members who showed at the NCHA World
Finals in
Amarillo, TX in February: Gary
Hansen, Jolynn Frantz, Alex Frantz, Catherine Hazelroth, Mark Lundeen, Margaret McCoy,
Shannon McCoy, Sky Stukel, Sandy Azinger, Kathy and Don Strain, Sandy
Nordstrom, Clyde Krebs, Barb and Jim Halligan, and Dennis Ginkens.
Sandy Azinger, Shannon, Gary, Catherine, and Kathy all made it to the
finals. Good job gang!!
Other News
Congratulations to Bob and Anita (Lind) Janssen who were married
in February. To prove they are good Minnesotans, they went ice
fishing and cross country skiing on their honeymoon. Wooohooo!!!
Congratulations to JP Bell and Jolynn Frantz who are expecting
twins this summer. That ought to make for an interesting youth
class in a few years!
March 2008
The first Northern Lights cutting at Red Horse Ranch Arena
was a success. The sun was shining, the temperatures were
mild, the roads were clear, and as Margaret McCoy said “Cutting
in a heated arena? Absolutely!!” Even though the show
was smaller than some, it ranked high on the fellowship scale.
There were 80 entries on Saturday and 81 on Sunday.
Most of the participants were familiar faces wearing smiles
at getting back in the show pen. There was lots of good natured
ribbing, much of it involving Dava Scribner or Kyle Krause in
some way or another (can’t you just hear the laugh?).
The cattle were challenging, and the winning horses and riders
had to be on their game. The wins, places, and shows were spread
around, so lots of riders got a taste of both victory as well
as defeat.
Special thanks to those who hauled from outside Minnesota,
including Margaret and Shannon McCoy, Sky Stukle, Robby Hansen,
Clyde Krebs, Kevin and Grant Daniel, Paul and Emily Ihland,
Kyle Krause, Russ Mather, and Leigh Gall (and apologies to any
we have missed).
We are grateful for the tireless herd help from JP, Kyle,
Kevin, Robby, Grant, Jeff, and Jim. Thanks, guys!
Finally, thanks to JP Bell and Red Horse Ranch Arena for taking
the chance on a January cutting and giving us a break from cabin
fever.
See you at the next MCHA approved LAE and weekend show on
March 6-9 at Red Horse Ranch Arena.
