KEY Magazine Fort Worth

2006 NCI Building Systems NCHA World Championship Futurity
November 26 to December 17
(click here for this article in PDF format)

It is that time of year again: the event that thousands of people look forward to. The National Cutting Horse Association’s most exciting cutting competition of the year, the 2006 NCI Building Systems NCHA World Championship Futurity, will take place November 26 through December 17, 2006 at the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum. This year proves to be another record-breaking event with more than 1,500 entries competing for the largest payout to date. With $1 million in added money, it pushes the total payouts to over $4 million, another NCHA record.

For many, the NCHA Futurity represents the beginning of a successful career in the show ring. The 3 year-old equine competitors have been training rigorously for this show, and will join thousands of other hopefuls making their professional debut during this 22-day event. Trainers enter their young horses in hopes of having the highest scores of several two-and-a half minute-run rounds, and earning a piece of the record-breaking $2.6 million in prize money going to the top 25 Open riders. The Open Champion takes home $250,000 and the title of NCHA Open Futurity Champion.

In addition to cash prizes, the Futurity champions will receive awards from sponsors including M.L. Leddy’s, Murray Leather, Read’s Jewelers, Teskey’s, Pro Walk, Trefethen Vineyards, Platinum Performance and trophy buckles from Gist Silversmiths.

Several events will be held in conjunction with the Futurity cutting competition including Celebrity Cutting, the Charles Goodnight Gala, Western Bloodstock horse sales and the Western Mercantile Exhibit Hall. The 12th Annual Celebrity Cutting Event will be Friday, December 1, at 7 p.m. in Will Rogers Coliseum. This event is presented by the Careity Foundation. Proceeds from the Cutting event will provide funding for a variety of clinical services for cancer patients in the area. A dinner, auction and live entertainment from celebrity cutters Sunny Burgess, Tanya Tucker, Trent Willmon, Craig Morgan, Danny Griego, Dan Roberts, Lynn Anderson and Tracy Byrd will follow the competition. For more information, visit www.celebritycutting.org. In addition, the 16th Annual Charles Goodnight Gala honoring Red Steagall and introducing the NCHA Hall of Fame inductees will be held at the Worthington Hotel at 6:30 p.m. on December 4. Country music newcomer, Gretchen Wilson, will provide entertainment. For more information, visit www.charlesgoodnightgala.com.

Western Bloodstock will host cutting horse sales beginning on Saturday, December 11 and continuing through the finals on Sunday, December 17. Wednesday, December 13 and Saturday, December 16, sessions will be held live on RFD-TV. Horses for all levels of riders and cutting events will be available at this sale. Whether you are looking for two-year-olds, broodmares, or finished horses, your search for a great horse ends here. For more information, visit www.westernbloodstock.com.

The 2006 NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity finals will also be broadcast live on RFD-TV Sunday, December 17, 2006. EE Ranches of Texas made this broadcast possible. This special three-hour live telecast of the Open Finals begins at 6:30 p.m. Central will also feature highlights from the Non-Pro and Amateur Finals at the NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity. RFD-TV is available through DirecTV, DISH Network, Mediacom and NCTC cable systems in all 50 states.

The Western Mercantile shopping area, presented by Coors Light, opens November 26 in the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall. Featured will be over 150 merchants from all over the country selling the finest quality clothing, art, tack, jewelry, furniture and much more. Cowboy Santa will drop by in the afternoon to hear your wish list and to take holiday photos on December 1 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on the 15, 16 and 17 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Open daily from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. during go-rounds, the Western Mercantile trade show will have extended hours through the semi-finals and finals performances.

Show and exhibit hall parking is free. Admission to the Western Mercantile, Amateur and Non-Pro go-rounds is also free. Admission starts at $6 for the Open competition November 26 through December 3 and December 16-17. For more information about the National Cutting Horse Association, the 2006 NCI Building Systems NCHA World Championship Futurity, or the events and activities associated with this 22-day show, please call the NCHA at 817-244-6188 or visit www.nchacutting.com.

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