NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular underway

Metallic Cat at the 2009 Super Stakes. Photo courtesy NCHA.

The excitement of cutting horse competition returns to the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum July 13 – August 2 with the National Cutting Horse Association Summer Cutting Spectacular presented by Great American Insurance.

The event lists 1,775 entries vying for more than $2 million in prize money. Classes are divided between a classic challenge competition for five and 6-year-old horses and a derby for 4-year-old horses.

The Summer Cutting Spectacular is the third leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of Cutting events held annually in Fort Worth. The first two legs were the 2008 NCHA World Championship Futurity and the 2009 Borden Milk Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic.

Horses to watch for this year include Metallic Cat, owned by Alvin Fults, Amarillo, Texas, and ridden by Beau Galyean, Marietta, Okla. Metallic Cat won the 2008 NCI/NCHA World Championship Futurity Open Championship and was the 2009 Borden Milk Super Stakes Open Reserve Champion. As well as the winner of the 2009 Borden Milk Super Stakes Open, Third Cutting, ridden by Boyd Rice, Spearman, Texas,  and owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith, Jacksboro, Texas.

In addition to daily go-rounds, there will be a cutting and many other exciting activities for youth NCHA members, and even an NCHA Sponsors’ Cutting on July 24.

Furthermore, the Western Mercantile presented by Coors Light will open to the public Wednesday, July 15 at 9 a.m. It is located in the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall and will feature an abundance of Western clothing, tack, jewelry, home décor, and more.

Cutting action begins daily at 8 a.m. with free admission to the public. Admission will start at $8 on Aug. 1-2. For a complete schedule of activities associated with this 19-day event, please visit www.nchacutting.com.