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NCHA Annual Futurity - 4th Oct 2008

Rob Hodgeman rode the Hodgeman and McGregor nomination of EB's Mia Cdee by Bank Fulo Cdees to win the ANZ Open Futurity Final, scoring 148. While winning his first ever Futurity final after a number of placings, Rob took home the record first prize of $75,000 plus a Roo-Hide Saddlery Trophy saddle, Champion buckle, Arait jacket and Ariat boot voucher, a rug and halter from Easy on Rugs and the list goes on.

35th NCHA Annual Futurity
Tamworth NSW
27th September-Sunday 5th Octobeer.
By Julie Wilson.

For the past ten years, talk of the new Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth has been enthusiastic. There have been lots of drawings, meetings, trips overseas, consultants, promises and over spending. However, it has all been worthwhile as this purpose built equestrian event centre is truly amazing. Unlike any other equestrian venue in Australia the competitor, spectator, sponsor, show organiser and the horses and cattle have all been given equal consideration. The designers of this complex seem to have thought of everything.

The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) normally hold their Annual Futurity Show starting the last weekend in May, but due to EI the event was postponed and then postponed again, as the new centre was still not finished sufficiently to conduct one of the biggest equestrian events in the country. However, when the cutters finally moved into their new home, it was worth the wait. Unfortunately people tend to look for the negatives in a new project, but it was only positive comments coming from all those who attended the inaugural event at the AELEC. There is still much to be done to finish this thirty million dollar facility, but the Tamworth Regional Council feel this project, the largest undertaken by them, is an investment in the future of the region. "We think it will grow to be what grapes are to the Hunter Valley". To read and see more photos of the wonderful venue just go to their website; http://www.aelec.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1017&page_name=HOME

There were many records broken at the 35th NCHA Annual Futurity, record prize money, in excess of $540,00 plus a further $85,00 in trophies, with $75,000 going to the winner of the Open Futurity. In addition, record attendances, record entries, record number of trade stalls and the highest price ever reached at the NCHA select sale of $85,000. In this economic slow down, 139 lots were offered for sale and the majority sold well. The top price was paid for the Open Futurity entrant, Spins Miss Kitty by the imported sire Racketeer Cat and an embryo transfer from the number one Leading Dam, One Moore Spin. Ridden by Todd Graham, Spins Miss Kitty scored 143.5 in the ANZ Futurity Final to finish in sixth place. Miss Kitty's twin sister, (another embryo out of One Moore Spin and sired by Racketeer Cat) Prestige Cat placed second in the Open Futurity scoring 147 ridden by Phil Dawson.

In an event for breaking records it was Peter and Jacinta's Shumack's, Racketeer Cat that set a new benchmark for producing Australian Futurity horses. Twenty two of his first crop of foals competed across the three futurity classes, with four making the open final and two making the non/pro final. I addition two started in the Snaffle Bit Futurity and two in the Non pro Futurity. Racketeer Cat is by High Brow Cat that has been the leading sire of cutting horses in the USA from 2003-2007 with his progeny earning over twenty seven million dollars. In 2004 his Futurity year, this baldy faced chestnut got straight down to business to place third in the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity with Peter in the saddle. Over the next four years he had great success to finish with a win in the NCHA Non-pro Classic Challenge. He is now semi retired and after his first season at stud has not proved quite as popular, but I am sure people will be re thinking their brood mare bookings after this event.

There is so much to say about Cutting Futurity this year it is hard to put it in a few words without leaving something out. However, this report cannot leave out the eventual winners of the ANZ Open Futurity, Rob Hodgmen riding the Hodgeman and McGregor nomination of EB's Mia Cdee by Bank Fulo Cdees out of EB's Ladyspin. Rob is a great horseman and has had huge success over many years winning the NCHA Derby in 2002 and winning the NCHA Open Challenge in 2005 and 2006 on the sensational mare One Hellofa Spin, but until this weekend the NCHA Futurity had eluded him.

Rob made a wonderful and emotional speech after his win, thrilled to win his first NCHA Futurity especially being the first in the awesome new events centre. And like a real horseman stating he "still has much to learn about horses and the sport of cutting and looks forward to returning to the AELEC to continue that learning curve".

The Gallery

Lyn Hamilton from Binnaway NSW and Christine and Eleanor Wilkinson from Werai NSW enjoy the latest Horse Deals during a herd change.

The main indoor section is built on three levels, ground level (field of play), main concourse and mezzanine, these three levels are accessible by stairs or a lift.

This photo shows some of the record number of trade stands at the NCHA Annual Futurity both on the main concourse and mezzanine level. There were also traders down the sides and other end of the arena and also there were twenty trade stands outside in a marque called the Traders Alley .

Phil Dawson from Inverell NSW rode Dale and Kirrily Simpkins exciting stallion, Diablo Spin to score 289.5 and move into the final of the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge.

Jonathan Dudley from Kalbar Qld. rode M and L Scantlebury's Short N Fancy to score 283.5 in the go-rounds of the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge and just miss the final.

Todd Graham, NCHA's highest money earner with life time earnings of over $1,000,000, rode Bunyarra Park's, One Moore Playgirl in the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challengeto score 292 to more into the final.

The main arena of the new $30,000,000 Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre, described by one competitor as, "just awesome!".

Connected to the main arena is a perpose built sale ring, being used for the Professional Farriers Championship over the weekend.

This is the first event held at the AELEC and there are some things outside still to be completed however, it is very impressive. This photo shows one of the outdoor arenas, plus the campdrafting arenas at the rear.

Richard Prew rode the 2005 Futurity winner, Darcy Twohill's Gidgee Coals to score 288 in the go-rounds of the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge to more into the final.

Phil Dawson rode Lenore Holborow-Harvey's Dream Chaser to move into the final of the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge with a score of 292.

Phil Dawson rode Peter Trinkke's imported stud, Reyn Storm to move into the final of the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge with a score of 293.5.

Over 520 horses are stables on site in the various impressive stable blocks.

The sale ring from outside.

Some competitors are lamenting the loss of the community atmosphere in the camping grounds, as at the new venue the trucks are just parked in the ashpalt car parks, so no more sitting around the camp fires under the trees.

2008 Non Pro Hall of Fame inductee, Richard Bull, rode Sandi Twohill's, Little Lena's Gem by Tassa Lena to equal eight place in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity with a score of 137.

Raelene Higgins rode her homebred Give Em Hell to equal fifth in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final scoring 140. Give Em Hell is out of the 2008 Horse Hall of Fame inductee, One Hellofa Spin who is the highest money earning horse in Australia with career earnings of $69,250 and 5 cents. One Hellofa Spin is the only horse to win the Triple Crown (winner of the Open Futurity, then the Derby followed by the Classic) and then come back in her fourth year to win the Classic Challenge again.

Cameron Parker from Rockhampton Qld, rode Destiny's Diamonds to third place in the NYCHA and PCA Limited Non Pro Futurity with a score of 143. Later in the day this combination placed second in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity with a score of 145.

The stand for Peptos Stylish Oak is one of the impressive exhibits in the Stallion Showcase in Stallion Alley.

John Pokarier from Kootingal NSW rode his own Hats O Lena by Tassa Lena to score 280 in the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge but unfortunately missed the final cut.

Maree King from Victoria rode Junior High by High Brows Doctor to second place in the NYCHA and PCA Limited Non Pro Futurity with a score of 143.5 for second place..

Mark Heath from Pinkett NSW rode his EB Dual N Spin to seventh place in the NYCHA and PCA Limited Non-Pro Futurity and equal eight place in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final.

David Doolan from Nar Nar Goon Victoria rode Dara Lady Jays Gun to fourth place in the NYCHA and PCA Limited Non Pro Futurity with a score of 140.

Steve Felton from Bendemeer NSW rode his Teak N Tell to fourth place in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final with a score of 141.

Laurie Brown from Katherine in the Northern Terrority rode Denny.s Duell Pep to score 134 in the final of NYCHA and PCA Limited Non Pro Futurity.

The first bull ride was held on Friday night with a packed house at the new venue. The rodeo chutes are a feature of this complex which also has a number of yards and lane ways for moving cattle.

The Cutters Bar, a cafe and a number of food out lets were popular with spectators and riders.

Colin Moore from Muswellbrook NSW rode his Racketeer Cat mare, Catsonita to equal eighth place in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final and equal fifth place in the Limited Non-Pro final.

Popular competitor, Mark Buttsworth rode his own Dive Dove to win the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final with a score of 146 and take home the first prize cheque of $20,000 substantial trophies including a Roo-Hide Saddlery, Trophy Saddle.

Peter Shumack rode his homebred, Catmando by Peter's imported stallion Rackateer Cat to seventh place in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final with a score of 139.

Geoff Nicol from Moree in NSW rode Striperella by Playboy Roy, to win in the NYCHA and PCA Limited Non Pro Futurity with a score of 145.

Jonathan Dudley from Harrisville Qld, rode Wayne Brown's Acres Destiny gelding, Spirited Acres, to qualify for the final of the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge, with the highest score of 294.

Geoff Saxby rode his own Cherry Oak to score 140 in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final and take equal fifth place.

William Tapp formally from the Northern Territory and now living in Wowan Qld, rode his own Do Rey Me to third place in the Buffalo Ranch Non Pro Futurity Final with a score of 142.5.

James Vickery from Tamworth NSW rode Chiquita lena in the NYCHA and PCA Limited Non Pro Futurity to score 137 and place equal fifth.

Dean Holden from Cobram Victoria rode Claus and Karen Thrun's, well performed Chickasha Hope by the wonderful sire, Acres Destiny, to just make it into the ten horse final of the Greg Ellison and Priefert Classic Challenge with a score of 286.5.

	Photographs Supplied By
Julie Wilson Equestrian Photography PO Box 167 Warburton Victoria 3799 Phone 03 59 662668 Mobile 0408 547 378 juliewilson@bigpond.com http://www.jwep.net

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