by Katie Navarra
For the first time in more than a decade, New York riders had an opportunity to compete in a sanctioned National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) event. The NCHA Challenger Series was held July 8-9, 2017 in Fulton, NY at Carousel Farms, managed by Upstate Cow Horse Production. This was the first NCHA Challenger Series ever held in New York. The event featured some of the largest classes of any NCHA show produced in the North East and offered a $2,000 Limited Rider Class. A total of 63 entries participated in the competition and paid out over $1,000 in NCHA monies.
Ray Dart won the NCHA $2,000 Limited Rider Circuit Champion Trophy. Katie Dart and Tammy Schmidt both Tied as the Non-Pro Circuit Champions, with Gay Chex Gal securing the NCHA Open Horse Circuit Championship.
Huge thank you to our Secretary Abigail Nikolevski, show manager Amber Roberts, and our NCHA AAA Rated Judge Toddy Pitard. Mr. Pitard volunteered his time after the show was completed to assist exhibitors on improving their runs.
Upstate Cow Horse Productions produced the show as part of a larger effort to connect cattle, working cow horse and ranch horse versatility clubs from around the state. Generous sponsors including Cannon Quarter Horses, Clayton Distillery, Cutter Classic, and many others supported the event.
If you’re interested in experiencing the thrill or working cattle with your horse, now is your chance to get involved. Upstate Cow Horse Productions provides a friendly and safe environment to get started. The organization provides links to all of the local clubs and businesses that specialize in cattle events including the Eastern Mountain Ranch Horse, New York Reined Cow Horse, Rubbin Nickels, and many others. It’s not too late to participate this season. UpState Cow Horse Productions is holding a Scholarship Challenge for Youth and High School Rodeo participants in Working Cow Horse and Cutting on Sept. 30, followed by NCHA Challenger Series and clean slate finals Oct. 1. Awards worth $2,000 and added money is up for grabs in this fresh, innovative, and fun series. To participate in this event or to become a partner in promoting cow horse events here in the northeast, contact amber.roberts2006@gmail.com.
