The National Cutting Horse Association’s (NCHA) highly successful Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting has added the American Royal Livestock Show and Rodeo in Kansas City, Mo., to its all-star event line up.
Adding valued showcase for horses and riders
The National Cutting Horse Association’s highly successful Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting has added the American Royal Livestock Show and Rodeo in Kansas City, Mo., to its all-star event line up.
© 2013 by Dale A. Stork
Competition will take place November 6-8 in the Hale Arena of the American Royal Complex, with $50,000, at $25,000 each, to be added to the Non Pro and Open divisions.
“The Mercuria NCHA World Series holds events from coast to coast. Adding the American Royal offers another opportunity in the Heartland where so many of our cutters and top horses live,” said NCHA President Barbara Brooks.
“The Royal, with its long history and multiple equine disciplines, provides a wonderful opportunity to present cutting to a new audience and Hilary Watson and her team work hard to ensure that our cutters find it to be one of the best venues in the country.”
The American Royal Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting event will be the last in a series of nine events to take place in 2013. Already, three events have been held, with the Calgary Stampede event cancelled due to flooding. In addition to the “Royal,” the following remain on the Series calendar:
- August 31-September 1, Idaho Futurity, Nampa, Idaho
- September 13-14, El Rancho Futurity, Rancho Murrieta, California
- October 9-10, All American Quarter Horse Congress, Columbus, Ohio
- October 30-November 3, Equita’ Lyon, Lyon, France
Offering cutting in an entertaining, fast-paced format, the event has drawn crowds in the thousands from across the United States, Canada and Europe.
“The Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting and the Mercuria NCHA World Championship Finals has become a valued showcase for the seasoned cutting horse,” said NCHA Executive Director Jim Bret Campbell. “Along with that, is the opportunity to see the sport expand through the exposure of these veteran horses to a new audience. The growth of the event in Canada and Europe has served as testimony to the global appeal of the sport, as well.”
In the nine-event Mercuria series, horses and riders compete in non-professional or open competition. Mercuria and NCHA add a total of $25,000 to each event, with an additional $25,000 provided by the host organization. A whopping $400,000 in added money is awarded across the event series, with an additional $200,000 added to the Mercuria NCHA World Championship Finals held in conjunction with the NCHA Futurity in December.
The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that has been a Kansas City tradition since 1899. Each year more than 270,000 people attend events at the American Royal Complex. In 2012, the Royal was able to give $1.4 million in scholarship and educational awards. In addition to its educational mission, the American Royal generates some $60 million of economic impact, $4.4 million in local tax revenues, and supports 450 jobs.
Having begun with a focus on oil trading, Mercuria’s activities now encompass all key energy products and a wide range of dry bulk commodities. It has grown the physical elements of its business and operates a significant portfolio of assets, including production, logistics and storage interests. The Mercuria network encompasses 37 offices in 28 countries and the Group employs more than 1000 people of 40 nationalities. Mercuria trades in more than 50 countries.
About the National Cutting Horse Association:
The National Cutting Horse Association, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is the world governing body for the sport of cutting. With more than 16,000 members worldwide, its mission is to promote and celebrate the cutting horse, whose origin on Western supports ranching and Western heritage.
By establishing rules for the conduct of cutting horse shows, NCHA provides a level playing field and a progressive class structure, which accommodates everyone from the beginner to the advanced competitor. NCHA draws on the diverse talents and backgrounds of its members and encourages their participation in helping it achieve these goals.