The second leg of the NCHA Triple Crown, the NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic, will live up to its star billing when nearly 2,000 of the worldâs top equine athletes stir up the dirt at the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, March 28 through April 20.
A cutting horse in action
The second leg of the NCHA Triple Crown, the NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic, will feature the world's top equine athletes competing for a $3 Million purse in Fort Worth, Texas, March 28 through April 20. 2013.
© 2013 by Dale Stork
Presented by XTO Energy, an Exxon Mobil Subsidiary, the Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic will offer a purse of more than $3.25 million in cash and prizes in 26 divisions of competition. More than $920,000 will be offered in the Super Stakes Open Division for four-year-olds making their second major debut after the 2012 NCHA Futurity.
Prizes provided to sweeten the pot include saddles from Sean Ryon, trophy belt buckles from Gist Silversmiths, boots from Rios of Mercedes, hats from Sombrero Hat Brands and much more.
The Super Stakes, for four-year-olds, is unique in the sport as all horses entered must have been sired by stallions subscribed to the Super Stakes, thereby offering owners a valuable marketing outlet for showcasing the progeny of their stallions.
The Super Stakes Classic, which features five- and six-year-olds, will also be the launch of a new class division for the cutting horse audience, the Unlimited Amateur. This division provides another level of competition for experienced amateur riders. Nearly $50,000 will be awarded in that division.
Cutting horses, which are typically of the American Quarter Horse breed, are termed as such because they have an instinct for âcuttingâ a cow from a herd and keeping it from returning to the herd for a prescribed period of time. The sport originated on Western ranches where cattle were cut and separated for management and health. Cutting is perhaps the only equine sport where the horseâs ability to think about its job is clearly demonstrated.
In addition to exciting cutting horse action, cutting horse fans will find unique gifts, clothing and high-quality tack and equipment at the Best of the West Shopping Spectacular which opens at 9 a.m. on March 30.
Special events taking place during the Super Stakes include a Welcome Back Party on April 5, a Cajun Cutters Party sponsored by Chris and Staci Thibodeauxâs Grace Ranch and High Brow CD on April 13 and a Reach for the Stars Rooftop party sponsored by the Residences at Montgomery Plaza and Park Place Motors.
Admission to the Best of the West Shopping Spectacular is always free, while admission to the Super Stakes cutting events are free with the exception of the open finals April 20. For more information about the Super Stakes and to purchase tickets online, visit www.nchacutting.com.
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.