NCHA News

On March 31 the Hoosier Horse Fair and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana showcased the sport of Cutting with a Celebrity Team cutting demonstration. A great crowd was on hand to watch, learn and cheer for three teams comprised of four cutters. Andrew Larsen and Nick Pilcher, professional trainers in Indiana, joined Zoe Woodland, professional trainer from Ohio to lead the three teams. Each team was comprised of a celebrity, an amateur and a youth cutter led by a professional trainer. The event was judged by 3 well known professionals in the performance horse world. Chuck Smith (NCHA President / Executive Director), Barbra Schulte (Trainer, Performance Coach, Author, Clinician and Equine Consultant) and Sandy Collier (Clinician, Exhibitor Reined Cow Horse and Cowgirl Hall of Fame)

TEAM LARSEN: Andrew Larsen, CELEBRITY Janet Holcomb (1^st lady of Indiana- Governor Eric Holcomb’s wife), AMATEUR Tracy Barton, YOUTH Evelyn Cox

TEAM PILCHER: Nick Pilcher, CELEBRITY Sarah Schulz (Head of Western Equestrian Team at Saint Mary of the Woods College), AMATEUR Tiffany Platt, YOUTH Joscelyn Pilcher

TEAM WOODLAND: Zoe Woodland, CELEBRITY Kristen Biscoe (Co-host of the Best of America by Horseback on RFD TV), AMATEUR Maddy Diehl, YOUTH Emily West

Vicki Green (cutter, Secretary and Board member-Indiana Cutting Horse Association) did a wonderful job as the official MC of the event. Throughout the evening, Vicki familiarized the crowd with the participants, shared the fundamental aspects of cutting and guided the crowd through each of the runs. Interviewing each of the professional trainers during the event added important insights of the sport. Both Area 15 NCHA Directors were at the event, Byron Green coordinating the event, settling the cattle and providing herd help support and Dave Pilcher taking pictures and providing follow up news releases.

Chuck Smith did a great job speaking to the crowd about the valued heritage and nationwide interest in cutting. The crowd included some Indiana Dignitaries including Governor Eric Holcomb. It was certainly the most “secured” cutting event I have ever attended.

Among the high lights of the evening were Andrew’s 222 high point run, Zoe and Nick’s “bridle less” runs and our three youth riders with Evelyn and Joscelyn currently in the top 15 junior youth world standings. Our three celebrities did a fantastic job as all three were new to competing in a cutting competition.

We are thankful the Hoosier Horse Fair and Expo allowed us the opportunity to showcase our exciting sport of cutting. We need to take advantage of these opportunities all over the country in order to promote the sport we love.