NCHA News

Tammy Lynne Penn Donates Sculptures to Blue DeBord Benefit Auction

In late August, NCHA member and trainer, Blue DeBord, was in a terrible accident, which left him pinned under his tractor at his home in Claude, Texas. Luckily, he was able to reach his cell phone and call for help.  Had he not, there was every reason to believe he would’ve bled out within the hour according to first responders. DeBord was transported to Amarillo, where he was life-flighted to Lubbock. He was in ICU for several weeks.  He has sustained injuries, eight broken ribs, two breaks in his pelvis, a crushed tail bone, a broken femur, a shattered kidney, and a lacerated liver and spleen.  It is truly a miracle he is alive today. Debord is a fighter and determined to get back on a horse next year. 

Debord’s injuries were just the beginning; his medical bills have been overwhelming. NCHA is much like a family when a member needs lifting up; another comes to the rescue. That is exactly what long-time NCHA member, Tammy Lynne Penn, did.

Penn is a renowned equine and animal sculptor and has always felt a strong bond with animals.  She aims to recreate that feeling in her work.  Drawing on a variety of life experiences and sculpting workshops, Penn developed her signature style using different techniques and mediums to create sculptures representing our interconnectedness with animals and capturing not only their images but also their spirits. It is in that spirit that Penn has donated two incredible sculptures to benefit Debord’s road to recovery.

“Cutting Class” is cast in solid lead crystal and was juried into the “AQHA 2015 Art of the Horse Show and Sale”. Gallery price $6,200.00

“Don’t Weaken” is cast in bronze and dedicated to the cowgirl cutter. Gallery price 5,300.00

Penn has great respect for Debord and testifies he is one of the hardest working people she knows, exampled by the fact he trains horses in the Panhandle of Texas in all weather conditions without an indoor arena! 

“My husband and I wanted to help him as much as we could, and donating the sculptures seemed like a good way to help raise some money for a good purpose,” Penn said.

Come by the Cutter’s for Christ booth in the Best of the West Trade Show for an opportunity to bid on these amazing sculptures. The auction is now open and will run until the last cattle change during the Open Finals on Sunday, December 15.

We encourage everyone to bid or pass this information along to your friends to help one of our members. Thanks to Tammy Lynne Penn for your generosity in helping a fellow NCHA member!