NCHA News

Good Afternoon NCHA,

I hope all of you are healthy and ready to go show. Some areas have announced that they will be opening back up, and local affiliates and show producers are beginning to hold shows again. I know this is the news many of us have been waiting for, and I hope that in the coming weeks we all will be able to return to the show pen. 

Even with this good news, each day we still have questions coming in on what the status of the shows are. Will there be a Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular show? A horse sale or the Western Nationals? The simple answer is, I don’t know for sure, but rest assured that we are doing everything in preparation to make it happen. 

Today, a portion of the NCHA staff returned to work in the office. We will continue to ramp up the return of  staff in the office in the coming weeks as the pandemic hopefully subsides. I would like you to join me in thanking these dedicated individuals in keeping the NCHA moving forward with all the challenges we have had to face.  In addition, our Executive Committee has been hard at work helping me determine the direction we are headed in regard to our elections and convention meetings.

I don’t think our industry has ever had to navigate through a situation like this. During these unfortunate circumstances, I am glad to finally see signs of hope for this season to end. There are plans in the works from many of the NCHA regions to get back to showing. I am glad to see that we are progressing forward and hope we will be able to continue with this momentum.

No one can predict what tomorrow will bring, but if we continue to be cautious, take care of each other and do what is necessary in our respective areas, hopefully, the entire cutting world soon will return to doing what we love. Many folks are asking the NCHA to give direction and guidelines on how they should move forward in producing their events. We recommend each of you follow the policies that are put in place by your local government and state officials as it will be unique to each of your areas. For some, it can be business as usual, while others may have to adopt strict procedures depending on your location in the United States or international countries.

My hope is for the membership, as a whole, to be able to return to the cutting pen soon. Stay safe, do your part, and remain positive.

My best to you, 

Jay Winborn

NCHA Executive Director