THE 37TH ANNUAL NCHA TAMARANG FUTURITY HAS CONTINUED TO GROW FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.
The National Cutting Horse Association showcase event will be staged at the world class Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre in Tamworth, NSW from the 26th May through until the 6th June. The event has now been extended to twelve days, growing faster than the world renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival as the biggest event in the regional area. The NCHA Futurity Show has been labelled as the richest three-year-old performance horse event in the Nation. The event incorporates the finest group of cutting horses seen in the southern hemisphere, and the NCHA Select Cutting Horse Sale, which auctions some of the finest bred performance horses in Australia.
The 2010 Tamarang Futurity has been overwhelmed by new and existing cutting horse enthusiasts with nominations received breaking all previous records. A total of 160 nominations have been received from all states of Australia for the feature event, the Tamarang Open Futurity. This will see the prize money purse increase for this one event alone to $285,000 with the eventual winner guaranteed a cheque of $75,000. Another pleasing aspect in the growth of the cutting horse industry is the increase of Non Pro Futurity nominations rising from 68 in 2009 to 89 aspiring Non Pro contestants in 2010 vying for the $72,000 on offer through Holmes Cutting Horses.
As competitor numbers have increased with the growth of the Futurity so has the awareness from western retail traders across the nation. Traders recognize this event as an ideal opportunity to promote industry business and sales. With 74 inside trade sites already confirmed, the 2010 Tamarang Futurity will see an additional outside trade area allocated for retail stores. This will also include a wide and diverse new range of Goosenecks and Horse Trailers.
Another improved facility will be the introduction of the Five Star Restaurant and VIP catering by The Quality Hotel Powerhouse in Tamworth. The management and staff come to the Futurity as one of the leading restaurants in regional NSW and certainly will be enjoyed by our members and visitors to the Futurity.
Following the highly successful televised documentary of the 2009 NCHA Futurity Final on Austar/CMC, the NCHA have further committed to the growth of this event. 2010 will see the Tamarang Futurity Final and the Buffalo Ranch Derby Final televised over 12 x 1hour productions. Added with a Live Worldwide web cast of the 12 days of competition the cutting horse industry and NCHA Tamarang Futurity are finally receiving the recognition it deserves.
Some of the other attractions incorporated in the Futurity will be:
• NCHA Select Sale: 9 am Friday 4th June. This year the NCHA sale’s team welcomes back Mr Bob Johnson as the selling agent. His expertise and knowledge of the cutting horse industry will give confidence to vendors with his ability maximize the marketing opportunities with each consignment. With 120 horses offered for sale, from trained cutting horses, yearlings, broodmares, to 2011 Futurity prospects, you will definitely find one to suit your needs. The quality of horse flesh is second to none with the NCHA record priced horse sold at auction, Spins Miss Kitty reaching $85,000 in 2008. For information on the sale and to view the catalogue please visit the NCHA website www.ncha.com.au
• Dan & Dan Aussie Horseman Show: Saturday 29th May 7.30 pm & Saturday 5th June 6pm. Dan James & Dan Steers are two of Australia’s most talented horseman who have entertained at major events including Equitana, Perth Royal Show and 2009 Sydney Royal. These young Aussie horsemen gained a wealth of experience working on numerous outback stations in Western Australian before spending many months touring the world. They have been recently invited to entertain at the 2010 World Horse Expo.
• Coopers Animal Health Bull Riding & Rodeo: Friday 4th June 8 pm. An Invitational Bull Ride (top 20 cowboys), Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding (top 6 cowboys) and Ladies Barrel Racing (top 20 cowgirls) will thrill the crowds, with 2009 Bucking Horse of the Year, ‘Ride Tuff Warnie’ appearing with Bulls such as “Ride Tuff Loco” “Kid Rock” & “Blood Sport” just making up a part of the entertainment group.
• Australian Professional Farrier’s Championship: 4-6th June from 9am daily. Ray Linch formed this association in 1988 to transform and showcase one of Australia’s unique pioneering traditions and transform the art to a modern day competition. These tradesmen still use these traditional skills in their everyday working lives.
• Invitational Austbrokers Insurance Stockman’s Challenge: Friday 28th 6pm & Saturday 29th May 8pm. Following the highly entertaining skills and horsemanship of these truly unique Aussie icons, the Stockman’s Challenge bought the crowds to their feet in 2009. This competition is restricted to 10 tough contestants and incorporates a two handed cutting, whip cracking obstacle course; brumby catch and a poly saddle buckjump final. The event this year will create lots of interest with competitors Awarded Bonus points to catch and actually ride the Brumbies.
• Jack Daniels State of Origin Cutting: Saturday 5th June 6pm. After many years of discussion which states of Australia breed the finest Horsemen and Women in the cutting horse industry. It will be resolved at the 2010 NCHA Futurity with the Jack Daniels State Of Origin Cutting. Six contestants from Qld, NSW (three men & three ladies) will be drawn from nominations to compete for the Inaugural State of Origin Title.
