Dear NCHA Members, The National Cutting Horse Association is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and professional environment – in the arena, at our events, and online. Recently, a few behavioural concerns have been brought to our attention and are currently being investigated.
These include:
• Unkind and exclusionary conduct among youth participants
• Negative and inaccurate comments directed at staff and leadership via social media
• Disruptive conduct between adult members at events, in view of competitors, spectators, and sponsors
These behaviours fall well outside the expectations of the NCHA and do not reflect the culture we strive to uphold. Whether occurring in a warm-up pen, show arena, or online forum, we expect all members to demonstrate respect, maturity, and accountability.
As a reminder, all members are bound by the NCHA Code of Conduct and the NCHA Social Media Policy, which outlines the standard of behaviour expected within our sport.
This includes:
“Treating all persons with respect and courtesy and refraining from any form of discrimination, victimisation, harassment, or abuse.”
“Acting with integrity and objectivity and in a way that upholds the reputation and values of the NCHA.”
“Refraining from making public comments or posts on social media that are negative, offensive, or disrespectful to other members or the Association.”
You can read the full Code of Conduct here: 👉 NCHA Code of Conduct
Any breach may result in disciplinary action — including fines or referral to the NCHA Disciplinary Committee. We remind members to consider how their online presence reflects on themselves and the Association as a whole.
We thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to making NCHA events safe, respectful, and enjoyable for all.
Reporting Misconduct
If you witness or are affected by a breach of the Code of Conduct:
• Submit a written report via email or letter, clearly outlining the incident and individuals involved
• Reports may be directed to the NCHA Board of Directors, or to a designated officer at an affiliated event
• Reports will be handled with professionalism, confidentiality, and in accordance with the Association’s disciplinary processes
Support Services
If you or someone you know is affected by bullying, harassment, or distressing behaviour:
• Dolly’s Dream Do it for Dolly – Creating safe, kind communities for kids and teens
• For adults: Beyond Blue – Mental health and emotional wellbeing support (24/7 Helpline: 1300 22 4636)