National Youth Cutting Horse Association

06/19/2026

NYCHA is on the road in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2026 National Cutting Horse Association Convention!

We are excited to meet familiar faces and new friends as we come together to share ideas, creativity, and growth within the cutting horse community - especially with the next generation of young cutters.

A big thank you to everyone involved with the NCHA for their continued service and dedication to the association.

We look forward to seeing everyone over the next few days and can’t wait for all the exciting and positive ideas ahead!

06/17/2026

🎉 It's Jeopardy Time: Guess That Youth Member! 🎉

Think you know your fellow youth members? Let's find out! 👀

Get ready to test your knowledge and learn more about the history of the NCHA as we gear up for this year’s Youth Week!

From legendary moments to fun facts, our youth contestants will put their knowledge to the test during Life After the Arena on July 29th!

❓ QUESTION: This exhibitor’s father was inducted into the NYCHA Hall of Fame in 1998.

💭 ANSWER: Drop your best guesses in the comments below! The correct answer will be revealed this afternoon! 👀

Be sure to follow along each week as we dive into the rich history of the NCHA and Youth programs through fun Jeopardy-style questions!

06/16/2026

Think your talents shine beyond the show pen?

If you're a Junior or Senior NYCHA member, this is your chance to turn your creativity into scholarship dollars!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the John & Cole McGee Legacy Scholarship Fund and the Cowan Ranch, the Out of the Arena Contests will award an impressive $10,000 in scholarships this year!

Whether your passion is:
🎤 Public Speaking
🎨 Artwork
📸 Photography
📝 Essay

You have the opportunity to showcase your talents, share your unique perspective, and compete for even more scholarships.

So, which contest are YOU entering? 👇
bit.ly/Out_of_the_Arena_Contest_Application

This is your moment to tell your story, express your creativity, and make your mark outside the arena while investing in your future.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to be recognized for all the talents that make you who you are! ✨

06/12/2026

This week's Jeopardy question is ready to be answered👇🏼

Get ready to test your knowledge and learn more about the history of the NCHA as we gear up for this year’s Youth Week!

With the recent announcement of the record-breaking $95,000 NCHA Foundation Scholarship Cutting, we thought it was only fitting to spotlight the incredible donors who make these life-changing scholarship opportunities possible for our youth. Think you know who they are? 👀

❓ QUESTION: Which donors make up the $95,000 NCHA Foundation Scholarship Cutting?

💭 ANSWER: Drop your best guesses in the comments below! The correct answer will be revealed this afternoon! 👀

Be sure to follow along each week as we dive into the rich history of the NCHA, its youth programs, scholarships, and the people who help make it all possible through fun Jeopardy-style questions!

06/11/2026

⭐️Gold Buckle Dreams Start Here!⭐️

Do you have a dream worth sharing? The NYCHA Public Speaking Contest is your opportunity to inspire others, showcase your leadership, and compete for scholarship awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions!

🎤 Speech Topic: Gold Buckle Dreams

Share what your Gold Buckle Dream means to you and how cutting has shaped your values, character, leadership, and responsibility. Tell us how you plan to carry these lessons forward as you pursue your goals and inspire others along the way.

🏆 Scholarships Available:
Junior Youth
🥇 $1000 | 🥈 $500 | 🥉 $200
Senior Youth
🥇 $1000 | 🥈 $500 | 🥉 $200

🗓️ Thursday, July 30
⏰ 9:00 am
📍Amon Carter Building - Silver Spur Room

A special thank you to our generous donors, the John and Cole McGee Legacy Fund and Cowan Ranch Inc for making these scholarship opportunities possible and for supporting the future of our youth.

📌 Entry forms and full contest details can be found here: https://nycha.us/out-of-arena-scholarship/.

Dream big. Speak boldly. Chase your Gold Buckle Dreams.

06/10/2026

Meet professional forum speaker Riley Farris at the Fourth Annual NYCHA Life After the Arena, presented by the National Cutting Horse Association Foundation, on Wednesday, July 29.

A 5x NYCHA World Finalist, Senior Youth World Champion, and Texas FFA Association State President, Riley has built an impressive career both in and out of the arena. Over the past year, she has led an association of more than 175,000 Texas FFA members and traveled the state inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders through workshops, leadership development, and service.

Join us as Riley shares her journey from the cutting pen to one of the highest youth leadership roles in agriculture, along with the lessons she’s learned along the way. We look forward to seeing you there for a day of learning, connection, and fun!

06/09/2026

Every year, the NYCHA Rookie of the Year Awards recognize the highest point-earning youth in the Junior and Senior divisions. These awards celebrate young cutters who are just beginning to build their competitive careers and have not exceeded the eligibility thresholds of 15 points or $500 earned in any cutting event or equine association.

We are especially grateful to the Farris Family for their generous support of this program. This year, they increased the total Rookie of the Year award to $4,000, doubling the original amount and providing a $2,000 scholarship to each Rookie of the Year recipient.

Congratulations to Our 2026 NYCHA Rookie of the Year Recipients
🏆Junior Rookie of the Year, Jake Frazier.
🏆Senior Rookie of the Year, Ali Watts.

Your hard work, dedication, and achievements in the show pen have earned this recognition. We are excited to celebrate your success and look forward to all that lies ahead in your cutting careers.

06/08/2026

YOUR EDUCATION. YOUR FUTURE. YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

The deadline to apply for the NCHA Foundation Merit Scholarship is July 1st, and now is the time to submit your application!

Whether you're preparing for college, currently enrolled, or continuing your education, this scholarship opportunity can help support your academic goals and future success.

📚 The NCHA Foundation Merit Scholarships are available to eligible NYCHA and NCHA members pursuing higher education.

➡️ Simply click this link to access the scholarship portal and begin your application:
https://bit.ly/NCHAFoundation_MeritScholarhsip_Application

Need assistance getting started? Email [email protected] for step-by-step instructions and support.

Don't miss your chance to invest in your future—apply before July 1st!

06/05/2026

It's Friday so you know what that means...⁉️

Get ready to test your knowledge and learn more about the history of the NCHA as we gear up for this year’s Youth Week!

From legendary moments to fun facts, our youth contestants will have their knowledge put to the test during Life After the Arena, July 29th!!

❓ QUESTION: This exhibitor was the 2025 NCHA Foundation Junior Youth Scholarship Cutting Champion.

💭 ANSWER: Drop your best guesses in the comments below! The correct answer will be revealed this afternoon! 👀

Be sure to follow along each week as we dive into the rich history of the NCHA and Youth programs through fun Jeopardy-style questions!

06/05/2026