The Association held its scheduled membership meeting on Saturday, Feb 13, 2010.  Tom Kauer, SDCHA President, indicated that the meeting would be an informational and discussion meeting; no official business could be conducted because difficult travel conditions left us a few members short of an official quorum under the Association’s by laws.

   Tom indicated that he would activate the committee agreed to in 2009 to review and potentially recommend updating the Association’s by-laws and articles, including the quorum requirements.  Tom indicated that his preliminary recommendation to the Directors would be to hold the required annual meeting during the next scheduled show (April 11).  Formal notification will follow.

  There was general discussion on the need to revive our newsletter so as to keep the members current.  The pros/cons of the Wrangler were discussed and there was consensus that the association needs to keep information flowing to the Wrangler to update other cutters in the region on our upcoming shows etc.  Cindy Stewart agreed to continue to maintain theour website that will include our newsletter, and Carol Ward was asked to expand her efforts around press relations to incorporate an association newsletter.  Carol will also look at how to get a hard copy to those members who prefer hard copy over the Wrangler and the internet.

There was a general discussion regarding the financial results for the year as well as discussion of the shows held in 2009 and 2010.  Overall the association finished the year with a cash balance of approximately $21,000 up from the prior years balance of $14,000.  Contributing to this improved condition was the record-breaking 2009 BHSS as well as the successful show in Faith where the Association was fortunate to have received significant donations including cattle.  The 2010 stock show was discussed extensively.  The entries were down from 350 to 260 due to the swing from extraordinarily good weather in 2009 to poor conditions in 2010.  The 2010 basically broke even in

2010.

  There was extensive discussion concerning the possibility of holding more outdoor shows to obviate or reduce indoor arena costs and because many enjoyed the change of pace of an outdoor cutting.  The pros and cons of the aged event format at the BHSS were discussed as well as the need to continually focus on keeping entry fees as low as possible while at the same time offering sufficient added- money to justify the cost of travel etc.  It was reported that dates for the 2010 SD Futurity were under study as well as the venue.  The connection with the breeders show (DCCF) was also discussed, including both pros and cons of running these shows concurrently.

  In terms of shows for 2010 not yet announced, there will be a three day show over the July 4^th weekend coupled with a $10,000 NCHA Youth Scholarship Cutting.  This show is pending NCHA approval.  The Association expects to have a show again this year in conjunction with the Faith Rodeo and Stock Show in August, details to be worked out regarding dates and cattle etc.  In addition, the association is in discussion with the Yellow Rose Arena regarding the format and terms of their having one or more SDCHA cuttings in Platte.  This development appears promising.   Cuttings in April at North Ridge Ranch (that follows a two day clinic co-sponsored by the SDCHA and the SDHSRA) and at the Sutton Ranch in Burke have been previously announced and are on our website. NCHA Day Show in June will be held in MN as this rotates among the associations in our Area.

  There was discussion and favorable reaction to continuing the Founders Awards that was begun last year during the Faith show.  The idea is to periodically recognize those individuals that have been important to the development of the sport of cutting in South Dakota.

  Tom announced the 2009 year end award winners.  Trophy buckles, jackets and vests were given to the various winners….details of winners will be posted on our website.  These are not official minutes and apologies for inadvertent errors and omissions.  

The South Dakota Cutting Horse Association (SDCHA) sponsored its first show of 2010 at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City.   Horses and riders from a dozen states as far away as Wisconsin and Illinois competed for improved added-money purses in a two-day limited-age event for horses four to six years old and two separate NCHA shows with a full slate of weekend classes.  The shows managed to achieve 260 entries despite difficult weather conditions throughout the Upper Midwest that drove down entries from last year’s record breaking 353 entries.

Judges were Brad Peterson from Texas and Bill Murphy from Arizona.   The next SDCHA shows are April 11 at the North Ridge Ranch in Pierre and April 25 at the Sutton Ranch in Burke.   Details and full show results are at SDCutting.com.

Dual Stranger, ridden by Tracy Barton and owned by North Ridge Ranch, Inc. of Pierre SD won the four year old Open class.  He won both the qualifying go-around on Saturday and the Championship on Sunday with identical scores of 148.  The four year old Open Reserve Champion was Starlights Chex, also ridden by Tracy Barton and owned by Philip King of Virginia..

The four year old Non-pro class was won by Poppin Dual Rey, shown by Kathy Strain and owned by Don and Kathy Strain of White River SD with a score of 144.  Reserve Champion was Whose Izzy, shown by Barb Halligan and owned by Barb and Jim Halligan of Pierre SD.

The 5/6 year old Open class was won with a score of 145 by Kittyote Cat ridden by Tracy Barton and owned by Dr. Jim O’Neil of Virginia.   Dana Ingalls of Nebraska was Reserve Non Pro Champion on DR Jewel Bars, owned by Oral Staman of Illinois.

OPEN: Bayou Boon/ Robin Hayes / Parker Horse Company

NON-PRO: Sneakin Sam/ Kathy Strain/ Don and Kathy Strain

$50,000 AMATEUR RIDER: Hickorys Little Cat/ Louisa Krebs/ Eldon and Louisa Krebs

SENIOR YOUTH RIDER: Miss Travelin Gem/ Mariah Kusilek/ Mariah Kusilek

$10,000 NOVICE HORSE: Bratty Cat Rita/ Tracy Barton/ North Ridge Ranch, Inc.

$15,000 NOV HORSE, N. PRO : Meradas Talkin Money/ Casey Holmes/ Tom & Linda Holmes

$2,000 LIMITED RIDER: April Snow Queen/ Sara Stites/ Sara Stites

$3,000 NOVICE HORSE: Rio Sun Down/ Wylie Fraser/ John and Debbie Thomas

$5,000 NOVICE HORSE, NON PRO: Hiadas Little Trona/ Tyson Stewart/ Tyson Stewart

$35,000 NON PRO: Short of Wood/ Bob Tregemba/ Bob Tregemba

$15,000 AMATEUR RIDER: Prime Time Solana/ Diana Kusilek/ Diana Kusilek

$1,000 NOVICE HORSE: RN Smart Machacho/ Justin Lawrence/ Brian Dangel

$1,000 NOVICE RIDER: Hiadas Easter Pinata/ Jerylin Reed/ Jason Reed

STARTER: Lenan With Style/ Taylor DenBesten/ Lowell DenBesten

Sunday Week-end Classes:  Winner/ Rider/Owner

OPEN: Instant Starlights/ Tracy Barton/ Sue Barton

NON-PRO: Sneakin Sam/ Kathy Strain/ Kathy and Don Strain

$50,000 AMATEUR RIDER: Short of Wood/ Bob Tregemba/ Bob Tregemba

SENIOR YOUTH RIDER: Gambling Chickito/ Kensie Owen/ CA Owen

$10,000 NOVICE HORSE: Compaq Player/ Forrest Stewart/ Cindy and Forest Stewart

$15,000 NOV HORSE, N PRO: Meradas Talkin Money/ Casey Holmes/ Tom and Linda Holmes

$2,000 LIMITED RIDER: April Snow Queen/ Sara Stites/ Sara Stites

$3,000 NOVICE HORSE:  Miss N Pretty Cash/ Kyle Krause/ Lynn Fischer

$5,000 NOVICE HORSE, NON- PRO: Hiadas Little Trona/ Tyson Stewart/ Tyson Stewart

$15,000 AMATEUR RIDER: Miss Travelin Gem/ Mariah Kusilek/ Mariah Kusilek

$1,000 NOVICE HORSE: RN Smart Machacho/ Justin Lawrence/ Brian Dangel:

$1,000 NOVICE RIDER: This Bruds for Moo/ Clark O’Donnell/ Heidi Kuska

STARTER: JW Whitch Won/ Tom Coolahan/ Jim and Ethel Whitcher