“Local competitors stand out at the 2018 SDP Buffalo Ranch Open Futurity”

The National Cutting Horse Associations (NCHA) 45th Annual SDP Buffalo Ranch Futurity is underway this week at AELEC, Tamworth. With over 100 entrants competing in the first two go rounds of the Open Futurity, the competition has been fierce as contestants vie to take home a guaranteed $75,000 to the winner.

Leading the aggregate heading into the SDP Buffalo Ranch Open Futurity final next Sunday 10th June, is Todd Graham from Goondiwindi riding ‘Cool Your Engines’ for SDM Quarter Horses. Todd is Australia’s leading cutting horse trainer with career earnings in excess of 2.4million dollars. Qualifying in second place is Scone local, Lynda MacCallum aboard ‘Metalic Storm’. Tamworth residents and competitors, Dean Holden and Hugh Miles will also be taking horses into the top 20 final.

This year, the NCHA Futurity organizers expect to attract in excess of 3,500 people through the gates. Across the 14 days, organizers are offering selected free days launching this weekend on Saturday 2nd June until Tuesday 5th June. On Saturday, over 94 horses will be sold via the NCHA Select Sale. Featuring premier yearlings and ridden prospects, NCHA President, Mr Peter Shumack, says;

“This event is not to be missed. There’s 64 of the country’s finest yearlings for sale out of leading mares and imported sires. As part of the NCHA Select Sale, yearlings sold through this event, are eligible for a $75,000 incentive at the 2020 NCHA Futurity”.

Whilst the competition will be fierce in the main arena with the finals of the Wrigley Cattle Co Classic and Yulgilbar Snafflebit Futurity hotly contested on Saturday afternoon, the entertainment will also be on point in the new NCHA Performance Horse Arena. In a first for the Futurity, cutting athletes and legends amongst others, will share their unique and extensive knowledge in a series of live and exclusive horsemanship demonstrations in the AELEC Sale Arena. From foal handling to the basics of getting on a young horse, these sessions aim to appeal more broadly to horse enthusiasts.

Peter Shumack, says; “There will be professional trainers and Hall of Fame legends speaking about all the stages of a cutting horse from handling a foal right through to the final stages of showing a cutting horse. Whilst the skills used to train a cutting horse are unique, the basic principles are founded on great horsemanship applicable to all equine codes”

Outside of the arena, one of Australia’s largest collections of western traders will feature with over 50 local and international traders on site. This year, event organizers have also introduced a boutique precinct for woman, called Cowgirl Alley. Local businesses, Tarnished Interiors, Bodyworks Massage and Plush Hair, Beauty & Lifestyle are all part of the action.

The 2018 SDP Buffalo Ranch Futurity will take place until Sunday 10th June at the Australian Equine & Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth with free entry days from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June. To view the full program and buy tickets, visit www.ncha.com.au

-ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Jade Mackay, Sponsorship & Marketing
National Cutting Horse Association
E: jademackay01@gmail.com
M: 0449 058 416