LaCresha's Lens Focuses On...page 179...Music City Cutting Horse Association

Here is an article I have written on the Music City Cutting Horse Association.  It is really interesting to be back on the equestrian scene.  This time instead of a rider, competitor or trainer, I am on location as a writer/reporter/photographer.  I am grateful as I absolutely LOVE IT!!!

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The Country Music Cutting Horse Association had their 4^th show of the 2015 season at the Wilson Country Fairgrounds on June 27-28, 2015.  The Country Music Cutting Horse Association (CMCHA) has eight shows a year.  Their judge at this event was NCHA approved judge, Greg Butenmiller.  Their competitors came in from Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi and Missouri, with 84 entries on Saturday and 78 entries on Sunday they had a full roster of cutters.

With a centralized location and open air atmosphere, CMCHA enjoys the facility in Lebanon, TN.  Frank Casey is the Show Secretary and he proudly stated the horses which come to compete at these shows can also be found at NCHA Nationals, Eastern and Western World shows.  “This is a great venue and with the location not far from the Interstate competitors can get in and out easily.  We offer a great competitive spirit here in a show that can help you get started if you are a beginner, or give you a challenge if you are an advance competitor.”

Jesse Pritchard, had nine horses from his barn, Painted Springs Farm located in Thompson Station, TN.  Jesse grew up riding horses, training horses is in his blood as his Grandfather trained and showed cutting horses.  “This facility is great as it is close to home for me.  I’ve been to shows in Vegas, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Augusta.  Where you can’t beat a facility like Fort Worth, it is nice to be able to compete close to home”.  This particular weekend Jesse had high hopes for his horse, Cats Quick Pick.  “She is layed back, quiet, just a good honest horse.  Every day she comes out the same, never waivers.  I started her as a two year old, showed her when she was six and now I own her and she is 12”.

A cutting horse is an athlete in motion.  Cutting is an event which a rider enters a herd of cattle, picks out a cow and keeps her separate from the herd.  The challenge comes from the cows desire to be back in the safety of the herd.  A well trained cutting horse will have “cow sense” where it will turn sharply and stop quickly to keep the cow from returning to the herd.  This is a timed event where the rider has 230 seconds to separate and work the cows picked from the herd.  The judges award points to the cutter based on a scale that ranges of 60-80 points with 70 being average.

The CMCHA once held their events in Franklin until 2008.  They changed venues and began to hold their shows in Lebanon, TN.  It didn’t take long for them to decide this was home for them.  They have an affiliate chapter in East Tennessee and they hold their shows in Harriman, TN.  Frank Casey encourages anyone who wants to get involved in cutting or with the CMCHA by simply coming to one of their shows.  “We hold eight a year, starting in March and ending in November.  You can also contact the NCHA directly and they will be glad to help you get in touch with us”
Find more information at: www.CMCHA.com