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In the time I have been involved in the sport of cutting one oddity has presented itself to me year after year, the NCHA National Finals. What I found "odd" was that despite being called a National Final anyone was able to compete. Now I don't need umteen years experience in the horse industry to identify one thing, a National Final is an event where the current say top ten compete against each other to win that number one spot. This concept seems to work nicely in the US with their "World Championship Show". If you or your horse are in the top fifty then you are eligible to enter into that particular show. However all your earnings for the whole year come into the final equation as to whether you win the title for the year.
The NCHA is now discussing the idea of doing a similar thing here in Australia and I for one think that it's about time. In a series of stories next week on justcuttin, you will see just how this years National Champions won their prestigious titles. You will also see that all the winners did the hard yards and supported smaller affiliate club events as well as going to the bigger prize money shows to earn that title. However with the generous increase in prizemoney now on offer from the NCHA for this event, it could be statistically possible for someone to win the title by competing at the National Show only. Now that wouldn't be fair.
In one commentry it was brought to our attention that there weren't that many competitiors at this years show from Queensland or Victoria, and true as that could be (I havn't sat down and made a count) the important fact here is that those who travelled the miles to compete in this event from Queensland and Victoria were there because they were a chance to win the title. So the moral to this story is, if the National Finals show was made more exclusive it would add more credibility to the actual event and raise interest from a sponsorship and spectator point of view.
So hats off to the NCHA for discussing measures to make the NCHA National Finals just that. Not only would it give the show more credibility but it could actually create a bit more interest for spectators. There is nothing like watching an event where there is the added pressure to win a title with prestige, everyone knows how hard it is for a NRL or AFL team to win a premiership, the same should be said about winning an NCHA National title.
If it turns out that the concept of qualifying for the National Title is not favourable amongst the NCHA membership base, then perhaps we should just change the end of year event to "The NCHA end of pointscore year show where you have an opportunity to earn some extra prizemoney"
Anyone wishing to comment can email me admin@justcuttin.com.au
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