Home
Welcome to The MCHA
The MCHA is extremely pleased with the enthusiasm and excitement that is building as we move forward with the show season. The show schedule has been updated (see below). Two more Rookie riders received their trophy buckles at the last cutting; congratulations to Lilly Loraas and MeganPliszka. See their photos in the “news section”. Of course, the big news is the return of the MCHA Saddle Shootout for 2020. The rules for the Shootout are posted in the “news section”. After a very challenging start to the show season, it looks like we can make this a really great year!
The 2020 MCHA show season is off to a great start. Congratulations to our first two Rookie Buckle winners of the new year!
Nicole Studenberg being presented her Rookie Buckle from Dave Scribner
Jeff Pauley receiving his Rookie Buckle from Dave Scribner
If you have an interest in learning to ride a cutter, the Rookie Class is a great way to start. Come and join the fun. The Rookie Class is held at all MCHA cuttings and is open to any beginner.
Dates | LOCATION
MCHA 2020 Show Schedule
March 6 – 8 Cannon Falls, MN
April 4 – 5 Nevis, MN
April 24 – 26 Nevis, MN
May 22 – 26 at Strait Rail Ranch in Nevis, MN
June 12 – 14 Winona, MN
June 26th – 28th Summer Slam – Winona, MN
July 18th – 19th North Branch, MN (MCHA produced)
July 31 – Aug 2 Winona, MN
August 15th – 16th Nevis, MN
Sept. 17 – 19, Winona, MN
October 9 – 11, Fall Festival of Cutting (MCHA produced)
What’s new
MCHA Off to a Great Start in 2020
The MCHA kicked off the year with it’s first approved cutting at Cannon Falls, MN March 6th – 8th. The weather cooperated with extremely mild temperatures. It was great to see a lot of new people showing which is very encouraging. The MCHA Board held a meeting Friday evening at the completion of the show. The newly elected Board members for a two year term were welcomed; Travis Grover, Mary Jo Lehmann, Dave Scribner, and JP Bell.
Brian Cottrell and Jenna Brantner win 2019 MCHA Saddle Shootout!
Sponsored by Owatonna Motor Company, Owatonna, Minn.
BECOME A MEMBER
Whether you’re a novice rider or have spent a lifetime in a saddle, the Minnesota Cutting Horse Association and its members invite you to join them for the ride of a lifetime, aboard the world’s most athletic equines. From March through October, the MCHA typically holds at least one cutting a month. And now, our parent organization, the National Cutting Horse Association, is offering FREE one- year memberships to qualifying members. Contact the MCHA today for details.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
BRIAN COTTRELL
In his high school days, Brian Cottrell rose most mornings at 3:30 to help milk the family’s 40 cows. This was near Finlayson, about an hour south of Duluth, and the youngster’s farm work would continue a couple of hours. Then he’d power-nap before boarding the yellow bus that stopped at the end of the family’s driveway, ready again for a day of school.
The young boy didn’t begrudge the labor the cows commanded. But neither was he intrigued by them the way he was by horses. His grandpa was a draft horse trainer who had taught a stud of his to jump into the back of his truck. Mares at the time expected their paramours to come to them, not the other way around. So grandpa and his stud rode the circuit.
“That horse would jump into the truck without a problem. He knew where he was going,’’ Brian, now 60, said. “Grandpa didn’t always get paid in cash. Sometimes he’d come home with eggs or a couple of chickens.’’
Brian was recalling this a short while after he won a new saddle last weekend at the Minnesota Equestrian Center in Winona. A cutting horse rider, he was aboard Moneymaker, his 8-year-old gelding, when he marked a 75 to best a veritable bunkhouse full of riders who also had their eye on the new stirrup-hanger.