THIS week’s National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Bayer Imax Gold Futurity might be the richest cutting horse event in the southern hemisphere and when it starts in Tamworth’s AELEC tomorrow will attract competitors from all over the world.
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For one of those “overseas” trainers John Mitchell, an Australian living abroad, it’s also the chance to “come home” and compete in the “most prestigious cutting event in Australia”.
After winning the 1997 NCHA Open, Mitchell and his family moved to the United States however it hasn’t stopped him returning to Tamworth for the Futurity every year since.
“I always look forward to the Futurity and the chance to come home again,” Mitchell said.
“The Futurity is the biggest cutting event in Australia and if you win, it’s the most prestige that you can gain.”
Mitchell also spoke of the excitement surrounding the Futurity.
“It’s the first show for two to three-year-old horses and therefore anything can happen. It’s unpredictable and exciting.”
“The standard of the Futurity is extremely high.
“When you take the top 20 horses out of the hundreds that enter, the events become very competitive,” Mitchell said.
He also stressed the importance of Tamworth’s Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre.
“It’s a great facility and such a big boost for the industry, not just for cutting but for the entire equine industry,” he said.
“It compares to facilities over here in the United States but is still very Australian which I look forward to.
“It makes me feel like I’m at home again.”
NCHA general manager Glenn Morgan spoke of the international attraction the Futurity generates.
“The Futurity always manages to attract trainers and competitors from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and the United States,” Morgan said.
“It is a real testament to the quality of the Futurity that these people travel so far to take part,” Morgan said.
Tickets for the Futurity are available from the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre (corner of Peel and Murray Streets), over the phone (02 6767 5300) or online at www.visittamworth.com.
