Cutters step out
in big show
Hailey contest draws 400 entries
Cutting horses and cattle were stars last
weekend in Hailey, where riders from many states competed in the Cutters of
Idaho show.
Along with about 400 human entries over
three days, the show needed 1,000 head of cattle. All were brought in for the
weekend before being returned to the ranch.
Cindy Mann works cattle during last weekend’s Cutters of Idaho show in
Hailey. Express photo by Willy Cook
Cutting is based on actual ranch work
where cowboys single out one cow from the herd for branding or doctoring.
Organizers said the popularity of this
year’s show had much to do with a large increase in sponsorships and a
subsequently larger purse. Various food and wares vendors also enjoyed a
brilliant weekend in Hailey.
Local businesses responsible for generous
added money support were Sawtooth Auto Sales, Wells Fargo Bank, Les Schwab Tire
Center, Drynest Animal Bedding, Sawtooth Tack & Feed, Woodside RV Center and
Sawtooth Equine Service.
Ranchers Supply of Picabo, Wood River Inn
and Sheepskin Coat Factory covered the cost of fresh cattle for Junior and
Senior Youth classes to keep the entry fees nominal.
The growing popularity of cutting contests
across the country has made the sport one of the four richest in the U.S. for
prize money. Riders can compete at all different levels of experience based on
the earnings of the horse and rider.
The show offered 13 classes ranging from
Novice/Amateur to seasoned Professional.
Nancy Enright was one of many local
riders. She said she was proud of "the local people who did really super."
The weekend was memorable in many
respects. Local rider Gina Macdonald, who faired very well herself, saw her
granddaughter Gabby do her very first cutting.
Riders took their hats off to Kevin
Coiner, the trainer at the Cutters of Idaho barn who put together the whole
show.
Here is how many local riders fared at
Cutters Barn. The dollar amounts for each class signifies that the horse must
have earned less than that amount in total prize monies:
Caitlin Enright—Winner of the
$20,000 Non-Pro class.
Nancy Enright—2nds and 3rds over
two days in the $50,000 Amateur class; second in $10,000 Novice Non-Pro and
third in $3,000 Novice Non-Pro.
Gina Macdonald—Winner of $50,000
Amateur; and first place in Derby Non-Pro (for 4 year old horses or older).
John Blackburn—Second place in
$50,000 Amateur.
Kevin Coiner—Second place in the
Open Class on Caitlin Enright’s horse Smart Like King.
Tom Olsen—Third place in $10,000
Novice Non-Pro.
Charlie Cord—Fourth place in
$10,000 Non-Pro; and first place in Non-Pro Derby.
Cindy Mann—Second place in $3,000
Novice Non-Pro; and second in Non-Pro derby.
Dick Neustaedter of Stanley—First
place in $3,000 Novice Non-Pro.
Ashley Smith and Natalia Ferris
—First places in Senior Youth. Austin Keys—Third place in Senior Youth.
For Ashley Smith and Natalia Ferris, it
was a tune-up for the National High School Rodeo Finals July 21-26 at
Farmington, N.M. They will compete in girls’ cutting.