NCHA Futurity

The National Cutting Horse Association’s NCHA Futurity is one of Australia’s biggest indoor sporting horse events, attracting over 700 competitors.

It features the country’s best cutting horse, competing for over $700,000 in prizes.

With the Annual NCHA Cutting Futurity attracting more than 700 competitors and paying out over $800,000 in cash and prizes during the event, it is not hard to believe it is the biggest and richest indoor sporting horse event in the Southern Hemisphere.

1974 marked the beginning of the first official cutting Futurity, which was run over three days and featured 25 keen competitors. It came from humble beginnings at the Moonbi Showgrounds and offered a prize purse of $10,000.

Fifty years later, the prestigious event is hosted in the Country Music Capital of Tamworth and is one of the biggest draw cards in the region, bringing in an estimated $4.5 million to the local economy each year.

The Futurity attracts 20,000 spectators throughout the 15-day program from all parts of Australia and worldwide. The event is housed at the spectacular Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC), which offers 59 premium indoor trade sites, 478 stables, 191 powered campsites, and plenty of room for non-powered camping.

The festivities include a cutting program, evening entertainment from the NCHA Stockman’s Challenge, bull riding, horseman demonstrations, rodeos, country music, and more. The event also showcases a western/rural trade display outside the metropolitan area. It also coincides with the NCHA Select Sale, where some of Australia’s finest-bred horses will be up for auction.

For those unaware, ‘cutting’ is a Western-style equestrian competition. In effect, a horse and a rider have two and a half minutes to work two to three cows and prevent them from returning to their herd. It’s a fast-paced contest demonstrating the impressive athleticism of riders and their horses.

At the NCHA Futurity event, you’ll meet fellow equestrian lovers from across Australia and worldwide. A free demonstration arena that allows visitors to meet and learn from Australia’s elite horse trainers and cutting horse sales. If you’re a horse lover, you won’t want to miss it!

Getting There

Hillvue is a suburb of Tamworth in northern New South Wales. It’s a 5-hour drive from the Sydney CBD via the M1 and New England Highway/A15. Tamworth also has its own regional airport.