Circuit Connection

Memos

Stay up to date with the latest news and discussions around the National Circuit Program!

• Click here for the NCC recap on NCHA Insider
• Nation Circuit Championship Sponsorship Opportunities
• Click here for the "Know Before You Go" National Circuit Championship edition
• Click here for the Inaugural NHSFR Cutting Invitational Press Release
• 2024 National Circuit Championship Qualifier Jacket Order Form
• 2024 NCHA Convention Circuit Seminar Presentation
• 2023 Post NCHA Convention Circuit Program PowerPoint
• 2023 NCHA Convention Circuit Program Seminar Minutes
• Memo - August 9, 2023
• Memo - 2023 National Circuit Championship
• Memo - 2024-Point Year Circuit Program Point Scale
• 2023 National Circuit Championship Event Recap
• 2023 National Circuit Championship Video Recap

Circuit Facts

• The National Cutting Horse Association's International Circuit Program is designed to welcome and support all NCHA members in the time-honored Western lifestyle and sport of cutting - regardless of members' economic status, stage of life, or level of experience. Built on a foundation of accessible, affordable, and locally hosted NCHA-sanctioned weekend events, the program offers every member a clear path for growth and success. Competitors can advance within their local circuit, qualifying for the year-end circuit championship show, and ultimately earn a spot at the prestigious International Circuit Championship event. 

• The 2025-point year ends November 2. You can still accumulate circuit points after your circuit's championship show. Continuing to show to the end of point year will help you in your circuit's year end standings and will help you to qualify for the National Circuit Championship.

• Competitors at the 2024 NCHA World Finals will not affect the invitation list for the National Circuit Championships. If a world finalist is also in the top ten circuit year end standings, invitations will not extend further down into the year standings to fill all ten qualifying positions.

• Start planning for your circuit's NCHA Days! NCHA Days is now month of May. 2026. Double points, added money and buckles will be up for grabs all across the country. 


• The 2024 National Circuit Championship paid out over $630,000.00, in addition to countless prizes and beautiful trophy saddles sponsored by NCHA past president Steve Norris. 


• If you qualified for the 2024 National Circuit Championship show but are unable to attend, click here to order 2024 NCC qualifier jacket! 


• The top 25%, plus ties, will advance to a clean-slate, working finals at the National Circuit Championship. All finalists will receive a finalist check equal to the total entry fee. Both, the youth junior and youth senior, classes are six-point classes.


• When designating your circuit, please, don't forget to include a list of your horses that need to follow your designation. When a member designates themselves in a different circuit, other than their automatically assigned home circuit, the horse(s) they show need to be designated, as well. A horse's circuit designation does not automatically change with the owner's circuit designation. Email the NCHA office with you and your horse's circuit designation. 


• A competitor does not have to show at their local circuit championships to be eligible to qualify for the National Circuit Championship.


• There are TWO ways to qualify for the National Circuit Championship:  Be a class champion or reserve champion at your local circuit championship  -OR- be a top-ten finisher in your class in your circuit’s year-end standings.

• Circuit program points are awarded at BOTH NCHA Challenger shows and NCHA Weekend Championship shows. Both, Championship and Challenger show exhibitors are eligible for circuit awards and qualifications for their local circuit championship and the National Circuit Championship.