activities · 11
what they do
direct service · 7
- Conduct cutting horse clinics and training Equine Sport Training & CompetitionConducts clinics and training sessions for participants interested in cutting horses, including youth clinics and clinics led by various experts covering topics such as getting started in cutting, dry work, flag work, and herd cutting practice.
- Contracts official event servicesAppoints exclusive vendors for events, such as naming Lyndsey Lamell Photography as the official and exclusive photographer for CCCHA events.
- Hosts regular cutting horse events and shows Horse Show OrganizationOrganizes multiple cutting horse events annually, including scheduled shows such as "Let's Get It Started," "Cupid's Cutting," "Good Bye Spring, Hello Summer," "Happy Fall Y'All," and "Chasing the Finish Line 2026," with historical participation averaging 60 cuts per show in 1999–2000 and 111 per show in the 2005–2006 season. The organization also cancels or adjusts events as needed, such as the cancellation of "March Madness" in 2026.
- Maintain membership for participation in events Membership Management & RecruitmentAccepts new members and requires annual membership renewal and waiver submission for participation in shows and other events.
- Manages membership and participation requirements Membership Management & RecruitmentAccepts and manages annual memberships required for participation in events, with renewal due by January 1 and mandatory waiver submission for show participants.
- Organize cutting horse competitions and eventsOrganizes and hosts various cutting horse events and competitions, including specific named events like "Let's Get It Started," "Cupid's Cutting," "Good Bye Spring, Hello Summer," "Happy Fall Y'All," and "Chasing the Finish Line." These events have historically averaged a significant number of cuts per show.
- Support youth participation in cutting horse activities Equine Sport Training & CompetitionEncourages and facilitates the involvement of young participants in cutting horse competitions by consistently holding a Youth Class and offering free youth cutting clinics.
capacity building · 4
- Conducts expert-led training clinics Equine Sport Training & CompetitionHosts instructional clinics featuring renowned cutting horse experts such as Scott Raftery, Dan Manning, Chubby Turner, Larry Rasmusen, and Larry Mahan, covering skills for both cutters and turn back help.
- Develop and improve cutting arena infrastructureContributes to the development and improvement of facilities for cutting horse activities, such as installing underground power to the cutting arena and building a shaded, portable judge's stand at Horse Lovers Park.
- Develops and improves event infrastructureUndertakes facility improvements to support cutting horse events, including the installation of underground power at Horse Lovers Park in 2001 and the construction of a shaded, portable judge's stand for the arena.
- Provides youth education and training clinics Equine Sport Training & CompetitionOffers youth-focused cutting horse clinics and maintains a consistent Youth Class to encourage young participants, including a free Youth Cutting Clinic held on January 17, 2026, and a historical 1997 clinic titled "How to Get Started in Cutting" that included lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice.
strategies · 8
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Developing cutting horse riders rider_developmentThe organization develops cutting horse riders by offering entry-level classes, preparing them for competition in the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).
- Event documentation to strengthen organizational culture event_documentationProfessional photography is used to capture events and preserve member experiences, reinforcing community identity and continuity through shared memories.
- Inclusive membership model inclusive_membership_modelThe organization operates an inclusive membership model that welcomes participants in various roles, including competitors, volunteers, and spectators, to foster broad engagement and community involvement.
- Inclusive membership model to broaden participation inclusive_membership_modelThe organization operates an inclusive membership model that welcomes individuals in multiple roles—such as competitors, volunteers, and spectators—to foster community engagement and sustained involvement in the sport.
- Local promotion of cutting horse sport through accessible events local sports promotionThe organization promotes the sport of cutting horse at the local level by hosting fun, accessible competitions that engage the community and sustain interest in the discipline.
- Promoting local cutting horse sports local_sports_promotionThe organization promotes the sport of cutting horse at a local level by organizing fun competitions, fostering community engagement and participation.
- Rider development pathway to NCHA competition rider developmentBy offering entry-level classes, the organization provides a structured platform for developing cutting horse riders, with the intentional goal of preparing them for higher-level competition in the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).
- Structured event management for operational efficiency event_managementBy requiring advance reservation of fresh cattle by 8pm the Tuesday prior to each show, the organization ensures logistical preparedness and fairness in competition for specific classes.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Beginner Cutter Program
Entry-level competition class designed to introduce new riders to cutting with supportive rules and lower barriers to entry
Local Cutting Horse Shows
Hosts seasonal cutting horse competitions with multiple skill-based classes including Open, Non-Pro, Amateur, Youth, and Beginner categories
Year End Awards
Recognizes top performers and volunteers with awards for High Point Horse, High Point Rider, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Cutter, and Volunteer of the Year
Youth Cutting Clinic
Free instructional clinic for youth riders to learn cutting horse skills and horsemanship
relationships · 23
who they work with
- Al Dunning Partner — Listed as a trainer in the association's directory, focusing on the development of champion horses and riders in various events.
- Big Sky Internet Design Partner — Designed and hosted the website for Cave Creek Cutting Horse Association
- Cara Glaze Partner — Listed as a trainer in the association's directory, focusing on creating well-rounded and confident performance horses and building confident competitors.
- Cave Creek Memorial Arena Partner — Holds shows at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena.
- Dave Pawel Partner — Husband of Kim McElroy and co-owner of Ocean Front Ranch, which hosted shows.
- Everett Raines Partner — Owner of King Cutter Ranch, which hosted shows.
- Horse Lovers Park Partner — Became the primary location for shows and clinics from 2001 through 2008.
- Jade Keller Partner — Listed as a trainer in the association's directory, specializing in cutting horses and reined cow horses, and also serves as the Cave Creek Club Cutting Association President.
- Kathy Partner — Handles membership renewals and waiver collection at shows.
- Kim McElroy Partner — Owner of Ocean Front Ranch, which hosted shows, and contributed to the history document.
- King Cutter Ranch Partner — Hosted shows in Glendale and later in Rio Verde.
- Larry Rasmuson Partner — Trainer at King Cutter Ranch who helped with clinics, turnback, and coaching.
- Lee Poncelet Performance Horses Partner — Listed as a trainer in the association's directory, offering performance horse training, colt starting, lessons, clinics, and equine BEMER therapy.
- Lyndsey Lamell Photography Partner — Official and exclusive photographer for CCCHA shows and member events.
- Mark and Diane Raines Partner — Owners of King Cutter Ranch, which hosted shows.
- Midway Chevrolet Funder — Provided added money sponsorship for several years and displayed trucks at shows.
- Mike Wood Performance Horses Partner — Listed as a trainer in the association's directory, providing professional cutting horse training and showing for weekend and aged event horses, and working with Non-Pro and Amateur clients.
- Northern Arizona Cutting Horse Association Partner — Promotes shows of the Northern Arizona Cutting Horse Association.
- Ocean Front Ranch Partner — Hosted shows in New River in 1999 and 2000.
- Sherry Geraci Partner — Hosted the first shows in her backyard round pen and the first clinic.
- Southern Arizona Cutting Horse Association Partner — Promotes shows of the Southern Arizona Cutting Horse Association.
- Todd Bimat Partner — Listed as a trainer in the association's directory, offering cutting horse training, sales, lessons, and clinics.
- West World Partner — Hosted several shows in Scottsdale when Horse Lovers Park was under construction.