Long-time National Cutting Horse Association [NCHA] member Bernie Kirkland was selected as the 2017 Mary Kingsbury Amateur Sportsmanship Award recipient.
Kirkland, of Weatherford, Texas, has served the NCHA in many capacities – including as an area director and on standing committees – since joining in 1981. A fixture at major NCHA events, Kirkland this year is once again at the NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth.
Click here to read our FAST FIVE with Kirkland, who spoke with QHN at this year’s Futurity.
In a statement, the NCHA lauded Kirkland’s love of the sport and the cutters who participate. It said Kirkland made the association better through his participation.
“When he wasn’t supporting or promoting cutting in the name of the NCHA he worked as manager/foreman for a number of large ranches over the years, including Atwood’s and Bartlett Ranches,” the NCHA said in a statement. “We are grateful that Bernie Kirkland chose the cutting horse industry as his passion.”
Kirkland was especially dedicated to amateur cutters, serving on the Amateur Committee from 2005-2011.
