COVID-19-related restrictions and social distancing requirements will result in some changes to the regular Youth Week at the 2020 National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Summer Spectacular, but the two main cutting competitions will still be held.
The show, which annually highlights young cutters, will once again feature the Youth NCHA Foundation Scholarship Cutting and the Holy Cow Performance Horses Youth World Finals. However, due to restrictions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, officials this year’s Youth Week festivities will not feature all of the regular festivities and gatherings as in years past.
“We are being asked to adhere to the guidelines set forth by Will Rogers Memorial Complex and the State of Texas in regard to COVID-19,” Jay Winborn, NCHA Executive Director, said in a statement. “Due to these guidelines, attendees will see adjustments to the cutting portion of Youth Week to maximize the health and safety of our youth members and their families during the show.”
The restrictions put in place by local government officials also have prompted new safety protocols and rules at the show as a whole, which the NCHA detailed last week.
Winborn and NCHA Director of Youth Mike Simmons, along with the staff, have been working together to ensure that the youth members will have a great experience during Youth Week.
“We want to make sure that each of our members are still going home with a great experience from their time in Fort Worth,” Simmons said. “Our youth members have worked tirelessly to prepare for the Youth Week and all the events that it brings. Ultimately, the health and safety of all attendees is our top priority, but I am confident that we will have a great world finals and scholarship cutting despite the changes this year has brought.”
