Solo Select Expands Global Reach with Sponsorship of the 2026 NCHA Australia Open Futurity
- Melanie Smith
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Solo Select’s influence in the performance horse industry continues to grow across borders when—in May 2026—the brand will take center stage internationally as the official sponsor of the 2026 4CYTE NCHA Open Futurity held May 24 to June 7, 2026 at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth, New South Wales.
This marks an exciting milestone for the company, as the Solo Select name will appear in an Australian cutting arena for the second time ever, highlighting the brand’s commitment to supporting the sport of cutting on a global scale.
The Southern Hemisphere’s Premier Cutting Event
The NCHA Australia Futurity is widely recognized as the largest and richest indoor equine sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere. Drawing more than 700 competitors and paying out over a MILLION in cash and prizes, the Futurity attracts 15,000+ spectators during its 15-day program.
The event has come a long way since its humble beginnings. The first official Futurity took place in 1974 at Moonbi Showgrounds, offering a $10,000 purse and featuring just 25 competitors over three days.
The 2026 Futurity will once again be staged at AELEC, one of the most advanced equine venues in the world, creating an ideal environment for competitors, vendors, and fans from across Australia and around the world.
Spotlight on the Open Futurity
Among the event’s highlights is the Open Futurity, which boasts $70,000 added money with a guaranteed purse of $150,000 and an estimated total purse of $185,000. The champion will take home a guaranteed $100,000, cementing the class as one of the most prestigious titles in the Southern Hemisphere for the cutting scene.
Solo Select’s sponsorship underscores a larger mission: supporting the worldwide cutting and breeding community. By investing in programs abroad, the company is helping ensure that opportunities for breeders, trainers, and competitors continue to expand beyond North America.
“The presence of Solo Select in Australia demonstrates how the brand is becoming a driving force in the sport’s international future,” Melanie Smith said.
More than just a banner in the arena, Solo Select’s presence in Australia represents a bridge between continents and a shared passion for cutting. It’s a commitment to breeders, riders, and the future of bloodlines on both sides of the globe.
A Growing Presence in Australia
The sponsorship follows Solo Select’s support of the NSW Aged Event Solo Select Spring Spectacular, held September 8–13, 2025. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to strengthen connections between the U.S. and Australian performance horse industries.
The milestone also reflects the vision of aligned Solo Select stallion owners who have actively pursued opportunities in Australia. Their efforts, alongside Australian agent Tish Healey of Healey Quarter Horses, have helped open doors for the sport’s continued growth abroad.
Solo Select Stallions Available in Australia
Through Healey Quarter Horses, Australian breeders have access to a strong lineup of Solo Select-affiliated stallions. Located in the rolling hills of Young, New South Wales, Healey Quarter Horses is a family-operated breeding program dedicated to producing elite Quarter Horses with a focus on cutting.
Under the leadership of Tish Healey, the operation has played a key role in representing leading stallions internationally and strengthening the connection between Australian breeders and global bloodlines.
Hesa Dual Bet
LBR Hangem
Metallic Cattack
Metallics MVP
Meteles Cat
Once In A Blu Boon
Plain Catty
Pride And Joyy
The Animal
The Darkk Side
The Firemen
Third Edge
Time To Glo
Woody Be Tuff
Cutting Futurity Special Sale for Australian Breeders
To celebrate Solo Select’s sponsorship of the 2026 NCHA Australia Futurity, we are also introducing a special breeding promotion designed specifically for Australian breeders.
Timed perfectly with the event and the upcoming Australian breeding season, this limited offer gives breeders an opportunity similar to the popular Black Friday breeding specials in the United States.
During the Futurity event, breeders can take advantage of the Solo Select Cutting Futurity Special Sale, running from May 24 to June 7.
How it works:
Purchase one full breeding to any participating Solo Select stallion, and receive 50% off a breeding to one of the following elite sires:
The Animal
Metallic Cattack
Hesa Dual Bet
The promotion gives Australian breeders the chance to strategically plan their crosses while accessing some of the industry’s most sought-after bloodlines at a significant value.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 NCHA Australia Futurity approaches, Solo Select’s partnership with the event reflects a shared commitment to excellence in horsemanship and the continued advancement of the cutting horse industry.
Together, these efforts mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter—one where cutting grows stronger through connection, collaboration, and a vision that reaches far beyond borders.
Solo Select is proud to stand on the global stage, supporting the sport, the bloodlines, and the people who define cutting.
Contact Tish Healy for more information
+61 429 823 568