The Central Oregon Cutting Horse Association is kicking off the summer season with a variety of shows, clinics and training sessions slated for the upcoming months.

The association will host two Early Spring Jackpot shows, sanctioned by the National Cutting Horse Association, on March 19-20 and April 23-24. The latter show is being hosted by the Northwest Cutting Horse Association. The shows will be held at Norton’s Arena, 2498 SE Grizzley Road, Madras, Carina Peterson, COCHA secretary, said.

Both open shows will include classes for youth through professionals, and classes range in price from $68 to $200, depending on the size of the jackpot awarded to winners.

”We usually have about 120 entries each day,” Peterson said. ”It’s a fairly good-size show. (Participants) get points for OCHA and also for NCHA in case they go to the world shows.”

The COCHA also kicks off its summer shows series on March 26 at Norton’s Arena. There are eight shows in the series: April 9, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 13, Sept. 17 and Oct. 1. All shows begin at 8 a.m.

”The classes are all small jackpots and we give out year-end awards,” Peterson said.

Classes are $55 each, and there will be offerings for youth through professional riders, and green (less experienced) horses through seasoned equine competitors.

”We’ll have just-starting-out horses and baby horses,” Peterson said. ”Or people with their ranch horses who …want to come out and have fun.”

To reserve cattle and spots at the summer-series shows, call Peterson at 504-8381.

All shows are open to the public at no charge.

The COCHA will hold a practice session on March 12 at 10 a.m., while an Oregon Cutting Horse Association training will be held March 18 at 6 p.m., and a NWCHA practice session is planned for April 22 at 6 p.m. All practices are held at Norton’s Arena, Peterson said, and require club membership.

For more information, contact Peterson.