Hall of Fame

Brinley Lippincott from Cypress, Texas, found her passion for cutting through Brea Collier’s grandfather, who introduced her to Mark Mills’ cutting camp. Transitioning from six years of riding hunter jumpers, Brinley sold her pony and breeches to fully embrace the world of cutting. Her journey has been filled with unforgettable memories, particularly the “Cuttin’ with Shynia” Memorial Cutting in Nebraska, which always included adventurous stops along the way.

Among her cherished experiences are flying in Jason Reed’s plane, white-water rafting in Colorado, and the camaraderie of pizza parties, dances, and costume cuttings. She fondly credits her horses, Desires Rolex and Lotta Skeet, and Chaser Crouch’s mare, GS Zans Cat, which she was honored to show. A pinnacle moment was winning the World Championship last year, marking a triumphant end to her youth career.

As an officer and president of the NYCHA for four years, Brinley honed leadership skills, learned public speaking, and organized events, gaining invaluable experience in securing donations and conducting meetings. She is currently pursuing an Agriculture Economics degree at Texas Tech University, with plans to join Corrie and Debbie Rousey in the real estate industry in Weatherford, while continuing her cutting career.

Brinley’s success is rooted in the unwavering support of her parents, grandparents, and the Crouch family, who have driven countless miles, cheered, fixed trailers, and celebrated every milestone. The mentorship of Lucchese Johnson, Elizabeth Quirk, Shannon Lamb, and Corrie Rousey has inspired her with their positivity and grit.

Brinley encourages young riders to never give up on their dreams, emphasizing the importance of hard work, resilience, and good sportsmanship. She aspires to serve on a committee to enhance the NCHA community and hopes to foster a family-oriented environment in cutting, supporting new riders, and making the sport accessible for all. With a deep appreciation for the cutting community, Brinley remains dedicated to promoting the sport and creating lasting memories and friendships.

Growing up in a family deeply involved in cutting, it was only natural for Charles Russell Bushaw to follow in their footsteps. From an early age, he was immersed in the world of cutting, learning the ropes from his dad, uncles, and grandparents.

Some of Charles’ most memorable moments revolve around loading the trailer on Fridays to spend the entire weekend at shows. These weekends were not just about competition; they were filled with fun, friendship, and adventure. Youth games and activities were often organized at the shows, but the real joy came from making their own fun and convincing their parents to indulge in their whims.

Among the many horses Charles has shown over the years, two stand out as his favorites: Peptotoodie and LHR Royal Flush. Peptotoodie, in particular, holds a special place in his heart, especially as the horse is being inducted into the NYCHA Youth Horse Hall of Fame this year. Both horses gave their all every time they competed, making them unforgettable partners in
the arena.

Currently, Charles is balancing college with working at the family ranch and with the development and excavation business. Despite his busy schedule, he continues to compete in Non-Pro and Amateur-aged events, demonstrating his enduring passion for the sport.

Charles credits his success to the support and guidance of his parents and the many mentors who have been constants throughout his youth career. Notable figures such as Tommy Dvorak, Don Pooley, Phil and Mary Ann Rapp, Casey Green, Troy Davis, and Jon Burgess played significant roles in his development as a competitor.

Key factors in Charles’ success have been the exceptional horses he has ridden and his dad’s skill in picking the right cows. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a profound honor for him, as he joins the ranks of many greats in the sport who also began their careers in the youth division.

Charles Russell Bushaw feels privileged to be among the inductees, recognizing the rich history and legacy of excellence that precedes him.

Being the son of a cutting horse trainer, Cody Cain has been at cuttings since he was two months old. Even though he was always at the shows, his parents never pushed him to show and he didn’t start showing until he was 12 years old.

One of his favorite things about showing cutting horses is traveling around with his family, and spending time with all his friends. Cody has been blessed throughout his youth career with several horses who have helped him in different ways. When he started showing, he was offered Peponitas Gunner (Eyes) who gave him a good foundation and helped him learn the basics of cutting. When he needed to “step up” he was offered CD Cats Olena (Kitty) who helped him earn his first trip to the World finals and finish in the top five in the senior youth. After showing Kitty for a couple years, making the world finals twice on her, winning reserve champion in the 35,000 Non Pro and Reserve Champion in the Senior Youth at Eastern Nationals, he was offered CT Incredible Cat (Hulk). Hulk has taken him back to the World Finals, was Champion of the 35,000 Non Pro at Eastern Nationals and won countless weekend events. Each horse came along at just the right time, and he wouldn’t be where he is today without these three horses.

Cody looks forward to becoming a horse trainer one day, and giving back to the sport that has given him so much throughout the years. He hopes to be a role model for the younger youth. Cutting is a hard sport and has taught him so much about perseverance and sportsmanship.

Cody would like to thank his parents for everything they have done for him, and anyone who ever offered him their horse to show. He would also like to thank all the trainers who have helped him by turning back or picking cows throughout his years in the youth. Without them, he wouldn’t be the showman he is today.

Gavin Mesalam hails from Versailles, Kentucky, but currently calls Millsap, Texas, home. His journey into the world of cutting began at the tender age of 8, surrounded by a family deeply immersed in the sport. With his father and sister as guiding forces, Gavin’s initial foray into cutting was more of a casual affair. However, it wasn’t until he turned 13 that he truly embraced the sport with fervor.

One of Gavin’s standout moments in his cutting career was the costume-cutting event at Eastern Nationals, etching a cherished memory in his mind. But it was his victories that truly solidified his prowess in the arena. Winning the $15,000 Amateur at Eastern Nationals in 2020 marked a significant milestone, followed by clinching the $35,000 NP title in 2021 at the same event. Another feather in his cap was his triumph in the Senior Youth category at Congress 2021.

Throughout his journey, Gavin has been blessed to ride some remarkable horses. From A Cat Named Sue, now enshrined in the NYCHA Hall of Fame, to Stylish Import, Crystal Blue Boon, Take it Eazee, and Dualcious, each steed has not only propelled Gavin to competitiveness but also imparted invaluable lessons in horsemanship and care. Among these, Dualcious, fondly known as “Andy,” holds a special place. Andy’s versatility, quirks, and unwavering commitment made him Gavin’s ultimate partner in the arena. Now retired in Kentucky after a stellar career, Andy’s well-deserved rest brings Gavin immense joy.

Currently honing his skills at Cullen Chartier’s, Gavin aspires to become a prominent trainer and showman in the future. Driven by a competitive spirit, Gavin finds inspiration in the talented youth he competes against, recognizing their potential to shape the
future of cutting. He actively seeks to mentor and support the next generation through involvement in organizations such as NYCHA and LEAP.

For Gavin, cutting transcends mere competition—it’s an exhilarating journey marked by triumphs and challenges. His mission is to continue nurturing the sport’s growth, ensuring that today’s youth become tomorrow’s leaders in cutting.

Makayla, from Ardmore, Oklahoma, began her cutting journey through her non-pro-competitor parents. Her passion for cutting started young, participating in events like the Breeder’s Invitational Kids cutting and the NYCHA Scholarship cutting. Over time, she transitioned from decorating her horses with glitter to becoming a competitive youth rider, even hauling for the world finals. Riding various horses provided by friends helped her develop as a skilled rider.

In 2016, at the age of 11, Makayla’s parents bought her first cutting horse, Brinking Lights, affectionately known as Macho. Prior to this, she honed her skills on turnback horses that required her to work hard. Macho was instrumental in teaching her the ropes of cutting, and together they grew as a team. As Makayla improved in the show pen, Macho rose to the occasion, culminating in their first senior youth world finals appearance in 2019, where they secured the show championship. They continued to compete together, claiming the 2020 AQHYA L3 cutting championship after the 2020 youth world finals. Makayla often refers to Macho as her “once in a lifetime” horse.

Significant horse in Makayla’s career is Miss Masterson, owned by John Johnson. Initially intended as a fun catch ride for the scholarship cutting during the derby, Miss Masterson helped Makayla achieve a reserve world championship in the 2023 senior world finals. Makayla is deeply grateful to John Johnson for entrusting her with Miss Masterson during this time.

Currently, Makayla is a junior at Texas A&M University, pursuing a degree in Financial Planning. She credits her parents for shaping her into the rider she is today, supporting her dreams, and instilling in her a strong work ethic. Makayla’s successful youth career includes earning 353 youth points and significant scholarship money. She also served as an area 8 director for three consecutive years, gaining valuable experience in planning and implementing new ideas.

Induction into the NYCHA Hall of Fame marks a milestone in her cutting career, giving her confidence for future goals. Mentored by her parents and Nate Gribble, she achieved significant success and formed motivating friendships within the NYCHA.

Makayla advises young riders to seek help from professional trainers. She plans to continue competing in limited-aged events and weekend cuttings while contributing new ideas to the industry. Despite exploring hunter/jumpers at age ten, she returned to cutting due to its welcoming community.

Looking ahead, Makayla envisions growth in the cutting community, driven by increased media representation and opportunities. As the horse business thrives, she aims to be both a competitor and an advocate for the industry’s development.