About Lindy Burch

From California Washes to Cutting Horse History

Global cutting legend, first woman NCHA Futurity Champion, hall-of-fame earner, and Oxbow Ranch founder, Lindy Burch, grew up chasing make-believe outlaws on horseback through the washes of Chino and Van Nuys, California. She traded vet school dreams for the cow pen and never looked back. In 1980 she became the first woman to win the NCHA Open Futurity, marking a record 225.5 on Mis Royal Mahogany. The year before, she had claimed Reserve Champion on Diamond Mystery. She remains the only woman with back-to-back Futurity titles and only woman to have won the NCHA Open World Championship Title.

How Lindy Turned Passion into a Hall-of-Fame Career

Lindy majored in zoology at UCLA and earned a master’s in endocrinology. Vet school at Davis rejected her. Ninety-three spots out of 95 spots went to men or designated minorities. Women did not count.

While finishing her doctorate work, she started showing Diamond Mystery. The mare carried her to Reserve Champion at the 1979 NCHA Open Futurity.

She chose the arena. By 1972 she was the only woman in open classes across California. Hard work became her trademark. Her father taught her: the horse always comes first, no matter what.

“I figured out, well, maybe I could have a career doing what I would pay somebody to let me cut.”
Lindy Burch

What the Oxbow Partnership Created

A single clinic for Dan Lufkin’s Oregon ranch staff changed everything. Lufkin, co-founder of Wall Street giant Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, sent Lindy horses. Soon she split time between Carmel, California and Weatherford, Texas.

In 1995 she built her own facility in Weatherford. The focus: a small, elite broodmare band built around proven performers like Bet Yer Blue Boons.

Which Milestones Still Define the Sport

• 1980 NCHA Open Futurity Champion, first woman
• 1998 NCHA Open World Finals 233, unbeaten 13 years
• First rider to win all four go-rounds of the Open World Finals
• 2000 NCHA Open World Champion, first and only woman
• Over $4.8 million earned
• Never missed an NCHA Futurity since 1978, except 2022 due to breast cancer surgery
• She has marked Open Finalist or Semi-Finalist runs most years

How Lindy Gives Back to Cutting Today

Lindy chaired the NCHA Horse and Cattle Welfare Committee since 2010. She and veterinarian Jerry Black wrote the industry’s first medication policy after a one-year practice run.

She served as NCHA President, the first woman ever, and as the first female Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association President. Inductions include the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, NCHA Members Hall of Fame, NCHA Open Riders Hall of Fame, and Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.