Cutters spend a lot of time waiting – for the cattle to be settled; for a place to quit that cow; for an announcement that scores are final; for the next go-round.

They also wait four years to see a foal through conception to their first cutting event. For owners of first year sires, the hope and suspense multiply with each step of the process.

On March 1, Chris and Staci Thibodeaux’s expectations were rewarded with an impressive red roan filly (pictured), the first foal by their stallion High Brow CD, 2007 NCHA Futurity champion and 2008 NCHA Horse of the Year. The filly, out of Royal Blue Dually, dam of 2000 NCHA Futurity champion Royal Fletch, and owned by the Thibodeaux and Jim and Carolyn Ware, will soon be joined by a twin, as well as by about 30 other foals out of high profile mares and owned by other cutting horse breeders.

“She has a head just like High Brow CD,” said Chris Thibodeaux, whose first view of the filly was from a digital photo taken of her at Watkins Equine Breeding Center in Weatherford, TX, where she was born.

Jim Ware, who snapped the photo, was impressed with the filly’s presence and stunning color. “She’s beautiful, ” he said. “And I don’t remember seeing a foal with that degree of roaning.”

High Brow CD, who has earned over $521,000, is standing his second season at Don Ham Quarter Horses, Whitesboro, TX.