Great Lakes Cutting Horse Association is comprised of cutters from Michigan and the surrounding states.  GLCHA is an affiliate of the National Cutting Horse Association and is governed by its rules.​

The purpose of GLCHA is to encourage the development of, and public interest in, livestock through the promotion and sponsorship of public cutting horse contests, public exhibition of cutting horses in conjunction with cattle and livestock, the presentation and participation of cutting horse events in other general livestock exhibitions, shows, and expositions.