ARTICLE BY KYLIE R . MELROSE
Photos - Liz Speed Email - sales @ lizspeed . com . au
The prestigious SDP Buffalo Ranch National Cutting Horse Association Futurity was conducted at the world class Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth , NSW from the 28th of May to the 10th of June , 2018 .
The Australian Quarter Horse Association ( AQHA ) was the major sponsor for the Open Derby this year and will be sponsoring it for the next three years . As part of their Open Derby sponsorship the AQHA put $ 5,000 in incentives - $ 2,500 for the owner of the highest placed registered Quarter Horse and $ 2,500 to the breeder of the highest placed registered Quarter Horse .
The AQHA Open Derby event featured 66 of the finest four-year-old cutting horses in the country with Round One going to both Beccys Merada shown by Phil Dawson , and Branchvale Exile Q-84800 being ridden by Rob Hodgman , after they marked 218 runs each .
Winning Round Two , with a brilliant 221 run , was Crystal Park A Big Dreamer , shown by Heath Sinclair .
The Championship Title went to Beccys Merada after earning a blistering 224 with Phil Dawson in the saddle . Earning the AQHA Incentives for owner and breeder and the Reserve Championship was EB S ICANDOTHAT Q-83061 , shown by Jason Leitch , after earning 219 points .
Marking a good 216 point run to place third was the taffy daughter of RS Chisum ( imp ) Q-60660 and Rackatazz Q-70707 , Chisachick Q-83382 , ridden by owner Marsh Carney ; finishing next with an exciting 214 point run was Spins Catty Link Q-79673 , a son of Catty Hawk Q-74460 and Spins Rebound Q-54574 , shown by Stuart Boyd Laurie . In fifth place with a 213 marking run was the awesome cutting daughter of RS Chisum ( imp ) Q-60660 and the exceptional
Amaroo Sheoak Q-57443 , Bobbys San Badger Q-79154 , ridden by trainer Corey Holden .
AQHA OPEN DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION - EB S I CAN DO THAT
EB S I Can Do That ’ s owner , Mark Ruff , commented on how he felt when his horse earned the AQHA Incentives for the AQHA Open Derby at the NCHA Futurity Show . “ It was a pleasant surprise , as I had not expected to earn the Incentive , being the Reserve . It really added to her achievement and we are very grateful to the AQHA for their support , and certainly looks good on her resume .”
Mark commented on his impression of the event being sponsored by the AQHA . “ For me it is a very logical decision for such a premier event as the Derby , with more seasoned and solid horses competing , to be supported by the AQHA . I think it is a greater showcase of talent .”
Mark commented on his impression of EB S ICANDOTHAT Q-83061 throughout the Go-rounds and in the final of the Open Derby . “ She showed well , very solid and consistent in both go-rounds without doing anything spectacular . It was really a testament to Jason ’ s training and ability to show the mare .”
“ I had asked Jason if he saw a horse that he liked and thought was above average he should let me know , as this was better than me sourcing horses and sending them to him ,” said Mark on purchasing EB S ICANDOTHAT Q-83061 . “ He rang me after attending the Yulgilbar Ranch Cutting where he had seen Robbie Hodgman ride her as a young two year old . Jason said she was a horse that would be worth getting if we could , so we did and I picked her up and sent her directly up to Jason in Springsure , Queensland . I did wonder what we had done when I first saw her as she seemed so small and fine , but she has developed into a pretty powerful mare now . She had a solid Futurity year finalling in three of the Futurities she attended . We brought her home in the off season and bred her via embryo transfer , then sent her back up to prep for this season .”
When asked about EB S ICANDOTHAT ’ s Q-83061 training , Mark answered , “ Seriously , Jason would be the best to ask as I have ridden her once for about five minutes . She is a competition mare , certainly wouldn ’ t want to spend a day in the saddle trying to muster on her that ’ s for sure . I can say that I am looking forward to the opportunity of competing on her in the near future in the Non Pro events .”
NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION BUFFALO RANCH FUTURITY SHOW
Judging throughout the SDP Buffalo Ranch NCHA Futurity Show was Mr Andy Adams , an NCHA AAAA Judge , who has presided over every major cutting horse event in the United States of America . Mr Kenny Pugh , Mr Tance Bryant , Australian Mr Xavier Harris , a AAAA Judge , Mr Paul Palmowski , and Mr Phil Webb .
In 2018 the NCHA introduced the NCHA Performance Horse Arena , showcasing demonstrations three times a day throughout the weekends in the AELEC Sale Arena . The presenters included Graham Amos , Robert MacKay , John Burgun , Shane Plummer , David Nash , Aaron and Lindsay Wheatley , Heath Sinclair , Clayton Evans , Robbie Hodgman and Tony Ernst . The NCHA Bull Ride and Rodeo was conducted on Friday the 1st of June .
Saturday the 2nd of June saw the Snafflebit Open Futurity Final , with the Championship title being shared by the daughter of Ima Smooth Blue Cat ( imp ) Q-71767 and Duntay Hi Voltage Q-52732 , Currell Seventh Heaven Q-81232 , shown by Nathan Sheahan and
28 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • July • August • 2018