Another lovely competitive reining couple
Andrew and Kerri Behrens also had a great
State Championships. On his first show,
with his new filly Sheron Sheza Little Fancy
Q-78968, Andrew won the John Wicks
Training Stables Intermediate Non Pro, with
a very smooth run, with his wife Kerri taking
home Co-Reserve Champion on My Dads a
Wimp Q-72039– sharing the honours with
Robyn Ross riding Atomic Blonde Q-69628
and Kasey Bogie riding My Dads a Wimp
Q-72039. That same night, Kerri then went
on to win all three divisions of the Non Pro
Derby and the next day took home Leura
Stables Limited Non Pro title as Co-Champi-
on with Amelia Baker riding, A Hollywood
Whizz Q-68981.
The Southern Cross Saddlery Non Pro Futu-
rity is always a popular event in the program
with 15 entries throwing their hat in the ring
to vie for the coveted Southern Cross Reiner
Trophy Saddle. NSW based David Nixon
brought his campaign north off the back of
his successes at the NSW State Champion-
ships. An emotional favourite, riding his late
brother’s horse, A Smooth Kitt Q-81599,
David took out the Non Pro Futurity with
a great run of 142, building on his success
later in the week to win the Intermediate
Open Futurity and 3rd in the Open Futurity
with an impressive score of 145 on the young
horse.
Newest member of the Calliope Sliders,
Michael Toohey, made the worthwhile trek
to Brisbane to show at his very first Reining
show. With the very vocal support of his Cal-
liope Sliders team mates, Michael achieved
some outstanding results aboard, Cooper
Get Crackin, to win the Intermediate Non
Pro and Limited Non Pro Futurity buckles
and Reserve Champion to David Nixon on
A Smooth Kitty Q-81599 in the Non Pro
Futurity. Michael’s coach, Ed Smith from
Ed Smith Reining & Performance Horses,
showed obvious pride in the achievements
of his fellow Slider commenting, “You guys
have shown amazing dedication to achieve
something that many have dreamed of. Just
goes to show that if you don’t let barriers stop
you, you can achieve anything”.
There was much excitement in the Burnett
Performance Horse Rookie Level 1 Class with
a four-way tie for first place. This culminated
in a four way run off, excitement raised in a
first for Reining, with two of the contenders
being Karen Callinan riding Wimpys Red
Chilli Q-74834, and her 13 year old daughter
Charlotte Callinan riding Op Hesa Smart
Whiz Q-55696. All 4 Rookies rode coura-
geously, with Hayley Smith taking the covet-
ed buckle riding Yuglibar Requestamelody,
with a runoff score of 140.5. Hayley show-
cased her skill by taking out the trifecta titles
for newbies to the sport of Beginner Rider,
Green Rider and Rookie lvl 1. Congratula-
tions to Hayley, she has a bright future ahead
of her in this sport.
Greg Peters of Serendipity Reiners rode
Wimpys Red Chilli Q-74834 in the Tuffrock
Open class, raising smiles from the judges
and the crowd with Greg wearing a ‘Best
Trainer’ and ‘I love Opie’ decorated shirt after
losing a bet to Charlotte Callinan, who made
the shirt for him to wear. Charlotte’s person-
ality also shone through taking out the buckle
to the Freestyle event, with a very entertain-
ing “Greatest Showman” routine riding Op
Hesa Smart Whiz Q-55696. Peter Gould was
also a crowd favourite, hitting the warm QLD
ski slopes with his bridle-less freestyle skiing
routine aboard Dualin Gal Q-61437.
The final night of competition was launched
with the Reining Australia Youth riding
display, reassuring us all that the future of
Reining is in great hands, with the routine
overseen by Tania Powell from Tan-a-Lou
Performance Horses, who also presented a
cheque for the fundraising she had initiated
for the RA Youth Team. We would like to
recognise and thank Tania for her support of
Reining Youth in this country, especially now
that she is based in the USA.
footing to a great staff. Your Association is
second to none! I think what makes it so
great is the enthusiasm around the sport.
Everyone seems so happy with themselves
and the other competitors. I heard no com-
plaints and that is like a breath of fresh air
for me!!”
We would like to acknowledge Caboolture
Sporting Club and Darling Downs Vets for
their support of the State Championships.
The level of support from all of our great
sponsors was second to none and we want to
thank them all for their continued support.
QRHA President Dennis Neylon was also
pleased with the event and summed up
with the following message, “I would like
to congratulate all competitors on their
comraderie and sportsmanship shown by
all. It was inspirational to witness and be a
part of. Thank you for the commitment of
QRHA’s hard working committee and all our
valued sponsors who made this event such a
great success - we look forward to 2019 with
you all.”
Saturday night showcase event was the
Platinum Saddle Co Futurity. Offering
over $15,000 prizemoney and a Platinum
Saddle Co trophy saddle, the event was
hotly contested. Warren Backhouse rode
Hollywood Groover Q-85291 to absolute
perfection for the ride
of the show, scoring a
very impressive 148.5.
This superstar combi-
nation taking out the
trifecta of major shows
in 2018, having already
won the Pacific Coast
Open Futurity and the
NSW State Champion-
ships Open Futurity.
Owner Debbie Keogh
from Crown K Quarter
Horse Stud was over
the moon with their
2018 campaign and the
Team’s, “Third Futurity
win at Groovers first
three shows. Thank you
so much to the Major
Sponsor for the Open
Futurity, Platinum
Saddle Co, Buckle &
Thea Griffin Riding RKN Whiz Bang Q-73196
Garland Sponsor: Leura
Stables. Thank you to
QRHA for putting on
a great show and thank
you to the judges and
Congratulations to all
the other competitors.
Big thank you to Carol
and everyone at BTS
for all the hard work
getting Groover looking
so amazing. I know
my father would be so
proud of what Groover
has achieved with his
great trainer. “
The International judge,
Bub Poplin, was effusive
in his praise of his
experience of the QLD
State Championships
stating, “What a great
organisation from show
grounds, to awesome
Ruff N Twisted ridden by Greg Walker
September
Quarter Horse
July • • October
August •
• 2018
2018 •
• The
The Australian
Australian Quarter
Horse Magazine
Magazine •
• 31
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