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FEATURE ~ 2024 NCHA 4CYTE OPEN FUTURITY
As the owner of two extremely well bred and performed stallions in Moore Metal Q-79373 and One Wild Cat Q-79372 , Robert decided around 5 years ago that it was time to boost the mare power in his breeding program . He was drawn towards the bloodlines of Hicapep Q-96467 ( Dual Pep / Hicapoo ), who had already produced an NCHA Open Futurity finalist in the States . Robert purchased Hicapep ’ s 8-week-old Stevie Rey Von filly Hicarey Q-97628 from Todd McMillan of Emerald Park Performances and as part of the deal , Todd included an embryo from Hicapep Q-96467 . For Robert , the stallion to use for this embryo was an obvious choice – his Futurity Champion Moore Metal Q-79373 .
Metaloo was the resulting foal . By the time she was ready to start , Hicarey had already shown her skills in the cutting pen and Robert was excited to see what her half-sister could do . Jamie Seccombe was tasked with commencing her training , and Robert is quick to acknowledge the great start he put on her . With Jamie having a full line-up of Futurity horses , the decision was made in the second half of 2023 for Corey to continue Metaloo ’ s path to the Futurity , and the rest is history .
2016 , and now his daughter Metaloo Q-101675 ,” Robert says . “ This year ’ s win was perhaps even more special than the first ; Metaloo was the only Moore Metal progeny that competed at the event , and for her to do what she did was just so special for us , emotionally and mentally .”
“ Moore Metal is now the only sire in Australia other than Docs Spinifex that has both been the NCHA Open Futurity Champion and sired one – that ’ s great company to be in !” Robert continues . “ We also couldn ’ t be happier for Corey , he ’ s been such a good friend to us and we ’ re super proud that Metaloo was part of Corey ’ s first win . When Moore Metal won with Trent Smith that was Trent ’ s first win too , so to have two horses that have given their trainers their first Futurity win is just really special .”
While this is the first Open Futurity win Corey Holden and Robert Jones have shared , it ’ s not their first success together . Corey trained and campaigned One Wild Cat Q-79372 , Robert ’ s stallion out of the same mare as Moore Metal Q-79373 , One Moore Annie Q-59377 , with much success for many years . He also placed 5th in the 2022 NCHA Futurity riding Robert ’ s mare Hicarey Q-97628 , who like Metaloo Q-101675 , is out of Emerald Park Performance Horse ’ s imported mare Hicapep Q-96467 .
Hicapep has now sadly passed away , having produced 5 fillies and 3 colts since arriving in Australia , however Robert is committed to carrying on Hicapep ’ s legacy with her daughters Hicarey and Metaloo , along with continuing to promote his champion stallion Moore Metal Q-79373 as he looks to the future of his breeding program .
For Corey Holden , its business-as-usual back at C Bar H Cutting Horses in Cobram , Victoria . Alongside his wife Trudy , who was herself inducted into the NCHA Non Pro Hall of Fame this year , son Cash and network of loyal supporters , he is still quietly soaking up the enormity of his achievement , while immersing himself once again in the routine that helped create it .
“ All the horses , including Metaloo Q-101675 have pulled up well after the Futurity so we ’ ll make decisions here soon about which of the next aged events we go to . Some horses need longer breaks , some need more shows , they ’ re all a bit different , but I ’ ve got a great crew and I ’ m looking forward to the rest of the year ,” Corey says .
“ I ’ ll probably spend the rest of my life dreaming about winning another Futurity , it ’ s something you never stop dreaming about ,” Corey muses . “ But at the end of the day I just really love training horses so it ’ s all about enjoying that journey and the process too .”
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - www . aqha . com . au