PG . 28
AQHA HORSE SHOW
Gold Buckle Limited Open & LTD Non Pro Gold Buckle - Michelle Halliwell & Electric Snow Open Gold Buckle Non Pro Futurity - Presentation
Non Pro L2 . Once again one rider dominated all three levels with Queenslander Errol Thomas and Q Vista Shooting Star laying down an impressive run to score 217 .
Errol and his Lil Joe Cash bred mount took home three National Champion Buckles sponsored by Lil Joe Cash , Neylon Performance Horses and Sam Schaffhauser Performance Horses , as well as a Continental Trophy Saddle also sponsored by Lil Joe Cash .
Day 3 of competition started with our up and coming Reiners giving it a red hot crack in the Thomas Arena Products Green Rider L1 and L2 in the hope of making the top ten through to Reining Trainers Australia Green Rider Shoot Out .
Securing their place in the Shoot Out and the chance to win a fantastic Southern Cross Saddlery Reining Saddle were Matthew Puckeridge and Watch This Chic Shine from New South Wales winning Green Rider L1 and Queensland ’ s Clare Neylon and Lil Miss Genius winning Green Rider L2 .
As a mark of respect for former Reining Australia Board Member , the late Mr Murray Whiteaker , all riders in the Xtreme Genes Limited Open and Limited Non Pro wore black armbands and observed a minute silence during the presentation .
Queensland ’ s Matthew Clifford and Fancy Steppin Hart Throb won the Limited Open Buckle sponsored by West Coast Reiners and Sarah Mammone from New South Wales riding Heza Lil Einstein won the Limited Non Pro Buckle sponsored by Murray and Karren Whiteaker .
Before the action got rolling on Thursday ’ s feature event , Reining Australia President Warren Backhouse took the opportunity to recognise and thank the talented and hardworking industry professionals who are the Reining Trainers Australia ( RTA ). The amazing men and women of the RTA raised tens of thousands of dollars and paid it all forward to make the Reining Australia National Show a reality .
The final class on Thursday was the popular Xtreme Genes - Electric Snow Open and Michelle Halliwell Non Pro Memorial which produced some memorable runs and co-champions in the Open . New South Wales rider Peter Bartolo and his stallion Gunnerreload posted a huge 216.5 to win the Michelle
Halliwell Non Pro Memorial Buckle proudly sponsored by Avril Storey , Lynda Gray , Sue Franks and Cameron Halliwell .
Peter ’ s run also placed him equal first with Queensland Trainer Matthew Clifford and Fancy Steppin Hart Throb , with the two riders deciding to go co-champions in the Buckle sponsored by Harking Electrical Services .
Day 4 was another clear crisp early start for riders in the Johnson ’ s Natural Formula Intermediate Open and Intermediate Non Pro and Ole Mr Valentine Rookie Professional . Matthew Clifford continued his winning form to claim both the Intermediate Open and the Rookie Professional on Son of RC taking home Champion Buckles sponsored by Shaws Performance Horses and Southern NSW Reining Horse Association .
With a cracking run on his sensational mare Flirt N Hug , Queensland rider Caleb Russell took the honours in the Intermediate Non Pro winning the Champion Buckle sponsored by Tamworth Reining Horse Association .
The Queensland winning streak continued into the Marsh Carney Saddlery Rookie L1 and Crushed Ice Rookie L2 with incredibly talented young rider Clare Neylon and Lil Miss Genius claiming both titles . As well as receiving two Champion Buckles sponsored by Big River Ranch Performance Horses and Glenn Wyse , Clare also took home the Crushed Ice Perpetual Trophy .
Friday afternoon saw the running of the Neylon Performance Horses , Reining Trainers Australia , Blue Creek Saddles and Trails End Saddles 2022 Gold Buckle Non Pro Futurity L4 , the Maximus Metallica Non Pro Futurity L3 and the Horsemans Trading Post Non Pro Futurity L2 .
Capping off a highly successful National Show , Cameron Halliwell and another home-bred mount Gunnerbeglamour won the Non Pro Futurity L4 taking home a Trails End Trophy Saddle and Champion Buckle sponsored by Neylon Performance Horses .
Queensland ’ s Brandon Gruening and I Dance For Cash claimed both the Non Pro Futurity L3 and L2 titles , receiving Champion Buckles sponsored by Stone River Ranch and Tan- A-Lou Performance Horses .
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