PG . 29
Friday night ’ s feature event was the Australian Quarter Horse Association Open Derby L4 , QP Dunit Lika Rockstar Open Derby L3 , Dixon Saddlery Open Derby L2 , Wimpys Little Step Non Pro Derby L4 , Hello Big Chex Non Pro Derby L3 and the Shawn Flarida Reiners Non Pro Derby L2 .
Always a crowd favourite , the 2022 field of Derby horses did not disappoint with the atmosphere building as scores kept climbing one run after the next . Blowing a stirrup in the first run in stop did not slow down Warren Backhouse who rode NPH Gunner No It All to an impressive 218.5 . Next was Victorian Trainer Lana Kelderman who rode a cracking pattern on Nu Too Much to score a massive 220 .
With the crowd on the edge of their seats it was Queensland Trainer John Wicks ’ s turn to raise the bar once again . That he did , with an impeccable run aboard Big River Custom LJ bettering Lana ’ s score by half a point to claim the Open L4 Title with a 220.5 .
John took home the Shiney Outlaw sponsored Champion Buckle for the Open Derby L4 , Lana took home the Film Animals Australia and Mick Taylor Reining sponsored Champion Buckle for the Open Derby L3 and Queensland Trainer Scott Burnett on Hollywood Remedy took home the QP Dunit Lika Rockstar sponsored Champion Buckle for the Open Derby L2 .
2022 Gold Buckle Futurity - Presentation
Mixing it with the Open riders was Peter Bartolo who was once again on fire with his stallion Gunnerreload marking a 216 to place fourth in the Open Derby L4 and first in the Non Pro Derby L4 taking home the Champion Buckle sponsored by Anthony Barr Fencing and Rural Contracting and Keenan Construction .
Hot off his clean sweep of the 2021 Non Pro Futurity , Lil Joe Cash prodigy Q Vista Shooting Star was back for his 2022 Non Pro Derby , this time piloted by Gita Thomas . In a never to be repeated feat the gelding , known as Shooter , contended his futurity and first derby at the same event due to the COVID enforced cancellation of the 2021 Nationals .
Marking a personal best score for Gita , the pair won both the Non Pro Derby L3 and L2 adding another two Champion Buckles sponsored by Agnes Banks Equine Clinic and Adrienne-Lee Thomson to Shooter ’ s impressive tally .
Class 18A Youth 13 & Under : Champion - Adelaide Osler and Chromosone Q-80917
The final day of the 2022 Australian National Reining Championships opened with the future stars of our sport showing how it is done in the Q Vista Quarter Horses Short Stirrup and Hold Your Horses Promotional Embroidery Youth 13 and Under and Youth 14 to 18 years .
Showing her grandparent ’ s horse Fancy Louise for the first time , Queensland ’ s Layla Gould took home the Short Stirrup Champion Buckle sponsored by JMR Training and Performance Horses . The Youth 13 and Under Champion Buckle sponsored by Horse and Toy Haulers Australia was won by Victoria ’ s Adelaide Osler riding Chromosone . In the Youth 14 to 18 years it was New South Wales rider Reese Keenan and Lil Einstein who claimed the Champion Buckle sponsored by Booroondarra Pastoral Company .
2022 Gold Buckle Open Futurity
AQHA SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER ISSUE 2022