PG . 30
AQHA HORSE SHOW
Gold Buckle Open Futurity - Presentation Champion Graham Cooper and The Voodoo That U Do with Trophy Saddle |
Gold Buckle Rookie Level 1 & 2 Presentation |
Class 19 Green Rider Shootout : Champion Tommi Rose Elliot & OP Whizzel Do Q-48215 with Trophy Saddle |
Gold Buckle Novice Horse Open , Novice Horse Non Pro Presentations |
Gold Buckle Non Pro Futurity - Presentation Snafflebit 3YO Futurity Presentations Gold Buckle Int . Open Int . Non Pro Presentation Gold Buckle - Prime Time
It was then onto the much anticipated Reining Trainers Australia Green Rider Shootout Clean Slate Final , fiercely contended by 14 of the country ’ s best Green Riders .
Crowning her very successful week , it was Tommi Rose Elliot and OP Whizzel Do who took home the Green Rider Shootout Southern Cross Saddlery Trophy Saddle donated by the RTA thanks to their nation-wide Super Clinics .
Arguably the cutest class of the entire National Show was the Amanda Halliday and Cool Climate Pulse Champions of the Future Lead Line featuring the smallest riders with the biggest personalities . All six entrants posted perfect scores and on the urging of their handlers , opted to be named co-champions in lieu of a run-off .
The main event of Saturday ’ s program was the Thomas Arena Products , ONYA Quarter Horses and Blue Creek Saddles $ 50,000 Open Gold Buckle Futurity and you could not have scripted a better climax to the 2022 Australian National Reining Championships thanks to the battle royale that unfolded .
There was a lot on the line with a guaranteed $ 25,000 to the Open L4 Champion as well as a Trails End Trophy Saddle , $ 5,000 in Gold Bullion and the first of its kind Reining Australia Championship Ring awarded to the winning rider . Once again the crowd was treated to a thrilling display with the best of the best laying it all on the line to be crowned National Futurity Champion . The atmosphere was electric , it was down to the wire and a hush fell over the crowd waiting for the latest score … it was a 218 for John Wicks and Whiza Lil Cash . He had tied with Ashleigh Backhouse ’ s formidable run on Chexnhugs and now a run off would determine the Champion .
Showing why they are two of the most talented professionals in the industry , Ashleigh and John wowed the crowd once again with an incredible display of horsemanship and showmanship . In the closest of finishes it was John Wicks and Whiza Lil Cash for the victory , claiming his sixth National Open Futurity win . Queensland Western Pleasure Trainer Natasha Humphries showed off her versatile talent aboard the familybred Wouldn ’ t It Be Nice winning both the L3 and L2 2022 Gold Buckle Futurity Champion Buckles sponsored Hold Your Horses Promotional Embroidery and the Queensland Reining Horse Association .
After wrapping up a hugely successful 2022 Australian National Reining Championships , Reining Australia members came together for a Celebration Dinner and paid tribute to the latest ‘ RA Living Legends ’. Reining Australia President Warren Backhouse presented commentative awards to Victorian Trainer Mick Taylor for achieving $ 100,000 in life time earnings and John Wicks for achieving $ 300,000 in life time earnings .
Reflecting on the camaraderie and sportsmanship shown by competitors during the week-long event , Warren congratulated everyone for their part in creating an inclusive and positive show atmosphere . In thanking his dedicated Board , the hard working affiliate committees and all those who volunteer their time for the sport , Warren acknowledged that it is the brilliant people of Reining that make it so great .
Last but not least , Warren thanked the incredible generosity and support of the 2022 Australian National Reining Championships sponsors , without whom there would be no show .
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW . AQHA . COM . AU