just held off Brooke Sestero on Jessies
Dreamchaser (141). Mel came to
Tamworth for this one event, to do
“the best she could”. You can’t do more
than win!
The Reining Trainers Australia Non
Pro Futurity was next and the largest
number of entries to date in the event
lined up to contest it. The Non Pro
Futurity is gradually expanding its
footprint at the National show and the
crowd always gets right behind the
competitors.
The winning combination was Mick
Taylor and Lil Gold Digger on 138.
Mick took home a Reining saddle from
Southern Cross (their third sponsored
saddle for the show), as well as the
buckle and trophy. Michelle Moore
on Mooredun Smart Lil Chic (135)
came in 2nd behind Mick in the Open
Division of the Non Pro Futurity and
this ride took her into the winning
position in the Intermediate and
Limited Divisions of the event.
The AQHA incentive awards for the
2016 Non Pro Futurity went to Leonie
Kingdon and My Chicks No Wimp.
Leonie on 134½ was runner-up to
Michelle Moore.
The 2016 Reining Australia National
Championships wrapped up on
Saturday night when the big boys
and girls took the stage again. The
National Derby Competition returned
to the Nationals after a long absence
with the running of the Ariat Reining
Australia Non Pro Derby and the
Turnabout Farm Reining Australia
Open Derby.
The 2016 Non Pro Derby Champion
combination, Cameron Halliwell and
Gottagetagunner (139½), scored
just half a point more than Errol
Thomas and Shiney Nu Addition in the
Reserve position on 139. There was
tie for 3rd place between Erin Neylon
riding Lil Miss Genius and Stephanie
Cooper on Cromed By Custom. Erin
and Steph were both entered in the
Intermediate and Limited Divisions
of the Non Pro Derby and their score
of 138 put them in 1st place in those
classes. The crowd was treated to
a tense and exciting run-off for the
two buckles with Steph and Cromed
By Custom emerging as the winners,
after the duo improved on their
original score.
The Open Derby was a hotly
contested class. Cameron Halliwell
on Gottagetagunner came in 5th with
his score of 139½. He was just one
point behind Noel Watson and Einstein
Flashy Jac in 4th place. Rob Lawson
aboard Tony Mitchell's imported mare
Revolution Reddy took 3rd place with
their score of 142½. Shaun Saunders
put down a terrific run for the Reserve
position on Darren Mullan’s QXH Docs
Stylish Oak (143½).
The man they couldn’t catch wore
a green shirt. Warren Backhouse
had opened his 2016 Championship
account on Thursday night with a
145½ run on Checkout Hollywood in
the Thomas Arena Products Open. In
the final event of the 2016 Reining
Australia National Championships,
this pair upped the ante half a point
to register a show high score of 146 to
claim the 2016 National Open Derby
Title. Congratulations to Warren,
“Cody” and all the connections; it was
a wonderful way to finish the day, the
event, and the show.
Cameron Halliwell’s score of 139½
on Gottagetagunner won him the
Intermediate division of the Open
Derby and Erin Neylon and Lil Miss
Genius were consoled for their defeat
in the run-off by taking home the
buckle for the Limited Division of the
Open Derby.
Stephanie Cooper and Cromed By
Custom Humpty Dumpty
We had to wait until the end of the
show to make one last presentation.
SPH Our Touch was the highest
scoring registered Paint Horse at this
year's National Show. Congratulations
to owner and rider Shane Sainsbury,
who gets to wear the Trophy
Buckle and thanks to the Paint
Horse Association of Australia for
sponsoring this great incentive.
Where did that week go? It's always
sad to come to the end of the Nationals
for another year when the camps are
packed up and the trucks pull out.
Before we all headed off, we celebrated
on Saturday night with our friends,
the winners now and the winners to
come, and the winners maybe never,
but we had a great time being part of
a great National Show. Don’t miss it in
2017!
Shelley Peters Int Open
Steph Cooper Int and Ltd Non Pro
Derby
David Simons Ltd Open Futurity
Oliver Reinhardt Novice Horse
Sohia Johnson Short Stirrup
January • • February
February • • 2017
2017 • • The
The Australian
Australian Quarter
Quarter Horse
Horse Magazine
Magazine • • Page
Page 43
43
January