26 FEATURE: 2025 RINGERS WESTERN GOLD BUCKLE CAMPDRAFT
HUGH MILES: A Champion in Full Flight
When the dust settled, it was Hugh Miles of Hugh Miles Performance Horses who stood tallest— claiming the 2025 Gold Buckle Championship aboard the exceptional Vintage Whiskey Q-81337. They entered the final just 1.5 points behind the leader. What followed was a masterclass: a blistering 91-point run( 23-64-4) that sealed the title by the slimmest of margins.
Vintage Whiskey Q-81337, a registered Quarter Horse owned by Terry and Elizabeth Smith, lived up to every ounce of promise. Sired by RS Chisum Q-60660 and out of Winderadeen Whiskey Cat Q-60369, the gelding was powerful, precise and perfectly in sync with his rider. In doing so, Vintage Whiskey Q-81337 also claimed the Australian Quarter Horse Association( AQHA) Incentive Buckle, awarded to the highest-placed AQHAregistered horse under financial membership. Along with the title came a sash and rug— small tokens for a massive achievement.
And Hugh wasn’ t done yet. He also rode Summa Reyn Q-95700 into sixth place with a score of 178.5, one of five horses he had in the final round— a testament to both his horsemanship and his training program’ s depth.
The Best in the Business
Hot on Miles’ heels was none other than Pete Comiskey, the three-time Gold Buckle champion( 2018, 2019, 2023), who finished second with a cracking 180 on ROY( Nashvale Roy Ell Destiny). Tim Hollis and Dulkara Victoria weren’ t far behind, taking third place on 179.5. Troy Palmer, aboard Looks Smart in Blue, was fourth with 179.
Rounding out the top five was Evan Hiscock on Cartel( 178.5), who also claimed ninth place riding Nix( 177.5). His impressive showing underscored a strong family legacy— his father, Michael Hiscock, was the 2021 champion.
ALSO CRACKING THE TOP TEN:
• Wyatt Young on Cantaur Park Kid U Not( 178.5)
• Jon Templeton on Diva( 178)
• Sam Campbell on Banshee Coneye( 177.5)
A CELEBRATION OF HORSES, HERITAGE AND HEART
The Australian Quarter Horse Association was once again proud to support the event, returning in 2025 with a custom AQHA buckle for the highest-placed registered Quarter Horse finalist. Vintage Whiskey Q-81337 took that honour in style— an achievement reflecting the strength and versatility of the breed at the highest levels of the sport.
Australian Quarter Horse Association- www. aqha. com. au