PG . 29
AQHA FEATURE ARTICLE BY : JODIE ADAMS © 2021 V PHOTOS BY : KATE JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
YAVEN SMOOTH
SAILING A2-3454
AQHA SPONSORED NUTRIEN CLASSIC CAMPDRAFT WINNER
THE 4YO GELDING BY ‘ SMOOTH AS A CAT Q-78992 ’ OUT OF ‘ ONE MOORE ROMANCE A1-10558 ’ WAS THE HIGHEST SCORING QUARTER HORSE AT THE RECENT NUTRIEN CLASSIC CAMPDRAFT AND FINISHED SECOND .
The gelding had been in training
with Matt Moffat for 18 months and was initially meant to be presented at the Snaffle Bit Futurity .
Owned by Kurt & Erica Hanrahan , ‘ Smooth Sailing A2-3454 ’ was purchased as a 2yo from the Nutrien Sale .
That year his twin sister ‘ Yaven Smooth Spin A2-3455 ’ was sold at the sale for $ 230,000 . Kurt & Erica had their eye on ‘ Smooth Sailing A2-3454 ’, but after that record sale , they were unsure if they would be able to afford the gelding . On their way to the sale ring they forgot their bidders ’ card , Kurt went back and retrieved the card . To their delight , the gelding made $ 16,000 , and they were happy with their purchase .
‘ Smooth Sailing A2-3454 wasn ’ t an easy horse to train , he had his own unique style ,’ says Erica of his early days . The gelding had his first start at Ridgelands Campdraft in August 2020 and performed well .
His second start was the Nutrien Classic , where he performed even better . His firstround score was 90 points , followed by an 87 and 89 to average 266 points and finish 2nd overall just three points behind the leader . ‘ He was getting better and better after every run ,’ this is a testament to the miles Matt has done with the gelding and the horses ’ relaxed and casual nature .
Presented at the Nutrien Sale Sunday morning the gelding was purchased by dressage competitor Jordan McDowall for $ 30,000 .
Ironically the gelding made the journey from Nebo to Tamworth and was transported back by Kurt and Erica to his new home just down the road . Pete Comiskey will campaign the gelding on behalf of Jordan . We wish them every success .
MARCH / APRIL ISSUE 2021