PG . 12
AQHA FEATURE
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A FEW HALTER TIPS FROM CONNY ...
‘ For anyone showing or even thinking about showing at Halter , be sure to put the time and effort into getting your horse not only fit for the show arena , but also for traveling to the shows . Long distance hauling can be very hard on horses that aren ’ t used to it . All of our Halter horses are stabled at night and turned out during the day . Feed your horse correctly ; it ’ ll show in his coat and condition . Sometimes the less fancy feed is the best . Always make sure your horse is clean and presented well . Personally , we don ’ t wash my horse , we vacuum him , which he really loves . Above all , I ’ d urge competitors to go out and have fun , and especially enjoy the company of all of your friends , whether two or four legged .’
‘ Halter is something I ’ ve really enjoyed ,’ Conny says . ‘ I find it very rewarding to own and show a good looking horse . Our vet said to us many years ago —‘ It takes as much money to feed and look after a good looking horse as it does a bad one , so you may as well have the best you can .’— They were very wise words .’
NOT SO SUBTLE Q-84926
By Subtle Q-69639 , out of Skips Cool Clu Q-58191 , Not So Subtle , or Sid as he ’ s called , was shown as a yearling , then turned out . A real princess at times , Sid is now a bit of a character , who often looks grumpy , but then behaves in the arena . He acts starving at feed-time , but he ’ s such a good doer , Conny has to be careful not to overfeed him . His paddock also has the least amount of grass .
The Barrys ’, showing Appaloosas , competed in Victoria , but traveled to Tamworth for the Nationals for 21 years , and to each State Show in NSW , South
Australia and Queensland . With their Quarter Horses they now focus on the local shows in Benalla , Tatura , Elmore and Werribee . They also showed the gelding , Im Obviously Cool Q-58190 , to High Point Halter Horse of Victoria , three years consecutively , and Runner-up High Point Gelding of Australia , two years consecutively , but unfortunately lost him in 2021 , in a nasty paddock accident .
‘ Unshown for four years , Sid was brought out of retirement ,’ Conny said . ‘ After six weeks preparation he was shown at the Celebration show at BVQHA Benalla , kick-starting his career . Floods caused cancelled shows in October , then , in December 2022 , he was sashed Champion Gelding at BVQHA . Entered for Summer Sizzler , Sid developed a nasty eye infection which healed slowly , and after vet ’ s advice we withdrew him . From limited showing over two years , he ’ s been awarded Champion or Reserve at most outings . At the 2021 Victorian Quarter Horse State Show , he placed 2nd , and followed that up as Reserve Grand Champion Gelding , a huge thrill .’
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Not So Subtle Q-84926 now has his ROM at Halter , but Conny would love to get him shown enough to to achieve his Superior and Century Awards . Conny says they just want to keep showing Sid for as long as possible , mainly because she and Norm really enjoy getting to the shows , competing and then socialising with the other showies .
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW . AQHA . COM . AU