Western Australian Quarter Horse Association
2016 State Championships
Photos: Samantha Whitelaw, Studio Equine
The Western Australia Quarter Horse Association held its State Championships over the Easter weekend of 25-27 March and the club was thrilled to have Che and Leigh Barden of C & L Constructions( WA) Pty Ltd as the Club’ s major sponsor.
WAQHA were fortunate to secure well credentialed Judge Larry Hansch for the show. Larry lives in Narcona, Texas and has been a judge for 25 years having judged the APHA World Show, NSBA World Show, the All American Quarter Horse Congress four times and the AQHA World Show six times.
Halter futurities and feature events in Western Pleasure, Trail and Hunter Under Saddle as well as the standard program were to be contested over the three days. The show kicked off on Good Friday with Ranch Riding and Western Riding.
The cutest event on the program followed with Youth Led-line 3-6yrs. Wesley Deutscher, Ella Maney and Mackenzie Sprigg all sported huge smiles with Judge Larry finding it difficult to separate these competitors and blue ribbons were awarded all round. Littlestone Certainly Cute looked after her rider, Chloe Deutscher in the Youth 5-10yrs Walk / Jog, demonstrating just one of the reasons why the Quarter horse is our horse of choice!
Western Pleasure was the next event contested, and Senior Horse was won by Robyn Davies riding her mare YLS Sultary. Amateur Junior Horse and AmQH Amateur Pleasure was won by Karen Cornish and Im Pawsitively SurelyGoodd. Rikki Planke and CP Certainly won the Novice Amateur followed up by Carly Ganzer and CP Certainly taking out the Junior Horse and the AmQHA All Age Pleasure and Brianna Gibson backed it up winning the Youth 14-18 Years Western Pleasure also riding CP Certainly. Amateur Senior Horse Western Pleasure was won by Amy Broad and Winderadeen Sumthinfancee. Tracy Allen riding Calamitys Commander was successful in the Select Amateur Western Pleasure and Grace Carter and her horse Annlee Cee a Gun winning Youth 7-13 years Pleasure. The All Age Western Pleasure Feature was awarded to Justin Sprigg doing a great job with his 2yo Futera Gonna Be Somethin.
Western Horsemanship wrapped up the first day of the show with Monique Holden taking the win in the Amateur, Rebecca Zito successful in the Novice Amateur, Tayla Divirgilio in the Novice Youth, Lesley Elder winning the Select Amateur and Courtney Holden matching it with her sister, taking out first place in the Youth.
The rain fell for most of day two, but failed to effect the mostly in hand program for the day starting with Showmanship and then Halter. Karen Cornish and Im Pawsitively SurelyGood were successful in the Amateur Showmanship and the AmQH Amateur Showmanship. Rita Driscoll and This Zipnlee taking the win in the Select Amateur, Julie Baker and Miller Lite first in the Novice Amateur. Charlotte Maney and Inscription competing in their first State Championships together were winners in the Youth 5-13yrs Showmanship.
Futurities were the first Halter events contested, with the Weanling Futurity won by Brian Cramp’ s Best I Get An Invite. Rebecca Zito did a great job showing a lovely filly, Sweet Ride of Mine, to win the Yearling Futurity and Carl Planke showing Touched took out the 2 year and over Futurity.
Karen Cornish and her mare Im Pawsitively SurelyGood were awarded Grand Champion in 3 categories, QH Mare / Filly, AmQH Mare / Filly and Amateur QH Mare / Filly with Rikki Planke and CP Certainly taking out Reserve Grand Champion in the same three categories. Brianna Gibson, showing CP Certainly took out Grand Champion in the Youth QH Mare / Filly with Devyn Naef and Jett Set Cowgirl awarded Reserve Grand Champion.
Carl Planke and Touched continued the trifecta being awarded Grand Champion in three categories, QH Gelding, AmQH Gelding and Amateur Gelding and then Brianna Gibson showing Touched continued the success by winning Grand Champion Youth Gelding. Brian Cramp showed Best I Get An Invite to Grand Champion QH Colt / Stallion and Grand Champion AmQH Colt / Stallion.
One of the most popular events saw 11 horses vying for the 2 year and over Hunter In Hand with the judge awarding the win to the mare Huntin for Fences run out by Carly Ganzer and owned by Rikki Planke with second place to Leanne Walmsley and her gelding Pure Iron.
Trail classes opened up the third and final day of the show. Eleven horses contested the Senior Horse Trail with Georgia Brandham and A Handsome Cowboy proving too good on the day by taking out the win and also went on to win the Amateur Senior Horse and the All Age Feature Trail, an awesome result for this combination. Rebecca Zito showing her young gelding, A Certain Valentine to a win in the Novice Amateur Trail saw her leave the arena with a big smile! And the very friendly bunch of Select Amateurs saw Michaela Breen and Zerox very happy with her win.
Hunt Seat Equitation was the second last event on the program and amateurs were the first class with Bridget de Bijl riding Perfect Xcoos for the win, Narelle Camarri and Dakota Zulu Bem winning the Novice Amateur and Michaele Breen and Zerox leading the Select Amateurs for another win.
Eleven riders contested the Senior Horse Hunter Under Saddle and the judge awarded Huntin for Fences ridden by Carly Ganzer with first place and Winderadeen Sumthinfancee and Amy Broad into second place. Brianna Gibson riding CP Certainly won the Youth 14-18 years with Courtney Holden riding RQH Jiminy Cricket in second place and Devyn Naef riding Jett Lee winning the Youth 7-13 years with Charlotte Maney riding Inscription taking second place. Three big hunter type horses contested the 3yo class and the win went to Leanne Walmsley riding her gelding Pure Iron and second place to Kym Abreu and her gelding A Blaze in Red( welcome back to the show pen Kym!). The final event on the program was the All Age Hunter Under Saddle Feature which attracted six entries. A well-deserved win went to Leanne Walmsley riding Pure Iron with Brianna Gibson riding CP Certainly in second place.
The Overall Hi Point Awards and Runner ups for this show were:
Hi Point 2yr old- Futera Gonna Be Somethin owned by the Sprigg Family and ridden by Justin Sprigg.
Hi Point 3yr( tie-breaker)- My Certain Valentine owned by Rebecca Zito and shown by Rebecca and Martene Carter.
Runner up- Pure Iron owned and shown by Leanne Walmsley
Hi Point Junior Horse was awarded to two winners after a count back: CP Certainly owned by Rikki Planke and shown by Carly Ganzer & Brianna Gibson Im Pawsitively SurelyGood owned and shown by Karen Cornish
May • June • 2016 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 37