Photos- Tania Hobbs Val Hanson
Judges- Darren Simpson and Susan Camferrman.
The Australian Reining Breeders Cup and Stockman’ s Challenge event has continued to grow on the foundations laid at last year’ s ARBC Derby Show and Stockman’ s Challenge with over 140 horses and 110 riders competing at this prestigious event, with many high profile horse and rider combinations competing for the coveted title of ARBC GRINDERS OPEN Derby, ARBC NON Pro Derby winner along with the ARBC Stockman’ s Challenge Open and Classic winners. This equated to a 4 day show with over 300 runs being put together in the competition arena. We once again welcomed the Challenge Competitors which has almost doubled on last year’ s tally, in part due to the fact we had both dry work and cattle work as part of our ARBC Stockman’ s Challenge this year.
It was great to see so many new riders to the sport of reining also attending to compete in the beautifully dressed arena. For many it was their first buckle win in the reining pen with the likes of Ben Ditzel winning not only his first buckle, yet three buckles over the duration of the show, and Alice Baker also won her first buckle, a big congratulations to you both. You always remember your first buckle win so we are proud it happened at the ARBC Derby Event. We had international competitor Mr Philippe Joubert travel from New Caledonia to compete successfully. Congratulations to all competitors for a spectacular show and to Errol and Gita Thomas for organising and running such a prestigious and well organised show.
It is worth mentioning that the atmosphere at this event was both friendly and supportive from all competitors and spectators alike. The support from all involved was overwhelming, so a special thank you must go out to all involved with setting up and keeping the show running smoothly. From our gate stewards, Alan Kingdon, Barry Brown and Tim Hoffman through to our two judges, Susan Camferman and Darren Simpson from QLD, our scribes Lee Thompson and Tony Bryers scribing over this four day show, along with support from the
Reining Australia President Paul Sharp and Vice President Ed Smith for assisting with the presentations. Our Office was once again smoothly run by the tireless efforts of Lynda Gray working as our show secretary ensuring all competitors runs and scores were double checked for accuracy, as well as doing a bit judging for us throughout the show. Thank you also to Peter McCauley for doing an outstanding job announcing for the entire show and the crew from Wild Colt for live streaming the entire event nationally and internationally.‘ During the ARBC Derby Event and finals of the Classic and Open Stockman’ s Challenge Event announcers Ben Ryan and Gita Thomas were able to enlighten viewers throughout the live stream action with an overview of the riders, horses and ARBC Nominated Stallions that the progeny competing were representing. We did have some international viewers watch the event in real time, sending messages of encouragement to the event organiser Errol Thomas.
Page 44 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • May • June • 2016