PG . 19 rodeo event competitor and Cutting horse trainer , and Les McCallum , stud master at Alexandra for Millbrook Quarter Horses . It was an important show being the first ever Working Cowhorse Futurity and I must say , there were some brilliant horses there , and we really did enjoy that show and so did all the competitors . By the way , Working Cowhorse is still my favourite event .’
Gordon has judged at many shows of all sizes over the years , and also enjoyed heading over to New Zealand to officiate at quite a few really big shows there .
‘ I remember one big New Zealand show on the North Island ,’ Gordon says . ‘ It was at Golden Beach , the New Zealand Quarter Horse Championships . It went for three days and surprised me at the amount of people and horses in attendance , good horses and riders and very nice people to deal with .’
Also , as a note of interest , one time they had a Cyclone go over New Zealand . Gordon was judging for two days and was set to run a Clinic on the third day .
‘ You know , they never stopped that show ,’ Gordon remarked . ‘ They just kept on going . The first day wasn ’ t too bad , it was windy , but the second day it had picked up even more and the rain was starting to come down . But the third day , the day of the Clinic , that wind and rain really came in . The water was coming out of the tops of my boots , so I asked them whether they wanted to quit yet , but they answered ‘ No , No , we ’ re happy to just keep going , we ’ re fine .’ No prima donnas there , they were having too much fun , so we kept on going and got the job done ! At the end of the day , everyone went home happy !’
Gordon says that some things that competitors should never forget is to always show courtesy to the Judges , no matter what , as their decision on the day is final . Competitors should also be certain to learn their patterns for each class well , as there is nothing like being a competent competitor .
‘ I also feel that anyone who ’ s thinking about becoming an AQHA Judge , need to make sure they ’ ve competed in the classes they ’ ll be judging , as I feel that ’ s a very important requirement .’ J
OVERALL , GORDON NASH HAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE AQHA AND HIS YEARS OF JUDGING & EXPERTISE HAVE BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED BY SO MANY . A GREAT MILESTONE FOR GORDON & ONE THAT DESERVES RECOGNITION AND THANKS !
Herda N / N
2021 AQHA YEARBOOK ~ MAY / JUNE ISSUE