With the two girls doing all the handling , we were grateful that all of our youngsters had such incredible temperaments . Initially , it was tough competing on young , green horses , and although many other kids were mounted on trained horses , or ones that their parents also rode , it taught them early on , you only get out what you put in ! They also had some help from some very accomplished riders and coaches , for example , Maxine Brooks has been a massive influence and role model for them .’
PG . 27
Started as a 3yo , by Erin , Yoorana Meika was a mare she had a lot of success on in 2003 / 2004 . Very successful in led and ridden classes when she was on form , there wasn ’ t much the mare couldn ’ t win .
‘ She had a volatile nature , though ,’ Karen recalls . ‘ She was the perfect example of ‘ the crazy chestnut mare ’. However , she did teach Erin to have lots of patience , and how to handle it when things weren ’ t going to plan .’
In 2002 , Yoorana Stud purchased a broodmare , Rodvale Cowgirl ( A1-6570 ). Sired by ASH , Holmrose Lawmaker out of Alchera Lady ( Q-37005 ), she had a filly foal on her by the sprint-bred AQHA sire , Black Denim ( Q-35099 ). The filly , Yoorana Calamity Jane ( A2-1189 ) was beautiful . The Morgans liked the cross so much they bred Cowgirl back to Black Denim twice over , the resulting foals broken in and sold as 3yos . Yoorana Bandit ( A2-1334 ), became a successful showjumper for Miles and Louise Light , of Grafton , and Yoorana Rebel ( A2-1479 ), became a competitive Barrel racer . Son , Tom , also owns a gelding , out of Cowgirl , by Conductor . Karen says they wouldn ’ t have half of what they do , if it weren ’ t for Rodvale Cowgirl .
‘ She ’ s one of our most significant broodmares ,’ Karen reveals . ‘ We ’ re very pleased with what she ’ s produced and what we ’ ve achieved with them . Dam of Yoorana Calamity Jane and grand-dam of Yoorana Copper Acres , Cowgirl is now retired and living out her days as Yoorana Stud ’ s nanny . One of Cowgirls game-changing progeny , Calamity was initially broken in by Jess , and continued on with by Erin , due to Jess ’ school commitments . At 2yo Calamity showed great potential , being easily trainable , quick on her feet , with that soft temperament we loved . Calamity was started in ASH futurities and shows and we were away most weekends for QLD and NSW competitions .’
2005 saw Calamity and Erin clean up the annual ASHLA point score winning the ASHLA ,
Performance , Junior High Point and Overall High Point categories . Calamity was 4yo , Erin was 17 , a very impressive effort . The pretty black mare with the big baldy face turned heads everywhere she went . In 2006 at Sydney Royal , Calamity won the Most Versatile ASH ridden by a Youth . The Morgans were enjoying Calamity ’ s impressive show career , when , in early 2007 , she tragically had a crippling accident , never to compete again .
‘ We were devastated . She had so much talent & competition life left . Calamity gave us so much joy and was very versatile . She could win a working class , go chase a cow , then win a Dressage test . That ’ s the versatility we were chasing in our breed ! A very special horse , that we knew we ’ d have to breed from .’
2021 AQHA YEARBOOK ~ MAY / JUNE ISSUE