AQHA Magazine November/December 2017 AQHA_NOV_DEC_2017 WEBSITE | Page 16

Herda N/R, Hypp N/R, OLWS Neg Q-84062 P eter started off in the horse industry in cutting in the early 90’s, but took an interest in Reining in 2000, after attending a local Reining Show held at Sugarloaf arena at Cobbity, NSW. After a short introduction to Reining, Peter teamed up with trainer, Rodney Peachey, and was pointed in the direction of a young stallion named Freckles Gay Doc. He was a Futurity horse at the time and was purchased prior to the National Futurity. Gay Doc went on to win many Derby and Open Classes with both Rodney and Peter. Rodney was instrumental in the sourcing Floyd. At this time he was giving lessons in Victoria, when he saw John Woods on a green, baldy face Gunner colt. He was pretty impressed and stated, ‘he would be a good one to own’. Peter approached John, the owner, at a Reining Show at Tatura, after seeing him go around the practice pen as a two year old. He was keen to purchase him there and then, but it wasn’t to be. Twelve months later John was ready to sell, so Peter flew to Melbourne the next day, rode him, and had him home by the end of the week. Rodney Peachey, was always going to be the trainer to get Floyd to the Futurity. Peter figured if anybody could get him to a Futurity it would be him. He had shown, trained and helped him prepare horses in the past and he is an extremely talented horseman and knows how to prepare and show one. With limited training Rodney wasted no time with Floyd, and with the support of K Ranch owners, Mick and Kate Kearney, they housed Floyd at the venue and Rodney trained him consistently from the time he was purchased to the time he was shown. This little guy displayed a load of talent with a very trainable mind. His breeding was as good as one gets, and the improvement as weeks went by was encouraging. What might be an option became a reality and Floyd was entered in the Gold Buckle Open Futurity. It was September 2017 when Peter and Rodney, and of course Floyd, headed to Tamworth for Reining Australia’s Gold Buckle Futurity & National Championships. Not really knowing what to expect, Peter watched Rodney ride Floyd to be the 2017 SnS Custom Floats Gold Buckle Futurity Champion. He also won the Intermediate Open and Limited Divisions of the Open Futurity. Floyd and Rodney won all three divisions, with a total of $13,200 in prize money, all three Futurity buckles, Open, Intermediate and Limited Divisions. What a thrill for all concerned and these moments are embedded in one’s memory for a lifetime. Previously Gunnerreload had won the NSW State Show, Intermediate Page 16 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • November • December • 2017