AQHA Magazine November/December 2017 AQHA_NOV_DEC_2017 WEBSITE | Page 34

Australia the 2010 MT ISA Rodeo. Stephanie Gard placed second with Pebbles, an exceptional mare out of Jessica Morn and bred at Santa Rio. Together Jo and County Roc have enjoyed tremendous success. Jo says, "I purchased County Roc in 2009, it took us a while to work each other out, I think we both learn't a lot from each other, now we have a bond that is very strong he knows my every move and we really are in sync with each other. This is a few of the major events he has won, •2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 Mt Isa Barrel Racing Champion. •2017 Nebo Rodeo Barrel Racing Champion, •2016 North Queensland Elite Rodeo Barrel Racing Champion. •2015 & 2016 Cloncurry Barrel Racing Champion. •2016 Runner Up Mt Isa Barrel Racing Champion. •2016 Runner Up ABHA 1D Barrel Racing Champion. •2015 ABHA 1D Barrel Racing Champion. •2015 Makin it Mega 1D Barrel Racing Champion. •2013 Flying H Invitational 1D Barrel Racing Champion. •Many times ABCRA & NFR Qualifier." When asked, how has Traditional Roc contributed to the Barrel Racing Horse Industry in Australia? Jo answered, "Traditional Roc has sired some of the best Barrel Racing Horses in the country." Jo commented on what makes Traditional Roc's progeny such standout athletes. "The Traditional Roc x Morn Deck mares seemed to be an amazing combination." The 1st Annual Flying H Ranch Invitational Barrel Race held at the prestigious Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth was won by Jamie-Lee Williams and Rocs Classical Morn Q-53741. A 2001 chestnut gelding by Traditional Roc and from Vogue Of Morn Q-24808, a daughter of Morn Deck and Belford Quarter Grecia, bred at Santa Rio. When asked what makes the progeny of Traditional Roc such dominating barrel racing horses, Mathea Usher comments, "When crossed with the mares by Morn Deck, Traditional Roc foals are the be all and end all of the barrel racing industry. They have dominated barrel racing. I believe that the speed of the Traditional Roc foals comes from Morn Deck and his incredible pedigree." To cross with the daughters of Traditional Roc and Morn Deck at Santa Rio, Mathea acquired the stallions Flashy Pepto Q-53998, a 2002 chestnut son of Peptos Stylish Oak (imp) Q-39269 and Freckles Bonita Two Q-30651 and Streak OLena Q-33346, the son of Roc O'Lena (imp) Q-1662 and Holiday Streak (imp) Q-3566. Streak OLena has earned 201.5 AQHA Points and has accumulated Register of Merit's in Halter, Trail, Performance, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail Class and Western Pleasure. He has also been awarded with an AQHA Superior Horse for Halter and an AQHA Quarter Horse Champion for Performance. Santa Rio are awaiting the first foal crop by Streak OLena from their Traditional Roc and Morn Deck daughters. Santa Rio have also retained Traditional Spinner Q-58943, a 2005 son of Traditional Roc and Magnolia Morn Q-16912, a daughter of Morn Deck and Roxanna T Q-6901 (Doc T Bar (imp) Q-1341 x Roxana Bar (imp) Q-1158, a proven cross in the barrel racing arena time and time again for over two decades. Traditional Roc was awarded the Australian Barrel Horse Association Sire Recognition Award in both 2016 and 2017, an award that was introduced in 2016. The progeny that secured this award for the second time for both Traditional Roc and Mathea, were; •County Roc, owned by Jo Caldwell •Traditional Nefertiti Q-51404 (from Morns Cleopatra Q-14445), owned by Katina Matthews •Rocs Royal Rebel Q-62719 (from Royal Denny Q-25169), owned by Ryley Menz •Salty Roc A2-1612 (from Olympic Morn A1-1580), owned by Jackie Learmonth •Rocs Royal Princess Q-56922 (from Morns Dutchess Q-43649), owned by Trish Johnston •Cowboy Roc Q-37829 (from Ima Roc Star Q-10615) ridden by Brianna Learmonth. Santa Rio Quarter Horse Stud's super sire Traditional Roc passed away on the 27th of July, 2017 in his barn. Traditional will be sadly missed by the Usher family and all who had the opportunity to know this extraordinary Quarter Horse sire. Traditional was laid to rest beside Morn Deck under a kurrajong tree at Mathea's home in Parkes, New South Wales. "It comes with a heavy heart that we say farewell to our outstanding wonderful natured stallion, Traditional Roc. At a grand age thirty- three this year. Traditional has sired a multitude of champions throughout his lifetime, with a record hard to match. He wasn't just a horse, he was part of our family, Rest In Peace old mate," said Mathea. Adele Edwards & Rocs Rager Q-37465 Photograph By Kylie R. Melrose. Rocs Royal Cowboy (By Traditional Roc) Q-42792 & Helen McVicar. Photographs By Kylie R. Melrose. Page 34 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • November • December • 2017 Cowboy Roc Q-37829, by Traditional Roc. Ridden by Emily Learmonth. Photographs By Kylie R. Melrose.