PG . 24
AQHA FEATURE
Tracey Strelitz and Quixotes Lil Wimpy , Q-77847 - ARBC Novice Non Pro , Novice Horse Open , Presentation Plus Campdraft
In 2007 , Tracey needed a change , and began competing in the Australian Stock Horse ring , continuing on with that for the next ten years . Whilst competing , she also became an Accredited ASH Judge , and still holds her ticket today . But despite that , and enjoying a wonderful time working with and successfully competing with some great horses , she still felt there was something missing .
‘ My daughter ’ s fiancé , Sam , began working with me , and that really started to change my mindset . I discovered that , instead of being a thinking rider and working with my horses , I ’ d always been very good at saying ‘ you will ’ to my horses — making them do as I wanted — but in reality , I was working against them . Sam also said to me ; ‘ If you really want to challenge yourself , take up Reining .’
That was when Tracey began to look for her first Reining horse . In March , 2017 she found herself making the trip out to Rick & Lyn Sciberras property at Mendooran , NSW , to have look at and trial a trained Reining horse , called Quixotes Lil Wimpy , Q-77847 .
‘ Rick Sciberras had been working the palomino gelding for a client . Jerry , as the horse was known , was wellbred for Reining , being sired by Wimpys Lil Starlight , and out of Sheza Lil Quixote . From the moment I swung a leg over his saddle and started riding him , while Rick talk me through things , I knew I ’ d found my forever sport . I had absolutely no hesitation in buying Jerry .’
Rick offered to help Tracey learn how to ride a reiner and told her that he ’ d explain how the manoeuvres and penalties worked within the patterns . Tracey was so keen , that over the next three years , would make the nine hour round-trip , on a regular basis , to Rick ’ s place at Mendooran .
‘ Poor Rick ! I really don ’ t think he had a clue just what he was taking on ! The transition from English to Western was more difficult than I ’ d expected , but Rick , and Jerry , persevered with me ! There was this one time that I said to Rick , ‘ I really want to get off this horse and punch you in the nose !’ But of course , I was only kidding .’
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW . AQHA . COM . AU