PG . 26
AQHA FEATURE
Tracey had made the trip to Dalby , to attend her first ARBC event . It was in her first class at this show that brought her back down to earth with a bit of a thud .
‘ My first run was quite disastrous , and that night , I went to bed feeling quite flat . But I was woken up the next morning at 3am , with a very loud banging on my gooseneck . It certainly woke me up with a bit of a start , only to hear Rick ’ s demanding voice . ‘ Come on , Strelitz , get up and get on your horse ! You need to train !’ Well , that obviously worked wonders , because that day , Jerry & I had the Rookie Level 1 & 2 Patterns to run — and I ’ m excited to say , that thanks to Rick ’ s prod of perseverance with me , we went out and won our class !!’
In 2020 , before covid hit , Tracey and Jerry managed to get to one competition — the SQRHA Ride n Slide Buckle Show .
‘ We went home home as Limited Non Pro Champions . I ’ ll always appreciate Rick for getting me started in Reining , and we ’ d often discussed , that when the time was right , I ’ d move onto another trainer . Rick recommended Graham Cooper , of Temora , meaning a 19 hour round trip . Graham has helped me immensely , encouraging me to dig deeper and ask more of myself and my horses , resulting in Jerry and I stepping up another level . No more mucking around , and we ’ ve even managed two PBs . Having great people around you is priceless — thanks guys .’
2021 highlights , while Tracey and Jerry have been working with Graham , have been the ARBC Novice Level 1 & 2 Champion , ARBC Limited Non-Pro Champion , ARBC Limited Non-Pro Derby L2 , QRHM Limited Non Pro Champ , and the SQRHA Limited Non-Pro Derby L2 .
‘ Willingly guided or controlled , with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely .’
‘ Those words are what every reiner works towards !’ Tracey says . ‘ Reining has helped me become a better horsewoman with a clearer understanding of the horse . With big wins , come big losses , but that ’ s what shapes us to become the best we can be . Complete trust and unity with a horse is the ultimate feeling , so I like to aim high and set goals . I think of it like a ladder — each step is a small and achievable goal and I ’ m working towards the top . Once I reach it , I ’ ll set another goal and start again . Hard work and commitment does pay off . Stay happy and remember to Ride N Slide !’
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Willingly guided or controlled , with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely .’
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