WARREN BACKHOUSE riding HOLLYWOOD GROOVER Q-85291
The 2018 Queensland State Reining Champi-
onships were held at the Qld State Equestrian
Centre from 8-11 August and the Qld Reining
Horse Association (QRHA) and competitors
went out of their way to put on a great show.
Offering over $37,000 in prizemoney, the
event was judged by international NRHA
Judge, Bub Poplin, from the USA along with
Australia’s own, NRHA accredited judge,
Darren Simpson.
The show featured all levels of competition
with 468 entries across 42 classes of both
NRHA sanctioned and non-sanctioned events
over four days of competition Reining. The
show was live streamed across the Inter-
net attracting viewers both interstate and
internationally and 120 riders competed at
this prestigious event, with many high-profile
horse and rider combinations competing for
the coveted State Titles.
After the introduction of AQHA Ranch
Riding at the 2016 NRHA Derby in the States,
and with growing popularity across both the
States and Australia, QRHA started featuring
Ranch Riding classes and clinics at club shows
throughout the 2018 show season. Glenn
Wyse conducted a Ranch Riding clinic in
the lead up to the show which proved very
popular for participants and fencesitters,
emphasising the different showing styles and
expectations of the judges between Reining
and Ranch Riding. This culminated in very
popular inaugural Ranch Riding classes at
this year’s State Show, ably judged by AQHA
accredited Kim Thake.
Thea Griffin, riding RKN Whiz Bang Q-73196 ,
took out both the Beginner and Open Ranch
riding classes with a very excited Michelle
Delbridge earning Reserve Champion in the
Open on her Reining horse Alright to be a
Redneck. Michelle and her husband are the
owners of Platinum Saddle Co, generously
supporting the sport by donating a trophy
saddle to the Open Futurity winner at this
year’s show. With Leanne Bartlett, riding
Whizkey on the Rocks Q-60208, and Angela
Wicks on, Q Vista Peppa Revolution Q-76760,
joining the hotly contested line up of winners
in the Open Ranch riding, the emerging
popularity of this class will help to make it a
permanent fixture in future show programs.
Wednesday featured all of the NRHA
non-sanctioned events with the Open and
30 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • September • October • 2018
Article- Kelli Ready photos OZSHOTS
Non Pros showcasing their young horses in
the Junior Horse events. After travelling all
the way over from the States on her University
break, Clancy Erlin, riding Topsal Roc tied
for first place with fellow seasoned competitor
Greg Walker on Ruff n Twisted. Scott Burnett
and Smokin Sheriff began what turned out
to be a very successful show when he tied
for first with Noel Watson riding Colonel
Einstein Q-75561. Noel later went on to take
out the Senior Horse title on Einstein Flashy
Jac Q-68286.
Scott and Michelle Burnett operate Burnett
Performance Horses out of Widgee QLD and
this lovely couple dominated competition on
their buckskins, earning a swag of buckles
and garlands. Michelle, riding De Termi-
nation Q-62390, won the buckles for the
Tuffrock Non Pro and the Ed Smith Reining
& Performance Horses Limited Open, with
her highest score to date, a classy 144 run.
Scott then dominated the prestigious Open
Derby, winning all three classes on his young
buckskin, Smokin Sheriff, for his share of the
$5000 prizemoney offered across the three
Open classes.