RHONDHU CATS R DOUBLE Q-97230
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2025 AQHA INCENTIVES- NUTRIEN CLASSIC SALE & CAMPDRAFT
2025 NUTRIEN CLASSIC CAMPDRAFT CHAMPION
RHONDHU CATS R DOUBLE Q-97230
OWNER: MATT STANGER • BREEDER: MILLERS COWHORSES
IT’ S OFFICIAL! RHONDHU CATS R DOUBLE, THE TALENTED BLUE ROAN GELDING, HAS CLAIMED THE TITLE OF 2025 NUTRIEN CLASSIC CAMPDRAFT CHAMPION. PROUD OWNER, MATT STANGER, RODE THE HORSE TO VICTORY, EARNING A $ 50,000 WINNER’ S CHEQUE.
WORDS BY: LYN HOFFMANN © 2025 • PHOTO BY: BRIE STANGER PHOTOGRAPHY
The celebrations continued for Matt and Katrina Stanger from Mingela, North Queensland, as their gelding was also recognized as the highest-placed Registered Quarter Horse in the Classic. This also earned them the AQHA’ s $ 5,000 Owner’ s Incentive, presented by AQHA General Manager, Gemma Clarke.
The accolades didn’ t stop there, because Rhondu Cats R Double, affectionately nicknamed‘ Michael’ by Katrina, also won Matt a saddle, buckle, rug, and a service fee. Proving his versatility, Michael also placed 3rd in the Gelding Incentive, and 10th in the Challenge Final.
Congratulations also go to Rhondhu Cats R Double’ s breeders, Millers Cowhorses, with Barry and Liz Miller on site to accept the $ 5,000 AQHA Breeders Cash Incentive, and also the $ 5,000 Nutrien Breeders Incentive and trophy. With 40 years of experience professionally breeding Australian Quarter Horses, they’ ve mastered pedigrees that work, and still breed to their motto from the earlier days:“ To breed horses that are user-friendly, versatile, with great pedigrees, trainable minds, functional and athletic bodies, standing on good timber with good feet, between 14.3-15.1Hh, with a heart to work, a bit of grit, the looks to halter, outstanding cow-sense, an attitude to please, and the ability to win.”
Liz Miller created Michael through an embryo transfer and he boasts all of the attributes mentioned above. Although he didn’ t bloom as a colt should and was gelded early, the Millers knew he was a proper corker. Cats R Double was only lightly broken-in due to an injury, and was then sent to Matt Stanger, of Matt Stanger Performance Horses, to be prepared for the 2022 Nutrien Sale. Matt says that the young gelding’ s talent quickly became evident, as Michael soon proved himself as the whole package that he was bred to be.
Liz had stated in 2022 Nutrien Sale notes that in 37 years of breeding horses, he was the first gelding they’ d ever had started under saddle, specifically to take to an auction!
Passed in at $ 15,000 at Nutrien Sale, Matt Stanger purchased Cats R Double at AELEC for that same amount. Now, two years later, Matt’ s ongoing training and competing with the gelding has seen Michael take many wins and placings, including the 2024 Horse of the North, and Cape York & Tablelands Challenges. Michael’ s lifetime earnings are now nearing $ 70,000!
Liz always spoke well of Michael’ s quirky dam, the deceased Erin Crackin Double Spin Q-51058.
‘ By the great Docs Crackin Oak, out of the classy Spinifex mare, Erin Jessica Spin, Double was personable & a little hot, but gave her all when working cattle, regardless of the degree of difficulty.’
Cats R Double’ s USA sire, Highlightcat Q-60015( by Highbrow Cat out of Cammi Light, by Grays Starlight) had a very successful, consistent Cutting career through his aged events, including being the 2004 NCHA Futurity Non-Pro Reserve Champion. At 9yo, Highlightcat sold at auction in 2010, for $ 340,000, huge money back then!
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION- www. aqha. com. au