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AQHA SHOW REPORT: 2026 REINING QUEENSLAND- STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
Dennis Neylon and NPH GI Joe Q-101848 MHM Non Pro- Karen Lowe and NPH Nuitcoulddoit Q-94188
Q Vista Step It Up claiming the Senior Horse Open, while Isabella Bailey and Blondiesgottagun took out the Non-Pro. In the Junior Horse divisions, John Wicks and Voodoos Ruf Gambler secured the Open, with Dennis Neylon and NPH GI Joe winning the Non-Pro.
On Wednesday evening, competitors were warmly welcomed with a complimentary BBQ, with a special mention to our interstate riders from Victoria and New South Wales. A sincere thank you to Wamuran Country Meats for proudly sponsoring the evening.
Thursday kicked off with the Novice Horse Open and Non- Pro, showcasing strong competition across all levels. Open Level 1 and 2 were won by John Wicks riding Voodoos Ruf Gambler, with Level 3 going to Tyler Smith on Q Vista Step It Up. In the Non-Pro, Isabella Bailey riding Blondiesgottagun claimed Levels 1 and 2, while Marni Baker riding Wouldn’ t It Be Nice took out Level 3. A huge thank you to our Gold Sponsor of the Novice Horse Open, Howden Equine Insurance, who also sponsored the buckles for all three levels.
Naming rights sponsors for the Novice Horse Non Pro included Black Label Equine( Level 1), Ringers Western( Level 2), and Rufnit Ranch( Level 3), with Silver Spurs sponsoring the Level 3 buckle. Reserve sponsors included Scott Withers Tiling and Caleb Russell. We were incredibly fortunate to have a large number of product sponsors contributing to the fantastic prizes on offer. Gold Sponsors Hygain and Black Label Equine were joined by Ringers Western, Southern Cross Saddlery, Gympie Saddleworld, Horseman’ s Trading
Post, Tammy Tail Bags, JC Western Accessories( Joy Conn), Show Prep( Hayley Smith), and Milissa Payne, who supplied the beautiful garlands. Hold Your Horses generously sponsored the embroidery on our rugs.
The Beginner Rider and Beginner Youth classes followed, with Amelia Richards riding Bear With Me taking out both. Paisley Kritikou riding Sherons Shining Sonita won the Limited Non-Pro, while Madi Gauci riding Spooky Little Step claimed the Limited Open. Buckle sponsors included Loch Lomond Bradfords and Lyndal Lindsay.
The 3- and 4-year-old Development class, sponsored by Neylon Performance Horses, was won by Matthew Clifford riding Gunner Be Lena. Thursday night’ s feature event delivered plenty of excitement, with the $ 2,000 plus half added Glen Dhu Performance Horses Open and the Michele Halliwell Memorial Non-Pro. Donie McLaughlin riding Wonder Woman took out the Open, while Karen Lowe and NPH Nuitcoulddoit claimed the Non-Pro title.
A special prize for the highest-scoring lady, kindly presented by Joy Conn, was awarded to Karen. Friday began with the Prime Time and Masters Non-Pro classes, won by Hayley Smith riding I Dance For Cash and Gita Thomas riding Q Vista Shooting Star respectively. These classes were supported by DRB Floats and DCD Quarter Horses, with DCD Quarter Horses also generously sponsoring additional classes throughout the show. Reserve sponsors included TL Livestock( Tracey Strelitz) and MH Horsemanship( Mike Nolan). The Rookie classes followed,
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION- www. aqha. com. au