14
AQHA FEATURE: GOLDEN GIRL WITH A SPECIAL STORY- AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS ROSE
A GOLDEN GIRL WITH A VERY SPECIAL BEGINNING- RR A ROSE FROM HEAVEN Q-103104
Every special horse has a story, but Rose ' s journey is one that carries an especially meaningful connection.
When she first entered the Halter scene, she began by leasing RR Midnight Delight Q-94665, affectionately known as Snick. Described as a mare who is simply impossible not to fall in love with, Snick became an important part of her introduction to the breed. Those early days involved many late nights working horses alongside Ryan, learning about breeding programs, reputable bloodlines, show preparation, presentation and everything that goes into producing a quality Halter horse.
The friendship quickly extended beyond the horses, with her becoming particularly close to the entire Robinson family. Ryan ' s mother, Leanne, was a regular part of those early experiences and would often insist she stay for dinner after a day spent with the horses. Leanne had always dreamed of breeding Snick and had narrowed her choice of stallions down to three: Touchdown Kid, Intimidator and Telesecret. Unable to make the final decision, Ryan decided to put the three names into a hat and let fate decide. Touchdown Kid was the name drawn, and he proved to be a perfect complement to Snick.
Tragically, Leanne passed away during the week Snick was bred. From that moment, everyone knew the resulting foal would hold a particularly special place in their hearts and would always remain within their close-knit circle. While she continued showing other horses, Snick carried her precious cargo, and anticipation steadily grew.
The night the filly arrived, there was little doubt something special had entered the world. From the moment she took her first breath, the beautiful youngster captured everyone ' s attention. They knew Leanne had worked her magic from above, and as the filly grew, she continued to impress everyone around her. That filly would become the horse affectionately known as Rose, RR A Rose From Heaven Q-103104.
Under Ryan ' s guidance, Rose continued to prove herself in the show ring, producing impressive results and demonstrating the quality everyone had hoped for. However, with an increasing number of client horses coming through the program, finding the time to campaign her became more difficult. This presented an opportunity that would ultimately change everything. She approached Ryan with an offer to purchase Rose for herself, with the arrangement that Rose would remain in training with him. She admits she honestly didn ' t think Ryan would even consider the proposal, but she was determined to make it happen.
There was also one very important condition: should circumstances ever change and she could no longer keep Rose, Ryan would be offered the opportunity to have her back first.
It was a decision built on friendship, trust and a shared understanding of just how special this filly was.
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
From the beginning, winning the AQHA High Point Halter Horse title was the dream. There were certainly moments throughout the season when the goal seemed uncertain, but Rose continued to rise to the occasion, and the excitement when it became clear she had secured the title was something the entire team will never forget.
Campaigning young horses is never without its challenges. There is a delicate balance between providing enough nutrition and conditioning to achieve peak show-ring performance while allowing sufficient time for growth, development and rest. Rose experienced several particularly growthy stages throughout the season, requiring careful management to protect her long-term health and wellbeing. Her physical development always remained the priority, with the team taking a considered approach to her workload and preparation.
The competition throughout the year was exceptionally strong, with some outstanding horses stepping into the show ring. While the hope was always to bring home the goods, Rose ' s owner is quick to acknowledge that much of the credit belongs to the filly herself. Rose is naturally proud and has an undeniable presence. She genuinely enjoys showcasing herself in front of a crowd, making her a wonderful horse to campaign. Her attitude and willingness to stand out are qualities that have undoubtedly contributed to her success.
However, behind every successful show horse is a dedicated team, and Rose ' s achievements are a reflection of the many hours of work, commitment and care that happen away from the spotlight.
One of the biggest highlights of the season was undoubtedly AQHA Nationals. Arriving with some nerves, knowing Rose would be competing against some exceptional mares, the team could hardly have been happier with the results.
Rose delivered an outstanding performance, taking home an impressive collection of national titles:
• National Champion Yearling Filly
• National Champion American Yearling Filly
• Reserve National Grand Champion Filly / Mare
• National Champion Amateur Yearling and Under Filly
• Grand Champion Amateur Filly / Mare
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION- www. aqha. com. au