AQHA November / December 2019 Magazine AQHA NOV-DEC 2019 PRINT (2) | Page 31

PG.29
display along with buckles, photos, plaques and
programs from the past 30 years. Paul Farrell
recollects that the first NRHA meeting ever held
was at Dubbo NSW at the Premier State Show
in July 1988. Paul’s recollection of those that
attended was Phil & Dot Rodey and himself. It was
after this meeting that the Reining Organisation
got together.
In 1989 the first “Futurity Show” as they were
referred to then, was held at Paul and Sue Farrell’s
property in Whittlesea Victoria and the property’s
name was Farrell Greenhill Training Centre. Paul
won the OPEN Futurity in 1989 on a horse called
Miss Bucks N Chex Q-14996. There were many
great stories sent in to Reining Australia about
the early days of reining and it was a definite
highlight of the show.
The first three Membership numbers were
issued in 1989. Phil Rodey – 001, Dot Rodey –
002 and Paul Farrell – 003. We were fortunate
to have Phil and Dot Rodey, Rick Tranter, Stefan
Wielebinski to name but a few, attending our Hall
of Fame evening and it was a great opportunity to
hear stories from them and celebrate with them
how far reining has come in those 30 years. The
evening was very popular with so many eager to
be involved in the celebration of the history of
our sport.
This year the prestigious Reining Australia Hall
of Fame inducted two incredible show horses;,
Microchip owned by the Lowe Family and also
Freckles Gay Doc Q-36969 owned by Peter
Bartolo. Along with Legend Awards going to
Noel Watson and Pete Bartolo for reaching their
$100,000 status, along with Cameron Halliwell
for reaching his $200,000 status.
MAJOR SPONSORS
Warren Backhouse on NPH Gunner Be A Goodnite Q-91426 - Thomas Arena Products Gold Buckle Futurity Champion
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ISSUE 2019