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Non Pro Futurity Level 4 Champion Corey Smith- HPH Whizkey At The Bar Q-96900
Kate Elliott, Breakoday Quarter Horses Winner of the AQHA Breeder of the Highest placed registered Quarter Horse- Nu Too Much Q-91387
Ashleigh Backhouse and Mondure Oh What A Nite Q-98890 presentation for the Gold Buckle Open Futurity Championship
Open Champion- Lana Kelderman- Big River Dun With Guns Q-93523
Gold Buckle Rookie L1L2 Champion Isabella Bailey and Blondiesgottagun Q-102625
This year’ s Reining Australia National Championships and Gold Buckle Futurity didn’ t just meet expectations; it surpassed them. From the smell of fresh coffee drifting through the barns at sunrise to the floodlit glory of late-night finals, it was a week where everything came together: world-class competition, deep-rooted camaraderie, and moments that will live in memory long after the last truck leaves.
THE EARLY MORNING RITUALS Before a single run was called, the mornings were already humming with life. Riders and supporters gathered at the free competitor breakfasts— plates piled with bacon, eggs, and toast, hands wrapped around steaming mugs of coffee. Conversations flowed easily: seasoned campaigners swapping last-minute pattern advice, first-timers listening intently, and trainers quietly running through mental checklists for the day ahead.
Out in the warm-up arenas, the sound of loping hoofbeats and the rhythmic swoosh of spins mixed with laughter and goodnatured teasing. Every so often a cheer would rise when a horse nailed a stop or a spin. Meanwhile, the volunteers worked quietly in the background, dragging the arenas, checking the draws, running errands, and solving problems before anyone else even noticed them— the invisible backbone of the event.
A NIGHT FOR LEGENDS Midway through the week, competition paused for something special: the Hall of Fame inductions and High Point presentations. The room was full, hats in hands, as stories of past champions and industry trailblazers unfolded. There were bursts of laughter at show ring antics from years gone by, moments of silence for those we’ ve lost, and tears for achievements decades in the making.
For newcomers, it was a crash course in the rich history of Australian reining. For long-time competitors, it was a reminder that the Nationals are not just about this year’ s winners— they’ re about honouring the people, horses, and moments that have shaped the sport.
THE FUTURITY – WHERE STARS ARE BORN The Gold Buckle Futurity has always been the heartbeat of the Nationals— the place where the next generation of stars emerges. This year, it delivered two unforgettable stories and a full lineup of champions across all levels.
When Ashleigh Backhouse and Mondure Oh What A Nite entered the arena for the Level 4 Open Futurity, sponsored by Gold Buckle Trainers & Owners, the crowd leaned forward. Their run was pure electricity— stops buried deep into the dirt, spins that blurred into perfect pivots, and circles so precise they looked like they’ d been drawn with a compass. By the time they slid to a halt on their final maneuver, the roar from the stands left no doubt: the buckle was theirs. The other Open Futurity champions earned their titles in equally
2025 AQHA SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER ISSUE