2015 OCEANIA JUDGES SEMINAR
On the 2-4 July 2015 the Australian
Quarter Horse Association was
privileged to host an Oceania Judges
Seminar in Caboolture, Queensland.
The last Oceania Seminar was held in
Sydney in 2006, so this was an
excellent opportunity for current
judges, prospective judges and
interested members to update
their knowledge on judging and
the industry in general.
Day 1 saw the disciplines of Western
Riding, Trail, Reining and Ranch Riding
covered with some excellent videos
for instructional and scoring purposes
provided as well as the opportunity
Jackie Krshka, from Oklahoma
and Holly Hover from Arizona,
both AmQHA Judges, were the
facilitators of the Seminar and
provided extremely informative
and fun sessions over a variety
of disciplines throughout the
three days of the Seminar. Their
industry expertise and vast knowledge
was invaluable to those applicants and
interested members.
to learn firsthand the judging of
Ranch Riding which is becoming ever
increasingly popular in Australia.
Thirty five members attended the
Seminar which included: nine AmQHA
applicants, five AmQHA refreshers,
which came from Australia, New Zealand
and South Africa. Seven AusQHA
refreshers, five AusQHA upgrades, six
AusQHA applicants, including two from
New Caledonia and three interested
AusQHA members.
Day 2 covered Judges Orientation and
the pattern classes of Showmanship,
Western Horsemanship and Hunt Seat
Equitation. The sessions on the pattern
classes were of particular interest to all
those that attended with the new scoring
rules to be adopted this year. Hunter
under Saddle and the ever topical
Western Pleasure were the afternoon
sessions. The issue of over-canted horses
was discussed, which is becoming an
increasing issue in the performance
arena. The panelists noted that this
is being addressed successfully in the
States by Judges calling for more
forward motion at the lope. This
can be called for more than once
if competitors do not comply and
Judges are to reward those that
respond to the request.
After an intensive two days of
education applicants then sat
through a variety of testing
which included a written exam,
video testing, live judging and
interviews.
Congratulations are extended
to Kim Thake (QLD), Trish Wettenhall
(VIC), Celine Lasbleiz-Pialla (New
Caledonia) and Justine Vallette-Morlet
(New Caledonia) who were all successful
in gaining their AusQHA judges ticket.
And to Pauline Stuart-Fox, Glenn Wyse
and Leanne Bartlett for attaining their
International Judges Ticket through the
AmQHA.
Deb Watson
The American Quarter Horse Association, International
Horsemanship Camp
With clinicians from Sam Houston
University, Texas and Oklahoma State
University was hosted at Burpengary
Equestrian Centre by the Burpengary
Western Performance Club in
conjunction with Australian Quarter
Horse Association, during 23-26 July
2015.
tools to continue their horse skills.
It was great to see people who could not
canter or do flying lead changes achieve
these goals with ease. Some also took to
cutting and really enjoyed themselves.
The way they instructed made even the
most timid rider confident to go outside
their comfort zones.
The Camp was attended by a very lucky
37 participants. The clinicians were all
University Graduates and the knowledge
they imparted left all participants with
I wish to thank all the guys who made
the trip down under to impart their skills
to a very lucky group of riders and the
American Quarter Horse Association
Page 10 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • September • October 2015
for facilitating the camp.
Clinicians:
Jessica Leatherwood;
Turner McQuade;
Rafael Martinez;
Cody Kyle;
Kimberly Pritchett;
Katy Krshka (AQHA Intern).
Terry McSweeney
BWPC President