Report Kerry Derksen Photos Tania Hobbs
Janet Mansley pictured after being awarded Grand Champion Hack
After quite a number of years, the Gatton Quarter Horse & Performance Association was host once again to the Queensland Quarter Horse State Show, and boy did the weather Gods provide! Seven days of glorious weather looked after both local and interstate competitors who came from as far north as Townsville and as far south as Victoria. Our fantastic Show Manager, Shane Massingham, went out of his way to keep competitors, judges, stewards and spectators happy.
The week long event began with Craig Rath from Victoria judging the AA show on Saturday the 24th of June and finishing on Sunday the 25th. All classes were well supported. It was great to see big numbers in all the Youth and Select Amateur Classes.
Monday the 26th was the All American Day where Mrs Wilma Holcomb from California USA judged a great line up of American registered horses. The State Show program commenced that evening with three Halter Feature events.
Each feature event of the show had a buckle, garland and rug up for grabs for the lucky winners.
Winner of the Open Halter Feature 1 and under was JSS Secret Design and Jason Smith receiving a buckle sponsored by Horsemans Trading Post, a garland sponsored by Wyn Trost Accounting and a rug sponsored by Xtreme Quarter Horses.
Winner of the Open Halter Feature 2 and 3 year old was Sheeza Classic Baby and Talisha Long, receiving a buckle sponsored by Australian Earthmoving PTY LTD, a garland sponsored by Poppy’ s Digger Hire Widgee, and a rug sponsored by Xtreme Quarter Horses.
Winner of the Open 4 & Over Halter Feature was BM Subtlety and Samantha Daley who received a buckle sponsored by Garrards Horse & Hound, a garland sponsored by Poppy’ s Differ Hire Widgee, and a rug sponsored by Xtreme Quarter Horses.
Tuesday the 27th began with Halter horses, followed by Showmanship runs, Led events and some of the Trails. That evening, GQPHA president Paul Lorimer opened the show with both National Anthems and thanked all the hard working volunteers who helped to get this show up and running. Tuesday’ s evening program consisted of three Hunter Under Saddle Features. Be My Valentine and Samantha Daley won the Open Hunter Under Saddle Feature; buckle sponsored by JR Stephens, garland sponsored by Bundaberg & District WPC and rug sponsored by Xtreme Quarter Horses.
MTC Easy Tiger and Megan Richards won the Open Amateur Hunter Under Saddle Feature; buckle sponsored by ATW Group, garland sponsored by Justin McNamara and rug sponsored by Deliberate Chip.
Be My Valentine and Matt Freiberg won the Open Youth Hunter Under Saddle Feature; buckle sponsored by Wards Tax and Accounting Services
Page 28 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • July • August • 2017