JULY / AUGUST 2020 | Page 19

PG.17 This Ducks Smart Q-71972 & Keryn share a moment! everyone in the camp. Being a part of SKG Performance Horses is another great interest that Gai thrives on. Although established earlier, the SKG venture into breeding horses suddenly became more serious after the purchase of the roan stallion, CK Peppioco Q-46450, at the 2009 Landmark Sale. ‘We never went there to buy a horse,’ Keryn begins. ‘But ended up coming home with a stallion. CK Peppioco was by Peptos Stylish Oak, AQHA#3575818 out of a Doc’s Freckles Oak/Hollywood Return, AQHA#0390626 mare called Oaks Holly Gold Q-31253. We enjoyed a great seven years with him, mostly with Scott in the saddle. He ended up an Open Campdraft horse, and earned a number of accolades to his name, including an AQHA Silver Century for Campdrafting, and twice runner-up AQHA High Point Open Campdraft Horse of Australia. He sired a number of campdraft winners, but tragically, in July 2016, CK Peppioco had to be put down after a trucking accident while enroute to Paradise Lagoons. It was really sad as this would’ve been his first opportunity to compete at one of the bigger Campdrafting events in the country.’ By that stage, SKG Performance Horses had begun to accrue a few good broodmares. As heartbroken as they were at losing their lovely stallion, they decided, that if they wished to continue on, they’d need to look for another sire. While searching for the right horse the SKG trio came across a chestnut stallion by the name of This Ducks Smart, Q-71972. Bred by the late, great John Brekelmans, This Ducks Smart Q-71972 had great lines, being by WR This Cats Smart AQHA 3837031, (NCHA $9 Million Dollar Sire, NRCHA $3 Million Dollar Sire) and out of the Dual Rey X Oaks Fancy Duckling mare, Duck Downunder. AQHA ~ JULY/AUGUST ISSUE 2020