Thursday morning kicked off early
with the first of the sanctioned
classes, the Novice Horse. This was
another 50-horse draw across all
divisions. Dennis Neylon and Wimpys
Lil Miss (70) made a clean sweep of
the Novice Horse championships and
the buckles. John Wicks and Onya
Shiney Nu Toy (69½) were reserve
champions in the Novice Horse
Open Level 1 while Noel Watson and
Snippin Cash (69½) filled the reserve
position in the Novice Horse Open
Level 2. Robyn Ross and Atomic
Blonde (69) picked up the reserve
sashes for the Novice Horse Non Pro
Level 1 and Level 2.
More than 30 Green Rider
competitors faced the judge in their
classes. Sidney Paech and Onya
Wozza (68) won the Green Rider
Level 2. There was a tie for first
place in the Green Rider Level 1
between Marni Baker on Quirran
Lea Spinamiss and Jordan Rogers on
Voila Petit Pas, both on 67.
The final event on Thursday was the
concurrently run Southern Cross
Saddlery Open and Non Pro classes.
Once again, there was great support
from competitors for these classes.
There were 20 horses in the draw
with 13 entries in the Non Pro and
10 in the Open. Pattern 9 was the
task for horses and riders and we
experienced our first run-in pattern
in the new arena setup. Nobody
used the full 60 metres available but
everyone appreciated the generous
straight approach to the gate.
Noel Watson and Einstein Flashy
Jac took out the Open championship
with their score of 142. Kathleen
Murphy and Checkout Hollywood
filled the reserve position in the Open
on 141½. This score was enough for
the combination to win the Non Pro
championship, one point ahead of
reserve champions Erin Neylon and
Lil Miss Genius (140½).
Friday is a big day at the Queensland
State Reining Championships with
two feature events scheduled in the
afternoon and evening, the Non Pro
Futurity followed by the Derby. First
up in the morning were the Rookie
Level 1 and Level 2 classes with
more than 30 horses nominated.
Rookie Level 2 champions, Sharon
Leddington-Hill and Migs Shez
Dynamite with 71, squeaked in just
ahead of reserve champions Kurt
Melling and Predator on 70½.
Things were less clear-cut among
the 26 Rookie Level 1 competitors.
There were three riders on 69. In a
commendable display of competitive
determination, they elected to run
off for the champion’s buckle. Mike
Adamson and China Doll were the
final victors, with Marni Baker on
Quirran Lea Spinamiss and Deb
Segeren on Ruf Lil Renee sharing the
reserve spot.
Another draw of around 30 horses
and riders presented themselves to
the judge for the concurrently run
Darling Downs Vets Intermediate
Open, Intermediate Non Pro
and Rookie Professional classes.
Intermediate Open Champions were
Helen Balu and Whizkey On The
Rocks (71) with Denise Milgate and
RKN Two Eyed Kid (70) filling the
reserve place. These positions were
repeated in the Intermediate Non
Pro class. Chris Gould on Malibu
Lena and Craig Cowley on Time To
Shine were Rookie Professional co-
champions with both running a score
of 68.
Meanwhile the Joyce Olsen Memorial
Non Pro Futurity riders were
gathering in the warm up arena,
loping circles, adjusting skid boots,
brushing tails and concentrating on
their big moment. The Queensland
crowd gets right behind the Non Pro
Futurity competitors, encouraging
them and cheering for them every
step of the way through Pattern 5.
Hayley Saunders on DNA Genetics
won all divisions of the Non Pro
Futurity with a score of 140. It
wasn’t an easy win. Three horses
were in reserve position, one point
behind on 139: Jason Melling and Ill
Be Back, Helen Balu on Mighty Red
Pine and Kayla Kingdon on QMatch
Cool Jake. Kyley Norman and Shiney
Is My Name were half a point behind
them and Greg Walker on Ruf N
Twisted and Andrew Behrens on
Hollywood Black Jac were one point
behind Kyley on 137½. The Non Pro
Futurity at the Nationals is going to
be a cracker!
Noel Watson and Colonel Einstein
Q-75561
Greg Walker riding Ruf N Twisted
Beginner Rider winner was Justine
Brown
And the night was still young. The
stands filled, the crowd grew restless.
They were waiting for Pattern 12 to
deliver the Derby horses to them, one
by one at the run. We had already
seen some great scores at the show
but now the competition stepped up
another notch.
Scott Hergest and Spinnin Whiz
came out late in the draw to lay
down their winning score of 143½ in
the Moreton Bay Regional Council
Open Derby. Scott and Spinnin Whiz
also took home the buckle for the
Intermediate Open Derby. Dennis
Neylon and Wimpys Lil Miss were a
close reserve in these classes with
their score of 142½.
In a replay of their clean sweep
in the Novice Horse earlier in the
show, Dennis and Wimpys Lil Miss
gathered up the Champion’s buckles
for the Limited Open Derby and for
all divisions of the Moreton Bay
Kristy Smith on Hollywood Blue Chip
Q-80869
Noel Watson and Einstein Flashy Jac
Q-68286
September • October • 2017 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 25