2019 South Australia Reining Horse Association's State Championship Show.

This year Kirkcaldy Park Equestrian Centre on Razor Back Road in Meadows provided the grounds for the South Australia Reining Horse Association’s second annual NRHA approved ‘State Championships Show’. The surface of the outdoor arena was groomed with the Club’s new Thomas Arena Products ET drag as the weather forecast called for mild clear days for the two day event. The Schedule of Events was so inclusive it offered classes for every level of rider from the Short Stirrups 10 years and under to the Trotters and SLIDE Apparel Green Riders to the Equilume Open and Little Rock Non Pro. The competitors were mainly SARHA Club members with a few Victorians crossing the border to join in the fun. NRHA World Wide judge Darren Simpson and his lovely wife and scribe Sharon Simpson from Queensland came down to support the show. He put all the riders at ease at his Judges Talk by saying “I’m here to record the horses movements not judge the person”.

The day started with the Horse Deals Any Handed class which was won by Kylie Milway on Cutta Whizz with a score of 67. Next up was the David & Sandi Simons Novice Horse Open and Hold Your Horses Novice Horse Non Pro classes. Kylie Milway and Cutta Whizz were definitely producing consistent runs because they won the Novice Horse Non Pro L1 on a 67 while Vanessa Burnett and Kid Dan Bar won the Novice Horse Non Pro L2. The Novice Horse Open L1 was won by Wayne Hinder on Reysen Hope with a score of 70 ½ . Then along came the Horse Mementos Trotters class with Maree Applebee on CDs Fulo Fire crowned Champion on a score of 66 ½ .

It was now time for a short break in the action with some open pen time for all the riders followed by Peter Salmon and Todd McCormick grooming the surface for the horses to pick up their speed and scores. After the short break, the Packenham Western Wear Snaffle Bit & Hackamore Open and Team Laurie Equine Non Pro class for horses 5 years and under got underway and the Open was won by Wayne Hinder on 3 year old QP Dun Gun It with a score of 69 ½ . The Sooze in the Shed Intermediate Open and EQU Steamz Intermediate Non Pro was next with Julia Hunter and Peppy’s Stylish Jewel winning both divisions. Neylon Performance Horses Limited Non Pro and Aussie Grazers Prime Time Non Pro classes once again saw both divisions championed by one competitor, Susan McCormick and her trusty steed His Diluted Gunner. The Quarter Plus & Xtreme Genes Open Futurity with over $1900 in prize money, a bronze Lawson trophy and prize buckle was won by Wayne Hinder on QP Dun Gun It with a score of 70.

The SLIDE Apparel Green Rider Shootout was the largest contested class of the day with the top scoring six riders to advance to a clean slate SLIDE Apparel Green Rider Shootout the following day as the feature event. Samuel Reynolds on Lil Fancy Pep, Kylie Milway on Cutta Whizz, Michelle Ellis on All Dun Bonnie, Susan Castel on Diesel, Susan Rowden on Rockridge Peppy’s Breeze and Vanessa Burnett on Kid Dan Bar all were qualified for the following day Shootout.

The last Class for the first day of competition was the Johnson’s Natural Formula Feed Open Derby with the champion buckle sponsored by the Jellesma Family. The winner’s trophy saddle and champion buckle was taken home by Wayne Hinder on Little Flashy Rey with a score of 70 ½ .

With the first full day of competition finished it was time for all the competitors to kick back and enjoy the roast dinner provided by Golden Roast and entertainment provided by Scott Rathman Jnr and Tim On Bass.

Saturday morning at Kirkcaldy Park started with the Equitect HA Beginners class with the blue ribbon going to Susan Castel on Diesel. The Thomas Arena Products Youth 14-18 years old Champion and Buckle winner was Samuel Reynolds on Lil Fancy Pep. Reining Australia Green Rider L1 Champion and top point winner was Kylie Milway on Cutta Whizz.

The Equilume Open and the Little Rock Non Pro was set for the big guns to come out and lay down a good number and that they did. Wayne Hinder rode ELR Syndicate’s stallion Reysn Hope for the high score of the show with a 74 and took home the Equilume Light Mask and Champion buckle sponsored by Reining Australia.

While Susan McCormick and His Diluted Gunner won the Little Rock Non Pro sponsored Champion buckle and EQU Streamz Fetlock Bands with a score of 70 ½ .

The final and feature event, the SLIDE Apparel Green Rider Shootout, was ready to start. After the inspiring score of 74 run in the Open, the Green Riders were warmed up and ready to see which one of them was going home with a Champion buckle. Michelle Ellis on All Done Bonnie won the beautiful Reserve Champion rug sponsored by High Plains Rugs and Samuel Reynolds won the SLIDE Apparel Champion Buckle sponsored by Jellesma Family.

South Australia Reining Horse Association would like to thank their major sponsors WH Performance Horses, Quarter Plus and Reyserlea Farm as well as our prize sponsors not previously mentioned Allingtons Outpost, Equidae Dental Services, Nagz Bags and Horse Land Mt Barker.