May 2014 - Reining Horse Association

New Zealand Reining
Horse Association
CONGRATULATIONS!
Grant Whitaker and GB Ruf Jewel
our 2014 Futurity Winner
February 2014 Newsletter
Bernie Hoeltzel (NRHA Germany)
PRESIDENTS REPORT
Hi everyone,
Well autumn is finally here cooler nights but still plenty of
time to go ride before the rain arrives. Well we had a great
futurity show this year plenty of entries {108 runs} It was
a great facility at Hawera and we enjoyed a good surface
in the show pen. We had a lot of positive feedback which
was good, so it will be interesting where we hold our 2015
futurity show. Also a big thank you to all our committee
members who worked so hard to ensure that it was the
success it was, also the ring ins on the weekend your help
was much appreciated making the show run smoothly. Finally we enjoyed 3 clinics through the month of march with
Bernie, its been good to get international clinicians again
this season.
Also a reminder that our AGM will be held in Hamilton
this year on the 24th May, so we will look forward to seeing
some of you there.
Until next time take care and ride well
AGM
Saturday 24th May
Jason Melling
DOWN MEMORY LANE
10.30am
CBD Corner Pub,
28 Hood St, Hamilton
Come along to support your association
GUNNER NEW NRHA $6M SIRE
With the month of April being a busy time in National Reining
Horse Association (NRHA) competition, the legend of NRHA
Hall of Fame stallion Gunner had more pages added to the
story. Thanks to the success of his offspring, Gunner (AQHA
Colonels Smoking Gun; APHA Colonels Smokingun) has become NRHA’s fifth, Six Million Dollar Sire. His official offspring
earnings now are $6,013,250.
Bred by Eric Storey of Henagar, Ala., Gunner is the top
NRHA earning offspring of Colonelfourfreckle (Colonel Freckles x Miss Solano) and out of Katie Gun whose offspring have
earned more than $554,000 in NRHA competition. Gunner
earned nearly $175,000 in his career including these accolades:
1996 NRHA Futurity Level (L) 4 Open Reserve Champion;
1997 NRHA Derby L 4 Non Pro finalist; 1998 NRBC L 4 Open
Reserve Champion; 1998 NRHA Derby L 4 Open finalist ridden; 2001 USET Festival Of Champions National Reining
Champion.
In 2002, Gunner was immortalized as a Breyer Horse
for the USET Special Edition
model.
Just last year at the age
of 20, Gunner lost his battle
with laminitis. He is deeply
missed by his owners Tim
and Colleen McQuay of McQuay Stables, Inc. in Tioga,
Texas. However, his story
continues in the reining arena through the talents of his
progeny.
Tim McQuay is all smiles in this photo taken
after his first big win aboard Hollywood Dun
It. They had a great run earning 1987 NRHA
Derby Open Championship honors.
PROUD SPONSOR OF NZRHA
Leading the field in
bloodstock insurance
For any equine insurance please contact
sally copeland at sally.copeland@jlt.co.nz
Also please contact kurt melling NZRHA
committee member at
melling.kurt@gmail.com
MEMBER PROFILE
Grant Whitaker rode GB Ruf Jewel to win
our most recent NZRHA Reining Futurity.
It wasn’t until I met my wife Claire that I became interested in horses. Not wanting to do the same discipline
as Claire, who was eventing at the time, and after a little research I began having riding lessons with Jozette
Hazeldine at GB Stud. After a year or so I purchased a
great old mare Waiora Candi Bar, who had been shown
extensively in the western performance scene. After a
shift to the South Island, the sale of Candi, and the subsequent purchase and sale of a great young gelding,
Riarmas Classic Choc (Nugget), I had the opportunity
to return to Auckland and join the team at JH Farrier
Services.
My first reining show was in 2012 on a 3yr old mare GB
Good Lookin Lass, who we were lucky enough to purchase
from Amelia and Wayne McCormack. It was a credit to
them that I was able to show Lass to the high scoring 3yr
old in the Futurity after only having her in Auckland for a
week.
My first “real” reiner was GB Ruf Jewel, we purchased
this mare as a two yr old from GB Stud. Jozette broke
Ruffy in, and we spent the next year cruising around getting to know each other. In the last few months I have
been lucky enough to graze Ruffy at GB Stud where I have
been able to get huge amounts of help from James and
Jozette leading up to the Futurity.
At the recent NZRHA Futurity show, with a bit of luck on
the day, lots of help and a good horse, I was able to win
the Open and Non-Pro Futurity. Ruffy has since been sold
and I wish the new owners all the best for the future with
this great mare.
Reining is a super exciting sport and a real buzz, as a
sport it sells itself and we are starting to see the growth
here in NZ that the rest of the world have already seen.
This was evident with the number of entries and supporters at the recent show in Hawera. A big thank you from me
to all the NZRHA committee members past and present
that have done a huge amount of work over the past few
years to see the sport grow.
I look forward to training and showing my next Reiner.
Grant Whitaker
FROM YOUR EDITOR
Hi guys,
The following week I was even more excited to hear of
As usual I seem to be going flat tack but getting no- the beautiful run of a gelding I bred Kawatiris Cotton Sail
where. Mum always tells me Rome wasn’t built in a day (Topsail Wimpy x Freckles Cotton Candy) had done at the
and to make it worse I’m now losing more and more day- futurity show placing 2nd with his trainer Jozette Hazeldine.
light every day!
I always thought Sailor would be
My two little boys Clayton and
something special as soon as he
Leroy keep me busy too so I still
hit the ground. Well done Jozette
haven’t really got the time to ride
and his owner Dale Logan.
consistently. However, I was
I was also extremely chuffed to
sure to make riding a priority for
hear one of our stallions progeny
the 3 weeks leading up to the
Cats Sierra Star (Sierra Negro x
Bernie Hoeltzel clinics with an efCats Josette) had also proved
fort to getting one of my horses
himself in the Novice horse class
fit, Kawatiris TenOutaTen (Ten x
taking home a win and 4th in the
Cutters Roulette).
futurity. Congratulations to his
The clinic in Christchurch was
trainer Mark Chamberlin and ownanother squished event for me as
ers/breeders Robert and Adrienne
we started work on the Monday
Hodgson.
in Twizel.
Our next project for work takes
The clinic was a real benefit
us back to Auckland so I look forfor me and my horse. I appreciward to being back amongst a
ated being able to work on each Amelia Cook and Kawatiris TenOutaT- larger horse community and surmanoeuvre keeping things rela- en (Ten x Cutters Roulette) at the recent rounded by others with a passion
tively basic achieving immedifor reining.
Hoeltzel clinic.
ate results. Not only did I enjoy
In the meantime would like to be
the clinic and Bernies simple way of teaching, but being involved in the development of reining clinics and shows
amongst others with an interest in improving their reining in the South Island with the hope of seeing it expand down
and quite simply being back on my horse (minus a couple here as much as it has in the North Island.
of kids)!
Amelia Cook
NZRHA FUTURITY SHOW 2014
This year the NZRHA held it’s third annual Futurity show on the 29th & 30th March 2014, at Egmont A&P Showgrounds
in Hawera. The judge was NRHA International judge Bernie Hoeltzel from Germany.
The Futurity buckle was sponsored by Kumeu Veterinary Services. The Open buckle was sponsored by JLT Bloodstock insurance and all other buckles sponsored by NZRHA. The Open Futurity purse and Non-Pro purse were sponsored by Anne & Doug Thode, and the Open purse was sponsored by JLT Bloodstock Insurance.
Trophies:
Open Futurity Trophy & Buckle: GB Ruf Jewel Grant Whitaker
Non Pro Futurity Buckle: GB Ruf Jewel - Grant Whitaker
Highest Placing 3 yr old in Futurity: Kawatiri Cotton Sail Jozette Hazeldine
Open Novice Trophy: Rae Moot - Hollywood Tradition
Open Buckle: Melody Jay - Catherine Ladd
Non Pro Buckle: CL Quixotes Starlette - Mike Foster
Green Reiner Buckle: Samara Melling - Players Dream
Any-Handed Reining (20)
1st Melody Jay - Catherine Ladd - 71.5
2nd Topsail Wimpy - Jozette Hazeldine - 69
3rd= Kawatiri Cotton Sail - Jozette Hazeldine - 68
3rd= GB Ruf Jewel - Grant Whitaker - 68
5th Double K’s Kool Kat - Niki Perrett - 67
6th Senor Whiz - Catherine Ladd - 66.5
Novice Horse (9)
1st Cats Sierra Star - Mark Chamberlin - 67.5
2nd Cutters Last Whiz - Tania Mapp - 63.5
3rd= Kawatiri Cotton Sail - Jozette Hazeldine - 60.5
3rd= Private Dancer - Ngaire Bryant - 60.5
5th Just Inviting Bill - Wayne McNamara - 57.5
6th Smarty Cotton - Abbie LeQuesne - 56
Green Reiner (13)
1st Samara Melling - Players Dream - 69
2nd Sonja Garrity - GB Smart N Lethal - 68
3rd Karl Dickins - TNT Bobby Brown - 67.5
4th Trish Overington - Zip N Good - 67
5th Pauline Scahill - Clover Magnificent Seven - 67
6th Ngaire Bryant - Private Dancer - 67
Youth 13 & Under (3)
1st Samara Melling - Players Dream - 68
2nd Smarty Cotton - Abbie LeQuesne - 66.5
3rd Hollie Bruce - Stylistic Chance - 66
Non Pro (12)
1st Mike Foster - CL Quixotes Starlette - 69.5
2nd Jason Melling - Players Dream - 68.5
3rd Rae Moot - Hollywood Tradition - 66.5
4th Niki Perrett - Double K’s Kool Kat - 64
5th Wal Hohneck - Alonzo Lone Stylist - 60.5
6th= John Garrity - Sheza Grand Impression - 60
6th= Rachel Humphries - Paddys Irish Star - 60
Prime Time Non Pro (6)
1st Wal Hohneck - Alonzo Lone Stylist - 60.5
2nd John Garrity - Sheza Grand Impression - 60
3rd Bronwyn Preston - Midsummers Nite Dream - 56
4th Ron Preston - Tacos Morning Thundercloud - 54.5
5th Tony O’Regan - Smarty Cotton - 43.5
Open Derby 5 & 6 Yr Olds (5)
1st Topsail Wimpy - Jozette Hazeldine - 71
2nd GB Smart N Lethal - Sonja Garrity - 62
3rd SC The Allstar Kid - Mark Chamberlin - 61
4th Cotton Whiz - Kathryn O’Regan - 60
5th Alonzo Lone Stylist - Wal Hohneck - 59.5
7 & Up (7)
1st Melody Jay - Catherine Ladd - 73
2nd Hollywood Tradition - Rae Moot - 66
3rd= Double K’s Kool Kat - Niki Perrett - 64
3rd= Paddys Irish Star - Rachel Humphries - 64
5th Smarty Cotton - Abbie LeQuesne - 60.5
6th Clover Magnificent Seven - Pauline Scahill - 56.5
Open Futurity (7)
1st GB Ruf Jewel - Grant Whitaker - 69.5
2nd= Kawatiri Cotton Sail - Jozette Hazeldine - 68.5
2nd= Senor Whiz - Catherine Ladd - 68.5
4th Cats Sierra Star - Mark Chamberlin - 68
5th Colonel Whiz - Jason Melling - 67
6th GB Ima Top Step - James Hazeldine - 66.5
Non Pro Futurity (4)
1st Grant Whitaker - GB Ruf Jewel - 69.5
2nd Jason Melling - Colonel Whiz - 67
3rd Ngaire Bryant - Private Dancer - 65
4th Wayne McNamara - Just Inviting Bill - 53
Youth 14-18 (3)
1st Jamie Irvine - Alonzo Lone Stylist - 52.5
Open Novice (14)
1st Rae Moot - Hollywood Tradition - 67
2nd Ngaire Bryant - Private Dancer - 66.5
3rd Rachel Humphries - Paddys Irish Star - 64.5
4th Sonja Garrity - GB Smart N Lethal - 64
5th Abbie LeQuesne - Smarty Cotton - 60
6th= Kathryn O’Regan - Cotton Whiz - 59.5
6th= Wal Hohneck - Alonzo Lone Stylisit - 59.5
Open (7)
1st Melody Jay - Catherine Ladd - 71.5
2nd Topsail Wimpy - Jozette Hazeldine - 70
3rd CL Quixotes Starlette - Mike Foster - 69
4th GB Ima Top Step - James Hazeldine - 68.5
5th SC The Allstar Kid - Mark Chamberlin - 65.5
6th Cotton Whiz - Kathryn O’Regan - 61
Open Freestyle (6)
1st Hollywood Tradition - Rae Moot - 66.5
2nd Senor Whiz - Rachael Grady - 65
3rd GB Smart N Lethal - Sonja Garrity - 64
4th GB Peppy Chic - Jamie Irvine - 62
5th Cotton Whiz - Kathryn O’Regan - 61.5
FUTURITY SHOW GALLERY
Jozette Hazeldine and Kawatiri Cotton Sail
(Topsail Wimpy x Freckles Cotton Candy)
Jozette Hazeldine and Topsail Wimpy (Wimpys Little
Step x Sheza Bontia Whiz) winners of the Open Derby.
Samara Melling winning the Green Reiner Class riding
Players Dream (Kenarla Docs Player x Kings Gay Bar)
Catherine Ladd and Melody Jay (Whizzel A
Melody x Denny N Jay) winners of the Open
Rachel Grady and Senor Whiz (Melody Jay x Cotton
Baroness) place 2nd in the Freestyle Reining.
AGM
Saturday 24th May 10.30am
CBD Corner Pub, 28 Hood St, Hamilton
Mark Chamberlin and SC The Allstar Kid
(This Kids All Style x KNK Sheza Cool Skip)
place 5th in the Open
FUTURITY SHOW GALLERY
ATTENTION SOUTH
ISLAND REINERS
We would like people to express their interest
in having our own reining show in Nelson adjacent to
the Nelson Show which would be Friday 5 December.
The judge has been confirmed via Nelson to be
International-Worldwide NRHA judge
Leanne Bartlett (Aust). There is also the opportunity
to have training additional to the show on Monday.
We would like to know who would be:
- interested in showing a horse/s
- intersted in training
- available to help prior to the show
- able to help on the day of the show
- able to help seek sponsorship
Please contact Amelia
equinefilms@xtra.co.nz and Kim
changingstarrs@xtra.co.nz
Catherine Ladd and Senior Whiz (Melody Jay
x Cotton Baroness) place 2nd equal in the
Open Futurity
SLIDERS
If anyone is looking to buy slide plates you can do so through
Jason Melling on jr.melling@slingshot.co.nz or 021 741 569.
They are $20 per set plus postage.
FACEBOOK
Don’t forget NZRHA is on Facebook.
Please remember to ‘like’ us on facebook so
that you get the very latest updates. If our posts
are not showing up in your newsfeed be sure to
go to our page and ‘like’ a couple of the posts on
there and then it will start showing up in your newsfeed again.
NZRHA MERCHANDISE
Caps: Adjustable. $15 per
hat plus postage.
Samara Melling winners of the Youth 13 and
Under riding Players Dream (Kenarla Docs
Player x Kings Gay Bar)
Tail bags: $20 each plus
postage
Saddle
covers:
$110
each
plus
postage
Contact: Jozette, office@reining.co.nz
Catherine Ladd and Melody Jay (Whizzel A Melody x Denny N Jay) winners of the 7 & Up
HORSE PROFILE
Catherine Ladd rode Melody Jay to win the
Open at out NZRHA Reining Futurity Show.
was the highest scoring horse all weekend with no other
horse scoring higher than any of his runs.
Leading up to the show I knew the Open was going to be
a
tough class to win with some very good horses. I knew
Melody Jay (Whizzel) is a 2001 Quarter Horse Stallion
we
would have to do a good run to do well. After watching
imported from Australia (Whizzel A Melody x Denny N
our
Reining runs from the QH Nationals on video (I hadn’t
Jay). He was imported as a yearling and I have done all
ever
seen any of our runs on video after all these years of
his training and show campaigning on him.
showing!)
I thought our large fast circles were looking a
My partner Clint and I had a baby boy, Clayton, at the
bit
slow
so
I thought that is something we can work on to
end of August 2013. I knew with having a young baby that
improve
our
scores. Whizzel doesn’t get hot or fizzy and
I wouldn’t be able to do my normal busy show season
would
rather
go slow than fast so I know he wouldn’t get
with clients horses and going away lots of weekends, so I
rattled
with
adding
some extra speed. It is amazing how the
thought I can just drag Whizzel out from the paddock once
fast
circles
feels
faster
than they look so was really helpful
in a while to take to a show and have some fun, and we
seeing
it
on
video.
I
was
a little worried about doing Patcertainly have had some fun!
tern
10
as
it
is
Whizzel’s
worst
pattern with having to run in
I started riding horses again when Clayton was 6 weeks
through
the
gate
and
up
the
middle
to the first stop. He has
old but with having no other ‘proper money earning job’ the
got so show smart
only horses I really
now it is tough to
had time to ride
work on it with him
consistently where
without
blowing
clients horses as
a
class.
When
I
my own don’t help
practice
it
when
we
with paying any
are warming up he
bills. I wanted to
usually does it well
ride at our local
as he knows he
Taranaki Western
just has to but then
Riding Club Prewont run straight
mier show over
or fast when it
the New Year so
comes to show
I gave Whizzel a
time. The morning
couple of weeks
of the show when
(1-2 weeks) work
I worked him first
and took him to
thing I thought I
the show. He was
wouldn’t warm him
awesome, winning
up in the arena
the Open Reining
first then work on
with a score of 74
running in as he
and also placing
would know we
3rd in the Open
are practicing, so I
Trail. The week afwarmed him up in
ter we went to the
Melody
Jay
(Whizzel
A
Melody
x
Denny
N
Jay)
and
Catherine
the outside pen in
Manawatu Premier
Ladd
at
the
2014
Taranaki
Premier
Show,
winners
Open
Reining
the dark then our
Show where he
first entrance into
once again won
the
main
arena
that
morning
I
made
him
run in like we
the Open Reining and we had a go with Ranch Horse
had
to
do
in
the
pattern.
He
did
it
well
so
I
was
more conPleasure and won that also, along with placings and wins
fident
leading
up
to
the
class
that
we
would
do
that part
and Senior Reining, Working Cowhorse and Trail he came
well.
It
was
pretty
cool
actually
starting
galloping
outside
home with the High Point Senior Horse Award.
the
arena
in
the
dark
then
running
into
the
lit
up
arena,
it
After being turned out again he was given a weeks riding
was
a
cool
entrance
into
the
arena
that
morning!
He
ran
in
and we went to the Quarter Horse Nationals where he was
a superstar once again, winning two Working Cowhorses, well at the start of the pattern and the rest all fell into place
two Reinings, the Ranch Horse Pleasure and placing 2nd well enough when it came to show time, I was a little disap(half a point behind his daughter Whizzarita) in the biggest pointed we didn’t have such a good run as we had done
event of the Nationals, the Senior Horse Trail. He was also the day before in the 7 & up class but we still did enough
awarded High Point Senior Western Horse and Overall to be Open Champions for 2014!
So considering I was just going to have a fun cruisy,
Western Performance Horse.
low
stress show season we have ended up coming home
After another month and a bit off being back out on holiwith
two lovely Trophy Buckles, Three High Point Awards,
day with his wife and daughter he was given another week
and
Five
AQHA-NZ National titles. I am so lucky to have
and a half riding then we went to the NZRHA National
a
horse
like
Whizzel I can just literally drag out of the padshow where once again he had a brilliant show. He won
dock
and
take
to a show and be so successful with.
all his three events, earning a 73 in the 7 & up class and
winning the Open against some very good competition. He
Catherine Ladd
Congratulations
to Claire Ollerenshaw
and Grant Whitaker
on recently tying
the knot!
NZRHA wishes
you both
all the best
for the
future
MEMBER PROFILE, CLINIC AND SHOW REPORT
How I came to Reining
If you’d asked someone who knew me a few years ago,
if they thought I’d be doing reining and working cow horse
one day, they would definitely have said ‘no way’.
My wish for a pony when growing up on a dairy farm
in the Wairarapa, was always met with my Dad saying
‘No, definitely not... a horse eats as much as four cows!’ It
wasn’t until many years later, in my mid 30’s, when I finally
got my first horse and riding lessons. I then discovered
that despite being keen, I was a nervous adult rider with
a very high sense of self preservation! How I wish I had
learnt to ride as a young-un.
In 2008 I decided to give western showing a go, so got a
good western trained horse and started to compete in the
rookie classes at local shows. Everything except reining,
as although it looked awesome, it also looked way too fast
and full on for me!
Last season my mare Jewel (Playgirl) was in foal, so it
was time to look for a new horse for this season. Some of
the horses available did reining, so I gave them a try to
and that made me realise I definitely wanted to give reining
a go. I got Goldie (Cotton Whiz) also known as ‘Barbie’,
thanks heaps to Barry and Linley Ladd, and started the
transition from ‘pleasure’ riding to reining. This has been
our first season together and we’ve had lots of fun having
a go at reining, working cow horse, ranch horse pleasure
and trail. I’m definitely now hooked on reining.
NZRHA Futurity Show
I recently competed at the Reining Futurity Show at
Hawera in March. This was my first NZRHA show and it
was inspiring and a pleasure to see so many great horses
and riders compete. I really enjoyed the show, and how
friendly, encouraging and helpful some of the more experienced competitors were. Thanks to everyone for that, as
it’s great to feel welcome and included as such a newbie.
Look forward to seeing you all again next season.
Clinic with Bernie Hoeltzel
Following the Futurity Show, Goldie and I attended the 2
day clinic with Bernie Hoeltzel. Despite some tired horses
and riders, the clinic was very beneficial. We had a great
bunch of people and lots of laughs... though I think a few
more cold beers will be needed to get Bernie through
another clinic!! His training program and methods made
sense and we could truly start to see some results in just
the two days.
We have plenty to work on... so look forward to seeing
if we can miss some penalties and get those scores a bit
higher for next season.
Kathryn O’Regan
Cotton Whiz aka Barbie (Melody Jay x Cotton
Cutter) and Kathryn O’Regan after the Freestyle
at the Futurity Show to music “Come on Barbie...
Let’s Go Party!”’
LATEST ARRIVALS
The latest arrival into New Zealand is a 2 year old burnt buckskin colt called Stylish Jazz
(Dual Jazz USA x Lady Stylish Aust). He was bred by Xtreme QH Stud in Australia and brought
into NZ by the Hodgson and Chamberlin families.
This gorgeous young colt has been broken in by Mark Chamberlin
and showing exceptional talent. He has an absolutely amazing mind
and is so athletic and will be out in the show pen next season.
As you all know Dual Jazz is an exceptional sire and his progeny
excell in the Cutting and Reining arenas. They are well known for being very big stoppers.
Lady Stylish herself is a very accomplished mare in the Cutting/
Campdrafting events.
Jazz as we call him has a lot to offer our gene pool. He will be registered and classified here in NZ before standing at stud. He is 5 panel
tested and NN on all tests.
We are looking forward to getting him out in the show pen this coming season. Cant wait to introduce him to you all.
Val Chamberlin
SHOW REPORT
Rae Moot rode Hollywood Tradition to a win in the Open Novice and Freestyle as well as
other numerous placings.
I’d only had my super little gelding Hollywood Tradition (Hollywood Double Bill x Yulgilbar Gambling Girl) for a month
before we headed off to Harewa to join the fun at the Futurity show. It would have been nice to have had a little bit of a
build up to this show with a couple of runs at ribbon days or local shows, but that wasn’t the case and we dived into the
unknown head first.
I had not seen him perform at a show, nor did I know what to expect. All I knew was he is a seasoned show horse, so
he’d know what was expected of him. Far Out! He knew all right. The moment he stepped into that indoor arena he was
in show mode. It took me a little by surprise, and it’s fair to say that I was just along for the ride.
By sheer good fortune we came away with some good results, including taking away the Open Novice Trophy, and a
1st in the Freestlye, with
a 3rd in the Non Pro behind Mike and Jason, a
2nd in the 7 & Up behind
Catherine. I’m very fortunate to have this wonderful horse to ride, and
I look forward to making
a better job of things next
season. It was wonderful
atmosphere at the show,
with a great bunch of
people who encouraged
and supported each other, and I hope to catch
up with the whole “reining family” at shows next
year.
Rae Moot
When making payments into the NZRHA BANK ACCOUNT please include a reference
and/or email us with the amount and date of your payment and what it is for.
Account Name: NZRHA; Bank: National Bank - Account Number: 06-0313-0127539-00
PLEASE NOTE: If the office does not receive your payment details it will be treated as a donation.
MEMBER PROFILE, CLINIC AND SHOW RECAP
I moved into western riding from an English background
5 years ago after watching the western section at the Stratford A&P show and was dazzled by Sarah Rolston and
Catherine Ladd. I came home wanting to spin and slide
like I had seen Whizzel do in the reining. I had never seen
western riding let alone reining in the UK.
Unfortunately I owned a heavily built crossbred stationbred mare who had hunted and been used on the farm but
was very green. I had no western experience and neither
did she. We joined our local club and spent two seasons
attending club days and shows and having fun as rookies,
we even did some shocking reining patterns, often on the
wrong lead and with time for the judge to need a haircut by
the end as she was not built for speed.
As we started this journey to the dark side as my friends
called it we saw an advert for Whizzel foal’s for sale. My
poor husband had just sold his ute so unusually had some
money which I set about ‘borrowing’. I couldn’t afford a
finished horse but had a plan that by the time this foal was
ready to be ridden I would have learnt enough to be able
to ride it. I never paid back the loan and instead Hitch became my belated wedding present.
And so Hitch came to us at weaning, I carried on showing my stationbred and learnt a lot and then as a 3 year old
I was lucky enough to have Catherine train and show Hitch
in his first season for me very successfully.
This year he came home and I have spent my first season riding him.
After a rocky start to the season and some much needed
lessons from Catherine we rode our first ever reining pattern in January at the Stratford premiere show. It quickly
became obvious that although Hitch knew what to do and
had a very successful season the previous year with Catherine on board it was a very different story now - we gave
the spectators quite a show.
So more shows followed and some things improved and
some things didn’t - I could not ride a stop... but we were
having fun and I was finally reining - sort of!
Catherine had agreed to show Hitch at the Reining Show
Futurity again this year so 3 weeks prior to the show he
went off to her to be introduced to a curb. I was keen to
ride at the show to so we agreed I would show him on the
Sunday back in a snaffle after the futurity.
Sunday was full of nerves having not ridden my horse
for over 3 weeks we competed in the Open Novice and
Freestyle. It was great to be at my first reining show, we
had a good run in the Novice except for major issues with
the lead changes but I was pleased with my best ride to
date and we managed the first real sliding stops I’d ridden.
Despite not placing I got some valued positive feedback
from the judge and officials which was encouraging.
The freestyle followed and as I hadn’t had my horse at
home I’d had plenty of time to get my costume ready. I
hadn’t of course ridden my pattern prior so we were quite
scrappy as I tried to remember where to go and worried
about going over 4 minutes. The atmosphere was great
and the spectators were so enthusiastic it was a blast,
Hitch was a rock star. No nerves this time and loved every
minute being in the arena. We’d finally got our mojo together and sadly it was not only the end of the show but
the end of the season. We still had the last clinic with
Bernie which followed the show at Hawera.
I was really excited to attend my first reining clinic and
had fantasies of Bernie having us sliding, stopping and
spinning for 2 days solid. Bernie stayed with us and over
breakfast I realised I was in for something quite different as
he gave me a preview of his ‘feel-osophy’ and opinions of
showing young horses and over competitive owners. I felt
like the worlds worst parent as he used me as an example
of putting my own needs over the needs of my horse and
a friendly but intense breakfast conversation started my
two days-gulp.
He started the clinic telling us that to be successful in
reining we had to have solid foundations and that often
there were gaps.
After the show feedback I knew Bernie was going to
target my lead changes. After jogging just half a circle he
called me in and explained my issues with lead changes
stemmed from my horse toe-dragging as I wasn’t riding
him with enough collection into the bridle. He had me work
on collection exercises in walk and jog working into the
bridle. We put a lot of pressure on Hitch who got quite
cranky and tried a few evasions which was good for my
confidence, riding alone at home I wouldn’t have built up
that much pressure to then be able to release to him .
He also taught us how to teach the horses the set up for
spins using body position changes so they didn’t confuse
them with rollback cues as he noted several horses, mine
included had done this during the show.
On Sunday we repeated the collection exercises and
in the afternon Bernie rode Hitch to demonstrate guiding and stopping/backing cues. After some false starts as
Hitch seemed to have issues with the language barrier and
understanding that a Bernie Ho was a Kiwi Whoa he got
some lovely soft backing with a low head carriage.
I think the two strongest messages of the clinic were that
head carriage comes from behind and that Bernies training methods involve create pressure and use the release
to achieve a willing horse without resistance.
Plenty to work on as we go into the winter and look towards next season. Better start thinking about next years
costume.
Rachel Grady
Rachel Grady and her gelding Senor Whiz (Melody Jay x Cotton Baroness)
SOUTH ISLAND HOELTZEL CLINIC
Top left: Lisa Pearce riding a borrowed horse Tyr (Argyle Major
Dark Lad x Alonzo Impressor) as
unfortunatly her horse was injured.
Top right: Mel Bollinger riding
Model T (Docs Spinachex x Bar
Hustler).
Middle left: Janine Gibbs riding
Rock N Man (Jokers Fire And Ice) x
Realms Joe-Di).
Middle Right: Sharron Higgins
being instructed by Bernie. She
is riding GH Passin Class (Royal
Gold Delux x A Charming Breeze).
Bottom: Kim Demmocks riding GB
SOUTH ISLAND HOELTZEL CLINIC
Top left: Suzie Turner riding Lovejoy.
Top middle: Rose Judd riding Golden Hills Pride (Docs
Golden Pride x Delta Denim)
Top right: Amelia Cook riding Kawatiris TenOutaTen (Ten
x Cutters Roulette).
Left: Nick Turner riding Twilight Escapade (Argyle Major
Dark Lad x Bar-W-Bar Chex Lightning).
WIMPYS LITTLE STEP NEW NRHA $6M SIRE
In 10 months after achieving the five million dollar mark, Wimpys Little Step has
become the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) newest Six Million Dollar Sire. This makes him the fourth horse to earn such a prestigious title and puts
him in the ranks alongside Smart Chic Olena, Topsail Whiz, and Hollywood Dun It
(2 months later Gunner became a $6M sire as well).
The 2011 NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee is by Two Million Dollar Sire and Hall of
Fame Inductee Nu Chex To Cash and out of Leolita Step by Forty Seven. Wimpys
Little Step is owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Xtra Quarter Horses, LLC in
Purcell, Okla. where he currently stands. With limited showing in 2002, ridden by
NRHA’s only Five Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida, Wimpys Little Step racked up
an impressive show record with NRHA Lifetime Earnings of over $185,000.
His top earning progeny include:
Wimpys Little Chic (Wimpys Little Step x Collena Chic Olena by Smart Chic
Olena): $514,700 NRHA LTE; RC Fancy Step (Wimpys Little Step x Sonita Wilson
by Doc Wilson): $361, 800 NRHA LTE; Wimpyneedsacocktail (Wimpys Little Step
x Seven S Mimosa by Hollywood Dun It): $280,300 NRHA LTE; Wimpys Little
Buddy (Wimpys Little Step x All Thats Dun by Hollywood Dun It): $258,200 NRHA
LTE; Show Me The Buckles (Wimpys Little Step x Sunset Whiz by Topsail Whiz):
$143,500 NRHA LTE
What do you get for your membership fee?
- Reduced entry fees for NZRHA events
- Regular emails about events of interest to members
- A website that is always up to date with the latest information
- Clinics organised - if they are open to non-members then members will pay less
- A comprehensive DVD library which is only available to members
STALLIONS AT STUD
Melody Jay (imp) by Whizzel a Melody out of
Denny N Jay. Standing at Lin-Bar Quarter Horses,
Stratford. Web: www.linbar.orcan.net.nz
Smart Like Smart (imp) by Gallo Del Cielo out of
Smart and Tassy. Web: www.balifscourt.webs.com
Sierra Negro by Sierra Isla Via out of
San O’Lita. Standing at Kawatiri Quarter Horses,
Westport. Web: www.kawatiriquarterhorses.co.nz
Topsail Wimpy (imp) by Wimpys Little Step out of
Sheza Bonita Whiz. Standing at GB Stud,
Kumeu. Web: www.gbstud.co.nz
NZRHA DIRECTORS
NZRHA Office: Jozette Hazeldine, office@reining.co.nz,
027 285 6331, 117 Worrall Road, RD1, Kumeu 0891,
Auckland.
jr.melling@slingshot.co.nz, Swan Michel - swan@georgesmichel.co.nz (SI), Amelia Cook - equinefilms@xtra.co.nz
(SI, Lisa Pearce - pynrock@xtra.co.nz (SI)
President: Jason Melling - jr.melling@slingshot.co.nz
- 021 741 569
Website: Jozette Hazeldine - gbstud@xtra.co.nz, Mike
Foster - sharmike@xtra.co.nz
Vice President: Trish Overington - trishoverington@xtra.
co.nz
Overseas Clinics Co-ordinator: Jozette Hazeldine -
Secretary: Melissa Scott - lissistitch@gmail.com (minutes) and Mike Foster - sharmike@xtra.co.nz (correspondence)
Newsletter: Amelia Cook - equinefilms@xtra.co.nz
Treasurer: Jozette Hazeldine - gbstud@xtra.co.nz
Committee and Portfolios: Adrienne Holder - adrienne.
h@xtra.co.nz, Robyn Bon - glenbon@farmside.co.nz,
Fiona Mapp - fionamapp@ruralinzone.net, Rae Moot
- rae@tgc.co.nz, Mike Foster - sharmike@xtra.co.nz, Jill
Johnson - rogerandjill5@vodafone.net.nz, Kurt Melling -
gbstud@xtra.co.nz
Sponsorship: Trish Overington, Robyn Bon
Ribbons: Rae Moot
Points: Fiona Mapp - fionamapp@ruralinzone.net
Rulebook: Jason Melling
Futurity Show Sub-Committee: Trish Overington,
Jozette Hazeldine, Robyn Bon, Jason Melling, Rae Moot,
Mike Foster
NZRHA FUTURITY SHOW SPONSORS
gGeorges Michel Wine Estate
gClareville Saddlery
gTuffRock
gKumeu Veterinary Service
gIan Saunders Custom Saddles
gLotto Sport & Mike Foster
gDoug & Anne Thode
gJason Melling & Family
gRae Moot
gDr Phil - Hubris International Ltd
gFiber Fresh Feeds
gFeed Direct - Kumeu
gTakanini Horse Feed Co
gJLT Bloodstock
gHorselands Kumeu
gEquine Fencing Solutions