30th Qld State Appaloosa Championships

 

Ampleur Hot & Hawnie (ridden by Raelen Gilboy and owned by Amelia Leeman) and Suthern Docs Dreamcat (ridden by Phil Henderson and owned by Jo Johnson) after placing 1st and 2nd in the Open Hunter Under Saddle Jackpot

Most Colourful at Halter winner - KNK Thundering Hot Spot and owner/breeder Kevin Peatey

Supreme Halter Exhibit and Winner of $1000 Open Halter Classic - Miss Teen US of A owned by the Daley family and shown here by Lesa Daley

Burt Purcell and Mighty Awe Dacious competed in all Junior Horse ridden classes as well as halter events

Youth Competitor Shae Petersen and Suthern Justincredible looking good in their Hunter Under Saddle class

Jo Ramsay and Jozone Bonnie Angel - getting ready for their winning run in the Senior Horse reining

The Qld State Appaloosa Championships were held during very chilly conditions at Toowoomba from 9 - 11 June, with an all breeds Pre-State Show on 8 June and  Post-State Show on 12 June.  The Pre-State Show was judged by Craig Rath, State Show by Steve Cruse (USA) and Post-State Show by Steve Cruse and Shane Massingham.

Despite organisers, SEQAC, offering big money feature classes - $1000 Open Western Pleasure and $1000 Hunter Under Saddle, plus other $500 classes - the numbers for ridden horses were unfortunately very low.  The freezing conditions may have turned several away, however, it was very disappointing to see so few ridden horses, especially with a breed that is traditionally an excellent choice for professional, amateur and youth competitors for all under-saddle events.  Quarter Horses and Paints increased numbers for the Feature Events and Pre and Post State Shows and it was wonderful to see these horses in attendance.

Fortunately the State Show halter, hunter in hand and other led classes were fairly popular and there were some quality horses being shown, with decent numbers across the age groups for these events.  The Daley family's lovely mare, Miss Teen US of A, was a standout in the halter classes - winning all her events and supreme exhibit of the show, as well as the $1000 Open Halter Classic. 

The worthy winner of Most Colourful at Halter was Kevin Peatey's beautifully marked KNK Thundering Hot Spot.

Despite the low numbers of saddle horses, there were several nice ridden Appaloosas competing in all events from dressage through to western riding.  These included NPHA and National show winning Ampleur Hot and Hawnie (owned by Amelia Leeman and ridden by Raelene Gilboy), who is undoubtably one of the best performance Appaloosas in the country today.  Raelene and this stunning mare won not only all their State Show classes, but also all the Feature events they were entered in and classes at the Pre and Post State Shows (against all breeds).  This is a horse that anyone would be proud to own and as always, Raelene did a brilliant job with her - they were a pleasure to watch.

Another ridden Appaloosa who was feeling lonely in his classes, was Burt Purcell's colourful Junior gelding, Mighty Awe Dacious, who performed well in all events, including western riding.

In the senior horses - there were four horses in most classes -  Suthern Docs Dreamcat (ridden by Raleane Gilboy and Horsezone's Jo Johnson - pictured above left) won three out of his four ridden class, placing second to Danyelle Hearn's gelding, Dynamic For Sure (ridden by Phil Henderson) in the western pleasure. Dynamic For Sure was also ridden by Youth Competitor Alexandra Leach, proving his good nature and versatility.  Other Youth Competitors at the show, who all put in a good effort, were Shae Petersen riding Suthern Justincredible and Emily Addis riding Just Somethin About Harry.

Jo Johnson also rode Suthern Docs Dreamcat (after a two year break from showing for both horse and rider) in the amateur western performance classes but unfortunately they were competing against themselves.  A very sad situation, seeing as the Appaloosa amateur division used to be popular in Queensland.  There were other amateurs competing in the halter, hunter in hand and led events (suitability for dressage, led hack and showmanship) however, except for Jo Johnson and Jo Ramsay, who competed in the amateur reining on her mare Jozone Bonnie Angel, as well as led events, there were no other amateurs in ridden classes.

The extremely low numbers really does put a question mark over the future of amateurs in Queensland and indeed over the future of western ridden events overall.  It's very disappointing when you go to all the effort and expense of attending a show and then spend the whole time riding around by yourself, especially when your horse goes nicely and probably would have done well if there had been others to compete against!

That said, new amateur Kathie Simpson, who competed in the Walk/Jog and Limited Amateur classes on her big horse TS Breeze by Hollywood, had a fun show and is keen to keep at it, so we're sure Kathie will be out there in the open Amateur classes in the near future.

On a brighter note, there was a pleasant Appaloosa victory, when the fabulous Ampleur Hot and Hawnie and comeback-kid Suthern Docs Dreamcat (with Phil Henderson in the saddle) placed first and second in the Open Jackpot Hunter Under Saddle at the All Breeds Post-State Show.

Maybe with the economy biting so hard it's making it difficult for people to afford training or with everyone's busy lives and the modern high standard and specialisation required to win in ridden western events, popularity has waned because people don't have the time and money needed and this has impacted on the numbers?  Whatever the cause, the result is ridden numbers are way down and this is going to have a roll on effect, because the few people with ridden horses who did show this year, probably won't be keen to put in all the time and money required to prepare and attend next year, only to turn up and possibly ride against themselves again.

Let's hope that more people discover how talented and trainable Appaloosa horses are for ridden, as well as halter events, in the near future and numbers pick up again very soon.

Quick Links

• Qld State Appaloosa Championships Photo Gallery - a BIG THANK YOU to Amelia Leeman for taking these photos throughout the show.
• Appaloosa Horses for sale on Horsezone.
• Australian Appaloosa Association Website.