Location   

 

Horsezone News

Five Minutes With... Champion Reining Stallion - Whizpy Little Step

Published on Friday, September 9, 2011 in Five Minutes With Horsezone

In 2011 a new star emerged in the world of Reining - Whizpy Little Step - a 2007 Golden Palomino Quarter Horse Stallion.

This gorgeous looking and talented horse is a son of NRHA legendary sire Wimpys Little Step - NRHA $2million Sire NRHA Hall of Fame and a grandson (dam's side) of another NRHA legend, Whizzel a Melody. 

Bred by Yves Cousinard of Pacific Performances Horses, out of their talented mare Sweet Whiz Melody (dec), Whizpy Little Step has taken the reining world by storm with an incredibly successful showing year, not only winning the Reining Australia National Futurity, but cruising to the front with a record score.

Whizpy Little Step's highly respected trainer, Warren Backhouse, is full of praise for the stallion saying, "he's probably one of the best futurity horses I've ever ridden!  He has so much natural ability, which makes him easy to train.  I'd set him a task and he'd walk right into it, which is great for longevity as he didn't have to work hard at all. He found it all easy.  During the year he was consistently getting the highest scores at shows, not only at the Nationals. It's been a big year for him but he's handled it well. Whizpy is just a great little horse and I feel very lucky to get to ride him!  He's a really well conformed horse too and also very pretty.  He has that WOW factor, which is so important for creating a positive first impression with judges - they expect big things when they see a horse of this quality enter the pen."

Following his successful competition year, Whizpy Little Step will be standing at Backhouse Training Centre at Kandanga, Queensland, this breeding season.

Recently Jo Johnson caught up with Whizpy Little Step - and his very proud owner, Daralyn Davies of DCD Quarter Horses - to find out more about this golden dynamo!

 

Whizpy, tell us a little about your early years and how Daralyn discovered you?

My dad, Wimpys Little Step, was the reason I was looked at in the first place, I introduced myself straight up and continued to do so. First impressions count... it paid off and I won Daralyn's heart!

 
When and where did you start your training under saddle and how did that go?
Basic training started as a late yearling then as a two year old I went to Warren Backhouse to start my full training and have been there ever since. I loved it!

You're now a very successful reining horse - have you always wanted to be a reiner?
Reining is what I'm bred to do - I have some pretty awesome reining blood in me - so yes, I've always wanted to be a reiner.
 
You've had a great year competition-wise - what are some of the highlights?
Winning the National Futurity is the highlight of any reiner, but the biggest thrill for me was record scoring in that event. That's an achievement in itself which I'm proud of, followed by winning the NSW State Show Open Futurity, the Slide n Spin Novice Horse Championship, the Autumn Reining Classic 4 and Under Championship and the Pacific Coast 4 and under and Open Futurity Championships.

 
Winning the Open Futurity at Nationals with a record score is a fantastic achievement - how did it feel when you were performing and then when you won?
I just did what I was bred and trained to do! I have an awesome trainer and it was team work.  Waiting for everyone else to run was nerve wracking, but I did what I could do on the night and hoped for the best.

What do you love most about reining?
My trainer! Also, to show off the control one can have, being that it's a fast and slow sport, and when done with precision is beautiful to watch.

What attributes do you possess that make you a great reiner do you think?
My blood lines - both top and bottom - they are exceptional. Trainable mind, correct conformation, movement and good looks!

One tip that you can pass on to other horses wanting to succeed in reining?
Get the best trainer!

Are there other sports you'd love to try?
halter, trail and western riding to show I can do more than just be a reiner, plus cutting because it's in my blood too!

What can't you leave home without?
I am so at one with Warren that I would have to say "my trainer" (this horse really loves his trainer)!
 
Is this your first season standing at stud?
Yes, this is my first stud season... the Nationals were too important an event to risk not having my mind on the job last year, so we waited until after that! (See the link below to find out more about breeding to Whizpy Little Step)

Bit of a personal question - do you do AI and/or live cover?
I get to do both (big horsey grin!)

Tell us a bit about the incentive programs in place for your future foals?
The incentive is to encourage owners to compete at the National Futurity on my foals.
 

What are your plans for the future?
I have qualified to compete at Equitana in November, so it looks like I'll have a month out recuperating and best of all, breeding a few mares, then it will be back into training for Equitana.  Warren says that I'll be against top quality older horses but he thinks I've got what it takes to do well in that company.  Following that there will probably be more breeding and then after December, I will start my 2012 training program in preparation for my Derby year.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not busy reining and breeding?!
Being out in the paddock next to my buddies or doing something silly to get everyone's attention!
 
 
 
 
Thanks so much for your time Whizpy (and Daralyn... and Warren!) and we all look forward to seeing you at Equitana and in your Derby year and also can't wait to see Whizpy babies out there competing in years to come!
 

Quick Link


Be the first to comment on this article
You must be logged in to place comments
 


News Search

Categories