Stars Shine at Water Wheel Reining Classic 2010

The GVRHA McCormick Equine Performance Water Wheel Reining Show was held at Tatura Park Indoor Arena Victoria on 12–14 November 2010. The event was hosted by Goulburn Valley Reining Horse Association and presented by major sponsors McCormick Equine Performance & Peter Oates Refrigeration Wangaratta.

The Reining Classic attracted the top Australian horses and riders, including 2 Time World and Australian Reining futurity Champion, Martin Larcombe, and fellow WEG representative Warren Backhouse. A strong contingent of Queensland riders were tempted to make the trip south to compete for over $15,000 in prize money, before heading to the Reining at Equitana for a chance at the $75,000 on offer.

The feature event on Saturday night showcased some of the best horse and rider combinations in the country, including Martin Larcombe and Smart Like Smart, Warren Backhouse on Shiney & Nu, Docs Fancy Roy, and Terminator Whiz, along with young gun Queenslander Shaun Saunders on Whiz Peppy, all fighting it out for the Open Classic division.

Martin on Smart Like Smart turned up the heat to take out the event with a score of 144, in second place with a score of 143 was Shaun Saunders ridding Whizz Peppy, and third place with a score of 141 was Warren Backhouse ridding Docs Fancy Roy.

The Non Pro division was taken out by the seemingly unbeatable GVRHA member Cameron Halliwell on OP Finally Dunit, Cameron also took out the Non Pro Maturity riding Lil Puss.

Martin Larcombe stepped up again to take out the Oates Refrigeration Open Maturity on Mick and Sonya Taylor’s Whizzel With Me. Closely followed by Warren Backhouse on Shiney & Nu.

Another Queenslander David Manchon had a great show, riding A Smart Twist to take out the Limited Open, Rookie Professional, and Intermediate Open.

GVRHA member Brett McDonald riding his stallion Slippery Lil Badger, took out first place in the Novice Horse Open, Novice Horse Non Pro, Rookie Level 1, and Rookie Level 2.

Josephine Hale was the happiest girl at the show riding the great gelding OP Whizzel Do to take home the hotly contested Haeusler's John Deere beginner buckle, and second place in the Rookie L1.

15 year old Sophie Harris showed us how it was done taking out the Australian Horseman Ladies, and Youth 14-18, riding Kolora Lena. The Intermediate Non Pro was taken out by Brett Hands and Miss Congeniality, the Limited Non Pro by Keiran Moses and Lethally Cowsmart, and Prime Time Non Pro, by the very consistent Sharon Delaney riding Jack Patch.

Amongst all the reining celebrities, undisputed star of the show was the youngest rider, 10 year old Max Condor, who had the entire crowd on their feet with a blistering run, riding for the first time, new horse Jessies Cutter Beau.

Champion winners for each class are as follows:

Opal Park Stud Novice Horse Open: Brett McDonald riding Slippery Lil Badger score: 68.5

Kentucky Equine Research Novice Horse Non Pro: Brett McDonald riding Slippery Lil Badger score: 68.5

Petrie Equine Constructions Limited Open: David Manchon riding A Smart Twist score: 69.5

Wangaratta Stock Foods Rookie Professional: David Manchon riding A Smart Twist score: 69.5

Horsezone Intermediate Open: David Manchon riding A Smart Twist score: 69

Australian Horseman Ladies: Sophie Harris riding Kolora Lena score: 66.5

M & S Stainless Steel & Johnson Group Non Pro: Cameron Halliwell riding OP Finally Dunit score: 72

Horseland Prime Time Non Pro: Sharon Delaney riding Jack Patch score: 67.5

Larcombe Reining Horses limited Non Pro: Keiran Moses riding Lethally Cowsmart score: 67.5

Fat Forelocks Equine Hair Extensions Youth under 13: Max Conder riding Jessies Cutter Beau score: 62

National Centre for Equine Education Youth 14-18: Sophie Harris riding Kolora Lena score: 65

GVRHA & Pard’s Western Shop Open: Martin Larcombe riding Smart Like Smart score: 144

Haeusler’s John Deere Beginner: Josie Hale riding OP Whizzel Do score: 69

Kyabram Bearings Rookie L1: Brett McDonald riding Slippery Lil Badger score: 69

Tatura Pine Shavings Rookie L2: Brett McDonald riding Slippery Lil Badger score: 69

Kentucky Equine Research Intermediate Non Pro: Brett Hands riding Miss Congeniality score: 68.5

Peter Oates Refrigeration Open Maturity: Martin Larcombe riding Whizzel with Me score: 144

Evelyn Woods Personnel Non Pro Maturity: Cameron Halliwell riding Lil Puss score: 138.5

CLICK HERE to view the photos on Horsezone's Gallery and visit www.photosbysallyh.com.au to view all photos available for purchase.

 

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GVRHA would like to thank all major sponsors including McCormick Equine Performance, Peter Oates Refrigeration, MNS Stainless Steel, Evelyn Woods Personnel, Pard’s Western Shop America, Horsezone.com, Australian Horseman Magazine, Bockmann Trailers first class horse transport.

IF ALL THE EXCITEMENT OF THE WATER WHEEL REINING CLASSIC HAS INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO THIS FANTASTIC SPORT CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT HORSEZONE'S LISTINGS FOR A REINING HORSE