VRHA State Championship Show - 20 Years and Still Going Strong!

Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre was host to the annual Victorian Reining Horse Association’s State Championship Show held on the 25 and 26 February 2011.

This show was momentous to reining as the VRHA celebrate the 20 year anniversary of Reining in Victoria. Competitors travelled from far and wide in pursuit of the 17 Maryann Powell Trails End Trophy Buckles up for grabs and a slice of the prize money throughout the two day program. Competitors also were contending in the first round of qualifying for the NRHA Continental Affiliate Championships to be held in Tamworth during August this year at the Reining Australia National Show and the GVRHA Ride and Slide to America challenge.

Under the watchful eyes of Judges Don McLaughlin and Cherise McLaughlin from Queensland, some of Australian reining future champions showed what they are made of in the VRHA Futurity Events. Graham Cooper on Rufolena, a very handsome chestnut gelding took home Champion in the Macobri Farm Open Futurity while Rene Hoefchen riding Op Sovereign Whizz won the Blue Dog Non Pro Futurity.

Whizkey on the Rocks showed he was a horse to be reckoned with taking out the Machiavelli Quarter Horses Non Pro Derby owned and ridden by Rene Hoefchen with a total score from two judges of 141.5. Another feature event of the show saw Keiren Moses with a score of 136.5 winning the Prydes Easifeed Open Reining on Little Gambel Lena (pictured above).

Freestyle reining was entertaining to say the least with competitors demonstrating the skill and athletisicm of their reining horse adding creativity and individuality to their chosen music. The Devil Went Down to Georgia was the winning composition ridden by youth member Alexandra Barratt and her horse Toccoa something Lethal, this was one of many championship successes had by the barratt family over the two days, Bethany Barratt and Toccoa Something Lethal winning the Michelle Halliewll Ladies Memorial and Rookie Level 2 events, Katelyn Barratt on Rufcut Champion Youth 14-18 years with Alexandra Barratt Champion Youth 13 years & Under.

The VRHA youth program have made an exceptional effort over the past year fundraising for the Youth Trophy Buckles and are really showing us how its all done with young Max Conder being awarded the 2011 Youth Encouragement Award for his efforts showing Jessies Cutter Beau (pictured above right).

The VRHA Committee would like to thank all of the valued sponsors and supporters of this terrific annual event and the competitors and spectators who travelled to Werribee to compete.

The VRHA Committee look forward to seeing many of our Victorian reiners at Tamworth, competing at the Reining Australia National and Championship Affiliate Show in August, and if you didn’t make it this year, we hope to see you at our next State Show in 2012.

For more of the scores from the show go to www.vrha.com.au and follow the show and event link.