This years’ Qld State Show was scheduled a month earlier than usual and ended up falling on Easter Weekend. The week started out with some showers but on the whole the weather was very kind. The 2025 Queensland Reining Horse Association’s State Championship Show held once again at the spectacular Queensland State Equestrian Centre in Caboolture from the 13 to 19 April.

 

Everyone agreed that this was an excellent run show and had an amazing friendly atmosphere, to top it off ran at a profit of over $5,000 thanks to the hard work of the QRHA show committee.

 

The week started with a two-day Backhouse Clinic run in the capable hands of Warren and Ashleigh Backhouse, it consisted of small groups where riders were prepared for the coming weeks competition. The Committee are extremely grateful for the continued dedication, sponsorship and support the Backhouse family gives to the QRHA, all proceeds from both clinics went toward prize money for the Open Derby. A very successful clinic was also held at Gatton as a fundraiser for the Derby and thanks goes to Chris Gould clinician.

 

There were some changes to the program and because being a month earlier the Committee decided to focus on the Derby this year, increasing the prize money to over $10,000 for all levels in the Open and Non-Pro and featuring the class on the Saturday night.

 

The Any Handed class was scheduled on the Tuesday after the second day of the Clinic with over 40 runs. The Senior and Junior Horse Open and Non-Pro were scheduled for Wednesday under the capable eye of judge Darren Simpson. The Senior Horse Open was won by Matthew Clifford on Stepping In Ashes and the Senior Horse Non-Pro was won by Karen Lowe on NPH Nuitcoulddoit.The Junior Horse Open was won by Warren Backhouse on Kellie Cass Stallion QP Dunnit Lika Rockstar and Junior Horse Non-Pro was won by David Nixon on Smooth Whizz Kitty.Thank you to Hygain, CEN OIL, Dr Show and Jo’z Nag’z Bag’z’ for your sponsorship of prizes for these classes.

 

On Wednesday evening, Competitors were warmly welcomed with free BBQ, especially our interstate competitors from Victoria and New South Wales, the BBQ was proudly sponsored by Wamuran Country Meats and Allan and Leonie Kingdon from Hacking Electrical.

 

Thursday kicked off with the Novice Horse Open and Non-Pro. Winner of the Open Level 1 and 2 was Mathew Clifford riding Stepping In Ashes, Non-Pro Level 1 was won by Kalana Loxton riding QMatch Cool Orchid, equal first in the Non-Pro Level 2 was a very excited Daralyn Davies on Cash On The Bar winning her first Buckle and Wade Powell riding Bear Whiz Me. This year saw the introduction of a level 3 for horses who have won over $5000 in earnings and in the Non-Pro section Hayley Smith riding I Dance For Cash was the Champion.

 

Thank you to our Buckle sponsors in the Novice classes DRB Floats, Nutrien Ag Solution, CSG Group Community Sports Club, North Side Yamaha, Tanya Edwards and SQRHA, our reserve sponsors Ken Anderson Photography, Shane Sainsbury, Calliope Sliders, Matthew Clifford, Kailie Mudge and Jo McConnell.

 

We have a huge list of products sponsors who supplied all the wonderful prizes competitors competed for. GOLD Sponsor Gympie Saddleworld, GOLD sponsor Hygain, GOLD sponsor CEN Oil, GOLD sponsor Rebel Rodeo, Tuff Rock, Hold Your Horses, Southern Cross Saddlery, Black Label Equine, Aitkens Saddlery who supplied all the Rugs, SPH Performance Gear, Dr Show, Furney, Ranvet, Poseidon, Show Pre Jo’z Nag’z Bag’z’, Roxy Lloyd-Jones Equine Acupuncture and Simply Sensational Garlands.

 

The Beginner Rider and Beginner Youth followed with Kathryn Stroud riding Guyson Sisokie winning the Beginner Rider and Amelia Richards riding Players Dun and Dusted wining Beginner Youth. Vicki Walters riding ME Texas Red did an excellent job to become Para Reining Champion.

 

The Limited classes followed, Kailie Mudge riding Genetically Blonde wining the Limited Open and Barry Brown riding Shiny Little Beamer winning the Limited Non-Pro, Buckle sponsor for these classes were Jess Henry SPH Performance Gear and Manuele Transport, Reserve Cooroora Vets and Sam and Tyler and Sam Smith.

 

Thursday night’s feature event delivered plenty of action as our top Reiners hotly contested the $2,000 plus half added Onya Quarter Horses Open and the $1,000 plus half added Michelle Halliwell Memorial Non-Pro. Open Champion was Tyler Smith riding Plum Outta Town, backing up Non-Pro Champion with Q Vista Step It Up, both great runs. Buckles were sponsored by Ranchers Western Reserve TL Livestock Services Tracey Strelitz. Non-Pro Buckles was Manuele Transport with Reserve Mike Adamson. Joy Conn kindly presented a special prize for the highest scoring Lady in this class which went to Tyler.

 

The $500 plus half added Darren Simpson Equine Communications Intermediate Open saw Kailie Mudge riding Genetically Blonde, in the winning circle again, with this combination also wining the Rookie Professional. Intermediate Non-Pro Champion was Wade Powell riding Bear Whiz Me. Prime Time Non-Pro was won by Karen Lowe riding NPH Nuitcoulddoit and Masters Non-Pro Champion was Barry Brown riding Shiny Little Beamer. Buckle sponsors were Mel Lindsay Loch Lomond Bradfords, Scott Burnett Performance Horses, John Wicks Training Stables, Jason and Moya Russell and Lexi Bastable. Reserve Kerri and Andrew Behrens, Caleb Russell, Jan Farrell, Gill and Peter Gould Cowboy Up and Yves Cousinard and Christine Bayer Pacific Performance Horses.

 

After lunch the Rookie’s came out, with Brooke Du Plessis riding JA Dun Got Guns Rookie Level 1 Champion and Leanne Pianda winning the Rookie Level 2 riding Hollywood Whizzkey, both winning their first Buckle.

 

There was a break while we waited for the sun to leave the arena before starting our feature event on Friday the Gympie Saddleworld, Rebel Rodeo and Kallara Park Open Futurity and Joyce Olsen Memorial and CEN Oil and DCD Quarter Horses Non-Pro Futurity. The atmosphere was electric as the runs built and riders left it all out in the arena. In the end it was an impressive run from Ashleigh Backhouse on Jolene King’s Mondure Oh What A Nite on an 144.5 that was the Open Futurity Champion, Level 3 Open Champion was Shane Sainsbury riding Reddy Set Showtime and Level 2 Open Champion went to Jason Russell on Tellhimhesdreamin. Buckle sponsors DCD Quarter Horses and UNEEK Solutions Leanne and Darryl Pianeda, Reserve sponsors LSAR, Crown K Quarter Horses and TNT Performance Horses. Champion Non-Pro Futurity Level 4, 3, and 2 with another impressive run was Corey Smith riding HPH Whizkey At The Bar. Buckle sponsors Trail End Saddlery and Kelam Horse Stud, with Reserve sponsors Tim and Kerry Hoffmann, Tania Powell/Gibson and Shannon Palmer.

 

Saturday morning started early with the Encouragement Challenge and Open Challenge both sponsored by Kallara Park. Encouragement Buckle was won by Kalana Loxton riding Qmatch Cool Orchid and Open Buckle won by John Baker riding Rodann Breysn Chex.

 

Our Youth classes followed, with the 13 and under class which was won by Layla Gould riding Hes Armed With Chrome, Buckle sponsor Xtreme Genes, with Reserve Julian Kingsford, Paisley Kritikou riding I Nu Itwon the Buckle for Youth 14 – 18 years and the Graham Hargreaves Memorial Perpetual Trophy. Buckle was sponsored by Joy and Steve Conn, who have been a great support to QRHA, thank you to Steve for stepping up and helping out on the Gate, reserve was Sophie Laws-Thornton. The Lead line followed with Mia Lindsay being awarded the blue ribbon this class was sponsored by Ranvet, LSAR and DCD Quarter Horses.

 

Next came the ever-popular Green Rider Classes Level 1 and 2, both Buckles proudly sponsored by Gita and Errol Thomas from Thomas Arena Products. Champion Green Rider Leve 1 was Dean Robinson riding Q Vista Magic Toyboy one of our interstate competitors, Level 2 Champion was Shannon Palmer riding Gunnerbeakiwi. Reserve sponsors Level 1 Lindsay Earthmoving and Level 2 Kane Masters Farrier.

 

Last class before our feature event was the Beginner Ranch Riding, won by Sophie Laws-Thornton riding Big River Gunne Shine, Beginner Youth Ranch Riding winner was Amelia Richards riding Players Dun and Dusted, Open Ranch Riding was won by Kalana Loxton riding Qmatch Cool Orchid, Buckle sponsor for this class was Elastomers Australia, Reserve Roebig Family.

 

At the Open ceremony, we awarded the High Point Versatility Buckle sponsored by Susan Laws, Simone Wood and Tracey Forrest, conditions were that riders to compete in at least one non-sanctioned reining class, one Ranch Riding class and one Challenge class. Their highest scores were added together giving us the High Point Winner with the Buckle going to Kalana Loxton riding Qmatch Cool Orchid.

 

Finally, our last event of the week the feature Backhouse Training Stables Open Derby with some exceptional runs four of which had scores over 150 the final Champion of Level 4 was Tyler Smith riding Q Vista Step It Up, Level 3 and the Hygain Level 2 Open Derby Champion was Kailie Mudge riding Genetically Blonde, Buckle sponsors DCD Quarter Horses, Daralyn and Shane Davies, with Reserve Hold Your Horse and Mondre Quarter Horses.

 

The Torque Ford Non-Pro Derby Level 4 was won by Tyler Smith riding Q Vista Step It Up, Chris Gould Foundation Level 3 Champion was Hayley Smith riding I Dance For Cash, Level 2 Champion Tasso Kritikou riding Sherons Shining Sonita, Buckle sponsors Show Pre, Reining Australia and TJT Performance Horses, Reserve Gottagetagunner Halliwell Family, Silver Spurs.

 

And then it was done and dusted. It all starts with the QRHA Committee – thank you to Warren Backhouse, Karen Lowe, Lynda Gray, Kathleen Murphy, Daralyn Davies, Kerri Behrens and Terri McDonald. And it never stops for our incredible Show Secretary Lynda who kept the show flowing throughout the week with the help of Nicole Finnigan, Kathleen, Karen and Daralyn.

 

Thank you to our Gatemen and Tractor drivers, Devin Lowe and Shane Davies, with support from Steve Conn. Also, thanks to Darryl Barr from QSEC who put in extra work on the arena. Thank you to the QSEC Team.Planning for the show began over 12 months prior with the dedicated State Show Committee headed by Karen Lowe. From the best seat in the house and doing the biggest hours of the show, huge thank you to our Judges Darren Simpson and Paul Watson, our incredible scribes, Sharon Simpson and Cindy Watson. We must not forget Kerri Behrens our Social media guru.

 

Thank you to Joe McInally for his video and livestream coverage, Ken Anderson for his exceptional photos. Shout out to our favourite announcer Julian Kingsford for adding your special touch that makes for a professional yet fun show atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who pitched in during the week – too many to name but we appreciate you all.

 

And last but not least – please ensure to support those who support us! We absolutely cannot do this without our valued sponsors.