Appaloosa horse show a big success

Colt champion, supreme champion Appaloosa halter horse, CV Version of Dreams with owner Caroline McKnight.

The 40th Appaloosa National Show held in conjunction with the Paint Horse Association National Show was a resounding success at Waipa Equestrian Park Kihikihi.

It was the second year that the associations have held joint national shows.

Barrel race winner Gabs Whata Kracka, ridden by owner Allison Mercel.

"Competitors like the concept, resulting in well-filled classes and excellent competition," secretary/treasurer Sheila Dandy told the Courier.

"This year was a special show for the Appaloosa Association, a big milestone being our 40th anniversary.

"We were blessed with superb weather and the grounds and facilities were well prepared."

Julie Rush and Ajia Armstead competing in the crowd-pleasing Appaloosa Costume Class.

Dandy said it was great to see some of the people who helped to start the association coming back to watch the show and join them for their anniversary dinner and prize giving on Saturday evening.

The inhand classes were held in separate breed divisions, while the ridden classes were held combined but with separate breed line-ups.

Mystical Choc, owned and ridden by youth rider Ajia Armstead, pictured crossing the bridge in the trail class.

"It takes a bit of organisation but worked well."

This year's show was held over three days with day one devoted to the English Classes inhand and ridden.

Winner of filly two years and under champion mare, Waps Hurrican & Champagne with owner Patricia Hayden-Payne.

Judged by Peter Hill, with a big selection of Appaloosas, he chose a young filly for champion mare, Waps Hurican & Champagne owned by Patricia Hayden-Payne, bred by Sunspot Stud by their USA imported stallion Waps Maserati, and dam Sundays Cherie.

Champion gelding was Waps Datsun, shown by Jacqui Winspear, also bred by Sunspot Stud and by Waps Maserati, dam Noble Assett.

Winner of Rider Over Fences, Waps Datsun, owned by Carole Davis and ridden by Jeremy Clark of Te Kauwhata.

Champion Stallion was Gabs Whata Kracka owned and shown by Alison Mercel, Sire Westwind Sugar Bar Jagedy, dam Whata QT Bar, with the stallion Gabs Whata Kracka judged all over champion inhand.

Waps Datsun, ridden by Jeremy Clark, put on a credible display under saddle, ending up champion hack, then partnered by Jacqui Winspear, achieved first and second in the dressage to take out supreme champion English horse.

Helen Bentley from Australia presiding over some well-filled classes.

Champions from the superb line-up for Supreme Halter Horse:

Filly: Cee Ima Sweet Dreamer, bred by Clearview Stud's lovely stallion Cee Ima Hot Version, dam Dreams Do Come True.

Junior gelding: Lazy Lookin Loper, owner Jude Harvey, Sire Oh Goody Hes Lazy, dam GB Sugar Lookin Good.

Gelding: Midnights Silver Shadow, owned and shown by Mary Wilson, sired by Silver Invader, dam Waimarama Kachina.

Mare: CV Cee Me Rule, also by Cee Ima Hot Version, dam Rules Zipped in Chocolate.

Colt: CV Version of Dreams by the well-known sire The Ultimate Dream, dam Winderadeen Sweet Version.

Stallion: Gabs Whata Kracka.

Colt: CV Version of Dreams, owned by Caroline McKnight, bred by Clearview Stud.

Halter classes were followed by Western ridden events starting with trail courses,where horses and riders negotiated bridges, poles, cones and gates forwards, sideways and backwards.

An innovative cowboy challenge completed Saturday's programme.

Another early start on Sunday completed the remaining Western events, ending with a barrel race.