ISSUE 77
APR 2022

TO BE
‘FRANK’,
DJWTS WAS A BUZZ!
JODIE DUNSTAN’S
HIGHLANDER FLING
LAUREN BALCOMB
PUTS HER HAND UP

PLUS: HEATH RYAN ON DRESSAGE SELECTION; JAYDEN BROWN’S NEXT BIG MOVE; BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR JESSICA RAE; MAKING MISTAKES WITH KERRY MACK; SHOW HORSE NATIONALS; STREAMING FROM THE FRONTLINE; ALGEBRA STILL ‘A DUDE’; CUTTING SPECTACULAR; STEVEN SPIELBERG’S ‘WAR HORSE’; FEEDING BREAKTHROUGH & A VET’S VIEW ON JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS.

AUSTRALIA`S BEST EQUINE MAGAZINE
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ISSUE 77

CONTENTS

APR 2022
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A Few Words

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

ROBERT MCKAY

Opinion

THE TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS OF DRESSAGE SELECTIONS

BY HEATH RYAN

Special feature

DJWTS: THE BUZZ IS BACK

BY DANA KRAUSE

Showjumping

LAUREN BALCOMB PUTS HER HAND UP

BY ADELE SEVERS

Eventing

ALGEBRA PROVES AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

BY ADELE SEVERS

Special feature

STREAMING ON THE FRONTLINE

BY EQ LIFE

Training

LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES

BY DR KERRY MACK

Health

JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS: NO CAUSE FOR ALARM

BY DR MAXINE BRAIN

Lifestyle

SPIELBERG’S EQUINE EPIC

BY SUZY JARRATT

Showing

THOROUGHBREDS SHINE IN THE RING

BY ADELE SEVERS

Dressage

UK CALLING FOR JAYDEN BROWN

BY ADELE SEVERS

Dressage

JODIE DUNSTAN’S HIGHLANDER FLING

BY ROGER FITZHARDINGE

Health

MAXIMISING ABSORPTION IN YOUR HORSE’S DIET

BY ELLIE JOLLEY

Eventing

BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR JESSICA RAE

BY AMANDA YOUNG

Cutting

ALL TRAILS LEAD TO SCONE

BY CELINA BATTIG
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© Stephen Mowbray.
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When more than 400 riders and their horses – plus 2,500 head of cattle – get together for the biggest cutting showdown in two years, you know something spectacular is going down. The NCHA 4CYTE Autumn Spectacular at Scone was a huge success.

“Clearly cutters are getting
back to doing what they love.”

Horse-mad Scone in the Upper Hunter of NSW pulled out all stops to make the national aged titles at the 4CYTE Autumn Spectacular a stunning competition and celebration after two years of Covid-19 postponements.

The riders were competing for their industry’s prestigious Aged Event Titles as well an impressive prize pool that included $50,000 in added money. “Cutting horses and riders converged on Scone from Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and regional NSW, as well as from as far afield as New Caledonia.

“Clearly cutters are getting back to doing what they love. This event was well received by the cutting horse community after two years of lockdown and travel restrictions,” says JP Chevalier, NCHA general manager.

The first half of the week of 12-19 March at White Park mainly consisted of go rounds one and two for each of the aged event classes taking place, where competitors aimed to notch up a high enough aggregate score to secure a spot in the finals at the end of the week.

One of the finals that did run earlier on in the week was the Wrigley Cattle Co Open Classic Challenge, which was taken out by Victorian trainer Aaron Wheatley aboard the Tri Star Quarter Horses-owned Spoonfula Hope (Koonamara Spoonfula Badge x Chickasha Hope), with a very impressive score of 228 points. Taking out reserve honours was the Samantha Stepnell-owned Crystal Park Cats a Glory (Ima Smooth Blue Cat X Dulces Glory) with 222 points, ridden by another Victorian-based trainer, Dean Holden. Only one point behind in third place was Goondiwindi trainer Robert Mackay aboard the Yulgilbar Quarter Horse Stud-owned Yulgilbar Ima Black Cat (Ima Smooth Blue Cat x Yulgilbar Well Played Oak).

At the completion of the first two rounds of the Scone Equine Group Non Pro Futurity, the Bar Code Direct Non Pro Amateur Futurity title was decided and awarded to long-time cutting enthusiast and industry supporter Sidney Myer and Yulgilbar Keep N Sweet (Smooth As A Cat x Winderadeen Short N Sweet). The pair took out the title with their aggregate score of 427 over the two rounds. Second place went to Sam Campbell and Pretty Wiskas (Smooth As A Cat x Winderadeen Cat Ballou) with 424. In third was Bill Tonkin aboard Countin Every Minute (Im Countin Checks x One Hellofa Time) on 423 points.

The Select Sires Open Futurity Limited Final run on Wednesday afternoon was won by Walcha trainer Mat Oakley aboard the Ali Ali-owned High Voltage (Highway To Hell x Spin N Metallic), with a lovely 216-point run. Taking up second place was local trainer Warwick Screen aboard Kayla Warrian’s Twice The Shine (Metallic Cat x Duloc Peppys Destiny) with 214.5 points. Just behind on 214 to place third was Phil Smith and Matilda Woodward’s young colt, Full Boar Style (Smooth As A Cat x Stylish Doll).

“It was the open horses’
time in the spotlight.”

ASHLEIGH & MAGICOOL

Each year at the NCHA’s aged event show, the open aged horses and their riders are given a chance to shine. Taking out the NCHA Open Non Pro Gold Cup for the second year in a row was, of course, Ashleigh Meagher aboard her family’s incredibly talented horse, Magicool (Sophisticated Catt x Triple Spin). The dynamic duo had absolutely no trouble keeping up with the fast bunch of cattle put before them, clocking up a very impressive score of 226 points. Reserve honours went to Tamworth competitor Holly Clayden aboard her imported mare in Dogs Money Honey (War Bird Dog x War Money Honey) with 224 points. In third place we saw Shelley Ruff aboard another imported mare in Metallictoy (Metallic Cat x Smartlittlelenastoy) put together a lovely run of 221.5 points.

After the completion of the last lot of go rounds in the Non Pro section of the competition, it was finals all the way to the end. The J&S Inglis Non Pro Futurity title was awarded to Rafe Ritchie and TLP Walkie Talkie (Koonamara Spoonfula Badge x Clover Cut The Chatta) with their aggregate score of 425 points from over the two rounds. Second was Bill Tonkin aboard Countin Every Minute with 423, and third was Matilda Woodward and Full Boar Style with 421.

Friday was a huge day of finals, with the Terinallum Non Pro Amateur Classic Final kicking off the day. Top place was spilt by two riders on 220.5 points each, consisting of Kylie Barnett-Tapp and her mount Yulgilbar Gday Kitty (Hydrive Cat x Yulgilbar Well Played Oak), and Ashleigh Meagher with her talented stallion Ducktallic (Metallic Cat x Duck Downunder). Equal reserve place honours with 216 points was Kirk Nicholson and Smooth N Then Some (Smooth As A Cat x One Hellofa Time), and Thomas Strachan aboard Onefortherose (No Moore One Moore x Roses By Choice).

Next up it was the Yulgilbar Open Snafflebit Futurity final, with the talented Ngaio McDonald aboard the Hannah Mclean-owned Camelock Jolene (Heavy Metal x Condor Jo Lee) taking out top spot with 220 points. Reserve honours were split on 215 points between Drew Stevenson aboard Reynin Chics (Millionnic Chic x Reyn On Me) and Jay Charnock on the Catherine Mostyn entry, Lethal Catgirl (Heavy Metal x Little Beggars Lena). Third was Ben O’Reilly on the Chris Ware-owned Heavy Duty Boon (Heavy Metal x Spindry Boonsmal) with 214.5 points.

Taking home the Yulgilbar Non Pro Snafflebit Futurity title was Victorian competitor Ben McEwin and Smooth Little Twist (Smooth As A Cat x Twisted Little Sister) with their aggregate score of 443 over two rounds. Reserve place went to Adam Wrobel and Vinis Roan Star (One Roan Peptos x Calamity Cate) with a total of 437. Third place honours went to Lauren Clark and You Aint No Cowboy (One Time Royalty x Shania Niner) with 433.

OPEN GOLD CUP

Again, it was the open horses’ time in the spotlight with the running of the NCHA Open Gold Cup. All eyes were on Ashleigh Meagher and Magicool, who won this class last year. The pair clocked up an incredible score of 227 points early on to not only take home the title for a second year running, but become the first horse and rider combination in NCHA history to take out both the Non Pro and Open Gold Cups in consecutive years. This is a huge achievement for such a young rider and will surely be something she will never forget.

Aaron Wheatley and Spoonfula Hope continued their show pen success by taking out second place with 225.5 points. Third went to the Dean Holden aboard the talented C&J Mearns & C Ware-owned Stylish Player (Two Timin Playboy x Telme Im Stylish) with 223.5 points.

The Friday afternoon brought us back to the aged event classes, with the Scone RSL Non Pro Amateur Derby. This class was won by Dominic Williams aboard Douseeme (EB S Phalaris x Instant Sweet Oak) with a score of 216. Second was Barraba competitor Bill Tonkin aboard Smoke On The Water (Heavy Metal x EB S Ms New Booty) with 213.5. Third was Shane Crawford and Erin Young Angus (High Brow CD x Erin Miss Shorty) on 211.

The highly anticipated Scone Equine Group Non Pro Futurity was next. This class was taken out by the talented competitor in Amelia Servin aboard her home-bred Rockin Rockabye (Rockin W x QXH Bonita Stylish) with a lovely 220-point run. Reserve place honours were won by Victorian Stuart Laurie on Petas So Smooth (Smooth As A Cat x Peta From Heaven) with 218.5. Third place also went to Amelia, this time aboard Storm Reyder (EB S Phalaris x QXH Miss Stylish Oak) with a 216-point run.

The second last event of the day was the 4CYTE Open Derby. This class saw an absolutely incredible showing from Queensland trainer Mark Buttsworth aboard Peppyphalair (EB S Phalaris x Yulgilbar O Peppy Roy), who scored a whopping 229 to take out the class honours and also score the highest point run of the entire show. Two riders took out reserve place, with Queensland trainer Lincoln Veraart aboard the PJ Johnston and DM Jones-owned EB S Dig This Cat (Cat N A Hat x EB S Digit) and Glen Innes trainer Tyler Hodgman with EB S Turf (Smooth As A Cat x EBS Clypsil), both marking 223 points.

“Josh Gibson did a fabulous job
for his first time in the show pen.”

EX-HAWK RULES IN THE PEN

To wrap up the day of cutting it was the sponsors’ time to shine in the Sponsors Cutting event. Taking out the class was ex-Hawthorn football great and now 4CYTE Business Development Manager Josh Gibson, aboard the very talented horse in Magicool. Josh did a fabulous job for his first time in the show pen, whipping up a very nice 78 points to take home the prize of two Diamond Deck tickets to this year’s Futurity in Tamworth. Angus McKinnon took out both second and third placings, with a 76-point run on EB S Flame Tree (TR Dual Rey x Mia CDee) and a score of 75 on Broomfield Stylish Acre (Acres Destiny x Magic Lena). This was a fantastic feature event for our generous sponsors and we thank them in taking part in such an exciting evening.

The final day of competition kicked off with the youth competitors having their turn in the show pen. First up was the Affinity Senior Youth, which was won by Sophie Ferling aboard TP Muddy Cat (Hydrive Cat x Turpentine Storm) with 218 points. Second was Georgia Moore and Quick As A Hydrive (Hydrive Cat x Quick Smart) with 211, and third was Jessica Powell aboard EB S Blue Squirrel (Oaks Jackhammer x EB S Sitcom) with 207. Taking out the Affinity Junior Youth was Tamworth competitor Addison Dudley and One Stylish Turpentine (One Stylish Pepto x Turpentine Acres) with 220 points. Second place was won by Olivia MacCallum aboard I See U (EB S Phalaris x Instant Sweet Oak) with 218.5 points, and third went to local competitor Jack Murphy and Smartys Day (Little Smarty Oak x Truclass Make My Day) with 215 points.

Next up we saw the Cinch Australia Non Pro Classic Challenge Final take place. It was once again Amelia Servin’s time to shine; she took out the class aboard her talented stallion Rockin The Boonbox (Rockin W x QXH Miss Stylish Oak) with a fantastic run of 221 points. Taking out reserve honours was South Australian competitor Robbie Johnson and Purple Drive (Hydrive Cat x Peptos Wild Thing) with 216.5 points. In third only half a point behind was Scone’s own Brett Peel and Broomfield Madgic Destiny (Acres Destiny x Magic Lena) with 216 points.

The second last event for the show was the Martins Stock Haulage Non Pro Derby. This class was taken out by Damien Kenny aboard the talented gelding Frontman (No Moore One Moore x Stylish CD) with an impressive 221.5 points. Amelia Servin continued her very successful week by taking reserve honours aboard Stylish Tin Lady (Heavy Metal x QXH Bonita Stylish) with 219 points. Third place went to Darrien Cox and Despacito (Dual Rey x Little Marla Cat) with 214 points.

The final event for the show was of course the Catalina Open Futurity, where a total of 18 horse and rider combinations crossed the timeline for their chance to take out the prestigious Open Futurity title in the clean slate final. It was first out and first home for Aaron Wheatley who continued his successful week at the Autumn Spectacular by taking home the feature event. He clocked up 222 points aboard Michael Hawke’s Tapt Dancin Cherry (Tapt Dancin Cat x One Sweet Cherry). Winning the Open Futurity was a clearly a proud moment for Michael as an owner who is fairly new to the cutting industry. He not only had this mare make the final but also another two entrants, which is a huge achievement in itself.

Taking home the reserve honours just one point behind was Queensland trainer Jamie Seccombe and Rachel Procida’s Metallic Little Dreamer (Metallic Cat x Dreamers Little Rey) with 221 points. Third place went to Dean Holden aboard his wife Vicky’s entrant in Royal Legacy (One Time Royalty x Bad Hatty) with 220.5 points.

With all the arena classes wrapped up, the competitors headed to the Scone RSL for a fantastic evening to celebrate the recipients of their State Awards with a dinner and hold a charity auction for their NCHA 50th Anniversary Celebrations. The 2022 NCHA 4CYTE Autumn Spectacular was a fantastic show for not only the cutting industry but for the regional community of Scone. We look forward to once again seeing you all in the AELEC Arena at Tamworth in a few months’ time for what we know will be another incredible event. EQ

The 2022 NCHA Futurity takes place 30 May – 12 June at AELEC, Tamworth. Find out more here.

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