Our Magazine - Coming Up

September 2008

The September edition will be interesting for even the non-horsey reader. General interest/Lifestyle type feature articles are of abundance this issue.

Included features:

Outback 8

Take 8 kids aged from 12 to 14 – four from Australia and four from the UK – only two of whom have ridden before. Fly them to the Outback, mount them on Quarter Horses and in just four weeks – in front of Australia’s Network Ten and BBC television cameras – turn them into jackaroos and jillaroos and send them out to muster 200 head of cattle. This could have been a recipe for disaster. Instead, it is the most ambitious and successful children’s television series ever filmed in Australia. Meet the people involved, the horses, and read about all the challenges faced by each child. Outback 8 is a 13 part observational series which will screen in Australia on Network Ten and in the UK on the BBC at the end of September.

David Manchon and Rhondhu Fiddlers Roc (centre) leading the OUTBACK 8 in a mustering scene from the series.

Farmer Dave

How many of the Big Brother 06 viewers pricked their ears up when they heard Dave (David Graham) refer to his Quarter Horse “Dolly”? We at the Quarter Horse magazine did but we had to wait until after the series finished and the hype had died down before we could find out more. Dave certainly caused a huge sensation on the controversial reality TV program, for a start being drop dead gorgeous and then the bitter disappointment every female in the country faced when he announced to the world that he was gay. He became knows around Australia as “Dave, the really hot, gay farmer”
Dave (featured on our cover this month with the ever so handsome buckskin gelding  Im A Kool Gun (Dan), is a really down to earth nice guy who shares his life story exclusively with us.

Dave Graham riding his Quarter Horse, Dolly

Buddy, Pal, Mate

This is a story of friendship between a little white Palouse pony named Scooby Doo and a very handsome Quarter Horse named Dan (Ima Kool Gun). A very cute and funny story how two geldings became best of buddies. Mel Cruden knows them both personally and took some delightful photos to accompany her story.

Ima Kool Gun Q-22094 and Scooby Doo. Photo: Mel Cruden.

A week on the Bicentennial National Trail

Most riders would tackle 160 of the most rugged and challenging kilometers of the Bicentennial National Trail in summer – or, at the very least, in the pleasant months of spring or autumn. Not Craig Allen, Craig spent a week riding the BNT in the depth of winter. Why? Because he likes the cold and, as far as he is concerned ‘Sitting around a warm camp fire on a cold night takes some beating’.

Onwards and upwards - Craig rides Crystal Chemistry Q-54012 and leads Jewels Last Q-50053 and one of Clayton’s horses up yet another steep section of the BNT. Photo: Clayton Paige

Queensland Reining Show - Queensland’s Best “Let it Rein”

Queensland’s best reiners converved on the Caboolture showgrounds for the State Show which commenced Thursday 17th July and concluded Saturday 19th July with the final go-round of the Joyce Osen Memorial Non Pro Futurity and Breeder Cup Open Futurity. Over the three days spectators were treated to Reining at it’s best as competitors vied for a share of the $30,000 in cash and prizes. Jenny Dwyer took some lovely action photos to accompany this article.

QRHA 2008 State Show Youth 13 and Under Champion Wade Powell riding Super Elegant Q-53878

Families who ride Together Stick Together

Over three decades ago, in 1971 Linda Vandenbosch got hooked on Quarter Horses. Eversince Linda has been heavily involved in the western industry, from breeding and showing, training and coaching to serving on Affiliates and the AQHA board. Forever passionate for her Quarter Horses it was fate that her daughter Christine would follow in her mum’s footsteps, and now, Christine’s daughter Ashley too had caught the Quarter Horse Bug!  Meet these three lovely ladies and their Quarter Horses.

Linda Vandenbosch, Christine Vandenbogert and Ashley Vandenbogert.

Quarter Horses Share in the Big Booty at Paradise Lagoons

There were over 1000 competition horses at Paradise Lagoons for Australia’s richest Campdraft on the weekend of 18th to 20th July and Quarter Horses made up a fair slice of this number. We, at the Quarter Horse magazine  have been lucky enough to have Dave Christensen cover this prestigious event with a story and great working photos.

Mark Buttsworth on Almora Docs Abigail A-3054 holding the Gold Camp Oven after winning the Acton Superbeef Open Campdraft. Presenting the Trophy are Graham & Jenny Acton with Evan Acton on Right. Photo: Dave Christensen.

The Youth World Cup Experience

Now that our team is home we can share their experiences from Canada where they competed against the best youth in the world in the 2008 Youth World Cup.

Team Australia: Madeleine Kay, Brianna Simmons, Aleisha Padroth, Rachel Elliott and Melissa Benson.

Dressage Aspirations Anyone?

Don’t think for one minute a Quarter Horse can’t take you to the top in Dressage, as shown by Patrick Marley in the United States riding Honey Bright Dream. In a sport dominated by giant Warmblood horses, the petite 14.3hh American Quarter Horse Honey Bright Dream has been making a name for herself - and her breed - at one of the highest levels of dressage competition.

Honey Bright Dream and Patrick Marley.

Running On Flat Tyres
Part two of a three part series on lameness and hoof problems
Navicular Syndrome

Five percent of all horses will suffer from it during their lives. Sixteen percent of chronically lame horses will be undiagnosed. Sixty percent of sufferers will have it in both fore-feet. Seventy-five percent of affected horses are aged between six and twelve. Thirty-five percent of affected stallions will pass this condition on to their offspring. Any guesses what this crippling disease could be? It is the underestimated, and generally not understood, Navicular Syndrome.

Our little Tackers….AQHA Youth members 11 Years and under

This is the final part of a three part series. We have looked at all our junior youth members and how they spend their time with their horses. This month’s featured youngsters are: Bessie Dimery, Saxon O’Brien, Hannah Emons, Madeline Mathrick, Josh Slape, Madison Cornale, Laine Gillard, Jack Mathrick and Alexander Kennett. They are great bunch of kids having fun in the sun with their beloved Quarter Horses.

Laine Gillard with Rosies Rockin Around Q-50434.

How To: Banding Manes

Banding manes is almost a form of art. A good banding job can mean loosing placings in some events, especially halter; where presentation is the key to catching the judge’s eye. Mel Cruden has put together step by step instructions with a photo to explain, hopefully helping out some beginners to the industry who want to learn and prepare their horses for the show ring correctly.

Regular features

Along with the above major stories, there is always plenty more general reading in each edition of the Quarter Horse magazine. Because it is the official news of the Australian Quarter Horse Association it contains general update information for AQHA members as well as regular columns such as Sprint Horse Racing News, Meet An Affiliate, news from around the States; From South Australia, From Western Australia, From Tasmania and other bits and pieces.

Many of our beautiful Quarter Horse sires are showcased throughout the magazine in advertising and also in our regular sire directory. We also have a listing of Quarter Horses for sale.

So, as you can see, whilst this magazine is the official publication of the Australian Quarter Horse Association, it is also an interesting read for the general public who have an interest in rural activities and general lifestyle stories.

Discover Your Lifestyle, ride an Australian Quarter Horse!