2025 State Championships
On the weekend of 15th and 16th March, 2025 the WAQHA, on behalf of the AQHA, presented the WAQHA Di Candido Steel City State Championship Show 2025 at the State Equestrian Centre.
Many thanks to our major sponsor Di Candilo Steel City, that enabled David J Dennison to make the trip from Colorado, USA, as our Judge over the two days. The weather was kind to us over the weekend and Saturday morning saw an early start at 8am with competitors keen to show their Quarter Horses in a variety of events, in both led and ridden classes. Equally enthusiastic were the band of volunteers ready with ribbons and prizes to be handed out the winners and placegetters.
The show commenced with the opening ceremony and the WAQHA President Jenny Barnes welcoming the Judge and competitors and highlighting some information about the show. The national anthems of both the USA and Australia were played and the show declared open.
2025 HI POINT WINNERS:
Congratulations to the Hi Point winners and thank you to the sponsors of each Hi Point Award.
Hi Point Yearling — Jac Custom Legend - Trophy sponsored by Duck Pool Farm
Hi Point Two Year Old — DP Cowboys Are Lucky - Trophy sponsored by Thomas Fabrication and Halter by Tracey Whitton
Hi Point Three Year Old — DP Sheeza Southern Girl - Trophy sponsored by Rae Hare and Pam Eglington
Hi Point Junior Horse - Hes Somethin Lazee - Trophy sponsored by Bevandale Quarter Horses
Hi Point Senior Horse — Littlestone Kryptonite - Trophy sponsored by Dash n Paws Dachshund
AmQHA Youth — Tea Appleton - Trophy sponsored by Ravenswood Hotel
AmQHA Amateur — Tracy Allen - Trophy sponsored by Thomas Fabrications
Hi Point Novice Youth — Lola-Rose Ross - Buckle sponsored by Danger Technical Services
Hi Point Senior Youth — Holly Goodall - Buckle sponsored by Flatliner
Hi Point Novice Amateur — Montana Reynolds- Buckle sponsored by Fortunate Farms
Hi Point Select Amateur — Tracy Allen - Buckle sponsored by Debbie Deziner Dogs
Hi Point Amateur — Bridget de Bijl - Buckle sponsored by Elizabeth Ivankovich
Highest Score for Showmanship sponsored by Sharon Currie & Josh Jupp - Lesley Elder
Highest Score for Trail sponsored by Sharon Currie & Josh Jupp - Rae Hare
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There were also three Cutting State Show Championship classes held by the Coolup Cutting Club at the Murray Regional Equestrian Centre on 6th March, 2025 in conjunction with the WAQHA.
Thank you again to Gail Rapley for sponsoring these classes.
The results were:Open —A One Nerame — Brian Cramp$15k Novice — Got The Laredo Blues — Gail RapleySnaffle Bit — Wolfie The Man — Dusty Buffham•
The Team’s Challenge was held again this year. The Amateur Teams were sponsored by the AQHA Amateur Division while the AQHA Youth Division sponsored the Youth Division. Competitors names are drawn from a ballot and individual scores added for a team result.
Team winners were: 1st Lesley Elder, Tracy Allen, Montana Reynolds, 2 nd Sarah Appleton, Bridget de Bijl, Kerry Blackallar, 3rd Jordy House, Sharon Currie, K atrina Clarke, 4th Amy Morris, Mia-Jane Perry.•
The Youth Teams were; 1 st Holly Goodall, Lola-Rose Ross, 2nd Tea Appleton
Thank you to Jodie Chevalier for sponsoring the garlands for the Hunter In Hand Junior and Senior Horse classes. Yvonne Gallagher and Lana Denteith sponsored the garlands for the All Gender Halter Feature. Thank you to Sandra Davis who, in memory of her gelding, donated an embroidered rug for the Champion Gelding which was won by CVS A Layzee Machine owned and shown by Jordy House.
There was also the raffle of a beautiful bracelet donated by Vanessa Hancox from HappyNess Artisan Jewellery. Thanks to Vanessa for donating the bracelet and to Yvonne Gallagher for selling the raffle tickets over the weekend.
While the show was in progress over the weekend the food van Baked n Loaded was in attendance keeping up the supply of rolls and sandwiches for lunch and pretzels, donuts and wonderful coffee to keep everyone going.
Rebecca De Vires Photography was kept busy taking beautiful photos of competitors and horses and thank you to Rebecca who donated the $100 photo shoot for the door prize.
We had a busy band of volunteers who kept things flowing over the weekend. They consisted of Jenny Barnes, Rita Driscoll, Lana Denteith, Kaye Tonzing, Jodie Chevallier, Pixi Norton, Anne Forbes, Tracey Whitton, Debbie Tucker, Yvonne Gallagher and Tyler Bennett from Colorado, USA. Thank you all for your donating your time and effort to put the show together and running smoothly.
Thank you, Judge David Dennison, for traveling from Colorado to attend our 46th State Championships.
The Western Australian Quarter Horse Association greatly appreciates our sponsors, businesses, competitors, and support crew for making this event possible, and we look forward to hosting this event in 2026
Report courtesy of Anne Forbes - Photos by Rebecca De Vries
