QUEENSLAND YOUTH & ADULT CAMPS
The Qld State Paint Horse Association again had a busy and productive year. The 5 th Annual QSPHA " Adult Camp " was held on the last weekend of October 2005 at the Caboolture Showgrounds, just north of Brisbane . The riders were again blessed with the wealth of knowledge from Bob and Laura Norman from "Bola Stables", formerly of Texas USA, now residing in the NT and Kerris Holzberger from Bundaberg. Apart from being very hot, participants had a great weekend even though some of them may have partied too much on Saturday night! 27 riders over the two days had lots of fun while learning the finer points of riding and showing. Sessions included Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Trail, Equitation and Reining. The Club is having its next Adult Camp in September again at Caboolture. The riders can hardly wait and if going by the response from others who want to come, it should be a huge event.
The 2006 12 th Annual All Breed "Youth Camp" & "Youth Show " were conducted over three days starting on Thursday 12 th January and finishing with a youth only show on the Saturday. Club organisers were amazed to see so many families arriving on the Wednesday before the start of the Camp, setting up their camp sites and then catching up on what has happened over the past year. 48 youth participated in this year's Camp accompanied by parents and siblings, making this a truly family affair. Each rider received a special Youth Camp cap and sponsors pack made possible by the generosity of local business, Reeve and Johnstone families, equine associations and the Caboolture Shire Council. Due to this sponsorship and continued commitment from the QSPHA, this Camp was again free to attend for the participating youth. Councilor Peter Flannery officially opened the Camp and welcomed both the youth and the visitors to this very pretty part of Qld.
Once again the Club was privileged to have Bob and Laura Norman and a 'surprise trainer' Jay Southerland who flew in at the last minute straight from Texas in the USA to pass on his knowledge and recent wins over there, Jay previously having success at World Shows. The Club was also fortunate to have the following trainers donating their time - Bette Thatcher who again traveled from Dubbo NSW specially for the camp, Leanne Bartlett, Wayne Williams, Lynda Gray, Melissa Green, Rosena Fyfe-Farrell, Billie Maundrell, Susan Maxwell, Mandy Johnstone and Vanessa Lusink (a former attendee at the Youth Camp who not only sponsored the camp but also volunteered to come back and pass on what she had learnt). To all trainers who freely gave their time to help the Youth - the Committee and riders could never thank them enough.
On Thursday there was a very informative talk by Qld Ambulance Officer David Couper who spoke on first aid, what to do if there is an accident when out riding and how to get help from emergency services. He also donated a special ambulance bear for the raffle which was won by a lucky youth who then said that she was going to name him 'David'. A bit of a difference however on the Friday when local roping expert Peter Boske and his very able assistants showed the youth how to rope hay bales complete with horns and also tie a real calf. There were certainly some budding roping enthusiasts at the camp. The calf didn't mind, it got plenty of pats from the youth who usually don't get this sort of experience.
There were lots of new riders at the Camp this year and sadly two 'retiring' from the Camp to compete as adults next year (Felicity Forsythe and Sarah Thake, both girls have represented Australia at the Paint World Show in America). The Camp over the years has catered for young inexperienced but very keen riders to those at the top of their field, some who have represented the Paints and QHs at the various World Shows and Youth World Cups. It is inspiring to see those who have been selected to represent Australia assisting those younger riders who one day dream of doing the same.
The entertainment by the youth on the Thursday night was excellent. All were amazed with the enthusiasm that went into their singing and comedy skits. Some youth who were shy last year, suddenly got up and gave their all accompanied ably by professional musician Darryl Brooker, watch out for future Idol competitors! Last but not least the Club would like to thank the parents and friends who helped to cook and clean up and if that was not enough, helped with supervision and setting up equipment. These people made life easier for Joy Corrie and the Caboolture Show Society, who in addition to providing heaps of tasty food for the kids, also assist in keeping the costs down with their sponsorship. A huge amount of pizza for the pizza night was provided by "Pizzarama" at Caboolture.
Sponsors keep this Camp going, without them it would not exist. The major sponsor this year was "Sugar & Spice", formal and wedding outfitters located in Brisbane, owned by the Pitman family who have also participated in both the Youth and Adult Camps; thanks for your commitment to the youth. Other sponsors were the "Australian Quarter Horse Association", "Down Under Paint Horse Association" and "Burpengary Western Performance Club".
The Youth Show catered for all ages and levels of the youth with a beginner category, 10 and under, 11-14 and 15-18 years. The Judges were Mrs Kerris Holzberber from Bundaberg who has for many years volunteered her time as a trainer at the Camps and who now wanted the opportunity to judge the children and Mr Andrew Shield who freely again gave his time to assist the youth. Both were impressed with the high standard and friendliness of the riders and especially the number of youth who competed! In total, there were about 44 youth who rode at the show in the various events: Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, English Equitation, Hunter Hack, Lead Line, Walk Trot, Western Pleasure, Western Equitation, Western Riding, Reining, Trail and for the conclusion of the show, the feature Barrel Race and what excitement that was after a long and hot day!
The show commenced at 8 am and did not conclude until around 6 pm. Apart from the usual breaks for gear changes and lunch, and noting that there are no open or halter classes and with two judges going, it was a huge show. Most youth entered in at least 9 classes! Thanks to stewards, Robyn Fidler and David Reeve, announcer Patrick Maxwell, gate marshall Susan Maxwell and secretaries, Pam Reeve and Mandy Johnstone, they worked tirelessly through the day. Thanks also to all the families who stepped in as needed to help set up courses during the show especially Rosena Fyfe-Farrel and Glenn Muir who were always there when needed throughout the Camp and Show. Due to the large numbers in some classes, 2 go-rounds were held in the Beginner Youth Hunter Under Saddle and Western Pleasure classes. There were all breeds of horses at the show which added variety and colour to the whole atmosphere. Predominately QHs and Paints featured, with Appaloosas, Arabs and ponies also having fun!
Congratulations to the High Point recipients who rode their best in very competitive classes. They are: High Point Beginner - Jess Fidler, Runner Up - Tamika Reid; High Point 10 Years & Under - Stacey Bentley, Runner Up - Nicky Graham-Duffy; High Point 11 to 14 Years - Melissa Bensen; Runner Up - Jessie Fyfe-Farrell; and High Point 15 to 18 Years - Laura Bear; Runner Up - Kirby Fidler. The awards received by these youth were outstanding, including trophies, hay, Cool Fuel feed and Natrakelp seewead supplement. Thanks to "Mataranka", "Natrakelp" and the Doolan and Harrip families.
There were also several lovely Encouragement awards given: Beginner - Tully Stevens, Junior Youth - Chloe Doolan, Senior Youth - Skye Cameron and Overall Encouragement - Nicky Graham-Duffy. These awards were made possible by Rod and Karyn Kaye from "K Bits & Spurs" who has continually supported the Youth Camp, the Craig Family who donated a lovely rug and Kim Thake a former Youth Camp participant who donated a nice western bridle. It is support from the former youth like Kim and Vanessa who make this camp special - youth who have benefited from the camp coming back to help others.
A feature of the Camp is always the multi-draw raffle. Prizes kept being added during the 3 days until there were over 40 products to be won. Thanks to all those families who donated these, some who always turn up with something special for the raffle. Ray and Leslie Smith have donated for many years a special handcarved leather gift. Other sponsors were "Ranvet", "Sew Trendy" horse rugs at Kingaroy, "Horsemans Trading Post" in Brisbane and Feeding Fenzy at "Australia Zoo", home of the famous Crocodile Man, in addition to local studs, "Carramar Paint Horse Stud", "Palamo Stud" and "Wilomar QH Stud". Two stallion services were donated for the Camp, these were the magnificent paint stallions Hillbilly Bon Fire and Best Western (imp) kindly donated by "Kingston Park Stud" at Hevey Bay and "Moonglade Stud" at Caboolture respectively, congratulations to both Kimberley Farr and Patrick Maxwell who will, in the future, promote the 4 legged results of this raffle! There is unfortunately not enough space to thank all other families and businesses which supported this camp, financially or in other ways however your support is invaluable in keeping this Camp free for youth to attend.
The Club however did not rest just on conducting the two Camps over the past year, they also held very successful charity fundraising training days during 2005. Proceeds of these days went towards Riding for the Disabled and a Youth Encouragement Fund set up to assist youth representing their clubs at high profile sporting events. Thanks again go to the trainers who donated their time - Lynda Gray, Ray and Leslie Smith, Susan Maxwell, Kerris Holzberger and Mandy Johnstone. Acknowledgement also goes to the Burpengary Western Performance Club and the Equestrian Centre which kindly provided the use of the Indoor Arena for these days. The riders had a great time, were well fed and supported a worthy cause.
Finally, congratulations to the Qld State Paint Horse Association Committee for their hard work and innovative views of helping the community. Contact QSPHA Secretary Mandy Johnstone or President Patrick Maxwell on carramarstud@bigpond.com for further information on the club and its activities.
FREDDO