It's an addiction

Well Wingara Slide N Out has now had his second race. 

And wow. 

Although we came third in a 3 horse race in our first race and fourth in a four horse race in our second race I am very excited about the improvements in just 3 short weeks and 2 races and a total of 8 short weeks of training.

Before going up to Mareeba to be a sprint race horse Slide N Out was, what you could call, a paddock ornament. He was started as a 3 year old and had about 8 months work before coming home to serve a few mares and have the occasional ride. 

When I got a call from Chris Chalmers asking if I would start a horse at the few races that are to be run on thoroughbred tracks in Far North Queensland.  I had to put my money where my mouth is and get behind quarter horse racing.  Slide N Out was pulled out of the paddock and sent droving for a few weeks to help prepare him for race training.

Once back from his stint as a drovers horse he was trucked up to Mutchilba near Mareeba in FNQ to Julie Atkinson to begin his race horse career.

He missed the first race of the 3 races that where held starting on the 3rd of August as I had concerns that he was not striding out properly when he was being trotted out and Julie had an Equine Therapist visiting her other thoroughbreds so we had Slide checked out also.  It was decided to send him to the vets to have an ultrasound done.  It turned out Slide had a spur on his lumber 6 vertebrae, which was causing the shortness in stride.  After an acupuncture treatment and some specific drugs and herbs he was back in work again and getting ready for race 2.

Julie and I where pretty excited for Slide leading up to his first race.  His barrier trials went well.  The other horse he was up against in the barrier trials was Honey (J Bee Swallows Gold who is mentioned in an earlier blog).  This was a great confidence boost for Honey and it showed Julie and myself what Slide was capable of. 


Unfortunately I was unable to go to Slide's maiden race due to property commitments.  I can tell you I was that nervous and excited and hopeful and nervous I had to go out and help with some cattle work to get my mind off the race.  Although I had my daughter reminding me every 5 minutes that Slide would be racing very soon.  This did not help much, but now we can laugh about it.

All I could have asked for in this first race was that he do everything he was asked and to the best of his ability.  And the main thing was we had a horse in the race to show our support for quarter horse racing in Queensland.

When I first spoke with Julie after the race, she filled me in on the results.  3rd by a few lengths.  Slide drew the inside barrier and when the gates opened he ducked to the right a bit.  At this stage Julie said he did everything right except for the ducking to the right.  He behaved himself and had quite a few comments about how well behaved he was for a stallion.  This is pretty well all I could have asked for at this stage.  It wasn't until we saw the video of the race that we could see if it was worth continuing his training. 

And for me it was a no brainer.  Lets get him ready for the next race.

I truly thought I was going to see him run his second race.  I cursed my husband and this continuing dry spell in western Qld when I wasn't able to go and watch my mates race again.  I was a very cranky gal processing cattle and getting dusted with hot dry winds as I counted down til the start of the race.


Our goal for Slide in this race was to improve tremendously on his first race.  Although the horses that placed before Slide where more experienced he ran a much better race.  Although it seemed he wanted to be a gentleman and not pass his favourite golden girl Honey.  All in all Julie was very happy with him.  He has tried very hard for her and done everything Julie asked of him.


I am yet to see the race.  I am looking forward to seeing the video footage and I am looking forward to continuing to support quarter horse racing in Queensland and Australia.

Next year is going to be very exciting for Wingara Quarter Horses as we will have another 3 starters with a Slide gelding Wingara Flash N Out, mare, Superiors Savannah and another colt GF Illusion.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me with my dream to race Slide N Out.  Julie Atkinson and her family, Mark Baker and Daryl and the Hamdini Arabian team and the race day strappers and Chris and Amanda Chalmers for pushing me along and to all the jockeys, horse owners and people behind the seen who are making this all happen.

 I look forward to the future of quarter horse racing.

And this from Tez Chinner
If you weren't nervous and excited your not a Sprint enthusiast . When your in the gates as a head holder in a ten horse field and the gates open ,its like being amongst 10 -V8's as they Blast from the start. And to ride one is something else!!! Its Infectious!!!

Wingara Slide N Out will be standing at stud up at Mt Garnet before coming home at the end of December 2013.  If you would like to breed a foal by him please contact Nicole Buck on 07 40979490 or 0428024788.

Service fee is $500 + feed and ajistment and vet.

Honey & Michelle

I would like to introduce you to Michelle Shambler and her horse Honey.  Michelle as trainer and Honey as sprint horse had their first 400m race at the Mareeba races on the 3rd August 2013.  This race is just the 2nd sprint race to be held in Mareeba this year.  And by all accounts is proving very popular with spectators. 

 

We first set eyes on Honey (J Bee Swallows Gold Q-64988) when we went to visit John's (my husband) sister in Yeppoon, her good friend bred QHs, and wanted to us to have a look at some young horses she had for sale, not that we needed any prompting.

They where all beautiful, especially the palomino filly! Not for Sale we where told, but we had fallen in love with her, and talked the breeder into selling Honey too us. We got her as an unbroken rising 2 year old, our main interests at that time where horse sports and maybe a few bush races.  We broke her in and started to compete with her lightly, we ended up not racing her.  I retired from horse sports and decided to do a bit of Working Equitation, western pleasure, trail and Halter classes, which she places in consistently.

 

In Jan this year we heard that there was going to be a sprint race over 400 m.  We where keen to have a look as we had thought about racing her when we first got her. As soon as those barriers opened and the horses jumped I was hooked.  Such power over a short distance. 

We wanted to have a go with Honey but our main concern was, we still wanted to use her competitively for Working Equitation and didn't want a hot head on our hands. Chris Chalmers and Mark Baker (Hamdani Arabians) convinced us that if we continued to do what we normally do with Honey (Working Equitation )and incorporate a training program she would still be the Honey that we know.

So the journey begins, Honey at 5 yrs old had her first start on the 3rd of August and came 4th, she did well for her first go, the week before she placed with firsts seconds and thirds in her Working Equitation classes. Her Jockey Lisa Donovan is impressed with how she is learning this new sport.

We are looking forward to her next race with Lisa on the 25th of August at Tolga.

If we can do it, and have fun, and continue doing everything else with Honey so can others.

 

 

 

Thank you Michelle & Honey.  It will be great to see you at the Atherton races on the 25th August.  We will look forward to more photos and your future results.

 

If you would like to know more about the races in Atherton & Mareeba that are coming up please contact Chris Charmers.  His contact details can be found on previous posts.

 

 

 

 

Future Race Dates For North Queensland

For those of you who have a registered quarter horse and want to have a go at racing now is the time to get in and have a go. 

Dates for  North Queensland until the end of August are:
-Mt Garnet 3&4th of May 2013
-Mareeba   3rd August 2013
-Atherton   25 August 2013

Please note that there are more clubs coming on board and as they set their dates I will endeavour to let you know.  If you are involved with a jockey club in your local area and would like to host a quarter horse sprint race at your next race meeting please give Chris Chalmers a call and he will let you know what the requirements are.

The guidelines for racing your quarter horses will be released soon to let you know what the regulations and rules are for racing quarter horses.  It has been a long time in the coming and it is important that the sprint racing enthusiast of Australia pull together to allow this work.

Looking forward to seeing you at the track in the future.
Jody & Racing Quarter Horses

PS:  The last bit of the post is my personal view as I have no alliences with anybody.  I just love sprint horses. 
I have been waiting a while and holding that faith that we will be racing our quarter horses successfully and creating a viable and sustainable industry. I have had alot of people bag me out over the years (especially ones in western Qld) and I have stood on toes because of my belief that we will be racing sprint horses on tracks in Queensland again.  It is now time for people to put their differences aside, leave any beefs at the front gate and lets get horses on the track.  To create an industry it needs people who want to have a go.  The prize money may not be much to start with but hey we all got to start somewhere and if we are only racing for jackpot money to start with let us be grateful for that.  Isn't it better that our horses are doing what they are bred to do and proving their ability. 
 That's all. 
Have a great day.  

Pictures from Mareeba

The first quarter horse race for North Queensland in 2013 has been run and won by the great little mare Barmaid Billie out of a small field of 3.  It could have been any of the 3 that won but Barmaid Billie had just the right conditions to win this first race for quarter horse racing in North Queensland for a very time.

The race was run in conjunction with the Mareeba Australia Day race meet.  After the thoroughbreds run it was time for the Arab race and then the quarter horse race.  This race was run over 400m and won in a time of 20.24 seconds.

Congratulations to Chris & Amanda Charmers and all conections to Barmaid Billie. 

 

Racing in Far North Qld

The 26th January will see the first quarter horse race on a North Qld TB track in some years.  Mareeba just west of Cairns will be holding this race in conjuntion with its Australia Day Race meet.  The quarter horses will have their own race of 400m.

For further infomation please call Chris Charmers on 0740932757.  IF any one needs accomadation arranged or any other requirments transport or pick up from airport please let Chris know.
There will also be a get together on Friday night 25TH in Mareeba.  Numbers are required, call Chris on the above number.

And in Victoria
Racing for AQHA registerd Quarter Horses 3yrs and upwards at Mansfield Racecourse, Victoria. January 26,2013.
320m open and 320m maiden. For more information email shalite@hotkey.net.au