The ever-popular Central Highlands Colt Starting Challenge will return for it’s sixth successive year during the Ag-Grow Emerald Field Days this year.
The two day challenge being held on June 28-29, will see six unridden colts matched with three understudy’s and mentor duos who’ll progressively encourage trust and bond with the colt until it can finally be ridden and perform tasks traditionally reserved for a much longer “break in” period.
TN Quarter Horses’ Terry and Nikki Yates will be coordinating the 2018 Challenge, and will be supplying the six unridden colts which are by their resident stallions, Bluey Rey and Two Pak Cat.
Each understudy and mentor pair will have two colts to work with, with the idea being that the mentor will work on the first colt while the understudy soaks in the knowledge, with the pair switching roles for the second colt, so the understudy can put into practice what they’ve learned.
On the Thursday, they’ll have two, two hour morning and afternoon sessions to work on the colts, then on the Friday they’ll have another two hour morning session, followed by a 45 minute afternoon session, at this point each pair will select the colt they think has come along the most.
After this choice is made each mentor will present and discuss the work they’ve done with their chosen colt while Challenge judge Jason Leich listens on.
“Jason has worked with one of the legends of natural horsemanship, Ray Hunt, and is very enthusiastic about natural horsemanship himself, so it’ll be very interesting to hear his insights regarding the colts that are presented,” Nikki said.
“The winner may not necessarily be the best presented colt, but rather the one that has progressed the most over the two days,” she said.
Nikki said the understudy/mentor arrangement provides a great opportunity for up and coming horse trainers to learn from a trio of high-respected and accomplished veterans of the industry.
“It’s a win-win, the understudies learn so much, and Terry will continue to work on these colts when we get home, so having the initial work done with them by people who know what their doing gives him a great head start.”
She said the big benefit for visitors is that it’ll be the “cheapest horsemanship school” they’ll ever attend.
“Visitors will have the opportunity to sit and watch horses getting broken in for two days, gain insight into how they can start their own horses more successfully, ask all the questions they want, and learn all they can.”
The three understudy/mentor pairs are:
Jamie McKenzie grew up around horses on the family cattle property between Augathella and Tambo. It was after he finished his schooling that he started to learn a lot more about horses and wanted to get better especially with young horses.
Ron Wall (Jamie’s mentor) conducts six day breaking in and two to three day horsemanship and campdrafting clinics across Qld, NT and the top end of WA. Mr Wall breaks in 80-100 horses a year, and has won the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge twice, in 1997 and 1999.
Pippa Jelinski grew up in Tasmania, were she went through pony club and competed in one day events, local shows and anything horsey. Today Pip and her partner Sheffy are based in the Mundubbera District where they run TRI Horsemanship.
Cody Stevens (Pippa’s mentor) owns and operates CKS Performance Horses. Mr Stevens specialises in training Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft horses as well as general basic foundation training on horses of all disciplines, sale preparation and presentation and breaking in.
Heidi Harrold grew up on a cattle property in the Springsure/Rolleston area, and has always had a passion for horses and how to understand them. Ms Harrold is looking for new challenges and opportunities to expand her knowledge and gain invaluable experience.
Fred Watkins (Heidi’s mentor) owns and runs Watkins Horse Handlers in Boonah. Mr Watkins loves being able to help and support every sort of horse owner and rider, irrespective of the discipline, and has earned a reputation as a kind and down to earth trainer, teacher and clinician.
The event will be covered in detail by announcers Cameron Parker and Scott Keogh, who’s friendly back and forth will create an atmosphere which Mrs Yates said will “be like a mob of friends getting together.
“Hopefully the relaxed mood will encourage onlookers to be asking questions thick and fast.”
- For further CH Colt Starting Challenge information please visit the Ag-Grow website at aggrow.com.au