2021 Ron WALL MEMORIAL Colt Starting Competition
This year we are excited to be holding the Colt Starting Competition again. It was such a great event in 2018 and 2019 and so many people have asked to see it again. In 2021 we will have 3 new competitors who will compete to get a young, almost unhandled, horse started under saddle in just 3 short, 2 hour, sessions over 3 days.
Our Colts for 2021 are 2 year old geldings all sired by the reknowned Daleys Playrio and very kindly donated by Ben & Jaye Hall. Playrio needs no introduction in the Campdraft world as one of best performing sires to date, with many of his progeny becoming highly successful in the Challenge and Campdraft arenas. The three geldings will all be offered for auction on the Saturday night at the completion of the Colt Starting Competition in front of the bar.
Our Colts for 2021 are 2 year old geldings all sired by the reknowned Daleys Playrio and very kindly donated by Ben & Jaye Hall. Playrio needs no introduction in the Campdraft world as one of best performing sires to date, with many of his progeny becoming highly successful in the Challenge and Campdraft arenas. The three geldings will all be offered for auction on the Saturday night at the completion of the Colt Starting Competition in front of the bar.
OUR COLT STARTERS:
Michael Green
Born into a horsey family, there was little doubt horses were always going to remain a big part of my life. My early years were spent mustering at various properties around the area or in pony club. As a young lad the faster the horse sport the better and mounted games became my preferred competition for many years, although I dabbled in many disciplines and my riding was constantly refined by my well accomplished great aunt Rose Stewart’s instruction. I was lucky enough in “games” to win State and National titles and represent Australia at world champs in Canada.
Leaving my teen years I moved into Polocrosse, playing in NSW before travelling and playing seasons in the NT and WA as well as representing The NT at Nationals in Warwick.
In the last 10 years my favoured discipline has been Stockman’s Challenges where I have found some success, qualifying Top Ten at Corryong’s Man From Snowy River 6 times, coming 2nd in 2012 and winning the brumby catch in 2013, as well as multiple top ten’s at numerous other major challenges.
My father taught me to break horses. When I was about 13, with dad’s supervision I started my first horse under saddle and in harness. He was a versatile pony we used for many years. From here horse breaking became a large part of my equine education, from thoroughbreds in racing, warmbloods in eventing and dressage, to stock horses, quarter horses and brumbies. The horses have given me the broadest experience in learning.
Colt Starting competitions have fascinated me for over a decade. I have spent hours watching these at events, learning and benchmarking myself and my methods against those I watched in the ring. But I knew I couldn’t really compare unless I got off the fence and tested myself in the round yard, with all the pressures of new horses, crowds and ticking clocks. In 2019 I was lucky enough to get that chance at K Ranch’s Real Deal colt starting comp. I didn’t win it that year but I was proud of the horse that I turned out of that comp, he was tough enough but he finished so well. 2020, I’m pleased to say I got another chance, and against very capable opposition we got the win. Again credit has to go to the little filly I drew, she progressed very well over the week and made me look good in the end.
I’m honoured to be invited to the Coonamble Colt Starting Competition, I’ve heard the quality of stock used at this event is exceptional and I hope to finish a young horse that is safe, confident and very ready to carry on with.
Tamara Janus
Tamara is returning in 2021 after being one of the stars of our 2019 Colt Starting, which could not be completed due to being rained out.
My name is Tamara Janus and I have been training horses for over a decade now and ride everything from 11hh ponies up to 18hh percherons.
I believe in making solid foundations to prepare horses for their future ridden careers. I am based in Upper Caboolture QLD and work for myself under the name TJ Equine. I have 2 gorgeous little cowgirls who keep me busy and are usually cheering me on from the roundyard rails. I compete in a range of disciplines on my own horses from Working Equitation to Team Penning and everything in between. My aim with each horse is to keep them willing and soft using good timing and feel.
Josh Knight
Based in the Scenic Rim region of QLD's South East, Joshua Knight and his partner Skye Liikanen run their training and starting facility, Knights Equestrian, just outside Beaudesert.
Knights Equestrian caters for a wide variety of horses from many different disciplines, providing starting under saddle, problem solving, groundwork and lessons as well as general education.
Josh and Skye spent three years in the USA working under Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship where they were able to benefit from being part of Dan's program from start to finish. They have also spent time learning from a number of talented trainers both in North America as well as here in Australia including spending time working with and learning from Dan Steers at his Tamworth property last year. Josh was the winner of the 2018 Kentucky Mustang Makeover where he won the Rookie Award, Crowd Favourite and also Overall Champion of the event with his mustang mare Bindi. Josh has successfully competed in many Colt Starting events both here and overseas.
Josh enjoys having the opportunity to provide horses with the best start possible to ridden life. He focuses on providing them with a solid foundation where they are relaxed in all aspects of their work. Josh is really looking forward to competing in this event!
Michael Green
Born into a horsey family, there was little doubt horses were always going to remain a big part of my life. My early years were spent mustering at various properties around the area or in pony club. As a young lad the faster the horse sport the better and mounted games became my preferred competition for many years, although I dabbled in many disciplines and my riding was constantly refined by my well accomplished great aunt Rose Stewart’s instruction. I was lucky enough in “games” to win State and National titles and represent Australia at world champs in Canada.
Leaving my teen years I moved into Polocrosse, playing in NSW before travelling and playing seasons in the NT and WA as well as representing The NT at Nationals in Warwick.
In the last 10 years my favoured discipline has been Stockman’s Challenges where I have found some success, qualifying Top Ten at Corryong’s Man From Snowy River 6 times, coming 2nd in 2012 and winning the brumby catch in 2013, as well as multiple top ten’s at numerous other major challenges.
My father taught me to break horses. When I was about 13, with dad’s supervision I started my first horse under saddle and in harness. He was a versatile pony we used for many years. From here horse breaking became a large part of my equine education, from thoroughbreds in racing, warmbloods in eventing and dressage, to stock horses, quarter horses and brumbies. The horses have given me the broadest experience in learning.
Colt Starting competitions have fascinated me for over a decade. I have spent hours watching these at events, learning and benchmarking myself and my methods against those I watched in the ring. But I knew I couldn’t really compare unless I got off the fence and tested myself in the round yard, with all the pressures of new horses, crowds and ticking clocks. In 2019 I was lucky enough to get that chance at K Ranch’s Real Deal colt starting comp. I didn’t win it that year but I was proud of the horse that I turned out of that comp, he was tough enough but he finished so well. 2020, I’m pleased to say I got another chance, and against very capable opposition we got the win. Again credit has to go to the little filly I drew, she progressed very well over the week and made me look good in the end.
I’m honoured to be invited to the Coonamble Colt Starting Competition, I’ve heard the quality of stock used at this event is exceptional and I hope to finish a young horse that is safe, confident and very ready to carry on with.
Tamara Janus
Tamara is returning in 2021 after being one of the stars of our 2019 Colt Starting, which could not be completed due to being rained out.
My name is Tamara Janus and I have been training horses for over a decade now and ride everything from 11hh ponies up to 18hh percherons.
I believe in making solid foundations to prepare horses for their future ridden careers. I am based in Upper Caboolture QLD and work for myself under the name TJ Equine. I have 2 gorgeous little cowgirls who keep me busy and are usually cheering me on from the roundyard rails. I compete in a range of disciplines on my own horses from Working Equitation to Team Penning and everything in between. My aim with each horse is to keep them willing and soft using good timing and feel.
Josh Knight
Based in the Scenic Rim region of QLD's South East, Joshua Knight and his partner Skye Liikanen run their training and starting facility, Knights Equestrian, just outside Beaudesert.
Knights Equestrian caters for a wide variety of horses from many different disciplines, providing starting under saddle, problem solving, groundwork and lessons as well as general education.
Josh and Skye spent three years in the USA working under Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship where they were able to benefit from being part of Dan's program from start to finish. They have also spent time learning from a number of talented trainers both in North America as well as here in Australia including spending time working with and learning from Dan Steers at his Tamworth property last year. Josh was the winner of the 2018 Kentucky Mustang Makeover where he won the Rookie Award, Crowd Favourite and also Overall Champion of the event with his mustang mare Bindi. Josh has successfully competed in many Colt Starting events both here and overseas.
Josh enjoys having the opportunity to provide horses with the best start possible to ridden life. He focuses on providing them with a solid foundation where they are relaxed in all aspects of their work. Josh is really looking forward to competing in this event!
The Rules
General Rules
Judging
The event will be judged on the approach the competitors took to training the horse and how easy/hard it was to follow their program.
While credit will be given for how far a competitor progresses with the horse, equal weight will be given to how well a competitor is able to communicate why and how they trained their horse the way they did.
- Safety to the horse will always apply at all times.
- Safety to the Contestant will always apply at all times.
- Any abuse of the horse being started will not be tolerated. Any trainer abusing or harming a horse will be disqualified.
- A dolly horse maybe used.
- Sessions will be 2 hrs long and trainers must take at least 20minutes of breaks within the session. Breaks can be of any duration as long as the total of break time adds up to 20 minutes in total. During the break the trainer must completely stop working the horse and preferably leave the pen.
- Trainers must be able explain to the judges/spectators how they approached the training of the horse and why any action they took was necessary.They will be given the opportunity at times throughout each session to explain what and why they are doing certain things and their basic program for starting young horses.
Judging
The event will be judged on the approach the competitors took to training the horse and how easy/hard it was to follow their program.
While credit will be given for how far a competitor progresses with the horse, equal weight will be given to how well a competitor is able to communicate why and how they trained their horse the way they did.
