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MARE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Statistically there are fewer mares winning reining classes than studs and geldings. This is even more pronounced at the elite Open classes. Quality mares are an essential part of a success fulbreeding programme, competitively proven mares even more so. Generally it is considered more difficult for a mare to out perform studs in elite reining competition, particularly in their 3 and 4 year old years. Those that do are exceptional and deserve Special recognition.

 

 

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Mare of the Year  Eligibility and Criteria
 

  • Eligible categories are Open Mare of the Year and Non-Pro Mare of the Year

  • Classes where points are awarded for Open Mares are Open and Open Derby L4

  • Classes where points are awarded for Non-Pro Mares are Non-Pro and Non-Pro Derby L4

  • Points will be awarded for five class places on a sliding scale with 5 points awarded to the highest placed mare. 

 

For example:  

  • Highest scoring mare places 3rd – 5 points  

       next Mare place 7th – 4 points  

       next Mare place 8th – 3 points  

       next Mare place 12th – 2 points  

       next Mare place 15th 1 point   

 

  • Points will be awarded for both classes when classes are run concurrently, and the mare is entered in both classes

 

  • Mares must get a score in the Open/Non-Pro with points to be accrued at two Major Shows and Nationals. 

      Qualifying shows are: VRHA State Show, GVRHA State Show, SNSWRHA        Slide to Nationals, Qld State Show, Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular.

      Culminating with the RA Nationals

 

  • Mares that compete in more than two of the above shows will have their highest place (s) counted

 

  • In the situation where no mares have fulfilled the criteria for Mare of the Year, the Board may consider awarding a High Point award to the highest scoring mare at the Nationals outside the placings as long as they have the required placings at qualifiers

 

  • All mares are automatically nominated

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2025 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - Q Vista Step It Up owned and ridden by Tyler Smith

  • Non Pro - Q Vista Step It Up owned and ridden by Tyler Smith

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2024 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - Plum Outta Town owned and ridden   Tyler Smith

  • Non Pro - Sherons Sparkling Gun owned and ridden Errol Thomas

 

2023 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - NPH Chexy Nu It All owned Adriene Lee Thomson, ridden by Ashleigh Backhouse

  • Non Pro - A Smooth Kitty owned and ridden David Nixon

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2019 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - Smart Nu Georgie owned by Warren & Carol Backhouse, ridden by Ashleigh Backhouse

  • Non Pro - Seen The Light owned by Cameron Halliwell & Keiran Mosses

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2018 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - Shine It Up A Notch owned by Cameron Halliwell

  • Non Pro - Shine It Up A Notch owned by Cameron Halliwell

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2017 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - Dunrufnit Owned by Quarter Plus

  • Non Pro - Chexy Oak Owned by Smith Family

  • Non Pro - Lil Miss Genius Owned by Neylon Performance Horses

 

2016 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - Revolution Reddy Owned by Tony Mitchell

  • Non Pro - ME Lil Mercedes Chic Owned by Paul Sharp

  • Non Pro - Lil Miss Genius Owned by Neylon Performance Horses 

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​2015 Mare Of The Year

  • Open - Hasta La Vista Owned by Hayley Saunders 

  • Non Pro - Lilmissnoitall Owned by Neylon Performance Horses

  

2014 Mare Of The Year

 

  • Open - Heavens Eleven Owned by Katherine Keldermen

  • Non Pro - Hustlers First Flame Owned by Katrina Beale

  • Futurity - Big River Urban Legend Owned by Guy Laurie

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