Michelle Ballard
What a year 2020 shaped up to be for all of us!
Our year started off quite slowly with only a couple of Jackpots before I travelled to Gympie to compete in the 2019 NBHA State Show. State Show ran over 3 days at the Gympie Rodeo Grounds, we were lucky enough to have it rain on the Friday night which made for quite wet grounds although this didn’t hinder performance at all. Queen of Spin placed 2nd in the 5th Division in Round 1, 5th in the 4th Division in Round 2 & which landed us 1st in the 4th Division in the Average and taking home the 4D Buckle for 2019. Not only did we win some amazing prizes we also secured a Wild Card to compete at the World Championships in America 2020. We arrived home and Covid-19 struck and locked down the country. We took this opportunity to let our horses have a little break and go back to basics with training.
11th of July we were able to start venturing out again following strict rules, so we headed to Lauralla Lodge to compete, picked up placings which was a great start back. Clifton Pines Queentime whom we purchased in March made her debut to barrel racing.
September brought the start of the ‘Queen of Hearts’ Series hosted at Fernvale Showgrounds. Queen of Spin & Clifton Pines Queentime were nominated to run. Round 1 Queen of Spin placed 1st in the 2nd Division, round 2 Queen of Spin and I secured 3rd in the 3rd Division.
QBRA held their finals at the end of September in Dalby where Queen of Spin won the 3rd Division in the first round, placing down the 3rdDivision in rounds 2 & 3 and finished up 6th in the 3rd Division in the average.
Back to Fernvale for Rounds 3 & 4 saw Queen of Spin win the 3rd Division and Clifton Pines Queentime hot on her heels picking up 3rd in the 3rdDivision.
I then packed my pair of Queens up to travel to Gracemere for the ABHA State Championships event held at the CQLX Grounds. A competition over 3 days with over 600 competitors each day. I had 3 clean runs on both Queens and placed 15th in the second Division average on Queen of Spin against over 350 competitors from all over QLD.
Early November brought the final rounds of the ‘Queen of Hearts’ barrel series, my pair of Queens tried their hearts out with no placings in Round 5 & 6 although our consistency landed us in the midst of run offs for End of Series prizes. Queen of Spin was tied for 4th place in 2D & winner of 3D, Clifton Pines Queentime tied for 4th place in the 3D. Due to Queen of Spins illness battle in recent weeks I decided to keep her best interests at heart and forfeited the placing for the 2D.
We came away ‘Queen of Hearts’ Barrel Series Open 3D Winners. My pair of Queens are now on a well-deserved holiday before preparations commence for 2021 Season.
Thank you Hyfeed, we appreciate your support and commitment throughout 2020 and look forward to 2021.