2016
Highest Money Earning Rider four years in a row
ARBC- Australian Reining Breeders Classic Shaun placed second on Condor Smart Play Scoring a 148 and fourth on Qxh Docs Stylish Oak.
PCRS- Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular
Shaun won the Open Derby on QXH Docs Stylish Oak.
QRHA- Queensland Reining Horse Association
Open Futurity 3rd place on Wimpys Packin Heat.
RA- Reining Australia
Shaun rode QXH Docs Stylish Oak to Reserve Champion in the Open.
Equitana
Shaun won Equitana on his mare Whiz Destiny for the second consecutive year. This made her the highest money earning mare in Australia.
2015
ARBC - Australian Reining Breeders Cup
This was the first year the ARBC was held and was developed by long time Reining Australia supporter, Errol Thomas. The event held Reining Australia’s National Derby worth $20,000 as well as other NRHA sanctioned events. The trip to Dalby, QLD was worthwhile for Shaun and his team taking out the feature event, the Open Derby aboard the 4 year old gelding 'Condor Smart Play' owned by Sean and Susan Donald. He also placed 4th riding the magnificent stud horse ‘QXH Doc’s Stylish Oak,’ also a 4 year old, owned by Xtreme Quarter Horses. Shaun rode Hasta La Vista to win the Open event. This was Hasta La Vista’s first show after having 3 foals.
Congratulations to all of the event organisers and sponsors for a successfully run show.
Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular
At the 2015 Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular Shaun won the Open Reining riding Hasta La Vista.
QXH Doc's Stylish Oak placed =2nd in the Open Derby followed by Condor Smart Play placing =5th.
Jason Melling, all the way from New Zealand rode his new mount Predator to win the horse 5yrs and over, Limited Open and the Open Non Pro.
NSWRHA State Championships
At the 2015 NSWRHA State Championships Shaun won reserve champion in the Open Derby aboard the magnificent QXH Doc's Stylish Oak.
Hasta La Vista won the Open, this being her 3rd Open win for the year.
Shaun also conducted a clinic for the NSWRHA as a lead up to the State Show in support of the club.
QRHA State Championships
As a lead up to the 2015 QRHA State Championships Shaun held a 3 day clinic for the QRHA in support of the Open Futurity. It was a great clinic enjoyed by all who attended, and a wonderful opportunity to touch up on showmanship right before the big show. Shaun an the QRHA have made plans do run another clinic like this before the 2016 State Championships.
RA National Championships
2014
Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular
Saunders Performance Horses had a fantastic start to the year with Shaun winning the PCRS Open Futurity on Condor Smart Play for owner Susan Donald. He won on a 75.5 which was the equal high score of the show. Shaun also placed 3rd aboard QXH Doc's Stylish Oak owned by Xtreme Quarter Horses with a score of 73.5. Equal fourth with a score of 71.5 was Miss Custom Made owned by Ivy Thompson. Shaun was pleased with how his horses performed for their first Futurity.
NSWRHA State Championships
This year the NSWRHA held Reining Australia's National Derby. Shaun showed A Hollywood Whizz for Steven Gibbs to place 3rd with a score of 146.5. QXH Doc's Stylish Oak owned by Xtreme Quarter Horses was reserve Champion in the Open Futurity with a score of 145.5 and Miss Custom Made owned by Ivy Thompson placed 3rd and won the mare incentive for the highest placed mare in the Open Futurity.
QRHA State Championships
At the 2014 QRHA State Show Shaun place 3rd in the Open Derby riding A Hollywood Whizz. The Open Futurity concluded with Condor Smart Play receiving the Reserve Championship and QXH Doc's Stylish Oak placing 3rd. It was a very busy show with Shaun flying out the following day to compete at the World Equestrian Games.
World Equestrian Games
2014 was one of Saunders Performance Horses busiest and biggest years to date. Shaun was selected to represent Australia at the World Equestrian Games held in Normandy, France. CS Ranch kindly loaned the horses they had available to the team as well as the hospitality of the Ranch leading up to the Games. The Reining Team members were Shaun Saunders, Martin Larcombe, Shauna Larcombe, Bill Norwood and John Wicks. Shaun's mount Sparkin Tinsel is a nine year old Stallion owned by Corina Schumacher. Team Australia achieved their best result to date, placing 5th overall in the team division. Although Shaun just missed out on the final of the individual competition, it was a big thrill for him to compete with the best riders in the World in the go rounds and was happy to contribute to the team result. Shaun is very grateful to those who supported him throughout his WEG journey, and to everyone who raised money and made effort to assist the team in any way.
2014 saw Shaun pilot QXH Docs Stylish Oak and Ruf Major to Co Champions in the Open Reining. This was a great finish to the 2014 season with Shaun being the highest money earning rider for the second consecutive year.
Shaun would like to thank his owners and sponsors for their support.
Wrangler
Twisted X Boots
Hygain
Thomas Arena Products
Ian Saunders Custom Saddles
Equissage
Thanks for being apart of the team!
2013
Saunders Performance Horses and our clients have had a great year.
Shaun and A Little Elroy won the first show of the year the QRHA Open Derby Shootout. And a big congratulations to Tim Hoffmann who won the Non Pro on Predator!!
The next show the Q13 Open Derby saw Shaun and Whiz Destiny become Reserve Champions.
At the Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular Shaun and Astonlee Kool Hustler were reserve Champions in the Open Futurity with a score of 74. Whiz Destiny ran a 75 to Reserve Champion in the Open Derby and then backed it up with another 75 to win the Open the next morning. Our Non Pros had a great great show, with Steven Gibbs winning the Prime Time Non Pro, Katy Jamieson who ran her very first 70 to win two buckles and congratulations to Greer Campbell winning the Rookies level 1 and 2 Co champion in the youth.
The QRHA State Championships was a great show for Saunders Performance Horses. Shaun won the Open Derby on Whiz Destiny. Our Non Pros also had a great show with wins from Katie Jamieson and Greer Campbell. Hayley showed for the first time in a while after having her first child winning the ladies.
A Hollywood Whizz was great for Shaun in the open Futurity running a 147.5 for the win!! This is Shaun’s third QRHA Open Futurity Championship. Shaun rode Playgirls Whiz to win the first CRI of the year with a 142.5. Shaun also rode Whiz Peppy to a 150 to Reserve Champion in the Open.
The Reining Australia National Futurity show shaped up to be one of their biggest in years. It was another go show for our Stables and for the QRHA club winning the Affiliate championships. Our Non Pros had a great show with Tim Hoffmann winning the Non Pro Classic for the second year in a row!! Greer Campbell won the Youth. Also congrats to Bailey Lowe on winning the Open Non Pro. Shaun and A Little Elroy won the Open and the Open Classic for owner Julie Johnson. Then came the event everyone was waiting for the Open Futurity. Shaun rode A Hollywood Whizz to a 219 third out and held the lead right until the last horse when John Wicks went around them on a 219.5. What a show!!!
Equitana 2013 saw Shaun and Scott and Kate Glovers Ruf Major imp crowned reserve champions, Shaun also placed 3rd on Whizz Peppy and 5th on A Little Elroy.
What a year Shaun earned over $39,000 in prize money and for the year of 2013 Shaun was Australia’s leading money earner.
We would like to thank all of our clients for their ongoing and valued support. We would not have the opportunity to train and show such great horses without the trust of our owners. We thank all of the people who have pitched in and helped us this year, past and present, whether it be at home, at shows or both; we couldn’t do it without you guys.
2012
Equitana 2012
Whizz Peppy was in great form heading in to Equitana taking out the GVRHA Ride and Slide to Equitana Open Championship.
At equitana he ran a great pattern and turned the best he has ever turned. A bobble in his second stop cost him points and he came up short placing him third. I am so proud of this horse at 11 years of age to show so well, I beleive that puts his earnings over $60 000.
QRHA State Championships
Shaun rode BigRiverSpannerInTheWorks for owner Ivy Thompson to 4th place in the Open Futurity and Smoke N Calboy for Jolene King to 5th.
But the highlight of the show came when Shaun and Whizz Peppy proved what a great team they are putting together a winning run in the Open on Saturday night scoring a combined score of 151.5. American Judge Ollie Griffith scored Shaun and Whizz Peppy a 76.5 equalling the highest score in Australian history. Congratulations to owner Charles Kalnins!
NSWRHA State Championships
The NSWRHA State Championships was a great show for Saunders Performance Horses. Shaun won the Open and the Open Derby aboard Sweet Whiz Sugar for owner Jo Buckley.
BigRiverSpannerInTheWorks had a smoking run in the Open Futurity to place 3rd for Ivy Thompson. Smoke N Calboy also had a great run in the Futurity and ended up 5th for Jolene King.
Congratulations to all competitors and place getters and thanks to NSWRHA for hosting a great show.
Q12 Derby Show
Shaun rode Avril Storeys Migs Miss Whizzel to 3rd place.
2011
Equitana Open Reserve Champion aboard "Whizz Peppy." This put Whizz Peppy's LTE over $50,000.
Reining Australia National Championships Open Futurity 3rd aboard "Sweet Whiz Sugar"
Reining Australia National Championships Open Reserve Champion aboard "Whizz Peppy"
NSWRHA State Championships Open Derby 3rd aboard "Whiz Destiny"
NSWRA State Championships Open Futurity 3rd aboard "Predator"
QRHA State Championships Open Futurity Champion aboard "Predator"
QRHA State Championships Open 3rd aboard "Whizz Peppy"
QRHA State Championships Open 4th aboard "Migs Miss Whizzel"
QRHA State Championships Open Derby 3rd aboard "Whiz Destiny"
PCRS Open Reserve Champion aboard "Migs Miss Whizzel"
PCRS Open Futurity 2nd aboard "Sweet Whiz Sugar"
PCRS Open Futurity 3rd aboard "Predator"
PCRS 5 yr and Over Champion aboard "Whizz Peppy"
PCRS Horse 4 yr and Under 2nd aboard "Sweet Whiz Sugar"
Q11 Open Derby 4th aboard "Hasta La Vista"
Q11 Open Champion aboard "Whiz Peppy"
Slide and Spin Reserve Champion Open aboard "Whiz Peppy"
Slide and Spin Horse 4 yr and Under Champion aboard "Hasta La Vista"
2010
2010 was one of Shaun's most successful years to date.
Shaachievements include :
Reining Australia Intermediate Open Derby Champion aboard "Migs Miss Whizzel"
Reining Australia Third Open Futurity aboard "Whiz Destiny"
Reining Australia Won 1st Go Open Futurity aboard "Whiz Destiny"
Reining Australia Reserve Champion Intermediate Open Futurity aboard "Whiz Destiny"
Reining Australia Open Derby 3rd aboard "Migs Miss Whizzel"
Reining Australia Intermediate Open Champion aboard "Docs Joelita"
QRHA Open Futurity Champion aboard "Whiz Destiny"
QRHA Intermediate Open Futurity Champion aboard "Whiz Destiny"
QRHA Reserve Champion Open Derby aboard "Docs Joelita"
QRHA Intermediate Open Derby Champion aboard "Docs Joelita"
QRHA Intermediate Open Champion aboard "Docs Joelita"
PCRS Open Futurity Champion aboard "Whiz Destiny"
PCRS Open Derby Champion aboard "Docs Joelita"
PCRS Intermediate Open Derby Champion aboard "Docs Joelita"
Water Wheel Reining Classic Reserve Champion Open aboard "Whizz Peppy". This put him over $40 000 in LTE and at that point he became the highest money earning reining horse in Australia.
2007 - 2009
During this time Shaun took a break from serious competion to gain himself a trade. He completed his Farrier Apprenticeship and was named 3rd year Apprecitice of the year. Started and trained two year olds and three year olds at Backhouse Training Stables.
2006
NRHA Open Derby Reserve Champion aboard "OP Whizzel Do"
NRHA Intermediate Open Futurity Reserve Champion aboard "OP Finally Dunit"
NRHA Open Futurity 3rd aboard "OP Finally Dunit"
NSWRHA Reserve Champion Open aboard "OP Whizzel Do"
VRHA Open Derby 4th aboard "OP Whizzel Do"
In 2006 Shaun was lucky to get the opportunity to ride overseas in the NRHA Affiliate Championships at the NRHA Futurity show. He showed Ian Waldron's stallion Chex Rooster.
With just a week to get to know the horse Shaun placed:
5th in the Rookie Professional
5th in the Intermdiate Open
9th in the Limited Open
Shaun is thankful to have had the oppotunity to gain international show experience. Some of these classes had 80 contestents or more. He also got to ride with trainers; Cody Sapergia, Duane Latimer and Bob Loomis. It was a very exciting trip for young Shaun getting to meet Wimpys Little Step in the flesh and many other great horses, trainers and ranches.
2004 - 2005
NRHA Open Derby Champion aboard "Sheza bonnie"
QRHA Open Champion aboard "Sheza bonnie"
VRHA Open Derby Champion aboard "Oakies Spark"
VRHA Non Pro Derby Champion aboard "Sheza bonnie"
VRHA Open Non Pro Champion aboard "Sheza bonnie"
2004
NRHA Highpoint Youth Champion.
NRHA Reserve Champion Youth aboard "Oakies Spark"
QRHA Youth Champion aboard "Oakies Spark"
NSWRHA Youth Champion aboard "Oakies Spark"
VRHA Youth Champion aboard "Oakies Spark"