The Cutting Horse, a highly trained, clever athlete with an extraordinary ability to think for itself, clearly demonstrated what sets it apart from other horses. The spectacle of witnessing a horse controlling a cow, on a completely loose rein, the rider, merely controlling the speed, the selection of cattle and time worked, is testament to the extraordinary bond that has existed between man and his horse throughout history.

It exemplifies what Equitana is truly about and that is the celebration of man's lasting relationship with the horse.

The event began with an introduction to the sport by Ms Gail Ritchie, National Cutting Horse Association, Manager and then on to a practical demonstration of how Cutting is judged, orated by Dr. Paul Older, President. After the demonstration the real competition began. Judges, Mr.Jeff Johnson and Mr. Ricky Glenn had their work cut out. It was not going to be an easy task with twenty-six of this Country's best competing for a share of the big prize pool of nearly $50,000.00.

Deb Wilson riding Mentiroc drew first out in a two-herd, single go-round competition. Deb began with a nice score of 143, then out came Richard Webb on Topfield Whatadancer and set the pace cracking with 147.5. Richard held the lead for a couple more runs till Aaron Wheatley riding the consistent and classy little mare, Shady Oak, upped-the-ante with a 149.5.

Just when we thought it couldn't get any better than this, from out of the herd came the low-hustling awesome little mare, One Moore Spin with Todd Graham and put on a display of cutting that is rarely witnessed.

There is a story here that must be told......At Taroom in Queensland where the recently married Todd and Kylie Graham live, over 400ml of rain had fallen and the night before they were due to depart for Melbourne another 200ml fell causing the region to flood. In the morning Kylie set out riding the eleven year old, One Moore Spin, leading seven year old Miss Henry, another of Todd's rides at Equitana. The plan was to meet Todd at a location where the horses could be safely loaded onto a truck without it sinking into the mud.

Little did Kylie know that the river had flooded and she would have to swim both horses and ride twenty kilometers in order to meet up with Todd. Once both horses were safely on board the truck, a relieved Todd and Kylie drove the horses to meet Richard Prew, who transported both horses to Melbourne.

Now how good is One Moore Spin? Not only did she endure floods and the long trip from Queensland but she put on a performance at Equitana that earned her a pair of 77's for an aggregate of 154 just one point off her World Record score of 78's.

At the recent Gold Cup Open during the NCHA Futurity at Tamworth, One Moore Spin scored a previously unheard of score in Australia of 78's awarded to her by two American judges. This score has been attained just once before by an American horse. Todd did not think he could repeat his memorable win but the "no ordinary man" as he is known, did it again, and how!

Not only did he take out the Champion Prize but an amazing ride on Miss Henry late in the second herd gave him the Reserve place as well, with another great score of 151.5.

Legends are made of this.

After Scott's ride Cutting took on a new level of excitement, Aaron Wheatley on Oaks Cocoa Jay and Wayne "Rocket" Robinson on Spins Dancer rode precisely to take out equal third scoring 150. When the going gets tough the tough get going.

Every one who competed gave their best, Aaron also finished fifth on Shady Oak, Richard Webb who set the pace early on Topfield Whatadancer came in sixth. Carol Morris on Freckles Bonita looked like she had the ride of her life finished seventh. A little more luck with cattle and Troy Randall on Hand-it-Down as well as Miss Bueno Oak, Oaks Dreamcatcher and Shorty Leo the consecutive eighth, ninth and equal tenth placegetters could have made the big scores as well.

The competition finished on a high with everyone pleased with the venue, the cattle and the opportunity to show the Cutting Horse in the midst of so many other horse breeds and disciplines.

Equitana Chief Executive, Mr. Daryl Herbert announced after the event that he was thrilled at the way in which the Cutting contest was conducted and at the presence and response of the huge crowd who witnessed this amazing event, many for the first time. In closing, Mr, Herbert said that "CUTTING IS VERY MUCH PART OF EQUITANA''!

Reported by Brenda McCorkell Photo by Dave Christensen Australian Horseman Magazine