A winner: Geoff Wallen leant on the saddle of Doongara Regal Power after winning the hack class in the open challenge at the Australian Stock Horse Society National Show and Campdraft Championships at the Warwick Showgrounds this week.
Geoff Wallen has recorded a rare double with two full brothers at the Australian Stock Horse Society National Show and Campdraft Championships at the Warwick Showgrounds. He won the futurity for three-year-olds with Doongara Power Repeat and the maturity for four-year-olds with a full brother, Doongara Will Power. The sire of the brothers, eight-year-old Doongara Regal Power and Mr Wallen were presented with the wining ribbon in the open challenge hack Class on Thursday. Mr Wallen won the maturity at the nationals on Regal Power in 2002. His double was only the fourth in the history of the nationals and the second for his family - brother Allan won in 2004. Back home at Lockyer Waters, Mr Wallen works as a muscle release therapist in the equine industry as well as a farrier and equine dentist. "I am always working with horses (as my job) or for pleasure," he said
Mr Wallen breeds some horses for sale each year and has a price tag of $15.000 on Doongara Power Repeat. "I have been offered $13.000 but am confident I will get $15.000." he said. After First Competing at the nationals in 2001, Mr Wallen has taken five years to win the elusive double. It is almost the Wallen show at the nationals, with Mr Wallen's son Adam winning a saddle for high point youth in futurity and daughter Kelly winning high point youth in maturity. Overall the family won three saddles at the nationals. Always with Mr wallen's parents Mavis And Kev Wallen cheering family members on. It is often stated that horse sports are for the whole family - there is no better example than the Wallens, of Lockyer Waters. Today campdrafting is centre stage on the final day of the week-long nationals. The day's competition begins at 7am. Admission to the grounds is free for interested spectators.
Article written by Gerard Walsh
