David Smith is an astute horseman from Capella who has always been involved with horses and cattle. He has always enjoyed competing with the family horses with his primary passion being the challenge events. He is a former winner of the Cloncurry Stockmen’s Challenge when in 2002 he won this prestigious event with Leo’s Mister Lena.

The family have now moved to a horse and cattle operation south of Rockhampton but their love of their horses and the challenge arena has only strengthened. David and Raelene’s son Josh is now the jockey and the family’s achievements are going from strength to strength.

In 2018 David and Raelene were considering importing a quality stallion to use with their brood mares, but fortuitously they attended the Landmark sale prior to going to the States. A young 2-year-old colt entered the Pre Work ring for vendors Joel and Julie Duff and David was instantly drawn to him. The eye appeal as he presented and then the way he carried himself and worked his cow had David heading straight down to the stable for further inspections. The colt was by Hard Hat Henry and from the well performed mare G I Jane, he was sound, had beautiful conformation and an unflappable nature. David was convinced he had found his horse and went to the sales ring to buy him.

Once purchased it was straight back to Rockhampton to begin his challenge preparation with Josh in the saddle. Every step with GI M Hard was a step forward and the family could not have been more delighted with their purchase.  Josh describes him as the best horse he has ever ridden by far and he has ridden a stack of good ones. He says he is good minded, low maintenance and easy to ride and show.

His competition career started 12 months later as a 3-year-old at Landmark in the Classic, with his first ever start getting him through to the 2nd round. He then went to the Landmark Toowoomba Challenge in March where he won the Challenge and then 2 starts in Futurity drafts to prepare him for Cloncurry.

He won the 2019 Cloncurry Stockmans Challenge. While he has gone on to other success, this first big win was particularly memorable for the Smith Family. The performance by GI M Hard was exceptional, being a 3-year-old.  For this reason, he joins a very short list of exceptional 3-year-olds capable of performing at that level at such a young age. It also made Josh a dual Cloncurry winner having previously won in 2015, and repeated David and Josh’s crown of being the only father and son to win this Title.

He started his 2020 challenge campaign with the Nutrien Classic Challenge and was again crowned the Challenge Champion.

The family have committed to maintaining Hardy’s longevity and decided early on that he would not over-compete. With intentionally limited starts, he continues to stand out as a top-level competitor.

His other 2021 highlights included 2nd in the Ron Wall Memorial Derby at Cloncurry, as well as Runners Up in the Nutrien Supreme 5 & Under Challenge, and Nutrien Classic Challenge, both by just 0.25 of a point!

In 2022 his form continued at Cloncurry where he was the reserve Champion in the Open Challenge.  2023 proved to be a successful year. He won the Open Challenge at the Flinders Classic Challenge and Campdraft with Josh Smith, the Cloncurry Open Challenge Champion with Dave Smith, and the Paradise Lagoons Stallion Showcase with Jaimie Kriesch. Showing his ability to adapt to different riders.  He boasts a list of other finals along with these wins.

GI M Hard he has young progeny, starting to show the ability and style of their sire.  Hard Core Romance debuted at the 2024 Gwydir River Run Stockmans Challenge to win the Hack Challenge with Emily O’Donnell and final in the Classic Challenge.

David is thrilled with the progeny as they are true to type, beautifully fronted foals, who travel well. His young progeny stood out at the 2024 Cloncurry Stockmans Challenge, with three-year-old G IM A Playboy 2nd in the Futurity Campdraft, while 4-year-old Hard Spice made the Classic Stockmans Challenge final.

Equally exciting for this young stallion are the quality mares being bred, and the exciting young progeny in training and performing strongly at sales such as the Nutrien Classic Sale.

2022

2021

​​2020

2019

GI M Hard

2026

• From The Horses Mouth [View Video on Facebook]

2025

•  Paradise Lagoons Novice B Winner (91 – 23 64 4) [View Video on Facebook]
• Paradise Lagoons Novice B Round 1 (89 – 22 63 4) [View Video on Facebook] 

2024

• Nutrien Masters
  • Dry Work of the Graduate Challenge (89.75) [View Video on Facebook] 
  • Graduate Challenge Final [View Video on Facebook]
• Ridgelands Campdraft with David Smith (90) [View Video on Facebook] 

2023

• Nutrien Graduate Campdraft Rd1 91 (22 65 4). [View Video on Facebook]

2021

• Ron Wall Memorial Derby Challenge, Cloncurry.
  • Rd1 Dry Work (92.5).  [View Video]
• Nutrien Supreme 5 & Under Challenge.
  • Dry Work Final.  [View Video in Facebook]
• Nutrien Classic Challenge.
  • Dry section (78.75): [View Video in Facebook]
  • Wet section (81.25): [View Video in Facebook]
  • Final: [View Video in Facebook]

2020

• Nutrien Classic Challenge Compilation Highlights, by Nutrien Equine. [View Video]
• Dry Work – 80.5 points.  [View Video in Facebook]
• Wet Work – 78.25  [View Video in Facebook]
• Final – [View Video]

2018

• Landmark Classic Horse Sale: Lot 286 – GI M Hard. [View Presale Video]

Progeny

G IM A Playboy

• 2025 Cloncurry Classic Stockmans Challenge Final Dry (89.25).  [View Video on Facebook]
• 2025 Paradise Lagoons Futurity Winner. [View Video on Facebook]

Danilla G Ima Con

• 2025 Nutrien Supreme. Lot 136 – Sold $15,000. [View Video on Facebook]

Mistake Creek GI M Rusty

• 2023 Nutrien Classic. Lot 197 – Sold 40,000 [View Video on Facebook]

Pedigree

Sire: Hard Hat Henry

• 2015 Scone Campdraft with Hugh Miles.  [View Video in Facebook]
• 2013 – Paradise Lagoons Open Cutting  with Todd Graham.  [View Video]
• 2012 – NCHA Futurity Gold Cup Open Winning Run with Todd Graham.  [View Video]

Dam: G I Jane

Learn about G I Jane in Ninety or Nothing Podcast Episode #11 with Joel & Julie Duff: