Pete Comiskey’s name is linked to many of the great campdraft horses and his name is etched onto almost all the big draft trophies throughout the country, so one would imagine it would be hard for him to pick a favourite horse. However when Rod and Ann Carpenter’s mare Roanies Chex name is mentioned you can feel a definite softness in his voice when he relives her competition achievements. He happily tells you that she was so talented and honest that she stands alone in his opinion and her achievements are continuing as a brood mare who will be remembered through her progeny. Her progeny are proving themselves to be champions showing all her successful traits and Pete can’t wait to bring each one to the campdraft arena.

Roanies Chex has attributes that make her standout. She has no dirt in her and she is just happy to be with you and goes that extra bit to please you. She is soft both in your hands and in her movement when hitting the ground, she has exceptional balance at speed and is really natural outside chasing a beast. Adding to all her competitive edge is she is just an excellent station horse, the horse you want to ride mustering, she’s a great walker, a good ride all day and stamina to boot. Pete has embryoed Roanie to a number of sires for different reasons to produce stallions which he expects to excel at the highest levels.  These stallions will all add to Roanie’s superior genetics and each will appeal to different people who will be trying to breed their own champion from the Roanie bloodline. The differences will be judged by colour, type or a preference towards a grand sire.

Picasso Chex is one of these young stallions and being by Peptos Stylish Oak he immediately attracts attention.

Pete admits that watching Mark Buttsworth and One Stylish Pepto is often amazing as the little horse produces efforts that are almost freakish. However breeding Roanie to One Stylish Pepto was out of the question as they both feature Doc’s Spinifex closely in their pedigree, with Roanie being by Spinifex and OSP being from the great Spinifex mare, One Moore Spin. Therefore the logical breed was to return to OSP’s sire, Peptos Stylish Oak, a proven sire with progeny at the top levels of many disciplines including cutting, campdrafting, reining and challenges.

Picasso Chex is the foal and he is a three quarter brother to One Stylish Pepto with both being by Peptos Stylish Oak and from arguably two of the best Spinifex mares ever, One Moore Spin and Roanies Chex.

Picasso Chex is showing all the signs Pete was hoping for and he expects a big future for him. He has been broken in and has done mustering and light training with Pete. He is well matured and should grow to 15 hh, he is beautifully calm and is showing all the traits of his mother with balance, speed and the grit that Roanie is famous for.

His campaign program had been set, and he joined Dan Steers’ training program in readiness for the 2020 NCHA Snafflebit Futurity, but unfortunately, COVID-19 upset plans. He did manage to compete at the 2021 Cloncurry Stockmans Challenge, and Dan was very pleased with his performance.

With COVID-19 impacting competitions, it was quite a while before the young colt could show his potential.  When he had the chance to make it to a handful of drafts, he hit the ground running, quickly winning a Novice at Capella.  Returning for a fresh season (2024), he won the Weetabilla Novice (taking home a trophy saddle), and made the Open final at the Australian Stockmans Hall of Fame campdraft.  He had wins or runoffs for a cut out every weekend (as at August 2024).

Picasso Chex is a vital part of the Roanies Chex legacy and carries forward the genetics of his great dam, Roanies Chex. Sadly, she passed away in June 2024 at the age of 29. Pete and Bryony look forward to watching his stunning young progeny mature, and they are hopeful that those progeny will continue the success of this exceptional line of performance horses.  According to Little Peter, the next champion is right around the corner – he has been riding a Picasso two-year-old gelding and is full of praise and excitement for his future.

Rodann Roanies Chex is the most famous mare in the career of Pete Comiskey.

“Favourite & most competitive mare, very cowy, quick & never argued…she had her quirks, but never any dirt…she has a big ticker.”

She was competitive from 2000 to 2014.

• 230 Total Ribbons
• 66 Open Wins
• 164 Places
• 20 Open Rider Titles
• Juvenile Rider Titles
• 3 Open Horse Titles
• 1 Novice Horse Title

Highlights include:

• 2005 Warwick Gold Cup Winner (90 91 89=270). 755 entries.
• 2005 Chinchilla Grandfather Clock Winner, 504 entries.

Successful progeny

Roanies progeny are extremely successful.  This proven mare line is producing champions from different Sires.  All progeny campaigned to date are in the winners circle the most recognisable being Paris & Brittany who won the 2018, 2019 Willinga Park World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft, respectively.

Full details of their highlights in the PEDIGREE TAB and footage of them in action in the VIDEO GALLERY TAB.

Newspaper articles charting her success

We live in an age where success is instantly broadcast via social media, Rodann Roanies Chex captured hearts and headlines with her success as these articles attest:

2024

2023

2022

2020

Picasso Chex

2025

• Cut Out Reel [View Reel on Facebook]
• Juandah Plains Open Rd1 with Bryony Puddicombe (90.5 23, 63.5 4) [View Video on Facebook]
• 2025 Keeroongooloo Cup Novice Rd1 (89)  [View Video on Facebook]
• ACA National Finals Gdi Novice Rd 1 89 (22 63 4) [View Video on Facebook]
• WP Featured Cutout Rd 1 (24) [View Video on Facebook] 

2024

• ACA National Finals
  • Open Rd1 (87.5) [View Video on Facebook] 
  • Open Rd 2 (89) [View Video on Facebook] 

2023

• Condamine Bell Open Rd1 (90) [View Video on Facebook]
• Willinga At Juandah Plains Open Rd2 (87) [View Video on Facebook]

2021

• Cloncurry Stockmans Challenge Dry work section with Dan Steers.  [View Video on Facebook]

2020

• Promotional video.  [View Video on Youtube]

Pedigree

Sire: Peptos Stylish Oak

• Promotional Video.  [View Video]

Dam: Rodann Roanies Chex

2013

• Chinchilla Restricted Open Final with Pete Comiskey – 89 (21 64 4).  [View Video]
• Chinchilla Grandfather Clock with Pete Comiskey – 88 (22 62 4).  [View Video]

2005

• Warwick Gold Cup Winner with Pete Comiskey.  [View Video]

Half sister: Paris

2019

• NCCA National Champion Rider Title
  • Rd 1 – 90.  [View Video]
  • Rd 2 – 88.  [View Video]
  • Rd 3 – 89.  [View Video]

2018

• Willinga Park Gold Buckle Campdraft Winning run in the Final. [View Video]
• Warwick Champion of Champions with Bryony Puddicombe
  • Round 1 – 90.5.  [View Video]
  • Final – 91.5.  [View Video]

2017

• Condamine Bell, Rd 1, with Pete Comiskey – 88. [View Video]

2015

• St George, Sponsored Open Cut – Out win on 25, with Pete Comiskey.  [View Video in Facebook]

Half sister: Brittany

2019

• Warwick Gold Cup, Rd 2 with Pete Comiskey – 88. [View Video]
• Chinchilla Open, Rd 2 with Pete Comiskey – 90. [View Video]
• Willinga Park World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft. Final daily wrap with Tim Dreverman and Mark Barton! [View Video in Facebook]
• 2019 Landmark Open, Rd 1 with Pete Comiskey – 88. [View Video]

2018

• Condamine Bell Restricted Open, Rd 1 with Pete Comiskey – 88.  [View Video in Facebook]