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.
