Much has been written about ACRES DESTINY over the years but a great deal of TALAWAHL CLASSIC DESTINY’s character comes from his dam PARKHOUSE CLASSIC.
CLASSIC is the eldest of three full sisters by ADIOS REFLECT out of a MASTER LUKE mare. All three mares performed successfully at ASH showing and campdrafting with PARKHOUSE CLASSIC achieving highlights such as runner-up in the ASH Maiden Series 2 and ultimately becoming an Open Campdraft Mare. Campaigning early on around SE Qld, Vicki used to say “for a while I was known as the girl with the three black mares and competing on them, putting cattle around, made it easy for me to look good”. They had an instinctive ability to understand and rate cattle.
CLASSIC went on to become a successful broodmare. TALAWAHL CLASSIC DOC, CLASSIC’s first foal by ALMORA QP DOUBLE DOC was sold as a yearling to Steve Hayden from Victoria. The early promise he showed was borne out by his later achievements (including winning the 2009 Warwick Stallion Draft as a 5 year old ridden by David Reiter). Her other progeny of note include TALAWAHL CLASSIC VINTAGE, TALAWAHL CLASSIC ACRES and TALAWAHL CLASSIC IMPRESSION.
But this story is about her second foal TALAWAHL CLASSIC DESTINY.
Vicki chose to breed CLASSIC to ACRES DESTINY as he too was known to produce competitive horses suitable for all levels. TALAWAHL CLASSIC DESTINY (paddock name CD) was born in 2008 and the black colt was a lovely foal from the word go. Broken in by Dan Steers (Vicki bred TALAWAHL DOUBLE IMAGE, Dan’s well-known stallion); Dan said how much he really liked the horse and he rated him highly. He was no fuss to start, progressing quickly under saddle and was a fast learner.
Vicki began showing him in Led and Ridden ASH classes winning many ribbons. When injury sidelined her, CD was campaigned by Cole Moxey as a 4 year old, competing successfully in the show events at the ASH Nationals. Cole also put him through the National Maturity at that event, finishing in the top 15.
Still with Cole, he then went to Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge and Paradise Lagoons, more than holding his own. “We rated him highly enough to get him out there and knew people would notice him.”
When CD began campdrafting full time it became obvious he had inherited his dam’s natural abilities and the traits for which ACRES DESTINY’s progeny have become so well known. He demonstrates an intuitive ability to read cattle and be where he needs to be.
Vicki says, “Like his dam PARKHOUSE CLASSIC, it feels like he’s thinking strides ahead. He’s good at what he does and he loves doing it. Even with minimal preparation I can pull him out the paddock, chuck a saddle on his back and compete with confidence.”
Despite consistently running high scores and regularly making finals, he was often pipped at the post, almost becoming the perennial bridesmaid. Vicki’s husband Mark recalls so many times she came home saying “CD got second…again!”
Vicki recalls things not going to plan in the yard at the Stallion Draft at the 2021 ASH Nationals with tough cattle and muddy conditions. Although he ultimately got the whip, he earned a round of applause from fellow competitors and onlookers alike for the grit and determination he showed.
But Vicki knew his turn would come. A strong and consistent cut-out horse she says “it feels like you’re sitting on a big black wall in the camp”. When he did win he did it in style winning 2 in one day. At Gloucester Campdraft in 2021 CD won first the Ladies and then the Novice B Campdrafts. It was great to finally get a win, then icing on the cake to get a second one at the same event.
CD’s no fuss attitude is also evident when performing stud duties. He is polite and well-mannered and is normally handled just by Vicki herself. Even at the height of breeding season he competes without distraction. He mingles well with other horses; people forget he is a stallion and he will often be seen yawning in a line-up.
CD continues to demonstrate his competitive nature and easy going temperament. Recently he has been campaigned by a juvenile rider and people comment on how kindly he goes.
TALAWAHL CLASSIC DESTINY is producing stylish and versatile progeny. They are displaying his temperament and looks and doing well in the competition arena.
A little aside…at 29 his dam CLASSIC is still looking good and moving like a 10 year old.
