03/10/2026
🏆 Mick & Shining Rey — Belyando Open winners! 🏆
So proud of Mick and our beautiful mare Shining Rey, affectionately known as “8”, winning the Capricorn Bulk Haulage & Verax Open at Belyando with a score of 265!
A huge thank-you to the committee, sponsors, cattle donors, Jack and Kate Mansell, and judge Stevie Steve Comiskey — we’ve worked out the only way to beat him is to have him judge! 😂👏
Congratulations to the committee for running such a great event with your fearless leader and secretary out of action. Hope you’re up and at ’em again soon, Nikki Marshall! 🥰
This open win means a lot because 8 is such a special part of our family. Thank you to Bec Eddie and Jeff for selling her to us a few years ago. She started as Mick’s horse, becoming a Novice mare within her first few starts, and has collected plenty of seconds in Novice and Open drafts — including behind Stevie and One Knight Stan in this same event!
After Doll sadly lost her much-loved Purrlikeakitten, “Bette”, Mick generously handed over 8’s reins. She could never replace Bette, but she brought so much joy back into the saddle. Doll and 8 have since shared plenty of fun and Ladies placings, including winning the 50 Year Anniversary Ladies draft at Clarke Creek. ❤️
8 has the most beautiful nature, but as Jeff says, “she has balls when she needs to use them!” 😂
We’re also lucky enough to have Willinga Snowy embryos out of her, and we’re hoping for a few more this year. Plenty to look forward to from this lovely mare!
We love you, Shining Rey. Thank you for the rides, the memories and the joy you bring us. 🥰