19 May, 2025
For Clearchoice Contiki to be in the final 32 competitors of the 2025 Willinga Park Gold Buckle is beyond awesome. There were 348 first and second-round starters and 121 semi-finalists, and although it wasn’t the finish that David Murphy and Clearchoice Contiki were aiming for, wow—what an incredible mare!
She had the perfect fast steer and was doing a scorching run outside, one of the fastest for the day. I was on the edge of my seat as she flattened her ears rounding to the gate. In a heart-stopping moment, Contiki overreached, pulled a front shoe, and took a tumble. She and Murph bounced up, and Contiki continued her run, caught the steer, checked, and then lapped him in front of a cheering crowd…not once, but twice! Watch the video of their run below.
When Murph and I had our pre-run debrief, I said “do a run that makes her shine”. But honestly, Contiki didn’t need any help, she’s truly one in a million.
A huge thank you to:
Murphy Performance Horses for having such a fabulous connection with Contiki, you two just keep getting better.
Ringers Western for the care you have for your ambassadors. It was fabulous to meet you when you came to check Murph was ok.
Willinga Park for an incredible venue and brilliantly run draft and to all the great competitors who made the trip.
CatDan Photography for the fabulous photos from Contiki’s finals run.
