This article is from the September 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

Cuttabar Designer Cat with Leanne Moran

SYNOPSIS

Stable name: Sass
Height: Roughly 15hh
Age: 9
Breeding: Dam: Colonels Destiny.
Sire: WR This Cats Smart.
Owner: Tri Star Quarter Horse Stud
Rider/s: Aaron Wheatley, Sinead Elliott (Moran)

Top 5 results:

• 2015 Goondiwindi Open Futurity Champion
• 2016 NCHA Futurity Open Derby Reserve Champion
• 2016 Toowoomba Futurity Open Derby Champion
• 2017 Victorian Futurity Open Classic Challenge Champion
• 2018 Victorian Futurity Open Non Pro Champion
Cuttabar Designer Cat was recently crowned cutting mare of the year (2019). Her current lifetime earnings are in excess of $83,000.

Leanne, how did Sass come into your life? Sass was purchased as a yearling from great friends and very successful cutting horse producers, Fred and Kim Johnson of Cuttabar Quarter Horses.

What made you and Martin purchase her? We had been impressed with the filly’s performing full-blood siblings and had good faith in Fred and Kim’s opinion, so Sass was actually purchased sight unseen. We were thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to purchase such a classy filly.

What was she like as a young horse? Sass has always had a real presence about her, particularly as she floats around her paddock. As a young horse she always had a lot of feel to her and could be quite tricky at times.

When did she start to show promise for the cutting arena? Sass always showed a lot of potential and promise to be great. She had some great success as a 3yo, however it was as a 4yo that we watched her mature and really hit her straps.

Did she have any training issues? Sass was quite a challenge as a young horse. One of trainer Aaron Wheatley’s main concerns early on was whether she could read a cow well enough, because she was very reactive to a cow. Lindsey, Aaron’s wife and trainer in her own right, spent a lot of time patiently working with Sass to slow her down. It took a lot of training and repetition to slow Sass down and help build her confidence.

When was the ride passed over to Aaron Wheatley? Aaron had Sass from the beginning of her ridden career. He and Lindsey broke in and have trained Sass since she was a late yearling.

How did she handle her first show? Aaron said she handled her first show quite well and settled in more after a few more shows.

How have she and Aaron developed their relationship since? Aaron and Sass have had a very well decorated competition career winning multiple aged titles, as well as numerous Open and restricted events (mare stakes, Equitana etc). Together the pair have won over $70,000.

What is it like watching Aaron and Sass in the arena? It is always thrilling to watch Aaron and Sass! Watching her compete is a mixture of absolute pride, anticipation and excitement, whether it is Aaron or Sinead in the saddle. We share that excitement and joy, along with all of our family and our good friends Fred and Kim.

What is Sass’s most annoying habit or quirk? I’d love to say she’s perfect, but she can be checky at times, let’s not go into that. She loves to try and sneak a cuddle by putting her chin on your shoulder when you take off her bridle and are putting her halter on.

Strongest personality trait? Sass has this self-proclaimed royalty and always has had. She certainly knows she’s special!

Preferred work environment? It doesn’t really faze Sass, indoors or out. A good working surface is always preferable, but as long as she’s cutting a cow, she will give 120%.

Work ethic? Sass has certainly proved she has a big heart and the determination it takes to be a top-level cutting mare. She is super athletic with a lot of grit and integrity.

How does she handle the big occasions? Sass always puts in, but without a doubt, the big occasions elicit a little extra effort from her. She knows when it’s a special occasion and steps up.

Weekly training regime? Sass is now out of aged events and is living at the family farm “Misneach Park” in Locksley, Victoria. She is now in a less intensive training program, as her competition calendar is less demanding. Sass is exercised on a regular basis and will compete with Aaron and Sinead when the opportunity arises again. Martin has had a few successful rides and I will hopefully take the opportunity to have a ride on her in the future.

What has she taught you and your family? She has taught us what it is like to own and ride a truly great horse.

Does she have a best friend? Anyone prepared to give her some love or some food. She lives happily in her own paddock and likes everyone, other horses and people, to know how special she is.

What is the first thing on your shopping list for her? New shoes.

When was the last time she made you laugh or cry? Watching Sass compete always brings a smile to our faces. We love to watch Aaron on her because they make such a great team. And to see Sinead on her is a mixture of overwhelming joy and pride in the beautiful team they make. Just reviewing and reliving Sass’s years for this article has had a similar effect.

Sinead, what is your most treasured moment together? I will never forget the feeling of that first ride. Aaron had explained to me that she was a little different to ride, but to just go with her and get a feel for her. On my first cow, I thought we were that far past the cow she must nearly be running off, but within one move she was as far back the other way with not the tiniest of consideration to ever let a cow beat her. I don’t think I wiped the smile off my face for weeks. She was by far the most exciting and athletic horse I had ever ridden.

Leanne, what celebrity does she remind you of? One with a powerful presence, good looks and grace. Maybe Beyonce at times, other times The Queen.

Does she have any foals on the ground, if so, how are they shaping up? The next chapter of Designer Cat is well underway with two foals on the ground. A colt and a filly, both from embryo transfers. We look forward to watching them develop and hope they progress into being successful animals. We believe if they’re even half the horse of their mother, they’d still be pretty great. So, here’s hoping!

What does the future hold for Sass? She will continue to compete in Open and Non-professional events. She goes into a breeding program annually for embryo transfers and this will continue while we believe she’s capable of competing at a high level.

3 things we don’t know about Cuttabar Designer Cat?
1. She really likes to get in the water troughs and splash out as much water as possible
2. She’ll actually make a great kid’s horse one day
3. She’s a queen not a princess

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