Spinning Garter's story is one built on legacy, generations of success and a foundation that helped shape one of Australia's most influential cutting horse programs.
From the very beginning, she represented far more than simply another young mare with potential. She became a mare whose influence would stretch across decades, producing not only performers and money earners, but a family line that would become the backbone of the CBARH Cutting Horses program.
Bred by Corey Holden, Spinning Garter was by Docs Spinifex and out of Elgrando Blue Garter, a mare who stood alongside her full sister Blue Dove as one of the original cornerstones of Corey's breeding program. Together, these full sisters formed the foundation that would later develop into a powerful and consistent mare line, with both contributing significantly to the strength of the CBARH program.
The famous "Garter" name that has followed so many of Corey's mares began through a moment of pure chance. Corey had attended a wedding and happened to catch the bride's garter when it was thrown. Someone jokingly remarked that he should call one of his mares "Blue Garter", and the name stuck. Little did anyone realise at the time that the name would eventually become synonymous with an entire family line and continue through generations of horses that followed.
As a young horse, Corey trained Spinning Garter with aspirations of showing her at the futurity himself. Around the same time, opportunities arose overseas, leading Corey to America to train and show cutting horses. Although his own career path took him in another direction, Spinning Garter still entered the show pen and quickly demonstrated the talent and cow sense that would later become trademarks of her offspring.
During her performance career, Spinning Garter consistently proved herself as a competitive mare with success across futurity, novice and open competition. Campaigned by both Corey and Dean Holden, she accumulated an impressive list of results throughout the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Under Dean, she secured a 3rd placing in the Restricted Open and a 6th placing in the Futurity Open, while also claiming wins in the $3,500 Novice and the Sydney Royal $10,000 Novice. Corey also enjoyed success aboard the mare, securing an Open victory and additional placings in the $3,500 and $10,000 Novice classes. Along with multiple top placings at Area 7 Workoffs and novice competition events, her record highlighted not only her ability and consistency, but also the natural athleticism and trainability that would later become so evident throughout her progeny.
While her own performance career was impressive, it would ultimately be in the breeding barn where Spinning Garter would leave her greatest mark.
She developed into a mare that consistently produced horses with ability, trainability, cow sense and longevity, qualities that would become defining characteristics throughout the CBARH program. Her first foal, Reys Ya Garter by Dual Rey, was retained by Corey as a stallion prospect and would later establish his own influence within the industry. Reys Ya Garter also went on to become an extremely successful campdraft stallion in the hands of Hugh Miles, further extending the family's influence and success into another discipline.
Spinning Garter's progeny record showcases the depth and consistency she has passed on through multiple generations. Her offspring include Reys Ya Garter, Elles Our Destiny, Asa Cat, Garter Cat, Southern Garter, Smooth Blue Garter, Spin N Tapt, Maxi Brakes, Henrys Garter and Jake Brake, each adding another branch to an already successful family tree.
To date, Spinning Garter's progeny lifetime earnings have surpassed $214,000, with several offspring making substantial contributions to that total. Reys Ya Garter has accumulated lifetime earnings of $35,493.93, while Asa Cat has earned $46,092.10, and Maxi Brakes has become one of her leading performers with lifetime earnings of $69,971.20. Beyond the figures themselves, these earnings reflect the consistency and performance ability that Spinning Garter repeatedly stamped onto her foals.
Her influence has reached far beyond Australia, with one of her daughters also successfully campaigned in America under the ownership of John Mitchell and Hope Mitchell, further demonstrating the versatility and quality carried throughout the family line.
Yet her impact reaches far beyond statistics.
Every horse Corey has ridden over the past 30 years traces back to these original mare families, with Spinning Garter becoming one of the most influential pieces of that story. Through her sons, daughters and grandchildren, she helped establish the consistency and quality that CBARH Cutting Horses has become recognised for.
Her foals continue to perform and produce not only for Corey, but for many successful competitors and breeders across Australia and America. Her influence did not stop with one generation, it continues to multiply.
For Corey, Spinning Garter represents far more than a great producer. She represents years of faith, breeding decisions and a mare that gave back more than anyone could have imagined. He speaks of her with immense gratitude and affection and describes her simply as an absolute gift.
Now, her contribution is receiving the recognition it deserves.
At the 2026 NCHA Futurity, Spinning Garter will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, a fitting honour for a mare whose influence has not only shaped a breeding program, but created a legacy that continues to impact generations of cutting horses today.
