Acres Peaches N Cream, affectionately known as Peaches, joined Karen and Steve McNamara’s program as a three year old after catching Steve’s eye in the pre works at the Tamworth Landmark Performance Horse Sale. Both Steve and Karen were immediately taken with the smart, stylish mare, and when she entered the sale ring they couldn’t resist. Bidding was strong, and although they initially pulled up at $11,000, interest got the better of them. One more bid secured the mare for $12,000.
Karen took Peaches home and began putting her to work mustering, allowing the young mare to gain miles and practical cattle experience. Two years later, as a five year old, Peaches returned to Tamworth to compete in the prestigious Incentive Classic Campdraft, where she delivered an impressive performance to finish 11th overall, just outside the placings, and claimed the title of Highest Scoring Quarter Horse of the Classic.
After the Classic, Karen gave Peaches a well earned twelve month spell before bringing her back into work to join the campdraft team full time. Consistently making finals and collecting placings, Peaches soon found her winning form. Her first major breakthrough came with a Maiden Draft victory at Oakey, followed shortly by a win at the Big Show Campdraft in Chinchilla, which qualified her for the prestigious Mitsubishi Big Show held at Paradise Lagoons. Although the final run at Paradise Lagoons didn’t go Karen’s way, she was thrilled with the mare’s performance and composure on such a big stage.
In 2023, Karen and Peaches added another highlight to their record, running off for the Ladies Campdraft title at Taroom and finishing a close third place. Despite a career punctuated by regular spells due to life commitments, Peaches consistently impressed whenever she entered the arena, proving her quality and heart each time she competed.
Following Taroom, Karen retired Peaches from competition to begin her broodmare career. Her first foal, sired by Con One More, is eagerly awaited and expected to set the tone for a new generation of performance horses. Karen is particularly excited to see how the Conman bloodlines blend with the Quarter Horse genetics of Peaches, believing the cross will produce foals of exceptional type and talent. Depending on the results of this first foal crop, Karen plans to continue breeding Peaches to Conman bred sires, with the flexibility to introduce outside stallions for commercial purposes while maintaining the mare’s proven qualities.
Beyond her achievements, Peaches is known for her cheeky, intelligent personality. A master escape artist, she became famous around campdrafts for opening gates, letting other horses out, and helping herself to hay and feed at neighbouring camps. Her playful nature and easy temperament made her a favourite both at home and on the road.
Peaches’ days in the competition arena may be finished, but her influence is only just beginning. As she transitions fully into her broodmare role, Karen looks forward to the foals she will produce, whether retained for the McNamara performance team or offered to other competitors and breeders eager for a share in this exceptional mare’s legacy.
