American Royal – Tuesday Highlights
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
In accordance with tradition, Tuesday is dedicated to the Missouri-Kansas classes, which were well filled and competitive. There were several new teams or teams trying out new divisions, with many being successful and taking the blue out of Kemper Arena.
One of the evening's highlights included reigning World’s Grand Champion Free Willy winning the Open Road Pony qualifier for the second year in a row with Georgia Blevins on the lines.
The ladies’ five-gaited classes kept the crowds on their feet and the excitement in the air. For the past four years, CH Amusing held the title of Ladies Five-Gaited Mare Champion, but she was not present this year, and that allowed another great mare to shine in the spotlight. Tonya Brison teamed up with the beautiful Callaway’s Unsolved Mystery to take the mare win for owner B&T Vonderschmitt. In the gelding division Ceil Wheeler and her multi-world’s champion CH Walterway’s Remember Me topped the field of nine.
In a pleasant change from recent trends, the fine harness division was full with many top quality horses being displayed. The Lady Sings The Blues and Nelson Green, for owners Burbank and Collins, made a stunning team debut to capture the Fine Harness Mare title over a ring full of seasoned teams.
Continuing the theme of new teams, Misdee Wrigley Miller paired up with Three-Gaited World’s Grand Champion Grande Gil to make a thrilling show in the Open Three-Gaited 15.2 and Over class.
The adult country pleasure class was the largest of the night with sixteen filling the ring. Finding all the right spots and making all the right passes, were CH The Shadow Knows and Linda Meyer for the second year in a row.
The Amateur Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under was another class filled with top quality entries. David Rudder returned to the show ring after a couple years’ break to team up with his world’s champion gaited mare Adelita, now trimmed and looking the part, to take the unanimous win.
Adelita and David Rudder
Before the last class of the evening came into the ring, Fern Bittner was honored as the American Royal Horseperson of the Year award with a special proclamation from the Mayor of Kansas City Mark Funkhouser, followed by a touching speech from Judy Werner. (see separate story)
(L to R) Glenda Pugh, Judy Werner, Ann Rowland
and Gayle Lampe were on hand to present
Fern Bittner with the American Royal
Horseperson of the Year Award
Rounding out the evening session was the open five-gaited mares. Melissa Moore and Twice Charmed wowed the crowd and the judges to take the unanimous win. Robert Gardiner directed last year’s winner, Pucker Up, to the reserve honor.
Twiced Charm closed out the evening
by winning Open Five-Gaited Mares
with Melissa Moore
Complete results from Tuesday’s sessions can be found by clicking here. Stay tuned for more daily highlights on Saddle horse Report Online.
Also seen on Tuesday at the American Royal:
The Pistol (Rifles And Roses x Classiphied Edition)
won the Missouri Breeders Weanling Stake
for Dale Musselman
Desert's Supreme Cowboy and Frances Neuneubel
MO-KS Jr. Exh Three-Gaited Show Pleasure
Unanimous Consent and Betts Coup
MO-KS Adult Three-Gaited
Show Pleasure winners
Misdee Wrigley Miller debuted with Grande Gil
to win Open Three-Gaited Over 15.2
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