ASAC Opens Season For Southeast
Friday, March 25, 2005
The 18th Annual ASAC Horse Show was held at the T. Ed Garrison Arena in Clemson, S.C. on March 17-19, 2005. This year, Lee Hudson made the trip down from Virginia to judge the sellout horse show. The show has continued to see a growth in numbers over the past several years. Nancy Boone, show co-manager, said she is looking forward to next year with the addition of a new permanent barn and an even larger show.
The show began on Thursday with a bad turn in weather. During the morning there had even be snow flurries and sleet but by Friday and Saturday the sun was shining. The show hosted its exhibitor's party Friday evening with great barbecue, a super band and even a cameo visit from the Clemson Tiger!
Five-Gaited
Five top entries made the gate call for the Five-Gaited Stake. Ima Star-buck won Saturday evening’s coveted award. Paul Boone masterfully guided this young star through the traffic for owner Jerry Horoshuck. Frank Jones' entry On Review was on for reserve with Darell Cruse up. Earlier in the week these two top competitors swapped ribbons with Jones' entry winning the open qualifier.
With an outstanding show, Atticus Finch earned a top third place finish as Jamie Cantrell kept to herself making pass after pass with this powerful horse. Cantrell and Atticus Finch won the ladies qualifier earlier in the week. Astonishing and Jennifer Johnson earned the red in the ladies class in their only appearance.
All Stirred Up and Kim Cowart earned the novice class blue ribbon. This powerful chestnut was purchased earlier this year by Sharyn Lackey and Stefanie Sanchez to be teamed up with Sanchez in the amateur division. Lawman and Darell Cruse were on the money to take reserve for Frank Jones.
In the three-year-old class the blue ribbon went to the Tahitian Treat and Cruse, again for Frank Jones. The Jones/Cruse team continued their winning ways with the blue in the junior class with the CF First Night Out-bred star, Fifo. Reserve went to My Dream Is Yours and Sean Norris for Sharon Avidon.
There was no stopping Shamrock's Return and Deborah Richardson in the amateur ranks. This bold team had a show stopping performance to win the Amateur Five-Gaited Stake. Their performance was reminiscent of last year at Chattanooga when the team had a tremendous show. Richardson said that he was even better this year. Jamie Cantrell was back in the spotlight earning both red ribbons with Callaway's Double Diamond. The flashy chestnut Zora Spook and Dr. Wendy Troyer won the qualifier.
Another team from Boone's Farm took the junior exhibitor division by storm. It was last year at this very show that CH Hank Heiron and Ali Deutsch made their debut sweeping the division. This year they repeated their wins. They have been working hard over the winter and it has paid off because they seemed to be a team. They made it look easy as they worked through the gaits flawlessly. Worthy's Once More and Kristin Goforth earned reserve in the stake under the direction of Jerry Tolliver while Midnight Spice and Kaitlin Winegardner finished reserve in the qualifier.
In the gaited pony division, Rebekah Cloninger earned back-to-back wins with her new pony, Jewelled Star. Purchased last summer and debuting together at the North Carolina State Fair this is another team that has been working hard over the winter under the direction of Drowning Creek. Kansas City's Red Baron and Barratt Rudolph took reserve honors in both classes back to Birmingham, Ala.
Three-Gaited
Summertime Santana and Cheryl Baird were the top winners in the Three-Gaited Stake for Dr. Diane Ohning. This team moved up a notch from their earlier reserve performance in the qualifier. Reserve stake honors went to the high-stepping team of Viper and Valery Lang Hall. The Don't Worry-bred Never Worry, owned and exhibited by Brian Reimer, won the qualifier.
Debbie Koning had a busy Friday morning with several young entries. She won the Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited class aboard Classic With A Twist and returned to win the novice class with Bright Memories. Winning the Junior Three-Gaited class was Grape Tree's Finest Fox and Barney Garrison for Lisa McCall. Never Worry and Brian Reimer earned reserve.
Lady Latte moved up a spot with Lindy Ware in the amateur stake. This West Wind- trained team had an explosive show for the tricolor after earlier earning the reserve in the qualifier. Reserve in the stake went to the showy team of She's An Asset and Nancy Gordon. The new team of Hayden Fox and Kevin Ingram won the qualifier for James Dellinger, Jr. This was one of several teams presented by Delton Farms.
Adding to the Boone's banner Chesney and Marie Gwinn had a great show for the blue in the ladies division on Friday evening.
The Boone's introduced another new team Pressely Laton and SJ Denmark's Geronimo (SA) in the junior exhibitor division. Last year, Laton entered the performance division from the academy ranks with CH Empress In Black in walk-and-trot pleasure . They enjoyed a successful year and in October finished by winning at the North Carolina State Fair. Pressley and her new mount, “Geronimo," had two great shows beginning their career together by sweeping the junior exhibitor walk-trot division.
In the stake the Crockett Springs entry of Simbara's Stars And Stripes had a comeback ride for the red ribbon. Reserve in the qualifier went to Matchmaker's Believer and Britany Atkinson who moved out of Carolina Moon's academy program into performance. Continuing the winning ways of Boone's Farm, CH Sarah Katherine and Lauren Henderson earned both trips to the winner's in the three-gaited pony division having a repeat of last year's performances.
Fine Harness
Crockett Springs continued to win with their young stars as Debbie Koning presented Storm Heir for the win in the Junior Fine Harness class. This team returned on Saturday evening to win the stake. Reserve in the junior class went to Brenda Brewer's new star The Chocolate Drop Kid presented by David Barger. This eye-catching black contender is by It's Hammertime and out of the Radiant Sultan-bred Chocolate Cake.
Park
Between show seasons, Delton Farms purchased several top horses. One of these was Broadway Tune. Purchased for Amanda Dellinger to campaign, Steve Old was in the irons at ASAC having a little fun of his own. Old and Broadway Tune earned both victory passes in the open park division.
Brian Reimer and Tim Swim earned the red in the stake for Elizabeth Amis while James Hale and Ariba were reserve in the qualifier for Catherine Brown. Reimer continued to add to his banner with a win in the Three-Year-Old Park class with Majestic Worries.
For Love Of Roses and Deborah Koning earned the red ribbon. The toppy bay First Asset won the Junior Park class. Greg O'Kelley was aboard this young star, who is by CF First Night Out and out of Lady Assets, for Louise Allen under the direction of Drowning Creek. This colt is an important part of the All-Well / Drowning Creek show string since he was picked by the late Johnny Wellington to be their next contender. This team bred and raised the colt. They've also brought many great names to the show ring like CH Ninety-Eight Degrees and CH Carolouise. Reserve in the class went to Strike Up The Lights and Debbie Koning for Stanley Orr.
Eight top entries competed for the title in the amateur class on Saturday evening. Three stars commanded the spotlight in both classes: CH Ramses, Justa Rascal and Promise To Dance.
The qualifier blue went to last year's World's Champion Amateur Park Mare team of Promise To Dance and Marie Gwinn. The ASAC crowd got their first glimpse of Justa Rascal and Megan McClure in this class, who earned reserve in the qualifier. They showed up for the stake with confidence and took the class by storm winning their first tricolor together. CH Ramses and Amanda Dellinger were not going to be left out and they moved up a notch with a strong performance earning the reserve stake honor.
The junior exhibitor division had a new face as Tipitina and Bree Zandy debuted in this new division together under the direction of Julia and Steve Joyce. Zandy and Tipitina were stars winning both the stake and the qualifier. Teamed together by Stephanie O'Kelley, Endolane Symphony and Peyton Dreheim proved they have what it takes to be a top contender in this competitive division. Also a new team, this pair trailed Zandy and Tipitina for reserve in the stake.
Pleasure
My Grande has also joined the Delton Farm team. This multi-titled competitor is being shown by Amanda Dellinger in the three-gaited pleasure division. In their first show on Thursday the team had a flawless but conservative show to win the blue ribbon. Reserve in this great class went to the talented Manhattan Tee Time and Deana Edwards Gilliam. This pair returned on Friday to win the amateur owned and trained class with Fairfield's Cheerleader and Pam Quick in for reserve. My Grande and Dellinger returned with an explosive ride for the tricolor on Saturday with CH Five Minutes More and Barbara Matthews in for reserve.
In the junior exhibitor stake no one was happier than Coley Bolick when her number was called for the tricolor aboard Challenge, moving the pair up a notch from their reserve in the qualifier. The youngster was so proud that she wore her ribbon and roses around her neck for the rest of the evening. Trainer Jennifer Johnson remarked that no one deserved this more with all the hard work Coley has put into this team. Columbia Buckaneer with the talented Shelby Reimer aboard finished reserve. In the qualifier, Irish In Lights with Grant Shiflet earned the judge's nod in their only appearance.
In the novice rider class, exhibitors from Alabama went one-two as Broadway Brilliance and Catherine LaRue earned the blue and Petra's Pizzazz Man and Aubri Kennamer were second.
In the pleasure pony division, Santana's Flaming Dawn and Camille Cowart celebrated as they won not only their first blue ribbon together but also their first tricolor together. The only down part to such an accomplishment was that her dad, Peter, was not there to share in the glory as he had suffered a dirt bike injury. Be sure though that Camille went home with her loot and her video to make him watch over and over. Reserve in the stake went to the Barger trained Sunkissed Supreme and Megan Barrett.
The pleasure prospect blue ribbon was awarded to Manhattan Avenue. Greg O'Kelley presented this young chestnut for Susan Orton under the direction of Drowning Creek. Keeping The Promise and Marni Cothran finished reserve.
In the gaited pleasure division Boone's Farm continued to add to their list of wins with A Muse Me going two-for-two. In the qualifier Dr. Wendy Troyer was aboard for the catch ride. In the stake, owner Andy Everett was on hand with another solid ride to win the tri-color. The Denali with Deborah Richardson finished reserve in the qualifier.
Richardson also enjoyed success with her crowd pleaser, Cheers Cheers. This team earned the blue ribbon in the amateur owned and trained qualifier and returned for the reserve in the stake with two outstanding rides. Worthy Design and Bill Tasch were reserve in the amateur owned and trained qualifier.
Boone presented two more new teams in the pleasure division. John Elway began his two-year-old career in the fine harness division with success at the World's Championship and Blue Ridge Horse Shows for then owners Doris and Richard Marr. He was purchased by Ann and Bill Cannon and shortly after that moved to the gaited division. This year he is back in the harness with Ann Cannon at the lines in the pleasure driving division. Moving with great motion and confidence, this team proved they are top contenders in this division, winning both the stake and the qualifier.
Reserve honors in the stake went to Anita Simpson and her new teammate Really Worth It under the direction of Danny Keziah. Looking fantastic, reserve in the qualifier went to the bay performer Harlem's Babe Ruth with Susan Whittington at the lines.
Another new team Boone introduced was CH Empress In Black. Empress has become the one Boone turns to when it is time to take another little girl in the ring. First there was Lauren Henderson and then last year Pressley Laton. Both girls enjoyed a lot of success during their time in the saddle. This year it was time to give another little girl the experience of the show ring and Empress continues to fit the bill. Rachel Tankersly moved up through Boone's academy program and moved into the walk-and-trot pleasure division this year as just an eight-year-old. They were in top form to sweep the division beginning their career together in triumph.
Harley Campbell another young little girl moving up through the academy program under the direction of Stephanie O'Kelley at Calibogue Stables had a super ride aboard CF Chief's Red Hot Girl to earn the reserve ribbon in the stake. CF Chief's Stereotype and Kelsey Baird earned the red ribbon in the qualifier.
Country Pleasure
The first class of the show was the country pleasure qualifier. This division is one of the most popular on this circuit. No stranger to the winner's circle, Hometown Commander and Kevin Ingram enjoyed success winning the 11 qualifier. Reserve went to CH Java Sea and Ginger Regan in their only appearance together.
Newcomers to this division, Promise Keeper and Lauren Camp, rode away with the title in the stake. Hometown Commander and Kevin Ingram returned in the stake for the red ribbon.
In the amateur owned and trained qualifier, the blue went to CH Harlem's Jamaican and Barbara Matthews. Harlem's Knight At The Apollo and Luanne Kilday were in for reserve. In the novice rider class, Jane Feist and Bay O'Shea celebrated their first blue ribbon together under the direction of Courtney Huguley. The Chestnut Lane team of Callaway's Passport and Lisa Austin captured the reserve streamers.
My Fair Prince and Stephanie Hahn were on top of their game in the junior exhibitor division to win both the stake and the qualifier. The impressive Bitters and Caroline Amdall garnered reserve in the qualifier. Tabasco's Hot Tamale and Rachel Heinz earned the reserve championship, riding under the direction of Harrison Shiflet Stables.
Rum Tum Tigger and Luanne Kilday were the team to beat in the Western division. They were in top form finishing three-for-three, winning the qualifier, stake and the Saddle & Bridle's William Shatner class. CH Vincent Van Gogh and Deborah Richardson finished their weekend with the reserve in the stake. In the qualifier, the red ribbon went to Sar's Rambo and Stephanie Leidenheimer and in the Shatner class it was Slam's Pretty Boy and Terry Johnson in for reserve. Hurricane's Swamp Fox and Marie Gwinn won the hunter/sport class.
Callaway's Wish Me Blue and Dr. Don Bessingers had a comeback drive to win the Country Pleasure Driving class. Mighty Gus and Sharon Chrisman exited with reserve for Darnita Collins. Reserve in the qualifier went to Heart Of The Storm and Deborah Richardson in their only driving appearance.
Road Horse
It is always tough to show against yourself but it does not seem to bother Westgate Villain and Mike Gordon. This team is out to thrill time after time, and thrill they did when they put on a crowd pleasing performance to win the amateur qualifier. However, they returned in the open stake, taking on the competition and besting the field. They set the pace and raced into the winner's circle.
Exit 80 and Steve Hanks took reserve in the championship and won the open qualifier for Jeb Boyd. Scruff and Deborah Koning raced home to reserve in the open qualifier. Mark Greenwell was at the lines of Spit N' Polish for the novice class for Dr. Holly Ackerman.
In the Under Saddle class Rebekah Cloninger made her first trip to the winner's circle aboard Diamond Hustler. She learned the love of speed with her top Road Pony, Dunhaven's Grandiose, and is now taking it to a new level aboard a Road Horse, thrilling the crowd.
Ponies
Eight entries entered the ring to vie for the Road Pony Stake. Topping the great field was Razz-ma-tazz and Lewis Eckerd for Karl Bridgeman. On Friday, Bridgeman was at the lines for the first time with this sporty pony to win the novice class. The new team of Boxford's On The Mark and Dr. Wendy Troyer finished reserve in the stake. Reserve in the novice class went to Regal's High Tide LF and James Hale. The blue in the open qualifier was awarded to the new Delton entry Heartland's Caralee with Steve Old at the lines. Knollandaire and Kathy Sumpter were in for Reserve. Slick Willie and Marita Mirabole won the amateur qualifier.
Rebekah Cloninger enjoyed great success at ASAC. She won all five of her classes in three divisions. Last year, she and Dunhaven's Grandiose won many titles and have started this season off in the same fashion with two more victories in the AHHS medallion qualifier and the junior exhibitor stake. Reserve in the AHHS Medallion qualifier went to the new team of Heartland's Painted Creation and Jeb Boyd. In the AHHS Under Saddle Medallion and the stake, K&J's Harley Sportster earned both trips to the winner's circle. BRS King Of Hearts and Shelby Reimer winning both red ribbons.
In the Pleasure Pony Driving Stake, Mark's Revelation and Larry Bruce earned the tricolor for Walnut Hill Farm after previously winning the red ribbon in the qualifier. Reserve stake honors went to Cherry's Dream Motion and Jennifer Shell, winners of the AHHS Pleasure Driving Medallion qualifier. Pride's Perfection and Kevin Ingram won the pleasure pony driving qualifier for James Dellinger, Jr.
Equitation
Saturday evening's coveted top equitation title went to the beautiful Regan Huguley. In top form, Huguley surpassed the competition with impeccable rail-work and pattern-work aboard The Visionary. Regan also earned the blue in the 14-17 qualifier. In her only appearances at the show, Jennifer Roberts won both the 13 and under and the pleasure equitation qualifier. Sally McEwen earned reserve championship honors after qualifying with the reserve in the pleasure equitation qualifier. Debuting in this division, Erin Ohning finished reserve in the 13 and under qualifier aboard Summertime Santana. In the UPHA Walk-and-Trot 10-and-Under Equitation class, Alyssa Allen captured the blue with Kelsey Baird in for reserve.
Academy
Saturday morning was dedicated to the academy riders. Riders from Boone's Farm, Chestnut Lane, Cleveland Park, Delton, Wind Crest, Mountain View, Hibriten, Harrison Shiflet Stables, Carolina Moon, Edgewood, C&C Stables, Garrison Stables, Jon Walker Stables, and others, all participated. Winning top ribbons were: Judy Dellinger, Callie Culbertson, Kate Lovejoy, Beth Viering, Denese Patch, Margaret Oktavec, Michelle Morganson, Danielle Purcell, Megan McCall, Jamie McFarland, Alli Smith, Tammy Houston, Allanah Withers, Kinsey Broome, Kim Breeden, Greta Borns, Carson Little, Grace Pulliam, Tiffany Hager, Hanna Faggart, Macy Campbell, Janie Donaldson, Alyssa Bensky, Jessie McCurry, Gracie Page, Natalie Penegar, AnnaLiza Tucker, Molly Walker, Vanessa Patch, Jessie McCurry, Ardan Ohning, Madison McCall, Abby Tomlin and Annie Grigg.
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