by Michelle Krentz
MILWAUKEE, Wis. - This year marked the 30th year of the ASAW Summerfun, held July 22-25, 2009. Every year, the Summerfun horse show fulfills its namesake with grand exhibitors’ parties and ice cream socials, as well as car washes and fundraisers to help raise money for its scholarship program. Everyone who has been a part of the Midwest circuit realizes that the circuit is really one big family. Every night at the show, the stands were packed with exhibitors, trainers and friends and family of anyone involved in showing or putting on the show. The Midwest circuit is full of support and friendship, which is what helps make these Midwest shows, especially ASAW Summerfun, so strong and so fun to go to.
This year Show Manager and Show Secretary Vicky Holston was especially happy with the turnout of the show, proudly saying, "This year’s Summerfun has been one of the best in numbers ever; 324 horses." Included in those 324 horses were some of the best in the business, many with world’s championship titles and many others on their way to trotting down victory lane at Freedom Hall. Also part of those numbers were some horses worth just as much as the world’s champions in the amount of heart they have. These horses are the ones that are bomb proof, gentle, sweet and give the young [and sometimes old] riders their first show ring experiences. Both types of horses at Summerfun really helped to make the show special for the spectators.
A horse that possesses both those qualities, CH Bright Wind was the face of the trophies at Summerfun this year. To become the painting for the trophy the ASAW members must vote a horse to be the horse of the year. This year "Lolly", as she is called at her home at LaFleur Stables, was the ASAW Horse of The Year. In Lolly’s younger years, she was a world’s champion of champions show pleasure horse for the Cliftons, and while today she could still go to Louisville and turn heads, she is carrying the young Van Ess boys, Neva LaFleur’s sons, to their first show ring experiences and even blue ribbons. At the prime age of 20, Lolly is still a show horse through and through, but also a beloved family pet with a heart of gold.
Already a winner in the junior division from Madison Classic, Champagne Caramac really stepped up to the plate to win the Open Five-Gaited Stake with Pat McConnell aboard for Carole Bart. Reserve in the stake class went to the open winner, Aim For The Stars, and Neva LaFleur for Steve and Linda Goodrich. Reserve in the qualifier went to New York Designer and Carol Matton for Jennie Bailey.
A sporty mare with tons of charisma, Sensational Charm always draws eyes to her with her triple crown winning rider, Sarah Thordsen, aboard. At Summerfun, this exciting team won both Ladies Five-Gaited classes under the direction of proud trainer Scott Matton. After a third place finish in the qualifier, Roja Rosa put on an even better show to win the reserve title in the championship with Brittany Balagna aboard under Todd Perkins’s direction. Carlucci and Ginger Schinktgen were reserve in the championship for Tresha and Emily Teehan.
In the amateur ranks, The Midnight Hero earned the tricolor with always-smiling owner Diana Schaefer aboard after their reserve finish in the qualifier. Midwest’s open mare sensation, Our Sweet Addison, made a blue ribbon debut with her owner, Barbara Goodman Manilow, aboard in the qualifier.
Patsy Loeb and The Talk Of Lexington were in a league of their own to sweep the juvenile five-gaited division under the watchful eye of Rick Wallen.
Already a two-time winner from his debut show at Oskosh, Marty McFly, a four-year-old gelding by Roseridge Heir and out of a Worthy Son mare, won the junior/Nnvice class with Mark Utoft aboard for Deborah Jahn’s Seven Oaks Farm. A winner in the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness ranks last year, Il Divo is now ranking his way to fame in the five-gaited division to earn a red ribbon in the junior/novice class with Robert Gardiner aboard for Beata Flatley-Lilja’s EquiElegance.
That Kind Of Woman was a definite kind of exciting to win the Three-Gaited Junior/Novice and stake class with Rachel Birgells aboard for Rocco Litrenta and Mayo Moctezuma. Reserve in both classes went to Majestic’s Mary Cassatt and Robert Gardiner for his wife, Jonelle. Born Independent was the open winner with Neva LaFleur aboard for Joann Bernd.
Always a highlight of the show to watch, Cataclysmic again wowed the crowd with his long neck and waving legs to win both ladies classes with owner Susan Halverson aboard. Reserve in both classes went to I’ll Take The Stars and trainer Lisa Strickland in the qualifier and with owner Jennifer Karnes in the championship.
All Whitney Anderson’s hard work helping trainers Bob Griffin and Tom Thorpe at the show paid off as she got to show CH Highland Cavalier to both amateur wins for Bonnie Kegley. Reserve in the championship went to Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves and Leslie LaForce-Henneman for Carrie Glapinski. Reserve in the qualifier went to CH Tip ‘O The Hat and Brittany Balagna.
The juvenile walk/trots were full of talent and excitement. In the qualifier, Callaway’s Rosemary And Thyme and Ashley Baird put in a flawless and charismatic ride to win the blue. This dynamic duo was showing fresh off their reserve grand championship finish from Lexington. Reserve in that class went to Ro & Me’s Kiss And Tell and Maya Manilow in their debut performance together. Just last year, Kiss And Tell was the junior over two world’s champion. The championship tricolor went to Back To Business and Alexa Trakalo. This nice pair rides under the direction of Jared Ratzloff.
The UPHA Three-Gaited Classic was full of quality from top to bottom. Winning the class in his debut performance went to South Beach Stormy, a horse that seemingly has a neck that goes on for miles. This grand gelding with tons of potential is owned by Katherine Hansil and was shown by Robert Gardiner. Reserve in the class went to Count Von Count, a big, handsome black gelding, shown by Ray Krussell for Miles and Elizabeth Carney.
Robert Gardiner also took home the blue with Majestic He Said, a gelding by Simply Majestic and out of a General Steel mare. This nice gelding won the Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited class and is owned by Landmark Farm.
In the open park ranks, it was Phillip Martinelli to sweep the division with Tom Thorpe aboard for Maribelle Granger. Reserve in the championship went to Wild Surmise and John Willis. Lesley Kordecki owns this crowd-pleasing horse. Reserve in the qualifier went to the Park Fine Harness Champion, CH The Border Star, and Rick Wallen.
Across the country, amateur park classes have been very full, and Summerfun was no exception. In the stake class, Brittany Baird was elated to hear Crimson Blue’s name called out first to win the tricolor. In the qualifier, Awesome Memories and Corbin Smith won the blue under the direction of Mark and Toni Utoft. Reserve in both classes went to the Northern Tradition-trained entries of CH The Foxy Prince and CH Matching Spirit. Jennifer Hartner showed CH The Foxy Prince to the championship reserve for Bob Griffin, while Nikki LaRoussa showed CH Matching Spirit to the reserve qualifier ribbon for Bonnie Kegley.
The very fancy, Dos Periaptus, won the Junior/Novice Three-Gaited Park class with Pat Barry aboard for Equiamor LLC. Reserve in the class went to Mr. Bigglesworth and Ray Krussell for Krussell Stables.
After a reserve finish in the Amateur Fine Harness class, CH Cary’s Moonraker and Toni Nastali made a tricolor drive in the open championship for Margo Baird’s MBA Equestrians. Reserve in the stake went to the open winner, Oh So What, and Rick Wallen for Penny Weyenberg. The amateur blue went to the Obenauf-trained entry of Another Asset and owner Claudia Garnder Sipp.
Fresh off his reserve finish in the junior stake at Lexington, MBA’s Royal Shadow Phax won the Junior Fine Harness class at Summerfun with Pat McConnell at the lines for MBA Equestrians. Reserve honors went to My View and Desiree DeVries for Margaret Meier.
Already a blue ribbon winner from Madison Classic and Tanbark, Royal Crest’s Rhinestone Cowboy made yet another victory pass in the UPHA Fine Harness Classic with Pat Wessel at the lines for Bruce and Rusty Raddeman. Reserve in the class went to the elegant bay horse Torin and Brandi Bushard for Dan and Mary Bushard.
In the two-year-old ranks, it was Cary’s Licorice Treat MBA and Pat McConnell for MBA Equestrians. This exciting filly is by The Licorice Drop Kid and out of CH Cary’s Moonraker. Reserve honors went to Royal Crest’s Blue Slate and Pat Wessel. Royal Crest owns and bred the nice horse by Royal Crest’s Rockin’ On Heir and out of a Kalarama Cabernet mare.
Mike Schallock swept the adult road pony division at the show. The black pony trimmed in white, aptly named Nightheir, sped his way to victory in both open road pony classes with Schallock at the lines, while his Seamair Strutter raced away with both Amateur Road Pony wins under the direction of Rick Wallen. His barnmates, Denise and Meredithe Steinhauer were reserve in the open stake with Thunder & Lightning, and were reserve in both amateur classes with Thunderation. Ted Klint’s entry of Regal’s Lady Bess LF was reserve in the open qualifier with John Willis. Another of Schallock’s ponies, Heartland Picture Perfect, won the AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony class and was reserve in the under saddle class with Patsy Loeb aboard. MBA Equestrians’s pony, In A Heartbeat, better known as "Chevy" on the Midwest circuit, won the under saddle class with Savannah Fedi and was reserve in the bike class.
Another Rick Wallen-trained pony, Lightning Up won both Harness Pony classes with Dr. Michelle Sprengelmeyer at the lines for Kellie Loeb. The always high fashion, Tommy Hilfiger won both Hackney Pony classes with Bob Richards at the lines for Riverview Stables.
Wait & See’s Raspberry was on the top of her game to win the Pleasure Pony Stake with proud owner Donna Beck at the lines, while Extremely Supreme and Brendan Heintz won the qualifier for Susan Narko. Final Answer was reserve in both classes with Bob Richards for Riverview Stables.
Garrett Weiler had his pleasure pony, Honest Impression, in top form to win the AHHS Youth Medallion Pleasure Driving Pony class under the direction of Mayo Moctezuma.
After a reserve finish in the qualifier, Walterway’s Believe In Me and Corbin Smith cranked it up a notch to win the Adult Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship under the direction of Mark and Toni Utoft. Reserve in the championship went to CH Lexmark, who still looks as young as ever, and Meaghan MacQueen, who rides under the Knollwood banner. My Pepper Ann’s qualifier win was especially exciting because it gave her the final point she needed to attain her "CH" status. Rider Brittany Baird and owner Toni Nastali were elated with her victory.
Nick Neviaser made a comeback ride to win the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake after a third place finish in the qualifier. Callaway’s Sea Horse and Darcy Ozer were the qualifier winners, while He’s Heirresistible and Loretta Mulberry were reserve in both classes.
In the open park pleasure division, Glinda The Good was extra good to win both classes with Rick Wallen aboard for Janene Steggeman. Reserve in the stake class went to Toni Nastali’s entry, Bella Majestic SS, and Ray Krussell. The spotted wonder, El’s Miracle was reserve in the qualifier with Lance Hayes aboard for Casey McKibbage.
In the junior ranks, it was Prime Time Player and Lisa Strickland to take home the blue. This exciting pair already had wins and reserves from UPHA Chapter 10, Great River, Indy Charity and Midwest under their belt. Reserve in the junior class went to Bell View’s Safe Harbour and Julio Rodriguez for Linden Isle Farm.
The UPHA Park Pleasure Classic sensation from Midwest, Ro & Me’s Satori, was at it again at Summerfun to win the Park Pleasure Classic with Rachel Birgells aboard for Amy Weiler. The red ribbon in that class belonged to One Hot Debutante and Lance Hayes for John Grant and Richard Strong.
Connie MacQueen could not have been more excited to hear her number called off to win the Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure 39 & Over Stake with DLF’s Last Investment. This exciting pair also picked up the red ribbon in the qualifier. Novice class winners Carameaprize and Mary Adams put in a great show for the reserve finish in the stake class under the direction of Ray Krussell, while Sapphire On Ice and Katherine Meints put in a picture perfect ride for the win in the qualifier.
Corbin Smith continued her winning show with two wins aboard Last Cat Standing to win the 38 and under stake class as well as the 18-29 class, while Stonecroft Serengetti won the 30-38 class under the direction of Country Meadow Farm. CH Knock Knock Who’s Heir was reserve in both classes with Kristen Olson under the direction of Todd Perkins, while Cody Banks and Kelly Oselka were reserve in the 18-29 class.
Some horses just get better with age, and CH Laguardia is a prime example of that. At the ripe age of 17 years, Laguardia won the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake with Eva Heniges aboard after their reserve finish in the qualifier. CH Fine By Me and Alicia Sacotte were reserve in the stake, while CH The Mystery Machine was reserve in the 14-17 class. Harlem’s Irish Dancer and Emily Wiersma put in a flawless show for the blue ribbon in the 14-17 class, while The Majestic was his usual bold and brilliant self to win the 13 and under class with Maya Manilow.
The face of this year’s Summerfun trophy, CH Bright Wind won the 10 & Under Three-Gaited Show Pleasure class with Adam Van Ess aboard under the direction of his grandma and mom, Marlene and Neva LaFleur.
Mercantile Exchange had the brightness and manners that make a pleasure horse perfect to win the Wisconsin Owned & Shown class with Kennedy Biederman aboard, while Turn Up The Heir and Gretchen Bentz won the red ribbon.
Molly O’Donnell and Ashley Baird could not have been happier with their ride to win the Junior Exhibitor Novice Three-Gaited Show Pleasure class, while Champagne Reve and Kelsey Schanke were reserve under the direction of Lance Hayes.
Mojito and Sarah Lindner swept the junior show pleasure division under the Knollwood Farm banner. Nina Kraus’s homebred entry of M & N’s Buck Almighty was reserve in the championship under the direction of Terri Anne Ullman, while Redesigned and Kristen Olson were reserve in the qualifier under the direction of Todd Perkins.
CH Will’s No Doubt About It and Douglas Fiola won both of their pleasure driving classes under the direction of Jared Ratzloff, while Alicia Silverstone and Ashley Baird were reserve in both classes, fresh off their juvenile win from Lexington. The section B win went to Yellow Rose Memories and Jim Yonker for Amy Weiler, while My Tahiti Sweetie and Terra Herale were reserve. Jim Yonker also won the Junior Pleasure Driving class with Ro & Me’s Miss Independent for Nancy Rothe and Amy Weiler. Ted Klint was reserve in that class with his entry of Miracle On Times Square.
Alpha Priority and Barb Fahey swept the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure classes under the direction of Bob Griffin’s and Tom Thorpe’s Northern Tradition Farm. A Champagne Event and Shelagh Roell were reserve in both classes.
Bonnie Baskin could not believe her ears when she heard her number called off to win the Adult Country Pleasure Stake aboard Prodigy’s Pride. The shocked and excited pair rides under the direction of Todd Perkins. Reserve in the stake class went to Chere Peridot and Jennifer Karnes under the Strickland Stables banner.
CH Bella Marietta and Claudia Gardner Sipp won the Novice Country Pleasure class as well as the 39 and over class under the Winsome banner, while Catalyst’s Sweet Bay and Sherie Nelson were reserve in both classes. In the 18-38 class, Concrete Blonde was at the top of Judge Cater’s card with Kristen Pettry, while It’s Ladies Night and Stephanie Chatham were reserve.
After a reserve finish in the qualifier, The Soprano and Kristin Tenorio came back to win the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Stake and also won the Novice Rider Country Pleasure class under the instruction of proud trainer Lance Hayes. CH Callaway’s Don’t Panic and Emily Mayer were reserve in the novice rider class. Jedidiah and Elizabeth Reimer were reserve in the stake under the Northern Tradition banner, while CH CF First Light Of Dawn and Maya Manilow won the qualifier in their only appearance.
In the Wisconsin Owned & Shown class, CH Sand Kalamehameha won with Bevan Sukowaty over the Bell Aire-trained entry of Amberwood’s Bobby McGee and Meridyth Munns. The OTR blue belonged to Jackie Erdmann Lopez and her entry, Kalarama’s High Point, while Sonoran Select and Sarah Bosshard finished in reserve.
Supreme Platinum and Brendan Heintz made a great comeback drive to win the Country Pleasure Driving Stake for June and Lisa Antalek. The excited qualifier winners, Callaway’s Investigative Reporter and Michelle Wojcik, were reserve in the championship, while CF Night At The Castle and versatile equestrian, Brittany Baird were reserve in the qualifier.
In The Zone and Susan Honkamp were two for two at Summerfun to win the 30 & Over Western Pleasure class and the Western Stake. The 29 and under winners, Super Rooster and Lisa McClare, were reserve in the stake, while Champagne’s Treasure and Barbara Southgate were reserve in the 30 and over class and finished in a good top three in the championship after their win in the Shatner class.
The beloved CH Callaway’s Scoop The News swept the hunter division to win the Country Hunter Pleasure class and the Hunter Seat Classic with proud owner Kristen Pettry aboard. Reserve in both classes belonged to A.F. Colour Creation and Megan Novak.
Fresh off a win from Lexington, Angela Darrow was again at the top of her game to win the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and age group aboard her mare, Tango ‘Til Dawn. Knollwood barnmate Nick Maupin was reserve in the championship after a win in the USEF Medal class aboard his gelding, Coco Mojo. Another Knollwood knockout, Connie MacQueen won the Adult Saddle Seat Equitation Stake and USEF Medal class and was also reserve in the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup, which was won by Whitney Anderson. Ana Marcyan was reserve in the Adult Medal class. Marcyan’s barnmate, Zac Cutting, won both walk and trot classes and is excited to head to Louisville for his first time. Brynn Lunaas was reserve in both classes and was the winner of the Walk & Trot Pleasure Equitation class under the direction of Kris and Kara Martalock. Lunaas’s barnmate, Samantha Schaefer, was reserve in the Pleasure Equitation Walk & Trot class.
Killian Sukowaty won the 17 & Under Challenge Cup under the Winsome banner as well as the red ribbon in the 13 & Under Pleasure Equitation age group, while Kennedy Biderman won the 11 & Under Challenge Cup under the direction of Sheri Brandli and Sarah McClintock. Adam Van Ess was reserve in that class under the LaFleur Stables banner.
Under the direction of Donna Pettry Smith, Caitlin Donohue took home the Pleasure Challenge Cup after her reserve finish in the 14-17 age group, while Knollwood’s Allison Schuh was reserve. Schiuh’s barnmates, Deanna Lanigan and Emily Mayer, had the one-two punch in the Good Hands class. Mayer also won the Pleasure Equitation Medallion aboard CH Callaway’s Don’t Panic.
Repeating her Lexington win, Cori O’Brien took home the tricolor in the Pleasure Equitation Championship aboard Steelin’ A Dream under the Knollwood banner. Reserve in the championship went to Mallory Hartigan aboard Simbara’s Salutation under the direction of Country Meadow Farm. Riley Sockett took home the 14-17 Pleasure Equitation blue under the direction of Sheri Brandl and Sarah McClintock, while his barnmate, Lexi Friedrich, won the 13 and under.
Everyone at ASAW hopes that the next 30 years will be just as good if not better for the Summerfun Horse Show!