ASHAV Horse Show - A Premier Event In Virginia
Thursday, October 6, 2005
by Katherine Hansil
LEXINGTON, Va. -- The 22nd annual ASHAV Horse Show was held Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 at the Virginia Horse Center in the picturesque town of Lexington. Voted over the years as the UPHA Chapter 18 Honor Show 11 times and the UPHA National Horse Show twice, this year did not disappoint as many world's champions as well as young stars were on hand to compete.
With an exhibitors’ welcome picnic, youth activities, an exhibitors’ party and great competition the show made sure all the details were handled. Run by the top-rate staff of manager Kent Moeller and show chairman Carol Reedy, this year was as efficient as any.
The only issue some seem to have was that entries, while high in quality, were light in some classes. With so many shows on top of each other it is hard to draw a huge number of exhibitors, explained Moeller. But with a state-of-the-art facility and a three-judge panel and attention to all the details the show hopes to draw new exhibitors and ones that have not been in several years next year as the word of this premier event gets out.
Five-Gaited
The show was brought to a close Saturday evening with a super Five-Gaited Championship. To rev things up, the decision was made to call each entry in one at a time performing to The Eye Of The Tiger. The music and the hot competition livened things up as Colonel Hoss, I'm First, Harlem's Worldly Lady, Have You Ever, Katie's Rob Roy and Walterway's Love Me Forever vied for the top honor of the week. When the work was finished no one was more surprised than Barclay de Wet when the announcer called the “good filly” to the winner's circle. This mare was a ball of energy and de Wet skillfully put her in the right places for the win under the direction of Redd Crabtree. Reserve honors went to the beautiful stallion I'm First with Nelson Green aboard for Stonecroft Farm. This team also won the open qualifier earlier in the week. The third place went to crowd favorite Colonel Hoss with Clark Clouse in the irons for Joan Adler. Clouse also won the novice qualifier with this talented gelding. Walterway's Love Me Forever with Merrill Murray was the top pick in the Virginia-owned class for owner Larry Hartsock.
Ceil Wheeler had quite a week with her team of gaited geldings. Wheeler topped the ladies division with a clean sweep aboard the magnificent CH Walterway's Remember Me. She returned to sweep the amateur division as well. This time aboard Memories Paragon, Wheeler made both victory passes in unanimous fashion. Taking the amateur reserve championship title was the hard riding Jan Frame aboard Champagne Property.
In the junior exhibitor division the tricolor ribbon flowed from the bridle of CH Assets And Attitude with Sarah Sessoms aboard. This team moved up a notch from their qualifying reserve. Reserve in the championship went to the bold moving Ultima Royale with Megan Humphreys aboard under the direction of James Lawrence. Winning the qualifier was the Cash Lovell team of CH Diamond's Hope and Sarah Longworth.
In the five-gaited pony division the two top teams swapped ribbons as Stylin and Alexandra Harper earned the blue in the qualifier and Little Lord Huntley and Andrea Wolkoff returned to capture the tricolor steamers.
Vickie Byrd was back in the saddle aboard her dynamic Attaché's Crown Royal for the win in the junior class. Clark Clouse accepted the red streamer aboard King Crimson for Monica and Robert Olson. Ten entries made the gate call for the UPHA Five-Gaited Classic. Fresh off a win in Freedom Hall, Ooh Yes I Can with Lewis Meadows made a unanimous trip to the winner's circle for McDaniel Saddlebreds. Reserve honors went to the talented star Charming Dreams with Rob Turner for Judy Megelich.
Three-Gaited
Four top entries came back Saturday to compete for the championship honor. After earlier winning the open qualifier, High Heat and Melissa Moore repeated their performance to win the championship for owner Nancy Bryan. Reserve honors and one of the first place votes went to After Eight and Todd Graham for Double G Farm. Winning the ladies class was hometown favorite Omerta with Nancy Troutman in the irons for Carol Reedy. Clark Clouse was back to the winner's circle in the Novice Three-Gaited. Clouse piloted the elegant Déjà Vu's Delight to the blue for Meredith Moses. The striking Heaven's Silver Lining and Gary Altizer captured the Virginia-owned blue for Joe Phipps.
Sightline and Holli Esposito were unstoppable in the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship as they marched down the rail to unanimously win the tricolor after earlier winning the red ribbon in the ladies qualifier. Reserve in this competitive class went to Blue Grass Melody with Karen Blankenship-Shumate. This team captured the blue in the qualifier.
The junior exhibitor division was swept by CH Just Special and Allison Combs. This Mercer Springs trained team put on a magnificent show to win the championship in unanimous fashion. Taking home the reserve championship title was another team from West Virginia, CH Heart Of Blue. This flashy chestnut was expertly ridden by Brittany Kale. In the qualifier the red ribbon went to Heir Popper and Tara Grom.
In the three-gaited pony division Manhattan's Irish Cream was on fire. Whitney Bennett skillfully rode this awesome pony to both victory passes for Kathy and Ruby Bagdasarian. Reserve honors in both classes went to the Karen Blankenship-Shumate entry, Sultan's Crescendo, with Kasey Trent aboard.
In the Junior Three-Gaited Lady T Heira added another title to her list for 2005 with Bill Shiflet aboard for Riley Shiflet. Reserve honors went to Paradoc's Korygami with Trey Prasse for Joan M. Prasse, DVM. In the UPHA Three-Gaited Classic three talented entries were on hand to compete for the blue. With their minds undecided the call judge asked for a final trot. After all was done, the blue went to Callaway's Photo Opportunity and Todd Graham for Michael Curry. Earning the red streamers and one first place vote was Ceil and Kenny Wheeler's new young star, Cocktail Ring, with Ceil Wheeler aboard. In the two-year-old class, Callaway's Paisano earned the blue for Emco LLC. This striking black youngster was piloted by Matt Shiflet to the unanimous win. Reserve honors went to Lenore's Chardonnay with Smith Lilly aboard for Bill Beckley and Robin McKenzie Vuillermet.
Three-Gaited Park
The toppy Callaway's B. Gratz Brown swept the open three-gaited park division with Nancy Troutman. This hometown crowd favorite is owned by Karin and Bill Banks. Reserve in the championship went to Wild Wonderful with Barclay de Wet aboard. The talented Liberty's Ooh La La earned the blue ribbon unanimously in the junior park class with Clark Clouse for Liberty Saddlebreds. Reserve in the junior class went to Horace Taft and Janet Sterba.
The amateur park division was one of the best divisions for numbers and quality. In the amateur championship, Celtic Storm and Karen Blankenship-Shumate had a comeback ride to capture the tri-color. Reserve championship honors and the qualifying blue went to CH The Foxy Prince with Bambi Childress. This multi-titled team also garnered one of the first place votes in the championship. The Mystery Guest and Dianne Tambussi also earned a first place vote and tied third. In the qualifier the red streamers went to the new team of Callaway's Forty-Niner and Alice Nunley in their debut performance together.
Brittany Kale had a busy and successful week. In the junior exhibitor park division she made back-to-back appearances in the winner's circle with CH Wysteria. This flashy spotted mare has only been back to work for a short time and was recently a broodmare. This week she was all show horse as she swept the division unanimously. Reserve championship honors went to the Meadow Wood team of Deerhaven's Stay Tuned with Leandra Cogar.
Fine Harness
The Roseridge Heir-bred Samur unanimously topped the Fine Harness Championship as he paraded around the ring with Merrill Murray at the lines. Earlier in the week this team also won the qualifier for owner Curtis Meanor. Reserve honors in both classes went to Last Tango In Park and Melissa Moore for Robert Lilley.
Fresh off a blue in Freedom Hall Catalytic earned back-to-back wins with Susan Hollowell expertly at the lines in the amateur harness division. Reserve honors in the championship went to CH Unforgiven and Karin Banks while Roseridge Steven Kyng and Judy Motley garnered the red in the qualifier.
Taking the blue in the junior class was Jimmy Nixon's Sultan's Perfect Night with John Champagne at the lines. Reserve went to Ticket's Statue and W.G. Van As for Eileen and Ted Sowers. The Chocolate Drop Kid and David Barger were back in the limelight to garner the blue streamers in the UPHA Fine Harness Classic with Holly Woods' Virginia Gentleman and Gary Altizer in for reserve for owners Ann and Bob Eldridge. Clark Clouse continued his successful week with the win in the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness with Elmo Greer's A Midnight Kiss. Reserve went to Lenore's Geronimo and Smith Lilly for Dorothy and John Lenore.
Three-Gaited Park Pleasure
Three-Gaited Park Pleasure has really taken off in terms of numbers and quality and ASHAV was no exception. As a matter of fact, because of the overwhelming entries a championship was added to this division. Winning the stake was Kalarama Amber with new owner Katie Young aboard. This exciting horse also won the junior class with Mary Orr in the irons. Reserve in the championship went to What's KY Rose and Rob Turner for Miriam Hirshon. In the junior class reserve went to Walterway's Illegal Material and Bill Shiflet for Annabelle Holmes. In the UPHA Classic Callaway's Summer Solstice earned the unanimous win with Billie Rae Graham in the irons for Bryan Crotty with Thomas Edison while Leslie Tickle captured reserve for Bent Tree Farm.
Roadster
The speed demons of the ring competed for the top honors in both open and amateur roadster divisions. Billy Maddy's Rompaway with Ronnie Graham at the lines swept the open division. Tiger Brian and John Trail earned both red ribbons for Mountain Trail Stables. In the amateur division the two top competitors swapped ribbons as GCH Kentucky Wildcat and Jon Dabareiner returned to the win the tricolor, topping the qualifier winner. Joanna's Lost and Rae Lee Mills finished with the qualifier blue for Jason Stolzfus. Quite Irresistible and Page Champion captured the novice blue for Lynda and Bob Stewart.
In the under saddle division Where We Are Now and Melissa Moore turned in an awesome ride for the win for owner Melody Adler. Canadian Express and Katy Sterba were reserve for the Seven Oaks banner.
Ponies
Ronnie Graham was back to the winner's circle with the Seven Oaks Stable entry Heartland Special Special to sweep the open roadster pony division. Reserve honors in both classes went to Aarobrook's The Aviator and Dr. Robert Flint. In the amateur division LLF Famous Design and Dave Glover earned back-to-back wins. Bali Hai and Jack Richards took reserve in the championship while Rare Wine and Cindy Jackson took the reserve in the qualifier for Rees Woody.
Perfect Offering and Holly Hale wowed the crowd with a superb drive for the novice win with Titian and Dave Glover in for reserve. Night Predator and Karen Waldron earned the win in the junior class with Lone Star and Jeoff Bodenhorst taking reserve with a first place vote.
Following in her dad's speed demon footsteps, Marli Dabareiner swept the junior exhibitor division with Sweet Impression. They topped the championship unanimously under the direction of Lisa Lucas. Reserve in the championship went to Mastercraft's Gambler LF and Alex Ververeli under the direction of Tara Wentz while Whims And Wishes and Kaitlyn Grom took reserve in the AHHS qualifier. Bagheira and Christie Van As earned the blue in the AHHS Under Saddle Medallion with Brass Buttons and Shauna Prasse in for reserve.
Bent Tree Farm dominated the Hackney and harness pony divisions. Night Editor and Lee Hudson swept the harness division with Psycho and Jack Richards from Meadow Wood Stables earning both reserves. In the Hackney division the Bent Tree entry Mark Of Time took the top honors. Lee Hudson directed Cover Story to top honors in the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier for Brenda Rappaport. The young star Regal's Class Act LF with Bland Craig garnered both red streamers. In the AHHS Pleasure Driving Medallion Cover Story repeated the win this time with Anna Hudson at the lines. SRT's Ho Beau and J.W. Jackson earned the red ribbon.
Show Pleasure
An excited Melissa Flint earned back-to-back wins as she and The Royal Lad swept the adult three-gaited show pleasure division. Reserve in the championship went to the sporty Radiant Event with nnifer Whittington. Winning the Virginia-owned class and receiving reserve in the adult qualifier was Force Majuere and Julie Simmons. Reserve in the Virginia owned class was earned by The Color Of Night and Miriam Hoskins.
In the 14-17 pleasure division Callaway's Torchbearer and Tara Grom were the ones to beat. They swept the division with two flawless rides. In the championship Ain't She Something To Talk About and Brittany Kale earned the reserve. In the qualifier the red ribbon went to VHF York's Coppertone and Kaitlyn Grom in their only appearance.
In the 13 and under division the new team of Harlem's Moving Man and Drew Taylor Hewitt moved up several notches to capture the tricolor with Highpoint's Merlot and Kirby Tapper earning reserve for Tom Wentz. The qualifier blue went to Sultan's Gold Digger and Suzanna Crews with Irish Jasmin and Tyler Burkett earning reserve.
In the 12 and under walk and trot division CH Much More Radiant and Sarah Martin continued their winning ways to sweep the division. Reserve in the championship went to Heavenly Whisper and Anna Hudson while The Chesapeake Bay and Austin Hazelwood took reserve in the qualifier.
Emily Garrity had quite a week with back-to-back wins in the three-gaited pleasure pony division with Scotty's Lace. Kendell Stuart and Will's Princess rode to the reserve tricolor while Joelle Bennett and Worthy's Heirloom accepted the red in the qualifier.
With a comeback ride Make It Magic and Katherine Hansil earned the tricolor in the Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship. Café Express and Melody Adler garnered the red ribbon and one of the first place votes after first winning the red ribbon in the novice class. Winning the novice class was Callaway's Arthur Hyde and Rhonda Boone. In the open qualifier Callaway's English Toffee and Robin McKenzie Vuillermet earned the unanimous win with Callaway's Sea Horse and Yancy Short debuting for the red ribbon.
In their last appearances together, CH Peppermint Sonburst and Sarah Sessoms swept the junior exhibitor five-gaited pleasure division. After a great career this talented mare will be retired to broodmare status on the Saddle Creek farm. Reserve in the stake went to Summit Up and Allison Combs while The Master Showman and Megan Humphreys earned the red in the qualifier.
Stella De Oro and Babs Patterson bested the field in both the Show Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. Reserve in the championship went to the beautiful Go Baby Go with Susan Hollowell at the lines for Nancy Hawley. In the qualifier the red ribbon went back to the Wentz banner with the performance of CH Lover's Heir and Tiana Tapper.
Country Pleasure
The adult country pleasure was as competitive as ever. Topping both adult classes was the gorgeous She's Exquisite with Dr. Jennifer Makem. This team is trained by Mercer Springs Farm. Reserve honors in the championship, with a first place vote and the win in the novice class, went to the Diamond View team of Lucky Curve and Katrina Campbell. The multi-titled CH Bonnie Santana with Debbie Palmer took home the win in the Virginia-owned class as well as the reserve in the adult qualifier.
Sweeping the 14-17 division was the sporty By Design. “Lexie” was shown to the top honors by Christie Van As for Terry Wilson and Wilson also earned the reserve in the Virginia-owned class. Moving up several notches CH Santana's Night Moves and Jane Garrity came back to capture the 13 and under championship with a flawless performance. Reserve in the championship went to the winner of the qualifier, Berry Berry Good, with Lauren Gradwell up.
Clark Clouse did not keep all the success for his rides only. He directed Susanne Moses to two awesome victories in the country pleasure driving division with The Bay Princess. Reserve in the championship went to Ro-Day-O and Rheanne Greene with Man In Charge and Debra Dyson receiving the qualifying red.
I'm Going Out Tonight and Suzanne Heizer moved up a place to win the Western Country Pleasure Championship tricolor with husband/trainer Bill Heizer meeting them in the winner's circle. Beaux's Radiant Empire and Pat Yeatts earned the reserve championship title in front of a supportive crowd. Winning the qualifier was the striking Madame Cruella De Vil with Amanda Baldwin.
Equitation
The Grom sisters had a successful week not only in performance but in equitation as well. In their first class, the 14-17 qualifier, Tara Grom bested five top entries including the reserve performance from Kaitlyn Grom. In the 13 and under qualifier the blue went to Kerry Jeffries who is instructed by Karen Folkers. This poised young lady also won the UPHA Challenge Cup, the NHS Good Hands and the UPHA Chapter 18 Challenge Cup, taking home four blues. Reserve in each of these classes went to Jeffries stable-mate, Morgan Burks. In the championship, after rail work and their pocket patterns were performed, Kaitlyn Grom was called to the winner's circle with Tara in for reserve.
Cagle James earned both blue ribbons in the UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot and the Saddle Seat Equitation 10-and-Under Walk-and-Trot under the direction of Mary Orr. Reserve in both classes went to Michaela Gillespie.
In-Hand
Topping a huge class of yearlings was the talented filly Fort Chiswell's Paula Zahn. Bobby Dunn handled the Rae Lee Mills entry who is by Attaché's Royal Assets and out of Callaway's Anchor Woman. Reserve went to the Shelia and Clifford Summers entry Party's Duchess Of York. Marcelino Ramirez handled the filly who is by Man Of York and out of Party's Miss Treat. In the ASHAV Yearling class A New Faith earned the blue ribbon with Gary Altizer handing for Carol Frazier. This filly is by Testament and out of The Town Spinster. Maccager earned the reserve with Smith Lilly handling for Karen Sarver. The handsome chestnut is by CH Callaway's Wish Me Will and out of Scottish Melody.
In the Old Dominion Futurity the yearling win went to Jacqueline Leon's Mountainview's Aria, handled by Fred Sarver. The filly is by Mountainview's Oh Heavenly Day and out of Brigadier's Wind Song. Reserve honors went to A New Faith with Gary Altizer handling again for Carol Frazier. Winning the amateur handlers class was Ed Simpson with Traditional Ways. Traditional Ways is by Guy O'Shea and out of The Princetonian's Sassy Country. Bailarina Del Cielo and Trey Prasse earned the red ribbon. This filly is by Mountainview's Oh Heavenly Day and out of Royal Crest's Rockette.
The Perfect Secret, owned by Riley Shiflet, topped the ASHAV Weanling class. This striking bay beauty was handled by Bill Shiflet and she is by New Dominion and out of Toast Of Sandalwood. Reserve went to the Dickey Davis entry, Fort Chiswell's Little Sister. Once again handled by Bobby Dunn, this filly is by Attaché's Royal Assets and out of Last Farewell. In the amateur handlers’ class, Holly Hale, took Drift Away's Secret to the winner's circle for Riley Shiflet. By The Sultan's Secret this filly is out of Drift Away. Reserve went to Oh Heavenly Moment with Trey Prasse handling. Prasse is only a junior exhibitor and is quite accomplished in this division after handling the youngsters now for several years. Oh Heavenly Moment is by Mountainview's Oh Heavenly Day and out of Seize The Moment.
Winning the ASHAV Two-Year-Old Futurity was Happy Mother's Day. Handled by John Champagne for Jimmy Nixon, this was another entry sired by Mountainview's Oh Heavenly Day. She is out of the mare Playalong. This mare repeated her win in the Old Dominion Two-Year-Old class with Ryan Helm handling Sultan's Grace for Helen Hartt to the reserve. Sultan's Grace is by The Sultan's Secret and out of One For All's Lovely Lady.
Friesian
Daimler B. and Melissa Moore swept the Friesian under saddle division with two outstanding performances for Annika Bruggeworth. Tyler earned both reserves in the open division including one win with Nancy Troutman in the qualifier. Megan Morgan rode the Dee Everhart entry to the other reserve as well as the blue in the amateur class.
In the carriage class, Karen Waldron expertly handled her team of four, wowing the crowd with her skills and her beautiful turnout, driving Iedse, Earl, Durk and Hannes.
Academy
Saturday morning belonged to the rising stars of the industry, the academy riders. Earning top ribbons in their classes were: Monique Hall, Rebecca Rinker, Elizabeth Ververeli, Brittany Laughlin, Sydney Rowell, Melinda Tedder, Sarah Spencer, Lydia Nuckols, Christopher Prasse, Eric Woolridge, Dre Fourie, Riley Grace Didier, Jordan Burks, Sarah Ann Fourie, Madeline Long, Rachel Tuite, Allie Poovey and Anna Hansil.
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