13 and Growing!!!!!!!!! Children’s Benefit Horse Show
Tuesday, August 6, 2002

QUENTIN, Pa - Number 13 wasn’t unlucky for members of UPHA Chapter 15 and the committee for the Children’s Benefit Show which was held July 24-27 at the famed Quentin Riding Club. The thirteenth annual event featured 315 horses and 580 entries according to first time manager Ray Cloninger.

“They had a good horse show here,” said Cloninger. “This is a very nice show grounds and I was impressed with how hard this committee worked to make this a good show. I’ve never managed a show where the amateur championships were on the last night and the open stakes held the night before, but I liked it.”

Saturday night amateur championships are just one of the little things that makes this such a unique show. Also enjoyed by the exhibitors and especially the trainers is the all-evening show schedule. With no classes held during the day most of the trainers worked their horses during the early morning hours and then in the afternoon worked on their handicap at the golf course right across the street from the show grounds.

The no day classes format did leave more than 30 classes a night for exhibitors and officials to deal with but these long sessions seem to still be favored giving everyone the entire day to explore the many sights of the beautiful Amish countryside, take in Hershey Park, or just plain relax from what has been a grueling summer show schedule.

Another highlight is the annual Friday night exhibitor’s party which features the $10,000 raffle. Sally Graham again did a great job of organizing the party which included several delicious food stations that began serving about six classes before the end of the session. Besides getting the auction and raffle started earlier this allowed exhibitors to return to their box seats under the famed grandstand and enjoy dinner while watching the rest of the show. Following the last class Larry Martin masterfully handled the live auction which precluded the $10,000 drawing. After 198 names were drawn out of the bowl the two remaining were farrier Dave Dorn and Paul Waldman, son of Royal Crest Farm trainers, Marty and Peg Waldman. Ten thousand dollars would have gone to the winner and $500 to the runner-up, however, the two decided to split the pot and both walk away with $5,250.

The next evening their was a break in the show to honor Jean Heiney with a bouquet of roses for all the work she had done in making it a success. She has been an integral part of this committee for a long time. Other veteran team members included Ronnie Graham, Gary Guz, the Waldmans, and Joe Heiney.

Barns from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Virginia, Ohio, and Iowa brought their finest giving Lonnie Lavery many tough classes to judge in the Saddlebred and Hackney divisions. Lavery also judged the Morgan division which has been tough to fill with entries as Northampton is going on the same week and the Mid-A Morgan Show comes right back to Quentin just a couple of weeks later.

Their was lots of rackin’ and trottin’ goin’ on in Pennsylvania as the gaited division has several strong classes. The last class of the show was the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship in which Rick Daigle delivered a picture perfect ride with the always expressive My Hatteras to earn tricolor honors under the Garone’s Fairfield South banner. Reserve grand champion honors belonged to Judy Motley and the Rob Turner trained Worthy’s Rose Dream. Cherie Ort and Great Sunrise finished third, followed by Red Oak’s Robin, He’s For Real, and last year’s Five-Gaited Grand Champion Callaway’s Hot Tip.

In the amateur qualifier Lori Boyd Van Gorden and The Star Of The Show made the blue ribbon pass under the direction of George Nash. Cheri Ort and Great Sunrise finished in the reserve slot.

It was a banner week for young Virginia trainer Tre’ Lee. By the week’s end he had a cooler rack filled with tricolor ribbons including one for Yahooligan, his Five-Gaited Grand Champion and open class winner for owner Jackie Shupe. This young horse could cover some ground was happy doing it. Continuing to mature into a strong gaited horse, Cameo Appearance was reserve in both the seven-horse championship and the seven-entry open class for Jodie Goff. Vern Wise and Callaway’s Online were the third place winners in the championship round.

One of the finest individual performances of the weekend came from Diamond Flight and Kaitlyn in the Five-Gaited Junior Exhibitor qualifier. With direction from new Revelation Farm trainer Terry Stephenson, this team came back to take the championship title as well. Kori Green rode Highwood’s Worthy Guy to reserve in both events.

There were also seven entries in the Junior/Novice Five-Gaited class, a class that was handily won by Mountainview’s Nite Dances and Jan Lukens. Owner Louise DeBlois had won the ladies class at Syracuse aboard the beautiful, black junior mare. The red prize went to Lauren Buran aboard Classic Moment.

Three entries in the UPHA Five-Gaited Classic provided plenty of entertainment. Not yet having it all together the absolutely beautiful bay colt, Lakeview Rare A Phi, was given the nod over the busy doing Mountainview’s Stock Option and a big two-year-old named New York’s Finest. Mike Brannon was the winning trainer/rider, presenting for owner/breeder John Chapman. John Champagne and Jan Lukens finished second and third.

Year in and year out George Nash quietly goes about breeding, developing, and training some of the top horses in the country. He had another good week at Children’s Benefit and customer Leslie Bovenzi enjoyed success with a couple of different entries. Worthy Wonder was her mount for the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship and for the third consecutive year they carried the silver from the ring. Representing Longacre Stables, Tenchi and Emily Jarrett paraded as the reserve amateur grand champions after making a victory pass in the qualifier.

The championship ribbon did go to Longacre Stables in the Open Three-Gaited Championship. Tafton Coleman and the multi-titled CH Attache’s Spirit Commander made the victory pass for Margaret Gardiner. It was the second victory pass of the week for the white-legged gelding. Junior/novice winner Rusty P. Cain was trotted out as the reserve grand champion with Tre’ Lee in the irons for Warner Grammer. Rob Turner and Charming Allusion had been reserve in the junior/novice section for Betty Ann Bilton.

Gary Guz and Love To Dance were the lone competitors in the UPHA Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Classic. Guz was also the winning owner.

Judge Lavery reversed the results of the in the second round of junior exhibitor three-gaited competition. Capping off a great week for Revelation Farm, Tara Grom and Sultan’s Sundance Kid came through with a strong performance to be named grand champions after qualifying with a reserve prize. First round winner Mountainview’s Simply Amazing was the reserve grand champion for Katy Sterba.

Nine was the number competing for the Amateur Three-Gaited Park Championship and this was a real good class. Ronnie Graham came through the gate to greet Donna Frush and Carrigan’s Magic in the winner’s circle. They had moved up four places from the qualifying round. The winner of that first class, Velvet Daybreak, was the reserve grand champion for owner/rider Lynellen Gregory. Always a crowd favorite, Revelations Amazing Grace was third in both the qualifier and championship.

The Open Three-Gaited Park Championship was another conquest for Tre’ Lee. Riding Stuck On You for Vicki Williams, Lee hustled his way to the top defeating open class winners CH Albelarm Tradition and Sally Eichlin. Rob Turner and Michelotti LLC took home the reserve ribbon from the open class.

The best of the Junior/Novice Three-Gaited Park class was Worthiness. This fancy campaigner was piloted by Deana Tate for Williams Woods University. Gary Guz and A Perfect Design OCF were next in line for a ribbon.

For the last few years two grand harness horses, Lesley Anne and My Special Dream have battled it out at Quentin in amateur harness division giving spectators quite a show each time they meet. This has been an incredible year for Mrs. Alan R. Robson’s home-bred Catalyst daughter and Children’s Benefit was no exception for Lesley Anne. Coming off a Lexington Junior League blue, she won both the amateur qualifier and championship under the direction of Tom Ferrebee. The George Nash team of Judy Heinbach and My Special Dream were reserve in both classes.

The Ferrebee/Robson team also had the winning number in the open division in which Ferrebee drove CH Albelarm Sorcerer to be named the winner in the qualifier and championship. Elaine Earlywine and With Authority pressed the winners as the reserve champions.

Winner of the UPHA Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Classic in 2001, Shamrock’s Mint To Be came back to win the junior class with the same trainer/owner combination, John Champagne and Jimmy Nixon. Brad Lukens showed Mary Cichowski’s Callaway’s Son Of A Preacher Man for reserve.

Elegance an ability made for a winning combination in the UPHA Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Classic. George Nash presented Katherine’s Radiance to the top prize money for an elated owner, Leslie Bovenzi. Second in the classic went to Gary Guz driving Harlem’s Jackpot.

The Herbert Headwell family is enthusiastic about the breeding business and showed strong support at Children’s benefit with several young horses. Darlene Wright presented My Witching Hour for them to win the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness class. Tom Ferrebee and First Blonde claimed the reserve ribbon.

The Headwell’s also owned New York’s Finest winner of the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity with Jan Lukens at the whip. She then showed the colt Saturday night in the UPHA Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Classic and was right in the thick of the battle. Gary Guz and Mountainview’s Hay Day were reserve in the Fine Harness Futurity.

An avid supporter of the Futurity program, Guz was a busy man showing babies in the heat. For Jones Mountainview Saddlebreds he lead Mountainview Woodberry Forrest to win the eight-entry Grand National Yearling class and the five-entry Yearling Futurity. Everyone enjoyed watching Charlie Wilson presented Supremium Octane GVF to reserve honors in both classes for Suzanne Mamrose. Brooke Sweigart and Delight’s Talented Star modeled for the blue in the Weanling Futurity.

The ring at Quentin is a roadster driver’s delight as it is big and wide with more than enough room to operate. In the Amateur Road Pony Championship it was a young lady giving the group a driving lesson. Tabitha Ireland, granddaughter of Gib Marcucci, guided Mastercraft Gambler to the tricolor honors after having already won the amateur qualifier. Randy Foltz moved up a few places to secure reserve honors ahead of qualifying reserve winners Victory Express and Gary Altman.

Altman crossed the finish line in first for the Open Road Pony Championship however. Driving the big-doing Kiss From A Rose, Altman collected the silver for he and his wife/co-trainer Janet. It was their second victory pass of the week. Bud Butler presented Fay Hildebrandt’s Americana’s Dark Dream to the reserve title.

When the announcer asked the drivers to turn it on in the Junior Exhibitor Road Pony Championship it was the world’s grand champion combination of Devon Garone and Heartland Sundust in the lead. In fact they led the way in the AHHS Road Pony Medallion as well as the championship. Sam Kearney and Windstar Intruder went home with the reserve championship honors. Chelsea Simon and Whims and Wishes picked up the reserve prize from the Medallion competition.

Showing for the L.D. Boyd family, George Nash had the Limit Road Pony winner in Charnita. Bud Butler’s Americana’s Dark Dream crossed the finish line in second place. Amy Parsons and Ceasar were the first choice in the Road Pony Under Saddle Medallion followed by Sam Kearney and Corsair’s Comet.

Larry Boyd and George Nash have teamed up to present several winning road horses over the years. This year it was Justice Due winning the Road Horse To Bike Championship with Boyd at the whip. Reserve champions Tiger Brian and Jim Smith were also reserve to Boyd and Justice Due in the amateur class. George Nash had the lone entry in the open road horse class, Jackaroo.

“Somebody’s got to start showing some ponies or these shows are going to start eliminating our classes, “ said Gib Marcucci of the Hackney pony division.

Marcucci drove the only entry in the open harness pony division, Mrs. Alan R. Robson’s Impress My Daddy. He also trained the only entry in the amateur harness pony division, Mrs. Alan R. Robson’s Windstar’s Eclipse. That same Robson/Marcucci team won the Hackney Pony Championship with Heartland’s Triumphant King. This time they had competition in Dawn DelTorchio’s open winner, the cocky little cob-tail Model Of Excellence. Reserve to Heartland Triumphant King in the amateur qualifier, Randy Foltz and The Last Contender came back uncontested to win the amateur cob-tail championship.

As it is in ninety percent of the horse shows held, the Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony section is where the real competition was. Seven entries competed for their championship with Kevin Gibbons Atta Boy putting on a big-time performance to take the silver back to Pitman, New Jersey. They had moved up one notch taking the title from the open class winners John Lehman and Evening Shade.

Molly Ryan debuted with four-year-old Truly So Lovely to attract all kinds of attention as the AHHS Youth Medallion Pleasure Driving champion. Jessica Moctezuma and Domino collected the reserve honors.

Pleasure horses came in waves class after class and there was quality to go with the quantity. Maybe the most competitive class of the show was the 14-horse Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship. There were several nice horses in contention for the tricolor but in the end it was Kate Ryan and Rastafarian occupying the winner’s circle. Under the direction of Gary Guy this combination was right on the money just as they were to win the Novice Five-Gaited Pleasure class. Leaving a cloud of dust behind them, Helen Curtain and CH Dear Sir James collected reserve grand champion honors after winning the Five-Gaited Pleasure qualifier. Tafton Coleman and The Snap Shot applied plenty of pressure to come away with the yellow streamers. They were followed by Callaway’s News Flash, Callaway’s Crossed Fingers, and Callaway’s Secret Source. A blue in the Novice Rider Five-Gaited class went to Dena Lodato aboard Awesome Town.

Lisa Gumenick and Claudia Fletcher have met more than once for the Show Pleasure Driving Championship at Children’s Benefit and they added two classes (championship and qualifier) to the rivalry this year with Gumenick and Shamanic Dream scoring both victories. Joined by nine other contenders in the championship and 11 others in the qualifier, Fletcher and In The Red took home the red ribbon from both classes.

Entries under the direction of Sally Eichlin enjoyed a banner week, one of them being Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Grand Champion CH Five Minutes More. The beautiful black horse dropped his back and went a big expressive trot with Barbara Matthews in the irons. They were challenged by 11 other teams including reserve grand champions Midnight Boogie and Zack Hoffman. Michael Behr and CH Rare Rascal, reserve winners in the adult qualifier which was won by Jamie Wise Lanier and CH Cat Cracker, finished third in the championship. Ann Jones provided two good catch rides for Heir’s Curtain Call to win the ESHBA class and then finish fourth in the championship. Power Source and High Point’s Top Hat rounded out the championship ribbon winners.

Novice riders on three-gaited pleasure horses had a qualifier and a championship. Representing Reindance Stables Candace Longo and Gypsy’s First Edition were winners in both rounds. Larry Page presented Touch The Fire for Barbara Matthews to take reserve champion honors. Jamie Neal and CH Carrie Blue trotted out with the red ribbon in the qualifier. Dianne Tambussi and Spool’s Top Star were quite impressive on the way to the winner’s circle in the Novice Three-Gaited Pleasure class in which Stephanie Lawson and The King’s Talent commanded reserve honors.

There was a talented roster for the Juvenile Three-Gaited Pleasure Championship with 13 teams competing. When they’re on it’s hard to beat CH Simbara’s Samba Jamba and Meagan Ryan and that’s exactly what they were in the championship round. Owned by Daniel Lieberman, Samba Jamba turned back a host of worthy challengers including reserve grand champion Coach Ticket, ridden by Ross Kearney. Winner of the qualifier with a blue ribbon performance, Jenna Fields and Santana’s Cheer Me On returned to Maine with a third place finish in a deep championship.

Adding a little more blue to the cooler rack, Tre’ Lee and Caramac Color were on top in the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic for owner Vicki Williams. Marty Waldman and Royal Crest Farm Blessed Prince were red ribbon winners.

Seven riders competed in both the Walk and Trot Pleasure Championship and qualifier. Under the direction of Brooke Sweigart, Freeway and Vasliki Barakos captured the crowd’s and the judge’s attention with a championship performance. Reserve honors belonged to Classic Star and Kirby Tapper. There was a different set of winners for the qualifying class as Ashton Day and Ruby’s Rare One were in first and Windmill’s Tradewinds with Paige Lilly claimed the red streamers.

The Open English Pleasure division was nearly as strong as the ASB pleasure section. An Adult Open English Pleasure Championship featured Last Tycoon and Kristen Fenstermacher in the winner’s circle ahead of Paul Moore and Mr. Machine. In the open qualifier Kingwood Supreme and Alicia Fraser were the top choice as were Arthur Aikins and Beelzebub in the open amateur pleasure class.

Six entries came back for the Open English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor Championship after 11 competed in the qualifier. Starmaker’s Starburst was the grand champion with Cassi Wentz riding. They had finished reserve in the large qualifier to Superfine’s Black Magic and Amanda Turner. Ally Ehle and Dare To Be came away with reserve championship honors.

Moving up two places from the qualifier the beautiful moving Gypsy First Lady was grand champion of the Country Pleasure Driving division. Herb Headwell was again at the whip for Herb and Stacey Headwell. The winning combination of Lisa Gumenick and Rocking The Blues had to settle for reserve grand champion honors after making the victory pass in the qualifier.

The tricolors kept going the way of Tre’ Lee as was the case with CF Priceless Special and Emily Stoltzfus in the Adult Country Pleasure Championship. Among the six other contenders, Carolyn Banks and Suddenly Roses accepted reserve honors. In the qualifying round Million Dollar Man and Sarah Wise were at the top of judge Lavery’s card, followed by Kathie Constable and Champagne Blues. A blue prize in the Novice Rider Country Pleasure class went to Worthy’s Heirloom and Joelle Bennett.

Results also changed from the qualifying to the championship round in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure section. Will’s Willy and Lee Ann Fulper made the victory pass in the qualifier with Mallory Newcomb and I’ll Tell You What in reserve. On stake night it was Tiana Tapper and SS Inner Vision trotting out with the silver ahead of Fulper and Will’s Willy.

Eight riders competed in the Country Western Pleasure Championship. Jogging and loping to perfection was the handsome gray horse A Magic Surprise. The Pat Johnson entry, trained at Northwind Stables, defeated War Of The Roses and Brittany Waldman, among others. Johnson and A Magic Surprise had also won the qualifier. War Of The Roses also made victory passes in the Shatner and novice classes. The Waldmans had a good week in the Western division as Marty rode Winter’s Rembrandt to the blue prize in the Western Pleasure Prospect class as well.

High Tail Acres made several trips to the winner’s circle, two of them being for Eryn Elizabeth Carter and Santana’s Silver Dawn in the ASB Hunter Pleasure Championship and the ASB Hunter Seat Classic. Mary Miller and Gabriel’s Message provided the reserve competition in both classes.

Judge Lavery asked all four riders in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship to perform the individual workout and besting that group was New York’s Amanda Wright. Representing Wrighthall Stables, Amanda also won the NHS Good Hands class. Reserve grand champion honors were bestowed upon Kaitlyn Grom who also won the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup and the USA Equestrian Medal.

From Cricket Hill, Christopher Whynock had plenty of horsemanship to go with his victory pass in the 14-17 class in which Kaitlyn Grom was reserve.

For the younger age group High Tail Acres’ Courtney Elizabeth Lee was crowned the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Champion. Her tricolor ride bested Tara Grom, winner of the 13 & Under UPHA Challenge Cup, and Michelle Chaves. In the 13 & under qualifier Jessica Moctezuma was the winning rider followed by Chaves.

Both equitation classes offered to adults were won by Stephanie Sedlacko. On the other end of the spectrum Ashley Stine topped seven other riders to win both the Walk and Trot Championship and the UPHA Walk and Trot Challenge Cup while representing Fairfield South. Vasliki Barakos was the reserve rider in both classes. Kira Race was the lone rider in the Pleasure Equitation field.

Awards in the Morgan division went to TW Callahan and Kriss Pelps, winners of the English Pleasure Championship. Reserve grand champions Sally Eichlin and MLF Bryce had won the open class in which Barbara Risser and K’s Nobl Vision where reserve. Risser and Nobl Vision did win the Amateur Morgan English Pleasure Championship and qualifier defeating three other teams in each class. Crazy For You and Jenna Bemis were the reserve grand champions, while CN Wait-N-See were the reserve winners of the amateur qualifier.

The Morgan Junior English Pleasure Stake went to Brook Sweigart and Futurity’s Roses Are Red with reserve honors going to Patty Ricketts and Saxonys Dubonnet, the lone team in the junior pleasure driving class.

Creekside Farm struck again as Christine Matthews drove Sally Eichlin’s Southerly Fiesta to win the Morgan Pleasure Driving Championship. It was their second trip down victory lane for the week. Gary Shenk and Final Masterpiece drove away with the reserve championship, while Kriss Pelps and JW Callahan were reserve in the amateur class and the only entry for the open event.

Eight entries competed for the Morgan Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship but none could knock off the qualifying winner Winterhill Classic Command owned and presented by Lynda Demeritt. The grand champion team was followed by Kira Race and Aquarian Brandy, winners of the junior exhibitor title.

It was smooth sailing for Seaway Destiny and Dorothy Hock in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. The two-time champions defeated Gary Shenk and Whitemud Winfield Alex both times out.

Laura Hoffman and Knight’s Wind Chimes jogged to victory in the Morgan Western Pleasure Championship after turning in a blue ribbon ride in the amateur qualifier. Open class winners W-B Royal Blue and Charles Geer commanded reserve grand champion honors ahead of Tara’s San Pedro and Alexis Molin, reserve winners in both the open and amateur qualifiers.

Wrapping up the competition from the Thirteenth Annual Children’s Benefit Show Elizabeth Molin and UVM Glimmer traded places with Curt Melick and Equinox Rennaisance for the three-entry Morgan Hunter Pleasure Championship. Rennaisance had made the victory pass in the open qualifier and the amateur class.

Thirteen was a good number for Children’s Benefit as all the show committee was extremely pleased with the turnout.

“The show was excellent in quality,” added Marty Waldman. “Classes were well filled and we sold more stalls than ever before. This show just keeps getting better each year.”

• Back
• Respond to Editor
• Printer Friendly Version
• Send This To a Friend