Big Numbers Start The Season at ASAC
Tuesday, March 26, 2002

by Kenny Mills

Posted March 26, 2002

Clemson, S.C. - The Carolina show season kicked of at the 15th annual ASAC Horse Show, sponsored by the American Saddlebred Horse Association of the Carolinas. The show was held March 14-16 at the T.Ed Garrison Livestock Arena on the campus of Clemson University. This show continues to grow but this year’s growth was tremendous. The facility offers 328 permanent stalls and every one was filled. Some exhibitors were relinquishing tack stalls to make room for more horses.

The show was managed by Dan Shirley of Simpsonville, S.C. and Henry Jumper served as the show chairman. Dena Tanner Lopez of Versailles, Ky., could be found center ring marking the cards with ringmaster Bob Burnett by her side. Hospitality once again played a big role in this show success. Liz Holmes of Mebane, N.C., again served as the exhibitor’s party chair. The theme for this year’s Friday evening exhibitor’s party was “Beach Blast.” Staged on the mezzanine inside the show arena, you could find beach balls the size of a small car, a very enthusiastic DJ and metallic palm trees. Festive hats, sunglasses and various other items were passed out to add to the ambiance of the party. A buffet was served and a desert table was offered. Once again the southern hospitality was in full force.

Five-Gaited

Six entries answered the call to the gate for the five gaited championship. After a two horse work-out it was James Hale piloting Bedazzled to the winners circle. Everything Will and Deborah Richardson picked up a reserve in the championship after capturing a win in the open qualifier. The ladies gaited class saw many entries with 11 horses making their way through the gate. Kim Cowart guided Heir Head to the blue ribbon with Deborah Richardson and Cheers Cheers earning a reserve.

Picking up the championship ribbon in the amateur division was Dr Wendy Troyer. She guided Hank Heiron with ease through a class of ten entries. She also earned the win in the qualifier. Kim Cowart had New York Trend just right to pick up the win in the novice class.

Hillary Allgood and Santa Cruz were the team to beat in the junior exhibitor division. They picked up the blue in both the championship and the qualifier. Meredith Smith and Jake’s Little Big Man finished on top in the Five-Gaited Pony Championship. Paul Boone and John Elway made their way to the winners circle for Bill and Ann Cannon, in the junior class. When the three year olds took to the ring it was Callaway’s Arthur Hale and Jerry Tolliver taking home the blue ribbon.

Three-Gaited

The Three-Gaited Championship saw Sheryl Ordway and Susie Serenade standing in the winners circle, taking the blue back to Omega Farm. CH Trapp Mountain and Andrea Athanasuleas earned the blue in the ladies class.

Trapp Mountain and Athanasuleas were back again to claim victory in the amateur championship with Karen Bowdre and Callaway’s Camelian picking up the reserve. Bowdre had earlier claimed the blue in the amateur qualifier. Both horses are trained by Madge Bass at Camelot Stables. Topping the junior exhibitor ranks was Bre Ann Cross aboard Witchy Woman Too. They picked up a win in the championship and reserve in the qualifier. Champagne’s Supreme Fox and Kaitlin Plumpelly rode to the blue ribbon in the qualifier.

Taking home the blue in the three gaited pony championship was Rochmont with Kristina Cottmeyer aboard. Return To Innocence and Shelby Reimer went home with a blue in the qualifier. Debbie Tolliver and Diamond Merchant made their way to the winners circle in the novice class. Topping the park championship was Sheryl Ordway riding Show Boats Casablanca. Bill Schoeman and New York Entertainer picked up the blue ribbon in the open qualifier.

Deborah Richardson made a return trip to the winners circle this time aboard CH Champagne Splash to take home the blue in the amateur championship and the open qualifier.

When the junior exhibitors took the ring, James York Classic and Asra Chatham found themselves at the top of the judges card in the Junior Exhibitor Park Championship. Taking home the blue in the qualifier was Whitney Hahn and Brasstown Bald.

James Hale had McKenzie just right to grab the blue in the junior class. Lewis Eckard and Toy Boy could be found sporting a blue ribbon from the three year old class.

Fine-Harness

Brian Hamilton and Top Of The Page were crowned the open fine harness champion.

Roadsters

When it was time to turn on the speed in the road horse championship, Mike Gordon and his West Gate Villain trotted their way to the winners circle. Gordan also earned the blue in the amateur qualifier. Andy Allgood and The Accelerator drove to the blue in the open qualifier. Lindsay Simpson and She’s So Lovely were just right to catch a win in the novice class. When the under saddle class made their way to the ring it was Meredith Tye and The Black Stranger standing alone in the winners circle.

Driving home with the tri color in the road pony championship was I’m The One and Arlie Fiveash, who came in off a win in the amateur qualifier. Knight’s Pride and Karen Voerg picked up the blue in the open qualifier.

Hillary Allgood and Bluegrass Cash sped their way to a tricolor in the junior exhibitor championship. Austin Harrison and Twin Willow’s Promise picked up a blue in the qualifier, this team is trained by Mark Wilson Stables.

Ann Reeves drove Conqueror’s Prime Time to the blue in the novice class along with a reserve in the open championship. Sarah Sessoms and Texas Tommy sped their way right to the winners circle in the under saddle class. Rita Camp and Heartland’s High Time topped the pleasure pony driving division in both the championship and the qualifier.

Pleasure

The pleasure division saw lots of full classes and some great competition. Topping a field of eight in the five gaited pleasure class was Deborah Richardson aboard Bi Mi Magic Winter. This team also earned a blue in the qualifier.

Cam Brandon and Harlem’s Babe Ruth swept the show pleasure driving division winning both the championship and the qualifier.

In the adult show pleasure division it was Connie Sessoms and Mister Bingo taking the tricolor ribbon back to Drowning Creek Farm. Making the blue ribbon ride in the qualifier was Mandy Dellinger and High Points Heir Apparent.

Tally Harris and Strider’s Modern had two winning rides in the junior exhibitor division. Harris won both the championship and the qualifier.

Making the trip down victory lane in the amateur owned and trained division was Deborah Richardson and Extreme Measures. Amy Roberts and Apple Fritter put it all together to take home a blue in the novice rider class.

Zion’s Jubal and Marni Cothran were in top form for the tricolor in the Adult English Country Pleasure Championship, this team also earned the blue in the amateur owned and trained class. Luanne Kilday and Giggle’s N Grins picked up a blue in the qualifier. Holly Hayes and Gorgeous & Talented made two trips down victory lane in the junior exhibitor division. Hayes won both the championship and the qualifier. Garrison Hodges and Belle Of The Abbey were in top form to take home a blue in the novice rider class.

Deborah Richardson and As Catch Can found themselves at the top of the judge’s card in the Western Country Pleasure Championship and the qualifier. In the William Shatner Working Western Pleasure division it was Dottie Ferguson and I’m Putting On My Tophat making the victory pass. Nancy Fortner and Piney Flats picked up the blue in the William Shatner Western Pleasure class.

Stacey Headwell and Dances On Air made it to the top in the pleasure prospect four years and under class. Twist Of Lemon and Katherine Connor made two blue ribbon performances winning the English Pleasure Pony Championship and qualifier. Lauren Henderson and CH Empress In Black were in top form to win the English Pleasure Walk and Trot 12 and Under Championship, this team also picked up the blue in the qualifier.

Equitation

The equitation division saw light numbers, but some new teams could be found competing. Going home with the tricolor in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship was Kaitlin Plumpelly and By The Fire. Morgan Berger and CH Java Sea debuted with a blue ribbon ride in the 14 -17 division qualifier. Sarah O’Neal and CH Superlative picked up the blue in the 13 and under division. It was Lindsey Newsome and A Piece Of The Rock making the blue ribbon ride in the 10 and under walk and trot class. Newsome also picked up a win blue in the UPHA Walk Trot Equitation 10 and Under class.

Victoria Woodruff and Hey Covington earned the victory pass in the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Equitation class. Holly Ackerman and Santana’s Montana took home a blue in the adult equitation class.

For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Saddle Horse Report dated March 26, 2002.

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