Birthday Number 20 For ASHAV
Wednesday, October 1, 2003
by Bob Funkhouser
LEXINGTON, Va. - It’s held at a grand facility in a beautiful part of the country and features an extremely easy, yet complete schedule, so it has come as a surprise to many that the ASHAV Horse Show has been just a nice show the last couple of years. It went through a phase of many Kentucky barns showing many world’s champions and now that has scaled back to a solid core of exhibitors showing and enjoying the great hospitality of the ASHAV committee.
New manager Kent Moeller reported that numbers were two short of last year’s show. With so many different qualifiers the first of the week was small, but things picked up as the championships rolled around for the weekend. Chairperson Stacey Wright and her crew again had several events on the social calendar including the Jones Mountainview Farm Party on Thursday night and the Progressive Barn Party on Friday night. There was also a nice get-together for the junior exhibitors complete with games and food.
Now in its 20th year, the show still attracts a smattering of Kentucky barns to go with the Virginia/Carolina faithful. This year’s show was also attended by barns from New York, New Hampshire, Ohio and Florida. There were some very promising young horses shown to compliment the mix of veteran teams as well as the many futurity babies judged by Adam Clauson, Jim Koller and Mary Jo Schmidt. Friesians have also become a part of the schedule with Bent Tree Farm, and Melissa and Melinda Moore bringing entries.
It was a beautiful weekend for showing horses other than the 20-minute delay during Saturday night’s show due a powerful storm moving through the area that brought lots of rain and lightning. Once the lightning was over it was back to show time.
There were only three other entries trying to knock Merrill Murray off the throne of the Five-Gaited Championship, a seat he has occupied for the past couple of years. And when showing a gaited horse against Murray you had better be pretty sharp.
When it was all said and done, none of the challengers were up to the task on this evening as Murray was called out as the grand champion riding Robert and Barbara Wood’s entry, Hero’s Jumpin Jack Flash. Reserve to the champions in the open class as well were Melinda Moore and Purrfectly Perfect for Mary Adams.
Under the direction of Roger Meade, Jan Frame and Champagne Property were two for two in the amateur gaited division. Of the six entries in the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship, Connie Sessoms and Assets and Attitude were again reserve with a solid performance.
Mercer Springs brought home another championship ribbon as Sue Nifong and Resplendence turned in a tricolor performance in the Ladies Five-Gaited Championship in which Darlene Rose and Mackie were the reserve champions for the second time this week. In the qualifying round Doris Crumpler and Worthy’s Sonshine made the last pass with trainer Page Champion helping photographer Linda Wollaber with the victory pass.
Cash Lovell had Lakeview’s Rare Lee Seen in blue ribbon form for both the Virginia Owned and the Novice Five-Gaited classes. The Jeoff Bodenhorst entry was ahead of Red Satin Sheetz and Karin Folkers-Smith in the Virginia class and Andre Foruie’s I’m Good in the novice competition.
Home-grown Tre'’ Lee had plenty of fans at ASHAV especially after his Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited World’s Championship this year with Marching Orders. He had a couple of nice young horses at ASHAV as well including Junior Five-Gaited Champion Summer Rendezvous. Sired by CH Great Day’s Came The Son, Summer Rendezvous was owned by Patricia Treiber. Smith Lilly brought out a full brother to his former Junior Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion Have You Ever to take reserve honors. The Cedarledge Farm entry was named Yes I Have.
Showing reserve world’s champion Liquid Thunder, Merrill Murray won the UPHA Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Classic for Cross Timbers Enterprises. They were followed by Tre' Lee and The Flame Thrower, an entry owned by Don and Phyllis Brookshire.
The judges viewed the top three of the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited division the same in both the qualifier and the championship. Leading the way was the Cash Lovell trained Diamond’s Hope, ridden by Sarah Longworth. Second place honors belonged to Margaret Schmitt and Millennium, while Ross Berger and The Great Gazoo brought home the yellow streamers.
Hallston Manor came to Virginia with a top group of young horses presented by Pieter Snyman and one of those was Two-Year-Old Five-Gaited Champion Heirrison Ford. The beautiful grey son of Supreme Heir was owned by Sandra Corney. Merrill Murray had the reserve ride aboard Iggy Pop Super Star.
Samantha Hill and Alianca were twice winners in the Five-Gaited Pony division. They put on two smooth shows for the blue and tricolor. Reserve in both events went to Andres Herrera and SS Kentucky.
Five entries returned for the Three-Gaited Championship, which turned out to be Melissa Moore’s third win in the division. In this final round she was riding the Live Oak entry Caramar. They already had the Ladies Three-Gaited blue under their belts. Moore also won the Open Three-Gaited class with the world titled Lime Twisted Gin, an entry owned by Liberty Saddlebreds.
Reserve grand champion honors belonged to Robin McKenzie Vuillermet’s Hayden Fox. Smith Lilly guided the sporty campaigner to that reserve title. Bill Shiflet and She Steels Hearts had been reserve in the open class and Kate Ryan took CH Harlem’s Jamaican to a second place finish in the ladies section.
The crowd had something to cheer about as three entries were asked to go back to the rail for additional work in the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship. Eight others were left in the middle as SJ Like A Champ, CH Man On The Run and Page Me went at it again. For the second consecutive year, SJ Like A Champ and Margot Feldman wore the tricolor from the ring under the direction of John Champagne. “Sweet!” was how Feldman described the workout and eventual win.
Having won the amateur qualifier, last year’s Three-Gaited Grand Champion CH Man On The Run was the Amateur Three-Gaited Reserve Grand Champion with Brooke Bodenhorst in the irons. They had defeated SJ Like A Champ and seven others in the qualifier. Page Me and Victoria Shepherd Bleeden finished third in both rounds.
When the presentation was made for the Virginia Owned Three-Gaited class, Heaven’s Silver Lining and Gary Altizer were called out as the champions for Joe Phillips. Also getting a good piece of the money Lisa Lucas received a first place vote on the way to reserve honors for Fish N Fun Farm.
Melinda Moore and Champagne’s China Doll were the best of the Novice Three-Gaited competitors. Reserve among the five entries went to Matt Shiflet and Royal Crest’s Heavenly Stone.
The Cash Lovell Stables won both the junior exhibitor gaited and junior exhibitor walk-trot championships as CH Sportster and Kate Bryan were two for two in the walk-trot division. Their closest competition was CH Heart Of Blue, ridden by Tammie Kale.
One of the top horses of the week, Sightline was a sight winning the Junior Three-Gaited Stake with Rob Turner riding for Holli Ciardiello. With a ton of expression he defeated Bippity Boppity Boo and Leslie Tickle, as well as two other entries. Mercer Springs stablemate Luxury Tax was the lone entry in the UPHA Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Classic with Smith Lilly aboard.
Hallston Manor scored again as Pieter Snyman rode Inherit The Odds to the Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited blue for Sandra Corney. Hugo Deloga was aboard Mountainview’s What A Beau to take second for Jones Mountainview Farm.
Rob Turner took several top ribbons back to New England including the Three-Gaited Pony Championship and qualifier. Jenna Fields and CH Santana’s Cheer Me On made the winning shows for the L.M. Turner Stables. Matt and Kristen Shiflet sent Suzanna Crews and Cameo’s Carte Blanch in the ring for two reserve rides among the nine teams.
Definitely one of the top young professionals showing today, Matthew Shiflet won a couple of ASHAV championships including the Three-Gaited Park title with Marie Campbell’s Champagne Premiere. They had been reserve in the open qualifier to Kate Ryan and CH Simbara’s Samba Jamba.
Making another successful trip to Lexington, Va., Bambi Childress rode The Foxy Prince to the title of Amateur Three-Gaited Park Grand Champion. It was their second victory pass of the week. Kit Kerns and Bueno Day got the closest among the 12 entries in the championship, while Lori Sadoski and Magnificent Adventure were second out of 15 in the qualifier.
Under the direction of Rob Turner, Kristen Fields and Blue Ridge Miles moved up a notch from the qualifier to win the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park Championship. Reserve grand champion honors went the way of Leandra Cogar and Deerhaven’s Stay Tuned. Brittany Gordon and Sea Drifter dropped to third in the championship after making the victory pass in the qualifier.
Heather Boodey visited the winner’s circle several times during the week, but it was usually to greet one of her winning riders. In the Junior Three-Gaited Park class she was in the saddle as Five Star Sweetie was called out the champion for Bill Lineberry.
Moving to the harness division, Matt Shiflet brought home yet another tricolor to Diamond View Farm with his drive in the Fine Harness Championship. Shiflet was behind the Junior Fine Harness Champion Callaway’s B. Gratz Brown, an entry owned by Greg Crews. With two first place votes they had solid competition as reserve grand champion Dances On Air was right there with Danette Musselman again at the whip for Misty Hills Farm to take the other first place vote. This team garnered the blue streamers in the open class in which John Champagne and Shamrock’s Mint To Be were reserve.
The Meadow Wood Stable team of Karen Banks and Unforgiven strolled down victory lane twice in the amateur harness division. They took both classes in unanimous fashion while being followed by Greg Reasor and Seven Hills Ricochet.
A winner at ASHAV as a two-year-old, Shamrock’s Firestarter was back for more to take the UPHA Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Classic with a topnotch drive by Karin Folkers-Smith. Mike Knick was the winning owner of the black colt. Danette Musselman and Day’s Grecian Grey turned in the reserve performance for Belle Reve Farm.
One of the top two-year-olds out this year, Mountainview’s Nite Sky was uncontested in the ASHAV Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity. Smith Lilly was at the whip for owner/breeder Jones Mountainview Farm. Representing owner/breeder Sandra Corney, Pieter Snyman drove Strawberry Zacheiry to a unanimous win in the Open Two-Year-Old Fine Harness class. This was one of (3) two-year-old classes won by the Corney/Snyman/Supreme Heir team. John Champagne presented the reserve two-year-old in Jimmy Nixon’s Sultan’s Perfect Night.
It took three ladies from Kentucky to make the Roadster To Bike Championship what it was. From the six entries Rompaway and Melinda Moore set sail and there was no one to catch them on this night. Two of the three first place votes went the way of the Lanny Judd entry switching the top two results from the open class. Marilyn Macfarlane and Ladies Roadster To Bike World’s Champion Braveheart returned to Kentucky with the reserve grand championship and the Open Roadster To Bike blue. Danette Musselman and novice winner Valiant claimed third place honors in the championship to complete the Kentucky sweep.
Like many of the best road horses Kentucky Wildcat just gets better with age. With two performances that would have made Tubby Smith proud, the bold speedster was crowned Amateur Roadster To Bike Grand Champion with ones straight across the board. Jon Dabareiner wore the red and black silks of Fish N Fun Farm to also win the amateur qualifier among seven entries. Hunter Maddy and Montana turned it on to cross the finish line in second both times out.
Shown for the first time under saddle by Katy Sterba, Canadian Express looked pretty fancy going to the winner’s circle of the Roadster Under Saddle class where they were greeted by trainer John Champagne. With a roadster for every division, Danette Musselman was aboard Roadrunner for the reserve prize.
Coming from the winner’s circle of the Junior Road Pony class, Dave Glover and Regals Rebel turned back all challengers for the title of Road Pony Grand Champions. Robin Haynes and Broadway Joe,who had been reserve in the amateur qualifier, took reserve grand champion honors back to Walnut Way.
In the open class it was Conqueror’s Curly Cue on top with Pam Shupe in the bike. They were followed by Ashley Hariu with Annabelle Lee.
Mary Daughtry and Vivacious EF jumped two notches to claim the tricolor in the Amateur Road Pony Championship. Earning one of the three first place votes, Doris Crumpler and Heartland Captivator finished as the reserve grand champions. Under the direction of Page Champion, they made the last pass in the amateur qualifier with blue streamers flying.
James Lawrence and Aarobrook’s The Aviator made the victory pass from the Novice Road Pony competition. They were pushed by Dave Glover and Regals Rebel.
Lisa Lucas had the Fish N Fun stock primed and ready for the weekend’s championships. One of three members of the Dabareiner family to enjoy a pass down victory lane, Marli Dabareiner and Sweet Impression had it in overdrive to take two of the three first place votes in the Junior Exhibitor Road Pony Championship, beating some pretty nice ponies in the process. Topping Sweet Impression and five other entries in the AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony class, Kari Jackson and Coachlight’s Shockwave settled for the junior exhibitor reserve championship.
Having a blast this year, Sarah Sessoms turned it on with Rowdy Yank to bring home the top honors from the AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony Under Saddle class for Diamond View Farm. Allison Pullen and Impressive Night turned in the reserve performance.
Bent Tree Farm is keeping the pony division alive at ASHAV as they had the two entries in the Harness Pony Championship. One of the all-time stars of this era, Vindicator continues to be a show pony as he took another championship for Karen Waldron. Stablemates Night Editor and Lee Hudson were the reserve champions. The results were the same in the qualifier, which had three entries.
The competition left Marilyn Macfarlane and World’s Champion Fancy Ribbons alone in the Hackney Pony Championship after winning the open class. She debuted Randi Wightman’s newest star and was pleased with both winning performances. Karen Waldron and Heartland Ooh! La La were second out of three in the open round.
No stranger to the winner’s circle, Cover Story was the Hackney Pleasure Driving Grand Champion and qualifying winner for Brenda Rappaport and Wireless Valley Farm. Dave Glover and Quickly Done’s number were called out for second in both classes while representing Glover and Chapman. Molly Ryan and Truly So Lovely had the ring to themselves in the AHHS Youth Medallion Hackney Pleasure Driving.
The ASHAV show committee has been pleased to host the competition for both Old Dominion and the ASHAV Futurities. Year after year an impressive group of youngsters has been presented by large breeding operations such as Jones Mountainview Farm and small breeders alike. Fred Sarver and the Jones Mountain group again had another strong year with several titles. Mountainview’s Cannonball topped the Old Dominion Two-Year-Old Futurity with Sarver on the lead. Mountainview’s What A Beau was reserve for Hugo Deloga.
Mountainview’s Buttercup took the first place money in the Old Dominion Yearling Futurity with Fred Sarver and Jose Nava presenting the champion over 11 other challengers. World title holder Hollywood’s Virginia Gentleman had to settle for reserve this time out after having already won the ASHAV Yearling Futurity with Gary Altizer showing for Robert Eldridge.
Twenty-one turned out for the Old Dominion Weanling Futurity and this time Fred Sarver presented the champion for a different owner. Jacqueline Sweikert was the proud owner of The Anthem. Oscar Victoria was on the lead for Mountainview’s New Day to earn reserve money in the large class.
Reserve to Hollywood’s Virginia Gentleman in the ASHAV Yearling Futurity was Mountainview’s Truly Amazing, another entry owned by C. Norman Jones and shown by Fred Sarver. Running a lot of miles, Sarver also had the best colt in the ASHAV Weanling Futurity. He showed Happy Mother’s Day to the title for Jimmy Nixon. Mountainview’s Celestial Night picked up the second place check in this one.
When the prize money was passed out in the ASGN Yearling In Hand class, Smith Lilly and Thomas Edison were first in line representing Bent Tree Farm. Reserve money belonged to Oscar Victoria and Mountainview’s Night Light.
John Champagne supported the show with a good string which included unanimous Show Pleasure Driving Grand Champion Stella De Oro. Babs Patterson was the winning driver as she moved up from reserve in the qualifier where Kendall Fields and CH Rose To The Occasion wore the blue streamers from the ring. Susan Whittington and Harlem’s Babe Ruth were named reserve grand champions among the seven entries in the final round.
One of the hottest divisions across the country all season long has been gaited pleasure. Lexington, Va., featured a good group of entries as well and on Saturday night CH Harlem’s Hot Scoop and Lisa Dabareiner gave trainer Lisa Lucas and the Dabareiner family’s Fish N Fun Farm yet another unanimous grand champion. Reserve grand champion honors in the 12-horse championship went to qualifying winners CH Stonewall’s Blazing Blueprint and longtime owner Lynn Snowden. They were again presented in top order by trainer Bobby Murphy.
In the Novice Five-Gaited Pleasure class Karen Thornhill and Heather’s Champagne carried out the blue prize ahead of Jacquelyn Shupe and Yahooligan.
And what a line-up it was for the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure division which featured nine entries in the qualifier and seven in the championship. Having been called to the winner’s circle all season long, CH My Korbel and Victoria Woodruff added two more to the trophy case with Heather Boodey putting this championship team together. Making the champions work every step of the way, Sarah Sessoms and CH Peppermint Sonburst nabbed one of the first place votes on the way to the reserve championship. It was the second reserve of the week for the Matt and Kristen Shiflet trained team.
The ASHAV crowd liked Tre'’ Lee every time he came through the gate and the judges like him more times than not. He received the nod in the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic riding Simply Enough for Fox Grape Farms, Inc. Reserve money in the UPHA Classic went to Merrill Murray aboard Barbara Wood’s Harlem Jazz.
No one was happier than Karin Folkers-Smith when Ramona Kolacki and Keeper Of The Stars were called out as the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Grand Champions. Having asked for an extra trot following the second way canter, the judges still differed in their opinions as three different horses had first place votes. Reserve grand champion and adult qualifying winner Alvin Alley joined Keeper Of The Stars with one of them. The third recipient was third place finisher She’s Ezquisite, an entry ridden by Jennifer Makem.
Marcy Van Gerven and Lady Bayanna were the top team from the Virginia Owned Three-Gaited Pleasure class. Of the eight entries, Julie Simmons and Force Majeure were reserve.
Andre’ Foure greeted Whitney Bennett and Prowler’s Hussy in the winner’s circle of the Three-Gaited Pleasure 14-17 Championship after they defeated six other entries. Moving up three notches, Caroline Ledbetter and Springhurst trotted out with the reserve honors. In the qualifying round Katy Sterba and Worth Afame found themselves atop the competition.
Heather Boodey has had a good group of junior exhibitor riders this year and representing her all the way was Caitlin Leith, winner of the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Pleasure 13 & Under Championship and qualifier with the multi-titled CH Future Treasure. They had first place votes straight across the board. Lee Ann Fulper and CH Harlem’s Moon Shadow stepped up finishing the week with the reserve championship. Andrea Wolkoff and Mojave had been reserve in the qualifier for Sue Nifong.
Eight pleasure ponies competed in both rounds and both times it was Sarah Longworth and Fox’s Dancing Fire at the top of the judge’s cards for the Cash Lovell Stables. The reserve placings changed with Christie Van As and Walterway’s Mighty Hifalutin in second the first time out of the gate and Shala Gammon’s Irish Summer Moon taking the reserve grand champion honors.
Ron Cook and Susan Whittington switched places from the Country Pleasure Driving qualifier to the championship. The first time the Country Pleasure Driving horses met it was Cook and He’s Real Bad on top, while Whittington and City To City claimed the championship round.
Debbie Palmer’s Bonnie Santana has been to the ASHAV winner’s circle more than once and they did again twice this year. The Adult Three-Gaited Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier returned to Dublin, Va., with them. One of three horses to receive first place votes, Executive Phorce was the reserve grand champion for Doris Tyler. Lisa Shorter Oaks and The Chesapeake Bay picked up the red ribbon from the adult qualifier. Tyler and Executive Phorce had won the Virginia Owned Country Pleasure class in which Lisa Dabareiner and Harlem’s Magic Circle were reserve among 16.
Jessica Holmes delivered two winning rides with The Kentucky Connection to take the Three-Gaited Country Pleasure 14-17 Championship and qualifier for Miriam Wright. They were representing Boone’s Farm and Stable. Kate Bryan and Lady Mysterious earned two reserve ribbons with their performances.
Margaret Gardiner had Kathryn Fulper and Will’s Willy in tricolor order to visit the winner’s circle in the Country Pleasure 13 & Under Championship. Kendell Stuart and FCF Cool Q Baby were twice reserve champions. In the first round it was Andrea Wolkoff and Leatherwood’s Fanfare on top.
Results in the Western Country Pleasure division totally changed from the qualifier to the championship. Free Waltz with Samantha Hill and Katharine’s Black Magic with Brittany Horton were the top two out of 12 in the qualifier. When the winners were announced in the championship it was Pat Yeatts aboard Beaux Radiant Empire in the winner’s circle, followed by Suzanne Heizer and I’m Going Out Tonight in reserve.
Beginning riders also had their time to shine. Kelly Sprinkle rode Minnie Van to the blue in the Children’s Go As You Please class. Drew Taylor Hewitt and Unique Santana were the number two selection.
Saddle Seat Equitation was the lightest of the ASHAV divisions. Two riders competed for the grand championship which went to a smiling Rachel Crystal. Also winning the NHS Good Hands, Crystal was directed by Darlene Trento-Wright of Wrighthall Stables in New York. Reserve honors belonged to Erin Bolster, a student of Nancy Troutman’s who also won the UPHA Challenge Cup and the UPHA Chapter 18 Challenge Cup Championship. Caitlyn Morrison was in the mix to win the 13 & under class and place reserve in the UPHA Challenge Cup.
Walk and Trot Equitation riders had two opportunities to show. From Hallston Manor, Thomas Santaferra, Jr. rode Sultan’s Baylee to win the Open 10 & Under Walk and Trot competition. Emily Druckman was aboard Returning Royal for the red ribbon.
The next day Drew Taylor Hewitt piloted Unique Santana to earn the top prize in the UPHA 10 & Under Challenge Cup. Kerry Jeffries and Hometown Feature were reserve in this one.
That highlighted the competition from the 20th annual ASHAV Horse Show. Judge’s cards and complete results can be found in this issue; results can also be viewed at www.saddlehorsereport.com.
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