LEXINGTON, Ky. - An absolutely perfect Kentucky fall day marked the inaugural class for The Bluegrass Futurity. History was made on October 3, 2002 as the richest purse ever given was awarded to eight outstanding weanlings; over $103,000 was given out in prize money. The venue for this historic event was the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Fall Classic Horse Show.
Twenty-three outstanding weanlings entered the ring one at a time and presented themselves to the judges, Don Judd, Kim Crumpler and David Cunningham. Upon the initial judging ten entries were asked to stay in the ring for a second look. This was no ordinary class of weanlings, several had taken home top prizes at the Kentucky State Fair just five weeks prior to this class; including WC Line Of Thunder, WC Cafe Demitasse and RWC High Time’s High Priority not to mention several other ribbon winners. Quality was plentiful and the best weanling handlers in the country were all vying for the top prize of over $44,000.
After a second look at the top ten weanlings the judges made their decision and when it was over Joan Lurie and WC Line Of Thunder were the winners for Clyde and Sallie Nolan. Pam Specht and Mike Peel presented the reserve winner, High Time’s Royal Gift owned by Beth Hennessey. Third went to the newly purchased Cafe Demitasse and Joe Smith for new owner Kenneth Wheeler. Fourth were Danette Musselman and My Jose Quervo for Alliance Stud. Jim Aikman handled the fifth place entry, Mother Mary for the Belle Reve Farm. Pam Specht was also the handler for sixth place entry, High Time’s High Priority owned by Patricia Misko. Seventh went to George Davenport and Ketty Theodorou’s Screen Idol and the eighth award went to Visual Art owned by James Shane.
The day proper to this exciting class a cocktail reception was held at The Mansion restaurant at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington. Approximately 75 people were in attendance as hot horsdourvres and complimentary cocktails were served to the guest on the lovely restaurant patio. The beautiful bronze trophy that was awarded to the winner of the class for one year was on display as well as the bronze participation medallions, which were awarded to each entry that showed in the class. Cindy Wolf of Versailles, Kentucky was the artist who rendered these exquisite pieces of art.
World Champion Horse Equipment along with David Freedman Harness are important sponsors of this class. World Champion Horse Equipment donated two weanling sheets for the winner and reserve winner of the yearling class and two-year-old class in the years to come. David Freedman, handcrafted a beautiful weanling show halter and will stay on board for the next five years adding a yearling show bridle and a piece of handcrafted tack still yet to be determined for the two-year-old class. A friend of the event has given $1000 for the next five years to help with the sponsorship of the cocktail reception.
The 2003 Bluegrass Futurity stallion auction will be held in January and dates and location will be provided in the new future. Next year The Bluegrass Futurity will hold it’s inaugural Yearling In Hand class as well as the second weanling class. The purse for the 2003 weanling class is estimated to be approximately $85,000. The yearling class is estimated to be approximately $25,000. Approximately 65 yearlings are eligible for the yearling class.