Callaway's Criterion Retires In Touching Ceremony On Friday Night
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Friday Morning
The session began with a talented group of equitation riders competing for the title in the 13-Year-Old Kentucky Equitation class. They started things off in style and when the cards were turned in, it was Kelsey Price going to the winner’s circle with a unanimous decision. Ellen Wright claimed the reserve finish.
The junior Hackney ponies were next and a group of five came through the gate to vie for their world’s grand championship. Kingsley Acclaim took the title with Lambert Schut in the viceroy for Lambert and Betty Schut. Cindy Ireland piloted Austin Powers to a second place reserve world’s grand champion title.
After two very competitive qualifiers earlier in the week, a great group of park horses returned for their Amateur Three-Gaited Park Horse Stake. All twelve entries turned it on for the judges and the crowd and a real battle for the top slot had the audience cheering. The panel awarded a unanimous decision to stallion and gelding winner and last year’s defending champion, Ninety-Eight Degrees and Chris Nalley. Former world’s grand champion in this division, CH A Step Of Time took the reserve world’s grand championship title with owner Luanne Kilday. Breathe and Alexa Loudon were right in the mix for the top three finish.
Ali DeGray turned in a stellar drive with Free Willy to win the Junior Exhibitor Roadster Pony 13 and Under Championship. The pair claimed a unanimous win and successfully defended last year’s title. Coachlight’s Shock Wave and Kari Jackson put together a great team effort for the reserve title and Tijuana Souvenir, with Dylan Hutson, rounded out the top three.
Six excited young riders put on their game faces for the Walk and Trot Equitation 8 and Under World’s Grand Championship. Lindsey Landrum took the victory pass with another unanimous decision from the judges and retired the Marvin Long Memorial Walk-Trot Challenge Trophy. In the three years that Landrum has competed in walk and trot at Louisville, she showed five times and earned five unanimous decisions. Jessica Northcutt turned in a polished performance for her reserve grand championship title. Kate Lovejoy exited the ring after putting it together for the third place ribbon.
The depth and talent of the show pleasure driving division for the junior exhibitors was showcased in their championship class. They put on a great show for the crowd and worked hard to impress the panel. Last year’s winner, CH Advantage Me, impressed the panel enough to take the title again, this time with Aliyah Asch driving. This is the fourth time this talented team has won this title. Ali DeGray and Kalarama’s High Roller pressed the winners hard to take the reserve grand championship and Ali Wellington teamed I’m The Real Deal to third for the yellow ribbon.
Chris Gantley and Calvin Hobbs were the unanimous winners of the deep Junior Roadster Pony Championship. Gantley drove for Steve and Leanne Golden for the win after winning their qualifier earlier in the week. Jeff McClean and Dasani were the reserve grand champions for Golden Creek in the good class. Tabitha Ireland drove Pretty Impressive to the third place ribbon.
The Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship showcased a big group of young riders working hard for the crowd and they got the crowd cheering them on. CH The Bodega Bay and Tasha Rose Sandler turned in a powerful performance for the win. CH My Korbel, also a proven contender in the division, put together another strong effort for the reserve world’s title with Victoria Woodruff in the irons. Mandy Martin and Ridgefield’s Excessive continued their successful season with the strong top three finish.
Danette Musselman and Lady Hawke successfully defended their title from last year when they were named the winners of the Roadster Under Saddle class for Dr. Scott Bennett. Rompaway and Melinda Moore claimed the reserve in the exciting class.
Just as the junior exhibitors showcased a strong division, the adults faced a very deep quality-filled class for their Adult Show Pleasure Driving Championship. Horses and drivers alike were beautifully turned out and made the class a pleasure to watch. The panel named Harlem’s Proud Mary and Misdee Wrigley the world’s grand champions after a great team effort. Terri Dolan and Harlem’s Strong Will put it all together to claim the reserve world’s title and age group winner River Dance was third with Dr. Randall Finken.
Kelsey Price earned her second victory pass of the day and the title of Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited 13 and Under World’s Grand Champion after piloting Fox De Jour to the top of the big class. Mountainview’s Agape didn’t want to wait for the reserve ribbon with Patsy Loeb but they successfully picked up their ribbon and exited to loud applause from the crowd for their reserve world’s championship. Caramac’s Capital Gain and Lindsey Shields teamed up for third place.
The two-year-old walk trot horses were split and both sections featured talented young equines with long careers ahead of them. Clark Clouse took the victory pass in section one with Radiante. Sired by Radiant Sultan, the winners left the ring with the top prize and cheers for owner Pamela Boyers. Longshadow Sovereign Spirit, sired by Sovereign Memories, had a big fan club cheering when Peter Cowart rode to accept the reserve ribbon for Billie Jo and Spencer Mains. Holy Grail, sired by Revival, was third with Melissa Moore showing.
Winner of the second section, Marching Orders, was awfully proud of himself when he took the victory pass after an explosive performance. Sired by Merchant Prince, Marching Orders and Tres Lee took the world’s title for Fox Grape Farm. The Periaptor-sired The Woodsider and Jackie Tanner left the ring with their share of the crowd’s support as the reserve winners for Bob Facciola. Horace Taft rounded out the top three in section two for owner and breeder Elisabeth Goth. Gregory Maldonado showed the two-year-old by Exalted Effect for Goth.
Chelsea Jo Roby put the icing on the cake of a successful season so far by capturing the Walk and Trot Equitation 9-10 World’s Grand Championship. Callie Smith had to settle for the reserve finish. Both girls have posted numerous wins all season long and turned in polished performances for their world’s titles. Caroline Skinner was knocking on the door for third in the entertaining class.
Lexington champion, Seamair’s Dear Sir, put a delighted Max Kaplan in the winner’s circle for the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Pony Driving Championship title. The win gave the pair their second world’s grand championship in a row for the division. Ali DeGray returned to the ring for another top ribbon with Rumor Has It. DeGray drove her pony to the reserve finish. Proven contenders Alyssa Lopez and Goin’ My way were able to team up for third.
Mary Gaylord McClean took the victory pass in the Junior Harness Pony Championship with Shake Don’t Stir. B.R.S. The Phantom scored the reserve grand championship for Ann Hailey with Rodney Hicks driving.
The junior exhibitors were next with their roadster ponies under saddle. When they turned it on for speed, they turned on the crowd as well and had the audience cheering them on. Boxford Courageous Spirit captured the nod from the panel to take the blue prize for Wyatt and Christine DeHart. Renee Zubrod successfully catch-rode Rolls Royce to the reserve title for owner Gary Dickherber and Rowdy Yank, winner of the class last year, rounded out the top three with owner Sarah Sessoms on board.
The final class of the afternoon, the UPHA Adult Equitation National Championship, featured a proven group on their quest to be named national champions. Using the SEN system, the panel asked the entire group to perform the workout then dismissed the group to the warm up ring before presenting the top 10 ribbons.
When the call to return was made the following riders were awarded a top 10 ribbon and came through the gate accompanied by their instructors as their names were called. Jamie Hitchin returned with Bill and Lisa Waller; Sarah Van Galder with Scott and Carol Matton; Georgia Prussell with her instructor; Lane Rabin with Jeanette Durant; Stephanie Sedlacko and Nealia McCracken; Kelly Perez with Jimmy and Helen Robertson; Cristina Sloan with Brenda Benner; Kendra Fisher with her sister Shelly Fisher; Morgan Wolin with Steve and Julia Joyce; and Allison Beard with Bill and Lisa Rodgers.
Last year’s winner, Jonelle Chovanec, helped present the trophy and ribbons to winner Kendra Fisher. Cristina Sloan was named the reserve national champion. Friday Evening
Eight two-year-olds started the evening session with their ASHA Kentucky Futurity Fine Harness class. Whenever two-year-olds are in the ring, anything can happen, but the class proceeded smoothly and all eight were in top form for the panel of judges. When the cards were turned in the panel was in complete agreement that It’s Tea Time, by It’s Hammertime, should make owner Jan Henderson more than $11,000 richer. Jim Taylor handled the winning drive for Henderson. A very elated Christy Weaver cheered her roan two-year-old Strawberry Pie, by Black Bottom Pie, as the youngster and Chris Gantley picked up the reserve ribbon and their sizable check. At First Sight, by CF First Night Out, took the yellow ribbon with Sam Stafford driving for Sally Parker and Blythewood Farms.
Phillipa Sledge had already been having a tremendous week when she came through the gate for the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship. Riding her defending champion and amateur over two winner, Yes It’s True, Sledge once again took the top prize in one of the best classes of the evening. A formidable field of top contenders really made it anybody’s game and after a powerful performance, Strapless claimed the reserve grand championship with Ceil Wheeler to add to the blue ribbon from the amateur under two class. Amateur under two reserve champion Callaway’s Buttons and Bows earned the third place ribbon with Mary Gaylord McClean.
The Amateur Harness Pony Championship pitted a great group of ponies against each other but according to the panel, none could top Joan Jett. As Mary Gaylord McClean prepared to take the victory pass, announcer Peter Fenton told the audience that the win gave Golden Creek Farm their 140th world’s championship title. Vindicator, still in top form and going strong, turned in a strong effort for the reserved world’s grand championship to add to his long list of world’s titles. Christy Weaver and Nacho Mama claimed the top three finish in the competitive class.
The junior exhibitor walk-trot riders faced deep deep classes earlier in the week and returned to face strong competition again in their Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited 13 and Under Championship. After a very good class the elegant entries lined up to await the judges decisions. The panel named section one reserve champion Callaway’s Sunday Edit the world’s grand champion with Kyle Gagnon. Winner of section two qualifier, French Silk Stockings, was the reserve grand champion with Allison Combs.
Callaway’s Arbitrator and Ashley Birdsong have been to the winner’s circle in Freedom Hall before and they topped a really competitive field to add the Amateur Ladies Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship title to their win list. Boo! and Barbara Goodman Manilow left the ring with their share of applause and the reserve world’s grand championship title. Callaway’s Independence Day was right there for third with Misdee Wrigley.
The roadster to bike horses sped things up as the amateurs returned for their championship. Spill the Ink and William Shatner put together the winning effort to take the coveted tricolor. 2002 grand champion Gingerbread Man finished with the reserve title with Danny Bugg in the bike for Melinda Moore. Dirt Devil and Deborah Butler continued their successful partnership by capturing the third place ribbon in the class.
The ASHA Kentucky Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity showcased gorgeous harness youngsters vying for big prize money and the winning ribbon. When the cards were turned in it was the Merchant Prince-sired The Great Gaspar and Carter Cox going to the winner's circle for Dr. and Mrs. Simon Fredricks. Sired by Santana’s Charm, I’m a Lucky Charm was named the reserve champion for Merrill Murray with Dena Lopez driving. Elisabeth Goth’s youngster, Fever, finished in third. Sired by War Image and out of former three-gaited world’s grand champion Hollywood Excellence, Fever captured a considerable amount of prize money for the yellow ribbon. Last year’s two-year-old futurity champion Laguna Niguel, left the ring to a huge ovation from the crowd and the fourth place ribbon.
The crowd had another opportunity to cheer Michele Macfarlane when she rode Sprinkles to the Adult Five-Gaited Show Pleasure World’s Grand Championship. Sprinkles topped a very competitive field in the class. Chris Nalley continued his successful week with the reserve grand championship ride on board Callaway’s Rockaway. High In The Sky and Pam Milligan claimed the yellow ribbon and Teresa Vonderschmitt rode CH Callaway’s Capitol Reporter to fourth.
When the lights dimmed, the crowd prepared for a wonderful tribute to World’s Grand Champion CH Callaway’s Criterion. Alice Nunley presented the grand gelding for his final victory pass in Freedom Hall while her heartfelt tribute was read to the appreciative crowd by Peter Fenton.
The Hackney pairs class entertained the crowd and Dinwiddie Lampton dominated the entries with three of the five pairs competing. Lampton turned in his trademark drive to the delight of the crowd and when his pair of Hackney ponies Diamond’s Show N Off and Avant were named the champions he received a standing ovation from the crowd as Peter Fenton announced that he was 90 years old. Misdee Wrigley turned in the reserve drive with her elegant pair of Hackney horses Brickell Robert and Brickell Master.
Nelson Green added to an already terrific week for Ceil and Kenny Wheeler when he rode junior stallion and gelding reserve champion Walterway’s Remember Me to the Junior Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship. Winner of the mare’s class Along Came A Spider finished with the reserved world’s title with George Knight for Georgia Baker. Peter Cowart was on board She’s a Red Hot Chili Pepper for third for owner Sharyn Lackey.
Mary McClean made it number 141 when amateur 18-50 champion Heartland Production was named the Amateur Roadster Pony World’s Grand Champion. My Party Manners and Jane Mueller followed up their amateur 50 and over world’s championship with the reserve grand championship. Heartland Sundust moved way up in the ribbons to claim the third place tie with Mary Gise.
Carol Hillenbrand added yet another world’s title to her list with the Amateur Ladies Three-Gaited World’s Grand Championship with ladies amateur under two champion In My Heart. The quality-filled class showcased a group of world-class contenders competing for the title. Melody Adler and ladies amateur over two world’s champion City Lady turned in a performance worthy of the reserve world’s grand championship and ladies amateur under two reserve champion CH Americana’s Jazz Man was third with Phillipa Sledge.
The junior exhibitors competing in their ASHAF Youth Fine Harness Driving Challenge Finals were dressed to the nines and had their horses on the mark for the judging panel. Ashley Baird was pretty in pink when she took the victory pass with Star Spangled Steel. Ali DeGray continued her top ribbon count when By Honor Bound was named the reserve champion. Kelsey Price drove Lucky Vision to third place honors for Dr. Scott Bennett.
Fittingly, the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship ended the outstanding slate of classes for the evening. The deep class offered a great showcase of talented gaited horses and the crowd responded with cheers for their favorites. The Full Monty and Elizabeth Shatner turned in the winning ride to give Belle Reve Farm it’s second championship of the night. I’m A Treat left the ring to huge applause with Deborah Visser and Barbara Manilow turned in a competitive ride for the third place finish.
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