Callaways Forecaster Crowned Five-Gaited World's Grand Champion
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Saturday Morning
The Saturday morning session may have started at 9 a.m., but the ring was surrounded by interested trainers and spectators who wanted to see the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding Stake. Beautiful youngster after beautiful youngster entered the ring. The judges pinned Hollywood Agent, an embryo transfer baby out of CH Hollywood Excellence by Exalted Effect, with the top prize. Larry Hodge drove the young gelding for Elisabeth Goth. Tre Lee earned the reserve honors for Dr Gene Scott with Coco Loco. Tom Lee's black standout, VHF The Licorice Drop Kid, took the third place ribbon.
Dakota Willimon repeated her 2002 win in the Kentucky Rider 14-17 Equitation Championship under Rob and Sarah Byers direction. Willimon had earned her moment with wins this season at Rock Creek, Lexington and Shelbyville and a world's title in the 17-year-old equitation class. Whitney Irwin received an appreciative applause for her reserve performance and Clinton Jury rounded out the top three.
Bonnie Lee was delighted as she watched ringside while her new property I'm Irresistible Too and Lisa Strickland made the victory lap in the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Mare Stake. Todd Graham drove Pinekrest Delta Force to the reserve finish for the Pinekrest Farm. Dianna Rannells and The Last Straw finished in third for the Stonecroft Farm.
The Junior Equitation Championship featured a ring full of talented young riders. Eight riders were selected to do the workout and Alexandra Flynn was flawless to earn the championship title. Kyle Gagnon was honored with a reserve championship. Both riders earned the respect and appreciation of the crowd. Ashley Stine earned a third place championship ribbon to accompany her blue from the 11-year-old equitation class.
With 24 entries eligible to return in the Country Pleasure Championship, 23 riders entered the ring. Kendra Fisher was delighted to be called to the winners circle aboard CH Bi Mi Add Lib. Carol Hillenbrand and her multi-titled Callaway's Blue Agate earned the reserve championship ribbon after winning her age group qualifier earlier in the week. Turn of the Century and Charlene Edwards followed stablemate Hillenbrand in the ribbons to take the third place tie.
Elizabeth Shatner wasn't about to let husband Bill have all the fun. She made her own victory pass in the Amateur Roadster Under Saddle Class aboard All Glory, an entry of the Belle Reve Farm. Melody Adler and Where Are We Now were pushing the winners all the way to earn the reserve ribbon. Deborah Koning and Pretty Woman took the third place ribbon back to a delighted David Crockett.
Glenn T. Werry is no stranger to the winners circle and he added another world's championship title to Hazard County's resume with a win in the Junior Exhibitor Roadster Pony Championship. Hazard County is owned by the Glenmoore Farm. Heartland Wonderful Miss and Abby Jones were close on their heels with a strong reserve championship performance for the Creekridge Stables.
The Adult Show Pleasure Championship was won in 2002 by CH Uncle Abe and Travis Van Zetten, under the Hollow Haven banner. This year it was another Hollow Haven team that made the victory pass in the full class. Ericka Nelson and CH Blackberry Delight were bright and beautiful to earn the championship title. Carol Hillenbrand and The Bess Yet picked up their second reserve championship of the day after winning their age group. A lovely Mary Jane Gralton was all smiles as she picked up the third place ribbon aboard A Magic Spell.
Lora and Sonny Johnstone's Platinum Stock Farm continues to enjoy excellent stock. Todd Graham drove Platinum's First Asset to the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Mare Stake win. Peter Palmer and Petunia followed with an outstanding performance for Carl Fischer.
It was nice to see Ali Judah earn the victory pass in the Junior Exhibitor 13 & Under Show Pleasure Championship aboard CH Riva Diva. The multi-titled team won the 12-13 age group class earlier in the week not to mention wins at Kentucky Spring Premier, Rock Creek and Asheville this season. CH Laguardia and Barrett Clifton were in top form to earn the reserve championship and CH Sweet Virginia and Kelly Ricker earned the third place ribbon after winning this same class in 2002.
The Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding Stake attracted lots of attention with a ring full of outstanding youngsters. Mark Webster was the man of the hour as he piloted Black Diamond Mega Star to the winner's circle for Llerrem Farm LLC. Bobby Gatlin and Bagger Vance pushed the winners hard to settle for the reserve championship. It's OO Deuce and Dan Flowers picked up the third place ribbon and the appreciation of the crowd for their efforts.
The ribbon and trophy from the Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Show Pleasure Championship have to travel all the way back to New Hampshire to get home. Undulata's Jimmy Hollywood and Careen Dubuc completed an amazing week by winning the championship as well as the qualifier under Kevin Tomasko's direction. Christy Bennett and The Bachelor Prince had made their own victory pass earlier in the week and were delighted to earn the reserve championship win.
The dynamic driving duo of Bob and Nancy Anderson had their first championship victory pass of the day when Nancy Anderson and Callaway's Pretty Penny won the Country Pleasure Driving Championship for the Brown-Anderson Farm. Hometown Commander and Donna Beck earned the reserve championship followed by Ashley Hallock and Sweet Intentions.
The Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure National Futurity Finals feature the Maria Knight Memorial Trainer's Challenge Trophy each year and Bill and Toni Knight and Beth Snider were on hand to present the trophy to the winner. The Maria Knight SCholarship was also announced - Amanda Wright of Wrighthall Stables won the scholarship. Rob Byers was the lucky winner of the class with a unanimous decision for Byers and Nurse Goodbody, an entry owned by Pam and Bruce Milligan. Smith Lilly presented My Southern Charm to the reserve finish for Robin McKenzie Vuillermet. Erin Boggs and Mama Loves Mambo were a beautiful team to earn third place honors for the Burlington Saddlebreds.
The second half of the dynamic driving duo was equally successful as Bob Anderson piloted Pacifico's Standing Ovation to the pony's second straight win of the Hackney Pleasure Driving Championship. Heartland Special Special and Jackie Stred earned reserve honors in the class followed by Anna Marie Knipp and One More Time.
Kendyl Tracy and Midtown Man made it two years in a row in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship. Shana Jo Brown and Cloverleaf's Pocketful of Miracles were the reserve champions followed by Spice Queen and Lindsay Taylor.
The final class of the morning performance featured another repeat winner. Amanda Bell, now under the direction of Chris Reiser, and HMS Royal Winds won the Three-Gaited Park Stake. John Biggins had to settle for the reserve finish aboard Another Bay, an entry owned by Brennan Baumer. Jenny Taylor and CH Holy Fruit Salad were a beautiful team to earn the third place finish.
Saturday Evening
Anticipation filled the air as the Louisville Orchestra Brass Players started off Saturday evening's session. It was the final night of the 100th anniversary celebration and the large crowd quickly filled their seats for what promised to be an exciting night of competition. Throughout the night, the three previously viewed videotape presentations and one new video presentation were played to take a look at Louisville over the last 100 years. Throughout each of the presentations, the crowd erupted into applause as incredible champions both past and present graced the screen.
By the time the first class entered the ring, the crowd was ready and they quickly picked up on their favorite in the Ladies Five-Gaited Championship. Callaway's Born To Win and Gayle Lampe enjoyed the applause as much as they did the championship ribbon and trophies. Title Bound and Elisabeth Goth racked and trotted to an exciting second.
The pace of the Roadster Pony Grand Championship was briefly interrupted by a thrown shoe which was replaced for Desert Prince. It was a wise move as Ronnie Graham returned the well-decorated pony, Desert Prince, to the rail to blow by the competition and earn the championship title. Josh Greer and last year's Junior Roadster Pony World's Champion Seamair Strutter earned the reserve grand championship in 2003. Triumphant and Gib Marcucci earned the third place honors for Jane Mueller.
Aurora Borealis and Aimee Langer have enjoyed a stellar season with an impressive win at Lexington. They returned to the Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Three-Gaited Championship ready to take on the competition and they were successful to earn their first world's grand championship. CH The Showstopper and Jessica Holmes pressed the winners all the way to earn the reserve championship. Pagan Prince and Laura Dozer had a good ride for Erin Sembler to earn the yellow ribbon.
Darrel Kolkman earned the first of what would be two world's grand champion pony titles on Saturday evening in the Harness Pony Grand Championship. Heartland King of Kings and Kolkman made an elegant presentation to the winners circle. Par Excellence and Karen Waldron followed the winners while Heartland Heiress and Ruth Gimpel earned the third place honors for James and Helen Rosburg.
The anticipation for the Three-Gaited Grand Championship had been building all week. Last year's World's Grand Champion An Heir About Her had returned for another bid at the title and had won the junior under 2 qualifier earlier in the week. Royal Messenger and Melissa Moore had enjoyed an incredible year and were expected to give the 2002 World's Grand Champion a run for her money. Debbie Foley and last year's junior world's grand champion Callaway's Sugarplum were also knocking at the door.
The reigning champion was incredible from the moment she entered the ring and while Moore and Messenger were also on their game, there was little doubt when the class lined up and stripped that another repeat winner was to be crowned. Chris Reiser's smile lit up the arena as he made that incredible victory pass for the second year in a row for owner Steve Hanes.
Royal Messenger and Melissa Moore earned the reserve championship for Robert Lilley and Callaway's Merry Go Round and Neil Visser rounded out the top three for Jenny Turner Garlington.
The World's Championship Horse Show inducted six new members into its Hall of Fame this evening. Charles Lowell Cook, Cornelia Serpell, Leon Simms, Lee Shipman, George Knight and Mary Gaylord McClean. Look for the individual presentations which were printed in the World's Championship Horse Show Program elsewhere in Saddle Horse Report.
The Roadster to Bike Grand Championship brought even more spectators to the rail, but the hard-driving competitors quickly pushed them back from the rail as waves of green shavings flew at every turn. Raymond Shively and Invincible Summer were not to be denied and returned to the winner's circle for the second year, this time under the ownership of Judy McNeish. Geronimo and Danny Bugg left no room for error with a daring drive to the reserve finish and Marilyn Macfarlane had a great drive aboard Braveheart to earn the third place ribbon.
Julie Anne Wroble met Lisa McClaren in the winners circle aboard CH Chandler after an exciting Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Five-Gaited Championship. Last year Chandler and McClaren won the 14-15 age group and this year they returned to win the 16-17 age group, but this was the team's first world's grand championship. Tiffany Trueman piloted My Teddy Bheir to the reserve championship and Ross Berger and his brand new mount The Great Gazoo finished in third.
The 2001-2002 World's Grand Champion Callaway's Copyright was back in the Fine Harness Championship to defend his title and despite a talented field of challengers, John T. Jones and Copyright were not to be denied. Fox Grape Farms is proud to own this three time world's grand champion. Lynda Freseth and Kalarama's New Sensation made a beautiful presentation for Guy and Karen Smith to earn the reserve world's grand championship for the second year in a row. Danette Musselman and Dances on Air drove to the third place finish for the Misty Hills Farm.
The unparallelled Heartland Equality returned to Freedom Hall this year for the 100th celebration. The 1999-2000 Hackney Pony World's Grand Champion and 1998-1999-2000 UPHA Classics Champion has captured hearts every time he has entered the showring. After a two year hiatus, the chestnut pony was back and he was everything he was expected to be. Darrel Kolkman put his grandson in the buggy with him to make this memorable victory pass. Kenny Wheeler and Fancy Ribbons evened out the crowd reaction as a sentimental favorite and outstanding challenger. The Saddlebred world continues to mourn the loss of Sallie Wheeler and with the celebration of her birthday during the week of Louisville and with the crowd's appreciation for trainer John Shea, Wheeler enjoyed a great deal of crowd support for his reserve performance. Heartland Triumphant King and Gib Marcucci earned the third place ribbon for Mrs. Alan Robson, who was sorely missed at this year's show.
As is the tradition, each entry in the Five-Gaited Grand Championship entered the ring individually as their names were called and to strains of My Old Kentucky Home. It was a well-matched crowd throughout the field. When they lined up three horses were sent back to the rail, but there could just have easily been five or six. The mare champion Adelita and Larry Hodge; the stud and the showman, Superior's Successor and Merrill Murray; and the multi-titled gelding and his amateur rider, Callaway's Forecaster and Nancy Leigh Fisher returned to the rail. With crowd support for all three horses and a crowd who had looked forward to this moment all year long, the atmosphere was electric. Pass after pass, the mare, the gelding and the stud went at it. When they returned to the lineup at the far end of the arena with Nancy Leigh Fisher between the two trainers, Peter Doubleday couldn't resist commenting that it was "a rose between two thorns."
Nancy Leigh Fisher fulfilled her lifelong dream of winning the Five-Gaited World's Grand Championship with the powerful Callaway's Forecaster who has carried her to so many victory passes before. Lynda and Andy Freseth leapt into the ring to meet the team and to place those incredible red roses on his back. Adelita and Larry Hodge earned the reserve championship for the David Rudder family and CH Superior 's Successor finsished in third for owner Joan Hammond. Melissa Moore and Swish had a fabulous ride and although they missed the workout, clearly earned the fourth place tie. Tammy Devore gave it her all aboard Jewel's Teton to earn the fifth place tie. Tigerlee and George Knight were also crowd favorites to earn the sixth place ribbon. Molligny Don't Worry Be Happy and Melinda Moore and Rinanti Cock Robbin and Paul Cates finished out the honors in the class.
This highlights the competition at the Centennial of Champions 2003 World's Championship Horse Show. For complete results, see the searchable results at www.saddlehorsereport.com or see the judges cards, results and pictorial coverage in Saddle Horse Report and Horse World.
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