Centerpiece Marks Centerpoint of MGN
Friday, October 10, 2003
Wednesday – Coliseum
Wednesday morning began with an unfortunate accident. Tim Arcuri was working his final horse of the morning in Barn 7 when the horse bumped him up against the wall at a point in the wall where there was a metal sill protruding. Arcuri suffered a serious laceration and his ankle was broken. He was taken to the hospital where he is stable, but will be having surgery on his ankle on Thursday.
His son Ryan and wife Jean were with him much of the day at the hospital, but with their help and the help of their staff including Craig Clapp and their supportive customers, everyone who was scheduled to ride still made it into the ring. Lisa Howa even collected a unanimous victory in the Roadster Horse Under Saddle Class with Mt. Holly Isaiah, a victory that probably meant as much to Tim Arcuri as to anyone.
In the coliseum, activities began with the Four-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Geldings. A terrific class kick started the morning with David Rand collecting the first title of the day driving MEM La Vida Loca for Lexie Ellsworth. The team of Jim Lowry and IGF Coeur Et Ame pushed them all the way to earn the reserve title for Donna Zimmerman.
Junior exhibitors from coast to coast converged on the coliseum for the classic pleasure saddle competition for 16 and 17 year old riders. Brittany Davis and Plum Haven Minuet will take the honors back with them to Monmouth, Ore., for owners Neal and Sally Plumley under the direction of Forest Nealon. Kristin Johnson received a rousing round of applause for her reserve finish aboard Boomtown owned by Dr. Grace Steere.
With so many ladies on hand with their classic pleasure driving geldings, the class was split. First in the ring and the last one out in the first section was Frances Pugh who was truly delighted with the victory by her beloved Tara’s War Eagle. Ken and Diana Swanson pinned the blue ribbon on for the Tara Farm entry. Sarah Moses and her Hylee’s Moon Phantom earned reserve honors in the competitive class.
In the second section, it was Hollybrook Independence and Cathy Minard making an elegant presentation to earn the top awards for Minard’s 21st Century Morgans as the blue ribbons in both sections went back to the state of North Carolina. Cricket Coleman and the reigning Classic Pleasure Driving World Champion Stonecroft Sedona also made a beautiful pair to earn the reserve Grand National title directed by The River’s Edge.
A much smaller group competed for the Park Saddle Youth Finals, but it was no less competitive. Stephanie Jones posted another win for her family, who are enjoying a stellar show already. She rode NAS Simpatico for Dr. Robert Jones and family. Meredith Lazar and her former equitation partner Liberation Knickerbocker earned the reserve finish under the Crystal Farms banner.
The winning team of Jack Gatewood and Cedar Creek Vizcaya were at the top of their game to earn a unanimous victory in the Classic Pleasure Driving Mares wearing the colors of Cedar Creek Farm. The Georgia-based team of P.D. May and Whitemud Forever Sunbeam picked up the reserve honors with a polished performance.
Bellisima and Judy Whitney Harris were primed for whatever competition they encountered. Two other horses came to compete, but had there been twenty, the impressive son of world champions HVK Bell Flaire and Schiaparelli knew his mission and captured the Four-Year-Old Park Saddle Mare and Gelding title for Barbara and Arthur Jones. Joel Chauran and Tomeri Bella Riviera created their own fan club with a strong reserve performance for the Tomeri Morgans.
Wow! Just imagine how good the Four-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Championship is going to be. With outstanding classes in the geldings, mares and stallions, the audience and competitors can hardly wait. Last year’s Three-Year-Old Futurity World Champion DreamMaster J’st Sharper and Gerry Rushton were sharp as a tack to collect the unanimous victory in the 10-entry mare class for Bill and Connie Myers. Minion Starlette and Ann Anderson also received applause from the crowd for their lovely reserve performance for the Livingston Morgans.
Two classes later, the stallions were on the docket and Bill Grundmeyer directed Fire Run Farm’s exceptional Centerpience son FRF Exodus to the winner’s circle with a unanimous decision by the judges. Gene Olesen and WSG Circumstan’l Evidence earned the reserve decision for William and Shirley Givens.
Don’t forget David Rand and MEM La Vida Loca from earlier in the session. And don’t miss these great horses coming back together on Sunday!
Nestled in between the junior horses was the junior exhibitor competition for riders 14 and 15 and their classic pleasure horses. Angela Padgham was all smiles aboard DVF Lonesome Dove to make the victory pass for Kathy Padgham. Bono in Command GIN and Leigh Fitzgerald took the reserve honors in the good class.
After a nice lengthy break, classes resumed with the Three-Year-Old Park Harness World Futurity. There wasn’t a spot on the rail left as trainers and exhibitors crowded forward to see the California sensation they had all heard about. SLB Da Vinci and Robert Hughes were floating on air as they made their victory pass for Sheryl Bartolucci. Judy Whitney Harris has been there way too many times to let anyone off easy. She was gunning the whole way with last year’s Two-Year-Old Futurity World Champion Sheza Bell to be rewarded with the reserve finish for owners Barbara and Arthur Jones.
Eight four-year-old western pleasure mares performed for the afternoon crowd. A huge cry went up in the crowd when Amy Reisdorf’s number was called. Reisdorf showed Delaware’s Night Life to her second victory pass of the show. Mary Carlton exhibited her own beautiful sense of style in presentation and performance to collect reserve honors for Richard Weaver aboard Iron Forge Diamonds R Blue.
Next up were the junior exhibitors 13 and under with their classic pleasure driving horses. The competition was at full tilt, when an observant ringmaster and photographer insisted that a young driver pull into the center as her buggy wheel was about to come off. Peggy Alderman quickly assessed the situation, called for a new buggy, made the appropriate changes, and sent Katherine Alderman back to the rail to complete the class with Cedar Creek Tour De Force. They were rewarded with the reserve finish for their efforts behind the talented team of Amabayus and Richard Jones who won their second Grand National title of the week for the Dr. Robert Jones family. Phil Fountain directs this talented team.
Jennifer Chowning was delighted to best a field of twenty entries in the Ladies Western Pleasure Geldings aboard Park Place Dominion. Judy Nason and Pondview Picante were awarded the reserve finish for owners Jill and Steven Tassinari.
Six park saddle mares and geldings took center stage next in the first preliminary to Sunday evening’s grand finale in the Park Saddle World Championship. Kimberly Caisse and HVK Madonna were up for the challenge. They were rewarded with the support of the crowd and were named the unanimous victors for owners Phil and Gloria Blevins to follow the Blevins big win a night earlier with HVK Vibrance. Amy Neifert made an excellent performance aboard CBMF Great Balls of Fire to be rewarded with the reserve honors for the Copper Beech Morgan Farm.
Teri Brisco had watched one of her horses’ win a little earlier in the day, now it was her turn to have that much fun. Brisco and Tomeri Tiamo bested a field of ten with a unanimous victory in the Ladies Classic Pleasure Driving Mare Class. This talented team won its second title of the week prepared by Gerry Rushton and Stacy Hennessy. The top two ribbons went back to California as Mona Skager and her Miss Voodoo earned reserve honors in the competitive class.
With seventeen in the Hunter Pleasure Youth Finals, the competition was stiff. Carrie Klooster and Nanton’s Bossanova proved up to the challenge and made that special victory pas s directed by Dragonfire Farm. Emily Kelly and Magenta’s Picture Perfect were hot on their heels with a strong reserve performance for Baccarat Farms.
Riders in the of AMHA Western Seat Gold Medal Finals qualified on Sunday, 13 riders were asked to return, and they each came ready to perform a challenging workout and to make their bid at the title of AMHA Western Seat Gold Medal Champion. Morgan Glenn was judged the best of the best with a grand display of style of precision. She presented Vega Santa Fe to the gold medal victory directed by Mary Carlton. Lindsay Perry turned in an outstanding performance of her own aboard Winsation’s Bojangles to earn the reserve title directed by Coby Clark.
Wednesday evening’s session began with the Road Hack Finals. There were so many horses that they were split into two groups and each class worked individually. In both sections, the top eight were selected and the two groups returned to face off against one another.
When the work was done both the champion and the reserve champion came from the second section of horses. Highover Audacious and Melissa Grubbs saw all their hard work pay off to make the victory pass for Lisa and Paul LaRochelle under the CPM banner. Amie VanDorn and her Watch Me Till Dawn were the reserve champions.
Judy Whitney Harris knows how to put on a show and together she and Key Biscayne did just that with a pleasing solo performance in the Four-Year-Old Park Stallion class. Ron and Lori Skover bred and own last year’s glistening chestnut Three-Year-Old Park Saddle World Champion.
Inge Johnsen and Goldencrest Aleksis brought a tricolor back to Canada in their first time in the Oklahoma winner’s circle. They bested a field of 12 entries to top the Junior Classic Pleasure Saddle Finals prepared by Bill Grundmeyer. Ann Beveridge and the elegant ESS Fleur De Lis earned the reserve honors in the class for owner Ernestine Smith.
Two-year-olds can always be unpredictable, after a winning performance What’s My Line appeared to have other plans when he was called out the winner of the Two-Year-Old Park Harness World Futurity. Stan Bodnar drove the Cristy Rafn owned entry in a winning performance, however, when they moved to pull out of the lineup, the horse kicked and broke both shafts of the cart. They were quickly and ably assisted in removing the cart from the horse, as Bodnar longlined the On Line son to the crowd’s applause on the victory pass. Perfectly appropriate for a two-year-old they call “Line” anyway. James Lowry drove Priscilla Moore Marconi’s entry Ultra’s Angel to a commanding reserve performance and were rewarded with a strong vote of approval from the audience.
Allyson Hughes and Morningdance topped 10 entries in the Ladies Western Pleasure Mares to bring another blue ribbon to the state of Florida. Lori Marino-Beasley and Starz on Stage made a good showing to earn reserve in the good class.
After Tim Arcuri’s accident, it was an emotional Arcuri Stables crowd cheering on Lisa Howa in the Roadster Under Saddle Finals. Howa made a determined, balanced ride aboard Mt. Holly Isaiah to unanimously win the class for the second year in a row. Jason Harrell directed the many time champion Trijas Peter Pepper to the reserve finish for Marilyn North.
The aptly named JW Allfour had all four white feet stepping high to claim the Three-Year-Old English Pleasure World Futurity title under Judy Whitney Harris’ ownership and direction. MEM Reality Check and Missy Hanover earned the reserve world championship with a bright showing for owner Judi Voss.
The Classic Pleasure Driving Stallion and Gelding class featured 12 top entries all determined to impress the judging panel. Tim Roesink leapt from the rail to join John Evans and CSH Corydon’s Eclipse in the winner’s circle to celebrate the victory in only their second show together. John McDonald also seemed pleased as he greeted John Aranda and GC Premonition with the reserve ribbon.
When it was time for the final class of the evening, it was appropriate that at the centerpoint of the weeklong show that a sensation named Centerpiece would capture everyone’s attention. Melissa Ann Cribley-Wahl and Centerpiece quickly grabbed the attention of the crowd with an explosive performance for the unanimous Park Saddle Stallions victory Michael and Karen Super bred and own the standout entry that Melissa and Mark Wahl train.
Continental Vision has set the standard in the park saddle division in the 21st century and his adoring fans showed their support as Scott Thacker directed him to the reserve performance on this evening for Tall Tails Farm. This class helps to set the stage for what is sure to be a grand finale on Sunday evening with perhaps some surprises in store!
Wednesday – Show Arena 6
Twenty-four entries started off Wednesday with outstanding competition in the show arena in barn 6. The Ladies Amateur Western Pleasure Gelding Class was split into two sections of twelve horses each. Anne Morgan and Shaker’s Lustrate captured the first title to post that blue ribbon on the Cape Cod Farm tack room wall. Virginia Adams and He’s Simply Marvelous topped the second section for the grand gelding’s third victory pass of the week. Iron Forge Be Blue and Victoria Clayton and Love’s Masterpiece and Jessica Keith earned reserve honors in the two classes, respectively.
Samantha Schuring and Precious M Fleet Command will be taking the Junior Exhibitor 11 and Under Hunter Pleasure title back to California to owner Melissa Hart and proud trainers Earl and Jenny McFall. Lauren Drum and her TRE X’s and O’s earned reserve honors in the class of seven entries.
Hunter and western competition continued throughout the morning with Stephanie Shearer and Delaware’s Night Life besting a field of ten to earn the Ladies Amateur Western Pleasure Mare honors in the black mare’s first of two victory passes on the day. Ling Fu Wylie and last year’s two-time Grand National champion Burkland Elegant Lady made a beautiful reserve performance for Dragonsmeade.
Two splits of the Junior Exhibitor 12 and 13-Year-Old Hunter Pleasure class each featured 14 entries. Jordan Cusumano and Blk Orchid Ace Commander topped the first section followed by last year’s 13 and under World Champion Futurity’s Roman Torch and Merin Maggi.
The second split showcased BMF Unforgettable and Kindra Kauf, earning a trip to the winner’s circle. This team certainly enjoyed their trip in their first time to Oklahoma prepared by Bill Grundmeyer for Fire Run Farm. The hardworking Florida team of Illustra Mahogany Row and Shelly Partridge earned reserve honors.
When you beat a field of 18 entries, you know you have earned your Grand National title. Meagan Drew did just that with Tara’s Apache in the Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17 Western Pleasure Class. Haley Coplen and HDD Wild Thing pressed hard the whole time but had to settle for reserve honors.
Two splits of the Ladies Hunter Pleasure Gelding class each featured 13 entries. Kathleen Peeples was back in the winner’s circle. This time she directed the smooth striding Indian Creek Final Touch to the win in the first section for the Brown/Klein family. Jennifer Chowning and Chintimini Bravo Charlie earned reserve honors in the first section for owner Pamela Engblom.
The second section featured Jennifer McFall brining another blue ribbon to Dragonfire Farm with her winning performance aboard Lightyear for Melissa Hart. Jennifer Lalone and reserve world champion CHC Ollie O followed in reserve for owner Helen Westphal.
Ellen McQuade and Kane Creek Kryptonite made the final victory pass of the morning in the Junior Exhibitor 14 and 15 Western Pleasure Class representing Rolling Oaks Farm. Katie Teevin directed WSG Bolero to the reserve finish for the Timberland Morgans LLC.
When the afternoon resumed it was time for 16 entries to compete for the Hunter Hack Finals. Jessica Marsh and Marvelous Razzmatazz bested the field though Julie Pickering and Mineral’s Country Playboy made them work for it and were rewarded with the reserve finish.
Precious little Samantha Burroughs won the Walk-Trot 9 and Under Hunter Seat Equitation finals under the direction of John McDonald. Miranda Scholl also made a good show for reserve with instruction from proud mom Heidi Scholl,
The 10-11 year old walk-trot finals showcased even more mature skills from the winning team of Carly Dodrill and Jax Untouchable Olivia Alexandra Lahr earned the reserve honors in the class thanks to impeccable instruction from Cheryl Woosley. .
Wednesday – Show Arena 9
Sixteen entries started off the morning early in the show arena in barn 9 for the Low Working Hunter II competition. Katie Klooster enjoyed a terrific day in the show ring and she kicked it off with a win in this first class aboard EMR Winchester. PKF Hollywood and Kayla Suzanne Reser earned reserve honors in the class.
Another Klooster owned horse, this one owned by Carrie Klooster, won the next class with Earl McFall directing the multi-titled Nanton’s Bossanova to the victory in the Working Hunter I class. Julie Pickering and her Mineral’s Country Playboy earned reserve honors in the class, just as they did in 2002.
The jumping competition began with the Jumper II class featuring Mallory Mignot and LR Ami Sir Prize capturing the title for Mears Morgans. Elaine Sullins and Hellcat’s Reveille earned reserve honors for Stephanie Wells.
The Klooster sisters were at it again. Katie Klooster was again in the winner’s circle, this time topping the AMHA Hunt Seat Over Fences Gold Medal Finals. Carrie Klooster received reserve honors, so the whole family had reason to celebrate as did instructors Earl and Jenny McFall.
The afternoon session hosted carriage driving and English trail classes. The Gambler’s Choice Single Carriage D riving class had 12 well turned out entries on hand to compete for the title. Cathy Grimes directed her PAF Cajun Moon to the win for the second year in a row. Lookaway’s Black Velvet and Gene Rebman earned reserve honors in the competitive class.
Only two entries made the effort in the Gambler’s Choice Multiple Carriages Class. Victoria Bennett’s team of Bethesda Nickelodeon, Greentree Zeus, Fortune’s Aquila and Stonelock Maestro won the class under the direction of Bill Lower. Anita Meinert directed her My Diamond In The Rough and N’Sync to the reserve finish.
No stranger to the winner’s circle Jennifer Ott directed the Open English Trail winner, JMF Sanssouci for owner Joyce Loewen. Aimee Lanter and her Shamrock Foxie Joy earned reserve honors in the ten-entry class.
Grace Jacobus put forth her best effort to take her I Love Lucy to the winner’s circle in the Amateur English Trail Class followed by Mai Wisdom and her Canabar Kokopelli.
The Carriage Driving Double Jeopardy classes for single and multiple entries completed the competition in Ring 9 during the evening performance. Cathy Grimes and PAF Cajun Moon made their second victory pass of the day in the Single Carriage Driving Double Jeopardy class. Karen Holford and Coal Creek Timmy earned reserve honors in the class of ten for owners Bob and Judi McCoy.
The multiple entries from earlier in the day returned for Double Jeopardy competition with the results the same. Bill Lower directed Victoria Bennett’s team of four entries to the win followed by Anita Meinert and her talented pair.
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