Championships Highlight Friday Night
Saturday, July 9, 2016
The morning session was abbreviated due to an impending thunderstorm, and the final class of the morning session, the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup National Finals was separated into rail work in the morning, and then we returned an hour earlier for the evening session to complete the workouts. The 17 talented riders maintained their momentum and had impressive workout after impressive workout. For the second year in a row, and the second time this week, Reagan Upton won a National Finals, winning the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup National Finals with a unanimous decision in the 17-entry field. See the ReporTV interview with Reagan and her mother Courtney Huguley at www.saddlehorsereport.com. Avis Van Zomeren earned the reserve National title. Rounding out the top ten were Cecelia Hoffmann, Kristen Dull, Jennifer McGowan, Rachel Griffis, Dr. Morgan Wolin, Anna Hudson, Magdalene Joy Karampelas and Cagle James.
It was a beautiful night filled with championship classes, and consistency was rewarded with several horse and rider combinations making their second victory pass of the week. Alayna Applegate won the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship just as she did the 11 & Under qualifier. Chad Graham made a second trip to the winner’s circle with CH Mastercraft’s Namesake LF in the Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony Championship for Ralph and Sharla Deuschle. Ladies Fine Harness winner Costa Nostra and Phyllis Brookshire returned to claim the Amateur Fine Harness Championship. CH I’m Something Wicked and McGee Bosworth swept the Adult Five-Gaited Show Pleasure division with a unanimous win in the championship. Tami Reiser directed Ladies Three-Gaited Over 15.2 champion Walterway’s Dignitary to the win in the Ladies Three-Gaited Championship for Windgate Farms LLC. And Cloverleaf Freedom Writer and Faith Sturm swept the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park Championship under the guidance of Strickland Stables.
The Wood sisters had lots to celebrate back at Lowry Stables. First Emma Wood captured a unanimous decision in the Junior Exhibitor Road Pony Championship with Sirfistication, then immediately in the next class, Madeleine Wood and CH Take It From The Top won the 11-entry Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship. Other junior exhibitors who continued to make repeat wins include Nicole Jackson and Ocean Eleven (13 & Under Show Pleasure Championship) and Alexandra Gendron and Roselane’s Town Topic (14-17 Show Pleasure Championship).
Capping off the night were the Junior Fine Harness Stake where Jack Magill entertained the audience with Night With Ringo to win a unanimous decision for Kathy Cummins and of course the finale, the Ladies Five-Gaited Championship where Whitney Shiflet rode Cary On Broadway MBA to another unanimous win for Gaited Inc.
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