Citrus Cup Provides A Shining Start To The 2006 AMHA Regionals
Friday, April 21, 2006
by Diana Davidson
NEWBERRY, Fla.- on April 12-15. The show featured horses from throughout Florida as well as the neighboring state of Georgia vying for top honors in 176 classes showcasing the versatility of the Morgan breed. Citrus Cup has been the AMHA Region 4 Championship since 1996 and has called the Canterbury Equestrian Show Place its home since 1993.
While the show ring competition was receiving praise with some top champions and impressive youngsters demonstrating their talents, Citrus Cup maintained its well-known relaxed atmosphere. The show always offers its exhibitors and spectators plenty of chances to gather during and after the show. The hospitality began each morning at a ringside tent featuring coffee, juice and pastries sponsored by Shoo-fly Inc.
The weather for the show was courtesy of the Florida chamber of commerce with sunny, warm and breezy days and pleasant evenings. A large crowd took part in the progressive barn party on Thursday evening with many barns participating offering a myriad of gastronomic delights. Following the conclusion of Friday's daytime session, a well-attended AMHA/USEF Rules Forum was held under the direction of Jane Blue and Tony Lee preceded by an FMHA meeting with president Nina Spencer. Everyone gathered for the show’s grand finale following the last class on Saturday night to toast the Citrus Cup champions at the afterglow breakfast in the show arena.
Citrus Cup featured many special presentations held in center ring. Earleen Kenyon directed an outstanding field of youngsters in the Citrus Cup Youth of the Year Contest that featured Caralee Conklin earning a trip to Oklahoma as well as a replica of the Jennifer Montgomery Perpetual Trophy for the fourth year in a row as the Senior Youth of the Year with Megan Dunkle again earning reserve. The junior division featured a repeat championship victory for Rebecca Jones followed by Madye Bell coming in reserve.
A quartet of high point awards were also presented on Saturday. The UVM Windfall Sport Horse Challenge Trophy went home with Lora Dunlap again this year as I’m Irish showed his versatility in earning top honors with FCL Just A Miracle and Rebecca Jones finishing in reserve. The standings were reversed earlier as FCL Just A Miracle and Rebecca Jones drove away with the High Point Carriage Driving Award and the C. Brad Hammond Memorial Trophy with I’m Irish and Lora Dunlap following in reserve. PTR Joint Venture hurtled his way to the High Point Working Hunter Award with owner Susan Milbrath for the third year in a row with Kane Creek Calypso once again following in reserve. Jamie Clarke earned the top score for the High Point Dressage Rider Award with Bridgette Boland earning the reserve championship score.
The Citrus Cup was presented by the Florida Morgan Horse Association under the direction of president Nina Spencer. Alicia Davis continued her tenure of outstanding service as show chairman and was delighted with this year's edition. In addition to Davis, the list of show officials also included; show manager Euchee Matthews, show secretary Jane Brown, USEF Steward Joyce Hamblin, announcer Jeff Hyman, photographer Shane Shiflet, organist June Brune and ringmaster Janet Barber along with numerous other committee members and volunteers. Eleanor Burns enjoyed a special presentation and warm ovation prior to Friday evening’s session for her 20 years of service to Citrus Cup as a volunteer for ribbons and awards. Jane Morrell officiated in all of the performance, equitation and in hand classes while Charlotte Trentelman scored the dressage division and Lore Homer judged the carriage competitors.
The highlights of the Citrus Cup Regional Morgan Horse Show follow. Complete results that can be found by clicking on Show Results.
In Hand
The Citrus Cup show ring activity got off to a sunny start on Wednesday morning with all of the stallion, mare and gelding in hand classes. The mares were first to hit the ring with Cheri Barber showing off the first of a trio of impressive yearling show ring stars. Gradell Noble Anela made her presence known in her show ring debut posing for top honors in the Yearling Filly, Junior Champion and Grand Champion Mare competition. Drs. Jerome and Shirley Modell were justifiably proud of their dynamic filly who is sired by Noble Flaire and out of the Modell’s many time champion Gradells Seventh Angel.
The youngsters had a lock on the tricolors as Willowick Maria La Bella stepped up from the two-year-old blue to earn the Reserve Junior and Reserve Grand Champion Mare honors. Mary Brannon was on the lead of the showy bay Nemours Royal Command daughter owned by Kaye Bedell.
Jackie Hill McGreary enjoyed her show ring return as SCMF Czarina posed for the Five and Over Mares blue along with the Senior Champion Mare award with Tom Johnson presenting.
The Gelding In Hand classes followed with Jason Gray on the lead of Mary Jean Bonfili’s THK Wild Adonis to capture the Grand Champion Gelding honors following the three/four-year-old blue. Gulfwind Morgans began their tricolor show with Margaret McKnight Karrh leading Gulfwind Tre’sor to the Reserve Grand Champion Gelding honors proudly representing his sire Gulfwind Sir William. LaLoma Wild Command struck a winning pose in the Five and Over Geldings with Kris Cole handling the lead of the typey bay for owner Trisha Brutus.
Cheri Barber once again handled the lead of the Citrus Cup Grand Champion Stallion. This year Treble’s Front & Center earned the distinction as the first regional Grand Champion Stallion of the year. The charismatic Centerpiece colt added a new dimension to the much-heralded Treble’s Morgan Manor breeding program with his performances for the Yearling, Junior and Grand Champion Stallion honors.
The Friday night session featured the Citrus Cup Yearling Sweepstakes as the first competition on the schedule with entries vying for the Forever Spring Wild Willow Perpetual Trophy. Cheri Barber was again on the lead of a winning entry as a jubilant Debbie Ferrell cheered on Kashmir to victory. The smooth and showy son of Grand Cru Dom Perignon and Kenya represented his pedigree well with the presence of grandsires Treble’s Willy Wild and Stonecroft Byzantine making their mark in this promising colt. The next generation of Gulfwind Morgans looked to be on target to continue their world championship heritage. Margaret McKnight Karrh directed Gulfwind Centerfold to the reserve honors. The tall and elegant chestnut carried a strong resemblance to both of her world titled parents Centerpiece and Gulfwind Wild Solitaire.
Park
DBL F Commanding Officer earned a trio of trips to the winner’s circle again this year. The bold youngster carried home the Park Saddle championship with Tom Johnson aboard following a blue ribbon performance in the junior class. Owner Felicia Schlemmer was all smiles as she was on the lines of her homebred colt to drive away with the Junior Park Harness blue as well.
The multi-titled Willowick Will To Wynne added another dimension to his show ring résumé as Kathryn Cox directed the charismatic chestnut to the Amateur Park Saddle blue and tricolor for owner Darlene Stodolski under the direction of Mary Brannon.
Graywoods Kera and Madye Bell started off a winning show with the Junior Exhibitor Park Saddle victory under the Whispering Oaks banner.
English Pleasure
The English pleasure division contained many entertaining classes with proven entries vying for top honors along with a cast of promising youngsters. The Open English Pleasure championship brought the show to an exciting finish with Euchee Matthews completing a clean sweep of the English pleasure division with a quartet of winning entries. Matthews closed out the show with DJE Answer To Destiny earning his third tricolor in as many appearances this season. The Issues ‘N Answers son was on top of his game to also earn the English Pleasure Stallion/Gelding blue. Tom Johnson directed Nancy Vidler’s sleek Sunny Acres Sinful to the reserve tricolor following a blue ribbon ride in the English Pleasure Mares.
The Amateur English Pleasure championship featured an outstanding win of the Great Oaks Ashmon Perpetual Trophy for Raindrop’s Chisum and Alicia Davis. They earned their second tricolor in as many shows as they were greeted in the winner’s circle by Euchee Matthews, who also directed the well-matched pair to the amateur stallion/gelding blue. Glenn Winograd and his partner HVK Flaire Park put on a bold showing to collect the Amateur English Pleasure reserve championship for the second year in a row in this competitive division. SCMF Czarina and Jackie McGreary added another blue to the Arboria Morgans banner as they made the victory pass in the Amateur English Pleasure Mares.
Alicia Davis also enjoyed watching Chisum’s younger brother Raindrop’s Tiburon make his blue ribbon saddle debut in the Three-Year-Old English Pleasure with Euchee Matthews aboard the handsome bay. Patchwork Legend followed up his impressive winning debut at Gasparilla with a pair of victorious Citrus Cup performances. Euchee Matthews guided the handsome bay to the Junior English Pleasure championship following the four-year-old blue for Dick Shea.
HVK Acclamation and Channing Ligas closed out another great show by winning the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure championship and The Citrus Cup Perpetual Trophy after also topping the 14-17 qualifier under the direction of Ian Ferguson. Rebecca Watters matched up with Brittany Maranos’s Heyday Special Vintage to earn the reserve honors under the Davis Stable banner. Chloe Hooper and MEM Reality Check added the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure 13 & Under blue to the West Coast Morgans banner with a crowd-pleasing performance.
Cassie Bell and FCF Protégé earned their first of two tricolor rides as they collected the Walk-Trot English Pleasure championship. Casey Stein matched up with Kristi Buehrle’s showy Sable Chase Commanda to earn the reserve tricolor. Emilie Wells got her turn in the winner’s circle as she guided Century LeBaron to the qualifier blue.
Bermuda Triangle and Dimity Webster earned a pair of matching blue ribbons as they topped the Ladies and Novice English Pleasure classes with two polished rides. Will Vidler was in the irons of Willowick Double Vision to bring the Limit English Pleasure blue back to owners Paul and Nancy Jo Smith under the Arboria Morgans banner.
Pleasure Driving
Mary Brannon was indeed on center stage as she collected the Windy Pond Perpetual Trophy in the Open Pleasure Driving championship for an amazing fifth year in a row. This time she was on the lines of her entertaining Willowick Center Stage to earn the tricolor. The Hollybrook Stage Rage daughter returned to the site of her show ring debut just a year ago as Grand Champion Mare to start the week with the Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving blue. Gene Olesen gave Shirley Givens’ bold performing WSG Mystic Finale a pair of top drives for the Open Pleasure Driving blue as well as the reserve tricolor.
The Junior Pleasure Driving championship went back to the Gene Olesen banner as Hearts N Roses made her presence known earning the tricolor following the four-year-old win for Ken and Lynn McColl’s Echo Lake Morgans. Jason Gray and THK Wild Adonis added the Junior Pleasure Driving reserve championship to a tricolor show for Mary Jean Bonfili.
Chauncey Felker and Stonecroft Wish Me Well continued their winning streak from the Sunshine Circuit as they swept top honors in the Amateur Pleasure Driving qualifier and championship to collect the Richard A. Goode Memorial Trophy for the second year in a row. James Wallace made his cheering section proud as he drove Partridge Hill Powerplay to the reserve awards as well as a blue ribbon in the novice class.
The Grand National Championship team of True Gold and Ariana Varveris showed off their winning high fashion style in their sole performance of the show in the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving coached by Lark Henry.
Classic Pleasure
The Adult Classic Pleasure Saddle championship featured a memorable win of the October Dancer Perpetual Trophy to complete a flawless show for Alicia Davis. This time she was aboard Raindrop’s Good As It Gets to celebrate the victory following the adult qualifier blue for herself and co-owner Jean Rothe. Last year’s winning pair of Kaye Bedell and Futurity Interlude enjoyed another fine ride for the reserve championship under the direction of Mary Brannon. La Loma Wild Command and Trisha Brutus carried home the roses in the Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle with a polished ride.
Rebecca Watters and All Hail To The Chief were a winning presence at Citrus Cup. They closed out the show by earning the Helen Wallace Perpetual Trophy in the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Saddle championship. This followed a crowd-pleasing victory in the 14-17 qualifier coached by Rick Davis. Tornado Watch and Nichole Wester earned the reserve tricolor for Debbie Lail. SBK Sasha's Valentine trotted away with the 13 and under blue for the second year in a row as Cassidy Bailey enjoyed the riding honors.
Gerry Auermann and Hideawayhill Highlander took their turn down victory lane in the Novice Classic Pleasure Saddle. Nichole Gooshaw matched up with Ashdons Just In Command to earn a Citrus Cup blue ribbon in the Junior Classic Pleasure Saddle.
The six-entry Classic Pleasure Driving championship featured Maximum Wham and Lindsay Levert earning their second tricolor in as many shows with a bright drive directed by Tracy Roy for Echo Lake Morgans. The always-popular team of DAF Monte Cristo and Chauncey Felker drove away with the reserve tricolor in the competitive championship.
Gulfwind Temptress and Mary McKnight-Cantey enjoyed a victorious return to the show ring as they collected the Adult Classic Pleasure Driving blue to add to the Gulfwind Morgans banner. Kaye Bedell and her new partner AKM Armageddon collected the blue ribbon and flowers in the Ladies Classic Pleasure Driving under the Willowick Farm banner.
The well-matched team of Megan Dunkle and Annapolis earned the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Driving championship for the second year in a row and also posed for the Fitting and Showmanship blue. Elise Merrill and RJH No Doubt enjoyed a winning transition to the classic division as they earned the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Driving blue in their only performance of the show.
Western Pleasure
The Citrus Cup Open Western Pleasure championship featured the tricolor finish for this competitive division. The McKnight family and Gulfwind Morgans enjoyed another tricolor Citrus Cup finish as Gulfwind Sir William jogged away with the tricolor for the third year in a row.
Margaret McKnight Karrh was aboard the multi-titled stallion to also earn top honors in the Amateur Western Pleasure championship and the amateur stallion/gelding qualifier. Gradells Delightful Wish showed her promise as the lovely junior qualifier winner stepped up to earn the Open Western Pleasure reserve championship with Cheri Barber guiding for Jerome and Shirley Modell’s Gradell Farm. The Open Western Pleasure blue also went back to the Cheri Barber Stables banner as Chase Manhattan started off the season in winning style. Owner Pat West showed her handsome stallion to the Amateur Western Pleasure reserve championship with a fine ride as well.
Allyson Hughes and PJM Sho-Bree-O earned the blue ribbon and flowers in the Ladies Western Pleasure class as well as the Rockingham Katrina Challenge Trophy in a competitive field of entries.
Sugarlane Adonis and Brittany Simmons jogged away with the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure tricolor and the 14-17 blue with two smooth and steady rides coached by Rick Davis. Spencer Conklin and Tara’s Zeus teamed up for the reserve championship ride under the West Coast Morgans banner.
MMFM Scarlet collected a pair of blues for Renee Jones. Nicole Mitchell was the winning rider in the Amateur Western Pleasure Mares while Emily McCallister earned her blue in the walk-jog class.
Janice Scotto earned her own time in the winner’s circle as part of busy show for Whispering Oaks Farm as she rode Like The Candy to the novice blue. Kris Cole directed her handsome Arborwind Black Market to the limit blue with a flawless ride.
Hunter Pleasure
The Open Hunter Pleasure championship featured an impressive tricolor victory for Echo Lake Morgans for the second year in a row. This year it was Spiceolife Night Cadence and Tracy Roy who closed out a winning show for Ken and Lynn McColl’s Echo Lake Morgans with the victory. Under Fire made a smooth transition to the hunter pleasure division for owner Christina Bauer as they earned matching reserve tricolors in the open and amateur divisions. They also carried the ladies blue and flowers back to Davis Stables.
As part of a versatile display of his talents, I’m Irish teamed up with trainer Valarie Siemer to earn the Open Hunter Pleasure blue for owner Lora Dunlap.
Following last year’s victory in the open division, the bold-performing WSG Independence Command and Lindsay Levert showed off their talents to earn the Amateur Hunter Pleasure championship for Ken and Lynn McColl. The amateur qualifier saw Arts N Entertainment and Nicole Mitchell emerge from the field for the blue ribbon victory pass to go along with their novice win. Valli Corbin and her handsome Van Lu Lafayette showed off their winning presence in the Limit Hunter Pleasure.
The largest and most competitive class of the show came in the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure championship where nine top-flight teams competed. It was Monnington Soul and Channing Ligas who rose to the top of the competition with a memorable third consecutive win of the Daniel Ligas Perpetual Trophy. They started off a flawless show by winning 14-17 qualifier coached by Ian Ferguson for proud parents Larry and Debbie Ligas. Coutscroft Diamond Blaze and Kelsey Thomas closed out a great show as the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Reserve Champions. They earlier won the 13 and under qualifier and also teamed up with Anne Winograd for the winning ride in the Pro-Am Hunter Pleasure for Gail Latlief.
Hannah Colquitt enjoyed a pair of winning rides with Bonnie Lee Arianna for the Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure blue and tricolor coached by Renee Jones.
Mary Brannon proved her versatile talents as she rode Willowick Southern Style to the Junior Hunter Pleasure blue and tricolor for the second year in a row for Darlene Stodolski. They were followed in reserve by Spiritwoods Misty Memory with Will Vidler in the irons for Erica Heck.
Equitation
A number of top Florida riders demonstrated their impressive riding abilities for victories in Citrus Cup's equitation division. Madye Bell turned in a poised and polished ride aboard Graywoods Kera to capture the Western Southern Life Insurance Company Perpetual Trophy as the Saddle Seat Equitation Champion. Kelly Venza carried the winning number in the UPHA Challenge Cup as well as the 14-17 Saddle Seat Equitation. Chloe Hooper added the Saddle Seat Equitation 13 & Under blue to her winning show with MEM Reality Check.
It was a tricolor show for the Bell sisters as Madye’s younger sister Cassie rode away with the Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation blue and tricolor matched with FCF Protégé. Casey Stein and Sabal Chase Commanda teamed up for their second reserve tricolor award.
Rebecca Watters rode away with the Classic Saddle Seat Equitation championship for the third year in a row. Paired with her handsome gelding All Hail To The Chief, Watters topped the six-rider field for the tricolor following the 14-17 blue coached by Rick Davis. Nichole Wester and Tornado Watch followed up with the reserve tricolor for the second year in a row following a blue ribbon ride for the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal. Morgan Cunningham earned her trip to the winner’s circle in the Classic Saddle Seat Equitation 13 & Under.
Brittany Hawkins showed her poise and style to earn the Hunt Seat Equitation championship following the 14-17 blue aboard Standean Chancellor. Kelly Simpson and SPR Valarie's Finale added the Hunt Seat Equitation reserve championship to the Arboria Morgans banner for the second year in a row with a polished ride directed by Tom Johnson and Will Vidler.
Kelsey Thomas and Coutscroft Diamond Blaze added the Hunt Seat Equitation 13 & Under blue to their victorious show under the West Coast Morgans banner. Channing Ligas showed her versatility and style as she added the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal with Monnington Soul to her undefeated show in the performance division directed by Ian Ferguson.
Emily McCallister added a trio of equitation victories for instructor Renee Jones as she earned the Walk-Trot Hunt Seat Equitation blue and tricolor along with the Walk-Jog Western Seat Equitation win to her versatile performances.
Jamie Clarke earned the AMHA Dressage Medal as part of her Citrus Cup top Dressage Rider score.
Brittany Simmons added the Western Seat Equitation championship and the AMHA Medal to her winning show with Sugarlane Adonis under the direction of Rick Davis. Spencer Conklin earned her first blue in the 14-17 division in the Western Seat Equitation 14-17 aboard Tara's Zeus competing under the West Coast Morgans banner.
Citrus Cup once again hosted a UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup, and two accomplished riders from the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association earned the respect and admiration of everyone in attendance for their performances. Henry Boersma demonstrated his riding skills to earn the top prize aboard Castlebar Knickee while Megan Cyr earned applause for her great performance as well.
Sport/Miscellaneous
The Canterbury Equestrian Show Place offers plenty of space for the sport disciplines to have their showcase. I’m Irish added the Working Carriage Pleasure Driving and Dressage Introductory Level Test A blues with owner Lora Dunlap and the Sport Horse Suitability win with Valarie Siemer to his show of versatility. Rebecca Jones piloted FCL Just A Miracle to a quintet of blues in the Carriage Driving division on the way to the high point award along with a pair of dressage wins.
Notfield Don Dancer and Grace Glavin showed off their talents for the Carriage Dressage win. Cheryl Gonzalez introduced Kon Max’s Aero Commander to the Carriage Reinsmanship blue for Katherine Maxwell.
Jamie and Kathryn Clarke brought home six blues from the Dressage competition with top scores aboard Samac’s Heart Of Gold and PTR Wish In Time.
PTR Joint Venture and Susan Milbrath topped the Schooling Working Hunter, Hunter Under Saddle, and Working Hunter II on the way to the high point hunter award in addition to a dressage blue. Kane Creek Calypso and Margie Blaik collected the hunter hack blue as part of their reserve high point score and also earned a dressage blue.
Anne Winograd introduced her handsome new partner Spirit Rock Gemstone into competition with a blue ribbon performance in the Working Hunter I. Mr. Morgan Versatility himself UVM Windfall took on the trail course with his usual style to earn the open and gambler choice blues with Valarie Siemer aboard for Lora Dunlap.
It was combination at its finest as Emeraude DRC Legacy matched up with James Wallace under saddle and Richard Hanlon in harness to earn the Combination Ride and Drive blue. Ann Smith and her handsome Moriah Back N Tan jogged away with the victory pass in the Jack Benny/Phyllis Diller Pleasure class.
Lindsay Levert and Kalahari showed off their athleticism and style as they carried the Winner Take All Road Hack win back to Echo Lake Morgans. Double M Beyond The Blue and Teresa Russin were beyond happy as they carried home the blue in the Newcomer Pleasure class.
There was intense family rivalry in the (Easter) Egg and Spoon class as Caralee Conklin nosed out her mom Debra Conklin to earn the top prize.
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