Another Classic In Madison
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
by Bob Funkhouser
MADISON, Wis. - Across the country it seems that UPHA-run shows, for the most part, keep rising to the top. One that has been a solid leader for 18 years now is the UPHA Chapter 3/4 Madison Classic. For years different groups of families and horsemen have put many hours into this production to assure that it is one both trainers and exhibitors will want to attend.
Attend they did; the classes and stands were filled with energetic horses and people. As second year show manager Liv Moyer pointed out, it seemed that a lot of the energy from the World’s Largest Brat Festival which was held right beside the coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center seemed to transfer to the exhibitors and horses. Other than a few brief showers it was a glorious weekend.
The Brat Fest is an annual affair that is held on the grounds and features live bands, carnival rides and lots of hungry people. Last year the festival sold more than 189,000 brats and was looking to break 200,000 this year.
Of the thousands of people that attended the three-day festival, many stopped outside the barriers to the warm up area to watch the horses and riders. Some wandered over and joined the spectators in the stands but most importantly thousands of people who might not ever have the opportunity to see an American Saddlebred or Hackney Pony were exposed.
People have always thought of this as a fun show and the Brat Festival helps add to the atmosphere,” said Manager Liv Moyer. “Grant [Herman] made this show fun and we are trying to continue that with the Jackpot Judging, the parties and the raffles. One official told me this was one of the nicest shows they had been to in some time.
“It’s real interesting to see both sides of the show,” continued the show manager. “I really enjoy the managing. There are so many things you never think about as an exhibitor that you have to deal with to put in a show. It was very rewarding to have so many people come up and say they had a great time.”
From the backyard exhibitor to the largest barns, everyone at Madison enjoyed the fun and the competition. From the parties to the leisurely strolls across the field to the Brat Fest to competing in deep classes, there was something for everyone.
The three-judge panel of Michael Craghead, Gayle Lampe and Lynn Harvey McNamara came up with many unanimous decisions among the large classes. They had everything from current world’s champions to bright, new faces. Joining the judging panel in center ring were ringmasters John Frye and Greg Becker, in addition to photographer Rick Osteen and announcer Dennis Porick. Also part of the official family, Jeff Couch provided the farrier services and William Sweeney was the veterinarian in charge.
Looking at the highlights of the show ring competition, Keep Me Posted and Neva Van Ess survived what turned out to be a class of lost shoes to win the Five-Gaited Championship for Nick Neviaser. Last year’s Junior Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding World’s Champion lost a shoe earlier in the class and then lost another one right at the end. About the same time they lost their second shoe, A.J. Bruwer’s Marquis Spirit lost a shoe as well.
When it was all said and done, Van Ess and ladies champion Keep Me Posted walked to the winner’s circle as the gelding was minus a shoe. This ended a great two weeks of showing for Marlene La Fleur, daughter Neva Van Ess and their many customers.
Reserve grand champion honors went to the powerful gray mare My Pepper Ann, an entry owned by Toni Nastali and shown by Pat McConnell. In the open class Dick Obenauf presented the 2006 World’s Champion Five-Gaited Mare She’s A Red Hot Chili Pepper to capture the blue streamers for the Goodman/Manilow family. Showing for Carole Bart, A.J. Bruwer and Marquis Spirit powered to the reserve tie.
Jackpot Judging has become a Madison tradition. Anyone who wants to try their hand at judging pays $5 and gets a card for a specified class. If you match all six places exactly as they are tied, you win the pot. If there are multiple winners they split the pot. If there are no winners in a class that money rolls over to the next class.
The last Jackpot Judging class of the week was the last class of the show, the seven-horse Amateur Five-Gaited Championship. This was a hard-fought battle with several horses in contention. However, as they did in the qualifier, Diana Schaefer and The Midnight Hero set sail from start to finish to take the top honors and win the Hal and Marian Jungbluth Perpetual Memorial Traveling Trophy for the year. A.J. Bruwer directed the championship team. Cary Bartz put Doug Lindstrom and CH Roseridge’s Gold in the thick of the battle to finish as reserve grand champions ahead of Ashley Alden and Champagne’s Red Gold, among others.
There were numerous world’s champions in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Championship, which was won by Faye Wuesthofen and Callaway’s Lil Abner from Glenmore Farm. The Tom Bombolis trained duo held off hard charges from several entries including qualifying winners and eventual reserve grand champions CH Harlem’s Hot Ticket and Nick Neviaser as well as MGM Spring Show Champion Freaky Links with Angela Darrow who finished third.
In the junior exhibitor qualifier it was La Fleur/Van Ess Stables’s CH Harlem’s Hot Ticket rackin’ and trottin’ strong to the winner’s circle with Neviaser providing the blue ribbon ride. From the Rick Wallen Stables, Patsy Loeb and The Talk Of Lexington were reserve winners.
It was a La Fleur entry winning the Wisconsin Owned Amateur Five-Gaited blue as well. Trond La Fleur was the winning rider aboard Fort Chiswell’s Royal Champagne. Dr. Lisa Nesson and Cat Ballou followed them.
A.J. Bruwer and Callaway’s Ball Of Fire were the first names called in the Novice Five-Gaited class for owner Shirley Rinehart. Dick Obenauf and Lady Leah returned to the barns with the reserve prize.
Scott Matton scored the highest ribbon in the Junior Five-Gaited class for longtime owners Paul and Barb Schwemer. Final Deklaration was that winner. Terri Anne Ullman and What About Phil were reserve.
MBA Equestrians were on top time and time again. Pat McConnell guided Tuff Hedeman to the Three-Gaited Championship beating out Jessica Timmington and Carissimo. In the qualifier Jared Ratzloff and Carissimo won the blue over Tuff Hedeman and Gypsies Tramps And Thieves.
Never backing an ear, Up Close And Personal WRF swept the amateur walk-trot division with owner Kate Baumann once again in the irons. Dr. Meg Knowles and Born The Best stepped up to take reserve grand champion honors behind the La Fleur/Van Ess team. Joan Faulise and Memories Merlot enjoyed the red ribbon in the qualifier.
Another exhibitor who finished a great two weeks was Emily Scharpf. Showing successfully in many divisions, she won both junior exhibitor three-gaited classes with world’s champion CH Nelmar Tango 4 Ever. They represented Knollwood Farm. Twice reserve was Callaway’s Mandate, ridden by Faye Wuesthofen from Glenmore Farm. Her sister, Jessica Wuesthofen, rode Amelia Heir Cat to the Wisconsin Owned Amateur Three-Gaited title from La Fleur/Van Ess Stables.
Presenting for Vicki Reed, A.J. Bruwer rode Liberty’s Magic to the top prize in the Junior/Novice Three-Gaited class, just ahead of Tom Bombolis and Callaway’s Happy Endings.
Madison had some exciting new faces and right at the top of the list was the winner of the UPHA Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Classic. Cataclysmic hit the ring with enough expression and talent for two horses and didn’t quit until he got to the winner’s circle. Terri Anne Ullman provided the winning ride for Dr. Laura Sukowaty. Wes Vick rode Royal Crest’s Rockin The Town for the reserve paycheck.
The park division in the Midwest is as tough as it gets anywhere. Rick Wallen and The Border Star triumphed as the grand champions for Star Hill Farm. They won the qualifier as well. Pat McConnell and Gigolo Joe were once again right at the top with the reserve grand championship for Toni Nastali. Highland Cavalier and Bob Griffin had been reserve in the qualifier for Bonnie Kegley.
In her first year of showing in the adult ranks, Michelle Krentz is starting off on fire. She and Day’s Grecian Gray swept the amateur park division taking both the qualifier and championship in high fashion. Kelly Williamson rode CH Matching Spirit to the reserve championship for Bonnie Kegley, while Sarah Shakespeare and Mr. Ted E Bheir were red ribbon winners in the first round.
Versatile and talented, Nick Neviaser rode The Mystery Machine to win the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park class ahead of Sara Stuebing and Mr. Ted E Bheir.
For ZFE Saddlebreds, Cary Bartz drove Attaché’s Rainmaker to the Fine Harness Championship. Peter Archer and Harlem’s C My Radiance pulled up for the reserve streamers. Margo Baird Valentine and CH Cary’s Moonraker were most impressive to win the open qualifier and came back in the championship ready for business but then had to take the gate due to a thrown shoe that couldn’t be replaced in time.
A blue prize went to Josephine Musser and Corky’s Asset in the amateur class. Dr. Mary Jensen was driving Harlem’s C My Radiance this time to command reserve honors.
World’s Champion Miracle On Forty-Second Street continues to develop and get stronger in this her four-year-old year. Glenn A. Werry Jr. made the winning drive in the Junior/Novice Fine Harness class for Glenmore Farm. Cary Bartz and eventual Fine Harness Grand Champion Attaché’s Rainmaker were reserve.
The Obenauf/Goodman team just keeps bringing out nice horses. Obenauf debuted The New York Look to make the victory pass in the UPHA Fine Harness Classic for Barbara Goodman Manilow. Among the four entries, Jay Wood drove Eccentric Heir JJW to the reserve money for Jean and Jay Wood.
John Willis Stables keeps turning out nice young horses as well. From the world’s champion family of Miracle On Forty-Second Street, Miracle On Times Square marched as the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Champion with Willis Stables trainer Alvaro Zanella at the whip for John Willis and Ted Klint. Pat McConnell and MBA’s Royal Shadow Phax finished in second.
There were some road pony veterans driving for championship honors at the Madison Classic. Andy Freseth and Heartland Carolee made their second victory pass of the week for James R. Dellinger. Both times Gib Marcucci and Wait & See’s Rio Lobo were the reserve competition.
Hollow Haven Farm captured both road pony championships as Andy and Lynda Freseth directed World’s Champion of Champions Calvin Hobbs and Kevin Ingram to the top of the amateur competition as they sped away with the tricolor. World’s Champion Heartland Victory Maker, winner of the amateur qualifier, was the reserve grand champion for Toni Nastali and Northern Tradition Farm. Also a world’s champion, Seamair Strutter was third in both events for Mike Schallock and the Rick Wallen Stables.
Also from Wallen Stables, Seamair’s Caprice won the AHHS Youth Medallion with Patsy Loeb at the whip for Maggie Robertson. POS Time To Shine earned the reserve honors with Tyler Volz.
Gib Marcucci trained ponies did well in several divisions. He coached Glenn A. Werry Jr. and Impress My Daddy to the Harness Pony Championship and well as the open class blue. Conqueror’s Colleen LF and Mary Ellen Golich finished in reserve twice.
Open cob-tail winner Tommy Hilfiger battled against amateur cob-tail winner Royal Canadian and it was the many times amateur champion coming out on top for the Hackney Pony Championship. Muffy Sweeney Ernster was the winning driver. Bob Richards drove the open winner for Riverview Stables.
The lineup was really deep in the Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony Championship in which many times World’s Champion Pacifico’s Standing Ovation was never better. Bob Anderson and the leg-waving machine were letter perfect at every gait to command the tricolor. It was their second trip down victory lane. Donna Beck and Wait & See’s Raspberry were twice reserve to Standing Ovation and Anderson.
Junior exhibitors had several opportunities with the ponies in their AHHS Youth Medallion classes. Nicole LaRoussa drove the pleasure driving pony Fitz’s Phantom to the highest honors for Jim and Mary Yonker. Toby Hegner had the reserve drive with Honest Impression.
There was a whole lot of rackin’ and trottin’ going on in the Adult Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship as there were several heavy hitters competing. The illustrious CH Chandler was on the fly with Lisa McClaren in control for the championship honors. They moved ahead of Bonnie Kegley and CH Hank Heiron who had won the qualifier. Tom D. Pettry and Husker Du were third in the championship followed by MMMBop and Amanda Dellinger. Sara Van Galder and CH Lexmark had their share of fans as they worked hard to take a fifth place ribbon in the deep water.
A group of all-stars was also found in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship, which was won by Andrew Slater aboard Ridgefield’s Excessive for Northern Tradition Farm. They were getting comfortable with the winner’s circle after taking the qualifier as well. Emily Scharpf and the beautiful Callaway’s Where There’s A Will were twice reserve.
Former Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions Aurora Borealis was right at home as the Park Pleasure Grand Champion with Aimee Langer riding. They qualified for the championship with a winning ride in the amateur class. Attaché’s Special Rose was the sporty open class champion with Alvaro Zanella riding for Ted and Teri Klint. Glenn T. Werry rode world’s champion First Class Heir to the reserve grand championship; Peter Archer and The Wild Blue were second in the open class. Margo Baird Valentine made her under saddle return to the show ring with a reserve aboard Molly O’Donnell in the amateur class.
Andy Freseth added another blue to the Hollow Haven tack room with Entitlement in the Junior Park Pleasure class. Reserve champion Hollywood Electra was one of those providing competition with Megan Archer riding for Cynthia Wright.
Nice young horses were everywhere and a part of that group was UPHA Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Classic Champion The Bourne Supremacy. Sarah Luft was the picture perfect jockey for Sue Worzalla. Kenny Smith showed Cattie La Belle to reserve honors for the Price/Duffy partnership.
Pleasure horses and more pleasure horses is the standard for Wisconsin and Illinois shows and not just in numbers. There was an impressive lineup of world’s champions in all sections. Meridyth Munns and CH Laguardia were tops in the adult 39 & over championship for Bellaire Stables. Maureen Mietelski and Heiron Spelling were on the money for reserve. Laguardia topped the qualifier as well but that time Cathy Scott and The Oracle turned back the other competitors for reserve honors.
Sarah Shakespeare and the beautifully put together I’m Taken went two for two in the 18-38 age group. Reserve grand champion honors belonged to CH My Grande and Amanda Dellinger, the impressive reserve winners in the qualifier as well. Abby Reising and Irresistible Day were third in the highly competitive championship.
Moving to the junior exhibitor division, Mayo Moctezuma had Nicole LaRoussa and She Phloats On Heir in prime time order to handily win the 14-17 pleasure championship ahead of Loretta Mulberry and her entry, Tommy James. Bobby Kegley and World’s Champion The Majestic wore the blue from the 14-17 qualifier.
Fine By Me was in the ring every time you looked up and he did well each and every time. He was both the 13 & Under Show Pleasure Grand Champion and champion with Alicia Sacotte aboard. Always around the top prizes, Cheetah’s Admiral was the 13 & under reserve grand champion for Jessica Wuesthofen. Radiant Revival and Caitlin Donohue wore the red ribbon in the qualifier.
My Diamond Blues and Shelagh Roell were ahead of Bobby Bling and Sara Pieper, among others, in the Wisconsin Owned class. Abby Reising and Irresistible Day were the novice winners.
Reedann’s Phorget Me Not and Dorian Anderson scored the win in the Junior Pleasure Championship, which had Night Of Controversy TS as the reserve winner for Nicole LaRoussa. Claudia Gardner Sipp and Phoebe Hansen won the six-horse qualifier in their only appearance of the weekend.
The top of the judges’ card read CH Sand Kalamehameha in both the Show Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. Sue Duchow made the winning drives for Joanne Eissfeldt. A star under saddle last year, Epiphany was twice reserve with Douglas Fiola at the whip.
A winner under saddle, She Phloats On Heir also took the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving blue for Nicole LaRoussa. Paige Schanke and Bugsy Siegel were second. A blue in the junior/novice class went the way of Terra Herale and My Tahiti Sweetie, with Callaway’s Candy Apple and Paul Healey in reserve.
Bailey Freeman and her young star, Bluegrass Jazz were champions of both the Open English Pleasure Championship and the Adult English Pleasure blue. Raymond Manahan and Ro & Me’s Hugs & Kisses were reserve.
Madison Classic is one of the few shows east of the Rockies to have Five-Gaited Country Pleasure. Elizabeth Wildenberg rode her Royal Crest’s Stone Passion to win both classes ahead of A Champagne Event and Shelagh Roell.
With a string of world and national titles attached to him, CH The Shadow Knows showed no sign of letting up. Linda Meyer had him in prime time order to take the Adult Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier for Brown-Anderson Farms and Hollow Haven Farm. Kristen Pettry was pushing hard with junior/novice winner Concrete Blonde for reserve grand champion honors while Nancy Berger and Salt Heir finished a great third in a large and competitive class.
A former show pleasure world’s champion, He Walks On Water looked right at home in the winner’s circle of the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship and 14-17 qualifier with Sarah Werry in the irons. MW Whatever Works and Katie Koeppel claimed the reserve titles in both rounds. In their only show, Maya Manilow and Top This hung the blue prize on the Obenauf Stables tack room with the 13 & under win. Brianna Meyer catch rode Hometown Commander for James Dellinger to exit with the red streamers.
No one enjoys showing more than Barb Hendrickson and was she ever happy with the Country Pleasure Driving Champion and qualifier with her Pierre Cardin. Neva Van Ess greeted them in the winner’s circle both times. Sally Snyder Tesch and Highpoint’s Supreme Thunder wore the reserve tricolor while Judith Manning and Kourageous Genius Supreme took home the red from the qualifier.
With his famous victory buck, Super Rooster was thrilled with his own performance as the Country Western Pleasure Grand Champion. Representing Country Meadow Farm, Lisa McClaren was the winning owner/rider. Susan Honkamp and In The Zone jogged away with reserve honors. Veterans of the winner’s circle, Mary Strohfus and CH Impressive Ruler won the qualifying round and Tracey Mitchell’s CH Royal Crest’s Black Marble scored the Shatner class win. Also in the western division, Smith And Wesson was the junior novice winner for Kim Gallenberg.
Ever the versatile show horse, Callaway’s Scoop The News is now ruling the country hunter pleasure division with Kristen Pettry showing from Northern Tradition Farm. They won both the Country Hunter Pleasure class and Hunter Seat Classic.
Equitation riders were fine-tuning their skills for the long season ahead. Taking her second championship in as many weeks, 14-17 age group and USEF Medal winner Emily Scharpf rode as the Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Champion aboard the elegant CH Louisville Lass. Knollwood stablemate Nick Maupin was the reserve grand champion after winning the UPHA 13 & Under Challenge Cup. McKenna Slater represented Northern Tradition Farm as the 11-13 winner, while Knollwood Farm’s Deanna Lanigan qualified for Kansas City with the UPHA 14-17 title.
Amanda Winkels and Devon Van Ess each turn a turn down victory lane in the walk and trot division.
Was this ever a show for adult equitation! Under the direction of Ray Krussell, Dr. Morgan Wolin was the leading rider in both the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup and the USEF Adult Medal. She had plenty of competition, however, as Kevin Ingram was twice the reserve champion and Adult Pleasure Equitation winner Michelle Krentz was twice third among the six entries.
Winner of the UPHA 14-17 Pleasure Challenge Cup, Deanna Lanigan led the way among riders in the Pleasure Equitation Championship. Her tricolor performance was followed by Pleasure Medallion Champion Cori O’Brien who was reserve in the 14-17 qualifier to Country Meadow’s Mallory Hartigan. Aboard her show pleasure champion Fine By Me, Alicia Sacotte was the Pleasure Equitation 13 & Under Champion and UPHA 13 & Under Pleasure Challenge Cup Champion.
Rounding out the pleasure equitation division and the performance competition at the 2007 Madison Classic Horse Show, Claire Mogren won the Maiden Rider class with Brianna Meyer in reserve.
Complete results can be found by clicking here, and judges’ cards by clicking here.
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