Competition Dazzles in Lawrenceburg
Friday, June 24, 2005
by Jenny Picciano
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. -- The 133rd annual Lawrenceburg Fair and Horse Show was held June 15-18 at the Anderson County Fairgrounds. Last year, competitors in the Central Kentucky region had to choose between Lawrenceburg and the Shelby County Fair and Horse Show. This year, the show stood alone on the Kentucky calendar and contenders around the area came and showed off their talent.
For years, the Five-Gaited Stake at Lawrenceburg has had the reputation of having a deep level of competition. This year was no exception. Since qualifying is not necessary for the Five-Gaited Championship at this show, all the buzz on the rail was about who would show up for the stake. By the time organist Earl Gregory played My Old Kentucky Home, nine horses entered the ring. At the end of the class, judge Steve Allred had his winner. Kris Knight and Heir Dazzle made the trip to the winner’s circle to pick up the tricolor and blanket of red flowers. Mike Tunstall was aboard Oak Grove’s Tom Cat for the reserve ribbon.
Only two entries returned for the Five-Gaited Amateur Championship on Saturday night. It was a hard-fought battle between Steal Your Thunder and Chuck Walker and Callaway’s Gambling Lady for the tricolor. With Walker’s aggressive strategy, his gelding responded as did the crowd with roars for the duo. Alas, Steal Your Thunder was rewarded with the championship title. Marmalady and Fatima Wazir were a tough pair to contend with in the Amateur Five-Gaited class on Friday night. Trained and owned by Biggins Stable, Marmalady and Wazir picked up their first seasonal win.
The Ladies Five-Gaited class was small in size but top competitors entered the ring for an exciting class. Lisa Millet aboard the slick-racking Titleist Belle Of Dixie couldn’t be denied the top spot after their thrilling performance. Second in the class was the reigning Junior Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion, It’s All About Me. Renee Biggins rode the gelding to the reserve title. Dena Lopez and Ya Ya came in third.
Allred tied He’s Xelerating and Don Harris in the tough Junior Five Gaited stake.
Former open star Your Eminence and new partner Ivy Johnson captured their first win together in the Five-Gaited Junior Exhibitor class. Your Eminence is owned by Johnson’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Louis Johnson. Callaway’s Winston Churchill and Mary Ruth Callaway picked up the red ribbon.
Scoot, Boot & Boogie and Jessica Salley won the single-entry Five-Gaited Pony class for Antares Farm & Stables. They are trained and instructed by Julie Kaufman and Chad Graham.
With a picture perfect park trot, The Harlem Bay and Mike Tunstall captured the Three-Gaited Open Championship for owner Carole Jamison. Cadillac Spirit and Jerry Hutson finished with a strong reserve.
Prize Fighter and Alicyn Oblinger won the single-entry Amateur Three-Gaited Championship. Summer Aire and Kelly Kocaine picked up the blue in the qualifier. Bad Moon Rising and Caroline Kamer gave one of their best performances in the Ladies Three-Gaited class. Veteran performer Mr. Revere, with Sandy Currier up, finished second.
Heir’s Bells and Whistles and Rob Byers won their second blue of the year with a victory in the Junior Three-Gaited class.
Heir’s Sparkling Star and Jaclyn Rainey were the winners of the Three-Gaited Pony class for Dr. Thomas Rainey.
Don Harris and Tax Man, Jeff Councilman’s six-year-old entry, won the Open Three-Gaited Full Mane and Tail class. A Cloudburst and Ryan Stodd rode to the second place ribbon.
Unclaimed and Nancy Brannon won the Fine Harness Championship for owner Marie Brannon. Mark Webster and The Lady Lu Lu were sharp for the reserve title.
The ultra-expressive CH Mercer Raceabout and Mia Blevins Morris captured the Amateur Fine Harness class in convincing fashion. In Touch and Andrea Nelson finished with a strong performance for the red ribbon.
In his first year in the show ring, the bold King Simcoe and trainer Merrill Murray sped away with the Roadster To Bike Championship after winning the Roadster To Bike Open two nights earlier. Matilda Ewald and Ty Thomas are the owners of King Simcoe. Thomas, however, was not just sitting on the sidelines. She drove Stylish Stepper to a win in the Roadster To Bike Stallion, Mare and Gelding stake on Wednesday night and to a reserve in the Roadster Horse To Wagon class. Revel Rouser and Les Cunningham were the winners in the wagon class.
The Tin Man Sharkey won the 11-entry Novice Roadster to Bike class. Victoria Carlile was in the bike for owner Steve Edwards. At Full Throttle and Holli McDowell were the victors in the Amateur Roadster to Bike class. Jennifer Robertson and her new horse Rum’s Last Shot finished second. McDowell and At Full Throttle came in second to Suzanne Hubbard and Despite It All in the Roadster Under Saddle class.
Walt and Jackie Stred’s new star is none other than pony veteran Free Willy. Now trained by Rich Campbell and Maureen Lydon, Free Willy is back in the open ranks. With Lydon driving, Free Willy put on a powerful performance to win the Roadster Pony Championship. Heartland Flurry and Jerry Cummins sped away with the Roadster Pony to Bike class for ponies 50 inches and under while Kentucky Hot Brown picked up the blue in the class for ponies 48 inches and under.
Josh Greer catch-drove Desert Fox to the blue in the Amateur Roadster Pony class for trainer Todd Graham and owner Billie Graham.
Doing Time and Victoria Carlile captured the Ladies Roadster Pony to Bike class for Steve Edwards.
Rich Campbell and Maureen Lydon also won the Junior and Three-Year-Old Roadster Pony classes with K & J’s Aviator and Fitz Phantom, respectively.
Mr. Hawkeye and Sharon Lewis were picture perfect for the win in the four-entry Hackney Pony Championship. Heartland Summer Storm and Beth Campbell were the victors in the qualifier.
Crystal Harmon Cates and So Lovely CH won the Harness Pony Championship for her father, Lester Harmon. Caroline Kamer and Heartland Flirtation picked up the second place ribbon. Wait and See’s Whiz Bang won the Open Harness Pony class with Maryland Macfarlane.
In a rare sight seen at horse shows, four entries competed in the Roadster Pony to Wagon class. Lanny Judd behind Riding Shotgun picked up the blue.
Miss Fuente and Holli McDowell captured the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving championship. Knights Holiday Swinger and Beth Weisner drove to the reserve ribbon.
The pleasure division was the largest and arguably the most competitive of the show. Two sections were held in the gaited pleasure division but there was no championship. Will Harris catch-rode Dandy Dandy for Elaine Stapp and trainer Sandy Currier for the win. Alexa Noble was aboard Saint Bart for the win in the second class.
The Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship featured the bold new team of My Southern Charm and Brooke Jacobs, who won the tri-color and a qualifier after two strong performances. Jewels Family Man and Erin Obenauf finished with a consistent ride for the reserve. Harlem’s High Time and Dr. Laura Kosh won Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Section II qualifier.
Jackie Tanner and her high-headed Burn Ideal captured the Junior Park Pleasure Championship while Fajita and Brian Chappell picked up the red ribbon.
After finishing third to Take Caveat and Lindsey Shields in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Junior Exhibitor class, Carrigan’s Magic and Leann Brice were in top form to capture the tricolor in the championship. Carrigan’s Magic is owned by Willisbrook Farm and trained by Peter Palmer. Knock, Knock Who’s Heir finished second in both classes.
With perfect manners, the handsome bay CF Not Tonight Chief and CeCe Hagan rode to the win in the Adult Country Pleasure Championship. Marsha Marsha and Jenni Luigs won the adult qualifier. Moonstruck In KY were the winners in the junior exhibitor class.
Tu-Wicki and Jackie Landis teamed up for an elegant victory pass after winning the Country Pleasure Driving blue. Sultry Five and Andrea Steponaitis captured the Western Country Pleasure Open blue for Blue Willow Farm.
After solid pattern work, Danae Richmond trotted away with the tricolor in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship aboard Cielo Yellow. Nancy Brannon directed the talented rider to the win. Eleanor Watkins and Heir To The Throne qualified for Kansas City with a blue in the UPHA 17 and Under Challenge Cup class. Watkins is instructed by Zubrod Stables. Toria Heck, who rides under the direction of Werk Way Stables, won the tough Pleasure Equitation class. Angela Mangine won the UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot class aboard Sparkling Heiress.
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