The Competition and The Sun Shone Through at Blowing Rock
Thursday, August 17, 2006
by Katherine Hansil
Officials
Judge: Don Judd
Academy Judge: Maria Gilman
Announcer: Wyatt Lilly
Photographer: Sandra Hall
Ringmasters: Bill Cannon
Maurice Ewing
Organist: Dale Stone
Manager: Richard Cram
Steward: Mary Choate
Secretary: Mary Ann Meiners
Farrier: David Herlocker
BLOWING ROCK, N.C.- The 83rd running of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show was held Aug. 10-14, 2006, at the L.M. Tate Show Grounds a few miles from the quaint downtown of the village of Blowing Rock, N.C. This historic show is celebrated as the longest running continuous outdoor horse show and has grown to become a three week show with the Saddlebreds, Hackney, roadsters and Friesians closing out the festivities.
One of the biggest draws to this show is it actually has time for the exhibitors to let down. The show schedule is held during the late morning to early afternoon and after each session delicious food is served by a variety of local restaurants under the tent at ringside. On Sunday they change things up with a nice breakfast before the last session begins. This year the sun shown down with wonderful weather with the exception of Saturday when a drizzle settled in as well as some fog, but as they worked through the academy and into the performance session the rain lifted and the competition shone through the clouds. When exhibitors had time off they found the treasures of Blowing Rock with a myriad of restaurants and specialty shops. In the heart of downtown, the Town Park was also a popular place to visit and people-watch.
Five-Gaited
Earning the top title in the Five-Gaited Championship was the Catalyst-bred four-year-old Startalyst. Presented by Paul Boone for William Cannon Jr., this sporty horse also earned the reserve title in the Junior/Novice Five-Gaited. Winning the Junior/Novice Five-Gaited was the bold moving Midnight Senor with Claude Shiflet expertly presenting. They made their way to the winner’s circle with huge crowd support. They returned to capture the reserve title in the championship for owner Melody Murphy.
Topping the amateur championship after an earlier win the ladies qualifier was Shamrock’s Free Step and Janelle D’Amato. Reserve in the ladies qualifier went to the flashy Hollywood Material and Hollie Davidson for Jessica Brown. Talk About Attitude and Kathie Constable turned in two great performances to garner the blue in the amateur qualifier and returned to claim the reserve in the championship. Reserve in the amateur qualifier went to Saturday Night Magic and Ann Ramey Boyd.
A thrilled Stephani Turner swept the junior exhibitor division with two great rides about Ghostly Blue. Jerry Tolliver trains this team. SDR’s Calypso Rhythm and Katherine O’Brien moved up a notch to capture the reserve championship title with In An Instant and Josh Wall earning the red ribbon in the qualifier. Sarah Longworth had two solid shows with Sarah Martin’s new five-gaited pony I Believe I Can Fly to sweep the division.
Three-Gaited
Detached went three-for-three as he turned in three excellent shows for owner Susan Harris. On Sunday this sporty horse returned to win the open championship with Lewis Eckard. Eckard also presented him to the win in the open qualifier. Harris was in the irons to win the amateur qualifier in their only appearance together. Sublime Light and Steve Allred returned to earn the open championship reserve title for Mr. and Mrs. Larry Young after an earlier win in the Junior/Novice Three-Gaited.
An excited Teresa Miller moved up a notch aboard Periaptor’s Dancing Star to win the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship under the direction of Lori and Gordon Ingram. Reserve championship honors went to Omerta and Carol Reedy. In their only appearance of the show, the high-headed Mega Volt, with Debbie Tolliver in the irons, won the Ladies Three-Gaited.
For a second year in a row Diamond Merchant and Allison Boozer claimed the tricolor in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Championship. Earlier in the week they garnered the red streamers in the qualifier. Switching places with them to win the qualifier were High Time’s Encore and Paige Kauffelt for Bobby Dunn. CH Sarah Katherine and Lauren Henderson had two fantastic shows to sweep the three-gaited pony division under the direction of Boone’s Farm.
Three-Gaited Park
Sweeping the open park division was the elegant First Asset. Only a five-year-old and by CF First Night Out, this neat horse was presented by Lewis Eckard to the wins for All Well Farm. Dr. Jenifer Geisler was back in the irons aboard Over Achiever to earn both reserve titles. The Shamrock Santana-bred The Oberoi with André Fourie topped the competitive Junior Three-Gaited Park for Vickie Keatley and Jennie Graham.
The Meadow Wood team of Sir Country and Susan Creekmore moved up a notch to capture the Amateur Three-Gaited Park Championship. Earning the reserve championship title and the qualifying win was CH Albelarm Tradition and Barbara Matthews.
The flashy CH Wing’s Main Attraction with Adrienne Fitch added two more titles to their long list of career wins together with a clean sweep in the junior exhibitor park division. This teams rides under the direction of Mary Ann Harris. Reserve in the championship went to Absolute Gem and Megan McCall for Betty Smith, with Worthy’s Can’t Touch This and Meredith Dancer earning the reserve in the qualifier.
Fine Harness
Four teams made the gate call for the Fine Harness Championship. The Junior/Novice Fine Harness winner Lady O Lydia topped the championship with Steve Allred on the lines. Reserve championship honors went to Spanish Tap and Claude Shiflet for Nick Antich. Earlier in the week this team won the open qualifier. Reserve in the open qualifier went to Shamrock’s Asagi and André Fourie for Keatley/Graham.
Winning the amateur qualifier was the team of Waiting Heir and Janelle D’Amato. In the ASHAF Youth Fine Harness Challenge the blue ribbon went to I’m The Real Deal and Allie Wellington, with reserve going to Back In Black and Ashlyn Hamilton.
Roadster Horse
Winning the Open Roadster To Bike Championship was Gun On The Run and Steve Hanks. Earlier this speedster won the amateur qualifier with Richard Harris on the lines. Earning the reserve championship honor was Success Soleil with Gina Lail on the lines for Janelle D’Amato. Earlier D’Amato was in the sulky to receive the red ribbon in the amateur qualifier. Gun On The Run earned a third title with the winning ride from Morgan Feimster in the Roadster Under Saddle.
Hackney
Rant N Rave KV and Karen Voerg returned to win the Open Road Pony Championship with an outstanding drive after an earlier red ribbon in the amateur qualifier. No Fear and Jennifer Johnson earned the reserve championship title for Neil Scruggs. In the open qualifier the blue ribbon went to the three-year-old Stargazer’s Warrior LF with Lewis Eckard presenting for Susan Harris.
Fresh off wins on the Red Mile, Cappuccino and Brenda Kelly earned two more victory passes to sweep the amateur road pony division. Reserve in the amateur/junior exhibitor championship went to the junior exhibitor team of Catch The Spirit and Dustin Lassett for Jean Myers. This team also earned a reserve in the junior exhibitor qualifier. Topping the Junior Exhibitor Road Pony in their only driving appearance was Perfect Offering and Drew Taylor Hewitt for Cash Lovell. This team returned to the winner’s circle with teal and pink silks flying in the Roadster Pony Under Saddle. After earning a reserve in the qualifier, the team of John Glenn and Nikki Lawing returned to win the under saddle championship for Courtney Bebber. Rolex and Leigh Kauffelt topped the AHHS Road Pony Medallion, with Fitz’s Something Special and Cody Davis earning reserve.
Sweeping the harness pony division was Fitz’s Mademoiselle. In the championship Mrs. Landon Eckard was on the lines while Rebekah Cloninger had the winning drive in the qualifier. Reserve in both classes went to High Horizon’s Gold Dust and Charles Leonard for Bill Weavil.
Saraday and Susan Harris had two winning drives to sweep the pleasure driving pony division for Karen Hay. Heartland Bandelero and Gary Garison earned the reserve ribbon in the qualifier.
Show Pleasure
In the Adult Five-Gaited Show Pleasure class, Pick Me First and Donna Lockett turned in two solid rides to sweep the division. Both red ribbons went to Mountainview’s Vintage Win and Joann Bedsaul. In the junior exhibitor division Courageous Grace and Sydney Carter swept the division for the Drowning Creek banner. Reserve went to Shauna’s Show Off and Sarah Bennett for Mary Martha Litz.
My Tee Time and Betsy Boone added two more titles to their successful season in the junior/novice three-gaited park pleasure division for owner Andy Everett. Reserve in the championship went to Irish Hill’s Mountain Star and Christy Van As for Sara Patton. In the qualifier the reserve title went to Roho’s Summer and Steve Hanks for Tamala and Luis Colon.
CH Five Minutes More and Barbara Matthews topped the competitive Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure with two great rides. Reserve in both classes went to Certainly A Star and Vickie Byrd for Debbie Beard. Winning the 11-entry Limit Three-Gaited Show Pleasure was The Color Of Night and Katherine Hansil for Margaret Gardiner. Reserve in this competitive class went to the flashy Mystic Affair and Doris Marr. In their single appearance She’s Stupendous and Pam Allen captured the blue in the Novice Rider Three-Gaited Show Pleasure, with the new team of Worthy’s Sleepless Night and Margaret Octavec earning the red streamers.
With a comeback ride, Central Park West and Sarah Bennett topped the 14-17 championship. Earning both red ribbons was the consistent team of CH Harlem’s Moon Shadow and Jesse Lynch. Winning the qualifier was the Harrison Shiflet trained Irish In Lights and Jenna Norton. In the 13 and under championship an excited Tyler Burkett made her way to the winner’s circle aboard Irish Jasmin. Reserve honors went to Filthy Rich and Alexandra Rapadas in their debut in this division. Winning the qualifier was Never Forget Me and Emily Stumbo with Apple Fritter and Kate Lovejoy in for reserve for Amy Roberts.
John Elway and Ann Cannon had comeback drive to capture the tricolor in the Show Pleasure Driving Championship. Winning the qualifier and returning for the reserve championship title was CH Unforgiven and Carol Reedy for Karin Banks. Endolane Genius and Betty Lou Herter earned the red ribbon in the qualifier. Worthy’s Just Once and Alexandra Foster topped the ASHAF Youth Show Pleasure Driving Challenge.
Native Kat and Madison Cheatham were on top of their game to sweep the competitive 12 and Under Walk and Trot Pleasure. Reserve in the championship went to the sporty Rock The Night with Allison Womack, while CH Empress In Black and Rachel Tankersley earned the red in the qualifier. Sweeping the pleasure pony division was The Cash Connection and Meghan Toms for Harold Absher. Reserve in the championship went to Walterway’s Mighty Hifalutin and Tiara Terra with Scotty’s Lace and Emily Garrity earning reserve in the qualifier.
Country Pleasure
In the competitive Adult Country Pleasure Championship, Highpoint’s Fancy Cat and Toree Heffner earned the tricolor with a fantastic ride. This team earned the red ribbon in the amateur owned and trained qualifier. Reserve championship honors went to Harlem’s Knight At The Apollo with Luanne Kilday. This team earned the blue in the amateur owned and trained qualifier. Meadow Wood Stables had the one-two combination in the adult qualifier with Mountainview’s Blue Ridge Express and Mary Dunker earning the blue and Shamrock’s Versace and Erin Bolster in for reserve for Rebecca Tobey.
Courtnie Tant was thrilled with her win aboard Double Your Fizz in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure 14-17 Championship. Reserve championship honors went to the reserve winners of the novice rider Quentin Hazelwood and Get The Sensation for Lori Ingram. Winning the blue in the novice rider was Night Of The Party and Amy Johnson. Winning the 14-17 qualifier was CH Santana’s Night Moves and Jane Garrity in their only appearance with Amberwood’s Born Free and Devin Learn in for reserve. Sweeping the 13 and under division was All I Do Is Dream and Katie Morrison for Mickey and Tom Kangur. Attaway’s Mystified and Peyton Draheim had two great rides under the direction of Brooke and Quintus Vander Spuy to garner both red streamers.
CH Dr. Deker, with Margaret Poovey on the lines, swept the country pleasure driving for the Cash Lovell Stables banner. Ro-Day-O and Rheanne Greene earned the red in the qualifier in their only appearance.
In the Western Country Pleasure Championship, Rum Tum Tigger and Luanne Kilday moved up to capture the tricolor after an earlier reserve in the qualifier. Topping the qualifier and returning for the reserve championship honors was Beaux’s Radiant Empire and Pat Yeatts.
Equitation
Cagle James was polished aboard Seattle Song to sweep the 10 and under walk and trot equitation division. Reserve in the championship went to Meghan Crider, with Madison Garison earning reserve in the UPHA qualifier.
Jennifer Roberts was at the top of her game to win the USEF Medal and the UPHA Challenge Cup.
The crowd got their thrill with the highly anticipated Trainers Equitation. Some came in showing off their skills while some were there to entertain. Topping the class with her large crowd of supporters was Christy Johnson. Reserve honors went to Jon Walker with his crowd-pleasing and over-the-top performance.
Friesian
For the first time, Blowing Rock featured the grand Friesians. Sweeping the under saddle division was Gregor Vom Eichenhof Oldenburg with Ashley Walker presenting for Shady Nook Farm. Shady Nook also won the pleasure driving class with Bill Jackson debuting with Tessa Van De Zuiderwaa.
Academy
The early Saturday session belonged to the up-and-coming riders of the industry. Earning titles in their classes were: Patricia Wagner, Lindsey Bryan, Denise Patch, Chris Wisdom, Melinda Tedder, Emily Peele, Brandi Crouch, Sydney Rowell, Morgan Barney, Tiffany Hager, Beth Viering, Isabella Bartilucci, Kristin Sain, Ciara Horton, Tina Johnson, Aimee Taylor, Bailey Routh, Erica Johnson, Meredith Macy, Olivia Knox, Dana Matixs, Natalie Swimmer, Jessica Jones, Summer Blackwelder, Jazmine Jones, Alex Cedrone, Riley Grace Didier, Kelyn Diamond, Kathleen Baker, Taylor Cooley, Kaitlyn Creekmore, Madeline Long, Holly Sobon, Kayla Wilson, Gabrielle Green, Tiffany Knox, Charlie Pickens, Sydney Beason, Anna Hansil and Tatum Tucker.
This concludes the highlights for the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking on SHOW RESULTS.
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