Connecticut Morgan Horse Show - Highlights
Friday, June 17, 2005
In Hand
The show got underway on Tuesday evening with all of the in hand competition taking place in the coliseum. It began on somewhat of a quiet note with smaller than usual numbers in both horses competing and spectators. Those who were in attendance got the chance to see some outstanding youngsters star as the first champions of the week.
The mares were first on the schedule with MEM Shock & Awe living up to her name and her heritage guided by Rick Lane for George Schott's Maine Event Morgans. The smooth and stretchy bay represented her sire Serenity Masterpiece and dam AFF Evening Episode in great style winning the Yearling Fillies and Junior Champion Mare honors on the way to the Grand Champion Mare title. It was a tricolor sweep for the yearlings as Mike Carpenter presented KGA Montigo Bay to the Reserve Junior Champion Mare honors. The Mizrahi daughter was bred and is owned by Maggie Hood. Allison Shemkovitz and Townshend Call Her Bella earned the call to the winner's circle in the Two-Year-Old Mares class.
The Graycliff breeding program added another bright star to its list of champions in Graycliff Miss Liberty. Luman Wadhams was on the lead of the promising daughter of Liberation First Star and HVK Metaxa to top the largest class of the division in the seven-entry Three-Year-Old Mares before going to be named Senior Champion Mare and Reserve Grand Champion Mare. Charles and Judy Dorr were delighted with their lovely Beethoven daughter as Riverside Radiance posed for the Reserve Senior Champion Mare honors. Dottie Brittingham and Deb Becroft teamed up for the blue ribbon performance in the Four-Year-Old Mares with Raintree Remember Me. B My Playmate showed off her good looks on the way to the Five and Over Mares blue with Bill Parker on the lead for Elizabeth Bertrand.
The In Hand Geldings were next on tap with Tim Roesink kicking off his first trip to Connecticut Morgan in blue ribbon fashion. The Two and Under Gelding blue was the first of many victories on the week for Ann Hailey and Copper Beech Morgans as Tim Roesink presented the GLB Bell Pepper son CBMF Stand By Me. Jean DeGutis and Nikki Rae Woodworth's fronty Man About Town LPS son That's My Man was the main man in the gelding division as he showed off for the Three and Four-Year-Old Geldings blue on the way to the Grand Champion Gelding title. It was a tricolor sweep for the get of Man About Town LPS as Graywoods Corin repeated his Vermont Spring Classic title as Reserve Grand Champion Gelding. Percy McDaniel guided Courtney Barber's fancy new entry to the Five and Over Geldings blue to start.
The In Hand Stallion division capped off the evening with more crowd-pleasing performances. Roxanne Sardelli and her Sarde Morgans breeding program added another impressive youngster to its list of show ring winners with Sarde's Samarai. The polished son of Stonecroft Byzantine and Lady Hot Topic posed for the yearling colts win and returned to be named Reserve Junior Champion Stallion and Reserve Grand Champion Stallion with Rick Stevens on the lead. Tuesday night provided a great start to the week for the get of Stonecroft Byzantine and the entries of Ann Hailey. This was clearly evident in RMW Free Rein, the extravagant white trimmed bay son of Byzantine and Wild Imaginings, a daughter of Born To Boogie and UVM Unity. Rodney Hicks and Debra Gowans guided Free Rein to the top of the charts as the Two-Year-Old Stallion winner, Junior Champion Stallion and Grand Champion Stallion.
Hylee's Black Tie Affair enjoyed his formal presentation to collect the Five and Over Stallions blue along with the Senior Champion Stallion honors. The sleek black Serenity Flight Time son captured the honors for owner Helen Faraday Young and trainer Courtney Scionti assisted by Bernard Parker. Menomin Yankee D Dandy made a tricolor return to the show ring for Mitch Michaud and Corine Crossmon to be named Reserve Senior Champion Stallion.
Park Saddle
The Open Park Saddle Championship is the traditional ending to the Friday night session at the Connecticut Morgan Horse Show. It was another tricolor finish for Ann Hailey's Copper Beech Morgans as CBMF Great Balls Of Fire and Amy Neifert teamed up to earn the Bennfield's Ace Trophy. Neifert and Hailey were the winning combination in the Junior Park Saddle Championship as well. It was the elegant CBMF Unforgettable who put on a brilliant show for the top honors. Grand National Champion Stardavari enjoyed a blue ribbon saddle debut in the Junior Park Saddle qualifier. Mike Carpenter guided Terry Titus's Liberation First Star daughter to the blue as well as the reserve tricolor.
World Champion Queen's Victorian Lady and Sandy Hendrick followed up their victorious team debut at Vermont with another pair of outstanding wins at Connecticut. They started off with polish and elegance on Wednesday night to earn the Ladies Park Saddle blue ribbon and flowers along with the Moreover Challenge Trophy. They concluded on Saturday night by besting an impressive field of six to earn the Amateur Park Saddle Championship directed by David Rand for Queen's River Farm. Cynthia Fawcett and Fox Glen Hail To Divinity continued their winning streak with a polished ride for the Amateur Park Saddle blue and went on to collect the reserve tricolor under the Hobby Knoll Stable banner.
Brooke Gove has certainly found her man of distinction and they make quite a team. HVK Man Of Distinction and Brooke Gove followed their tricolor Vermont debut in the junior exhibitor division with two bold rides here for the Junior Exhibitor Park Saddle blue and tricolor along with the Paramount's Mariner Memorial Trophy to the delight of their exuberant cheering section from Taylor River Farm. Kate Foy and Cedar Creek Samurai turned in a pair of confident rides to follow up with reserve honors and add to the CPM banner.
JW Main Dame and Jane Morrell put on a dynamic performance in the Limit Park Saddle to carry the blue ribbon honors to Susan Therrien.
Park Harness
The Open Park Harness Championship caps off the show ring competition at the Connecticut Morgan Horse Show each year. This year¹s final tricolor was placed on the harness of the multi-titled Comoshun's Avante with Jim Sebring giving the Comeau family entry a bold drive to put an exclamation point on a tricolor show for Sebring Stables. PWF Good Will Hunting showed off some of his talents in the harness division as David Rand guided the Dantree Farm entry to the limit blue as well as the reserve tricolor.
Heidi Kunkel enjoyed a victorious return to the show ring as she matched up with her animated chestnut mare KD Hot To Trot. They were the picture of elegance as they captured the Ladies Park Harness blue and flowers under the guidance of Rick Stevens.
The Amateur Park Harness blue and tricolor as well as the Laurelledge Renegade Trophy also went back to the Stonegate banner as the Grand National Championship team of CN The Commanding Touch and Brenda Varney started off the year in top form. Robert Neimeth and the extravagant-motioned Silverheels Synergy added the reserve tricolor to the Misty Meadows banner with their performance.
Steven Handy started off another winning show with his entries as he guided RFF Stars N Stripes to a stylish drive for the Youth Park Harness victory directed by Ann Anderson.
Ann Hailey's string of outstanding young horses featured a pair of winning park harness entries. Carolyn Sebring was on the lines of the pretty bay Wintop's Princess Vanity to claim top honors in the four-year-old class and the Junior Park Harness Championship. SPA Miss Elegance showed off her athletic ability for matching blues in the Three-Year-Old Park Harness and UPHA Park Harness Classic with Tim Roesink in the driver's seat.
English Pleasure
The English Pleasure division contained a number of large and competitive classes with some notable youngsters and new combinations enjoying winning performances. The Open English Pleasure Championship closed out the division with World Champion Stonecroft Byzantine making his presence known in a new division while his offspring enjoyed a winning week as well. Anne Benson teamed up with Heidi Kunkel's majestic stallion to capture the tricolor along with the Morgan Manor Challenge Trophy after a surprise entrance for the qualifier blue earlier in the week. WSG Wham-O was a bold presence with David Rand to earn the English Pleasure Reserve Championship for Steven and Jill Tassinari.
David Rand's string of impressive English pleasure entries also featured Queen's Loverboy who was a dynamic presence as the winner of the seven entry limit class for Queen's River Farm. Kate Kertscher's charismatic One & Only started off her saddle career at Connecticut with a blue ribbon performance in the novice class with Bonnie Sogoloff guiding.
Think About It MEM is enjoying a great first season in walk-trot for new owner Alex Frangiosa and is also stepping up with bold performances guided by Nikki Rae Woodworth. At Connecticut, it was Woodworth's turn to pilot the Futurity French Command son as they rode away with the Ladies English Pleasure Championship. Following a great equitation career in the 1990s, Alissa Leonard has returned to the show ring with her new mount Meet Joe Black. They teamed up for a blue ribbon debut in the eight-entry ladies qualifier for Applied Communications and finished off with the reserve tricolor.
The amateurs once again provided the audience with plenty of opportunities to cheer them on as they vied for top honors. The 11-entry Amateur English Pleasure Championship saw the world titled team of Nicoria and Amy Gatewood continue their winning streak for Dantree Farm under the direction of David Rand. The tricolor kicked off a birthday celebration for Gatewood who also collected the amateur stallion/gelding blue. The amateur championship was filled with outstanding champions including the always-competitive reserve team of Aspenglow Genesis and Brenda Varney.
The amateur division featured a quartet of qualifiers featuring a wide range of winning entries. Southern Rhythm and Casey McDonald continued their winning ways adding the Amateur English Pleasure Mares blue to the Rand banner. Rare Obsession and Shirley Haas showed their polished style as they made the victory pass in the Amateur Ladies English Pleasure directed by Mike Carpenter. Carolyn Gibbard and MLF On Cue took their winning cues from Rick Lane on the way to the Amateur English Pleasure Over 21 win.
Caitlynn Ramsey and Lookaway's Hot Ticket swept top honors in the well-filled Youth English Pleasure division with a pair of bold rides to earn the blue ribbon and tricolor to open the season. IMA Class Action and Lindsay Perry matched up for the reserve tricolor performance for Traci Brown under the Vintage Valley banner.
The junior exhibitor 14-17 division saw Hylee's Dann Osgood and Kristi Evans earn Connecticut's top honors for the fourth year in a row. This polished pair once again captured the tricolor as well as the qualifier blue under the Moreland Farm banner. The seven-entry championship saw Stephanie Marcelonis and Paparazzi turn in a confident ride for the reserve tricolor for CPM Stables. Bridget Sweeney was all smiles as she rode the expressive Dorneywood Stars N Stripes down victory lane in the Limit Rider 14-17 English Pleasure under the Taylor River Farm banner.
Kate Alderman closed out a fabulous week by earning her third tricolor of the show in the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure 13 & Under Championship. She teamed up for this victory with the tried and true Limerick Pepperdon after a blue ribbon ride in the qualifier to the delight of trainer/mom Peggy Alderman. Liberation Madison Square and Abby Raucher added another reserve tricolor to their impressive first season together directed by Jennifer Roberts. Cedar Hill's Desiree and Mary Grygarcewicz earned their time on victory lane with a blue ribbon win in the Limit Rider 13 & Under English Pleasure for Anita Hoynoski.
The Walk and Trot Pleasure 9-11 featured a large and competitive group of young riders. The perfectly matched team of SKB Lilyth and Elizabeth Wyllie were on top of their game to earn the tricolor for the second year in a row coached by Jean DeGutis. RRG Reign Man and Carolyn Spinelli turned in a confident ride to add the reserve tricolor to their impressive debut season under the Taylor River banner. The Grand National Championship pairing of Twin Peak's Princess K and Amber Brown started off the week with the victory pass in the seven entry 9-11 qualifier.
Max Liberty enjoyed a pair of victorious rides as he guided the one-of-a-kind Hyland Acres Command to the Walk-Trot English Pleasure 8 & Under blue and tricolor to the delight of the Rand cheering section. They were followed in both outings by Buckeye Acres Patrick and Taylor Borruso.
There was no more excited winner at the show than Kathy Dowding as she made her way to the winner's circle in the Limit Rider English Pleasure Championship with Debbie Lucas's handy Hillwood Irish Rose. Noteworthy and Christina Fredette carried the reserve tricolor honors back to Driftway Meadows with a confident ride. Roxanne Tubolino and Hillwood Irish Eyes bested a field of nine to make the victory pass in the Adult Limit Rider English Pleasure qualifier for Dorothy Miskiv.
The Four-Year-Old English Pleasure division featured the dynamic Eye Spy stepping up for a winning debut for Misty Meadows. Jaisen von Ballmoos guided the Liberation First Star son to the blue ribbon in a strong eight horse field and returned for the tricolor honors. The flaxen trimmed Monnington Wish and David Rand followed up with the reserve honors with bright performances for the Raymond Ramsey family.
SKB Isabella was the headlining act in the Three-Year-Old English Pleasure competition. Nikki Rae Woodworth guided the Tug Hill Whamunition daughter to the blue ribbon and tricolor for proud owner/breeder Sharon Bryant. B Attitude and Bill Parker added the reserve tricolor to the Stepping Stone banner.
Pleasure Driving
Some new horses and combinations in the Pleasure Driving division did battle with some well-tested combinations to earn a trip to the winner's circle. The awarding of the Bay State Flyon Challenge Trophy in the Open Pleasure Driving Championship featured another impressive victory for World Champion Dragonsmeade CarnegieHall. The Connecticut audience cheered on the spectacular Kourt Jester Morgans' entry as Tim Roesink guided him to the tricolor following a victorious performance in the ultra-competitive seven- entry four-year-old stallion/gelding qualifier. The competition was outstanding throughout as Reserve World Champion On Line took time off from his breeding duties to win the open qualifier and be named reserve champion. Mike Carpenter was on the lines of the handsome Linda Langlois entry.
The new combination of Oak Creek Chief Of Staff and Margaret Brown earned a trio of visits to the winner's circle under the direction of Coby Holowacz. They earned matching blues in the limit driver and ladies qualifiers and returned to carry the Ladies Pleasure Driving Championship home in style. Melissa Miskiv Keene and Eire Crest On Stage had their fans cheering with two bright reserve showings.
Nancy Bitters is enjoying another sensational season on the lines of her bold performing Hillock Rienzi. They bested the competitive field of eight in the amateur qualifier for the second year in a row and finished with the Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship prepared by Mike Carpenter. The Grand National Championship team of Contagious and Ann Hailey turned in a dynamic drive for the reserve tricolor honors.
Jim Sebring showed off his driving talents once again as he matched up with NBN Cochise for the Youth Pleasure Driving victory for the Comeau family.
Kate Alderman had the winning hand in the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving as she matched up with the bold performing AFF Leroy Brown for the blue and tricolor coached by proud mom Peggy. Paparazzi and Stephanie Marcelonis picked up their first of two reserve tricolors with a polished drive for CPM Stables.
World Champion FRF Seattle Reign was the toast of Taylor River Farm as Richard Boule drove the bold performing HVK Courageous Flaire son to the Four-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Championship with dynamic precision. Tim Roesink brought an impressive string of youngsters including the reserve champion CBMF Solitaire who also strutted away with the four-year-old mares blue for Ann Hailey's Copper Beech Morgan Farm.
There was certainly no kidding around as a competitive field of youngsters saw No Kidding rise to the top to be named Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Champion. Rick Stevens guided the HVK Courageous Flaire daughter to the tricolor following the five-entry three-year-old mares blue for Heidi Kunkel. Reserve World Champion MEM Say My Name followed up with an exuberant performance for the reserve tricolor honors with Jeff White on the lines for Maine Event Morgans.
Stonecroft Byzantine was once again the proud papa as World Champion CBMF Mozambique added the Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Stallion/Gelding blue to a great week for Copper Beech Morgans with Harry Sebring on the lines. Mike Carpenter introduced an exceptional And The Beat Goes On son to the winner's circle as Dragonsmeade Carnaros earned the well-received victory in the UPHA Pleasure Driving Classic for Dragonsmeade Farm.
Mike Carpenter's string of pleasure driving horses were on top of their game all week long. It was the Tug Hill Whamunition son Final Judgement who topped the competition in the two-year-old division earning the blue ribbon and tricolor for William Filosi. The elegant MEM Mailbu Barbie and Jeff White followed up with the reserve tricolor for Maine Event Morgans. Meanwhile, Malibu Barbie's sire MEM Bailamos made his only appearance count as Jeff White guided him to a stylish victory in the Limit Pleasure Driving to add to a winning week for Maine Event Morgans.
Western Pleasure
The western pleasure division was filled with quality and quantity as many veteran champions jogged beside a crop of challenging new entries. Treble's Tanqueray was the picture of type and quality as Judy Nason guided him down victory lane to collect the Corrick Challenge Trophy as the Open Western Pleasure Champion. Ashley Fleck matched up with the top performing stallion to earn the open blue in their team debut for Greg and Carol Fleck. Donna Evans and the world titled Futurity's On Your Mark closed out a great show with the reserve open tricolor. The Moreland Farm trained team earlier earned a trio of blues in the amateur, ladies and amateur ladies qualifiers and also captured the Amateur Western Pleasure Reserve Championship.
Stunningly accessorized in burgundy and gold, Erika Ramsey and KSB Elizabeth carried the top honors in the 12-entry Amateur Western Pleasure Championship back to the Raymond Ramsey family and the Rand banner. It was also a winning show for KSB Elizabeth's eldest daughter ECP The Seventh Stone who jogged away with the Novice Western Pleasure blue guided by Judy Nason for Marion Bengtson. Nason also paired up Jill Tassinari with Julie Comeau's JNS In Like Flynn to jog away with the Limit Rider Western Pleasure win.
It was celebration time at Bellewether as DFM Poetic Justice and Jenna Britt retired the Shananigan Challenge Trophy with their third consecutive victory in the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure Championship. This followed a polished ride for the qualifier blue as well. The Evans family had a stellar show with all of their horses as Nicole and Black Berry jogged away with the reserve tricolor for the second year in a row in a tricolor repeat.
Miller Young Fina and Marin Royal Command are enjoying another sensational season in the walk/jog division. They made everyone at Barbara Irvine Stables proud as they earned the blue and tricolor as part of an undefeated show for the second year in a row. They were followed by the well-matched team of Claridge Nobl Ricochet and Courtney Howard to the delight of the Grove Pointe cheering section.
Judy Nason and Melanie Small teamed up to put another promising western horse in the ring as Pondview Pure Elegance collected the Junior Western Pleasure Championship. Junior qualifier winner Whispering Joey added the reserve tricolor to the Hyland Farm banner with Jane Scanlon guiding for Susan Scanlon.
Hunter Pleasure
The Hunter Pleasure division featured many outstanding classes of both quality and quantity. JAR Golden Boy showed off his size and stature to top the field as the Open Hunter Pleasure Champion. Cindy Mugnier guided Jennifer Roberts' Cedar Creek Harlequin son to the tricolor following blue ribbon performances in the novice and limit classes. It was a tricolor sweep for JP Stables as Laura Reed and her pretty new partner SMS Moredelay followed up with their second reserve tricolor following the Ladies Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship. World Champion Indian Creek Belle Isle continued a winning season with Keely Sogoloff as they earned the Ladies Hunter Pleasure blue and tricolor for the second year in a row for Julie and Joanne Byrn.
The 12-entry Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championship featured another tricolor sweep for JP Stables. This time it was last year's junior exhibitor championship team of FZM Hale Bopp and Erica Santa displaying their polished winning style to collect the tricolor following their amateur ladies victory. CBMF Mind Games and Jodi Torati stepped up with an eye-catching ride to earn the reserve tricolor. Riverside Buckingham and Robin Vergato added a pair of blues to their collection as they stepped to the front of the pack in the amateur and open qualifiers.
The Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure 14-17 Championship was one of the largest and most competitive championships of the show with 16 top flight entries. It was the well-matched team of Mtn Run Noble Contender and Amanda Porto who earned the chance to put their names on the Tupenny's Terrance Challenge Trophy. Scott Travers directed them to the tricolor following a winning ride in the first section of the divided qualifier. The impressive team of ESS Harlequin's Promise and Trish Spinelli turned in a bold performance to carry the reserve honors back to Taylor River Farm. Driftway Meadows added the yellow ribbon from the championship to the banner courtesy of Fawnledge Bumblebee and Sara Fredette who had earned matching blues in the second section of the 14-17 qualifier as well as the Junior Exhibitor Novice Rider Hunter Pleasure for Debora Sukeforth.
Driftway Meadows added to a stellar show as RGM Viking's Enchantment and Kathryn Tongue strided away with the 13 & under blue and tricolor. Lauren Foy and Pot Luck continued a great season as they matched their Vermont Spring Classic reserve championship finish.
The Walk/Trot Hunter Pleasure division was filled with 13 promising teams with parents, grandparents, instructors and friends railside cheering them on. Hylee's Celtic Flaire and Keren Satkin were the big winners as they carried the blue ribbon and tricolor back to Driftway Meadows. Irish Justinian and Julia Reynolds turned in a confident ride under the direction of Barbara Irvine for the reserve tricolor finish.
Gabrielle Ploss celebrated a big week with her high school graduation along with a tricolor ride aboard GW In Lieu Of Cash. The copper chestnut earned the top spot in the Youth Hunter Pleasure Championship following a blue ribbon ride in the maiden class under the Sebring Stable banner. Nicole Neville and her long strided Stradivarius added the Youth Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship to the Bellewether banner. LSPR Niteryder and Caitlin Wolfe stood out in the 17 horse field in the youth qualifier earning them a trip to the winner's circle.
Meadowair High Hopes and Keely Sogoloff continued their winning streak started at Vermont as they earned the Junior Hunter Pleasure Championship following the four-year-old blue for Andrea Chickering-Sawyer. Brenda Varney cheered on her up and coming Pembroke's Sweet Treat as Anne Benson guided the winning three-year-old to the Junior Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship.
Classic Pleasure
The Classic Pleasure division once again featured some of the largest and most competitive classes of the show. Friday night's Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship was one of the largest with 16 teams vying for top honors. Laurin Johnson and Med-E-Oka French Morocco showed supreme style and confidence as they earned a ride in the spotlight. They were greeted in the winner's circle by David Rand following their tricolor victory which was preceded by a matching set of blue ribbons in the Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle and Driving qualifiers. Leah Hurley and Bilzone GQ Material teamed up for the reserve tricolor following a victory in the 11-entry stallion/gelding class coached by Jean DeGutis.
Mary Smola and Noble Viking Echo turned in a polished ride prepared by Mike Carpenter to best a top field of eight in the Classic Pleasure Saddle Mares. The Novice Classic Pleasure Saddle featured a trip to the winner's circle for Bethesda Elvis and Jessica Dionne as they topped a competitive field of 10. Tim Pothier and Who's Your Daddy added the Junior Pleasure Saddle blue to the Janbark banner with another winning ride.
The fronty Regatta Showboat and David Camara topped judge Loiselle's card as they collected the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship over a fine field of entries. The dynamic SBS Power Play followed with the reserve honors after besting the seven-entry qualifier to add to a winning show for the Evans family.
Jack Gatewood was the master of the classic pleasure driving division at Connecticut Morgan. He had his choice of entries in the championship after earning matching blues with Cedar Creek Vizcaya in the mares qualifier and SpringMill Encore in the stallion/gelding qualifier. It was the lovely Vizcaya who was the pick to go back in the championship and she was judge Judd's top pick as well for the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship victory for Dantree Farm. Loek Neimeth and Raintree Valedictorian continued their string of tricolors with the Classic Pleasure Driving Reserve Championship for Misty Meadows.
Lindsay Perry matched up with Ultra's Now And Forever for a polished drive to earn the Junior Classic Pleasure Driving blue for Toni Watkins. Sarah Johnson took over the lines of the Michael and Sara Foy's Lookaway's Vanessa to add the Novice Classic Pleasure Driving blue to the CPM Stables banner.
Stephen Handy and Hermitage Avatar were perfectly matched to enjoy the repeat tricolor victory in the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Driving Championship. They started off the week with the qualifier win coached by Ann Anderson. Shae Scanlon continued the tricolor family tradition as she matched up with Nancy Packard's PT Son Of A Gun for the reserve tricolor performance.
Equitation
The equitation division featured a group of outstanding riders vying for top honors in all seats and age groups. The Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship brought the division to a close on Saturday evening with a top field of seven taking part in the railwork and judge Judd's challenging pattern. Shelley Stevenson followed her tricolor equitation debut with Rowenda French Twist at Vermont with a grand victory at Connecticut. Instructor Bonnie Sogoloff congratulated the winning team on this major accomplishment. Morgan Glenn enjoyed her first show under the Cricket Hill banner with Hollybrook Gentleman Jack as she earned dual victories in the AMHA Medal and UPHA Senior Challenge Cup while finishing off with the reserve tricolor. Stablemate Jamie Cruz continued her string of honors with a bold ride aboard HVK Latin Wild to best the six rider field in the Saddle Seat Equitation 14-17.
Kate Alderman has become quite the young horsewoman as she proved at Connecticut earning top honors in a trio of divisions. Matched with Minion Absolut and directed by Cricket Hill Farm, she showed polish and style to earn matching blues in the 13 & under qualifier and UPHA Junior Challenge Cup on the way to the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. Abby Raucher and her partner Liberation Madison Square earned their first of two reserve tricolors with an impressive performance coached by Jennifer Roberts.
The Classic Saddle Seat Equitation Championship featured a tricolor sweep for Equitation Unlimited. Raisa Herriera was matched with the veteran mount Black Gold Windsor to hang the tricolor on the banner while qualifier winner Katie Coney picked up the reserve aboard Conundrum.
The Walk and Trot division was full of top riding youngsters receiving strong support from instructors, families and friends on the rail. The large and competitive 9-11 Walk and Trot Equitation division came to a grand finale in the Saturday afternoon championship with Elizabeth Wylie stepping up for her second tricolor of the show aboard SKB Lilyth and instructed by Jean DeGutis. Amber Brown and Twin Peak Princess K showed off their style to collect the reserve tricolor directed by Coby Holowacz. The eight rider qualifier featured Carolyn Spinelli smiling brightly as she made the victory pass aboard RRG Reign Man prepared by Sarah Gove. Taylor Borruso collected the walk-trot 8 & under blue and tricolor with winning exhibitions guided by Melissa Lambrecht.
The Leadline classes were perhaps the toughest classes of the show to judge. The young riders battled it out for top honors with close inspection from the judge at the walk and the trot as well as in the line up. In the end it was Nicole Bobbi earning the Saddle Seat Leadline blue ribbon with the winning ride led by mom Karen Bobbi. Tayler Nichols turned in the winning ride in the Hunt and Western Seat Leadline with a polished performance guided by Jennifer Keuhn.
Stevie Meder topped all competitors as she displayed great form and supreme confidence aboard TJB Opinionated to earn the Senior Hunt Seat Equitation Championship. She also earned matching blues in the competitive AMHA Medal and 14-17 qualifier under the direction of JP Stables. Nicole Neville showed poise and polish to be named the reserve champion aboard Mtn Laurel Misty Moonlight under the Bellewether banner.
Hillary Wiles-Lafayette showed off her skills posting the tricolor victory in the Junior Hunt Seat Equitation Championship as well as earning the AMHA Hunt Seat Over Fences Medal with Three D Renegade under the Bittersweet banner. Morgan Zielinski and UVM Allegro teamed up for the winning ride in the qualifier and finished off with the reserve championship.
Anna Tassinari displayed winning determination as she maneuvered Brando B Commando to the Walk and Trot Hunt Seat Equitation 9-11 Championship coached by Judy Nason. Katelyn Merrill turned in a polished ride for the reserve tricolor following a blue ribbon ride in the eight rider qualifier coached by big sister Sarah Gove. Keren Satkin earned her first of two tricolor victories aboard Hylee's Celtic Flaire in the 8 & under championship. Samantha Franks followed up her qualifier win by collecting the reserve tricolor under the Taylor River Farm banner.
In the dressage ring, Elizabeth Conner earned the top score in the USEF Dressage Seat Equitation.
Jenna Britt earned her ticket to Oklahoma with the winning ride in the AMHA Western Seat Medal to add to a great show with DFM Poetic Justice under the Bellewether banner. The Walk and Jog Western Seat Equitation 11 & Under blue and tricolor featured Miller Young Fina earning the top honors and the cheers of her friends and fans for the second year in a row aboard Marin Royal Command. Eliza Hine added the reserve tricolor to her honors under the Bittersweet Farm banner.
Miscellaneous
Morgans are offered a chance to show in a variety of disciplines in the approximately 200 classes that Connecticut Morgan offers. The crowd got the chance show its vocal support in a trio of outstanding roadster classes. The open class capped the action on Saturday night with the multi-titled park harness champion MEM No Inhibitions bringing her talents to a new arena. Jeff White had the expressive chestnut mare in high gear to carry the honors back to George Schott's Maine Event Morgans. Friday night's Amateur Roadster To Bike blue also went back to the Cabot banner courtesy of the charismatic World Champion JW Romantic Ways and her game owner/driver Frank Gibbard. The Roadster Under Saddle competition started off the action on a steamy Wednesday night with Shelley Silber giving Primary Investment GP a bold ride to race away with the blue ribbon honors coached by Tim Roesink.
MNM Anticipation earned a leg on the UC Top Hat Challenge Trophy as he and Megan Lesperence rode away with the Road Hack Championship. Siemper Fi Of Equinox and Lindsay Jagodowski followed with the reserve pass. The qualifiers featured Hylee's Seven Come Eleven and Morgan Zielinski topping the open and Ariel Eclipse and Robin Vergato winning the amateur.
The Working Hunter competition took place on Friday and featured victories for Baystar Vista (Beginner Champion), King's Thunder Alley (Beginner Reserve Champion), Three D Renegade (Low Hunter Champion and Working Hunter Champion), Blue Knoll Zephyr (Working Hunter Reserve Champion), and MXM Breezy Knight (Low Hunter Reserve Champion).
Saturday's dressage competition featured over 100 rides stretching all day into the early evening with HVK Noble Portrait, Equinox Encore, Prindle's Sammy Davis Jr., Oak Creek Rebel Spirit, Sagamore Domino, Beta B Provocative, Coulee Bend High Velocity, Twelve Oak Intrepid, Imperial Major, Menomin Maine Yankee, Bittersweet Beaujangles, Caduceus Kazan, Lone Oak Chance, and Stormhaven Hopscotch all earning top winning scores.
The carriage competition also took place outdoors on Friday and Saturday in a well filled division in the outdoor carriage arena. Equinox Sensation earned Friday night's Carriage Pleasure Driving Championship as well as a High Point Carriage Championship. Other blue ribbon and high point winners included; UVM Baywatch, Greenvale Dakota Dancer, Meadowmere Courelation, Hickory Lane Advantanna, DRF Sea Wolf, UC Rianna, and RB An Affair To Remember.
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