Del Mar Charity Fair Remains A California Treasure
Thursday, June 22, 2006
by Leeann Mione
DEL MAR, Calif. –Traditionally, during the month of June on the southern California coast the fog rolls in and “June Gloom” descends like a wet, cold blanket and those that attend the Del Mar Charity Fair Horse Show are often themselves huddled in warm coats or gathered near the outdoor heaters in the stands trying to stay warm. This year, however, Mother Nature got a late start and the week of June 13-16, stayed unseasonably warm even in the evenings. It was just one more reason why the level of enthusiasm stayed high all week and this year’s show ended as well as it began.
The move a couple of years ago to a mid-week show instead of the traditional weekend dates during the fair had some people worried that entries would decline. That, however, really hasn’t proven to be true. Saddlebred, Morgan and Friesian barns again converged on the San Diego County Fairgrounds in Del Mar in force and put on a great show.
Entries that show on the Pacific Coast show circuit have always been a strong presence at their respective breed world and national championship shows and Charity Fair again this year showcased combinations that promise to be major contenders for world titles.
Led once again by Manager Harriet Landrum, the staff and horse show committee worked hard to welcome and take care of exhibitors. They kept things running smoothly all week. Sadly, the staff roster changed shortly before this year’s show with the sudden and unexpected death of Diane Novak. Novak, a former manager of the show, had been an integral part of keeping the show office at Del Mar in order in recent years and took care of data processing. Ron Hood graciously stepped in on short notice and handled her duties with ease.
Charity Fair again benefited the Don Diego Fund which awards college scholarships to high school seniors associated with the San Diego County Fair and provides grants for agricultural education in San Diego County. In addition, the show benefits the Helen Woodward Animal Center and its pet encounter therapy and therapeutic riding programs.
A full day of competition on Tuesday got things rolling along in fine fashion inside the show ring, but it was after the show that the party really got started. Joan Fernandez of Friesian Focus once again sponsored an exhibitors’ party that gave new meaning to the word “elaborate.” From the lavish buffet and open bar to the live music and a barn set up that obviously took hours and hours of very hard work to prepare, it was a party that no one wanted to miss. Fernandez, trainer Lance Bennett, manager Scott Hickey and the staff of Friesian Focus and Rancho Vista Stables took care of every detail to ensure the big crowd that gathered had a great time.
Anne Speck and Rancho Del Mar sponsored an ice cream social Thursday evening which drew a big crowd and provided yet another nice touch to the week.
Activities outside the ring were great and the action inside the ring was even better with some of the industry’s heavy hitters in attendance from the Saddlebred, Morgan and Friesian communities.
Judges John Whalen and Terry Brennan Jones had a lot of great horseflesh to evaluate. The equitation division was also well-supported with nine in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship.
The Charity Fair crowd added to the excitement with their warm reception and enthusiastic support of great class after great class.
CCV Casey’s Final Countdown and Michele Macfarlane have earned numerous Five-Gaited Stake wins together for both Sisi Stables and Scripps Miramar, and at Del Mar they added another tricolor grand championship to their total after having won the open class. The flashy South African entry seemed to enjoy both the big ring and the crowd as he took the victory pass in Thursday evening’s final class.
Premier’s Belief headed to center ring early in the week after winning the limit horse class and returned in the open stake to finish as the reserve grand champion with Teri Yount up both times for Hollett Farms and Stables.
CH Sprinkles, like Casey’s Final Countdown, followed up wins at Chapter 1 but this time in a different division. She and Macfarlane swept the amateur stake and qualifier amongst a competitive group. CH Callaway’s Arbitrator and Julia Martin, showing under the direction of Bruce Dixon, also continued their successful season by taking the reserve tricolor in the amateur stake with a strong team effort.
Mackenzie Lyttle teamed Hart Of The Town to both the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Championship and qualifier wins under the direction of trainer Amanda Groce, who proudly displayed curtains for her just-getting-started training operation, Johnny Six Training. Groce, as both the owner and trainer at her facility with her husband Greg, was elated to meet Lyttle and the Hogan’s sporty campaigner in the winner’s circle.
She’s A Keeper and Gentry Beauclair showcased their teamwork and were met by well-known Arizona trainer Matthew Roberts of White Star Stables when they were named the reserve grand champions.
Macfarlane was back in the winner’s circle again when Judge John Whalen gave the nod to her Shedaisey Of Silver Oaks in the junior class.
Victoria Lynn and Jim Cherry are another California team that has been having a great season so far and they followed up their UPHA Chapter 1-Woodside wins with Del Mar’s Three-Gaited Grand Championship and open champion titles for Zazen Ranch. Liz Bolton brought a big group to Del Mar and they put numerous ribbons on the tack room wall including the reserve streamers from the open stake. Bolton rode Silversmith for the Kilbourne family.
Julia Chen and Susan Valley Chen have been a winning mother-daughter combination showing from Diamond Hills for many years and they also continued their winning streak at Del Mar. Julia and CH Like Sunshine returned from the ladies/amateur qualifier to win the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake under the direction of Michael Craghead. Aphrodite’s Tears and Lynda Lord from White Star Stables won the ladies/amateur class and took the reserve in the amateur stake.
Allison Cherry had even more reason to smile after her win in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Stake. She rushed off, with sister Caroline and parents Jim and Helen Cherry soon to follow, for her high school graduation. Allison had already won the qualifier for Zazen Ranch.
Too Much Talk made her season debut with Derek Repp and it was a winning one. She headed to the winner’s circle for owner Jennifer Sandefur after Whalen named her the junior/novice horse champion. Fire Down Below with Frank Miller on board won the three-year-old class for owner April Caulk to help give the Millers a huge week with their entries at Del Mar.
A Solar Flare turned in a strong effort and topped a nice Park Championship with Roman Marcos up for Emerald Hills. Roman and Cayce Marcos directed Emerald Hills to a big week at Charity Fair to keep their successful season going.
Pernickety! and Bruce Dixon started winning at Cow Palace and turned in yet another successful team effort at Del Mar to capture the open qualifier win for Alison Benz. Dixon then rode for the reserve streamers in the championship.
Brookhill’s Periday added two more wins to the Zazen total to follow up recent wins at Chapter 1. Cherry drove to the Fine Harness Grand Championship and open qualifier blue. Fusilier was directed by Keith Roberts, under the direction of Barbara Beamer, to the reserve title in the open stake.
Sally Spalding and her big gelding No Jacket Required have been a consistent presence in the top ribbons in the amateur fine harness division under the direction of Diamond Hills, and in their single appearance at Del Mar took the blue in the amateur class to add another win to their resume.
Mackenzie Lyttle drove CH The Savoy to the ASHAF Fine Harness Youth Driving Challenge victory for Barbara Beamer and Seaview Farm.
Lucky Lady Supreme and Derek Repp headed to the winner’s circle in the three-year-old class for Maynard and Linda Brittan to add to the Fair Hills Farm win total.
Royal Entry, owned by Dr. J.T. and Mary Jane Cherry of Piney River Farms, won the two-year-old class with Jim Cherry driving.
Seamair’s Awesome Dancer and Julie DeVault have already proven that the move from the pleasure driving division to the roadster pony division was a good one with their win at Chapter 1 and top ribbons at Monterey. They cemented their reputation as contenders with both the roadster pony championship and open wins at Del Mar.
Heartland Candidate and Sandra Surber put on two more great shows this season to add two more wins to their very long list of career wins. They finished the week as the Hackney Pony Grand Champions after winning the open class from Dixon Stables.
The Hackney pleasure driving division showcased “Heartland” prefixed ponies in the top slots in both the championship and qualifier. Heartland Entertainment and Dr. Amy Barmeier Dru took the victory pass in the championship after a solid effort under the direction of Liz Bolton. Heartland Equalizer and Beau Rash were right there to claim reserve honors under the direction of Anne Speck and they came into the championship with the win in the AHHS youth medallion class to their credit.
Heartland King Of Kings and Joanne Weiner, under the direction of Rockridge Farm, have been having a great year with wins at Cow Palace and Chapter 1 and they continued it with the win in the qualifier. A thrown shoe in the championship prevented them from finishing the class.
CH Forever Aptor is just one of Gail Hooker’s top show string contenders and Hooker rode hard to prove she and her new teammate had what it takes to go to the top. Forever Aptor went straight to the top of the card in the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure class, then returned in the stake and did it again. An elated Bill Tomin met an equally elated Gail Hooker in the winner’s circle.
CH Will’s No Doubt About It and Helen Taylor are another proven team that have left no doubt about their success in the five-gaited pleasure division for several years. Following up wins at Cow Palace and Chapter 1, they were Del Mar’s reserve grand champions from Dixon Stables.
Not to be outdone by her husband in the winning department, Cayce Marcos teamed Money Train to the tricolor ribbon in the Park Pleasure Stake after wins in both country pleasure driving classes with Julie Greenbaum Belgrad at Chapter 1. Ruler Of The Roost and Liz Bolton won the open class for P.A. and Suzanne Federico before taking the reserve title in the stake.
CH French Silk Stockings and Debbie Tomin are having a great season in their first year together and they followed up their wins earlier in the season by topping the huge, and arguably one of the most competitive classes of the show, Three-Gaited Pleasure Adult Stake. Tomin headed to the winner’s circle ahead of 12 other teams for the tricolor. CH French Silk Stockings had previously won the adult qualifier with Tomin. Royal Intent and Susan Valley Chen put on a great show as well to finish with the reserve tricolor for owner Monte Rhea.
CH A Magic Spell and Katie Jarve are another California team who already seem like veterans although this is just their first year together. Trainer Jennifer Dixon met Jarve and CH A Magic Spell in the winner’s circle after they won the quality-filled junior exhibitor class, then turned around and put another ribbon on the bridle when they won the junior exhibitor stake. Mo Motion and Hailey Richardson added to Miller Equestrian Center’s successful show with the reserve grand championship title for owner April Caulk.
Lucky’s Revelation and Erin Rae Smith teamed up to give owner and trainer Teri Yount the blue ribbon when they won the limit rider class for Barry Yount Stables. Callaway’s Liberty Valance and Breen Cullen have also had a busy and successful season so far with success at Cow Palace and Monterey. They continued their success with the blue ribbon in the well filled limit horse class under the direction of Jim Bennett.
CH Advantage Me and Aliyah Asch made it two in a row when they won the ASHAF Show Pleasure Driving Youth Challenge class to follow up their win at Chapter 1-Woodside with Kim Matoza driving. Joy Lazarus of Park Place Stables directed the winning team for owner Sarah Asch. It’s Good Karma and Julie Greenbaum Belgrad have had very good karma this season and in their career together from Emerald Hills and they finished the week as the reserve grand champions after winning the open qualifier.
Susan Valley Chen kept the Diamond Hills wins coming when she topped a big multi-breed Open English Pleasure Championship with Magic March after a strong team effort to continue their successful season. Dancing With Destiny and Tina Armstrong were right in the mix for reserve under the direction of Anne Speck at Rancho Del Mar. Dancing With Destiny and Armstrong topped a competitive 11-entry amateur class earlier in the week. The Goldman family and the Friesians of Black Sterling Friesians have been having a successful season so far with wins at Monterey and Chapter 1 and Ravello upped his win count with the blue ribbon in the open qualifier with Janna Goldman up.
The junior exhibitors faced the biggest class of the open English pleasure division with 13 entries and they made it look easy as they negotiated the big ring. Becky Elaine, shown by Nicolette Norton, won the huge class under the direction of Teri Yount.
The Hirschhorn family originally planned to already be in their new home in Hawaii before Del Mar but a great show at Chapter 1 and a tremendously successful association with Dixon Stables convinced them to stay stateside a little longer and come to Del Mar. Haley, Heather and Hannah Hirschhorn all showed to wins and top ribbons and the family had a great week before leaving for their new home. Haley rode Floris Van Nrenke to the blue ribbon in the walk and trot pleasure class for 10 and under riders and she topped a big, talented field in the process.
Corporate Takeover and David Blevins added two more wins the Brittan-Fair Hills total when Whalen named them the Open Pleasure Driving Grand Champions and champions in both multi-breed classes. Ronald van de Zuiderwaard and Ron Goldman continued the success of Black Sterling by capturing the reserve tricolor.
Sunlight And Shadows and Michele Macfarlane came through the gate to take on a competitive group in the Country Pleasure Adult Championship, and when it was over they were the grand champions. Callaway’s Cassandra and Janice Darden, directed by David Becker, Jr. stepped up to take the reserve ribbon.
Sabino Equestrian Center represented Arizona in the winner’s circle more than once at Del Mar and with several new members to the show string showcased several top debuts. CH Highpoint’s Abba Zabba and Kendall Weber’s appearance in the Open Country Pleasure class, however, wasn’t one of them. Weber and Abba Zabba have been a winning combination under the direction of Kendall’s mom Tara Weber since they teamed up together. They added another title to their resume when they won the competitive open class.
Loni Fuller and Ultrasuede are another Rockridge team that had already been to the winner’s circle several times this season before heading to Del Mar for Charity Fair. They swept the junior exhibitor country pleasure division under the direction of Bill Tomin. News Stand and Hannah Vandeventer also turned in a strong effort and they finished with the championship reserve streamers under the direction of Matthew Roberts.
CF Prowler’s Keepsake and Amy Vicker-Smith put another winning ribbon on the Sabino tack room wall when they won the Country Pleasure Driving Championship. Mardi Gras Mambo from White Star Stables won the qualifier and returned for the reserve in the championship.
CH Fiasco and Doug Glick followed up their wins at Monterey with both wins in the western country pleasure division at Del Mar under the Diamond Hills banner. CH Fiasco was the Western Country Pleasure Grand Champion and champion for Carolyn Glick. I’m Lucky and Gen Hess swept the division at Cow Palace and continued their successful season at Charity Fair with the reserve grand championship for Pleasants Valley Stables. Doubletrees Next Step and Patrick Bright, directed by Jim Bennett, won the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Country Pleasure class. Spurwing’s Superfine Lady and Del Mar flag bearer Kathie Dunn won the Junior/Novice Western Country Pleasure class, showing under the Friesian Quest banner.
The open western pleasure division showcased several different breeds including Friesians, and in the competitive open stake Doubletrees Next Step and Bright captured the tricolor and were followed in the ribbons by Ewout V.D. and Janna Goldman. Goldman and her big Friesian had previously won the open class for Black Sterling Friesians.
Debbie Uecker-Keough, showing from Rushton Stables, had a great week with her Royale Prophecy. They won the Hunter Pleasure Open Stake and open qualifier then went on to three more wins in the Morgan division. Siger and Nicole Fernandez from Friesian Focus displayed their teamwork well to take the reserve grand championship title under the direction of Lance Bennett.
Undulata’s Man of The Hour and Kevin Michael, showing for Louise Curran, swept the Parade Horse Championship and qualifier, two entertaining classes in a division that is always a hit with the Del Mar audience. I’m W.O. Bentley and Kathie Dunn were the reserve grand champions.
Some of the Morgan industry’s heavy hitters made the trip to Del Mar to support the Morgan division and Judge Terry Jones-Brennan had a great group of current and perhaps soon-to-be world champions to evaluate.
Blackridge came out in force to Del Mar and under the direction of Bob Hughes and Debi Jeppesen, had a big week in the spotlight with their champion Morgan contingent. Morgan Ridge Bellaragazza and Jeppesen took the Park Saddle Championship for owners James Hangley and Tracy Fietz after winning the open qualifier. Gerry Rushton and Stacy Hennessy from Rushton Stables also had a big week at Charity Fair with their multi-titled champion string. Hennessy teamed Boxford’s Bravura to the Morgan Park Saddle Reserve Grand Championship for Ted and Elaine Olsen.
Dragonsmeade Bulgari with owner Barbara Tardy on board added two more blues to the Blackridge total with the wins in both the Junior Horse Park Saddle and Amateur Park Saddle classes.
The park harness division saw a sweep of both the open and amateur classes by two different horses. Bob Hughes drove Dragonsmeade Fusion to the open championship and qualifier wins for Dragonsmeade Farm and Helen Crawford teamed her HVK Ancient Cry to the amateur championship and qualifier victories. Stonecroft Notorious and Elaine Olsen from Rushton Stables finished as the amateur reserve grand champions.
Tomeri Tango, owned by Tom and Teri Brisco of Tomeri Morgans, was the junior horse champion with Bob Hughes driving.
Gerry Rushton put MEM La Vida Loca in the winner’s circle for James and Kathy Cook in the English Pleasure Championship. Katie Cook rode to the winner’s circle with La Vida Loca in the novice horse/rider class. Another Rushton Stables entry Dreammaster J’st Sharper took the ladies championship and qualifier titles with owner Leslie Hurst up. They also turned in a strong effort to continue their big week and won the Amateur English Pleasure blue ribbon. Layla and Laura Dorwart were directed by Liz Bolton to the ladies reserve grand championship title.
RWF Miss Saigon, with junior exhibitor Katherine Cota riding, topped the Amateur/Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Stake for the Cota Family Trust. Cota showed under the direction of Miller Equestrian. Tamarisk On Target was reserve in the stake with Kaitlin Gibson, also a junior exhibitor, in the irons.
Festival Gypsy, also directed by Frank Miller, was the junior exhibitor blue ribbon winner with Ashley Golden up for Joan Arnold and Festival Morgans. Festival Atomic Energy and Savannah Sturm won the 11 and Under Walk and Trot Pleasure class, which like the older junior exhibitor class featured a strong group of hard riding youngsters showcasing their talents for the crowd. Sturm rode under the direction of BJ Schafer of High Point Farm.
GMH Flashy Locomotion and Ann Miller were the top team in the junior horse class for Ted and Eutha Giesick.
Dragonsmeade Evensong and Bob Hughes drove to the winner’s circle twice for owners Linda and Richard Hawkins. Evensong was the Pleasure Driving Grand Champion and open winner. MFH Daydreams and Stacy Hennessy were the reserve winners in the open stake for Greg and Linda Miller but came into the stake having already won the junior horse class.
Vegas Valley Morgans made their presence known in the winner’s circle at Del Mar and got the nod from Judge Terry Brennan Jones more than once. Elaine Galatz and SCMF Winged Glory were the Ladies Pleasure Driving Grand Champions after winning the ladies class in a competitive division.
Dragonsmeade Divine Miss M and Ling Fu Wylie were the reserve grand champions in the ladies stake. Galatz drove to the winner’s circle but this time she sat behind Medomak Lady Of Fortune for the win in the amateur class for Vegas Valley Morgans.
Jan Enrein drove Chimera Wild Enchantment to the top of the card in the novice horse class for owner Debi Jeppesen.
The classic pleasure under saddle division featured some of the largest classes of the Morgan division and like the English pleasure and park classes, featured a stellar group of horses and exhibitors.
VVM Litigator and Cheyenne Banks-Diaz won the competitive Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship for Robert and Vita Banks. Trainer Anne Speck met Diaz in the winner’s circle after her big win and they also swept the junior exhibitor stake and qualifier under Speck’s direction. FCF Lambada was the junior exhibitor reserve grand champion with Brooke Yule riding for Linda Yule and Patricia Howard. Frank Miller directed the reserve grand champions.
Armani was the ladies champion with Laura Dorwart up for Mountain Ridge Farm and they were met in center ring by trainer Liz Bolton.
Robb Wallen, owner of Wallen West with his wife Betsy, directed the team of McCartney and Zoe Christy to a big week at Charity Fair. They went to the winner’s circle no less than three times under Wallen’s direction including their Classic Pleasure Driving Championship and open wins. They also earned the reserve streamers in the under saddle championship after winning the open under saddle qualifier.
Geoffrey Longenecker drove HVK Baymarch to both wins in the Morgan roadster division to make it two for two for Sally Longenecker and Saralin Farm.
R-Royale Prophecy and Debbie Keough were unstoppable in the hunter pleasure division, winning three of the four classes offered including two championship titles. They were crowned the Hunter Pleasure Grand Champions, amateur grand champions and amateur champions to cap off a successful week at the fair. JMF Midnight Express and Dr. Kimberly Caruso were reserve in both the open and amateur stakes, showing under the Liz Bolton Stables banner. Chehalem Cassanova won the blue ribbon in the open class with Macey McCallion up for Lynn McCallion.
Festival Atomic Energy and Terri Sturm added their own impressive total to the Sturm family win list. They were three times victorious in the western pleasure division, with a total of four classes offered. Sturm rode for the roses in the Western Pleasure Championship and took the blue in both the open and amateur classes. Ted Gallegos and Azkachina Smoki were the reserve grand champions after winning the novice horse/rider class.
The Morgan equitation riders had their work cut out for them in their 17 and under class which featured a proven and poised group. Ariana Corrigan, riding Festival Troubadour, won the class on her way to more equitation honors later in the week under the direction of Anne Speck.
Claire Brownie and Dreammaster Irish Emperor won the 11 and Under Walk and Trot Equitation class which also featured a competitive group. Brownie rode under the direction of Anne Speck as well. Taylor Sams made it a Rancho Del Mar threepeat when she won the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal class with Shermandell Asgard.
The Antique Carriage Concours D’Elegance, another Del Mar tradition that is unique to the show, showcased five elegant entries but the title of champion belonged to the Scripps Miramar entry driven by Don Trunk.
Elsa Mikkelsen and Halstead’s Vibrance are as much a part of the Del Mar tradition as fair food and good horseflesh and they were the team to beat in the Antique-Type Carriage Obstacle Gambler’s Choice class which showcased a group of skilled teams. Kash and Tom Sofra from Black Horse Valley Ranch, won a nicely filled Antique Carriage Pleasure Driving-Working class.
Nonning and Valerie Daidah are also well known in the carriage division and have many, many blue ribbons as a testament to their successful partnership. They added two more at Charity Fair in the carriage division. They won the turnout class and the ride/drive combination class which required them to drive first, then unhitch and saddle up to finish the class.
Ariana Corrigan has represented Rancho Del Mar in the winner’s circle so many times at Charity Fair in the equitation division and she kept her streak going when she topped a very competitive field to be crowned the Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Champion after winning the Morgan equitation qualifier and the USEF Saddle Seat Medal. Tommy Brisco, showing from Blackridge, teamed his sporty Morgan Hollybrook Van Gogh to reserve honors. Four of the nine riders were asked to complete the workout and the remaining ribbons were awarded to Taylor Sams, Siri Hadland, Laura Denenholz and Emily Chapman in that order.
Mackenzie Lyttle continued her winning week by switching gears quite successfully to win the 14-17 class with Mille Grazie for owner Carolyn Melka. Lyttle rode under the direction of Anne Speck. Natalie Grunnan rode Tailored ‘n Elegance Of Silver Oaks to the blue ribbon in the largest class of the division: the 13 and under qualifier.
Julia Goldman teamed her Friesian Ate van de Wittewijk to the blue in the Maiden Riders 17 and Under Equitation class for Janna and Ron Goldman.
Caroline Cherry and Desert’s Indian Country have been having a great first season together and they followed up their wins at Chapter 1 with the win in the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Equitation class for Jim and Helen Cherry.
Nicholas Grunnan rode Sport Coupe to the blue ribbon in the Walk and Trot Lead Line 4-7 class under the direction of Anne Speck.
Mackenzie Lyttle was up on Mille Grazie to win the 17 and Under UPHA Challenge Cup and she topped a big field in the process under the direction of Anne Speck. The Adult UPHA Challenge Cup went to Kendall Weber and Selby Lane and they too had a strong group of challengers in front of John Whalen.
Watse has been one of the stars of the Hirschhorn family and with Jennifer Dixon up, continued his success from Chapter 1 with wins in the Friesian Saddle Seat Park Championship and open class. Otto van’t Riethof and Cathryn Hager finished with the reserve tricolor for Friesian Focus under the direction of Lance Bennett.
Dante made quite an impression at Chapter 1 with trainer Rachael Stokes of Friesian Quest in the saddle and he turned in three more winning performances at Del Mar. Stokes rode the powerful stallion to the wins in the Saddle Seat Friesian Pleasure Championship, open qualifier and period costume class. Wodan and Lance Bennett have earned quite a reputation in their career together for Friesian Focus and they added more honors to their impressive resume with the pleasure reserve grand championship.
Jolmer fan tusken de Dobben, owned by Melody Adler, won the Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Friesian Saddle Seat Pleasure Championship with Kassandra Young riding. Ravello and Janna Weir continued their winning season for Black Sterling Friesians with the win in the junior exhibitor/amateur qualifier then returned to take the reserve title in the championship.
Floris could arguably be called the favorite Friesian in the Hirschhorn show string and he proved why he is so beloved by caring sisters Haley and Hannah Hirschhorn to the winner’s circle. Their sister Heather also earned top ribbons with Steffen B. Floris, and Hannah Hirschhorn won the Friesian Walk-Trot Championship after having won the qualifier. Kieran Of Carisbrook and Erin Smith put together the reserve grand championship effort for co-owner/trainer Teri Yount and Chuck Hetherington. Prior to taking the reserve title, Smith rode to the blue in the amateur walk-trot class. Haley Hirschhorn took her turn with Floris in the winner’s circle when she won the 10 and Under Walk and Trot class.
Ate fan Bartlehiem and Kathrin Hain swept the Friesian hunt seat pleasure division for Black Sterling Friesians to add two more wins to the Goldman total. Ivanhoe FQ and Rachael Stokes were reserve in the championship for Friesian Quest.
Tiemen v.h. Huningspaed also added a blue to the Friesian Quest banner with the win in the Friesian Driving Working Championship. Anthony Franceschiello handled the driving duties and had already driven to center ring for the ribbon presentation in the open class. Kash and Tom Sofra were reserve in the championship for Anita Mellott. Nonning and Valerie Daidah closed out the division with the win in the amateur class.
What a great week of competition at one of California’s shining jewels, the Del Mar Charity Fair. Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Morgans, roadsters and Friesians put on a great show class after class and thoroughly entertained the Del Mar crowd.
Some have said that the West Coast show circuit has suffered from a lack of quality and a lack of numbers but Charity Fair proved that in fact, the West Coast show circuit is alive and thriving. Once again this year looks to be a formidable threat at the World’s Championship Horse Show, Morgan Grand Nationals and World Championship Horse Show and Friesian Nationals in Las Vegas.
This highlights the 22nd annual Del Mar Charity Fair Horse Show. Complete can be seen by clicking on SHOW RESULTS.
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