Del Mar Charity Fair Shines On The California Circuit
Saturday, June 23, 2007
by Leeann Mione
DEL MAR, Calif. - The 2007 Del Mar Charity Fair Horse Show enjoyed a nice turnout from the Saddlebred, Hackney, Morgan and Friesian horses and also enjoyed gorgeous southern California weather June 12-15, 2007.
Manager Harriet Landrum once again compiled a competent staff to keep things running smoothly including show secretary Sheri Hurst, clerks Mary Kay Hartman and Bev Hurst and data processor Ron Hood. John Owens announced the classes, Cecile Hetzel-Dunn was the USEF Steward and Grace Yaglou was the ringmaster. Jeff Gilbert was the paddock master and Bill Scronce was the barn manager.
A brand new surface was installed on the Del Mar racetrack and its soft, spongy texture perhaps contributed to the number of cast shoes that kept official farrier Monte Rhea busy all week. Robbie Paixae handled the in-gate duties and Joni Cranmore was in charge of the out gate.
Rick Osteen was the official photographer and Take One Video served as the show’s official videographer. Dr. Linda Byer served as the show veterinarian. Chrisi Hard and Lisa Iaria were in charge of awards and Adele Maurer completed the list of officials as the person in charge of credentials.
Sandy Lilly made the trip from West Virginia to judge the Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Friesians, parade horses, carriage driving and equitation. Sally Lindabury, from Saquoit, N.Y., took on the task of judging the Morgan, OTAB, Morgan equitation and academy divisions.
The 23rd annual charity fair show once again benefited the Don Diego Fund and the Therapeutic Riding and Pet Encounter Therapy programs at the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Wednesday evening after the show Joan Fernandez, Lance Bennett and Scott Hickey put on an elaborate exhibitors’ party at their equally elaborate Friesian Focus/Rancho Vista stalls. As 15 gorgeous Friesians looked on, a huge crowd gathered to enjoy the food, drink and chance to relax and unwind.
The group from Rancho Vista and Friesian Focus
had a great show at Del Mar with their Friesian,
Hackney and Morgan entries. Friesian Focus
also sponsored Wednesday night’s exhibitors’ party.
Rancho Del Mar hosted their annual ice cream social Thursday evening after the show. The party has become a tradition at Del Mar and the week’s warm temperatures made it a perfect ending to the night. The RDM group also sponsored coffee and donuts each morning.
Del Mar’s Tuesday through Friday schedule has cut down on the number of fans in the audience but that didn’t keep exhibitors from riding and driving hard in an effort to earn a coveted blue ribbon from one of California’s biggest shows.
Five-Gaited
The five-entry Five-Gaited Stake was a nice way to close out Thursday evening’s session and let everyone head to the Rancho Del Mar stalls for the ice cream social.
Theo Robinson and Vintage Ninety-Nine were joined by Barbara Beamer and Trophy Hunter, Nani Barnes and Royal Conduct, Bill Tomin and Undulata Prophet and The Nightly News with Jeannie Cunningham.
Tomin and Barnes had a battle going but when Sandy Lilly turned in her card it was Gail Hooker’s entry Undulata Prophet named to take the tricolor. The win was especially poignant for Tomin as he accepted the Guy E. Ward Memorial Trophy, established nine years ago in memory of his father.
Bill Tomin and Gail Hooker
Barnes and her entry Royal Conduct exited with a large share of the crowd’s applause for their reserve grand championship effort.
CCV Casey’s Final Countdown, recently crowned Rock Creek’s Five-Gaited Jackpot Stake Champion, made a single appearance with Michele Macfarlane to win the open five-gaited qualifier for Scripps Miramar and Si Si Stables.
The Amateur Five-Gaited Stake also featured five competitive teams, all of whom are familiar names in the winner’s circle, but none could top CH Callaway’s Arbitrator. Dr. Debra Vallner teamed Patricia Martin’s entry to the title under the direction of Jennifer Dixon. Dick Boettcher directed Full Spectrum and Martha Keck to the reserve streamers. Jeffrey Fetzer and Data Dot Com topped a nice group of seven to win the amateur qualifier.
CH Callaway’s Capitol Reporter and Katie Jarve have been on a roll this season and they added the junior exhibitor stake and qualifier wins to their total for John and Jacque Jarve. Tip Me Do and Alexis Bishop put it all together to be named the reserve grand champions in the junior exhibitor stake from Rockridge Farm.
Busting Out and trainer David Blevins captured their second Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited blue ribbon in as many shows for owner Jennifer Sandefur and her Crown Valley Farm.
Rox No Salt won the Five-Gaited Limit Horse class with Bill Tomin up for Bradley Family Trust.
Three-Gaited and Park
Tomin kept the Rockridge Farm wins coming when he piloted Wee Pee’s Storm to the Three-Gaited Grand Championship after winning the open class for DeVault Farms, LLC. CH Whitney Houston took reserve in the stake with David Blevins up for Marcia Sola and Laurie Servin.
Like Sunshine won the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake with Dr. Susan Chen up after having previously won the amateur class with Julia Chen. Michael Craghead, of Sabino Equestrian Center, directed the winning teams. Too Much Talk and owner Jennifer Sandefur exited with the reserve tricolor.
Ariana Corrigan catch rode Red Sable to the win in the junior/limit class for Seaview Farm to continue their successful season so far under the direction of Barbara Beamer.
White Star Stables was represented in the winner’s circle after Matthew Roberts headed there with Dance By Design in the three-year-old class. Roberts rode for Dr. Amy Barneier Dru.
Breathe, with Joy Lazarus up, won the competitive seven-entry park stake for owner Gail Asch. The Full Monty, winner of the open class with Julie DeVault up, was the reserve grand champion. Paladin’s Presidio took the blue in the amateur class with owner Sarah Hausheer riding from Wallen West Farms.
Fine Harness
Open champion Brookhill’s Periday and Jim Cherry were joined by Fire Down Below and Frank Miller, No Jacket Required and Michael Craghead and Kalarama’s On A Roll with Jack Reich for the Fine Harness Grand Championship;
Lilly named Brookhill’s Periday the grand champion for Zazen Ranch and awarded the reserve streamers to No Jacket Required for Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Spalding to follow up their blue from the amateur class.
Keith Roberts drove CH The Savoy to the Amateur Fine Harness Stake victory for Seaview Farm. Ariana Corrigan handled the winning drive with CH The Savoy in the ASHAF Fine Harness Youth Driving Challenge.
Kalarama’s On A Roll and Jack Reich won the junior/limit horse class to add another blue to the Rockridge total.
Robb Wallen had two nice youngsters to showcase in the fine harness division. He drove Winsdown New Wave to the blue ribbon in the three-year-old class and drove Winsdown Bridgeworks to victory in the two-year-old class. Bob and Paula Lovo own both colts.
Ponies
Kendall Weber drove DF Tres Chic to the Roadster Pony Championship and open class victories for Sabino Equestrian Center and also joined a nice group for the Roadster Pony Under Saddle class. The under saddle class was billed as an exhibition and included both junior exhibitors and adults. Jacqueline Beck and Heartland Equalizer, from Rancho Del Mar, won the class for owner Scott Robinson.
Diane Winter made her show ring debut with Scott Hickey’s Seamair’s Dear Admiral to win the Harness Pony Championship. Lance Bennett had driven the pony earlier in the week to win the open class.
Joanne Weiner and Heartland King Of Kings have been having a great season under the direction of Rockridge Farm and they added two more wins to their list when they swept the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. Heartland Equalizer picked up the reserve tricolor with Linda Dowdy driving for Robinson and also won the AHHS youth medallion class with Samantha Robinson.
Pleasure
A competitive group of eight turned out for the Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship and made it a very good class. Hella Good and Martha Keck teamed up for the win, under the direction of Dick Boettcher, with a strong effort. Gail Hooker and CH Forever Aptor just keep getting better and better and they were named the reserve grand champions. CH Sprinkles won the qualifier in her only appearance with Michele Macfarlane.
The Pacific Ambassador and Robb Wallen were right on target to take the win in the Park Pleasure Championship after winning the open class for Katie Richardson. Their wins continued a great season for Wallen West. Dave Hysaw teamed Chocolate Champagne Ritzer to reserve in the stake for LBJ Properties.
Robb Wallen and The Pacific Ambassador
Cayce Marcos rode Chance Of Thunder to the blue ribbon in the junior/limit class for Seahorse Stables, owned by Roman and Cayce Marcos.
CH French Silk Stockings, winner of the seven-entry adult class, got the nod from Sandy Lilly in the big 12-entry Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake which was the biggest class of the night. Debbie Tomin faced a very competitive group on her way to the winner’s circle for Rockridge Farm. Scott Robinson and Callaway’s Glory Glory exited with the reserve streamers in the big class under the direction of Rancho Del Mar.
Katie Jarve and CH A Magic Spell have been on a roll all season and they swept the junior exhibitor show pleasure division under the direction of Jennifer Dixon. Mardi Gras Mambo and Courtney Carlson were the junior exhibitor reserve grand champions for C & D Properties. They were directed by Matthew Roberts of White Star Stables.
Osage Isabella and Linda Nicholas were met by trainer Liz Bolton when they headed to center ring after winning the Limit Rider Three-Gaited Pleasure class which showcased eight hard riding exhibitors.
Sami Bishop and Callaway’s Party Time won the eight-entry limit horse class to add another blue to the Rockridge Farm total.
CH J. Peterman and Corrine Tomlinson from Emerald Hills took the tricolor and the title in the Show Pleasure Driving Stake under the direction of Roman and Cayce Marcos. Stonecutter and Laura Kennedy turned in a strong effort as well and they were named the reserve winners from White Star Stables. Kennedy drove for owner Kirwan Kennedy.
Aliyah Asch drove CH Advantage Me to the blue ribbon in the ASHAF Show Pleasure Youth Driving Challenge for Sarah Asch and Park Place Stables.
Black Sterling Friesians had a great show including Julia Goldman’s winning ride with Ronald in the Open English Pleasure Stake, which was huge with 14 entries. She had also ridden Ronald to the junior exhibitor qualifier win. Barend Schuursma and Laurens, also from Black Sterling Friesians, took the reserve ribbon in the stake for Ron and Janna Goldman.
Julia Goldman and Ronald
Julia Goldman was back in the winner’s circle with Ravello to win the amateur class which was open to riders of any age.
Caroline Cherry and her Desert’s Indian Country topped a nice group in the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Open English Pleasure class under the direction of her parents Jim and Helen Cherry of Zazen Ranch.
The OTAB English Pleasure class was also open to any rider and hosted a nice group of seven. Laurens and Barend Schuursma took the win for Janna and Ron Goldman.
Elsa Mikkelson, the grand dame of the Del Mar show, ended up with several top ribbons in several different divisions including her win with Halstead’s Vibrance in the Open Pleasure Driving Stake. Right On Q and Caprice Zoumaras, directed by Frank and Ann Miller, finished in the second place slot. Trainer Matthew Roberts drove Stonecutter to the Open Pleasure Driving class which allowed any driver or breed.
Country Pleasure
CH Highpoint’s Abba Zabba and Kendall Weber were the team to beat in the adult country pleasure division. They won the stake and qualifier amidst strong competition under the direction of Tara Weber and Michael Craghead. Hot Day and Breen Cullen, from Jim Bennett Stables, were the adult reserve grand champions.
Kendall Weber
The junior exhibitor classes weren’t quite as large but Loni Fuller and CH Ultrasuede took both of those victories in good order under the direction of Bill Tomin. Shea Rusing and Cedar Creek’s America First were next in the ribbon count in the stake for owner Bobbie Reid. Rusing was directed to the reserve by Dave Hysaw.
Amy Vicker-Smith kept the wins coming for Sabino Equestrian Center with her CF Prowler’s Keepsake. They were the Country Pleasure Driving Grand Champions and champions. Sultan’s Sarah Mariah and Jason Williams, showing from Wallen West Farms, took the reserve victory pass in the stake for Cathrine Cartwright.
Reigning World’s Champion of Champions CH Fiasco and Doug Glick had tough competition in both western county pleasure classes but they turned in two strong performances to earn both wins under the direction of Michael Craghead. Desert’s July Celebration and James Knapp were the reserve grand champions for owner Ann Hoffman and also won the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure class earlier in the week.
Kay March rode Geronimo’s Cadillac to the blue ribbon in the junior/novice class for Kathleen March.
In the open division, Black Sterling (Ewout V.D.) and Janna Goldman won both the OTAB Opportunity Western Pleasure Stake and qualifier. Cecil Martinez rode Winning Wide Web to reserve in the stake to give Kathleen March another top ribbon from Jim Bennett Stables.
The OTAB Hunter Pleasure Stake and qualifier wins also went back to Black Sterling Friesians. Barend Schuursma rode Ate to both victories for Janna and Ron Goldman. Kay March and Winsdown King Of Diamonds received the reserve tricolor for Kathleen March.
Equitation
The Saddle Seat Equitation Championship was perhaps one of the best of the show. It was great to see 10 very talented riders working hard to win the title and Judge Sandy Lilly selected six to perform the workout.
Samantha Lyttle, Taylor Sams and Jacqueline Beck represented Rancho Del Mar. Emily Chapman and Alyssa Blinkoff represented Sabino Equestrian Center and Tommy Brisco represented Blackridge. All six riders performed their rail work and workout well, but when Lilly turned in her card, it was Brisco and Hollybrook Van Gogh named to take the title. JJ Beck and Mo’ Motion were the reserve grand champions and won the 14-17 class.
Natalie Grunnan rode Tailored N Elegance Of Silver Oaks to the blue ribbon in the 13 and under class for Davie and Annette Puchta. Grunnan was instructed to her win by Anne Speck.
Caroline Cherry added another blue to her total when she was named the winner of the 10 and under walk and trot class which was well filled with six entries.
Caroline Cherry
Alyssa Blinkoff and Selby Lane teamed up to take the blue in the maiden rider 17 and under class.
Sabino teammate Emily Chapman, riding Pecan Prince, qualified for the Medal finals by winning the USEF Saddle Seat Medal class. Emily Evans and Stoneledge Chancellor won the seven-entry UPHA 17 and Under Challenge Cup.
Kendall Weber borrowed Sue Valley’s amateur walk trot winner CH Like Sunshine and headed to the winner’s circle in the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup.
Parade
Undulata’s Man Of The Hour and Louise Curran have been a major force in the parade division and they added two more wins to their long list of wins under the direction of Robb Wallen. Curran took the stake and qualifier victories with her powerful chestnut stallion.
Kathie Dunn and her much decorated I’m W.O. Bentley claimed the reserve in the parade stake to add to their many career successes.
Morgans
Sally Lindabury made the trip from New York to judge the Morgan division and while the numbers weren’t huge, the quality of entries was tremendous.
Lindabury named Dragonsmeade Bulgari the Morgan Open Park Saddle Grand Champion after the win in the amateur qualifier with Candice Boehme, who rode for Kathleen and Steve Kabel. Bob Hughes and Debi Jeppesen directed the winning team. Granprix and Debbie Uecker Keough claimed the park saddle reserve grand championship.
The winner of the Park Saddle Open class was another Blackridge entry, but this time Jeppesen was in the irons. She rode Silversides Magdalene to the blue ribbon for owner Mary Davila.
No Contest completed Blackridge’s domination of the division with the win in the Amateur Park Saddle Championship with Linda Hawkins.
Bob Hughes drove Dragonsmeade Fusion to the open win and open championship victory in the park harness division. He drove for Dragonsmeade Farm.
Helen Crawford won the Amateur Park Harness Championship for Boston Morgan Farm, owned by Helen and John Crawford. SCMF Winged Glory was the winner of the amateur class and returned in the stake for reserve with Elaine Galatz of Vegas Valley Morgans.
Geoffrey Longenecker and HVK Baymarch were the Morgan Roadster To Bike Grand Champions and champions for Sally Longenecker.
Jeppesen was back in the winner’s circle when Lindabury named Prada the English Pleasure Grand Champion for owner Bob Hughes. They also teamed up for the win in the open class. SLR Murphy and Matthew Roberts followed in the ribbon count for Michael and Sue Ewens.
Layla won the Ladies English Pleasure Championship with owner Laura Dorwart to add another win to the Liz Bolton Stables total. KHF Nikko Blue won the ladies qualifier with Danielle Cota up for Daniel and Sheryl Cota. Their blue ribbon went back to the Miller Equestrian tack room wall.
Lance Bennett of Rancho Vista met Kaitlin Gibson in the winner’s circle twice during the week. Gibson and her Tamarisk On Target won the Amateur/Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship after winning the junior exhibitor class. The championship was the largest of the English pleasure division for the Morgan horses. Ariana Corrigan and Festival Troubadour finished as the amateur/junior exhibitor reserve grand champions from Rancho Del Mar.
Dorwart rode to the win in the amateur qualifier with Atticus for Mountain Ridge Farm.
B.J. Shafer directed Commanding Knight and Sheridan Sturm to the blue ribbon in the Morgan Walk and Trot English Pleasure 11 and Under class for owner Terri Sturm.
Jessebelle was the junior horse champion with Debi Jeppesen up for Helen and John Crawford. They returned later in the week to win the novice horse/rider class.
Vegas Valley Morgans ended up with four wins out of four appearances in the pleasure driving division. Elaine Galatz drove CPM Man Oh Man to the Ladies Pleasure Driving win, and then returned to win the amateur championship. She drove stablemate VVM Wrapped In Roses to the win in the amateur qualifier and also took the victory pass in the junior horse class.
CMP Man Oh Man and Elaine Galatz
Festival Rock N Roll, owned by George and Joan Arnold of Festival Morgans, topped a nice group to win the Morgan Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship with Nicole Coufal up. Ann Miller directed the winning team.
VVM Litigator and Cheyenne Banks-Diaz won the open qualifier before claiming the reserve title for Robert and Vita Banks. Banks-Diaz showed from Rancho Del Mar.
Owner Debra Hurst Walters also added a blue to the Rancho Del Mar total when Lindabury named MLF Caliente the winner of the Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle class.
Hannah Bell and McCartney were met by Robb Wallen in the winner’s circle after they put together the winning team effort in the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Championship for owner Zoe Christy. VVM Litigator and Banks-Diaz were reserve but had previously won the junior exhibitor class.
Teri Brisco drove homebred champion Tomeri Swingtime to the tricolor in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving Championship for Tomeri Morgans. Reserve grand champion MLF Caliente won the qualifier with Debra Hurst Walters.
Ted Gallegos teamed Festival Casanova to the Western Pleasure Championship and open class wins. Festival Atomic Energy and Terri Sturm won the ladies class and the amateur class before earning the reserve streamers in the open championship.
Savannah Sturm took over with Atomic Energy and won the junior exhibitor class then returned for reserve in the amateur stake.
Connie Locher rode Iron Forge Red Whitenblue to the blue ribbon in the Amateur Western Pleasure Championship. She also won the novice horse/rider class with Merriehill Jamaican Judy.
Gallegos was headed down victory lane once again when Azkachina Smoki was named the junior horse champion.
R-Royale Prophecy and Debbie Keough took three wins in the Morgan hunter pleasure division. They won the open championship, amateur championship and amateur qualifier. Azkachina Smoki was the open reserve grand champion but this time, Mackenzie Lyttle was in the irons for Gallegos.
Debbie Uecker Keough and R-Royale Prophecy
Deer Creek Crystal and Caprice Zoumaras won the open qualifier for owners Robert and Lisa Matilla. The final hunter pleasure winning ribbon went to MLF Careless Love. Brooke Yule rode for Eutha Giesick.
Prior to winning the big 10-entry Saddle Seat Equitation Championship, Tommy Brisco headed down victory lane with the blue ribbon in the Morgan Saddle Seat Equitation class. He topped three other hard riding competitors for the win. Savannah Sturm kept her great week going with the win in the Morgan Hunt or Western Seat 17 and Under Equitation class.
Shaunicy Sturm won the Morgan Walk and Trot 11 and Under Equitation class to add another blue to the Sturm family total.
Taylor Sams, from Rancho Del Mar, won the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal riding Master Mark to close out the Morgan equitation division.
Taylor Sams
Friesians
Numerous barns enjoyed wins in the Friesian division. They had a variety of classes offered from riding to driving to OTAB with the biggest numbers in the walk/trot and saddle seat pleasure divisions.
Lance Bennett brought a huge group from Friesian Focus LLC, owned by Joan Fernandez, and he went to the winner’s circle several times including his win with Otto in the Friesian Park Championship for Fernandez.
Rachel Stokes also had a busy and successful week and she rode Meine to the win in the open park class then returned to take reserve in the championship for Dr. Lyn Stadish.
Wodan and Bennett won the Friesian Saddle Seat Pleasure Championship and qualifier for Friesian Focus and were followed in the ribbons in the championship by Keimpe and Victoria Servin. David Blevins directed the reserve grand champions.
Jolmer and Kassandra Young represented Wallen West in the winner’s circle when they got the nod in the Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Friesian Saddle Seat Pleasure Championship and qualifier. Young rode for Robin and Steve Young.
Fimmie fan Henswoude exited with the reserve streamers with Elee Godfrey up for owner Alicia Stephenson.
Itse debuted at Del Mar with Lance Bennett and it couldn’t have gone any better. They took the victory pass in the Junior Horse Saddle Seat Pleasure Championship for Friesian Focus after winning the qualifier earlier in the week. Stablemate Jasper J was reserve in the championship with Cathryn Hager riding for Friesian Focus.
Feije won the six-entry Friesian Walk/Trot Championship for Bob Nugent in one of the Friesian division’s biggest classes. Lance Bennett rode to the win and also teamed Feije to the qualifier win for Bob Nugent.
Ivanhoe has been having a great season for owner Janet Lundeen-Austin. Kassandra Young was in the irons to win the Amateur Walk/Trot Championship. Betsy Wallen took over and teamed Ivanhoe to the Walk/Trot Championship reserve tricolor.
Joan Fernandez rode Daen to the blue ribbon in the competitive seven-entry amateur walk/trot qualifier.
Barbara Beamer handled the winning drive with Tjalke in the Friesian Show Pleasure Driving Championship for owner Carole Gatti. Winze and Lance Bennett won the qualifier and were the reserve grand champions for Friesian Focus.
Valerie Daidah and Var teamed up to win the Friesian Single Driving Working Championship. Ronald from Black Sterling Friesians was the amateur working winner and took the reserve streamers in the championship. Var had won the open class earlier in the week.
Cathryn Hager and Lance Bennett traded the top two spots in the country pleasure division with Bennett and Floris taking the tricolor the championship for Fernandez. Hager rode Doeke for Jackson Cripe to the blue in the qualifier and reserve in the championship.
Janna Goldman and Ate won the Hunt Seat Pleasure Championship and qualifier to add two more wins to the Black Sterling Friesians total. Barend Schuursma and Brenda fan de Marwei won both the dressage suitability championship and qualifier for the Goldmans.
Ivanhoe and Betsy Wallen won the Period Costume Championship to keep their good show going. Meine and Rachael Stokes won the qualifier and finished second in the championship.
The Concours d’Elegance is always a crowd favorite at Del Mar and four beautifully turned out entries came through the gate to try and take the title.
Driving Fernandez’s pair Daen and Siger, Lance Bennett went to the top of the card for the win.
Halstead’s Vibrance and Elsa Mikkelson won the Antique Carriage Pleasure Driving Working class. Var won the turnout class with Daidah driving.
This completes the highlights the 2007 Del Mar Charity Fair Horse Show. Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking here.
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