The Delmarva Morgan Horse Club once again sponsored the Delmarva Summer Classic Horse Show held on June 26-29 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center. This was the fifth year that the show has been held in the Show Place Arena, an absolutely wonderful coliseum for showing horses as the exhibitors can attest. The luxurious arena is air-conditioned and complete with sky boxes that boast kitchenettes and private bathrooms. Several stables chose to view the show from this vantage point. The Sky Lounge and Banquet Room was the scene of the exhibitors party held on Wednesday night. The footing in a multi-use arena is often a problem, but the staff of the Show Place Arena kept the white sandy footing in perfect condition all week. This facility is also the site of the prestigious Washington International Horse Show held each fall. Several warm-up areas, easy access to all the barns and an outside concession stand add to the user-friendly atmosphere of the show grounds.
The schedule featured morning and night sessions with the afternoons free. This was intended to avoid showing in the hottest part of the day, but it also allows the exhibitors free time to take advantage of all the shopping and tourist attractions in the area. Upper Marlboro is located only 30 minutes from Washington, DC and Annapolis, and many exhibitors took in the sights or browsed through many antique and specialty shops in the area. It's also only 15 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay and the seafood restaurants which feature the famous Maryland crabcakes. There are many restaurants and motels close by as well as a super nice campground for the RV'ers.
Kathy Earehart and John Sibolski served this year as co-managers of the show and their hard work was evident in every detail. Kathy also helped out in the office and John served as ringmaster as well as show treasurer. Other members of the Delmarva Morgan Club did their part too. Catherine Stump organized the sumptuous exhibitors party, Pat Mooney kept up with the trophies and ribbons, and Danny Freelander designed the jump course.
Bernard Parker astutely judged all of the classes from park to therapeutic riding with the same meticulous care. Mary Lynn Whitley served as the USA Equestrian Steward while Bill Whitley kept the show ring moving smoothly as paddock master. Bob Moseder snapped all the winning passes and special moments. Horse Videos was the official videographer of the show. Announcer Mark Farrar and organist Jane Frye kept the audience informed and entertained. Jewel Marsh served as show secretary.
The Delmarva Summer Classic showcases the versatility of the Morgan horse and literally offers something for every exhibitor. Exhibitors this year came from Florida to New Hampshire and all points between. This may the only all-Morgan show to feature classes for therapeutic riding and academy riders. Broadmoor and their clients graciously sponsor the stall and entry fees for the challenged rider division. The academy classes were well filled and even offered a class for the youngest riders to walk only. Many competitors lined up for the leadline and stick horse classes and had a marvelous time.
As this show is held the weekend before July 4th, a patriotic theme of red, white and blue, complete with Uncle Sams was used in the center ring decorations. Attention to every detail is paramount at this show as was evident in the awards. The junior exhibitors received medallions in red, white and blue ribbons, and the leadliners chose from prizes from a bucket of horsey items. The ladies were presented with floral bouquets, and the winners of the championship and stake classes carried away a nice assortment of neck ribbons, coolers, and challenge trophies. Those who placed in the money classes got a nice surprise in an envelope - CASH!
The championship highlights and results of the Delmarva Summer Classic follow. Complete results can also be viewed, searched and printed on the Internet at www.saddlehorsereport.com.
The In Hand Champions were the first to be pinned with Grand Champion Mare honors going to Ridgeview's New Horizon owned by Richard and Brooke Ebersole. Mtn Run Tizit struck a winning pose as Grand Champion Gelding for James Griffin. Dan Pavan showed the stylish chestnut Red Alert to the Grand Champion Stallion title for Saturday Acres.
There was only one park horse at the show, but he put on a great show and represented the breed well. Mike Goebig presented RFF Stars N Stripes to a pair of victories to light up the coliseum for the Park Harness blue and tricolor for Rhoda J. Hoenmans.
The English Pleasure Champion also hailed from Broadmoor as Mike Goebig was aboard Vain Gogh for the victory. The Elizabeth Marcon entry began by winning the limit blue. Red Alert and Dan Pavan claimed the reserve tricolor following a win in the open qualifier for Saturday Acres.
Kathy Gutting teamed up with her sparkling UVM Grandslamunition to ride away with the Amateur English Pleasure blue and tricolor. This Tug Hill Whamunition son and his rider were prepared for the victory by Broadmoor. Elizabeth Tew and Endeavor's Top Command settled in for the Amateur English Pleasure Reserve Championship after claiming the blue in the ladies qualifier.
The Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Stake featured Royal C Cloud Dancer and Tish Butts earning the top award. The 11 & Under Walk and Trot Pleasure Stake, one of the largest classes of the show, was won by the Grand National Championship team of Charlestown Firecracker and Maggie Gallmann, who also won the Walk and Trot Equitation blue. Another Broadmoor trained entry topped the Junior English Pleasure Championship as Dwayne Knowles rode Whitemud Lavender Blue to the tricolor for Rhoda Hoenmans. Mtn Run Tizit earned another tricolor for James Griffin as Dan Pavan rode him to the reserve title.
The Open Pleasure Driving Championship featured Sally Lawing and her handsome CN A Touch Better earning the tricolor following a blue ribbon in the limit class. All of the Pleasure Driving tricolors were won by Broadmoor trained entries as Black Tie Optional and Janet Morgan reprised their title of a year ago as the Amateur Pleasure Driving Champions. Boxford Tia Maria enjoyed dual top honors in her debut show under the Broadmoor banner. Mike Goebig was on the lines for the open blue while Blanche Bauer made the victory pass in the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving Stake.
The dynamic White Christmas enjoyed a stellar show in the classic division as he brought the saddle and driving tricolors back to owner Peggy Kovacs guided by Christin Cesanek. Tempest Abbey Road and Karla Harrtz Cortelyou followed up with the reserve tricolor performances in both divisions as well.
Destined For Glory and Kim Fullerton, who also won the Saddle Seat Equitation Stake, returned for more top honors this year as they won the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure tricolor. The qualifier winning team of Rocabob's Legacy and Jennifer Joy settled for reserve in the championship.
Barrie Savage gave the elegant Woodlynd's First Edition a fine drive to win the Junior Classic Pleasure Driving Championship as well as the qualifier for Bill and Jamie Savage. Carol Stone teamed up with her lovely Boogaloo Dancer for the reserve honors.