Des Moines Exhibitors Race into the Season
Monday, May 10, 2004
By Karen W. Coup
DES MOINES, Iowa - Another Midwest weekend was hit with chilly, wet weather, but Des Moines Springfest exhibitors kicked off the northern circuit of shows with enthusiastically supported entries, several parties and some time off to catch the Kentucky Derby.
Fran Crumpler, Simpsonville, Ky., efficiently marked the cards on all classes.Show manager was Lenard Davenport and John Owens handled the announcer's microphone.
Springfest's many volunteers work for the benefit of the Regional Child Protection Center at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines. Headquartered at Iowa's only hospital designed and staffed specifically for children, the RCPC supports a team of specialists who work together in the investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases in central Iowa.
Hospitality is a trademark of this show and the 2004 event was no exception. Coffee and donuts were offered each morning by management, and for those working to move in horses on Wednesday, a pizza party was hosted by Oakwood Farm, Russell, Iowa. The next day, a fine display of desserts was ready for exhibitors after the show, hosted by The National Horseman and the Aschenbrenner family. Dr. and Mrs. Alan Raun invited exhibitors to their aisle for the annual Friday lunch, and Saturday night, show attendees had an easy walk from the arena to Diamond Jack's on the fairgrounds for music and complimentary refreshments.
FIVE-GAITED
World's champion Summer Sweet looked the part for Rick Wallen and owner Ann MacMurray Cox of New Brunswick, Canada, as she won the open and stake classes at Des Moines. The stretchy Night Talker was reserve in both the junior and the stake for Reedannland's Rob Kritzler. Lady Caramist was reserve in the open for Dick Obenauf and the Goodman-Manilow families. The junior winner was Hollett Farm's pretty Gillette and Alfredo Chavez. Bartz Stables' entry Amberwood's Double Delight wore the UPHA Classic blue out of the ring for Louis Louw and owner Charles Edwards.
The amateur stake and qualifier were both won by Roseridge's Gold and Doug Lindstrom for Diane Lindstrom Hudson. The junior exhibitor classes were large and competitive. Alexandra Baumann took both with The Man Of The Hour for her mom, Kate Baumann and La Fleur Van Ess Stables. The amateur novice rider blue went to Ya Ya Sister and Kristine Gonzalez. Callaway's Full Moon and Amanda Simpson won the amateur novice horse class for owner Kate Hall.
THREE-GAITED
Five entries showed back in the stake and the tricolor was awarded to the novice class winner, Our Red BMW LCC with Rachelle Stezovsky up for Jean Graeff of Leawood, Kan. The entry of Mark and Renae Van Zomeren, Lady With A Gun was reserve, as she was in the open, which was won by Reedann's Phire Up with Sandra Oakes up for Oakes Equine Enterprises. The UPHA Classic blue went to Up North with Kelly Freeman up for Reedannland. Callaway's Bulldog Edition was the amateur stake champion. Trainer Lisa Hillmer-Pope put Champagne's Susie through her paces for the ladies win. Cheetah's Admiral defeated them all in the two junior exhibitor classes for young rider Faye Wuesthofen for Hufeisen Investments, Verona, Wis. Undulata Gypsy was reserve in both events for Megan Archer, who was up for Cynthia Wright. Heir's Sharper Image and Mary Smith won the novice amateur rider class.
FINE HARNESS
CH Tasty Charm, the sole harness horse at the show, won the stake class, showing back from a win in the amateur qualifier for owner/driver Florence Merkin.
THREE-GAITED PARK
Kelly Thies must be the "matching spirit" for the horse of the same name, as they teamed for the Park Amateur Stake and qualifier. Owned by stablemate Bonnie Kegley, the handsome bay is trained by Bob Griffin and Tom Thorpe of Northern Tradition. The Goodman-Manilow families' Effervescent Lady took the Park Open blue and reserve in the stake with Dick Obenauf aboard. Obenauf also teamed their Lady Cinnamon for the Junior Park victory pass. Little Lyndi Skinner and her Margarita Man were good to go for the Trimmed Park, 17 & Under event.
THREE-GAITED PARK PLEASURE
Big-named Sand Kalamehameha was called for the blue in the Park Pleasure Stake after taking reserve in the open class with Amber Jefferson, who was up for owner Daria Lynn Baker, Oakbrook, Ill. That pair switched places with Peter Archer and open winner Gotta Secret, owned by Florence Merkin. Prince Azael was the junior class victor with Rick Wallen up for Jeff and Debra Donovan. Kelly Freeman took another UPHA Classic class, this time it was with Dan and Kate Frieberg's Hit The Target.
FIVE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE
Canadian Ann Cox had two winning five-gaited horses at Springfest, Summer Sweet and the winner of two of the Five-Gaited Pleasure classes, CF Night So Rare, shown by Kurt Antonacci for Rick Wallen Stables. Harlem Trend was reserve both times for Becky Westberg riding for Reedannland. Collective Soul and Erich Aschenbrenner were the junior exhibitor winners for Susan Aschenbrenner.
THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE
Reedann's Sniper took owner-rider Dorian Stulberg Anderson to the winner's circle in both the over 18 stake and the 18-38 qualifier. Chillante and Megan McGuire were reserve each time. Barbara Manilow and Another Heir were the rider 39 and over champions, with Red Headed Rachel coming in as reserve for Carla Fagan. Magic Ovation and Andrea LaDue took the junior class for owner Amy Weiler. Nine horses showed back for the competitive junior exhibitor stake, and CH Shiny New Penny gave young jockey Faye Wuesthofen her first of two championships that afternoon. Anja Nielsen and her Rutabaga were reserve, repeating the placings of both pairs in the 13 & under qualifier. Emily Doll showed The Tyler Rose to the 14-17 age group win for Martha Hoyt. The Consolation Stake win went to CH Sultan's Cabaret and Veronica Lindstrom Hudson. It was the right time for the handsome black Timely Tradition to win the Show Pleasure Driving Stake for driver Wes Roberts and Rick Wallen Stables. Ocean Paradise and Amy Weiler were reserve. Both pairs tied in that order in the 18 and over event. Tiny Lyndi Skinner and Showboat's Casino took the junior exhibitor driving blue.
ENGLISH COUNTRY PLEASURE
Stake competition was split between adults and junior exhibitors. The adult stake tricolor went to CH Mirific, catch-ridden by Kelly Thies for owner Bonnie Kegley of Northern Tradition. Salt Heir and Beth Kruegerong were reserve after their blue in the 18-38 qualifier. Kelly Thies' mother, Kitty, was victorious in the 39 and over class with Well Spoken, which Kelly and Kitty Theis own. Barbara Southgate and her Champagne's Treasure prevailed in the Amateur Owner/Trainer Stake and qualifying class. The Consolation Stake win belonged to Sultan's Showgirl and Sally Snyder Tesch.
The Country Pleasure Driving Stake tricolor went home with Kathleen Rhoades, who drove her Glendale's Royal Irish for Vicki Vogel's Heartland Stable. The pair was second in the 18 and over class, which was won by Braveheart Of Silver Oaks with Jane Davies driving. The junior exhibitor driving class went to CH The Society Gentleman and Rebecca Elcock.
Owner-trainer Mary Strohfus and her Sedona Red made the Western Country Pleasure Stake victory pass after placing second in the Shatner class. CH Bret Maverick and rider Shari Eades were reserve in the stake after winning both the Shatner and the Working Shatner classes. Tish Graf and On A Roll took the Western Country Pleasure blue. The Hunter Country Pleasure Stake tricolor went to Classy News and owner-rider Kim Moore, with reserve going to Mary Strohfus and CH Impressive Ruler. Classy News also won the Saddle & Bridle Hunter Seat Classic class, with Inspiration's Celebrity and Deanne Mundt coming in as reserve.
HARNESS/HACKNEY PONIES
Gib Marcucci took Tanglewood's Awesome T down victory lane in both the UPHA Classic class and the Harness Pony Stake for owner Frank Boyd Todd. Gean Cagle drove her K & J's Lovely Thoughts to the reserve in the stake. Cagle's pony won the open class with trainer Roger Lucas driving. Marcucci was reserve with the stake-winning entry. The amateur event found Seamair Spectacular and Bill Boyd taking the blue, with Gean Cagle's pony in reserve.
Marcucci Stables ruled the Hackney Pony division at Springfest as well. Royal Canadian took trainer Gib Marcucci to the stake victory for owner Muffy Ernster, after the pony and his owner were victorious in the amateur class. Dun-haven Radiant Spirit was reserve in the stake and amateur classes for owner-driver Carol Hall. Marcucci also won the open class, this time it was with Stately Affair for owner Margaret Easton. For owner Jane Mueller, another blue left the ring with Marcucci and the UPHA Classic winner Unique's Starlighter.
Reedannland was the winner of the championship for pleasure ponies with Kate Frieberg driving Wait & See's Postmaster. Carol Hall and Dream Fields' Foolishness were reserve. Thyen's Gem and Mary Yonker took the any age event, and Susan Powers drove Queensbury Debutante for Queensbury Farm to win the UPHA Classic class. Two classes were offered for junior exhibitors, and Rebecca Elcock won the AHHS Youth Medallion Driving class with Domino for the Baldwin family of Kansas City, Mo. Michelle Herron won the AHHS Youth Medallion Under Saddle class with Fitz's Miss Ashleigh for Stacy Gildersleeve.
ROADSTER PONIES
Rick Wallen continued his success with road ponies by taking the stake and open classes with Nightheir for Star Hill Farm. He trained the amateur stake and qualifier winner, Heartland Picture Perfect, as well. This champion was driven both times by Kurt Antonacci for Star Hill Farm. Billie Holiday and Deborah Jahn were reserve in the amateur events. Dr. Alan Raun drove the UPHA Classic class winner, Wait & See's Winter Day, for owner Randy Wells. Wallen was reserve with another Star Hill Farm entry, Black Jack. Roxanne Lockard rode Cindy Cram's Desert Light for the Under Saddle, Open victory, and Michelle Herron won both the AHHS Youth Medallion classes under saddle with License To Kill for Michael Herron and the cart class with Dream Fields' Touche for Carol Hall.
SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION
Judge Crumpler gave equitation riders chances to prove themselves with individual workouts in several classes. Northern Tradition's rider Meaghan MacQueen had a great show winning the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship tricolor as well as the USEF Medal class and the UPHA Challenge Cup 13 & Under. Lyndi Skinner was reserve in the championship and took the 11-13 age group blue for Highland Stables. The 10 and under age group belonged to Shira Zats. The UPHA Challenge Cup 10 & Under went home with Christine Smith for Highland Stables. Cameron Gallenberg was reserve. The Adult USEF Medal was won by Andrea LaDue.
Courtney Ledo was the championship winner for instructor Cary Bartz. Allison Rohloff was reserve for Timber Hills. Ledo was also the winner of the Pleasure Medallion. Aimee Langer took the 14-17 age group blue and Sarah Strucker was second. Jourdan Schaye, making her first show with her new horse, was reserve in the Pleasure Challenge Cup for Northern Traditions and came back to win the 13 and under age group and take reserve in the Pleasure Medallion.
PLEASURE
Timber Hills' Allison Rohloff made two debut rides with her pretty new May Issue, qualifying with a win in the Novice Rider 17 & Under Pleasure class and then defeating a big class of 11 others to win the pleasure stake. Peppermint Kiss and Michelle Sprengelmeyer were reserve. Faye Wuesthofen and CH Shiny New Penny won their first of several blues in the open 17 & Under class. Chillante, ridden by Megan McGuire, took the trophy for the amateur 18-38 class. Jensen Stables' Smith & Wesson made the victory pass in the 39 and over for Kim Gallenberg. Riley's Town and New York City resident Stevie Benjamin were the victors in the Novice Rider 18 & Over class. The Pleasure Combination class, with the horses driven, then ridden, was won by Glendale's Royal Irish and Kathleen Rhoades. CH The Society Gentleman and Rebecca Elcock were reserve.
This concludes the highlights of the Des Moines Springfest show.
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