PARK SADDLE
The Park Saddle division at the 2002 Grand National will go down in the record books for its historical finish. However, there were many grand performances throughout the week that added to the prominence of this magnificent division. The outstanding numbers and quality in most of the classes really made this the pinnacle of show ring competition.
Wednesday night's Open Park Saddle Stallions started out the speculation for Sunday night as the roster of four of the breed's most talented and celebrated stallions boasting world championship résumés answered the call for the night's final offering. 2000 Park Saddle World Champion Continental Vision and Scott Thacker returned to re-stake their claim; HVK Bell Flaire and Judy Whitney were ready to challenge them with a newfound confidence; the defending Park Saddle Stallion winner Man In Motion and Lynn Peeples were ready to compete with the best of the best; and CN The Commanding Touch, who had gained such strong support during his world titled junior career, was matched with Luman Wadhams for his first big test in open competition. A battle of epic proportions ensued with judges Price, Schwartz and Wilson asking the grand performers for one final trot to the cheers of the enthusiastic audience before marking their cards. The crowd was certainly enjoying the highest level of competition while the riders concentrated on presenting the high powered stallions to their best advantage.
When the winning announcement was made, it was Continental Vision who displayed his perfectly cadenced park trot for a ride to the winner's circle with Scott Thacker aboard. They were the toast of their supportive fan base for Amy Wilson Scott's Tall Tails Farm LLC. HVK Bell Flaire showed off his blazing brilliance to collect the reserve ribbon. Judy Whitney had a little more homework to do with Barbara and Arthur Jones' pride and joy before Sunday night. The cheers continued as CN The Commanding Touch and Luman Wadhams picked up the third place ribbon for their impressive ride for owner Brenda Varney and trainer Rick Stevens. Lynn Peeples accepted the fourth place finish for Frances Pugh's Tara Farm as Man In Motion was tested for the first time by the more experienced open horses. This class certainly peaked everyone's curiosity for Sunday night's grand finale.
The stallions were not the only ones who earned the right to compete in Sunday night's Park Saddle World Championship. Six Grand National Park Saddle Mare and Gelding competitors made their intentions known with a hard fought battle. It took one last trot of the entries before they were lined up for final inspection. When the winning announcement was made, it was 2001 Park Saddle Reserve World Champion, HVK Man Of Distinction who claimed the unanimous victory. The Noble Flaire son showed off his cadence and motion to his advantage with Wyatt DeHart piloting to victory for Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. The five-year-old gelding would be ready to battle with the great stallions on Sunday night. When he is on target, Mantic Bullseye can take on any competition with style and determination. Richard Boule had the top spot in his sight as he presented William Bandy's dynamic chestnut to the reserve mare and gelding honors.
The historical significance of this year's Park Saddle World Championship speaks volumes about the individual competitors and the competition as a whole. The speculation about who would wear the ultimate roses of the Park Saddle World Grand Champion would finally be answered. As Vern Serex sounded the call for the final competition of 2002, the entries trotted into the ring with great excitement and anticipation surrounding their performances. One by one, the six teams trotted through the in gate with authority as their cheering sections urged them on; CN The Commanding Touch and Luman Wadhams, HVK Man Of Distinction and Wyatt DeHart, Wil-O-Way Moment In Time and Jessica Cavanaugh, My Destiny and Missy Rushton-Hanover, Continental Vision and Scott Thacker, and HVK Bell Flaire and Judy Whitney.
The class started off in an almost quiet manner following the pomp and circumstance of each horse's grand entrance. It was as if the crowd was sitting back, taking it all in, and waiting to see how things developed. After working both ways of the ring, the judges lined the six entries up for conformation inspection. This is where the crowd really got involved, and helped turn up the intensity of the competition. Since the horses had not been asked for a second trot, the crowd as well as the riders sensed a workout in the offing. As the riders remounted, they prepared for another round to decide the final 2002 world champions.
Announcer Bill Carrington asked the crowd if they would like to see some of these horses one more time. He then called Continental Vision, HVK Bell Flaire and CN The Commanding Touch back to the rail for a whole new level of competition, as the crowd responded with thunderous applause. Continental Vision and Scott Thacker stayed conservative showing their trademark park trot. Luman Wadhams pushed CN The Commanding Touch for all he had to give. HVK Bell Flaire was powerful, brilliant and looked like he was enjoying the whole experience. Judy Whitney had indeed done her homework to make history become a reality.
Finally, the results were announced, and it was number 399 who wore the final 2002 world championship tricolor and blanket of roses as HVK Bell Flaire was named the unanimous Park Saddle World Grand Champion with a jubilant Judy Whitney in the irons. This was indeed a historic victory as HVK Bell Flaire became the first horse to ever achieve the Triple Crown of the Morgan show ring as World Champion Stallion (1994), World Champion Park Harness (1999, 1997 and 1994), and World Champion Park Saddle (2002). It was a crowning glory for the great HVK Bell Flaire, trainer Judy Whitney and owners Barbara and Arthur Jones. They enjoyed the spotlight victory pass to a standing ovation from the appreciative audience.
The world of showing horses is all about competition and having the best show against the best. This class showed that theme which will hopefully carry through in the coming years in this industry. In the spirit of great competition Continental Vision and Scott Thacker earned the cheers and admiration of the crowd as they collected the Park Saddle Reserve World Championship for Amy Wilson Scott's Tall Tails Farm. CN The Commanding Touch and Luman Wadhams completed the top three finishers with a memorable performance of their own.