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Every Year a Horse Show to Remember - The 50th Annual Mid-A Morgan Horse Show




By Mary Daughtry

LEXINGTON, Va. -    The golden anniversary of the Mid-Atlantic Morgan Horse Show marked the continuation of a long standing tradition as well as a bright new beginning in a new location on June 22-25. Those who had never seen the
Virginia Horse Center
were amazed by the state of the art facility. This multi-use venue offered not only the main arena but also a separate ring with a grandstand and warm up rings for the hunters as well as arenas for carriage driving and dressage. Indeed at times there were three different shows going on at the same time. This year’s show was as usual a showcase for the Morgan breed in all its versatility. Many exhibitors came to Mid-A for the first time and had a great time.
   

The success of any show depends in a large part on the officials and Mid-A brought together a good crew. Phillip A. Fountain judged the English pleasure, park and in-hand classes while Todd A. Trushel marked the cards in the western and hunter pleasure classes. Mickey Bowen judged all aspects of carriage driving. Cynthia Lytle-Smiley judged the hunters and jumpers. Dressage riders were scored by Sally O¹Connor. The USEF steward Mary Lynn Whitley was busy from early morning until late at night keeping track of all the divisions. Manager Kent Moeller served double duty as paddock master for the main ring. Two ringmasters were needed to cover all the proceedings. Ron Saunders and Bob Keinfelter served in this capacity. Dale Stone provided the music while Shane Shiflet snapped those winning performances. Linda Burke had all the paperwork in the office under control. Jim Parks served as the announcer in the main arena. Farrier Mike Vannoy had an easy weekend as no shoes were thrown in the arena.
   

Extra touches were apparent everywhere at Mid-A. Doughnuts and coffee were available every morning in the stabling area. Friday night after the show Broadmoor and its customers hosted an ice cream social. The exhibitors’ party was held Saturday night at the Winner’s Circle deck area. This was a deli sandwich and dessert affair catered by a popular local fresh foods market down the road from the Center. Mrs. W. Dayton Sumner sponsored the garlands for the winners of championship classes and Arnette Lindeen provided roses in the ladies’ classes. Winners of all the qualifying classes received a navy blue umbrella with the Mid-A logo in red. The champions were awarded a garment bag with the logo. The youth group organized a silent auction with numerous horsey items.  Cindy Nord’s Clydesdales carried the officials into the arena each night.
   

The show ring highlights of the 50th annual Mid-A follow. Complete results can be seen on this web site by going to Statistics and clicking on Show Results.

 

In Hand
   

The in hand competition kicked off the show on Wednesday evening. Junior and Grand Champion Stallion honors went to MRF Noble Spirit led by Dan Pavan. This feisty high-headed youngster owned by Michelle Davis also won the yearling class.  Second in the yearling class was ML’s Shock N Y’All presented by owner/handler Thomas Molin. This nice youngster also received reserve honors in the junior and grand championships.  Noah’s Intimidator won the blue in five-year-old and over and was named Senior Champion Stallion for Hubert Hall, Jr.
   

Marno’s French Mystery, led by Dan Williams for Marilyn North, was the winner of the Yearling Geldings class as well as junior champion. Mark Mason presented Wintop’s Prince Charles to top honors in the four-year-old geldings for Pamela Wirth. Black Tie Optional strutted his stuff to win first in five- year-old and over class. Dwayne Knowles presented this exceptional bay for Kathy Gutting to the Senior and Grand Champion Gelding honors as well with Wintop’s Prince Charles in reserve.
   

Two-Year-Old Mares winner Key Inspiration struck a winning pose as Junior Champion Mare led by Sally Eichlin for Dorothy Hock. Scott Thacker led the lofty going AWS Candlelight to first in the class for Three-Year-Old Mares. The stunning daughter of Liberation First Star and JW Candlelight came back to star as Senior and Grand Champion Mare for Tall Tails Farm.


AMHF Belle Pepper was on top of the five and over class with Mark Mason handling for Jessica Fabian Gray. They returned for the Reserve Senior and Reserve Grand Champion Mare honors.
   
Park Saddle
   

Broadmoor made a clean sweep of the park saddle classes. Mike Goebig presented Cindy Nord’s extravagantly motioned CN’s Stylish Debut to win the open class and championship and a second leg on the Stonecroft Farm Challenge Trophy. Goebig and Nord were also the winning team with CN The Master's Flyte in two flawless performances as the winner of the four-year-old blue and the Junior Park Saddle Championship. Blanche Bauer and HVK Noble Flame were picture perfect to win the class for junior exhibitors. CBMF Undeniable and Kathy Gutting made a pair of victory passes in the amateur park saddle qualifier and championship to earn the honors for the second year in a row. Surf Point Star Struck and owner/rider Krista Headley made a nice show to take the blue in the limit class in their show ring debut directed by Broadmoor.

Park Harness
   

Krista Dent drove Claridge Freedoms Spirit to the blue in the two-year-old class in a brilliant debut for Jim Tomasello. The Brewer-Killian Committee was justifiably proud of BKC Valiant Star, the winner of the three-year-old class with Mike Goebig in the buggy. WTS Simply Outrageous took a trip to the winner’s circle in the class for four-year-olds with Danny Williams driving for Williams Training Stable, and returned for the junior championship honors. JAJ Bel Shasar made three trips to the winner's circle winning the amateur qualifier and championship and the ladies’ class. Cathy Minard was all smiles as they claimed these wins for the 21st Century Morgans under the direction of Jason Harrell.

English Pleasure
   

The young horse competition was outstanding with Anna Nicole making a letter-perfect show for Scott Thacker to win the Three-Year-Old English Pleasure Mares for Tall Tails Farm.  Arboria Anastasia was in excellent form to take the blue in the four-year-old mares with Dan Williams aboard for Arboria Morgans. Kim Germ and the expressive Gotti followed up their Dixie Cup winning debut with the four-year-old stallion/gelding blue as well as the junior championship. It was a one-two finish for Broadmoor in the junior championship as Whitemud Dixie Drummer and Dwayne Knowles claimed the reserve championship for Rhoda Hoenmans.     

 

The junior exhibitor classes were large and quality-filled. Winning both the class for riders 14-17 and the junior exhibitor championship was the stellar team of Boxford’s Tia Maria and owner/rider Blanche Bauer. Reserve in both classes was awarded to the bold performing AFF Elusive Dream and Chelsea Flynt.
   

AKM Manhattan was bright and precise to win the class for amateur stallions and geldings. Sally Lawing is the owner and rider of this high caliber horse. Marin Five-O-One and Pat Dills made a good show to take second in this class. Turning PT Simply Divine and Tara Lindeen took the blue in the amateur mare class. Marcy Vance turned in a fine show with Antioch Blessed Hope to win the amateur owned and trained class. Black Tie Optional added yet another blue to his lengthy resume as the winner of the ladies class for happy owner/rider Kathy Gutting.  Blink of an Eye and Jennifer Mason were second in this class for Barbara Ray. The amateur championship featured an outstanding field as Turning PT Simply Divine and Tara Lindeen topped the judge's card while AKM Manhattan and Sally Lawing carried out the reserve tricolor.
   

Seven nice young horses answered the call for the limit class. Rising to the top of the class was the Liberation First Star son Battier and Scott Thacker for Tall Tails Farm. Sacred Paths Fortune and Dwayne Knowles were second for Lon and Diane Seitz. Antioch Blessed Hope and Marcy Vance claimed their second blue of the show with a win in the open mare class. Tempest For You Blue and Diana Godshall were second for Sharon Picus. The winner of the open stallion/gelding class was MLF Bryce ridden by Sally Eichlin. Vigilmar Flashback and Jennifer Mason were second for Marcia Hartz. This team returned on Saturday night to take the tricolor in the open championship.

Pleasure Driving
   

Natalie Tetterton was on the lines of her snappy bay Glorious Answer for a pair of wins in the class for drivers 14-17 and the junior exhibitor championship. Krista Dent had a very nice birthday present as KDS Perfect delivered a pair of wins in the two-year-old class and championship.  The red ribbon in the qualifier went to Graywood’s Oliver with Mark Mason driving for Jennifer Kaczmarek. The reserve champion was the flashy Goldtree Locomotion presented by Susan Martin for Loretta Brown. Arboria Treasure Coast made the victory pass in the class for three-year-old stallions and geldings with Dan Williams at the whip for Arboria Morgans. CN Debutante and Mike Goebig  teamed for the blue in the four-year-old mare class as well as the tricolor in the junior championship for Cindy Nord. Cathy Minard’s latest acquisition John Weslee was the heads-up winner of the class for four-year-old stallions and geldings. Jason Harrell also drove the stylish bay to the reserve tie in the junior championship.
   

The amateurs all seemed to be driving hard to take the top prize in the $500 amateur championship. RJM Roulette was marching down the rail to take top honors in the amateur  stallion/gelding class for Janet Morgan. Mountain Run St. Christopher and Jim Griffen were second for Dan Pavan. CBMF Amber Light and Pat Dill claimed the blue in the amateur mare class as well as the ladies class. The big amateur championship was another one-two finish for Broadmoor as RJM Roulette and Janet Morgan headed to the winner's circle with CBMF Amber Light and Pat Dills in reserve.
   

Sacred Paths Fortune and Dwayne Knowles added the limit blue to the Broadmoor banner for Lon and Diane Seitz. Hollybrook Indian Brave was bright and marching to win the open class for stallions and geldings with owner/driver Mary Daughtry. Mountain Run St. Christopher was second for Dan Pavan. In the open championship Glorious Answer claimed his third first of the show, this time with trainer Jason Harrell in the cart. Hollybrook Indian Brave had his share of crowd support as the reserve champion.

Western Pleasure
   

In the class for riders 14-17 the blue ribbon was awarded to The Dream Machine with Lauren Hogge in the saddle for Melinda Sorenson.  Mtn. Laurel Election Day and owner/rider Caitlin Harrison were second in this class but came back to win the championship with a polished performance. Michelle McCleester rode the promising youngster DGS Mark Lee to the blue in the three-year-old class for David Stoltzfus. In the class for amateur mares and the amateur owned and trained Goldtree Menolly was rock steady to earn dual blues for Loretta Brown. GVF Radiant Command and owner/rider Joe Anne Jones made a smooth ride to the winner's circle in the amateur stallion/gelding class as well as the amateur championship to continue their winning streak from Carolina Classic. UVM Windfall and Lora Dunlop were reserve in both amateur classes to continue a great season for the Florida-based team.
   

HKS Vikings Legacy was the winner of a very nice ladies class. Michelle McCleester rode this handsome horse for Catherine Stump. Barbara Duell Hewitt was pleased with her horse's performance as Treble’s Wild Fire took the second place finish in the ladies class.  The Dream Machine took another blue in the limit class, Lauren Hogge riding for Melinda Sorenson with Reneka De-Ja Vu in reserve.  HKS Viking’s Legacy took his second win in the open stallion-gelding class. On Saturday night in the open championship GVF Radiant Command again topped the judge's card much to the delight of owner Joe Anne Jones. UVM Windfall and Lora Dunlop were the reserve champions once again.

Hunter Pleasure
   

As at most of the shows throughout the country, the hunter pleasure division was the largest. Caprice's Master Ben was smooth and consistent to claim two blues in the 13 and under qualifier and championship. Elizabeth Fawcett rode for Connie Hose. Carreg Wen Sir Randolph and Molly O’Guinn were second in the first class while the reserve championship was claimed by HYP Colorado Celebrity and Morgan Cioffi. Spirit of Success and Kendall Steffan made victory passes in both the class for riders 14-17 and the championship. In the qualifying class The Dream Machine and Lauren Hogge were second, while JW Millionaire and Sarah Miles were reserve in the championship.
   

Seven three-year-olds competed for the blue which was awarded to Tara’s Bellagio.  Tristanne Weber-Childress presented the promising entry of Fran Pugh. Blythewood Casino Royale and Sally Eichlin were second. Dreamaker Whatta Sight and Amanda DuPont-Pauli were the blue ribbon winners in the class for four-year-olds for Robert and Jane Thompson.  Crosslane’s Christmas Squire and Marci Cesanek were second. Tara’s Bellagio came back to win the junior championship with a stylish performance. Four Fields Mai Tie and owner/exhibitor Amy Daniels were reserve.
   

H Vee Hawk’s Saralain and Kara Hose were the top team in the amateur owned and trained class, followed by UVM Glimmer and Liz Molin. BL Hana Bak Ibsen and Lillian Thomas took first in the amateur mare class where Brianmead’s Envision was second. HKS Lord of the Dance and Lisa Mullaney had a smooth ride to win the amateur stallion/gelding class.  Preservation Hall and Bethanne Ridgeway were second in this large class, but came back on Saturday night to win the amateur championship. The reserve tricolor honors went to BL Hana Bak Ibsen and Lillian Thomson.
   

Dreamaker Whatta Sight and Amanda DuPont-Pauli also claimed the top finish in the ladies mare class where BL Hana Bak Ibsen was second. In the ladies gelding class Susan Martin rode Carreg Wen Sir Randolph to the winner's circle for Darryl Whims. Heatherstone Royal Monarch and Michelle McCleester carried out the red ribbon.

 

Tara’s Bellagio and Tristanne Weber-Childress won the limit pleasure – the largest class of the show. Shine Maestro and Susan Martin were second. The blue in the open mare class was awarded to HBS Clearly Audacious and owner/exhibitor Roberta Brown. The Heatherstone entry HKS Lord of the Dance added the open stallion/gelding blue to the Heatherstone banner with Michelle McCleester showing. Preservation Hall and Bethanne Ridgeway were the second place team.  The honor of open hunter champion and the challenge trophy on Saturday night went to Dreamaker Whatta Sight with Amanda DuPont-Pauli in the irons for Robert and Jane Thompson. BL Hana Bak Ibsen and Marci Cesanek were the reserve champions.

Classic Pleasure
   

Flairely Apparent was smooth as silk to take the blue in the class for riders 13 and under with Justin Mullaney making the Heatherstone team quite proud. CN A Touch of Hope and Rachel Miseo were second. In the class for riders 14-17 Century Hearts Afire and Lauren Hugge made a consistent show for first. Annapolis and Megan Dunkle followed in second. In this division both age groups showed back in a single championship with Century Hearts Afire awarded the tricolor while Flairely Apparent claimed reserve honors.
   

Josh Miller had a good ride with Give A Little Whistle to win the mare class for Whistle Stop Farm. Century Hearts Afire was second here. Boogie Nights continued his winning ways from the $5,000 class at Southern States to claim two trips to the winner's circle in the stallion/gelding class and the championship. This sharp, high-headed gelding was teamed to perfection by Tara Lindeen. The red ribbon the stallion/gelding class went to Flairely Apparent, this time with Lisa Mullaney riding. The reserve champion was Bud the Wiser and owner/rider Sue Stroud.
   

Tomeri Tiamo and Caitlin Harrison started off with the blue in the class for drivers 14-17 with Annapolis and Megan Dunkle in second. In the junior exhibitor championship the ties were reversed with Annapolis taking the tricolor and Tomeri Tiamo the reserve champion. In the junior class CBMF Touch The Stars and Kathy Pierce were first. Thomas Molin drove his ML’s I Wanna Talk About Me to the red ribbon. Josh Miller also drove Give A Little Whistle to a blue ribbon in the mare class. ML’s I Wanna Talk About Me was second. The classy chestnut Hollybrook Independence and owner/driver Cathy Minard made a pair of victory passes in the stallion/gelding class and the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship for 21st Century Morgans. The snappy Coalition Royal Billing and June Davis were reserve in both classes.

Roadster
   

The dynamic Trija’s Peter Pepper and Ashley Williams made two victory passes in the under saddle class and  championship for Williams Training Stable. Young Dan Williams also drove this speedster to the blue in the amateur to bike class where SpringMill Premonition and Benjamin Kaufman were second. Another fine entry from the Williams Training Stable Arboria Perfection made two trips to the winner's circle in the open roadster to bike class and the championship with Danny Williams driving for Darwin Olson. SpringMill Premonition was reserve in both classes under the Mason Training Stables banner.

Equitation
   

Stephanie Fejes had two flawless rides to win the western seat equitation for riders 14-17 and the western seat equitation championship in her debut aboard PTR Raz Ma Taz.  Lauren Hogge was reserve in both classes.


Lauren Hogge showed her versatility by winning also the saddle seat equitation class for riders 14-17.  Rachel Gard was second in this age group, but came back to win the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. Lauren Marsh was reserve in the championship after winning the UPHA Challenge Cup class. 
   

In the Hunt Seat Equitation 13 and under as well as the championship for that age group the winner was Elizabeth Fawcett. Rebecca Jones was second in the qualifier while Morgan Cioffi claimed the reserve championship. Randi Cropper also scored a pair of wins in the class for riders 14-17 and the championship while Sara Miles was reserve in both classes.
   

Mid-A offered a full slate of AMHA Medal Classes. In the class for hunter seat on the flat Randi Cropper took the medal, just ahead of Elizabeth Fawcett. Kristin Betit was the medal winner in hunter seat over fences with second going to Lauren Francisco. The medal for saddle seat riders belonged to Lauren Hogge with second going to Lauren Marsh.

Sport Horses
   

The dressage arenas on top of the hill were busy for two days with many good rides.  The champions were intro level Spring Hollow Raindancer and Rebecca Douglas; training level and first level KLN All in Command and Rebecca Douglas; second level and above CN Get The Touch and Kristine Komosa; junior exhibitor Indian Summer Fire Fly and Kim Fullerton.
   

The junior sport horse award went to SFX King’s Braveheart and Kristen Betit. The overall sport horse award went to October Fox and Virginia Reeser.
   

The hunters had their own venue in the roomy Wiley Arena. The champions in this division were: beginning UVM Glimmer and Brittain Altomare; junior working SFX King¹s Braveheart and Kristen Betit; medium working Statesman’s Ariel and Lauren Francisco; low working Stateman’s Ariel and Lauren Francisco; open working That’s My Nick and Amanda DuPont Pauli; amateur hunter hack UVM Glimmer; hunter hack Ensbrook Evita and Amanda DuPont Pauli. The jumper champion was October Fox and Virginia Reeser.
   

The carriage classes were split between the main arena and the ring atop of the hill with a number of nice entries competing. The championship in Section A went to HVK Hard Rock shown by Tristanne Weber-Childress for Marilyn North. In Section B the champion was FCL Just A Miracle and Rebecca Jones.

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