The Many Faces Of The New Diamond Jubilee
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
by Diana Davidson
DEL MAR, Calif. - The Diamond Jubilee Morgan Horse Show has kicked off the West Coast show season in the lovely seaside enclave of Del Mar for 34 years. The 35th anniversary of this venerable show could be compared to a family gathering with a special invitation to some extended members of the family. In addition to the full Morgan division and open carriage classes, the show committee added several American Saddlebred, Hackney pony and open to all breeds pleasure classes to the schedule. As the Diamond Jubilee broadened its spectrum, the move was well received by all in attendance.
Show Chair Bill Crawford was particularly pleased with the reception to the show. “I heard from several people that the atmosphere of the show seemed very upbeat, and I feel it was at least partially due to the addition of the other breeds and the ‘open to all breeds’ classes. I would expect that the Diamond Jubilee show committee will build on that and add more classes going forward. We were pleased to see an increase in horses showing and more spectators in the stands.”
Exhibitor and show committee member Ann Miller concurred. “Personally, we have Morgans and Saddlebreds in our barn, so this is wonderful for us. I think the changes are beneficial for the show and exhibitors, and I would like to see it happen at more of the shows. The people and the horses mix well.”
The Del Mar Fairgrounds welcomed exhibitors for the weekend competition on April 13-15 with stables from throughout California vying for top honors along with faithful exhibitors from Colorado’s The River’s Edge and Nevada’s B. J. Schafer Training Center. While storms were predominating throughout the rest of the country, the weekend weather in Del Mar was picture-perfect with mostly sunny skies, pleasant temperatures and a light ocean breeze. With a fabulous facility, great weather and a nice schedule of classes, Diamond Jubilee has a lot to offer horse show exhibitors.
Diamond Jubilee is fortunate to have some energetic volunteers who do a fine job with class sponsorships, show activities and careful budgeting in order to keep the show financially sound. Many small shows are not so lucky. It is crucial that trainers and exhibitors support the smaller shows, as many in attendance at Diamond Jubilee do each year.
Diamond Jubilee featured many ways in which to celebrate the start of show season including parties and special events. Exhibitors were welcomed with a pizza party sponsored by America’s Finest Morgan Youth Club on Thursday prior to the show's Friday morning start. A number of barns took part in the progressive barn party between Friday's afternoon and evening sessions. Young exhibitors got the chance to have some added fun in Saturday's stick horse class organized by Taylor Sams. George Arnold served as host for coffee and donuts sponsored by EMO Insurance Agency each morning throughout the barns and ringside, as bids were being taken ringside on silent auction items organized by Linda Yule.
This year’s Diamond Jubilee was again presented by the Morgan Horse Club of San Diego County. The Diamond Jubilee was held for the benefit of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a charity near and dear to club members. Bill Crawford brought his expertise again this year as show chairman. The list of repeat show officials included show manager Mary K. Hartman, show secretary Beverly Hurst assisted by Sheri Hurst, barn manager and paddock manager Bil Hartman, ringmaster Tracy Donaldson, and USEF Steward Adele Maurer. Casey McBride stepped in to take award-winning photos in center ring while Monte Rhea was ringside as show farrier.
Jim and Fay Lowry shared the judging duties at this year’s show. The Diamond Jubilee also remained a popular spot as it hosted the AMHA Judging School for the seventh time with current judges and applicants joining the group headed by Cindy Mugnier and Larry Bolen.
A pared-down grouping of Morgan In Hand classes got the show underway in tail-flagging fashion. Grand National Champion Whispering Masqued Man enjoyed a victorious debut for new owner Deborah Phelan as Bob Kellert guided the Stonecroft Masquerade son to the Grand Champion Gelding honors from the three and over blue. Frank Miller started off a busy weekend by guiding KHF Nikko Blue to the reserve honors for Sheryl and Daniel Cota.
Dreammaster J’st Outrajus is a lovely combination of her world champion parents CCR’s Outrajus Corajus and Dreammaster J’st Sharper as she showed in her performances as Grand Champion Mare and three and over winner. Gerry Rushton and Stacy Hennessy guided the elegant three-year-old for proud new owners Jean Stewart and Kate Aldinger. The reserve tricolor went back to the Miller banner as two and under winner Alleswell On Broadway collected the honors for Caprice Zoumaras.
Queen’s Johnny Angel enjoyed a tricolor return to Del Mar as he starred as the Grand Champion Stallion for the second year in a row. Bob Kellert directed Monty Kugeler’s sporty Futurity French Command son to the tricolor following the three and over qualifier blue. Frank Miller continued a busy morning as he presented Jennifer Huff’s colorful Firestorm Of Monarch to the reserve tricolor. The Two and Under Stallion blue was awarded to Soelos Educated Feller with owner Courtney Meyet handling.
Deer Creek Count De Monet struck a winning pose on Saturday morning in the Amateur In Hand competition with owners Martin and Glenda Drake. Christy Walther guided GLB The Cutting Edge to the winner’s circle in the Most Classic Morgan competition and also topped the Executive Pleasure.
The Park Saddle Championship was the final Morgan class of the show and Mantic Boogie Belle and Jessica Mantilla enjoyed the tricolor finish directed by Heather and Mary Luedtke. Following a grand team debut in Oklahoma, No Contest and Linda Hawkins opened the season with a pair of victories in their two Diamond Jubilee performances. They topped the Amateur Park Saddle on Friday night and returned to capture the blue ribbon honors in the open class the following night to add to the Blackridge banner.
Boxford Bravura strutted his stuff with a pair of trips down Del Mar’s victory lane. Gerry Rushton directed Ted and Elaine Olsen’s athletic bay to the Park Harness blue and tricolor. In addition to his in hand performances, Firestorm Of Monarch showed off his style in winning the Junior Park Harness with Frank Miller on the lines for Jennifer Huff.
Ted and Eutha Giesick were delighted to watch their homebred GMH Flashy Locomotion make the victory pass in the English Pleasure Championship with Adam Sherman in the irons. Laura Dorwart teamed up with her elegant Layla to collect the reserve honors.
Deborah Phelan and her grand partner No Doubt returned to the site of their team debut of a year ago to repeat their Amateur English Pleasure blue ribbon winning performance and added the tricolor to The River’s Edge banner as well. Danielle Cota and KHF Nikko Blue put on a trio of confident rides to earn reserve honors in the amateur qualifier and championship as well as the ladies class. Caprice Zoumaras teamed up with Leita Koontz’s sporty Catch Me If You Can for the top honors in the ladies class.
Tamarisk On Target and Kaitlin Gibson were right on target in their two performances as they captured the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship as well as the 14-17 blue directed by Lance Bennett. Taylor Sams had a great time in and out of the show ring as she teamed up with her handsome partner Master Mark for the reserve honors in both pleasure classes as well as the winning ride in the Scholars Pleasure Jackpot. The 13 and under division saw Madiline Lee and AMHF Absolut Balanchine carry the blue ribbon back to the Glyn-Rae banner.
The Junior English Pleasure class featured a nice group of promising youngsters with Ring Girl starring in her show ring debut as the blue ribbon winner with owner Missy Hanover. Toreva Calland enjoyed her show ring return matched with Glory Days for the Novice English Pleasure blue for Gerry Rushton.
World Champion SLB Andiamo filled the Del Mar show ring with his presence as Bob Hughes directed the charismatic entry of Helen and Bill Crawford to the Pleasure Driving Championship. In addition to their saddle wins, No Doubt and Deborah Phelan started off a winning show with a trip down victory lane in the Ladies Pleasure Driving.
Phelan was on cloud nine after making her debut with her grand stallion TRE Master Of Disguise. They teamed up for the Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship victory following a blue ribbon drive in the qualifier earlier in the same day. Elaine Olsen and Stonecroft Notorious made a stunning transition to the pleasure division where they earned the reserve tricolor honors under the Rushton Stables banner. Friday’s amateur qualifier saw MLF Caliente and Debra Hurst Walters turn in a flawless drive to capture the blue ribbon honors.
The River’s Edge enjoyed a great show with their many-time champions along with some exciting new faces. After just one practice drive the day before, Bianca Buller and her newly purchased Dragonsmeade Divine Miss M earned an exciting trip down victory lane in the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving. The Buller family also cheered on their elegant Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving winner MWR Myskinetics with Bob Kellert handling the lines.
The get of CCR’s Outrajus Corajus continue to impress as MFM Daydreams made a pair of stellar showings to earn the open and junior driving blues with Stacy Hennessy presenting for Jamie Miller. KHF Nikko Blue continued a busy weekend as Frank Miller drove him to the Novice Pleasure Driving blue in addition to his saddle and in hand performances. Dodie Alsop and Jaguar In Motion enjoyed a trip down victory lane in the Executive Pleasure Driving.
Alison Bendele had a blast showing her newly purchased MEM No Inhabitions. They blazed a winning path in the Del Mar ring as they carried the Roadster To Bike blue and tricolor as well as the Roadster Under Saddle top honors back to The River’s Edge banner with the crowd’s approval.
The Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship featured a tricolor celebration for VVM Litigator as he won the tricolor for an amazing fifth consecutive year. This time, his current partner Cheyenne Banks-Diaz enjoyed the tricolor ride that followed wins earlier in the junior exhibitor classic and road hack classes cheered on by proud grandparents Bob and Vita Banks. Grand National Champion Faragamo and Caprice Zoumaras earned the reserve tricolor following a blue ribbon ride in the junior qualifier as well as a victory pass in the novice driving horse/driver.
The world champion pairing of Tomeri Swingtime and Teri Brisco started off the new season in winning fashion as they topped the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship as well as the qualifier to the delight of their fan club. Miss Voodoo worked her magic with Mona Skager as they drove away with reserve honors, and they also enjoyed dual blues in the open and ladies classic saddle classes.
Charles Thompson enjoyed a memorable show ring debut as he teamed up with Ryan’s Got The Beat for the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Driving win to the delight of his family and everyone at Rushton Stables. Cowboy Up added a pair of blues to the Rancho Del Mar banner as Anne Speck guided him to the Classic Pleasure Driving Junior Prospect win, while Jacqueline Beck did the honors in the Novice Classic Pleasure Saddle Horse/Rider class.
The western pleasure division featured some of the West Coast’s top winning entries as well as some promising new competitors. VVM Aleesa closed out a great weekend as the Open Western Pleasure Champion with Mary Luedtke making the tricolor ride for Ellen McCook who also directed the polished bay to the amateur qualifier blue as well as the amateur reserve championship. Reserve World Champion Briar Oaks Pep In My Step enjoyed a winning show ring return as Jennifer McFall guided the pretty bay to the Western Pleasure Mares blue as well as the reserve tricolor for Sandra Nelson’s Madison Avenue Morgans.
Festival Casanova and Ted Gallegos jogged away with a pair of matching blue ribbons as they bested the field in the stallion/gelding and senior horse classes. AMHF Mr. Courageous and Ray Bendele matched up for a polished ride to earn the blue ribbon in the Novice Western Pleasure.
The world championship team of DLH Dakota Blues and Virginia Adams started off the new season in tricolor fashion as they topped the Amateur Western Pleasure Championship following a blue ribbon ride in the ladies while trainer Garn Walker did the honors in the open qualifier.
Savannah Sturm and Festival Atomic Energy enjoyed a great show as they jogged away with dual tricolors in the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure and Western Seat Equitation Championships as well as a trio of qualifier blues. Fiddler’s O’Flairegan and Brittney Williams teamed up for the blue ribbon ride in the 14-17 western pleasure and the reserve tricolor.
Lexie Ellsworth was rail side to cheer on her promising homebred youngster SA Kashmiri as Garn Walker guided the son of world champions Nicoria and My Chelsea to the Junior Western Pleasure Championship following the First Year Green Western Pleasure win. Monty Kugeler and her sleek black new mare AMHF Missiplicity enjoyed a great first show together as they jogged away with the Junior Western Pleasure blue and reserve tricolor.
The young horse competition also saw Valerosa Dragonheart take a trip to the winner’s circle in the three-year-old class with Ann Miller aboard for Ann Ryan. There was no happier person on the grounds than Kim Hildreth when Tropic Anne’s Legacy’s number was announced as the Maiden Western Pleasure winner.
Monty Kugeler and Light Year matched up for a flawless start to the season as they earned the open and stallion/gelding blues on the way to a tricolor finish in the Open Hunter Pleasure Championship. Brooke Yule matched up with MLF Careless Love to carry the reserve honors back to Ted and Eutha Giesick.
Debbie Keough and her pretty R-Royale Prophecy came through with a big win in the Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championship following a blue ribbon ride in the mare class. The world championship team of En Excess NKS and Julie Chan started off the season with a pair of blue ribbons in the amateur and ladies classes before adding the Amateur Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship to the Garn Walker banner.
The Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Championship featured a tricolor sweep for Garn Walker Stable. Lauren Gorfinkle and Talk Of The Town LPS earned their second tricolor of the show while stablemates Fortuneaire and Elizabeth Holmes followed up in reserve. The qualifiers saw Little Bit Red and Katherine Shaw collect the 14-17 blue, while Wee B Sweet Emotion and Kristen Klepper topped the 13 and under.
World Champion Whispering Incognito was in top form to start the season as Jill Yerger guided Georgia Lund’s Stonecroft Masquerade son to the Junior Hunter Pleasure blue and tricolor. ESS Nobel Prize and Rebecca Sparenberg followed up in the reserve tricolor slot.
Caprice Zoumaras matched up with Paul and Margaret Stallings’ UVM Mercedes for a pair of blue ribbon rides in the three-year-old and maiden classes. ALS Bedazzled and Nicki McGinnis rode away with the Novice Hunter Pleasure blue to add to a good weekend for ALS Majestral Morgans. Dragonfire Serengeti enjoyed a victorious show ring debut as Jennifer McFall made the trip down victory lane in the first year green class for Dragonfire Farm.
JJK’s Keeps Shamrock and Julie Folksman teamed up for a pair of polished rides to earn the Walk-Trot Pleasure Championship as well as the Walk-Trot Hunter/Western Pleasure blue for James and Sandra Flanagan. The new pairing of Triton Monterey Bay and Emma Elliott had a fine ride for the reserve tricolor finish.
The Saddle Seat Equitation Championship featured some outstanding competition. The 2006 UPHA Senior Challenge Cup National Finals Champion Jacqueline Beck enjoyed a pair of precise victories paired with Mo’ Motion to earn the tricolor as well as the open qualifier blue coached by Anne Speck. It was a tricolor sweep for the Rancho Del Mar riders as Taylor Sams and Master Mark collected the reserve tricolor following the 14-17 Morgan Saddle Seat Equitation win.
Tommy Brisco and his well-matched partner Hollybrook Van Gogh were in charge of the ring to garner the top honors in the Morgan UPHA Challenge Cup as Debi Jeppesen greeted them in the winner’s circle. Claire Brownie moved up from the walk-trot division to earn a pair of blue ribbons in the novice rider and 13 and under classes with her partner Dreammaster Irish Emperor to add to a great show for Rancho Del Mar. The AMHA Saddle Seat Medal closed out the division with a competitive field of riders as Rachel Miller executed a polished ride to collect the blue ribbon aboard Futurity Chicago Whitesox prepared by Stacy Hennessy.
Lauren Gorfinkle earned her first of two tricolors as she guided Talk Of The Town LPS to the Hunt Seat Equitation Championship following the 14-17 blue coached by Garn Walker. Carla Boeck was named the reserve champion and also won top honors in the showmanship. Kristen Klepper added the 13 and under blue to a winning show. Brooke Yule showed off her versatile talents with the Novice Rider Hunt Seat Equitation win. Caitlan Koontz earned the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal with a polished ride.
Courteney Kabel is enjoying a fabulous start in the show ring with her dynamic partner Marathon’s Electrafire. They were victorious in both of their Diamond Jubilee performances as they topped some of the largest and most competitive classes of the show in the Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Pleasure and Walk-Trot Equitation to the cheers of their family and friends at Blackridge.
Savanna Marie Miller’s smile said it all as she was crowned the Walk-Trot Equitation Champion with proud parents Frank and Ann Miller coaching her to the top honors. Lila Tatar enjoyed a confident ride to collect the reserve tricolor honors guided by Glynis Snowden.
The grand finale of the 2007 Diamond Jubilee was the Five-Gaited Stake where Linda Nicholas beamed the winning smile aboard Yahooligan. Jacqueline Beck showed off her versatile talents guiding The Irish Ember to the qualifier blue as well as the reserve in the stake.
Peritime is off to a winning start in the three-gaited park division as Adam Sherman was aboard Helen Cherry’s impressive bay for the victory passes in the qualifier and stake competition. Periaptor’s Chief Executive and Carolyn Hohenberger followed up with a pair of reserve performances.
Following a great 2006 season under saddle, Fire Down Below stepped up with two bright showings to earn the Fine Harness qualifier and stake wins with Frank Miller on the lines for April Caulk.
Linda Dowdy teamed up with Heartland Equalizer to garner the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving qualifier and stake wins directed by Anne Speck for Beau and Debbie Rash.
Cheyenne Banks-Diaz added a new dimension to her riding as she matched up with Callaway’s Spring Blossom to rack away with the Five-Gaited Pleasure qualifier and stake victories to add to the Rancho Del Mar banner.
Silversmith glistened in the Del Mar sunshine as Madeleine McManus rode him to the Three-Gaited Pleasure stake victory directed by Liz Bolton for the Kilbourne family. Taylor Sams added to her show ring résumé as she matched up with CH Radiant Love RWF for the victory pass in the qualifier along with the reserve honors in the stake for Anne Speck.
Ruler Of The Roost and Suzanne Federico ruled in the country pleasure division as they earned dual victory passes in the qualifier and stake. Unconventional and Jamie La Fortune picked up the reserve honors in both saddle classes and went on to earn top honors in the Country Pleasure Driving class and stake.
CH Like Thunder added a new dimension to his illustrious career as Michele Macfarlane guided him to back-to-back wins in the Western Country Pleasure class and stake. CH Tommy Typhoon and Caitlan Koontz jogged away with reserve in the colorful stake class for Pam Mares and Colleen Jaehnig.
The carriage driving competition was top flight with representatives from a number of different breeds from miniatures up to Friesians. The many time champion Morgan, Intrepid Sabrina and owner Mary Scronce bested the field to earn the Carriage Pleasure Driving Working Championship following a blue ribbon drive in the Reinsmanship. The gallant Var and Valerie Daidah collected the reserve tricolor following the winning drive in the qualifier as well as a pair of victories in the Open Pleasure Driving. The always-exciting Gambler’s Choice saw LCS Ice Princess and Pat Gesler navigate to the top honors.
The Open To Any Breed Western Pleasure captured the diversity of the show with a Friesian, two Morgans and a mule competing together. It was the Friesian, D’Artagnan who jogged away with the stake victory with Darcey Attig aboard for Robyn Bodecker. Julie Chan introduced her newest big-eared partner Fanny Mae to the show ring with a reserve tie to the cheers of the Garn Walker fan club. The qualifier saw the typey Morgan Seaswept Eclipse and Ginny Muth jog away with the blue ribbon.
This concludes show ring highlights of the Diamond Jubilee Horse Show. Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking here.
Diamond Jubilee Honors Ted and Eutha Giesick
Ted and Eutha Giesick were honored in center ring
for their support of the Diamond Jubilee Horse Show.
(Photo by Casey McBride)
“The Morgan Horse Club of San Diego County would like to thank Ted and Eutha Giesick for their tireless commitment and dedication to the Diamond Jubilee Horse Show. For years they have provided endless support in and out of the arena, and they have been instrumental as both sponsors and valued committee members.
“Ted and Eutha, your devotion to your family and the Diamond Jubilee Horse Show is greatly appreciated. Thank you for making our goals a reality.”
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