by Sarah Moses

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The week of May 7-10 started out with beautiful sunny days for the FASH Horse Show, but by the weekend the winter coats were out as the temperature dipped into the 40s. Melissa Moore, Janet Keesling and Richard Harris judge the successful show. As usual the show committee had everything in perfect working order. Show Chair Stephanie Peterson made sure everyone was well taken care of and had everything they needed. Cheryl Rangel handled the office with her usual meticulous attention to detail, and center ring was run by announcer Guy Warner who kept everyone on track and up to speed.

The 2009 FASH Horse Show started off with a nice class of six top-notch country pleasure driving horses. Carissimo had a flawless drive to take home the blue in the qualifier and the bright chestnut came back better than ever to win the first championship class of the weekend on Saturday morning with owner Donna Beck in the cart. The reserve went to Callaway’s Investigative Report for owner Michelle Wojcik.

Johnny Law and Rob Kritzler took home the blue in the Park Pleasure Novice/Junior Horse class with a picture perfect headset and balanced trot for owner Penny Eckert of Prior Lake, Minn.

Andy Marlett and the gorgeous bay Morgan Treble’s Take The Stage took home the blue in the Morgan Western Pleasure Open class for owners Rocky and Diana Schliefer. They also cruised to the Open Western Championship while Arlene Berzins and the cute Summit’s April Love took the reserve.

Kenny Smith and The New York Look had a sensational ride to get the nod in the Full Mane and Tail Novice Horse Park class for Barbara Goodman-Manilow. Smith also took the victory pass in the Full Mane and Tail Jackpot Championship for Manilow with an impeccable ride aboard Lady Bravada. Lyle Wick piloted the fancy bay mare She Ain’t Much for Rachel Bullock to the reserve. The Black Horse, ridden by Kenny Smith for Barbara Goodman-Manilow, was the blue ribbon winner in the Full Mane and Tail Junior Horse class.

Doug Fiola started his show off right with a blue ribbon drive in a highly competitive Show Pleasure Driving class with CH Will’s No Doubt About It. Right on his tail in second was another lovely chestnut, DLF’s Last Investment, driven by owner Constance MacQueen, who also took home the championship title to open the show Saturday night.

Kenny Smith put on a solo performance with Romance In New York to win the Three-Gaited Open class for owners Pettry and Fergusson. This bright fancy horse had extreme motion and a head set to die for. The open jackpot was also won by Smith, this time aboard the Minnesota bred Ro & Me’s Kiss And Tell for owner Barbara Goodman Manilow. The reserve is this fun class went to Jennifer Elnicky on her CH Callaway’s Sunday Edit.

Braveheart Of Silver Oaks and Kim Gallenberg won a highly competitive class of seven country pleasure western horses and the six-horse Country Pleasure Western Championship. Second place in both classes went to Callaway’s Speculator for owner/rider David Matta.

All That Lovin was loving the ring as he popped his knees and breezed through the Open English Pleasure 18-38 class with Marie Bouvet in the irons for owner Matt Staunch. He took home the blue and Appletini was expertly guided to the red ribbon by Laura Miller for Winsome Farm. Appletini also had a solid performance to win the Open English Pleasure Novice Horse class on Saturday. Catalyst’s Sweet Bay with Todd Perkins in the irons took the victory pass in the Open English Pleasure 18 & Over Stake. This nice square trotting bay also won the 39 and over class for owners Tom and Sherie Nelson.

A nice turnout in the Morgan Classic Driving class had the old campaigner Walk This Way walk right into the winner’s circle for owner Wayne Wixman and expertly handled by Laura Regnier.

Doug Lindstrom had a phenomenal ride aboard CH Roseridge’s Gold in the Five-Gaited Open class to take home the blue ribbon by unanimous choice of the judges. Sensational Charm, presented by Scott Matton for Ed and Sarah Thornsen, took home the red ribbon in a really exciting class. Freaky Links was a freak for real as he won the Open Five-Gaited Monty Wallen Memorial Jackpot with Angela Darrow. Scott and Carol Matton has this team dialed in but they were given a run for their money by Cory Eickholt aboard Que Pasa of Bob Jensen Stables for owner Emily Collins who took home a nice reserve ribbon in the class.

Andy Marlett had a flawless drive in the Morgan Pleasure Driving Open class with Whispering What Else for owners Rocky and Diana Schliefer. He also took home the tricolor in the championship.

Terri Anne Ullman showed Opportunist to the win in the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic for owner Barbara Goodman-Manilow. Tiana took home the red ribbon for owner Larry Gilpin and was shown by Lana Gilpin.

Wait And See’s Rasberry had two flawless drives to win the Hackney Pleasure Pony qualifier and championship for owner/driver Donna Beck. Reserve in the championship went to the cute Wings Of A Hawk for Kandi Rust.

The Morgan English Pleasure Open Stake was won by Monnington’s Titan, owned by Arcola Farm and ridden by new trainer Chris Nelson. Katie Goodpaster piloted her darling Hollybrook Spit N Image to the reserve in the open and amateur championships. Irina Shavlik took on the amateur ranks and came through with a championship ride in the Morgan Amateur English Pleasure Championship.

Maya Manilow had a busy show and took home the title in the Show Pleasure 17 & Under Championship aboard the incredible horse The Majestic. She had another fabulous ride in the Country Pleasure 13 & Under Stake to win the tricolor aboard CH CF First Light Of Dawn. Cameron Gallenburg took the reserve and also had a great week of solid rides on her beloved Smith And Wesson.

The Five-Gaited Show Pleasure qualifier was probably one the most competitive classes at the show. He’s Heirresistible was the top performer for Loretta Mulberry while The Whole Town’s Talking took home the red ribbon for Katie Koeppel. Both riders are trained by Scott and Carol Matton. CH Will’s No Doubt About It, with Jessica Timmington, had a spectacular ride to win the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship.

The show wrapped up with an exciting Five-Gaited Amateur Championship which was won handily by David Matta aboard Social Engagement, who also took home the blue in the qualifier. The reserve went to Callaway’s Braveheart for Cerise Kogi-O’Neil.

Congratulations to Stephanie Peterson and the FASH show committee for putting on a top-notch show at a great facility and making everyone feel like a winner.