Friday Highlights from the Royal
Saturday, November 17, 2007
The two-year-olds had their classes this afternoon, giving the audience a sneak peek of what’s to come in the next few years. Dr. Alan Raun captured the fine harness class with his homebred County Supervisor. Jim Lowry had the three-gaited winner with Raymond Ross for Tricolor Ventures. Jan Lukens guided the big bay Perfectly Designed to the five-gaited blue.
It was a bittersweet win for Rachael Machamer as she guided CH Blackberry Delight to the championship win in the junior exhibitor show pleasure division. But what a win it was! With 14 in the ring, eight of those were world’s champions. Over past 14 years, Blackberry Delight has had wins in countless divisions, including show pleasure, three-gaited, pleasure driving and in-hand as a weanling. Longtime trainers Lynda and Andy Freseth greeted the multi-world’s champion team in the winner’s circle to prepare them for their final victory pass before the gelding retires from the show ring.
CH Blackberry Delight and his Hollow Haven team
The Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure National Championship placed the same top three horses as from the qualifier. Callie Smith continued her undefeated show this week by claiming the national championship with She’s Gone Blonde. Travis Van Zetten earned the unanimous win again with Hero’s Jumpin Jack Flash in the adult section.
The UPHA 10 and Under Walk/Trot Challenge Cup National Championship ended the day session with 10 riders returning for the final evaluation. Eighteen competed in the preliminaries earlier this morning. Last year it was a talented young rider from New England who rode away with the national title. This year the honors returned again to Massachusetts when Maggie McCool was called out as the winner. David and Kristen Cater congratulated their rider in the winner’s circle. Carolina Cherry made the long trip from California well worth the effort when she displayed the reserve streamers. She is proudly instructed by Ann Speck, Cindy Boel and Bonnie Zubrod. The remaining top ten riders were: Aleia Brown, Cagle James, Kirwan Kennedy, Ariana Cerecedes, Clara McCool, Peyton Miller, Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes, and Alice Rowland.
Pink was the theme Friday night as money was raised from the evening’s events to be donated to the Susan Komen For The Cure Foundation with riders, trainers and spectators all displaying their support by wearing something pink. Money was raised in several ways. Those who wore pink in the stands or center ring had $1 donated for them by the American Royal Association. For every exhibitor or show official $5 was donated. The finale of the night, the Ladies Five-Gaited National Championship, was the designated Pink Ribbon class in which the proceeds were given to the Foundation. Lastly pledges were accepted until the start of the night.
It was the first night of national championships and everyone was at their best. The Amateur Three-Gaited Championship was the first of many national titles to be awarded. After a stunning debut in the 15.2 and under class, David Rudder and his newly trimmed Adelita stole the show with a unanimous championship.
The Royal heralds some of the country’s best equitation riders so it’s only natural to see that talent in the Saddle Seat Equitation National Championship. Of the eleven entries, six were asked to perform a workout of their choosing, but had to include the elements of a simple lead change, trot a circle and canter a circle. It was a true test of horsemanship, but when it was over, all three judges agreed: Jessica Moctezuma was the national champion. Making it bittersweet was that Moctezuma rode a borrowed horse this evening. Her usual mount had fallen ill and was sent to Kentucky for surgery and is currently in stable condition.
The final class of the night, the Ladies Five-Gaited National Championship, drew in a large crowd. Ten lady riders showed their support for finding a cure for breast cancer. The ribbons were announced in reserve order, and the last team standing at the far end of the ring was Gayle Lampe and CH Callaway’s Born To Win. Decked out in her red coat and pink vest and shirt, with pink ribbons in the gelding’s mane, Lampe was proud to show her support and was thrilled with the honor of being named the first unanimous winner of the Pink Ribbon class. After all the money collected and donated during the night was tallied a grand total of $16,216 will be sent to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation.
Gayle Lampe and CH Callaway’s Born To Win
Complete results from Friday’s sessions can be found by clicking here. Stay tuned for more daily highlights on Saddle Horse Report Online.
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