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Fun, Fondue and Great Horses Abound at River Ridge



by Kelley Colvin

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 60th annual River Ridge Horse Show, held April 14-17, 2004, was a huge success with an increase in stalls sold. The week started with some rainy weather, but that did not put a damper on the winners and the fun that was had by all involved.

The trainer's incentive program was also a success this year. The program gave $100 to the trainer of exhibitors winning certain designated classes.

The River Ridge Horse Show offered a wide array of activities for the spectator as well as the exhibitor. The Gaited Galleries, boutiques, tack and novelty shops were set up in the barn area for everyone to enjoy. The progressive aisle party was held Friday night to allow all of the exhibitors to have a chance to socialize and talk over the winter's events, since this was the first show of the 2004 season for a lot of the local barns. The chocolate fondue fountain was the most talked about added feature to the isle party, which was sponsored by the horse show office. It was a chocolate lover's dream.

Five-Gaited

Don Harris and world's champion Lucrative trotted to the winner’s circle to claim the tricolor in the Five-Gaited Grand Championship for Karla and David Kucera. Lucrative and Harris had also claimed top honors in the Five-Gaited Stallion and Gelding class. This win came after only being back to work for 10 days from the winter break, said owner Karla Kucera. Daddy-O and Bret Day were a strong reserve in the championship. Daddy-O qualified for the championship by winning the Five-Gaited Ladies class with Susi Day for the A.E. Nelson family. Western Cabernet and Bonnie Howard rode to the blue in the Five-Gaited Open Mares class.

Globetrotter’s Fantasy prevailed in the five-gaited amateur division winning the amateur mare qualifier and the championship with Ann Moro-Gioffre in the irons. Deceptive Odds and Joan Hammond were reserve to Gioffre in the championship. Great Day Rising and William Marple rose to the top in the Amateur Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding class.

Sarah Sessoms trotted to the top of the five-gaited junior exhibitor division aboard Assets and Attitudes. The team took the Five-Gaited Junior Exhibitor Championship in addition to the blue in the preliminary class back to North Carolina for Saddle Creek Farm. Stylin’ and Alexandra Harper were reserve in the championship as well as the qualifier. In a single entry class, CH Sammyshine and Cydni Simmons gave a grand exhibition to claim the Five-Gaited Pony Stake for Burlington Saddlebreds.

His name says it all. It's All About Me rode to the top in the Five-Gaited Junior Horse class with Don Harris aboard in their debut ride for Jean and Chris Nalley. Harris is looking forward to a bright future for this young star.

Early in the week, Clark Clouse was aboard Stylin’ to win the Five-Gaited Limit class for Alexandra Harper. Three-Gaited

Sir Andrew and Clark Clouse trotted to the tricolor in the Three-Gaited Championship for Jerry Mayes. Clouse and Sir Andrew were victorious in the Three-Gaited Open 15.2 and Over class as well. Erin Boggs was reserve in the championship riding Sparkling Heiress for Christine Watson. Harmony At Last and Cindy Maloney claimed top honors in the Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under Championship for Iris James and Cindy Maloney. High Point’s Grandee and Shannon Hafer were crowned the winners in the Three-Gaited Ladies class for Shannon and Sheryl Hafer.

Sharla Deuschle dominated the amateur three-gaited division aboard SS Lies & Alibis winning the championship as well as the preliminary class. Caramac’s Norma Rae and Stacey Bare were reserve to Deuchle in both classes.

CH Heart of Blue and Brittany Kale rode to the tricolor in the Three-Gaited Junior Exhibitor Grand Championship for Tammie Kale. Kale and CH Heart of Blue rode away the winners in the Three-Gaited Junior Exhibitor 14-17 class as well. Spool’s Top Star and Emily Druckman were reserve in the championship after their win in the Three-Gaited Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under qualifier. Suzanna Crews and Cameo’s Carte Blanche made their way to a victory lap for Greg and Gina Crews.

Starting the year with a blue ribbon ride, Daniel O’Kelly and Bret Day won the Three-Gaited Junior Horse class for Coe and Bill London. Wendy Lewis was named the winner in the UPHA Three-Gaited Classic class riding Virtual Volcano for Virtual Saddlebreds. Promise Me Flame and Clark Clouse kept their promise winning the Three-Gaited Limit class for Elmo Greer. Fine Harness

Jim McIntosh drove Linda Lewis’ Shady Creek’s Nell to the top of the Fine Harness Grand Championship following their win in the Open Fine Harness class. The Bay Princess and Clark Clouse were reserve to McIntosh in the championship after their winning drive in the Fine Harness Junior Horse class for Karen Carver.

Kool Tyme, with Iris James at the lines, drove to the top of both the Fine Harness Ladies class and the amateur championship. Santana’s Review was reserve to James in both classes with Margot Geyer at the whip.

Tom Sworm, driving Platinum’s First Asset, was called out to win the UPHA Fine Harness Classic class for Al and Shelli Devore. Sun, Moon, & Stars gave a grand exhibition to win the Fine Harness Two-Year-Old class with Clark Clouse at the lines for Elmo Greer. Park/ Park Pleasure

Kristin Campbell owns the winning entry See Ya Saturday ridden by Erin Boggs. Boggs and See Ya Saturday won the Three-Gaited Full Mane and Tail Open Stake as well as the open qualifier. CF Not Tonight Chief and Sena Bowling were reserve in the championship for Peter Toundas.

The Foxy Prince and Bambi Childress were crowned the Amateur Three-Gaited Full Mane and Tail champions. Childress and The Foxy Prince also received the top award in the amateur preliminary. In Due Time and Autumn Hunt rode to the reserve tie in both classes behind Childress.

Miss Rare Flare and Steve Wheeler won the Three-Gaited Full Mane and Tail Junior Horse class for Iris James.

In the Park Pleasure Driving Stake, Bret Day drove Renaissance Lady to the winner's circle for Carol Worthington. Worthington's entry was driven by Day to the blue in the Park Pleasure Driving class as well. Highpoint's Golden Flame and Steve Demjen drove to the reserve award in the championship.

Broadway Tune and Kendra Fisher played the right tune to win the Park Pleasure Stake under the Sugar Knoll banner. Broadway Tune and Fisher qualified for the championship by winning the Park Pleasure Amateur class. Admiral's Paladin and Tom Sworm rode to the reserve tie in the championship for Roxanne Feldkamp. Sworm rode Admiral's Paladin to the winner's circle in the Park Pleasure Open class to qualify for the championship.

Matt Shiflet rode the outstanding park pleasure junior horse Lucky Curve to the top of their class to claim the blue for Marie Campbell.

Cassinni rode to the top of the UPHA Classic Park Pleasure class with Chuck Herbert up for Karen Shelton-Rader.

Show Pleasure

Mary Strang drove Hey-Heads Up to top honors in the Show Pleasure Driving Stake, a repeat of their performance in the Show Pleasure Driving class. The Wine Merchant was reserve to Strang in both classes with Kaitlin Klucas at the lines.

Harlem's Dark Star was driven to the win in the ASHAF Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge Show Pleasure class by Jessica Williamson for Michael Williamson.

Peppermint Sonburst and junior exhibitor Sarah Sessoms rose to the top in the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake. CH Shamrock's Entertainer and Maribelle Granger were reserve to Sessoms in the championship. Granger qualified by winning the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Open preliminary.

CH Some Like It Hot! and Kendra Fisher trotted away as the winners of the three-gaited show pleasure adult division claiming victory in both the adult class and the stake. In Your Honor and Autumn Hunt claimed the reserve tie in both classes behind Fisher.

CH Preferred Prince and Jessica Fildes are no strangers to the winner's circle. CH Preferred Prince added another victory to his already impressive list of wins with the tricolor in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Junior Exhibitor Stake for Sharon Fildes. Tender As Iron and Tara Clifton were reserve in the championship. Clifton rode Tender As Iron to the blue in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Junior Exhibitor qualifier in a large class for Tom Roe.

CF Twenty-One Again, with Kelly Norris, was named the winner in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Novice Rider class.

Country Pleasure

In two single-entry classes, Linda Park drove Georgia Road to win the Country Pleasure Driving class and championship.

CH Spike Leigh and Jacqueline Manzo rode to the top in the Country Pleasure Stake. Heir Express and Marianne Gauger were reserve in the stake, but went on to win the Country Pleasure Adult class, where CH Spike Leigh and Manzo were reserve.

In the junior exhibitor country pleasure division, Surfin' Safari and Megan Hensler rode away as the winners in the stake in a repeat performance from the qualifier. Aimee Labrie rode CH Chief's Mood Swing to the reserve in both classes for Ray and Cathy Labrie.

Novice rider Jessica Williamson was aboard Crowned Prince for the blue in the Country Pleasure Novice Rider class for Michael Williamson.

Dominating the country western pleasure division, Harlem's Night Moves won the Country Western Pleasure Stake, Country Pleasure Open class, as well as the Saddle & Bridle's Shatner Western Country Pleasure class ridden by Anne Morgan for Michelle Riling. Hide-A-Way's Golly Miss Molly was reserve to Morgan in all three classes with Autumn Hunt aboard.

Hackney

Haute Couture, driven by Lonnie Lavery for Kathy Buente, won both the Hackney Pony Open class as well as the Hackney Pony Championship. Phenomenon and Amber Estis drove to the reserve tricolor. The pair qualified for the championship by winning the Hackney Pony Amateur class for David Estis.

Karen Frickey drove Heartland Expectation to the blue in the Harness Pony Open class.

In two great exhibitions, Kelsey Herbert drove Heartlands Parade Time to the wins in the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Stake and Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor class for Caleb Herbert. Spirit's Faster Morn won the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Open class driven by Linda Lewis.

Road Pony

Heartland City Boy was driven by Dr. William Silber to the winner's circle in the Road Pony Championship. Little Big Man was reserve in the championship driven by Becky Buhl. Wonmore's Dutch Treat drove to the top in the Roadster Pony Open class with Jimmy Morrison at the lines for Mary Vance.

Heartland City Boy, with Dr. William Silber at the whip, went to the winner's circle in the Road Pony Amateur class.

Rowdy Yank and Sarah Sessoms are no strangers to the winner's circle; they won the Roadster Pony Junior Exhibitor class at River Ridge.

Mastercraft's Captivator LF and Ed Frickey drove to the winner's circle in the UPHA Road Pony Classic class for Frickey Farms.

Lonnie Lavery drove Broadmoor to the top in the Road Pony Novice class for Stephanie Framer.

Equitation

In the UPHA Adult Equitation class, Donna Greider claimed the top honors riding Undulata's Lady In Red.

Ashley Dragan rode away as the champion in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship aboard Stonecroft Make A Wish.

Emily Garten added another couple of wins to her list of victories winning the Saddle Seat Equitation 14-17 class and the UPHA Challenge Cup Equitation 14-17 class under the direction of Cape Cod Farm.

In the Saddle Seat Equitation 10 and Under Walk Trot, Kelsey McDonald rode to claim top honors.

Elise Lockwood trotted to the blue in the UPHA Challenge Cup 13 and Under class aboard The Pick Up Artist.

Taylor Newton was named the winner in the UPHA Walk and Trot Equitation class.

Emily Abbott rode away the winner in the UPHA Pleasure Equitation class as well as the Saddle & Bridle Pleasure Equitation class aboard Uncle Fester.

Cydni Simmons showed her horsemanship skills winning the Saddle & Bridle Five-Gaited Equitation class aboard CH Sammyshine.

In the lead line class, Ariella Silber was off to a great start for the blue led by Tim Roesink.

Morgan

Park

Hylee's Dann Right and Anne Morgan won the Morgan Park Saddle Championship as well as the Morgan Park Saddle Amateur class for the second year in a row for Jean Morgan. Joel Ziemer rode Morganmeister to the top award in the Morgan Park Saddle Open class for Carolyn Wittar. The team also took the blue in the Morgan Park Harness Open class.

Mi Black Ice dominated the Morgan park harness division. Driven by Denise Pickett, Mi Black Ice won the Morgan Park Harness Amateur class. The talented team also received the tricolor in the Morgan Park Harness Championship with Kurt Hufferd at the whip.

English Pleasure

Kurt Hufferd drove SBSL In The Mood to the top of the Morgan Pleasure Driving Open class and the championship for owners Spring Mill Morgans. Springmill Encore and Larry Bolen were reserve to Hufferd in the championship. Springmill Encore received the blue in the Morgan Pleasure Driving, Ladies class with catch driver Shanna Gish for Dantree Farm.

CKH Return To Action and Clayton Caldwell were named the winners in the Morgan Pleasure Driving Amateur class for Etta Caldwell. CHK Calista was driven by Kathi Hummel to the win in the Morgan Pleasure Driving Junior Horse class for Lori Sargeant.

Cedar Creek Zanzi Bar and Scott Gunberg rounded out the pleasure driving division winning the UPHA Morgan Pleasure Driving class with $250 added money for Cedar Creek Farm.

Key Criterion and Shanna Gish won the Morgan English Pleasure Open class. Gish and Key Criterion continued their streak by also winning the Morgan English Pleasure Championship for Shelby Lamm. Treble's Fleetwood Max and Ann Slomkowski were reserve to Gish in both the championship and the qualifier. VVM Wrapped in Roses made his under saddle debut and won the Morgan English Pleasure Ladies class with Jenny Taylor aboard for the Vegas Valley Morgans.

In the Morgan English pleasure amateur division, Night On The Town and Elizabeth Burick proved superior winning the adult amateur class and the championship for Tom and Elizabeth Burick. CHR Can't Dodge Glory and Jessie Piatt were reserve to Burick in the championship.

Jessica Rusnock rode Treble's Fleetwood Max to the blue ribbon award in the Morgan English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor class for Jr.'s Passion LTD.

VVM Mad About You and Jenny Taylor claimed top honors in the Morgan English Pleasure Junior Horse class for Vegas Valley Morgans.

Classic Pleasure

DFM Mutual Agreement drove to the top in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving class with owner/exhibitor Marilyn Hackett at the line. They repeated their performance in the championship to drive away with the tricolor. PKM Gamborian and Lori Sargeant received the reserve tricolor in the championship. They also won the Morgan Classic Pleasure Championship out of five entries. Bonnie Howard was reserve to Sargeant in the championship aboard Atavista. Howard and Atavista had qualified by winning the Morgan Classic English Pleasure class. Western Pleasure

Claridge Noble Ricochet and Jan Evans were victorious in the Morgan Western Pleasure Championship as well as the Morgan Western Pleasure Amateur qualifier for J.M.E. Morgans. AMHF Ball Du Masque and Shanna Gish rode to the reserve honors in the championship for Spring Mill Morgans.

Troika's Black Russian and Larry Bolen won the Morgan Western Pleasure Open class for Dragonsmeade.

Ultra's Untouchable and Kathryn Schwartz gave a grand exhibition in the Morgan Western Pleasure Junior Exhibitor class to win the blue. Hunter Pleasure

BGF Elrond and Rha Adams trotted to the top of the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Championship. Sight Unseen and Jennifer Cooley were reserve to Adams in the championship after their win in the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Open qualifier.

JAX Untouchable and Carly Dodrill rode to the blue in the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Amateur class for Lynn Hobbs Griffith.

Elizabeth Adkins and Sugar Magnolia CW won the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor class for Rocky Ridge Farm.

Morgan Equitation

Ashley Dragan claimed the blue ribbon honors in the Morgan Saddle Seat Equitation 17 and Under class aboard Stonecroft Make A Wish under the direction of Ann Slomkowski.

Erin Henderson prevailed in the Morgan Walk-Trot Equitation class as well as the Walk-Trot Pleasure Equitation class for riders 11 and under.

This concludes the highlights of the River Ridge Horse Show.

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