Gold Cup Regional - What A Horse Show Should Be!
Monday, June 30, 2008
by Claire Panke
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Sponsored by the Ohio Morgan Horse Association, KYOVA, Indiana Morgan Horse Club and Penn-Ohio Morgan Horse Association, the venerable Morgan Gold Cup Regional was held June 17-21 at Champions Center at the Clark County Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ohio.
It was a fine place to be in June. Start with the nearly perfect summer weather of breezy, sunny days and cool nights. Add to this a fine indoor show facility, world champion horses, a superb judging panel and a tireless group of staff and volunteers and you have a recipe for an enjoyable week of top notch competition. Having a good time at the 48th annual Gold Cup Regional was easy. Winning a tricolor at Gold Cup proved quite a bit more difficult.
Win or lose, the exhibitor was king at Gold Cup 2008. From the coffee and doughnuts every morning, to the ringside pub tables serviced by attentive wait staff during the show, to the complimentary exhibitors’ parties each evening, Gold Cup rolled out the hospitality virtually non-stop. The bistro tables and bar chairs (generously donated by Kohler Stables), created an especially intimate and relaxed ambience. The result was a happy, friendly vibe that made this show an overwhelmingly positive experience. Board President Lana Richey voiced the Gold Cup customer service philosophy: "It’s all about the exhibitors, they’re the ones we do this for, they’re the ones we want to thank for bringing horses to Gold Cup. Without them, there wouldn’t be a horse show." Richey was also quick to note the cooperation of the staff at the Champions Center. "Anything we need them to do for us, they’re right on it. They’re very easy to work with."
Not even a thunderstorm early Saturday evening, which knocked out power right before show time, could ruffle anyone’s feathers. With the high drama of Indy Charity’s power outage fresh in several minds, paddock main man Buddy Waggoner simply jumped on his bicycle and rode up and down the stable aisles, cajoling exhibitors to the ring rather like a border collie herding his flock. Fortunately for everyone, the Champions facility is primarily under one roof. Battery power enabled the show to continue on schedule and power was soon restored, with only June Brune’s electric organ a temporary casualty.
The judges for the event, Luman Wadhams and Terry Jones Brennan, had nothing but praise for Gold Cup 2008. "This show was a pleasure to judge," said Wadhams. "It’s a very nice facility and very professionally managed. This show had a great energy level to it. I truly enjoyed judging it. I’d love to come back."
Brennan echoed his comments. "This was a great show. The horses were well-presented and very good quality, especially the junior exhibitor and equitation divisions. The enthusiasm of the exhibitors was infectious. This show is just what a horse show should be."
Gold Cup has enjoyed long and storied history, and while the show has experienced various ups and downs, as well as several venue changes over the years, it remains one of the strongest regional shows for both numbers and competitiveness. This is due in no small part to the continuity of its dedicated board of directors, many of whom have worked on the show for decades, and the commitment of its sponsoring organizations. Management and volunteers are efficient and attentive, keeping the show running like clockwork. They’re obviously doing something right. Despite fears of recession and the gas crunch, exhibitors flocked to Springfield from across the Midwest and beyond. Show Manager Guy Brown reported, "Entries were very good, around 250 head. We’re very pleased with the numbers."
One area particularly well supported at Gold Cup was the youth and junior exhibitor events. Twenty young people competed for Youth of the Year Award, from lead liners and walk and trotters to senior age group riders. After being tested on their riding skills, an oral presentation and a written test, all the participants were rewarded special Gold Cup caps and medallions. Youth of the Year Director Charlotte Krupla procured several much-coveted prizes for the age division winners, including duffle bags donated by Linda Hall and charms from Churchwells and Steed Whips. Morgan Gold Cup donated a $500 stipend for the senior winner to use in attending Morgan Grand National for the National Youth Contest – that honor went to a delighted Erica Frazee, who will represent the Midwest well in October. Other age winners included junior champ Jenny Miller, walk-trotter Madison Memering and lead line winner Parry Corenius.
Gold Cup welcomed a new corporate sponsor with the addition of local corporation Folck Insurance. The Folck family, active in the quarter horse industry for many years, was present for the UPHA Pink Ribbon class on Thursday night. It was a fortuitous match, as Folck is an international provider of insurance for horse farms and equine mortality as well as residential property.
Just before the start of Thursday evening’s performance, word reached the show that long time exhibitor and Gold Cup board member John Ferenc had passed away after a long battle with cancer. It was the first time in years Ferenc and his wife, Cathy, were not present at Gold Cup.
On a happier note, the Board of Directors made a presentation to a very special exhibitor before the Ladies Pink Ribbon class Thursday evening. Judy Whitney Harris, who has shown horses at all 48 editions of the Morgan Gold Cup, suffered a stroke during last year’s show. To those who know her, it was barely conceivable that this icon of the Morgan and Saddlebred worlds, one of the classiest exhibitors to ever grace a show ring, should be sidelined. Much to everyone’s delight, Harris has made great strides since last year. In fact, she could not be kept away from this year’s show. With the assistance of right hand man Ernesto Chavolla and good friend Lisa Smith, she was back with a good string of horses doing what Harris normally does best – showing quality horses and winning classes. There was hardly a dry eye in the house as Lana Richey and Guy Brown presented her with a beautiful bouquet of roses in appreciation of 48 years of support for Gold Cup.
That acknowledgement sums up the core strengths of Morgan Gold Cup: respect for tradition, commitment to excellence, generosity of spirit toward old friends and new and a willingness to embrace change when needed. With assets such as these, Gold Cup Regional is surely well positioned for the next 48 years.
Park Division
What the park section lacked in numbers it more than made for in quality, providing a touch of glamour to the week.
The Park Saddle Grand Championship was a close contest which provided an impressive comeback for tricolor winner Watch Me Dance with Shirley O’Gorman up for owner Sally Sliman. Jim and Linda Stewart’s Lookaway’s Fortune, who had been reserve in the ladies class earlier in the week, stepped up for the reserve tricolor with Kathleen Flower aboard. Rob Wilson brought the lofty going Blade up for a single appearance taking the open class win for daughter Ashley.
Three horses marched through the gate for the Amateur Saddle Championship, which soon shaped up into a battle between world champions Treble’s First Take with Dawn Fire, winners of the ladies class, and Patchwork Simply Amazin’ with Donna Zimmerman, winners of the amateur qualifier. The lovely Treble’s First Take couldn’t be denied, winning the tricolor, with Zimmerman and her game black mare reserve. Will-O-Way In Due Time captured the junior exhibitor event for Celia Salmon with Arboria Top Gun debuting with Samantha Brobst to take the reserve honors for Jim and Linda Stewart.
James Wallen had a strong contingent of Whitney Stables Farm youngsters in Springfield. WS Sporting Gift was a star at Gold Cup, capturing not only the Junior Park Saddle Champions and Three-Year-Old victories, but also the Three-Year-Old Park Harness and Junior Harness Championship for thrilled owner Liz Connor. Equinox Attache and Terry Rutledge, winners of the Four-Year-Old Park Saddle, took the reserve junior tricolor. Kristin Tramposh and PPR Belly Dancer stepped up for the second slot in the three-year-old class for Peeper Ranch.
The Park Harness Grand Championship proved a breakthrough for talented Boxford Bulls & Bears with Jim Taylor on the lines for Phil and Gloria Blevins. Bri-B XTC and Brian Stewart drove to a close reserve after winning the four-year-old harness class earlier in the week. Robert and Jean Morgan’s Exceptionallee was the open winner for driver Stephanie Skelton. The gorgeous HVK Constantinoble took the top prize in a nice ladies class with Jacqueline Clapp for PlayMor LLC for the second year in a row.
Wearing the harness most impressively for Donna Zimmerman, Evolution carried away the tricolor in the amateur championship. Will-O-Way In Due Time and Celia Salmon took home the prizes in the Junior Exhibitor Park Harness. Rare Piece and Nancy Flower were in the winner’s circle debuting as the UPHA Park Harness Classic winner for Lynn Peeples. Mike Grimes drove WNDC Chairman Of The Board to the second prize. In the Two-Year-Old Park Harness, the highly gifted PLS High Pine Picasso made an auspicious debut for the tricolor and cooler with Jim Taylor on the lines of the well-bred youngster for Joy Scala. JW Hold Me Tight and Ernesto Chavolla took a good second for Judy Whitney Harris.
English Pleasure
Tomeri Tango and Jennifer Hazen were extra sharp and on their game to take charge of a competitive open grand championship. This world champion is now a major threat in his new division for PlayMor. Reserve grand champion was the impressive stallion/gelding winner Ye Old Stolz Lauger, with Selvin Torrez up for Dolores Waddell. TES Capital Gain and Nancy Flower were the runners up in the qualifier for Thomas Schubert. DSD Northern Light and Pierre Loiselle had the right stuff to take the mare class for Steve and Stephanie Draper. James Wallen and Whitney’s Welcome took the reserve back to Kentucky for Liz Connor.
2008 marked the inaugural UPHA Ladies Pink Ribbon designation for the Ladies English Pleasure Championship. Although there were many lovely prizes offered to exhibitors, including roses to each rider, the focus remained on tributes to friends and family, the breast cancer survivors as well as those remembered in memoriam. Most ladies rode in honor of a friend or loved one. How fitting this championship turned out to be a tremendous class, one of the high points of the show. Judge Wadhams felt it too close to call so he asked the top two to go back to the rail: Elizabeth Burick and Bad Company, the bold winners of the gelding class, and Tara’s Momento, the feminine and elegant winner of the mare division, teamed by Michele Lomba. Both ladies rode hard but when the dust had settled, it was Bad Company, after a terrific show, called out for the championship. The lovely Tara’s Momento had to settle for reserve.
Angela Bulmer came all the way from London to compete on her multi-titled champion Versace. One of the top teams in their division, they made it two for two as they added both the amateur grand championship and amateur mare to their resume under the direction of Peeper Ranch. Tiffani Earehart had Liberation Instant Replay in fine form for the reserve championship after a second place finish in the amateur stallion/gelding. Le French Renaissance and Paula Messier had a strong performance in the amateur stallion gelding to take top honors. The AOTS winner was Aquilas Eve N Lea with Amy Snyder aboard.
The junior exhibitors kept the pleasure competition as smoking hot as the adult division. In the Junior Exhibitor Championship, each rider burst through the in gate riding to win. Making the move from pleasure driving to pleasure saddle, JP’s Livin On The Edge and Becky Devos demonstrated winning style in saddle classes as they are do in pleasure driving. They were crowned grand champions and 14-17 winners under the Liberty Stables banner. Reserve grand champion went to hard riding Natalie Savoy aboard Gables Top Quark carrying top honors to Showcase Stables. The 13 and under division featured Kelsey Morgan riding Hall’s Melt Down to the winner’s circle for Sarah Morgan. The Youth class saw Jessica Rusnock ride Treble’s Fleetwood Max to top honors for JR’s Passion Ltd.
The future stars of the show ring come out to play in the walk and trot classes. The very impressive new pairing of King Lear’s Friar Tuck with Hannah McBain were cute as punch to take the top spot in the 11 and under preliminary and championship. Garnering the second place in the championship was TSWE Prevailing Wind and darling Rebekah McKinley. Reserve in the 11 & under class was Coalition X Static and petite Aleana Graves.
The limit class was a romp for On A Mission MEM in his debut show under saddle with Jennifer Hazen For PlayMor. Topland’s Living Legend added to the Showcase Stables banner as Ann Slomkowski topped the novice class to warm up for owner Lisa Bomgaars.
After settling for second in the four and under qualifier, the lofty going Dragonsmeade’s High Drama came back in the junior championship to carry the tricolor home for Selvin Torrez and Dragonsmeade. Century Oak March Madness and Pierre Loiselle were the runners up. The four and under class was a nifty score for Dragonsmeade Infusion with Phil Fountain completing the exacta for Dragonsmeade.
Pleasure Driving
Sammi Hazen piloted the expressive Spiceoflife Right Answer to the top position in both the open stallion/gelding and open championship, adding to a tricolor show for PlayMor Farm. Cum Laude Nell and Diane Garrow were perfectly mannered to take the ladies class before adding the reserve tricolor to the O’Gorman Stables banner. Reserve in the stallion/gelding qualifier were John Warner and Favorite Son. In the mare division, Craig Hummel was on the lines as LPS Last Dance stepped up for the tricolor.
The amateur and junior exhibitor ranks enjoyed spicy competition from some of the top driving horses in the land. The high-headed Minion Valentino found another hinge and another gear to capture the tricolor in his debut show with an elated Linda Stewart on the lines. The exceptionally handsome Stonecroft Byzantine and Cathy Hazen were reserve for PlayMor. In the amateur stallion/gelding, the championship results were reversed, with Stonecroft Byzantine on top and Minion Valentino second.
Rebecca Devos and JPS Livin On The Edge enjoyed a fabulous week, winning the first of four titles in the junior exhibitor qualifier. They came back to win the junior exhibitor championship on their way to more tricolors in the under saddle division. The world titled team of HVK Primary Light and Austin McLallin had to settle for second in both classes.
The young horses provided plenty of action and possibilities. John Hufferd can usually be counted on for top young horses. Hufferd was at the lines of in-hand star FRF Tres Chic as she marched to the four-year-old pleasure driving title and junior championship for Edward and Susan Wright. Ernesto Chavolla had JW Patty La Belle in fine form for reserve in the championship for proud owner/breeder Judy Whitney Harris. The three-year-old class saw much potential in the debut of Whispering Masterwork with Phil Fountain for Rocky and Diana Schliefer. Showstopper MSV Maximus was impressive in the UPHA Classic. Tana Peterson is his proud owner.
Thy Kingdom Come was impressively mature and confident for a youngster as James Wallen drove him to the two-year-old division qualifying class and championship for Charles Connor. Judy Whitney Harris’s JW Here I Am also showed much promise taking reserve in both these slots.
Classic Pleasure
The classic division was filled with quality and numbers, making for some of the closest competition of the show. A very strong saddle championship was another feather in the cap of Donna Zimmerman whose personality plus Stonecroft After Midnight was named grand champion. Hot on her heels was the outstanding duo of HVK Drive Em Crazy and Janice Lazar with a good ride. This pair took the open class earlier in the show with Donna and Stonecroft After Midnight in the second spot. The sporty Auhl Turned Out and Jane Blackburn topped a good ladies class for Peeper Ranch over Cedar Creek Farm’s La Mer and Marilyn Hackette, good winners of the limit event. The top ribbon in the amateur owner to show went to KSS Under Cover for owner rider Sandra Sterns. Rage scored a victory pass in the junior class with Sarah Taylor stepping in for owner Anne Morgan as she continues her maternity leave with son Camden.
Junior exhibitors poured into the ring for their classic saddle championship. Best of the best proved to be PlayMor’s sporty new team of Narragansett Spirit and Anna McLallin who captured the grand championship and 14-17 in grand style. JLH Valerian and Miranda Scholl earned two excellent reserve tricolors with second spots in both the 13 & under and the championship. In the 13 and under age group Taylor Ashley White teamed Daily Double to the top spot to continue a winning show for Showcase Stables.
The elegant team of Stonecroft Neoclassic and Donna Zimmerman couldn’t be denied as they made it two for two in the pleasure driving championship and stallion/gelding under the Memory Lane banner. Cadence Farm’s lovely Dragonsmeade Bravura and Kay Schroeder took a strong reserve in the championship after capturing reserve in the ladies class. The world titled team of Med-E-Oka Nobel Prize and Jacqueline Clapp carried the top honors from the ladies class back to PlayMor Farm. Linda Hall and her Swanbrook Masterplan earned a big round of applause as they made the victory pass in the limit class. DFM Mutual Agreement and Peggy Angel carried out the top prize in the mare division. Aquila’s Gunsmoke and Tim Selinsky were dual winners for the junior and gentlemen events and had it all to themselves for a good win over CKH Hot Ice and Andrea Hostettler for Walker and Rutledge.
Outrageous Courageous and Abby Meyer enjoyed a debut show to remember as they were the happy and deserving winners of the junior exhibitor driving championship to the delight of the Showcase Stables cheering section. Levi Graves and Coalition X -Static had to be content with reserve here after capturing the first prize in a very good junior exhibitor qualifier.
Western Pleasure
It was a Summerbird tricolor sweep on Saturday night as contenders ridden by Jeff and Amy Bessey climaxed a great week for the stable by capturing the top two slots in the western championship. Jeff Bessey had Francis Beers’s Worked In Gold just right to bring home the tricolor and cooler. Champions in this class in 2006, they again carried home top honors in the championship as well as the stallion/gelding class. Meanwhile, Amy Bessey completed a great week for Tina Drumms’s Bears It All by garnering the reserve champion title following matching victory passes in the limit and novice classes. In addition, JW I’m Outrajus Too and Amy Bessey were the winners in the mare division for Margot Apple, turning the tables on Jeff Bessey with Grand Cru Hollywood’s Wish in second.
Graycliff Rimfire and Mary Carlton topped a nice group of contenders to capture the championship in the ladies division as well as the qualifier. Janie Denning is the proud owner. Kathryn Daly jogged up for reserve aboard MSV Ringo Star in the championship after capturing reserve in the amateur stallion/geldings.
Maxwell Smart and Jeff Bessey were the popular triple threat winners of the gentlemen’s class, the four-year-olds and the junior championship for owner Karla Cortelyou. The handsome Warlock’s Back To The Future received two expert rides from Belle Hufferd to take the reserve spots in the four-year-old and junior championship. Playboy’s Desperado and Abby Adkins were the three-year-old winners for Kay Curtis Foley.
A good amateur championship proved a showdown between two top western horses, the amateur ladies winner, Star Of Midnight and Cathy Hazen, and amateur stallion/gelding winner, Hylee’s Fanflaire and Kali Erin Hutchinson. In the end, PlayMor’s Star Of Midnight was named the champion with M. J. Sklenica’s Hylee’s Fanflaire up for the reserve. The amateur mare class was a great win for Jax Noble Onyx and Kay Curtis Foley. Jogging up for the win in the amateur-owner were Deborah Richter and Mancini.
The strong junior exhibitor section saw two nice horses trading honors all week, with PlayMor’s Cabot French Lieutenant and the Rohr family’s MJL Rochallor divided up the top two spots between them. MJL Rochallor and Joshua Rohr triumphed in the championship after taking second in the 14-17. Cabot French Lieutenant and Austin McLallin captured the youth and 14-17 classes on the way to the reserve tricolor. The 13 and under age group was a nice win for Jenny Miller and Morgan Valley Apollo over Madison Wurster and Evil Knievil.
The walk and joggers were cuter than cute and intent on doing their best. Talented Sara Heidenreich had a huge week in Springfield in both western and hunt. Heidenreich and Hylee’s Fanflaire captured the 11 and under qualifier and the championship. Poplar Eldorado and Madison Memering were letter perfect to be the reserve champions for Chris and Shannon Verbal. Aquila’s Stardust and Conner Farley were a determined second in the qualifier.
Hunter Pleasure
What a week for the hunters as nice horses poured into the ring for every division. Owner Cynthia Whitten was thrilled with the dominating performances of MEM Erotica throughout the show. Kristen Tramposh rode this quality mare to three titles in the open grand championship following the ladies and mare qualifiers. Jax Black Jack and Manya LoCascio put it all together in the championship to be named reserve champions for owner Shirley Keller. The open stallion and gelding was a good win for Mary Carlton aboard Linda Graves’s Twin Peak Heritage.
Top honors in the junior championship and UPHA Classic went to another triple threat winner, SSLC On Demand and Misty Pleiness, who also captured the amateur class. A close reserve in the junior championship went to Briar Oak’s Uptown Girl and Belle Hufferd for owners Denny and Toni Maunder. Dreammaster Ltd Edition and Katy Roos had the right stuff to win the four-year-old class. In the three-year-old class, Abby Adkins rode Playboy’s Desperado to the win. Meredith Lazar teamed Chris Cashe’s Hampshire Sargeant Tibbs to two nice wins in the novice and limit.
A formidable amateur championship took shape with the bold-striding Silverheel’s Lumination, capturing the title for Leslie Linville to add to the Liberty Stables banner. Reserve champion honors were well earned by youth winners Bell South and Kali Hutchinson for Stacy Heidenreich. Gayle Davidson and Derawnda Hercules earned the first prize in the amateur owner trainer class.
The junior riders enjoyed a full division of nice horses. MEM Once Again and Ali Denzel had two great performances to top the 14-15 class and the championship to add to a tricolor debut season under the Peeper Ranch banner. The elegant combination of Cherrydale Melania and Lauren Cook, winners of the 16-17 year old qualifier, pressed hard but had to settle for the reserve tricolor. Twin Peak Heritage and Gabrielle Graves put it all together to take the 13 and under class.
Sara Heidenreich continued her winning streak by commanding the walk and trot division for both the qualifier and the championship with the letter perfect Storyville. Batton’s Maestro and Mitchell Memmering were a good second in both events for Melissa Torok.
In Hand
Although not large in numbers, the in hand division was strong in quality. Multi-titled Stonecroft Byzantine led the way for PlayMor Farm as the gorgeous stallion and Jennifer Hazen swept the Grand Champion Stallions, Senior Stallions and Five & Over. Relative newcomer WTS The Joker served notice he will be a prime contender for in hand honors as he took the Three and Four-Year-Old Stallions, with reserves in the Senior and Grand Championship for handler David Earehart and Williams Training Stable. The Junior Stallion Championship was a big win for JW Here I Am and Ernesto Chavolla for Judy Whiney Harris. This duo also captured the Two-Year-Old Stallions. Selvin Torres took Dragonsmeade Warlock to the reserve in these two events for Dragonsmeade.
Pierre Loiselle led the precocious filly MSV Miss Belle to the Two-Year-Old Mare win, Junior Champion Mare and Grand Champion Mare titles for Brown and Socher. Reserve Grand Champion went to the impressive Senior Mare and Five & Over Champion Ah La Lucie with Bert Earehart for Leah Thomas. JW Patty LaBelle was reserve for Ernesto Chavolla in the senior mare after capturing the three-year-old division. Following MSV Miss Belle in the Junior Championship was John Hufferd and the yearling champion Wiona’s I Love Lucy for Patrick Lynch.
The gelding division saw the continued dominance of MSV Maximus and handler John Hufferd for Tana Peterson. This gorgeous young gelding took the Three and Four-Year-Old Gelding and Grand Championship with style. The Five & Over Geldings was a first place for Carlyle Upper Case who came back for Reserve Grand Champion honors for Sheri Beard and owner Stephen Smith. John Warner guided RJMF Marching Orders to the winner circle in the Two & Under Geldings for Jean Morgan.
KSS Under Cover Girl and Sandra Stearn were the top call in the amateur class, with Antietam Mystical Illusion and Leslie Corbin up for the second prize.
Equitation
The equitation classes at the 2008 Gold Cup were some of the most hotly contested of the show. The division was blessed with many top riders in all seats. The final result often came down to the last element of a workout, which left parents and spectators on the edge of their seats until the placings were called.
The Saddle Seat Equitation 14-17 Championship saw seven elegant riders head through the gate. The workout selected tested the riders to the utmost. Capturing the championship with a perfect pattern and strong rail ride was a thrilled Jordan Cusumano. Cusumano had been reserve in her age group but came back to meet the challenge in the championship. She was also the UPHA Challenge Cup winner, capping off a great week coached by Mary Carlton. Reserve champion was a very deserving Caitlyn Scholl, who stepped up her game when it counted. Elizabeth Thomas had blossomed into a very confident rider this season. She claimed the 14-17 and the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal with bold style. Taylor Ashley White bested a big group of classic contenders riders to take the Classic Equitation 17 & Under.
The junior riders saw talented Cameron Kay capture her age group, the UPHA and the Junior Championship to add to the Crystal Farms banner. Miranda Scholl was sharp to take reserve in the championship. In addition to their performance victories, Hannah McBain and King Lehr’s Friar Tuck enjoyed another trip down victory lane in the Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation coached by Mike and Ann Slomkowski.
Elizabeth Thomas continued her wining streak as she won both her senior age group and the championship in western equitation in convincing fashion. Good riding Madison Wurster, who was the winner of the younger age group, showed her stuff in the championship to be named reserve champion. Wurster also took the AMHA Western Seat Medal. Olivia Lahr was a polished second in the 14-17, while Haley Knauss had a smooth ride to jog away with the second place in the 13 & under.
The Hunt Seat Equitation 14-17 Championship was a nail biter with a tricky individual workout that saw Olivia Lahr prevail with a smart and poised performance. Kaitlin Emmerson was a strong reserve after nailing her AMHA Hunt Seat Medal and 14-15 year old age group. Chelsea Lehrbass topped a big 16-17 year old group, with Morgan Hertz reserve. Hillarie Slesinger negotiated the course to capture the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal Over Fences. Lauren Bruss took the second spot in this event as well as another good second in the on the flat medal.
The junior riders were not to be outdone. Jenny Miller was strong in both her age group and the champions ship to capture the tricolor and the cooler. Gabrielle Graves was a close reserve in both events. The 11 and under walk and trotters provided a great class of youngsters. Sara Heidenreich continued her blue ribbon charge with another blue here as well as in the western seat walk-jog.
Miscellaneous Divisions
The Road Hack class was a good win for Manya LoCascio and the handsome Jax Black Jack for owner Shirley Keller. Aquila’s Diamond Rio was a strong second for Jaynee Clark.
The Junior Exhibitor and Open Trail classes featured winning performances from the very confident Haley Knauss and Genuine Jade. Spirit Of Glory and Jessica Kraus took the walk-jog trail victory for Gerald and Darla Lukens.
The roadster division saw a win for RER Strike Up The Band and Mary Douglas in the under saddle section while RJMF Symphonic Music took the bike class for John Warner.
AMCF Jelly Bean and the versatile Lauren Bruss dominated the reining, taking both the open and free-style. Aquila’s Katy Courage and Meredith Rosier took second in both events.
The show management incorporated a nice discount package for those exhibitors participating only in dressage and carriage, a strategy that seemed to work well for all concerned.
Cozumel and Manya LoCascio made the high scores for both the A and B tests in the Introductory Level Dressage. WRC Forever True Philo took the Training Level Test 1 for Whitney Childs while WLA Born To Perform scored best in Tests 2 and 3 for Karen Stephens to take these two and be named Training Level Champion. Test 4 was a top score for Heyday Patriot Lady and Whitney Childs who also captured the Junior Rider Test and the AMHA Dressage Seat Medal. Striking Viking and Laura Gerrity took all three First Level Tests and the xhampionship. Anew and entertaining addition to the dressage ranks were the two events for Classical Western Riding. Jacque Hill and PKR Pacific Star captured both these tests for Cheryl Woosley. Spring Hollow Merlin showed true promise in the Sport Horse Suitability class for Jennifer Vida.
In the carriage events, Robert Wyatt’s LSC Crème De La Crème and Robert Smith took the Turnout and the Fault and Out Mikaela’s Above N Beyond and Elizabeth Campbell captured the Reinsmanship, Obstacles Gamber’s Choice, plus several other good ribbons to be named the champion of the division. Obert Wyatt’s TES Cartel finished with the reserve championship.
LR Ami Tiger Would and Cathleen Lee Baker were big winners for the Carlton’s Crystal Stables as they captured both working hunter over fences classes plus the hack class. Victory’s Selection and Cassie Smith took the top prize in the Working Hunter On The Flat.
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