Posted September 28, 2001

by Nancy Wiseman

DALLAS, TEXAS - While the entire United States reeled from the tragedies in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, Texans came together and showed their true colors. Airports were closed and the news broadcasted the possibility of increased gas prices or a gas shortage. The notion of what was safe and what was not had been rocked and the world would never be the same again.

Exhibitor’s who attended the show were clearly grappling with the grim reality of Tuesday’s attack. As exhibitors faced the flag for the opening ceremony, the faces of everyone in the grandstands were somber. Even back at the stalls the music brought everyone to their feet. Most exhibitors wore red, white and blue ribbons on their clothing and some even wore the colors on their riding suits. The need to maintain normalcy, and perhaps find sustenance in being among friends, was a strong component of the 2001 State Fair of Texas.

“At first I questioned whether to go or not, but once I got to the show, it felt good to be with friends and laugh again after the nightmare earlier this week,” Debbie Beard, a long-time Texas exhibitor, said. “It was good to get away from watching the television for hours on end. I think it helped wipe the perpetual frown I know I had worn for days off my face and my heart. In the end, I was very glad I had come.”

Home to the Texas Futurity, the Texas State Fair was held September 13-16 at Fair Park in Dallas. Proceeds from the show benefited the UPHA Chapter 6/7 for the promotion of the industry. Nancy Braesicke has managed the show for the past 23 years and knows the people from this area like the back of her hand. What could have been an absolute nightmare proved to be a very good show. Tom Sworm from LaPeer, Mich., was slated to judge the show but could not get to Dallas because of the flight cancellations. Texan Dorothy Ford stepped up and drove in from Houston to fill Sworm’s role as Saddle Horse judge. Ford did the expected excellent and professional job.

Always a focal point, this year’s futurity classes showcased outstanding young stock from Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Debut rides, new horses, and new combinations made the show interesting and offered a look at what the 2002 show season may offer. It also gave some a chance to get another show in before moving on to St. Louis and Kansas City. Saturday evening, the saddle horses had the night off while the Texas Walking Horse Futurity took place. Saddle Horse exhibitors took this opportunity to have a night out on the town and see what the exciting city of Dallas had to offer or get back to the hotel for some extra rest.

Winning the Weanling Championship, Wisdown Iron Age, also the winner of the Weanling Colt of 2001 was shown for Winsdown Farms by James Vantrese. Reserve Weanling Champion went to Hi Hopes, presented by trainer Janet Crompton, Bluebonnet Farm, Ed and Ada Perwien owners. The ASB Futurity of Texas Limited Breeders Weanling Stake went to Winsdown Crystalline, led by Vantrese for Winsdown Farms. Winsdown Crystalline was also the reserve winner of the ASB Weanling class. Reserve in that class to He Sure Is Bluebonnets, another Bluebonnet Farm entry presented by trainer Janet Crampton. He Sure is Bluebonnets who also had the reserve ribbon in the Weanling Colt class. Cealamandre presented by Mike Breeggemann for owner Pete Galanos won the ASB Weanling Futurity of Texas. Ron Holmes proudly presented his home bred Dusky Dreams to the blue in the Natural ASB Amateur Weanling class, with Grace Ekman taking reserve with her weanling Commander’s Wisdom. The Yearling Futurity Championship of Texas was won by Supreme Attachment, shown by Breeggemann for Paradise Farm. Reserve Grand Champion to Winsdown Three Rivers. Premier Gift, owned by the Laird family, won the Yearling in Hand, trainer Dan Flowers presenting. Reserve to Norsks Doll of Fame presented and owned by Sharyn Chambers. Winsdown Farms entries had both the first and second place ribbons in the Yearling Stallion in hand with Winsdown Vulcan Steel taking the blue and Winsdown Gateway Center reserve. Mike Breeggemann of Paradise Farms led the Yearling Filly Champion Supreme Attachment to the blue, with Winsdown farm entry, Winsdown Three Rivers reserve. Two Year Old In Hand winner Winsdown Dresden Doll was presented by trainer Janie Hamilton, as was the reserve champion Winsdown The New Steel.

Anacacho Dance Again, shown by Lonnie Quarles for owner Bebe Olcott of Dallas won the Five Gaited Championship. Olcott recently purchased the horse to show herself in the five-gaited division. Anacacho Dance Again was reserve in the Open. Trainer Paul Cates showed Heirogant to the blue in the Open class for owner Cindy Kolmeier. The ribbons wee reversed and Olcott’s entry was reserve in the Open. Heirogant did not show back in the championship. Boppin’ Into View, only a three year old won both her age group and the Amateur class. Rider Bill Marple stated that the win fulfilled a “lifetime goal” to win an Amateur class on a three year old. Boppin’ Into View is owned by Ron Holmes and trained by Mike Breeggemann. The Five-Gaited Ladies class had Texas favorite CH Callaway’s Caption, ridden by Ashley Kirkland for Milligan Stables, winning that class as well as the Juvenile Five-Gaited. Cathryn Coleman of Austin was reserve on Santana’s Gal in the Ladies. Slicker’s Society Man owned by Debbie Graves won the Five-Gaited Limit.

Cathryn Coleman of Austin showed Worthy Winner to win the Amateur class and Distractions to the blue in the Ladies. Reserve in both classes was the new combination of Chris Treston and Big Whoop La trained by Janet Crampton at Bluebonnet Farm. Mike Breeggemann of Paradise Farm had the blue ribbon winners for both the 2 Year Old Open and the Jr. Horse class. El Dorado Stonewall won the 2 Year Old and Warm Light was the winner of the junior class. An exciting ride for Lauren Greenwall, from Winning Ways Farm on her four year old entry Worthy’s Hale Bop to take the first place honor in the Three Gaited Junior Exhibitor. Worthy’s Hale Bop and his young rider are under the direction of Dan Flowers. Reserve to Anne McCutcheon and Santana’s Chief.

Elegant two years old Sheryl Snoopes made her show ring debut with trainer Dan Flowers to win the Fine Harness Championship. Owner Jamey Pippert is returning to competition as an adult and Sheryl Snoopes is her first purchase. Needless to say, she is thrilled to own such a lovely young mare. Winsdown Dresden Doll, Janie Hamilton whip and trainer for Winsdown Farm won the 2 Year Old Futurity class.

Three-Gaited Park Grand Champion and Open Champion American Beau, ridden by owner/trainer Michael Beasom of San Antonio, had to ride hard to top the Amateur class winner Debbie Beard and her mare She-Bop. They were the Reserve Grand champions and are trained by Crampton at Bluebonnet Farm. Trainer Debbie Graves showed The Enchanting Heir for owner Katie Rose Watson, winning the Three-Gaited Park Jr./Novice class.

Jennifer Jordan is accumulating a string of championship and blue ribbons on her gelding My Secret Passion, winners of both the Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship and the qualifier. Paul Cates trains this team. Owner Linsey Dent, Michael Beasom trainer, showed reserve Grand Champion Ten Till Midnight.

Three Gaited Show Pleasure Grand Champion and Adult Champion She’s the Bess made the trip to center ring with owner Bebe Olcott from Milligan Stables. Reserve Grand Champion to Cher Landman on Predominate in their debut show together. Linda Landman, owner of Predominate was ecstatic over her daughter’s wonderful performance. Mike Breeggemann trains this new duo. Novice rider Ginny Beth Horton took a first place ribbon on Begin The Times owned by trainer Debbie Graves. Jail House Rock and Chelsea Butschek won the 13 & Under Show Pleasure. The 14-17 age group was won by Samantha Delecti and York Bay Magic owned by Milligan Stables. Randy McBride and Danger in the Air, no strangers to the winner circle took home the blue ribbon for the Show Pleasure Driving.

The Three-Gaited Country Pleasure division was very competitive with some new faces. Dixie Surprise and Susie Pickford won the Championship, with Marianne Nicholson taking the reserve ribbon for owner Lisa Cerbie on Great Black Hope. Room For One More and Whitney Baker won the 17 & Under for Teri Dolan. Tishomingo’s Pride won both the Country Pleasure qualifier and Championship for Debbie Graves, Stephanie Corbin, whip.

Joy Warren and her bay mare Great Belles of Fire are in good order to go on to St. Louis for the finals next week. They swept the Country Western Pleasure division with their wins in the Championship, qualifier and Shatner Pleasure, with all qualify them for 2002. Sarah Track at Bluebonnet Farm has been working with the pair to great success. Suzanne Bradshaw and Thanksgiving were reserve in all three classes, which shows the depth of the western division, as they are one of the nation’s top western teams as well.

Bubba Deal has joined his wife Sherry Frankel-Deal, their daughters Lauren and Lindsey, and their Winning Ways Stable, selecting the Road Pony Division to make his mark. Deal won both classes to trainer Adrian Dulin driving No Fear for Melissa Martinson, who passed away this summer.

The Equitation and academy classes were well filled. After a year or two of low numbers, it was fabulous to see the classes so well filled. Ginny Beth Norton won the Pleasure Equitation Championship, and Chelsea Butschek was Reserve. Butschek was the winner of the 17 & Under Novice, as well as the 11-13 age division. The 10 and Under was won by Beth Oseroff. Samantha Delicti won the Saddleseat Equitation 14-17. Anne McCutcheon won both the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and qualifying class.