The Grand Finale Of The Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Sunday - Coliseum
The final day of the 2003 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show began with many questions yet to be answered. Some of the preliminary classes for Sunday's world championships offered the promise of phenomenal competition to crown the ultimate champions of the Morgan breed. The size and depth of some the classes on the schedule would give the judges and the audience something to truly marvel at. As the horn sounded for the first class of the day, it would be just over 12 hours until all of the questions were answered and all of the 2003 champions had been crowned.
The promise of the future was clearly seen in the young horse competition throughout the week in Oklahoma. The quality and athleticism was showcased as the Two-Year-Old Park Harness World Championship started Sunday off on a bright note. It didn't take long for the Morgan world to take notice of Ultra's Dark Angel in her first show for owner Priscilla Marconi and trainer Jim Lowry. The regal bay filly was the definition of a park harness horse as she trotted under the spotlight as the world champion. Following his much heralded Northampton harness debut, Starboard's Blitz Krieg emerged from the promising seven horse field with the reserve world champion honors. Rick Stevens guided the fronty bay son of Favorite Son to the title for Lyle Waterman and Waterman Inc.
The Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure 14-17 Championship was next on the agenda with 34 horses making it the largest world championship of the week. In spite of the fact that a 28 horse world championship was split earlier in the week, it was decided that this class would not be split. While it was evident that the horse and rider teams in this class were supremely prepared for the task at hand, it was also clearly apparent that there was not sufficent space for all of the horses to be seen and perform at their peak. After the railwork and lineup, the judging panel selected 14 horses to remain in the ring. These horses then performed at all gaits both ways of the ring with plenty of space available to perform for their world championship honors.
Following a couple of seasons in semi-retirement FVA Rolls Royce was back in
world championship form in 2003. Now matched with Ashley Wright, the bold striding bay recaptured the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure 14-17 world title he had also won in 2000. They carried the tricolor back to the Crystal Farms banner to begin a memorable day with an enormous victory. Nanton's Bossanova and Katie Klooster enjoyed their own phenomenal week in Oklahoma. They added the reserve world championship to their versatile performances throughout the week in the over fences, dressage and equitation divisions under the Dragonfire banner.
Tara's War Eagle and Frances Pugh have defined the Classic Pleasure Driving division since they have made it their domain in 2003. They put an exclamation point on their flawless season by earning the rose-adorned victory pass as the Classic Pleasure Driving World Champions to the delight of everyone at Tara Farm and their dedicated fan club. It was a show to remember for John Evans in just his first season in the show ring. The Evans family and everyone at Grove Pointe Stables were on cloud nine as John Evans directed CSH Corydon's Eclipse to the Classic Pleasure Driving Reserve World Championship in just their second show together proving driving a horse isn't that much different from a car!
Elegance and style were on prominent display in the Ladies Amateur English Pleasure World Championship. It was a tricolor battle between the unanimous mare and gelding qualifier winners, the east versus the west. FCF Coeur De Lion displayed the heart of a lion and the look of a true champion as he strode down victory lane with Mindy Duran and their world championship laurels. After a first season of getting to know one another, this team certainly hit its stride in Oklahoma thanks to perfect preparation by Luman Wadhams. HVK Obsidian and Ling Fu Wylie began a memorable tricolor day for Rock Walker Stables and Dragonsmeade Farm. This beautiful pairing displayed their unique style as they were named the reserve world champions.
Without a moment to catch her breath, Ling Fu Wylie was back at ringside to cheer on Dragonsmeade's next world champion of the day along with the rest of the Fu Family. Dragonsmeade CarnegieHall showed the style and quality of the new generation of Dragonsmeade champions as Robert Hughes guided the handsome Beethoven son to the Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Championship. Fletcher Music Lee showed on Friday night just why she is one of the breed's great mares in her Legends performance. Her legendary talents of producing world championship offspring was on display in the show ring on Sunday. Matched with Futurity French Command, Music Lee produced the lovely GLB Perfect Harmony who captured the Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Reserve World Championship with Gerry Rushton on the lines for Lorraine Bumb and Silver Creek Stables.
From the young horses, it was time for the young riders to take center stage. In just their first season together, Twin Peak Princess K and Amber Brown earned their second Oklahoma tricolor as they rode to the winner's circle in the Walk-Trot Classic Pleasure Saddle 9 & Under Finals to the delight of instructor Coby Clark. Chloe Hooper's smile lit up the ring as she picked up the reserve tricolor with DMMF Confident Aire prepared by Valarie Siemer.
Vince LeMaster closed out his junior exhibitor career on top of the world. Teamed with his well matched partner WSG Mystique Ovation, LeMaster drove away with his second consecutive Junior Exhibitor Park Harness World Championship to the delight of Cricket Coleman and everyone at The River's Edge. It was a class to remember for Kylee Cochran as she drove the four-year-old sensation FZM Encore to the reserve world title. Harold and Penny Cochran were justifiably proud of this impressive young team and their performance.
The Three-Year-Old Hunter Pleasure World Championship featured some of the rising stars of this division where quality and style are as paramount as athleticism and frame. When the results were tallied, it was Orrwoods Special Edition who rose to the top with a flawless ride. Belle Hufferd was greeted in the winner's circle by sisters Darlene Orr and Toni Maunder who bred and owned this handsome Nobility son. After securing her first world title in her first Oklahoma appearance six days earlier, Treble's Rhapsody In Blue added the reserve world title. Kathleen Peeples presented the magnificent bay mare who will undoubtedly be a star of the future for the Brown/Klein family.
The Grand National Walk/Trot Classic Pleasure 10-11 closed out the morning session with Devon Delay capturing her second tricolor of the week with her second horse. Delay and her trusty RGM Chevelier were greeted in the winner's circle by proud instructor Jeff Kidd following the winning announcement. The Hufferd family tricolor tradition continued as yet another generation added his name to the record books. Tyler Hufferd was the toast of his fan club as he rode Indian Creek Farm's wonder-horse Gradell's Wild Sunrise to the reserve tricolor in Tyler's very first Oklahoma show ring appearance.
While there were only seven classes on the Sunday afternoon schedule in the coliseum, the depth in these classes made for a grand display of the Morgan Horse. The promise of the future was evident as the entries in the Three-Year-Old Park Saddle World Championship paraded into the ring to open the session. The audience scarcely had time to get into their seats when the performance of Queen's Victorian Lady brought them out of their seats. This supremely beautiful and athletic Mizrahi daughter rang up another unanimous victory as David Rand guided her to the winner's circle for proud owners and breeders Pete and Sandy Hendrick. Linda Stewart and her leg-waving Lookaway's Fortune received strong support from the audience as they carried the Three-Year-Old Park Saddle Reserve World Championship back to Lookaway Farm.
The Amateur Western Pleasure World Championship was an amazing sight as 28 of the most polished teams in the land jogged around the ring displaying phenomenal style and polish. The horses were perfectly mannerly as their riders positioned themselves with aplomb to be viewed by the judges. When the tabulations had been made, it was a jubilant Virginia Adams and her beloved He's Simply Marvelous who had achieved their dream goal. As they jogged down victory lane in the spotlight directed by Garn Walker, it was a simply marvelous moment. Following a star-studded junior exhibitor career in the '90s, Nikki Csaszar returned to the Oklahoma spotlight this year with CRS Executive as the Amateur Western Pleasure Reserve World Champion. They turned in a stylish ride under the direction of Kathleen Peeples to earn the accolades for Medard and Mary Ann Csaszar. The grand top ten lineup included such Oklahoma winners as; Love's Masterpiece, Delawares Night Life, Burkland Elegant Lady, Cabot French Lieutenant, MCA Seawind Serenade, HRM Ultimate Promise and Leave It To B.
The Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving competition has been phenomenal throughout the year from coast to coast. The score would be settled as to who would be the best in the land in the Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Championship. When the dust settled it was the state of California securing total domination. Just as she had done a year earlier, GLB Bell Of The Ball proved that she came to the party to be the center of attention. The daughter of legendary world champions HVK Bell Flaire and Fletcher Music Lee kept up the family tradition with Gerry Rushton guiding the way for owner and breeder Lorraine Bumb. Following a victorious debut in Santa Barbara, LIV Calla Lily gained a strong following with her dramatic beauty and style. Robert Hughes drove the Simply Maserati daughter to add the reserve world championship to a phenomenal show for Dragonsmeade Farm.
The Ladies Amateur Hunter Pleasure World Championship featured 17 impressive multi-titled entries vying for top honors. It was only fitting that a dream week should end with a perfect ending. Such was the case for Melissa Walker and GPM Genesis B. After a big hug around Gene's perfectly braided shiny bay neck, it was time for Melissa Walker to give her trainer/husband Garn Walker a big hug in the winner's circle as the team completed an amazing, undefeated week. Amy Gatewood Buckle had a great show with her Dantree Farm horses under the Cedar Creek Farm banner. After several trips to the winner's enclosure, Buckle finished off with the Ladies Amateur Hunter Pleasure Reserve World Championship with her bold striding Highover Narcotic.
The ladies were back on center stage as a beautiful group of 22 filled the ring in the Ladies Classic Pleasure World Championship. Here, yet another of the week's most stellar teams finished off with an undefeated show. It was Terry Jones Brennan and the lovely Maximum Effort who again rose to the top of charts to perfectly define this division for Summerhill Farm. It was certainly a great afternoon for Linda Stewart and Lookaway Farm as they carried home their second reserve world championship. This time, it was Lookaway's Howitzer who trotted away with the Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle Reserve World Championship for the second year in a row. The list of top ten finishers featured top champions from coast to coast in Riverside Buckingham, LC Baywatch, Whispering Rhythm-N-Blues, Rumor Has It, Rum Brook Immortal Mystic, Aspenglow's Baryshnikov, Carlyle Can Can, and DM Fortune Cookie.
Last year HVK Bell Flaire put an exclamation point on his historic show ring career by being named Park Saddle World Champion with Judy Whitney presenting for Barbara and Arthur Jones. This year HVK Bell Flaire offspring have taken on the job of representing their sire in tricolor fashion. It was again the team of Barbara and Arthur Jones and Judy Whitney Harris who carried home the Four-Year-Old Park Saddle World Championship. The top honors were awarded to Bellisima, an athletic son of Bell Flaire and 1998 Park Saddle World Champion Schiaparelli. It was a tricolor sweep for the offspring of HVK Bell Flaire as Tomeri Bella Riviera earned the reserve honors. Joel Chauran guided Tom and Teri Brisco's lovely mare who is out of their prized Med-E-Oka French Riviera.
The AMHA Hunt Seat Gold Medal Finals closed out the Sunday afternoon session in the coliseum with final of the largest competition of the week. Being the best of the best requires hard work, determination and ability. It took a supreme level of each and then some for Kati Wood to be crowned the AMHA Hunt Seat Gold Medal Champion. Wood and her mount RBC Callie along with nearly 50 other competitors started out by surviving the prelimary round on Monday night where 12 riders were selected to return for Sunday afternoon's finals.
After a week of other competition, the 12 riders returned for a full class of railwork afterwhich six were asked to do an intricate pattern. Winning the AMHA Hunt Seat Gold Medal was a crowning glory for Kati Wood, RBC Callie and instructor Jennifer Frisbie. Ashley Wright and FVA Rolls Royce enjoyed a great finish to their tricolor week as they collected the reserve title under the Crystal Farms banner. The remainder of the impressive top ten list featured; Kara Hose, Nicole Morrison, Emily Rosini, Briana Schauer, Kristiana Wright, Sasha Klein, Caitlyn Scholl and Bradi Nicole Carter.
As the clock struck 7pm, a highly anticipatory crowd filed into their seats to be a part of the closing ceremonies of an outstanding week of competition. Whether they had come to Oklahoma for the weekend highlights or had been ringside for as many of the nearly 500 classes as possible, everyone in attendance had been part of the spectacular showcase of the Morgan breed. As Priscilla Marconi's final note of the National Anthem resonated through the coliseum, ringmaster Albert Sabrusula sounded the call and announcer Bill Carrington welcomed in the first world championship offering.
The Amateur Park Harness World Championship featured seven of the nation's top performing horses with their formally attired drivers ready to compete for the highest prizes in the land. When the winning announcement came, it was a beaming Iann Fu Longenecker who returned her majestic And The Beat Goes On to the winner's circle in unanimous fashion. They collected the Amateur Park Harness World Championship title for a record-tying fourth time to put an exclamation point on a phenomenal week of competition for Dragonsmeade Farm and open another great night for Rock Walker Stables. Ray Bendele and AMHF Mr. Courageous teamed up for a fantastic drive as the HVK Courageous Flaire son duplicated his sire's tricolor finish of a year ago as the reserve world champion. They earned a strong round of applause from the audience under the direction of The River's Edge.
The schedule then featured a presentation of the 2003 Equitation Champions. Following an intensely competitive week in the show arena and in the AMHA Gold Medal Finals held in the coliseum, many of the equitation champions took their turn in the spotlight in the coliseum. The audience paid tribute with resounding ovations for the countless hours of practice and painstaking dedication these youngsters have given to their craft.
The style and athleticism of the 14 entries in the Hunter Pleasure World Championship served as the grand finale of an outstanding week of competition in this ever-burgeoning division. The rose-adorned victory pass belonged to the magnificent WH Zimbabwe for a record-tying third time. Dan Ramsour guided Diane Hastie's grand stallion to the world title for the second time in as many years. After Oklahoma victories as a three and four-year-old, RTS Miss Belle Pepper stepped into the open division in 2003 with power and style. Following a pair of victory passes during the week, Kathleen Peeples directed Taylor Severino's impressive mare to the reserve world championship which included a first place vote.
A week filled with impressive young horse competition came to a fitting climax in the 14 entry Four-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Championship. The most outstanding individuals from many of the top breeding and training programs throughout the nation came together for the ultimate accolades. Following a year of tricolors from coast to coast, DreamMaster J'st Sharper provided the ultimate glory for her owners and breeders Bill and Connie Myers. Gerry Rushton presented the beautiful bay mare in perfect fashion to showcase her style and presence for world championship honors.
Lexie Ellsworth's selection of MEM La Vida Loca in Northampton netted her a reserve world championship as David Rand presented the white trimmed son of world champions Futurity French Command and AFF Tailored To Taste in this highly competitive group. The crowd's appreciation for the entries included strong ovations for some of the top ten finishers who included; IGF Coeur Et Ame, FRF Exodus, Minion Starlette, CPM Man Oh Man, FRF Centerfold, WSG Circumstan'l Evidence, SBS In The Mood, and CPMF Amber Light.
The Amateur English Pleasure World Championship featured an all star lineup boasting 15 of the nation's most impressive tricolor winners. The proof of the competitiveness in this division is the fact that in 30 years, no horse has ever won this world title more than once. All this changed in 2003 as Whispering Whammunition earned this superb victory for the second time with his jubilant owner/rider Elizabeth Melanson. They were well prepared for the victory after besting Northampton's winner take all $10,000 Amateur English Pleasure Championship in their only other show in 2003. Michael Scanlon directed this crowd-pleasing team as he did in their 2001 world championship winning performance.
Lisa Howa had the pleasure of warming up son Zachary's expressive Minion Mademoiselle in Monterey to open the season. Just as any good son would do, Zach shared his mare with his mom in Oklahoma and the results were spectacular. After a unanimous victory in the mare qualifier, this elegant pairing came away with the Amateur English Pleasure Reserve World Championship to begin a memorable night for the Howa Family and Arcuri Stables. The all star top ten lineup also featured; No Doubt, HVK Man About Town, Town Hall, CEN Go French, Roadshow Steppin' Out, On Target, Liberation Instant Replay, and OH Independence Hall.
Eight high-flying horses anwered the call to the post in the Roadster To Bike World Championship. The horses were primed to perform and the crowd urged on its favorites as some outstanding rivalries were renewed. When the whistle blew and the race was over, it was HVK Baymarch was once again crowned the king of the road horses. It was the blue and black of Rock Walker Stables that collected its second world title of the evening to the delight of driver Robert Hughes, the Longenecker Family and Saralin Farm. It was a tricolor repeat from a year ago as Oak Creek Doubletake and Mary Cockriel pushed their competition with all they had to drive away with the reserve world title for Ray and Alison Bendele.
Elegance and athleticism were on display as ten high-stepping horses made their dramatic entrance in the Ladies Park Saddle World Championship. The introduction of the world champion saw the dynamic Belle Escada bring home another impressive title to Tracy Fietz and James Hangley and their Morgan Ridge Farm breeding program. The gifted four-year-old black mare gave Debi Jeppesen her second world title of the week and closed out another highly successful week in Oklahoma for Rock Walker Stables. In addition to presenting her own string of world titled performers, Missy Hanover's catch-riding skills were on display in Oklahoma. On Sunday night, it was the charismatic Erotic Dancer who Hanover teamed for tricolor honors. Phil Fountain matched up this team for the reserve world championship for The Shaun Miller Family.
The Western Pleasure World Championship continued its standard of excellence with 13 immaculately turned out teams representing all sections of the country. This year the best of the west was indeed from the west as a pair of stallions from California continued their domination as they repeated their tricolor winnings from a year ago. It was a fitting finish for the state of California as they registered world championships in six out of Sunday night's first seven classes.
Eitan Beth-Halachmy and Santa Fe Renegade proved they were the dominant force in the Western Pleasure division as they closed out the competition by defending their victory in unanimous fashion for the second year in a row. Their victory pass was another episode of Eitan-style showmanship to the delight of his fan club and Renegade's proud owner Bernice Ericksmoen. The tricolor awards would not be complete without Cabot French Lieutenant. Kathy and Bill Papola's grand bay has earned a world or reserve world title in this class four years in a row. Dan Ramsour directed the Futurity French Command son to the reserve world title this time out.
The Pleasure Driving World Championship has been one of those classes in recent years where surprise entries have come to the forefront in a blaze of glory. As the 12 entries in this class headed down the shoot through the ingate, the crowd was searching for who the major players would be this time. It was the entrance of #202 that had much of the audience in disbelief as they had to look again. Yes indeed, it was Tim Arcuri back in the show ring not looking as if he had broken his ankle and had surgery just three days earlier. The momentum of the crowd swung to Arcuri and the sensational Rampaige, who had claimed the gelding qualifier victory with Craig Clapp ably filling in for the injured Arcuri.
When the cards had been tallied, announcer Bill Carrington started off by saying, "Neither rain nor snow. . .". Before he could finish, the crowd knew just who the world champion was and the crowd tipped its hat to the dedication and perseverance of Tim Arcuri as he guided Rampaige to the winner's circle with a teary-eyed Lisa Howa meeting them there. The true spirit of teamwork and the Morgan Horse were enjoying their finest hour. After winning two Regional Open Pleasure Driving Championships, it should not have been a surprise to see L'Cima Exclusive in the Open Pleasure Driving World Championship. However, it was a surprise to see Terri Travers give up her seat in the buggy as trainer Larry Bolen guided the charismatic bay to the reserve world championship finish in this oustanding competition to the delight of Sean and Terri Travers.
The Dressage competitors at the Grand National have seen a great resurgence in the past couple of years since the competition was switched to the last weekend of the show. There were nearly 150 rides on Saturday and Sunday in ring nine with top scores being posted by many athletic competitors. As final preparations were being made for the grand finale, the Park Saddle World Championship, the Dressage High Point World Champions were introduced to the coliseum audience. SGP Raizin Kane, Dextrous Super Supreme, Family Rhodes Scholar, Alabama Showman, Imperial Major, EMR Windchester, Sancrest Monte Darling, WTR Chocolate Bar, Watch Me Till Dawn, Nanton's Bossanova, Greentree Courtney, Dragonfire Ladyhawke, Greentree Ever Reddi, Bethesda Carbon Copy, Rogue Hill's Galaxy and West Mt Winston collected their tricolors and neck garlands to the applause of the audience.
The historical significance of this year's Park Saddle World Championship speaks volumes about the individual competitors and the competition as a whole. The speculation about who would wear the ultimate roses of the Park Saddle World Grand Champion would finally be answered. As Albert Sabrusula sounded the call for the final competition of 2003, the entries trotted into the ring with great excitement and anticipation surrounding their performances.
One by one, the six teams trotted through the in gate with some surprises in store. They each made their entrance displaying their own individual style with authority as their cheering sections urged them on. Debbie Foley made a guest appearance to pilot the unanimous mare and gelding winner HVK Madonna. Judy Whitney Harris stepped the four-year-old stallion winner Key Biscayne for his first foray into the open competition. HVK Flaire Lady represented Kohler Stables with Krista Dent aboard. The New England area supported Fox Glen Hail To Divinity and Ann Anderson in their bid.
And then it was time for the two favorites to make their entrances. After the most electrifying performance of the show thus far, Centerpiece with Melissa Wahl came in as somewhat of a favorite. Continental Vision has been a horse who has captured the heart and imagination of the breed with his Oklahoma performances over the past several years with Scott Thacker.
Centerpiece had been here before. Twice before he had scored scintillating unanimous victories in the qualifier, only to have his hopes dashed in the world championship. His fans urged on the Serenity Masterpiece son this night as if to will him to his long awaited crown.
The going would not be as easy as it was on Wednesday night. From the time they came through the ingate, it was obvious that Continental Vision and Scott Thacker were on a mission to win back the audience and the crown they first won in 2000.
The crowd was somewhat quiet the first way of the ring, seemingly watching the horses perform and seeing who reached out to capture their applause. The second way was a different story, the crowd really got into the competition and voiced it's opions with cheers and words of encouragement. It was certainly a competition for the ages with the horses, riders and audience each giving it their all. After one final trot, the horses were lined up for conformation inspection.
After judges Judd, Parker and Henry walked the line, the final cards of the show were marked without a workout. As the results were announced, it was number 1188 who wore the final 2003 world championship tricolor and blanket of roses as Centerpiece made his long-awaited journey to accept the crowning glory. It was a jubilant Melissa Wahl who guided Mike and Karen Super's majestic bay stallion to the title Centerpiece's sire first won for Super's Clayhill Farm in 1988.
In the spirit of great competition Continental Vision and Scott Thacker collected the Park Saddle Reserve World Championship for Amy Wilson Scott's Tall Tails Farm. The world of showing horses is all about competition and having the best show against the best. This class showed that theme which will hopefully carry through in the coming years in this industry.
It was a true battle to the finish as these two great stallions achieved a split decision from the judges and the fans for their performances. This was indeed a horse show! It was one of those where, yes, there was a champion, but there were no losers. The Morgan industry was the big winner. It was a battle of titans that will go down in history.
Sunday Show Arena 6
Bless the heart of the equitation horse. After some of these horses having already performed as many as five times, the Saddle Seat Equitation World Championships closed out the competition in Show Arena 6 for the 2003 Morgan Grand National. The Junior World Championship featured the two top riders in the junior section going head to head once again. This time the result was reversed from the age group and Junior UPHA Finals. The state of California began a tricolor day with Ariana Corrigan claiming the World Championship with a wonderful ride aboard Festival Troubadour under Anne Specks instruction. Emily Hoernschemeyer closed out a marvelous week with Plum Haven Gunrunner by claiming the reserve world title under the Old Orchard banner.
Speck had to run right back into the winners circle in the next class. Eric Antman topped 17 entries to claim the Classic Saddle Seat Equitation World
Championship in unanimous fashion with strong and precise railwork and individual workout. This made it two years in a row for his mount Coalition X-Static who last year teamed up with Kara Hose for this world title. Katie Goodpaster came up with a strong ride and crisp workout to carry home the reserve world championship for the second year in a row. She was again mounted on Minion Invisible Ink under the direction of Lyle and Colleen Wick.
This was a day to remember for many of the Morgan breed's great equitation riders, many of them in their final Oklahoma equitation performance. Seventeen riders whose abilities and dedication are unquestioned, answered the call to compete in the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation World Championship. It was a magnificent culmination for Susie Sessink as she wore the final crown aboard AFF The Stalker to the sheer delight of Sandy Sessink and Susie's legion of fans. After achieving her dream victory in the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal, Lindsey Gama came back to be named Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Reserve World Champion. It was a week to remember for Gama and Royal Crown Cavalier along with their cheering section at Cricket Hill Farm.
Julie Brempelis completed her 13 and under career with Iron Forge Aire Borne in record-breaking fashion. She displayed her trademark poise and polish to jog away with the Junior Western Seat Equitation World Championship for an incredible third year in a row under the Arcuri Stables banner. It was a tricolor sweep for the Pacific Northwest as diminutive Kimberly Forster earned the reserve world championship in her first year out of the walk-trot division with the time tested Pondview Lady Hawk.
Sunday Show Arena 9
The second day of dressage competition began promptly at 8:00 a.m. After nearly 70 rides on Saturday, the competition continued to strengthen with over 75 rides on Sunday. The horse and riders were well prepared for their performances which would require supreme concentration for the top scores necessary to win Grand National honors.
The training level test 2 for each of the open, amateur and junior exhibitor riders got things underway. Holly Avichouser-Gellner and Firecrest Alef bested a field of seven entries to top the open for owner Robyn Kelley. Lorinda Hays directed the versatile Dextrous Super Supreme to the reserve finish for owner Christine Laine. Hays also directed the talented entry to a reserve in the training level test 4 open section later in the day.
Shirley Haas and Family Rhodes Scholar turned in two winning rides on Sunday. The first was for the training level test 2 amateur section and the second was several classes later in the test 4 amateur section. Kathleen Moyer followed in the reserve spot aboard Alabama Showman in test 2. Hellcats Reveille and Lacey Genovese earned the reserve finish in the test 4 competition for owner Stephanie Wells.
The junior exhibitor competition in training level test 2 featured Imperial Major in the winners circle with Amanda Mastine. Second place went to top riding Samantha Schuring and Precious M Fleet Command for owner Melissa Hart in the eight entry competition.
Greentree Ever Reddi and Patti Thurman were back in the winners circle on Sunday winning the third level test 2, third level test 3, and the Musical Freestyle
Finals. It was an incredible show for Thurman and owner Wendy Gray Bizzaro. It was Bethesda Carbon Copy and Connie White in reserve in the third level tests 2 and 3.
SGP Raizin Kane also made a return trip to the winners circle on Sunday, first in the first level test 2 open section. A little later the talented team topped the training level test 4 open section. Lynn Salewski directed for owner Christine Laine. Sancrest Monte Darling and Julie Haugen collected the reserve award for Deborah Shields in the first level test two open.
The amateur section of the first level test 2 featured Watch Me Till Dawn and Amie VanDorn in the winners circle followed by many-time champion Nantons Bossanova and Carrie Klooster. These two talented entries finished in the same order in the first level test 4 amateur section.
Dragonfire Ladyhawke and Margaret Cunningham were the best of three in the second level test 2 competition. Crista Lambert directed Okan Storm King to the reserve finish for Donald and Mary Curtis.
The junior exhibitor champion in the training level test 4 went to Wintergreen Strike and Brandi Nicole Carter. Katie Klooster and EMR Windchester had another
great go to earn the reserve finish in the eight-entry class.
The first level test 4 open section showcased EMB Fax Emily and Janie Leslie DeWitt in the winners circle for owner Ellen Berry. Patti Thurman and Wendy Bizzaro had another top performer in the reserve entry WTR Chocolate Bar.
But they werent done there. The Thurman-Bizzaro team also presented Greentree Courtney to the second level test 4 victory followed by Crista Lambert and Okan Storm King. Thurman and Greentree Courtney were also reserve in the Musical Freestyle Finals where Thurmad rode Greentree Ever Reddi to the top score.
Barbara Lewis made a nice presentation aboard Rogue Hills Galaxy to win the fourth level test 3 competition. David MacMillan and West Mt. Winston also had a good go to claim the reserve honors.
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