Granite State Morgan Horse Show Always A Show to Remember
Wednesday, July 17, 2002

DEERFIELD, NH. - The 37th annual Granite State Morgan Horse Show was held June 21-23 at the Deerfield Fairgrounds. This year's show featured three action packed days of classes. Although the numbers have been down at some other shows, the number of entries at Granite State were extremely high with many stables bringing a strong contingent of junior riders who were finally out of school for the summer. The competition kicked off on a sunny Friday morning, but the weekend was plagued by rain. The numbers started off strong and exhibitors were troopers for most of the show, but the Sunday afternoon classes were light in many instances due to weather related scratches.

Granite State's atmosphere has always been much like a family get-together. The outdoor setting with many barns nestled around the show ring and grandstand seating bring everyone together. There is also a hospitality tent adjacent to the show ring where spectators congregate. The Granite State parties are always one of the highlights of the show as well.

Show manager Helen Fenton was pleased with this year's show and the fact that exhibitors didn't let the weather dampen their spirits. "The numbers were up at this year's Granite State, and we were enjoying a great show until the rains came. Many exhibitors still continued to show, and unfortunately we can't control the weather. We were also delighted with the outstanding participation in the Youth Contest which Sara Foy did an exceptional job organizing," Fenton commented.

The Granite State Youth Contest is one of the largest of the year. Forty-six participants from all over New England competed, and for some it was their first youth contest. Sara Foy did a great job organizing the event, and she was thankful for the many volunteers who assisted her. Katelyn Jenkins won the Junior Youth Of The Year title by amassing over 900 of a possible 1,000 points. Senior Youth Of The Year Nicole Scovotti and Reserve Senior Youth Of The Year Melissa Grubbs both qualified to go to Oklahoma to represent Granite State Mystical Morgan Youth Group.

The judging duties were handled by Karen Homer-Brown and Terry Jones Brennan. The hard working show committee co-chaired by Jane Boucher and Michael Lapointe along with a knowledgeable group of officials organize Granite State. Show manager Helen Fenton enjoyed another sell out crowd of top caliber horses at Granite State. Stacy Wright kept everything by the rules as the USA Equestrian Steward. Mary Wahl continued as the show secretary. Peter Fenton kept the spectators informed of the winners as announcer. Bob Moseder handled the show photographs.

The championship highlights of the Granite State Morgan Horse Show follow along with complete results which can also be found on the Internet at www.saddlehorsereport.com.

The in hand champions were the first to wear the tricolors as the captivating Drakkar Noir collected the Grand Champion Gelding title presented by Tony Marcelonis for Michael and Sara Foy. The high stepping chestnut KD Hot To Trot and Rick Stevens collected the Grand Champion Mare award for Kimberly Dunn. The stallion competition finished things off on Saturday with Dr. Bombay posing as the Grand Champion Stallion to add to the winners presented by Tony Marcelonis for Michael and Sara Foy.

The Park Saddle Championship closed out the show on Sunday afternoon with last year's Park Harness Champion Fair Hill Hello Dolly adding another tricolor to her résumé. Bill Savage was aboard for the win for Ralph Ames.

The English Pleasure division included Hillock Helmsman and Karen White earning the open tricolor. Highover Audacious and Melissa Grubbs bested a field of eight for the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship for Lisa and Paul LaRochelle. Jessie Fejes and Sunny Acres Candoo stepped up for the Youth English Pleasure Championship. Judy Nason presented SVF Midnight Raven to the Junior English Pleasure Championship for Teri Sullivan.

Rum Brook Immortal Bliss opened another winning season by retiring her second trophy at Granite State. Owner Jerry McLoud was on the lines to retire the Bud Annis Memorial Trophy in the Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship with the Jeff White Family in center ring to present the trophy. Med-E-Oka French Morocco made a grand debut in the pleasure driving division to capture the junior championship with David Rand presenting for Sharon Holmes. Drakkar Noir and Elke Trilla-Perkuhn continued their winning streak in capturing another Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving Championship under the CPM Stables banner.

The classic division was well filled with top entries. Riverside Buckingham and Robin Vergato continued their winning ways with the Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship victory following the qualifier blue. Jillian Janetatos and Capes Fleet March carried home the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Saddle tricolor to John Bennett Stables. Jeremy Marcelonis gave the sporty B Special Attraction the winning drive in the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship for Michael and Sara Foy. PT Son Of A Gun and Nancy Packard drove away with the Junior Classic Pleasure Driving Championship. Hermitage Avator and Steven Handy were the feature act in the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Driving Championship.

The equitation divisions were well filled from the leadline riders on up. The Morrison sisters from Northgate Stables were on top of their game. Tricia Morrison captured the Classic Saddle Seat Equitation as well as the qualifier aboard Intrepid Sovereign. It was Nicole Morrison who topped the Senior Hunt Seat Equitation Championship aboard Beta B Gallalee. Nicole Neville guided Mtn Laurel Mistymoonlight to the Junior Hunt Seat Equitation Championship with a polished ride. Jamie Walton and her flaxen trimmed Marathons Gold Digger topped the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. Versatile Caitlin Harrison jogged away with the Western Seat Equitation Championship aboard SBS Risky Business.

The always competitive walk and trot division featured a tricolor victory by Jordan Schucart showing her versatility aboard Meadowair Victoree in the 9-11 hunt/western equitation. It was Kelsi Reynolds who guided The Cat's Meow to the 9-11 saddle seat equitation tricolor. Madison Wiles-Haffner and Absolut Appeal teamed up for the 9-11 English pleasure tricolor. The 9-11 hunt/western pleasure featured Cosmic Girl and Kimberly Gilmore topping a field of ten for the tricolor. Charlotte Mattingly and Quaker's Sultan were dual tricolor winners in the 8 and under pleasure as well as equitation.

The hunter division featured some outstanding quality closed out by Otter Brook Xenophon and Josie Davis topping the open championship for the second year in a row for the University of Vermont. World Champion A Sharper Image has been a star in each division in which she has competed. She is now focused on the hunter pleasure division matched with Chris Thoma. The grand new pairing made numerous trips to the winner's circle concluding with the Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championship. Megan Campbell and Equal Justice bested a field of 11 to top the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Championship. Valerie Morreault guided Hygreet Dashing Spirit to the Junior Hunter Pleasure Championship victory for Chris Gallant. The Youth Hunter Pleasure Championship featured a trip down victory lane for Tempest Williwaw and Kali Braseth.

Sandlyn Connemara continued her winning ways as Roger Brown piloted her to the Open Western Pleasure Championship for Bill and Alice Nazarro under the Best Of Both Worlds banner. Kim Olson gave the top winning Lasting View Flash Again a smooth and steady ride to top an outstanding field for the Amateur Western Pleasure Championship coached by Rollie Olson.

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