by Katherine Hansil
TAMPA, Fla. - The 41st annual Harvest Days Horse Show was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds outside Tampa, Fla., Oct. 31–Nov. 2, 2008. As a fundraiser for the Tampa Charity Horse Show, Harvest Days prides itself in being a fun show with its less formal atmosphere. Friday evening’s performance was capped off with the Equine and Pet Costume classes. A long-standing tradition, these classes were once again well filled as exhibitors came well prepared to show off their hard work. Topping the Equine Costume was the Whispering Oaks’s entry Kentucky Derby with Arbordale Riding Academy’s Hot Dogs winning the Pet Costume. Adding to the fun after Saturday evening’s performance, the show held its fabulous themed exhibitors’ party which called for your best Halloween hat.
Topping the Five-Gaited Jackpot Championship was Kalarama’s Man To Man. Maria Gilman debuted with the talented bay for Trisha Long. The reserve championship also hung on Judd Stables’s banner when Asked And Answered and Jayne Major turned in a great ride. This team also captured the amateur championship and junior exhibitor qualifier. Winning the amateur qualifier were Ice Storm and Dee Dee Gordon in their only appearance.
For the second year in a row, Cabernet’s Will Command and Kristen Thomas earned the Three-Gaited Jackpot Championship title for Sailwind Stables under the direction of Abbot Wilson and Linda Weber. Winning the amateur qualifier was the multi-titled Pagan Prince with Morgan King in their only performance appearance.
Wilson and Weber were also behind the Park Grand Champion as Nicole McSweeney directed the junior/limit qualifier champion Elegant Mandarin to the winner’s circle again for Paula Frenette. Sweeping the amateur division with to impeccable performances were Lime Twisted Gin and Allison Beard Luzier for the Silver Run Stables banner.
Helen Rosburg was on the lines with The Tango Dancer to turn in a powerful performance for the Fine Harness Jackpot Championship title. Luke Redlhammer piloted the three-year-old R Haitian Summer to the reserve for R Farm.
Top Star Willie and Paul Misiewicz flew to victory in the Roadster To Bike Championship and qualifier under the direction of Pam Roush with Blair Redlhammer debuting TKO to both reserves for Yvonne Herrera.
James Rosburg had Bud Light in top form to win the Road Pony Championship and amateur qualifier with Yvonne Herrera and Jackrabbit carrying out the reserve titles. Winning the open qualifier in their single appearance was Bear Creek’s The Chosen One and Gerald Moores for Five Gait Stables.
Helen Rosburg was back to the winner’s circle with the sporty Heartland Stepaside, sweeping the Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony Championship and qualifier. Match Maker and Elsa Hackett returned for the championship reserve with Heartland Fireworks and Pam Thomas earning the qualifying reserve.
Ali DeGray kept up the family-winning streak as she swept the five-gaited show pleasure with Endure. Lillian Young debuted for both reserves with Royal Crest’s Stone Fence.
Bill Rodgers was back to the winner’s circle as he headed up the Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Grand Champions Man Of The House and Channing Ligas. This team also topped the qualifier. Christine Freeman captured a pair of wins with the junior exhibitor division with the toppy Mo Rhythm. Winning the Novice Rider Three-Gaited Show Pleasure was Ann Quick with Hans Solo.
Continuing his success, James Rosburg piloted the chiseled Finest Material to both show pleasure driving wins with Nearly Anonymous and Yvonne Herrera earning the reserves. In the country pleasure driving section, Intoxicating Gypsy and Donna Lynn Moore made both victory passes.
Ali DeGray and Long Distance debuted in their new division, sweeping the adult country pleasure. Tracy Garcia earned both reserves with her beloved For Reference Only. Rosie O’Brien and Rebecca Overby moved up a notch to win the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship with qualifying winners Bouquet O’Hearts and Alexis Muniz carrying out the reserve title for R Farm. Ann Quick returned to the winner’s circle to win the novice rider class with The Jellico Cat. Earlier, Jayna Taylor directed The Jellico Cat to the winner’s circle in the All Breed English Pleasure. Galahad’s Gold Mine earned his hat trick with Becky Barron for Jean Johnson by winning the Western Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier and Open Western Pleasure.
Casey Stein returned for the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship title after an earlier reserve in the Morgan Saddle Seat Equitation. Winning the Morgan Equitation was Katelyn Drenchen. Morgan King returned to the winner’s circle in the Adult Equitation win aboard Pagan Prince. Jennifer Scotto directed Esme Yarnell to the 11 & Under Walk & Trot Equitation win.
Grace McDonell debuted aboard Picabo Street to win the Walk & Trot Pleasure Championship and 11 and under qualifier. 12 and over champions Callaway’s Golden Ray and Carly King returned for the championship reserve title. Winning the Morgan 11 & Under Walk & Trot Pleasure were SWR Fleet Regal and McKenzie Wunderle.
From Avalon Stables, Jewel Of India showed off for the ASB Two-Year-Old and Under In Hand win. The beautiful bay is by Santana’s Hosanna and out of Wildbriar’s Katy Delaney. In the Morgan Three-Year-Old and Over In Hand, Janice Scotto’s Like The Candy (Corriminie x Pure Honey) earned the win.
The sporty HVK Acclamation and Channing Ligas turned in two great shows to sweep the Morgan English amateur pleasure division under the Silver Run Stables banner with HVK Diamond Bold and Cliona Curran earning the reserves.
Winning the Morgan Adult Classic Pleasure Championship and qualifier was SEM Eternally Yours and Lisa Ferguson. Casey Stein and Grand Cru St. Emilion were victorious in the junior exhibitor championship with qualifying winners Night On The Town and Katelyn Drenchen earning the reserve title.
Bel Cavallo Prima Donna had a triumphant weekend, winning the Morgan Western Pleasure Championship and amateur qualifier with owner Doris Bazzini and the open qualifier with trainer Valarie Siemer. Brittany Simmons was aboard Sugarlane Adonis for the junior exhibitor win. Simmons also topped the All Breed Western Equitation.
Also under the direction of Valarie Siemer, CBMF Danger Zone and Kelsey Thomas had a huge weekend winning the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Champion and qualifier and the All Breed Hunter Pleasure Championship and qualifier.
Leslie Elliott returned to the show ring after a being away for almost 25 years under the direction of David Chretien. She recently purchased the majestic Auke van der Himmen and debuted in the All Breed English Pleasure Championship for the win after a qualifying reserve. Rommy and Lisa Misiewicz captured the reserve championship.
The show closed out on Sunday afternoon with the academy session. It was a huge success with 114 entries filling the schedule. Riders from area riding programs at Avalon, Arbordale, Five Gaits Stables, Judd Stables, R Farm, Rick Davis Stables, Serenity Stables, Silver Run Stables, Suncoast Stables, West Coast Morgans and Whispering Oaks came to compete with the following riders winning titles: Jamie Beam, Claudia Cokis, Lynne Munoz, Emily Childs, Lauren Roque, Morgan Nieber, Jessica Deryke, Chelsea Desciscio, Jennifer Grunden, Amanda Stacy, Paige Hall, Jennifer Wayman, Madison Scullion, Katie Commons, Dani Gallo, Madison Cacciatorie, Emily Candelaria, Laney Simpson, Peyton McSherry, Jessica Katz, Danielle Lail, Kate Ramsower, Catherine Zykoski, Shelby McDonald, Lauren Moore, Carolyn Fugit, Gracesyn Moll, Cassy Steptoe, Carolyn Danco and Taylor McDonald.