High Point Report...Reading Between the Lines
Monday, March 7, 2005
How Did They Become High Point Report Champions?
For the second year, the High Point Report recognizes the champion horses out there showing, one show after another. There’s nothing more exciting than a great show horse - you know the type, ears forward, eager to entertain, building up as the crowd cheers him on. Some of them are world’s champions, horses of the year, regional high point winners. Some are not. But they are all show horses and they do it because they love it. We want to recognize them for their efforts. We want to honor their contributions. But most of all, we want to see them show some more!
Let’s take a look at who topped the High Point Report in 2004. How did they get their points? It’s not always blue ribbons that propel these champions to the top, but the most consistent performers do always win in the end. Let’s review how they did it.
Open Five-Gaited
2003 World’s Grand Champion Callaway’s Forecaster topped the High Point Report for the second year in a row. The 2004 reserve world’s grand champion and reserve world’s champion garnered 54 points at Louisville for the High Point Report and earned his remaining 136 points in eight showings at five horse shows with owner Nancy Leigh Fisher. Wins at Mid America Mane Event, Milwaukee Spring, and the Midwest Charity added with two reserves at the American Royal made for an undisputed win in the Five-Gaited High Point category, a full 45 points ahead of his next nearest competitor.
Walterway’s Remember Me and Nelson Green were the reserve high point champions earning 145 points at four different horse shows. Wins at Asheville, ASHAV and Lexington gave him 100 points (all double point shows). A fourth place finish in the five-gaited gelding qualifier at Louisville (the only triple point show) added 21 more followed by a third place finish in the World’s Grand Championship for 24 more points. The reserve high point champion is owned by Kenny and Ceil Wheeler.
2004 World’s Grand Champion CH Boucheron earned third place in the open five-gaited category. Rob Byers showed to first place ribbons at Shelbyville, Ky., Lexington Junior League (in the championship) and the American Royal (in both classes). Two firsts at the triple point Louisville added 60 points to his total of 144 points, only one point behind the reserve high point champion. Double G Farm owns the world’s grand champion.
Karla Kucera believes in her five-gaited talent Lucrative and when she placed her trust in Don Harris to show him to his best, she was not disappointed. A great season of showing netted 135 points in 10 classes. The talented pair won classes at River Ridge and Kentucky Spring Premier, and they had excellent shows at All American, Kentucky Fall Classic, Rock Creek, and Lexington Junior League. A fourth place finish in the World’s Grand Championship sealed the deal with 21 points for that show alone.
Merrill Murray always has a great open gaited horse at the top of the cards and this year was no exception. Wing Admiral and Murray teamed nine times to take two firsts, four seconds and three third place ribbons to earn 130 points, and the fifth place spot in the High Point Report. Tim Atwood owns this powerful open horse.
There are plenty more good horses knocking at the door that deserve special recognition for an outstanding season. Lakeview’s Rare A Phi and Larry Hodge, Undulata’s Georgie Girl and Debbie Foley, CH Superior’s Successor and Merrill Murray, CCV Casey’s Final Countdown and Michele Macfarlane, and Summer Rendezvous with Andy Freseth round out the top ten horses in the Open Five-Gaited High Point Report division. Two hundred and seventy-three horses earned points in the division.
Junior Five-Gaited (Four & Under)
This category is new in 2004 as we wanted to recognize the junior horses who were out there showing and entertaining us as well. They might not show as often as some of the open contenders, but many of them are making quite a splash on the industry.
Chris and Jean Nalley have an exciting youngster in It’s All About Me who made waves with Don Harris everywhere he went. Two wins at Louisville are certainly impressive, but check out the remaining stats. Exclusively first place finishes; River Ridge, Rock Creek and Lexington Junior League, not to mention Louisville. It’s easy to see why he topped the stats at 150 points, 46 points ahead of his next competitor.
Merrill Murray showcased Liquid Thunder to some impressive finishes for Cross Timbers Enterprises. This exciting young mare won two firsts, three seconds, a third (at Louisville in the five-gaited junior mares) and a sixth (Junior World’s Grand Championship) to earn 104 points and a reserve high point championship.
Nelson Green and I’m First only showed four times this season including two classes at Louisville, but with enough success to earn third place in the High Point Report. Firsts at Asheville and ASHAV added to 54 points from two seconds at Louisville to earn this top standing for Stonecroft Farm.
Shame on You tied with Callaway’s My Blue Heaven for a fourth place finish in the High Point Report with two firsts, a second, a third, a fourth, two fifths and a seventh. Liz Cortright and Lonnie Quarles showed throughout the season for owner Maguire Hall.
Callaway’s My Blue Heaven and Debbie Foley also had a great season with a win at Blue Ridge and top finishes at All American Classic, Mid America Mane Event, and the American Royal plus a fourth place finish in the Three-Year-Old Mare Stake at Louisville to earn 93 points and a fourth place finish in the division.
Rounding out the top ten finishers were Amberwood’s Double Delight and Louis Louw, Heirrison Ford and Don Harris, Walterway’s Headline Material and Steve Wheeler, Seajay Lewis and Sandy Lilly, Swiffer and Danette Musselman, and What’s The Whoopla with Bret Day. Out of a field of 193 horses, these are the top ten high point champions.
Ladies Five-Gaited
It was another incredible season for Gayle Lampe and Callaway’s Born to Win. With a hard fought reserve at Louisville she topped our High Point Report with flying colors; 170 points and 28 more than the next closest finisher. They had firsts at St. Louis, UPHA Chapter 5, and Rock Creek and second place finishes at Louisville and the American Royal. All these added up to give Lampe a great year.
Donna Pettry Smith and Mahvalous Asset also had an incredible season and proved to be an amazingly consistent performer with 11 classes at seven different horse shows. Midwest, St Louis, Chapter 5, Lexington Junior League, Madison Classic, American Royal and the World’s Championship. Their 142 points earned them the reserve High Point championship.
Mary McClean and Take Me Away were close behind with 135 points to earn a third place finish among the 144 horses who garnered points in this division. Ladies Five-Gaited Mares World’s Champions, this exciting combination also earned points with first place finishes at Kentucky Spring Premier and Lexington Junior League. They earned second place finishes at Rock Creek and Kentucky Fall Classic. Third place finishes at Shelbyville and the championships at Lexington and Louisville made for a terrific season.
Elisabeth Goth started out the season strong with Title Bound in the division, then a change of ownership and Misdee Wrigley took over, and the winning continued. Seven first place finishes, at Asheville and Midwest with Goth and at Kentucky Fall Classic and the American Royal with Wrigley. One hundred and thirty points later and they are our fourth place finishers in the High Point Report.
Nancy Leigh Fisher showed CH Like An Admiral to eight outstanding performances to earn 129 points and a fifth place finish in the High Point Report. Four firsts, two seconds, and a fifth and sixth at Louisville made for a terrific winning season.
The remainder of the illustrious top ten high point champions are CH Jaunty Janette and Vickie Byrd, Callaway’s Banner Headline and Janet Crampton, Pucker Up and Jonelle Chovanec, My Chanel and Owen Weaver and Have You Ever with Barclay De Wet.
Amateur Five-Gaited
With 228 horses earning points in the amateur five-gaited division, the top ten was very competitive in 2004. In fact, we have a tie for the top spot between Swish and Great Day Rising, each earning 210 points. Swish and Carol Hillenbrand enjoyed a fabulous year. With a world’s grand championship and world’s championship to their credit, the talented team also earned first place ribbons at St. Louis, Kentucky Spring Premier, Shelbyville, Rock Creek and the American Royal. It was an amazing 11 first place finishes.
Great Day Rising and Bill Marple also enjoyed a terrific season - showing an amazing 14 times with six first place finishes, six second place finishes, a third and a fourth including a reserve world’s championship in the Amateur Five-Gaited Gentlemen.
The reserve High Point Report win goes to CH Tigerlee and Jackie Stred. This exciting combination earned first place ribbons at Devon, Asheville and All American, second place finishes at Asheville and Lexington Junior League, and two thirds at Louisville to earn 182 points and third in the High Point Report.
Mary McClean and I’m A Treat earned 162 points this season with wins at Shelbyville, the May Classic, Kentucky Fall Classic and Lexington Junior League. A second and third place finish at Louisville earned another 51 points to propel this talented team to the fourth place finish in the High Point Report.
CH Belleavanti and the late Johnny Wellington earned 145 points in the division. A much loved competitor, Wellington loved to show his talented mare as often as he could. Together they won classes at North Carolina State Fair, North Carolina State Championships, J.D. Massey, Asheville Lions Club, Raleigh Spring Premier, and J.D. Massey Classic.
Some of the other outstanding competitors earning a top ten finish this season include Electraglide and Callie Davidson, Amusing and Amy Rock, Carolina Cat and Deborah Butler, Callaway’s Weatherman and Gabe Deknatel, Puttin on the Charm and Sara Van Galder, My New Years Eve and Elisabeth Goth, and Boo with Barbara Manilow.
Junior Exhibitor 17 & Under Five-Gaited
Lisa McClaren and CH Chandler topped the senior division of the junior exhibitor five-gaited division again this year. This incredible combination earned 219 points, 51 points ahead of the reserve winner. Together they showed 13 times to earn 8 blue ribbons, three seconds, and a third and a fourth at Louisville to clearly win this High Point Report.
CH Hank Heiron and Ali Deutsch earned a reserve in the High Point Report with 168 points in 14 performances at nine horse shows. Wins at ASAC and Charlotte coupled with strong showings at North Carolina State Fair, North Carolina State Championships, Blue Ridge, Chattanooga/Cleveland, J.D. Massey, Asheville and a third place finish at Louisville made for an outstanding season for this team.
Megan McClure and Breaking News also enjoyed an incredible season including a world’s championship title in the 16-17 year old division and a reserve in the junior exhibitor world’s grand championship. Other outstanding shows at Lexington Junior League, Asheville, and J.D. Massey earned this team 165 points and a third place finish in the High Point Report.
Whitney Irwin and Got The Ticket earned 153 points and a fourth place finish among the 121 horses earning points in this division. Three first place finishes, five seconds, a fourth, and a fifth at Louisville made for a stellar season for this exciting pair.
Still young in their division, Tate Bennett and Callaway's Inspiration earned 152 points and a fifth place finish in the High Point Report. Wins at Lexington, Shelbyville and Kentucky Fall Classic added to a third and fourth place finish at Louisville earned the team their strong finish.
Other outstanding young teams include Talley Harris and Studcor Donatello, Maguire Hall and My Teddy Bheir, Alexandra Baumann and The Man of the Hour, Sarah Longworth and Diamonds Hope, and Ashley Johnson with The Perfect Face.
Junior Exhibitor 14 & Under Five-Gaited
The younger age group featured an outstanding group of young riders who sometimes perform at shows that don’t split junior exhibitor classes and thus they show against senior riders. Keep in mind that points for this division are only earned in 14 and under classes. In the High Point Report, we must classify a class to only one division so points earned in 17 and under classes do not count in the 14 and under division.
CH Caramac’s Capital Gain and Lindsey Shields topped the High Point Report in the 14 and under age group. In addition to a world’s championship title in 13 and under competition, Lindsey made good shows in 14 and under classes at Lexington and the American Royal to earn 82 points and top the division.
Sarah Sessoms and CH Assets and Attitude also enjoyed a terrific season including a reserve world’s grand championship. Also making good shows at Lexington and the Royal earned them 79 points, only three points behind the champion, to make them reserve high point champions.
The new team of Lauren Pyes and Forty Second Street Gal won the 13 & Under World’s Grand Championship and qualifier giving them 60 points. Added to 12 points earned at Lexington gives them 72 points for a third place finish in the point standings.
Sarah Longworth and Diamonds Hope earned 27 points with a reserve world’s championship performance. Together they also earned a reserve at the Royal and a third place finish at Lexington Junior League to earn a total of 61 points for a fourth place finish in the point standings.
Spindazzle and Ashton Hale earned the fifth place spot with a third and fourth place performance at Louisville.
Rounding out the top ten high point champions are Sartorial Splendor and Lexi Campbell, Time To Win and Shelby Reimer, Blazing Day PHF and Calee Dillon, My Ways Just A Dream and Caroline Burglass, Diplomatic Son and Lindsay Hensler, The Talk of Lexington and Kelsey Price, CH Fox De Jour and Kelsey Price, and CH Rastafarian with Megan Ryan.
Open Three-Gaited
The elegant and incredibly consistent CH Rejoice edged out World's Grand Champion An Heir About Her in the High Point Report by showing in 10 performances compared to seven for An Heir About Her. CH Rejoice and John Field showed 10 times to earn four first place ties, four second place ties, and two thirds including a reserve world's grand championship. Dr. and Mrs. Donald Petit own the elegant Merchant Prince daughter.
Now the property of Evergreen Farm, An Heir About Her was owned by Steve Hanes throughout the 2004 season and campaigned by Chris Reiser to her third world's grand champion title. Add wins at Rock Creek, Lexington and the American Royal and you have 160 points, only three points behind the High Point Report leader.
Holli Ciardiello's Sightline earned third place in our point standings with 11 performances. Wins at Octoberfest, Bonnie Blue, UPHA Chapter 14, and Roanoke added to other outstanding performances at the American Royal and ASHAV and a third and fourth place finish at Louisville, make for 159 points, only 1 point behind An Heir About Her. Rob Turner trains this talented entry.
Rick Wallen and The Border Star claimed three-gaited stakes all across Wisconsin for Star Hill Farm to earn 146 points in 11 performances and fourth place in our point standings. Wins at ASAW Summer Fun, Madison, Tanbark, Wisconsin Futurity, and Oshkosh Charity helped to reach this impressive points total.
In a competitive points race, only two more points separated fourth and fifth. Steel in Love and Fran Crumpler showed seven times to earn three firsts, three seconds, and a fourth including a reserve world's championship for owner Katherine Cramer.
Rounding out the top ten high point champions are That's Chicago and Todd Miles, Harmony at Last and Cindy Maloney, Another Asset and Dick Obenauf, An Irish Sensation and Sophia Wark, and Lime Twisted Gin with Clark Clouse.
Junior Three-Gaited (4 & Under)
The points were generally very close in the junior walk-trot category although our winner pulled away from the pack with a 13 point lead.
Ceil Wheeler and Victoria Lynn showed five times to five victories and earned 110 points for their efforts. Together they won at Asheville, ASHAV, Lexington, and Louisville being crowned the 15.2 and Under Three-Gaited Junior World's Champion and Junior Three-Gaited World's Grand Champion.
Callaway's Dream Weaver was shown by Todd Graham in three-year-old three-gaited classes this year to earn a win at Lexington and good ribbons at Rock Creek, Louisville and All American Classic. After Dr. Geraldine Meanor purchased the horse, trainer Nealia McCracken stepped into the saddle to make strong performances at St. Louis and Penn National. Together the points totaled 97 to earn the High Point Report reserve championship.
Wendy Lewis did the honors aboard Virtual Volcano throughout the year with good performances at Cleveland Classic, River Ridge, Ohio State Fair, Indianapolis and All American Classic. Bret Day showed the outstanding three-year-old to a fourth place finish at Louisville and Jenny Taylor was in the irons for a fifth place finish at the Royal to earn a total of 95 points which places them in third place in our points standings.
Broadway's Mamma Mia! and Smith Lilly showed only five times, but with outstanding results to earn 92 points and a fourth place finish for owner Bill Beckley. Wins at Rock Creek, J.D. Massey and Kentucky Fall Classic coupled with a second at the Royal and a third at Louisville made for an outstanding season for the three-year-old.
Another crowd favorite Sue She and Wendy Winstead enjoyed six strong performances at five different horse shows to earn 91 points and a fifth place finish in the High Point Report for owner Carl Holden.
Finishing out the top ten are I'm A Hot Ticket and Jackie Tanner, Amberwood's Bobby McGee and Carter Cox, Pinekrest Man in Black and Todd Graham, Marching Orders and John Conatser, Longshadow Sovereign Spirit and Peter Cowart and Memories Merlot with Lana Gilpin. These are the top ten out of the 157 horses earning points in this division.
Amateur Three-Gaited
To make it to the top ten in the amateur three-gaited ranks, you had to travel to the horse shows. The top five horses in the point standings all showed ten times or more in 2004 and the champion earned an impressive 217 points to take the crown.
Callaway's Halley's Comet and Jessica Curl showed 14 times to earn eight blue ribbons, four reds, and a third and fourth place finish at Louisville. In the ever competitive ladies amateur walk-trot competition consistency proved to be the key to success for Curl.
Anitya Marlowe and Amber Lager showed an impressive 17 times. That's right 17 times. Together they claimed wins at Harvest Days, Southeastern Charity, Chattanooga/Cleveland, Pro Am and Tampa Charity. Other strong shows at Blue Ridge, Alabama Charity, Asheville and Gasparilla added to their points. In addition they earned a reserve world's championship to add 27 points and make their final total of 209 points, only eight points behind the High Point Report champion.
Hayden Fox and Robin McKenzie Vuillermet earned a third place finish in the standings with 191 points in 16 performances. Wins at North Carolina State Championships and Bonnie Blue plus great shows at J.D. Massey, Roanoke, Blue Gray, Rock Creek, ASHAV, Raleigh Spring Premier and a seventh place finish at Louisville added up to an outstanding season.
Deborah Jahn and CH Sold Out Show delighted crowds in 11 performances to earn 178 points. Together they won at Wisconsin Futurity and Mid America Mane Event and made good shows at Lexington, Indianapolis and the Royal plus a third place finish at Louisville to make up their points total and finish fourth in the points standings.
CH The Super Nova and Travis Van Zetten also brought the crowd to their feet with 10 great performances including wins at Louisville, Oklahoma Centennial, Milwaukee, Midwest and Blue Ridge. Together they earned 175 points for this fifth place finish.
Other top ten champions in this division include Callaway's Merry Go Round and Misdee Wrigley, Callaway's Sugarplum and Barbara Manilow, Carolina's Top Gun and Joan Cantrell, CH Yes It's True and Phillipa Sledge, CH Man on the Run and Brooke Bodenhorst, CH Americana's Jazz Man and Phillipa Sledge, and CH Nightly Affair with Chris Nalley.
Ladies Three-Gaited
CH Blackberry Delight and Ericka Nelson dominated the points standings in the ladies division winning with 210 points, 63 points more than the closest competitor. Now owned by Shannon Sewell, Ericka Nelson owned and campaigned the champion to this illustrious finish which included 11 wins in 11 performances. Besides being the Ladies Three-Gaited World's Grand Champion and qualifying winner, the dynamic duo won at Oklahoma Centennial, Milwaukee, Midwest, Blue Ridge and Wisconsin Futurity.
The name Phillipa Sledge is synonymous with walk-trot horses. Besides having two horses in the top ten in amateur three-gaited competition, Sledge earned the reserve high point report title with CH Lady Periana. They won everywhere they went in 2004; Gasparilla, Asheville, Lexington and Louisville where they earned the 15.2 and Under World's Championship and the Ladies Three-Gaited Reserve World's Grand Championship.
Pas De Deux and Rosemarie Fernandez enjoyed a terrific season with seven great performances to earn 126 points and a third place finish in the point standings. Trainer Sarah Byers occasionally did the honors and started the season off right with a win at Kentucky Spring Premier. Mrs. Fernandez followed up with good shows at Rock Creek and Shelbyville and earned a second and third place finish at Louisville. Both riders took a turn to great results at the American Royal including the Ladies Three-Gaited Championship with Sarah Byers in the saddle.
Endolane Symphony and Stephanie O'Kelley earned points with strong shows at ASAC, Tar Heel and Pro Am followed up with Heather Digiannantonio stepping in to the saddle to earn top ribbons at Illinois State Fair and Mid America Mane Event. Together their points totaled 82, enough to earn a fourth place spot in our rankings.
Bayou Belle and Melinda Moore showed only five times, but with such success they earned a fifth place finish in the High Point Report. They won at the Kentucky Fall Classic and All American Horse Classic and earned a second at Lexington, a third at Shelbyville and at Louisville.
The remaining top ten champions are Callaway's Bulldog Edition and Toni Guarnera, Audrey Hepburn and Morgan Wolin, To Die For and Erin Boggs, CH City Lady and Melody Adler, and Lady Latte with Kim Cowart.
Junior Exhibitor 17 and Under Three-Gaited
It was a tight race for the top and CH Sportster and Kate Bryan edged out world's champion Time for Glory by only one point. CH Sportster and Bryan enjoyed a terrific season including five blue ribbons in 11 performances and a fourth and seventh place finish at Louisville.
Lauren Stone and Time For Glory were close behind the champions all the way. They showed 12 times with seven blue ribbons including the 14-15 year old world's championship. The slight difference in points was primarily due to whether points were earned at single or double point shows.
Cheetah's Admiral and Faye Wuesthofen earned a third place finish in the point standings with 11 strong performances at six shows. Wins at Mid America Spring, Milwaukee, Madison, Tanbark, Des Moines and Wisconsin Futurity gave this champion their 149 points.
Jessica Anderson and her American Wine followed in the High Point Report lineup. Together with two third place finishes at Louisville and seven other top performances, this team earned 137 points to finish in fourth.
Undulata Gypsy and Megan Archer earned fifth place in the High Point Report with two wins, three seconds, two thirds and a fourth in an outstanding season.
Rounding out the top ten are Just Special and Allison Combs, Eastwood's Prime Time and Lexie Quarantiello, Something Ventured and Rachael North, Soulmate and Emily Schwebke, CH Attache's Spirit Commander and Erin Casey, and Sipping Champagne with Thea Ervin.
Junior Exhibitor 14 and Under Three-Gaited
The younger age group featured an outstanding group of young riders. Keep in mind that points for this division are only earned in 14 and under classes. Some of these riders go to shows where the younger age group is not offered and thus these riders may have earned points in the older age group as well. In the High Point Report, we must classify a class to only one division so points earned in 17 and under classes do not apply to the 14 and under division.
Melissa Milligan and Callaway's Buttons and Bows decidedly topped the High Point Report this year with 130 points, 21 more than the nearest competitor. Outstanding shows at Asheville, Lexington, Kentucky Fall, Louisville and American Royal make up their point total.
Brittany McGinnis and CH Callaway's Coraleen were the Reserve High Point Report Champions earning 109 points in five performances at three shows. Great shows at Lexington and the American Royal added to a World's Champion 11 and Under Three-Gaited title and a reserve world's championship in 13 and under competition made for a successful season for this team.
CH Undulata's Perfect Gift and Aaron Stump had all the hearts of the young girls going thump every time they entered the ring. Many a judge felt the same way with wins at Bonnie Blue, Midwest, Kentucky Fall Classic plus a 12-13 age group world's championship.
Just Special and Allison Combs earned 116 points in the senior age group plus 97 points in their own age group including the 13 and Under World's Grand Championship and 12-13 age group World's Championship (Division B).
Stonecutter and Alexa Martini also enjoyed a terrific season with two great wins at Blue Ridge, good shows at Asheville and Southeastern and a fourth place finish at Louisville.
The rest of the top ten champions are Tipitina and Bree Zandy, Crimson Blue and Brittany Baird, Cheetah's Admiral and Faye Wuesthofen, Up In The Heir and Chelsea Patterson, and Imagination Station with Lindsey Landrum.
Three-Gaited Pony
A highly competitive three-gaited pony division saw the little dynamo Shelby Gregory and her Highpoint's Fantasia top the standings with 223 points earned with 13 strong performances. Ten blue ribbons including a world's grand championship, and three second place finishes including a reserve world's championship added up to a dream season for this team.
Reserve High Point Report champion Sarah Katherine, ridden by Lauren Henderson, also enjoyed a successful season. Seven blue ribbons in 15 performances added up to 199 points and a reserve finish in the standings.
Simbara's Audacity and Brittany McGinnis earned a third place finish in the point standings with 183 points in 10 performances including a world's championship and reserve world's grand championship. Wins at Pro Am, Asheville, Louisville and the American Royal comprise the point total.
Yasmin Wazir and Lost Token teamed up nine times in 2004 to earn 170 points and a fourth place finish in the point standings. Strong showings at Rock Creek, Kentucky Spring Premier, Lexington, Louisville and the American Royal made for a great year for this seasoned team.
Gitchigumi Girl and Alexis Pearson didn't show at Louisville, but they teamed up 16 times at eight different horse shows to earn 162 points and a fifth place finish in the point standings. Wins at UPHA 14, Connecticut Summer Classic, Syracuse International, Greater Manchester and Octoberfest add to their point total.
Other top ten teams are The Mustang Sally and Allie Wellington, Callaway's Topaz and Sarah Emily Flynn, CH Santana's Cheer Me On and Rebecca Materniak, Callaway's Viscount and Katherine Randall, and Cameo's Carte Blanche with Suzanna Crews.
Cont.
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