by Deidre Davis
ALPHARETTA, Ga. - You may think that the title of this article sounds crazy, but the Georgia Jr. ASHAG puts on the Mid-Summer Classic Horse Show and each year they pick a different theme for the show. This year’s theme was "The Wonderful World of Disney". Barns were decorated with Disney themes, and many Disney characters appeared in the 12-entry costume class, including Nemo the fish, Tinkerbell, Robin Hood, Mickey Mouse, Sleeping Beauty, and Cruella Deville.
With the help of new Show Manager Bruce Payton, Jr. ASHAG put on a wonderful horse show with almost 200 horses in attendance from several states. J.D. Gardner handled the judging duties while the rest of the show officials were all volunteers. Held each year at Will’s Park Equestrian Center, this year’s show was held June 5-6 2009, to benefit Camp Sunshine, who provides camping experiences for children with cancer. Many new teams made their debut over the weekend and looked like future stars.
Alexis Landreth took over the reins on her mare Kalaram’s Lady Bancroft to win the Open Five-Gaited blue and tricolor under the direction of trainer Lisa Jones at Creekside Farm. Jones also coached Judy Sanders to the win in Country Pleasure qualifier and championship aboard Fox In The Clover. Among her other blue ribbon winners were CH Data Dot Com and Frank Jones in the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure class.
Ward Stables had a great weekend with New York Fire and Jan Henderson winning the Western Pleasure qualifier and championship. Henderson also won the Amateur Park Pleasure class and the Park Pleasure Championship with Talk Radio. Marvin Ward won the Open Western Pleasure class aboard the pretty bay mare Highpoint’s Ultimate Lady for owner Melinda Jenkins. Brenda Cormier aboard Rock Rippers, Hannah Swanson aboard Gigolo Joe and Candace McWirther aboard Harlem’s All Eyes On Me all received good ribbons for Ward Stables.
Pete Reeves Stables had a wonderful show winning every class they entered with their ponies. Ann Reeves won both Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving classes with Heartland Rare Treat and the Harness Pony Championship with Nike. Reeves was also reserve in the Open Road Pony class with Just For Kicks behind stablemate Unexpected Lovin and Dr. Arlie Fiveash who was also the winner of the Road Pony Championship. Dr. Fiveash won the Amateur Road Pony class with his new pony, Highlander. Tori Newberry guided the high stepping Heartland’s Masterpiece to the Road Pony Under Saddle victory for Reeves Stables.
Stepping Stone Farm, under the direction of Courtney Huguley, took home several blues to Birmingham, Ala. Daughter Reagan Huguley came out victoriously in the Adult Equitation qualifier and championship. She also won the Open Park Pleasure class with Daybreak’s Silver Mine, and the Amateur Park classes with It’s Alabama. The new team of Alvin Alley and Rhianon Barreda won the Show Pleasure Novice Rider classes. Huguley also guided several academy riders to the winner’s circle.
Christy Parker-Cordell’s Pine Haven Stables topped off their week by winning the tack room theme contest. The tack room was decorated by her blue ribbons riders who received top honors in several different divisions. Rachel Rafolski topped the 17 & Under Equitation class and the Equitation Championship. She then guided the talented CH My Special Sultan to win the Juvenile Show Pleasure Championship. The cute team of CH SS Lies And Alibis and Katie Boysen took home the blue and tricolor in the juvenile country pleasure division, and Emma Grubb received two good ribbons in the amateur five-gaited division aboard Amuse Me.
Brian Reimer Stables had a stellar show with many good riders. Shelby Reimer won the Three-Gaited Park Jackpot with Boundless Worry for proud owner Emily Baker, and the blue and reserve tricolor with Columbia’s Buccaneer in the juvenile show pleasure division. Taylor Price had two good drives with her pony, Jose Cuervo, to earn two reserves in the amateur juvenile road pony division.
The Morgan world was also well represented at Mid-Summer. Morgan View Farm from Macon, Ga., came and brought several blue ribbon winners. Morgan Herman and March Militaire topped the Morgan walk and trot pleasure 11 and under division with stablemate Georgia Cormier and MMFM Scarlet coming in reserve. In the Morgan Walk & Trot Equitation 11 & Under, Dori Kacsoh, Jordan Gorman and Skylar Hutchinson had a one-two-three finish for Morgan View. Melinda Dennis and Carrowill’s American Idol emerged victoriously in the Open Hunter Pleasure Stake, the Morgan Hunter Pleasure qualifier and championship.
Hometown favorites Friday Farm were also on hand with their top string of Morgans. Whitemud Forever Sunbeam and owner-rider Jill Bertolani won classes in the Morgan pleasure driving division as well as Morgan classic pleasure. Bertolani also received top ribbons on Fathifulee in the Morgan English pleasure division. Friday Farm also had several top ribbon winners in various juvenile classes over the weekend.
Jr. ASHAG is made up of a southern division headed up by Christy Parker-Cordell and a northern division headed up by Christina Waddell. They came together with the help of numerous volunteers to put on a well attended show that was enjoyed by everyone.