Chattanooga-Cleveland is More Than a Horse Show -- It's Fun For All!
Thursday, June 30, 2005
by Katherine Hansil
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The Chattanooga-Cleveland Charity Horse Show celebrated its 28th anniversary June 15-18, 2005 at the Tri-State Exhibition Center. This year's edition, held just outside Chattanooga, was outstanding.
Over the past several years this show has seen many changes. Last year the show ring was moved and covered. This year a new barn was added. With barns coming from Kentucky to Florida, and all in between, this show has experienced growth over the last couple of years.
While the show is now known for its outstanding competition, it has something extra special to offer as well. Before the show begins, Creekridge Farm and the Jones Family host a welcome party. The party this year was held Tuesday and the Joneses invited everyone participating in the show to the extensive grounds of the estate. Attendees met in their club house where great food was enjoyed by all.
While there, everyone toured the grounds including a two-story tree house, stable, buildings with exotic birds and reptiles, and much more. Later, a camel was brought out and some brave souls hopped aboard for a spin. Also on display was Allan Jones's extensive car collection. A great time was had by all in the picturesque surroundings.
On Thursday morning the hospitality continued with Bit Hutchinson opening her Happy Valley Farms up for a tour. A field of two-year-olds greeted everyone as they toured the barns. Eddie Womble also brought out the stallions for viewing including Merchant Prince and I'm The Prince. The last stallion presented was the magnificent Magical Me. Hutchinson was excited about a grand black stallion by I'm The Prince and out of Makin' Magic, the future of Happy Valley. Afterwards, everyone visited the pool for brunch and a swim.
One of the greatest things about this show exceeds the competition. With Chattanooga just around the corner there are many things to experience such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Children's Museum and the Riverwalk Festival, all just a short drive away. Also close by, offering plenty for the family during the show's off hours, are the beautiful Ruby Falls and Rock City, not to mention great places for rafting and hiking.
With an improving facility, great competition, hospitality and outside fun, it is easy to see why this show continues to grow.
The show benefits the Signal Centers, which provides community-based programs of education and support for children, adults and families with physical, educational and socioeconomic challenges to promote their independence. Each night the show began with the Debbie Grant and Worthy's Tenn Best presenting the American Flag. Nelson Green marked the cards during performance and equitation classes while Cathy Noble Toney made the trip in to judge academy. Dale Stone set the stage to music while Sandra Hall captured it all on film.
Five-Gaited
The show was brought to a close with an outstanding jackpot championship with five horses making the gate call. Jaime Cantrell, Darell Cruse, Ruth Gimpel, Lisa Heres-Rosenberger and Don Judd met up for the class and gave people a chance to cheer for their favorites. In the end it was My Teddy Bheir and Heres-Rosenberger earning the judge's and the crowd's nod. Heres-Rosenberger guided this handsome, high-headed showstopper through his gaits with ease and all the time with a huge grin, knowing with each pass she was thrilling the crowd. Lawman, with Cruse up, was the novice horse of the crowd. This entry performed steadily and earned the red ribbon for owner Frank Jones. Always a favorite, Discover put on quite a show for the yellow streamers with Don Judd aboard.
In the ladies class, the blue ribbon belonged to Callaway's Banner Headline and Janet Crampton. It was at this show last year that Bob Vesel paired Crampton with this magnificent horse and they went on to win their championship at Louisville in the ladies division. My Teddy Bheir and Lisa Heres-Rosenberger gave them a run for the blue ribbon with a strong reserve performance.
The amateur five-gaited division was packed with great competition. Sweeping the division was the The impressive team of Callaway's Holy Moly and Rachel Seifert swept the division. Following their winning performance, Lisa Pyburn declared it the year of the Moe. With a comeback ride, Harlem's Powerball and Amy Hanson earned the reserve ribbon in the championship with Callaway's Trailblazer and Jaime Cantrell taking reserve in the qualifier and a strong third in the championship.
The novice blue ribbon went to Lawman and Darrel Cruse. This bold moving horse slickly racked around the ring to pick up his honors for owner Frank Jones. Reserve went to Hammond Song and Janet Crampton for Jennifer Pitt. Lisa Heres-Rosenberger enjoyed her first time in the winner's circle earlier in the week aboard Courageous Lord in the junior class. By Roseridge Heir, this horse was the talk of Dixie Cup and following that show he was purchased by Betty and Ron Moore of Buffalo Creek. Out With The Ladies, with Darrel Cruse in the irons, earned reserve for Frank Jones. In the three-year-old class, Stonecroft Sundial had his time in the spotlight with Maria Gilman aboard. This sporty youngster performed with ease and earned the blue for Barbara Woods. I'm Something Wicked and Joe Elam earned the red ribbon for River Dreams LLC.
In their debut show together, CH Tigerlee and Ali DeGray swept the junior exhibitor division under the direction of Ruth Gimpel. The consistent team of CH Spindazzle and Ashton Hale kept the winner honest graciously accepted reserve. In the five-gaited pony division Lowe Thompson guided Jewels For A Lady to two victory passes. Small Packages and Cassi Rath earned both red ribbons with their mighty performances under the direction of Bill Rodgers.
Three-Gaited
CH Yes It's True graced the winner's circle in the Three-Gaited Jackpot Championship with Sam Stafford aboard for Pidgeon Roost Farm. This magnificent horse paraded around the ring with his perfect park-trot reminding everyone watching how he has earned 11 world's championship titles. Reserve honors went to Poetry and Dave Becker for Benz/Wolff. The ladies top honor went to An Heir Of Magic and Ruth Gimpel for Pixie Dust and Steel with Pagan Prince and Maria Gilman earning reserve for Diane Sembler.
The Junior Three-Gaited victory went to Vadimus and Janet Crampton. This elegant liver chestnut with a high step was all show horse when she earned the blue ribbon for Crampton. Brilliant Amber and Debbie Koning took the red ribbon for David Crockett. Redhawk's Lady Hawk and Bill Schoeman won the three-year-old class with Classic With A Twist. Debbie Koning earned the red ribbon.
Winning the novice class was the Happy Valley entry Yes I Am A Pirate with Eddie Womble in the irons. Bright Memories and Debbie Koning accepted the red ribbon for David Crockett. In the novice rider class, the new team of Americana's Wings and Paige Pennington took the blue with Squash Creek and Vickie Honeycutt in for reserve.
The top two teams in the amateur class swapped ribbons in the championship. The animated Viper with Valery Lang Hall earned the blue ribbon with Amber Lager and Anitya Marlowe in reserve. They returned in the championship with Amber Lager earning the tricolor for the Judd Stables banner with Viper in for reserve. Melinda Young was in the irons for Amy Hanson earning a strong third with Vision Heir.
Judd Stables remained in the top ribbons with two outstanding performances from Keeper Of The Stars and Jackie de la Parte. This team first debuted on the sunshine circuit this spring and they continue to get stronger and stronger with each performance. Here they finished in the qualifier with a solid ride for the red ribbon. In the championship they returned even brighter and more confident, taking another tricolor for the Judd Stables banner. The well-matched team of Soulmate and Emily Schwebke earned the red ribbon in the championship while Callaway's Tobar and Ali DeGray took the top honor in the qualifier.
A Promise Jewel and Alexis Braswell swept the three-gaited pony division for the Heathermoor banner with For Sure and Stephanie Breeden earning both red ribbons.
Three-Gaited Park
Mohegan Sun was bright in his new division, three-gaited park. Never laying an ear back he was guided to the winner's circle by Tommy Richardson in the qualifier and the championship. This was one of many tricolor ribbons hanging on Richardson Stables' tack room. Best Day Ever and James Hale received the red ribbon in the championship for Mary Ann Railey while Wildly Chic and Eddie Womble won the red ribbon in the qualifier.
Richardson Stables earned another tricolor when Handsome Heir and Deborah Richardson put on a winning performance in the Amateur Three-Gaited Park Championship, moving up a notch from their reserve in the qualifier. Showing his versatility, this grand horse also won the in-hand class with Richardson. Winning the three-gaited park qualifier and reserve in the championship was the multi-titled Without Prejudice and Allison Beard, under the direction of Bill Rodgers.
No one was more excited than Jennifer Shell when her number was called in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park Championship. Shell expertly piloted Salemtown's Uptown Girl to the winner's circle. This team has only been back to work for a short time. Reserve in the championship went to the Burnscroft team of Phi's Phortune Teller and Ashley McKenzie. The qualifier blue ribbon was earned by Man In My Life and Rosilee Johnassen, trained by Judd Stables. Reserve in the qualifier went to Aidan Hobbs and Catie Rae Clark.
Fine Harness
With a commanding performance, Images Of Blue and Joe Elam won the Fine Harness Jackpot Championship for Charlotte Kurtz and Scarlet Matson's Blue Heaven Saddlebreds. Harlem's Wild Kali and Armon Effinger for Vera Gatch were reserve.
In their only appearance, Nefneirtari and Virginia Polley continued their winning streak in the amateur championship, fresh off a championship win at Dixie Cup. Reserve went home with A True Gentleman and Phillip Casenburg.
In the junior class, the one to beat was Photo Prince. Bred and trained at Happy Valley Farm, this youngster paraded around the ring for the blue ribbon with Eddie Womble on the lines. Reserve went to the bold moving Red Rag Top and James Hale.
Donnie Pyburn drove Tango With Ruby to the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness win for Ronald Underwood while Bonnaroo and James Bond won reserve for Roy Slagle.
Roadster To Bike
In top form, Royal Count and Dale Hanson raced away with the tricolor in the Roadster To Bike Championship. Earlier in the week this team won the amateur qualifier. Reserve in the championship and the open qualifier went to the Crockett Springs star, Scruff. Debbie Koning was on the lines to keep both classes at a fast pace. Humdinger, with James Rosburg on the lines, won the open class and was reserve in the amateur championship.
Ponies
Chris Long Schubert, now under the direction of Anne and Sam Stafford, was more than excited after her wins with St. Patrick in the open road pony division. Reserve in both classes went to Night Predator and Mark Wilson for Autumn and Sam Murphy.
Blythewood continued their pony dominance with two more wins in the amateur division. In front of a hometown crowd, Abby Jones swept the division with Heartland Wonderful Miss. This elegant but speedy pony made two awesome shows with the crowd's approval. Reserve in both classes went to Seize The Moment and Helen Rosburg, under the direction of Ruth Gimpel.
The junior exhibitors had their time to shine three times in this division. Frank Polley is having a great year with his top performer, Seamair Twice As Nice, under the direction of Jimmy Womble. Reserve in both bike classes went to Regal's High Tide LF and Ashton Hale with her burgundy colors flying. Shelby Reimer was the star in the under saddle class with BRS King Of Hearts. She trains this speedy pony all on her own. Reserve went to Swizzle Stick and Alissa Phillips.
Going two-for-two in the Hackney harness division was the elegant Cirque De Soleil with Mark Wilson on the lines for Paul Richardson. Knight Watch and R.J. Mitchell won both reserves for Saddle Creek Stables. Heartland Showcase and Linda Hendricks swept the Hackney Pony Championship and qualifier.
In their new division Heartland Heiress and Helen Rosburg were unstoppable. Together they swept the Hackney pleasure driving division under the guidance of Ruth Gimpel. Reserve in the championship was another team from Florida, Heartland Fireworks and Pam Thomas, under the direction of Anne Judd. In the qualifier, the red ribbon went to the junior exhibitor team of the group, Cherry's Dream Motion and Jennifer Shell for David Crockett.
Show Pleasure
Richardson Stables had quite a show and the pleasure division was no exception. With her multi-titled Cheers Cheers, Deborah Richardson swept the large and competitive five-gaited show pleasure division. Reserve in the championship went home to Florida with the new team of The Denali and Jessica Anderson. Interestingly, Anderson recently purchased The Denali from Richardson after the Pro-Am Benefit. In a new division He's Real Good lived up to his name with Mary Jane Curtis aboard. This pair accepted reserve in the qualifier under the guidance of Bill Rodgers.
Lowe Thompson added more to her titles with two wins in the gaited pleasure division. Thompson won both junior exhibitor classes aboard Callaway's Connie Mack. In only their second appearance together Callaway's Crossed Fingers and Laura Katherine Rodgers earned both red ribbons under the direction of Ingleside Farm.
The adult show pleasure division competition was steep and there was no room for mistakes. CH Sweet Virginia was flawless for Barbara Woods with a solid and bold performance. This great team swept the division for the Judd Stables team. Finding their groove, Only Blues and Kelly Mount earned both red ribbons after two great showings.
In the 14-17 age group, the quality of horses was remarkable. In only a short time together Seismic Force and Amy Greenberg are making a name for themselves. They earned back-to-back wins in this large class. The qualifier red ribbon went to Invitation Required and Marcy Scardino. Winning the red ribbon in the championship was the Brian Reimer Stables-trained team of Capture The Magic and Scott Songer for his family's Tip Top Stables.
Harlem's Cover Girl and Taylor Spoltore earned the tricolor in the 13 and under section, moving up a notch from their reserve in the qualifier where the blue went to Plumyumi. Bred and raised by Kim Burnsworth, Plumyumi has seen much success in the junior show pleasure and junior park pleasure divisions last year with Brian Reimer. Here she was paired up with Shelby Reimer for a win in the qualifier and a reserve tricolor.
In the novice rider class the top honor went to Jedidiah Springfield and Carolina Burglass with Reedann's Phandango and Alexandra Howard in for reserve. Kim Banner Osborne earned the blue ribbon in the amateur owned and trained with Supreme Rapture while Worthy's Shamrock Supreme and Amy Guymon
were second.
The Junior Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Prospect was won by the Blythewood-bred Late Last Night with Key Everhart Waller in the irons. Reserve went to Undulata's Lost And Found with Lisa Heres-Rosenberger. This young star was recently purchased by Betty and Ron Moore for Heres-Rosenberger to campaign from Hoppy Bennett. In the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Prospect (over four years) the blue ribbon went to Gayle Jones' Shady Creek's Sensation with Eden Michael expertly piloting her to the winner's circle. Reserve went to the sporty bay, The Sugar Shack, with Kyle Peel for Margie Loeser.
In the three-gaited pleasure pony Bay Of Fizz and Samantha Bebeau were fantastic. Under the direction of Ingleside Farm this team swept the division with Wishes Fulfilled and Alissa Phillips earned both red ribbons.
In the show pleasure driving Simbara's Sweet Lorraine made her debut in her new division. With Kelly Mount on the lines, this team first earned the red ribbon in the qualifier. Winning the qualifier was the junior exhibitor team of Just As Unique and Cassi Rath. Purchase for Rath's grandmother, Virginia Dorris, to drive, Rath has been on the lines as she prepares for the ASHAF Youth Pleasure Driving Challenge Finals at Louisville. With no qualifier offered her the decision was made to show against the adults to gain more experience. It was a great decision as this beautiful mare took the qualifying blue ribbon. They returned to the championship earning a solid white ribbon and still the top junior exhibitor in the ring. Top championship honors went back to Kentucky with Simbara's Sweet Lorraine and Kelly Mount as they moved up a spot. Also moving up a spot, What A Keepsake and Lois Vartanian drove hard for the reserve the championship.
Country Pleasure
Deborah Richardson dominated the country pleasure division in both English and western classes. In the three-gaited country pleasure division, Richardson went three-for-three with her flashy CF Star At First Sight. Recently purchased, this entry is fresh off wins at Mid-South and added the championship, adult qualifier and the ASHAT class wins to her list in Cleveland. Deborah added ribbons to her banner with two flawless performances from CH Vincent Van Gogh winning the adult western championship and qualifier. This pair also made an English appearance to earn the red ribbon with in the amateur owned and trained.
Callaway's Take A Risk and Jeana Hein won the amateur owned and trained class. In the adult championship, Kalarama's High Roller and Helen Rosburg moved up a notch to garner the reserve title. CH GA Sultan's Mister Reagan and Crystal Sanders took the red ribbon in the qualifier. Reserve in the ASHAT class went to New York Fame and Emily Hammond. Choice's Secret Surprise and Ann Eaker earned the top ribbon in the novice rider class with CH Mr. Cruise and Caroline Burglass in for second.
Ricochet Memories SF and Shelby Reimer won the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship for Betty and Ron Moore's Soquili Stables. They also won the 13 and under qualifier with Law Me and Amy Hein in for reserve under the direction of Desiree and Adam Clauson.
Another Clauson team, Spice Queen and Lindsay Taylor, teamed up for top honors in the 14-17 qualifier. This very in sync team earned the reserve in the championship and I'm Good To Go and Ali DeGray earned the red ribbon in the 14-17 qualifier.
With a comeback drive, Fiona earned the tricolor in the Country Pleasure Driving Championship for owner Cheryl Rhoten. Callaway's Show Me State and Donna Plumb were the top ribbon winners in the qualifier and reserve in the championship for Soquili Stables. In the qualifier, Trefethen and James Rosburg graciously accepted the red ribbon.
Hometown favorite Rhythm's Top Gun and Robert DeBord won the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure class. The well-matched, and also hometown favorite, team of The Comeback and Abby Jones turned in three great rides to win three red ribbons in the championship, qualifier and the Shatner class.
Equitation
Kristen Thomas made the pattern look effortless in the championship as she, Morgan King and Krista Parrott competed for the coveted title. After great rail work from all three contenders they were called upon to complete a four loop serpentine, with the first loop at the trot, the next two at a canter and the last at trot, before returning to the lineup at a show trot. To make it more difficult, they were asked to drop their stirrups during each canter loop. After completing the pattern work, Thomas aboard Answered Prayer, was greeted at the winner's circle by instructor/trainer Anne Judd. Reserve honors went to the new team of Piesporter and Morgan King.
In the qualifier the girls from Florida swapped ribbons as Morgan King was awarded the 17 and under blue ribbon under the direction of Bill Rodgers with Kristen Thomas graciously accepting reserve.
Ashley Judd was poised aboard Pagan Prince to win the UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot Equitation as well as the 10 and Under Saddle Seat Equitation Walk and Trot class. In the UPHA class the red ribbon went to the Cardinal Farms-instructed Cheyenne Mabey aboard My Amarillo while Michaela Miller, who is instructed by Heath Hughes, earned the red ribbon in the saddle seat 10 and under class.
Shelby Reimer continued to prove her versatility and her talent as she expertly handled the UPHA Pleasure Equitation Challenge Cup rail work and pattern work. Reimer won this class and qualified for the finals aboard Columbia Buckaneer. In the Saddle & Bridle 14-17 Pleasure Equitation Medallion, Aubri Kennamer took the victory pass while Elena Breeden did the same in the 13 and under version.
In the adult division Kevin Ingram enjoyed qualifying for the UPHA Medal and winning the adult class. Reserve in the adult class went to Emily Barker while Kristen McBee took home the red in the UPHA Medal class.
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