Hot Competition Winds Up The Season at The Blue Ribbon Classic
Monday, October 22, 2007
by Claire Panke
BROOKVILLE, Ohio – Held Oct. 5-7, the popular Blue Ribbon Classic brought the Ohio show season to a fitting close with warm temps and hot competition. Over 200 horses from Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Kentucky gathered at the Eastern Ohio Horse Center for the annual wind-up of the Tri-State circuit. The 2006 show suffered from a cold snap – complete with snow showers - but this year’s edition enjoyed summer-like temps and a festive atmosphere.
“We were pleased to have more horses than in 2006,” said Show Manager Steve Moody. “Although we were a week earlier, due to Fall Classic moving its dates up, we still sold out our stalls this year.”
Moody and his hard working secretary wife, Evette, are the mainstays of this popular show, growing it into the success it is today. Even son Rudy gets into the act, filling in where needed. Their attention to detail ensured that operations were smooth and trouble free. The friendly relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by the hospitality, especially the Saturday night exhibitors’ party. The show is held indoors at a private facility, making it easy on exhibitors.
Classes were well supported for the most part, with even the open divisions enjoying solid numbers. Bucking trends elsewhere, the three-gaited, five-gaited and fine harness championships were highlights of the show, enjoying numerous entries and featuring several top contenders with solid depth throughout all the placings. The amateur and pleasure divisions were mostly large and a ribbon earned was a valuable commodity at this event. Judge Ricky Harris had the job of sorting the winners in the Saddlebred, roadster and Hackney divisions. One of the Blue Ribbon Classic’s unique attractions focuses on Hackney exhibitors as it hosts the AHHSF Finals for these divisions. Randy Harper marked the card for these finals.
Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking here.
Scenes from Blue Ribbon Classic:
Callaway’s Blue Waltz and Erin Obenauf
took the Three-Gaited Open and stake
for Carolyn Stuart.
Jennifer Move guided Crystal Blue
to the Park Pleasure Championship
for Frank and Iris James.
Phil Price and Thunder Over The Amazon
captured the Five-Gaited Championship
for Tina Stodd.
Manager Steve Moody kept the
show running smoothly.
Elyse Lockwood and What’s My Line
had two blue ribbon rides in the
junior exhibitor country pleasure division.
Vernon Wise rode The Wings Of The Dove
to the Three-Gaited Park qualifier
and championship honors.
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