Humanitarian Society Champions the Show Horse Industry and the Local Community
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
by Diana Davidson
WELLINGTON, Fla. - Sharing and caring is what The Humanitarian Society, Inc. is all about. That theme was certainly evident in many ways at the 2007 Humanitarian’s Challenge Of Champions held November 8-10. The Humanitarian Society was founded twenty years ago and has been a true champion of the underprivileged in the community as well as hosting this world-class horse show.
Co-founder Dr. Wayne T. Moses speaks from the heart about the organization. “It was twenty years ago that Lou and I founded The Humanitarian Society, Inc. From its inception, this grass-roots organization has been fervently committed to helping this community’s most needy and vulnerable. Each and every penny has remained in this community, leading Boca Raton’s Mayor, Steve Abrams, to comment: “The Humanitarian Society is extra special as it is home-grown!”
“The Organization’s unwavering mission has been, and remains, helping the less fortunate. Backed by a devoted and hardworking force of energetic volunteers, Lou and I have successfully carried out countless events over the years that have directly benefited this community’s most needy individuals and families as well as numerous organizations, such as Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, The Habilitation Center for the Handicapped, The J.C. Mitchell Community School, The Louis and Anne Green Wellness and Memory Center at F.A.U., The N.E. Focal Point for Alzheimers, The Mae Vollen Senior Center, and many more.”
While the local community and the South Florida horse community have shared in the good work and good will of The Humanitarian Society, following the show Dr. Moses shared some sad news. “We will be taking a “sabbatical” from The Challenge of Champions World Class Charity Horse Show in 2008. Regrettably, the time has come for us to slow down. This was a painful and difficult decision, but it was one that had to be made, in large measure, due to health-related issues. As of this coming March, the Humanitarian Society, Inc. will decrease some of its activities.” (see editor's note at end of article)
The Challenge Of Champions has served as a function of The Humanitarian Society, Inc. that brings together an outstanding group of volunteers to put on a world-class horse show. The show attracts top show ring champions, officials and spectators while raising money for this organization and its many beneficiaries. The profits of this show were once again dedicated to ERAP (Emergency Relief Assistance Program) to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
The 2007 Challenge Of Champions officials were again headed by show manager Ray Cloninger and show co-chairs Dr. Wayne T. Moses, Bonnie Philips and Louis J. Labadini. The judging assignment was handled by Johnny B. Lucas. The list of returning officials also included; Mary Lynn Whitley (USEF Steward), Mark Farrar (announcer), Bill Whitley (ringmaster), June Brune (organist), Bob Moseder (photographer), James Witherspoon (farrier), and Joyce Wilson (show secretary).
Audience members from the ringside tables and bleachers got to cheer on many well-known champions as well as a few new teams just starting out their careers.
Many members of the audience had their own chance to compete on Friday and Saturday nights as pigs flew in Wellington. The pig toss has become a much-anticipated fundraiser as Lynn McColl and Ray Cloninger had the winning tosses.
A number of stables continued their loyal support of Challenge Of Champions as they closed out their show season in Wellington. Mary Jo Schmidt and MJO Stables were once again strong supporters of the show with champions including; Frank Rozzo with Dali and Forty-Two Karats, as well as Opus Forty-Two and Manhattan Sparkle for Frank and Betty Rozzo’s True Blue Saddlebreds, Stonecroft Wish Me Well and Chauncey Felker, along with Mary Jo Schmidt and her new speedster Valentino Express.
Frank Rozzo and Dali earned the Adult
Three-Gaited Pleasure Championship
for the second year in a row.
Lynn McColl and Lindsay Levert of Echo Lake Morgans are active volunteers and enjoyed watching their versatile string of champions A Ticket To Ride, Maximum Wham, WSG Independence Command, Switchmaster, Friday Night Lights, Spice
O’Life Night Cadence and the handsome weanling Man Of Conviction.
Lindsay Levert, pictured here with
Maximum Wham, presented Morgans
and Saddlebreds in various divisions.
Spice O’Life Night Cadence
and Tracy Roy
Switchmaster and Gene Olesen drove
away with top honors in the Morgan
Pleasure Driving Championship
Linda Weber and Abbott Wilson of Hawkewood Farm enjoyed their return trip to Wellington with winning performances by Elsa Hackett with CH Sanibel and Match Maker, Paula Frenette with Faizah and Elegant Mandarin, The Jellico Cat with Ann Quick and Jessica Nake, as well as Kristen Thomas’s junior exhibitor grand finale with Heirogant.
Paula Frenette and Elegant Mandarin
turned in a pair of winning rides in
Amateur Three-Gaited Park
Kristen Thomas closed out her jr. exhibitor
career with a tricolor performance with
Heirogant in the Five-Gaited Championship.
West Coast Morgans celebrated an undefeated show in their return to Challenge Of Champions as Doris Bazzini and Bel Cavallo Prima Donna, Kelsey Thomas and CBMF Danger Zone, DMMF Confident Aire and Rachel Roth, HVK Flaire Park with Glenn Winograd and daughter Rachael along with bareback champ Anne Winograd starred under the direction of Valarie Siemer.
Doris Bazzini and Bel Cavallo Prima Donna
Kelsey Thomas and CBMF Danger Zone
Tom Johnson finished off a winning season for his clients at Arboria Morgans featuring MEM Reality Check and Chloe Hooper, DBL F Commanding Officer and Felicia Schlemmer, Arboria Matinee Idol and Pam Stephenson, and Arboria Warlock for Tamar Porras.
Arboria Matinee Idol and Pam Stephenson
Pam Roush and her Avalon team continued their support of the Florida show circuit with Andie Lloyd earning tricolors with Baby Cakes and Victory Venus along with academy winner Stephanie Weinburg.
Pam Roush and daughter Ellie Lang
Trainer William Dooley and owner Dee Dee Gordon enjoyed top performances with Ice Storm, Pure Posh, and High Times Spartan.
Jayna Taylor rode Bouquet O’Hearts to top honors for R Farm and also made victory passes with Titleist Twilight, while sister Jackie Taylor rode Oreo Double Delight FSF to top honors. Lisa and Rebecca Overbey shared victory passes with Rosie O’Brien. Callaway’s Son Of A Son and Alicia Patrick enjoyed a trio of victory passes. Wee Pee’s Sable and Nicole Jefferson enjoyed two trips to the winner’s circle.
Darcy Gordon’s winning riders from Gateway Stables included Lyric Jordan, Brogan Keller, and Samantha Schwebke. Porte Reve closed out a winning season with Channing Ligas aboard HVK Acclamation and Queen’s Protocol as well as Pam Thomas with Heartland Fireworks. Jeff White and Heartland Inspiration drove to stylish victories.
Andrea Columbino of Dream Believer Stables directed Anne Kanjian as well as children Hannah and Jack to top ribbons along with Susan Swan, Bella Montelongo, Alexandra Gryskiewicz, and Katie Evans with Déjà vu’s Delight. Kim Boros cheered on her children Jamie and TJ to good rides.
Kim Boros with son TJ and Soulful Warrior
who had a blue ribbon ride in leadline.
Britni Ruyle rode Shadow Of A Smile to a pair of fine rides and also coached Marilyn Souza to victory.
Anne Judd and Amber Pitts teamed up for victory with Answered Prayer.
Amber Pitts and Answered Prayer
Terri Preiser directed Sarah Russell aboard Well Worth It and DW Tazanisab down victory lane. American Gladiator and Vanessa Lewis celebrated a winning show.
Terri Prieser directed Well Worth It and Sarah
Russell to the Park Pleasure Championship.
The show ring results from the 2007 Humanitarian’s Challenge Of Champions can be seen and searched online by clicking here.
Editor's Note: After this story went to press, Saddle Horse Report received a note from show organizers that there is a strong possibility the show will be held in 2008 after all. The tentative dates are Nov. 6-8. Watch for future announcements.
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