The International Horse Show was held March 27- 30, 2002 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, and was judged by Nelson Green of Nicholasville, Ky. The fairgrounds was also shared with several other events for the International activities, bringing in some new spectators. There were some challenges this year that prevented some of the exhibitors for showing, making entries down about 50 horses due to an ice storm in the area. As usual, exhibitors experienced chilly Illinois Spring weather. Although it was cooler than one may have liked, the sun came out on Saturday afternoon.
The show offered several great lunches served during the breaks between the morning and afternoon sessions. Just before show time on Friday afternoon a grand ceremony with bagpipes and rider-less horse was preformed as part of the ceremony for Carter VanNattan who passed away last fall.
Chandler, decisively won the Open Five Gaited Stake with Julie Anne Wroble up, for Lisa McClaren. Stacey Arnold was all smiles as she guided the incredibly talented, Amusing to the win in the Five Gaited Amateur Stake. The Junior Exhibitor division was yet another win for Leah Rexroth. This time she entered the winner's circle with the snazzy, Cara Clara for her father, Mark.
Mary Gaylord McClean and a fancy Stonecroft Verbena claimed the Open Three Gaited Stake for Golden Creek Farm. The competition in the Amateur Three Gaited was hot as Golden Creek picked up another title, this time with Callaway’s Button and Bows in the number one spot, with McClean aboard. Sultan’s Savannah Anna and Ethan Roetman captured the Junior Exhibitor Three Gaited Stake for Kirk and Susan Roetman.
The Fine Harness Stake was the property of CH The Edge and Kay Richardson, another newly teamed up pair for 2002.
The park divisions were on fire with several new teams making their debuts. Lynn Durant didn’t miss a beat with the winning, Petra’s Beyond Belief in the Open Park Stake, with a win for Nattie Udell. M.T. Hopper grabbed the Amateur Park title with Travis Van Zetten, making their debut as a team. CH Catch The Fever and Sally Pavel were the judge’s choice in the Five Gaited Pleasure Stake.
The Adult Show Pleasure Stake win went, for the second year in a row, to the flashy, Uncle Abe and Travis Van Zetten. Thus, after the win with M.T. Hopper, making this victory pass number two for the Van Zetten family. The beautifully matched pair of WC Callaway’s Newscaster and Brittany Cortina were picked to win the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Stake, with several family members in attendance to cheer her on and help celebrate the win. The Show Pleasure Driving Stake saw Sue Powers in the buggy with Queensbury Coquette for Queensbury Farm LLC.
In the Adult Country Pleasure Stake, Night Walk and Mark Weber bested the field for proud owner Penelope Weyenberg. The junior exhibitor division title went to Baron’s Dreams and Schemes with owner/rider Megan Flod. This year's Champion in the Country Western Stake was, In the Zone and Sharon Vuinovich.
The competition was hot in the Pleasure Equitation Championship only to provide Paula Murray to bring the tricolor home for yet another year. The Saddle Seat Equitation Champion was the cool riding, Lisa Mcclaren, adding another blue for the Country Meadow Farm group.
Lightning Up showed them how it’s done in the Harness Pony Driving Stake, winning the blue with owner/driver Denise Steinhauer in the cart. Mary Campbell had a blast driving her pony, Man on the Town, to the victory in the Hackney Pony Stake.
Speedy My Party Manners and happy owner, Jane Mueller were the winners in the Amateur Roadster Pony Class for the second year in a row. In the open division, it was another one of Jane’s great ponies, Triumphant, this time with Gib Marcucci in the bike for the title this year.
For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Saddle Horse Report dated April 9, 2002.