Kentucky Fall Classic Shines in World Spotlight
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
by Leeann Mione
SHELBYVILLE, Ky. – Mother Nature couldn’t have been more benevolent for Kentucky Fall Classic’s move to the Shelbyville Fairgrounds this year. If she had sent cold temperatures, wind and rain, this story might have been far different, but instead gloriously warm weather made the outdoor venue a very enjoyable place to hold a horse show on Oct. 5-8, 2010.
With the FEI World Equestrian Games taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, the Bluegrass State was in the world spotlight and with it came a fantastic opportunity to showcase our beloved American Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and roadsters.
Chuck Walker managed the show and with entry secretaries Beth Snider and Sandy Backer handling things in the show office, things ran smoothly all week. Gary Garone, Rob Wilson and Jay Wood judged the Bluegrass Futurity classes and Equine Services Roadster Cup classes and Garone judged the remaining classes by himself.
Beverly Bedard was the USEF Steward and David "Tuffy" Owens was the horse show announcer along with Craig Christiansen. Don Baker handled the duties of ringmaster and Gene Wright was the official organist.
Doug Shiflet, as photographer and Richfield Video as videographers worked hard to capture the special moments on film and Dr. Scott Bennett’s Equine Services served as the show’s official veterinarian. James Quiram was show farrier and Scott Snider was stable manager.
The Tuesday-Friday schedule was daytime only which allowed plenty of time to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the World Equestrian Games which were in the United States for the first time.
Held in conjunction with the horse show, the International Saddle Seat World Cup Three- and Five-Gaited competitions were held and teams from South Africa, Great Britain, Canada and Germany joined both USA teams for a great week of competition.
Live commentary by Donna Pettry Smith, Missy Hughes and Vicki Gillenwater allowed those who weren’t able to attend to watch and listen to the phase I and phase II world cup competitions.
The International Saddle Seat World Cup Program has grown each year since it was renamed and formal guidelines were established in 1996. Competition alternates between being held in South Africa and the United States every two years, and this year’s competition offered a rare opportunity for those in attendance at the horse show to watch the International riders compete. The only way the program succeeds is through the generous donation of horses for the riders to use and the caliber of horses this year was exceptional.
Tuesday afternoon during the show, the World Cup Opening Ceremonies were held. Competition began Wednesday afternoon with phase I for the five-gaited teams. Riders performed on the rail and then had individual workouts for the panel of Gary Garone, Terry Johnson from Surrey, British Columbia and Hugo Visser from Porterville, Western Cape, South Africa.
Phase I for the three-gaited riders was held Thursday afternoon and, like the five-gaited riders, they performed on the rail then did individual workouts.
Phase II competition for both teams was held Friday. The five-gaited riders kicked things off Friday morning with their rail work and workouts. The three-gaited riders had their phase II competition after the performance classes started. The remaining six classes of the horse show took place after the Three-Gaited World Cup Phase II competition, which took approximately two hours.
Closing ceremonies for the International World Cup provided the day’s finale and the final event of the horse show and it was fantastic to see each team come in the ring with their coaches, managers and national flags to be introduced individually to the audience.
Results were announced for both divisions in reverse order. The Canadians took bronze in the three-gaited competition. Led by Captain Margaret Biggs and Co-Captain Kim Ross, team members Mikayla Frost, Rebecca MacLeod, Breanna Van Rooyen and alternate Emily Rice headed to the podium to accept their flowers and bronze medals to the cheers and applause from the crowd. Coach Archie Hurst directed team Canada’s bronze medal performance.
Team Republic of South Africa was next to head to the presentation area as they were awarded the silver medal in the three-gaited competition. Coach Junior Hugo and Manager Aretha van Rooyen joined team Captain Hanlo Smith, Handre Bosman, Willem de Jager, Ruzanne Jansen and Christien Strydom as they stepped up on the podium to accept their silver medals.
A beaming team of American riders couldn’t contain their joy as it was announced that team USA, led by coach Jimmy Robertson and Manager Helen Robertson had won the gold medal for the three-gaited competition. Captain Jessica Moctezuma and Co-Captain Nick Maupin joined team members Brittany McGinnis, Alexis Muniz, Abby Mutrux and alternate Taylor Newton to receive their gold medals and flowers.
Team Great Britain was directed by Coach/ISSEA Rep Carin Swanevelder and Manager Pamela Rodley. Gertrud Hendriks was captain, Natasha Rodley was co-captain and they joined team members Katherine Ara, Eleanor Hullis and Samantha Hullis to represent their country with a great effort.
Team Germany was directed by Coach Jackie Hale and Manager James Hale. Claudia Zieger served as team captain and she joined team members Meike Bruch, Kira Gueldner, Jeanie Kreutschmann, Anna Wunderlich and alternate Simon Feldmann for their good performance in Shelbyville. This year’s competition marked the first time that Germany has competed at World Cup and their fans had to have been proud of the performance of their teams.
For the five-gaited division, presentation of the bronze medal also went to team Canada. Biggs was captain of this team as well along with Co-Captain Samantha McWade. Rachelle Reichert, Acacia Cheverier, Monique Hetu and Kim Ross were joined by Coach Archie Hurst as they headed to center ring to accept their bronze medals.
Team USA was awarded the silver medal. Barbe Smith was team coach and Kent Swalla served as team manager, replacing James Nichols who was unable to attend. Ali Judah was team captain and Jacqueline Beck was team co-captain. Brittany Baird, Drew Taylor Hewitt, Scooter Scheurich and alternate Alexis Pearson put together the silver medal performance and accepted their medals to much applause from the crowd.
Team Republic Of South Africa jubilantly headed to the highest platform to accept their gold medals. Coach Hugo and manager van Rooyen joined captain Hanlo Smith, Handre Bosman, Willem de Jager, Ruzanne Jansen and Christien Strydom to accept their awards.
Germany’s five-gaited team included the same members as their three-gaited team led by the Hale’s and Team Great Britain, led by Swanevelder and Rodley, included Hendricks, Hullis, Hullis, Rodley and Lynn Herd.
The World Cup International Competition was a success because of the hard work and dedication of Executive Director Ellen Beard, Asst. Executive Director Cindy Boel, Executive Secretary Christy Judd O’Donnell and Barbe Smith who was in charge of horse procurement. International Saddle Seat Equitation Association President Nancy Becker has been a big part of making the competition international and helping establish formal guidelines.
In addition to the world cup, the bluegrass futurity weanling and two-year-old fine harness classes were held. Since 2002, the Bluegrass Futurity has given away $814,000 to the owners of the weanlings, two-year-olds and their sires. This year, more than $71,000 was available between the two classes with 25 percent going to the stallion owner and 75 percent going to either the weanling or the two-year-old.
Four two-year-olds hit the ring Thursday afternoon for their fine harness futurity. The judging panel of Gary Garone, Rob Wilson and Jay Wood marked their cards as they watched all four youngsters make a good show, but when the cards were turned in, it was the son of Born Contender and Kim Darlin by Periaptor, The Great Contender, named as the winner. Max Ciampoli drove for owners Paul and Rebecca Dieckmann and earned a total check for $7312.50. Stallion owners Wade and Flecia Fairey earned 25 percent of that money or just over $1825. The Great Contender had the distinction of having won the Bluegrass Futurity Weanling class in 2008 with Ciampoli.
Martin Teater drove Kona Joe to the reserve tie and a total prize of $4062. As the owner of both Kona Joe and his sire, Promise Keeper, A. E. Nelson received the total prize money for the reserve finish for the son of dam Callaway’s Pretty Paige. Sired by Nureyev and out of the mare My Dior, New York Special was third for owners Sandra Depue and Harold Wise. Bob Phillips drove and picked up the check for $2437, of which $609 went to the Nureyev Syndicate.
The final ribbon went to Gaynor Shane Roberts’ entry Call Me A Fox (Fox Creek x Shout). Ed Millet handled the drive and they exited with a check for $1625.
The Bluegrass Futurity Weanling class hosted 17 beautiful babies competing for the panel and the big prize money. Almost $22,000 was paid out for first place and in addition to the prize money given for the top eight weanlings, each also received a show halter from Freedman’s, just as had been given to all four two-year-olds.
The Shelbyville ring is a picturesque setting for any class but with a ring full of gorgeous weanlings, it was especially beautiful for Thursday afternoon’s finale.
The panel had a stellar group and when their cards were turned in, the results were announced in reverse order. Of the top eight weanlings, seven were fillies, including the winner and reserve champion. Five of the top eight weanling owners/breeders also owned the stallions so they kept all the prize money received.
Finishing in eighth place was the David Mountjoy owned and bred filly Mountjoy’s Sure Thing. Sired by Fox Creek (Owned by E.V. Dulworth) and out of Highpoint’s Royal Town, Sure Thing received $1500.
Margo Baird’s filly MBA’s Nuttin’ But Blue was seventh and represented sire Undulata’s Nutcracker and dam Crimson Blue to pick up the check for $1500. Antonio Hernandez showed for MBA Equestrians.
Joe T. Smith handled Mountjoy’s Extra Sweet (Santana Hosanna x Just Magic) for weanling and stallion owner David Mounjoy to take the sixth place finish. Mountjoy earned $1500 for his second weanling in the top group.
Max Ciampoli was again in the ring for owners and breeders Paul and Rebecca Diekmann with their entry Grace Hanadarko. The weanling filly was fifth and was sired by Born Contender and out of Kim Darlin’, making her a full sibling to two-year-old futurity champion The Great Contender. Grace picked up $2450 for her performance, of which $612 went to stallion owner Wade and Flecia Fairey.
Yet another Mountjoy owned and bred weanling made the top eight. This time it was Rhythmically, sired by Santana Hosanna and out of Fox It To Me, heading out with handler Joe T. Smith. Mountjoy’s weanling earned $4825 for fourth.
The only colt of the group of top eight, Born To Rock N Roll, was shown by Ciampoli for owners and breeders Wade and Flecia Fairey. Sired by Born Contender and out of the mare Polished, the colt picked up $7237 which went entirely to the Fairey’s.
Marcy Lafferty was the proud owner and breeder of reserve champion Vivien In Paris. Sired by Lafferty’s beloved stallion Belle Reve’s Voodoo Magic and out of Cachou Lajuanie, Vivien’s reserve championship finish followed up her reserve in the All American Classic Weanling Cup in September. The reserve finish paid $12,062.50 to Lafferty.
That left only one weanling to take the top prize as grand champion. MBA’s Cary’s Girl, a reserve world’s champion in the ASR Kentucky Futurity Weanling and top three in the All American Classic Weanling Cup, trotted her way to the winner’s circle with handler Antonio Hernandez. Baird, as owner and breeder (Sir William Robert x Cary’s Moonraker) earned 75 percent of the $21,712.50 check or $16,285. Stallion owner Tom Galbreath earned more than $5400.
For the second year in a row the Equine Services Roadster Horse Cup Finals were held at Kentucky Fall Classic and this year, an Equine Services Roadster Pony Cup Final joined the schedule.
Eight road horses came through the gate to compete Thursday afternoon. Horses competed for their places in the class, then results were tabulated and added to their scores from previous competitions to determine the results for the overall championship.
The winning combination of Jones and Bones took the win in the class, followed by Shane Mullins and Magical Beginnings for owner Kristen Bagdasarian. Talladega Nights, with Melissa Moore driving for her sister Melinda, Belle Star and owner Melinda Moore, Show Me The Money and Rob Tanner for Dale and Sally Williamson, John T Bert N Me with Connie Smith for Virginia Powell, Red Heart with Miranda Chaplin for Schack Farms and Clemenza, with Jim Schack for Schack Farms completed the ribbon count for the final competition to determine the overall top eight winners for the Equine Services Roadster Cup.
A total of 21 horses were nominated this year and when the group of eight returned to the ring, results for the finals were announced in reverse order. A drawing for a Walsh Harness was held and Shane Mullins held the winning ticket. The top eight were all presented with a new halter.
Belle Star and Melinda exited in eighth place and earned $1000. Talledega Nights and Melissa Moore headed out with $1000 for seventh place to add to Melinda Moore’s total for the day. Smith and Bert were sixth and their share of the prize money was $1600. Mullins and Magical Beginnings picked up $2000 for fifth and Clemenza was fourth with Jim Schack. They earned $2500 for the fourth place finish.
Red Heart was named top three with Chaplin to add another $3500 to Schack’s total prize money and that meant that Charles Jones was going to have one heck of a payday. Beaucort Boy, owned by Jones and of course Mr’s. Bones were the top two finishers. Beaucort Boy earned $5000 as the finals reserve champion and Jones and Bones took an $8000 victory pass as the Equine Services Road Horse Cup Finals winners. Mr’s. Bones, who also won the finals last year, now has the distinct honor of being the only winner of the Equine Services Road Horse Cup Finals.
Four ponies competed in the final class to determine the finals results for the road pony cup and the panel named CH Stat, with Maureen Lydon Campbell driving for Dr. Robert Pugh, the winner of the class. Jayne Romano and CH Free Willy were the reserve champions followed by Heartland Silver Lining with co-owner Larry Meyer for co-owner Janet Meyer and Hocus Pocus with Ryan Hoffard for owner Kim Becker.
Although only four ponies competed in the final class, eight ribbons and prize money were awarded for the finals.
Crazy Times earned $500 for owner Monica Hunley, followed by Heartland Flurry in seventh. Owner Equus Farm claimed $700 for the seventh place finish. Heartland Silver Lining finished in sixth for owners Larry and Janet Meyer and they earned $900. My Traveling Man earned $1100 for fifth and Kilbro’s Gloriouswon, owned by David and Melissa Fleming was fourth. The Flemings picked up a check for $1500.
The third place tie in the finals went to Hocus Pocus, owned by Kim Becker and she received a check for $2000. CH Free Willy and Jayne Romano were the reserve champions and they exited the ring with a check for $3000. That left Campbell and CH Stat to take the victory pass as the finals champion and claim the winning check for $4000 for owner Dr. Robert Pugh.
A very special week in Shelbyville with the International Saddle Seat World Cup Competition, Equine Services Road Horse and Road Pony Cup Finals, Bluegrass Futurity Two-Year-Old Fine Harness and Weanling Championships also included a great group of horses and riders in their respective divisional competition. Championship highlights follow.
A trio of nice gaited horses came through the gate for their Five-Gaited Jackpot Stake and the top prize, awarded by judge Garone, went to It’s Saturday Night Live. Mike Tunstall was up for the win for owner Beth Arndt. Stonecroft Rumor Has It was reserve with Rob Byers in the irons for owner Cindy McWilliams.
Lisa Holt topped a nice group with Shame On You under the direction of Biggins Stables to claim the tricolor in the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship. Headhunter and Martin Gueldner were named the reserve grand champions.
Other winners in the five-gaited division included ladies champion Lynn Williams with Mary Gaylord McClean, amateur ladies winner Pie Crust with Cindy Siders up for Rick and Sue Archer, amateur champion Turning The Page with Amy Dix Rock, amateur limit champion Many Pearls with Siders up for Carl Fischer, Jr., junior exhibitor champion Lotta Bucks with Kerry Jeffries, open limit champion Cumberland Crescent and Candi Covino Aversenti, junior champion War Hart with Wyatt DeHart for Thomas and Gloria Paulson and UPHA Five-Gaited Classic champion Designed In New York with George Schmid up for Silver Brook Stables. Five-Gaited Pony Champion Mango Momma took the final ribbon with Foster Roberts riding for Joe Johnson.
Neil Visser took the victory pass with Kalarama’s Blue Mac when they were named the Three-Gaited Jackpot Champions for Elisabeth Goth. James Wallen rode Time’s Moneymaker to reserve for Wallen Central, Inc.
Gossip Girl added another winning ribbon to the Visser Stables count when she was named the Amateur Three-Gaited Grand Champion with Ali Judah. Judah rode for owner Dr. Meg Knowles and they had already won the ladies class earlier in the week. Hillside’s Sensation and Jennifer McGowan took the reserve tricolor in the amateur championship, showing from Sunrise Stables.
Other winners in the three-gaited division included amateur champion Hollywood Agent with Bruce Williams, amateur limit champion Lemon Shake Up WRF with Patrice Watson O’Brien, junior exhibitor winner Callaway’s Flying Blue with Cheyenne Mabey up for owner Luci Nouwens, junior/limit winner Perfection Me with Mike Tunstall for Glasscock Financial Services, UPHA Classic winner Legacy’s Cinemac with George Schmid for Calvin Patton and three-gaited pony winner Lost Token with Ashley Biggins.
Malice In Wonderland won the park jackpot with Tiffany Pridgen riding for Pridgen and Adams. Last Tango In Paris and Team Canada three- and five-gaited captain Margaret Biggs won the Amateur Three-Gaited Park Championship and amateur qualifier. Kid For A Day and Flecia Fairey were the reserve grand champions. Limit park winner Captain Sparrow JJS closed out the division with Tre Lee up for James and Judy Skinner.
Wild Carissima, now owned by Golden Creek Farm, won the Fine Harness Jackpot Stake with Melissa Moore driving and Ready To Jet, now owned by Larry Hodge and Joan Hamilton, was reserve with Hodge showing for Kalarama.
Steel The Moment, won the amateur class with Linda Beltz for owners and breeders Dr. Homer and Linda Beltz and Platinum Moon won the junior/limit class. Sam Stafford drove for Joan Hamilton. Stafford also drove Callaway’s Another Saturday Night to win the UPHA Fine Harness Classic for Hillcroft Farm.
Magical Beginnings and Shane Mullins won the Open Road Horse class and Mr’s. Bones won the amateur class with Charlie Jones.
CH Stat won the amateur roadster pony class with Campbell driving for Pugh. CH Free Willy won the amateur class with Romano showing from Lukens Stables.
AHHS Roadster Pony Youth Medallion winner Sha Boom with Shannon Ella for Karl Bridgeman, UPHA Roadster Pony Classic winner Heartland Marching Orders with Chris Gantley for Steve and LeAnn Golden and AHHS Roadster Pony Under Saddle Youth Medallion winner Pure Country with Lexie Flint for Dr. Robert and Melissa Flint claimed the remaining blue ribbons in the road pony division.
The Remington and Juliet McDonald won the Harness Pony Stake for T.J. and Juliet McDonald and Twin Willow’s Handsome Dan was the amateur champion with Mary Gaylord McClean. Randy Harper drove Major Impact to the UPHA Harness Pony Classic blue ribbon for Frickey Farms, Inc.
Nobu and John Scheidt, also from Majestic Oaks, won the Hackney Pony Stake. Candi Covino Aversenti drove her stallion Extremely Fine to the amateur win from Frickey Farms and Heartland Code Breaker won the UPHA class with Juan Rios showing for Darrel and Sandy Kolkman.
MacArthur added a tricolor and a blue to the Winding Creek Farm tack room wall with Cleo Lowe’s winning drives for Watermark Farm in the Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony Championship and qualifier. Heartland Breaking News and Kay Marschel took the reserve tricolor in the championship.
Ella took another victory pass when she drove Nashville Cat to the AHHS Youth Medallion win for Goodman and McMackin. Entitlement took the final blue in the pleasure driving division when Garone called out Linda Fischer’s number. She drove for owner Thomas Caisse.
The pleasure classes at Kentucky Fall were competitive across the board and Garone had a great group of horses to evaluate as he worked to name the ribbon winners.
One More Kiss and Gabe Deknatel took the win in the Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship under the direction of John Conatser for High Hickory Farm. Superior’s Revelation and Joan Hammond stepped up to take the reserve tricolor. Steve and Tiffany Wheeler directed the team of What About Phil and Sarah Crane to the blue in the qualifier for Mike and Sarah Crane.
Kathy Capsuto-Walker and Rain won the novice class for Paula Schmidt and Kathy Capsuto Trust to claim the gaited pleasure division’s final blue ribbon.
Winners in the park pleasure division included open champion The Vega with Jackie Tanner for Alan and Ginger Failor, junior horse winner Sir William Rogers with Beth Nevitt up for Sisco and Felty and UPHA Park Pleasure Classic winner Walterway’s Silk Tie with Tami Reiser up for Morgan Reiser Stables LLC.
The Beltz-Tolliver families had a great week in Shelbyville, Ky. Nicolle Beltz Tolliver and CH Lightnin’ Lil added the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Championship win to their win list this season. Qualifier winner CH Pas De Deux, with Rosemarie Fernandez up, was reserve in the championship from Premier Stables.
CH May Issue and Rose Marie Wheeler were two for two in the junior exhibitor division. They won both the championship and qualifier for Chestnut Dream LLC under the direction of Kim and Fran Crumpler. Mollie Kregor did a great job catch riding for Ashlyn Farms LLC and she rode That’s Exactly Right to the reserve tricolor from Premier.
Mo’ Town Memories and Jennifer McCollum won the novice class for Omer’s Horse Stuff and Stephanie Breeden.
Roberta Belle and Kathy Capsuto-Walker claimed the tricolor in the Show Pleasure Driving Championship and Brookhill’s Musette was reserve with Tim O’Brien showing from King’s Row. Chris Broder and CH Callaway’s Halley’s Comet won the qualifier under the direction of Hoppy Bennett.
South Street and Nicolle Beltz Tolliver were the winners of the Adult Country Pleasure Championship to close out their week. They were followed in the ribbons by Kazoom and Kelsey Nelson for Nelson and Graham, showing from Zubrod Stables.
Catalino and Alexandra Weiner won the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship and were directed to their championship win by Loren Uretta. A Secret Starmaker and Hallie Tyler followed in the ribbon count for Elizabeth Tyler and Sir Andrew won the qualifier with Dakota Reiser.
Adult class winner League Of Nations with Carol Hillenbrand and novice winner High Time’s Society with owner Monique Hersch were the final two blue ribbon winners in the division.
Debbie Foley met Eddie Lewis after Hit Man’s Special Delivery won the Country Pleasure Driving Championship. Periaptus Infinitus was reserve with Kay Marschel driving for the reserve tricolor. Night Sight and Ann Fitzpatrick won the blue in the qualifier under the direction of Blue Willow Farm.
Dave Lopez and Willie Angel won the Western Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier under the direction of his wife Dena and the reserve tricolor in the championship went to Happy Seventy Fifth with Charlotte Kurtz showing for Singing Hills Stables.
Kate Melican won the 17 and Under Saddle Seat Equitation class from Signature Stables and Bethany Welch won the UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup from Shadow Run Farm.
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