Kentucky Spring Premier 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The 16th Annual Kentucky Spring Premier was the front-runner May 5-7, 2005. Each day at the Kentucky Horse Park, the sun was shining and the temperature was just right. Exhibitors and spectators couldn't have asked for better weather and it showed on the faces of all who attended. Exhibitors, vendors, trainers, and spectators were smiling and in high spirits as they enjoyed one of the favorite shows in Kentucky. As the start to Kentucky's show season, the smell of cedar in the ring, the sight of trainers running through the stands, and the bright green grass are just some of the unmistakable and unique qualities at Kentucky Spring Premier.
“The weather cooperated and the entry numbers remained where they've been in past years. The show couldn't be better,” said Chuck Walker of the USEF. As a member of many spring premier committee teams including, hospitality, show schedule, trade fair, and raffle, Walker put in many hours of hard work to make this show memorable.
The efforts of the horse show teams, horse show manager, and entry secretary were apparent. Center ring and the grounds looked perfect with bright flowers and busy vendors lined one side of the ring. The show office had complimentary breakfast fare each morning while maintaining the utmost in show organization. The raffle this year offered top notch prizes such as a coveted Louisville World's Championship Horse Show package. Also, along with the prize money in each performance class, prizes were awarded to entries that placed through fifth, making it a rewarding time for all. There was even a newly added Dog Equitation class that the Junior Exhibitors really responded to. Friday and Saturday night parties were held for exhibitors with plenty of food and fun!
Indeed, at a show of this caliber, the Kentucky Spring Premier entries were in good numbers. Many classes drew a large, cheering crowd like Roadster Under Saddle, Adult and Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure, Adult Country Pleasure, and Equitation. Saturday night proved to be the session not to miss. In many of the championships, horse and rider teams who placed reserve in qualifying classes came back to win the tricolor. The entries in each class Saturday night gave it all they had in the historic Kentucky Horse Park covered arena. With such mounting excitement, spectators were glued to the rail forming quite an involved, eager crowd.
All around, people were thrilled with the 16th Annual Kentucky Spring Premier Horse Show. Even if Louisville is only an hours drive away, on the first weekend in May, Lexington, Ky., was the place to be. The mesmerizing Memories Paragon with Nelson Green in the irons won the Five-Gaited Championship for Kenny and Ceil Wheeler. Arizona Haute and Tamara Baldridge were reserve for Daybreak Horse Park.
The Ladies Five-Gaited was a full class and the striking team of Take Me Away and Mary Gaylord McClean were crowned champions. Callaway's Potpourri and Danette Musselman followed for the reserve ribbon for Berry Hill Farm. The Five-Gaited Amateur Championship was an energetic with each rider working all the passes they could get. Carol Hillenbrand rode her champion Swish to the tricolor. Swish came back from a reserve performance in the stallion/gelding qualifier. Karla Kucera put in a reserve grand championship ride aboard Lucrative. I'm A Treat and Mary Gaylord McClean won the competitive Five-Gaited Amateur Stallion/Gelding class. The thrilling Five-Gaited Amateur Mare class put Amusing with Amy Dix Rock in the winner’s circle with Steal Your Thunder and Charles Walker picking up reserve.
She's Bedazzled ADW and Will Harris are off to a great start this year. This duo dominated the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited division winning both the qualifier and championship. Reserve in the championship went to Believable and Alexis Gerych while Spool's Top Secret and Lindsey Shields won the red ribbon in the qualifier.
The Apprentice made the cut holding top honors as the Five-Gaited Novice Horse champion with Wyatt DeHart up for Robert Shields. Fire and Smoke and Julian Thomas were the second place finishers. George Knight guided He's the Man to the Five-Gaited Denver/Junior Horse win while Don Harris and He's Xelerating came in for reserve in this battle of the big chestnuts.
In another crowd pleasing Five-Gaited class, Callaway's Exception to the Rule and Alexa McWilliams made the victory pass for Five-Gaited ponies. Jewels For A Lady and Lowe Thompson, under the direction of Betsy Webb, were reserve champions.
The high stepping April Hi Lite and Lance Williamson made each pass count and picked up the Three-Gaited Championship tricolor for Frank and Penny St. Charles. Callaway's Buttons and Bows and Ashley Isenhower were a fun team to watch as the reserve grand champions. In the Three-Gaited Ladies class, Melinda Moore guided A Great Day's Coming to the blue for Danny Bugg and Peggy Whitley. Rosemarie Fernandez had an outstanding first show aboard Pas De Deux for reserve. Fernandez came back for an even better ride earning the Amateur Three-Gaited Grand Championship title Saturday evening. The animated Amelia Heir Cat and Laura Gralton were Amateur Three-Gaited Reserve Grand Champions and under 15.2 champions. In the over 15.2 class, Tonosama and Jackie Wahrmund scored the winning performance. Promise Me Fame and Elmo Greer came in for reserve. All Rise and Rebecca Davis took home the red ribbon in the under 15.2 which was one of the larger three-gaited classes.
Rachael Crisp turned it up a notch to win the Three-Gaited Junior Exhibitor Championship while the qualifier champion, Romantic Manifesto and Victoria Willock wore the red, yellow, and white tricolor. On My Account and Catherine Van Arsdall were reserve in the Junior Exhibitor qualifier.
Heir's Bells and Whistles with Rob Byers up earned the blue ribbon among the Three-Gaited Novice horses after earning second in the Denver/Junior Horse class. In the quality novice horse class, George Knight scored the reserve ribbon riding Born the Best for Carolyn Garrett. Renee Zubrod bested the very large Denver/Junior Horse class with Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves. The team of Cloudsplitter and Olivia Weber paraded their way to the winner's circle as Three-Gaited Pony Champion. Lost Token and Yasmin Wazir were awarded the red ribbon.
In the top notch Open Three-Gaited Park class, Our Fallen Angel and Rob Byers came out on top for Cheryl Friedman Allison. Amberly's Crossfire and Don Harris earned second place.
The amateur park was a full division of exciting entries. The gallant Another Bay with Betsy Thomas won the coveted Three-Gaited Park Amateur Grand Championship title after an outstanding reserve showing in the qualifier. J'Adore and Jonna Egli were reserve grand champions. In the qualifier, Carol Hillenbrand rode In My Heart under the direction of John Conatser to the blue in their only appearance.
The Denver Junior Park Horse winner was the stellar The Stradivarious with Brent Jacobs up for Dr. and Mrs. Randy Thomas. Reserve went to the unique My American Girl with Joe Elam up for Joan Schilke.
In Touch with Bret Day at the lines captured the Fine Harness Championship and Unclaimed and Nancy Brannon were on their heels for reserve.
In the top notch Fine Harness Amateur class, Eleanor Pedersen drove the breathtaking Gothic Bronze to the winner's circle. William Shatner drove his stand-out stallion Call Me Ringo to the reserve.
In the UPHA Fine Harness Classic, Rob Tanner guided Michele MacFarlane's lofty Doctor Zhivago to the win. Tango with Ruby and Donnie Pyburn for Ronald Underwood took home the red ribbon. In a large Fine Harness Denver/Junior Horse class, Our Prince Charming indeed charmed the judge for the blue with Brian at the lines for Laurie Servin. Danette Musselman had a great drive for reserve behind the lines of Heirogant Ellie for Dr. Scott Bennett.
Gingerbread Man epitomized the roadster division as the Roadster to Bike Grand Champion with Melinda Moore. Les Cunningham guided the grand Sundance Image for the reserve for Judd Farms. The Road Horse Under Saddle class looked like the track at Churchill Downs. Silks shining and horses speeding, one rider actually slid off coming around the corner but managed to get right back on. The crowd couldn't get enough nor could the riders as they kept making final passes instead of lining up. When they finally did line up, the winner was announced and Where Are We Now with Melissa Moore made their way to the winner's circle. Danette Musselman riding Valiant were reserve champions for Alliance stud.
Danny Bugg guided Geronimo to the Roadster to Bike Amateur win making Arrowhead Farm quite a force in the Roadster division. Krewzyn Over with Carol Hall at the lines came in for reserve.
Road Ponies were offered many classes including those for youth, amateur and open exhibitors. The Roadster Pony Grand Championship went to Sixty Minutes driven by Robert Komer. Frankly Awesome with Jerry Solien in the cart were reserve. Buckwheat and Ann Fitzpatrick in the green silks proved to be unbeatable as they captured the Roadster Pony Amateur/ Junior Exhibitor Grand Championship and Amateur Roadster Pony wins. Crystal Harmon-Cates drove Cherry's Dreamtime, the big going bay, to reserve. Seamair's Nobility and Cindy Willimon were second in the amateur class.
In the Roadster Pony to Wagon class, Lanny Judd came in for the day to score the blue with Riding Shotgun. Two AHHS Youth Medallion Roadster Pony classes were held at the horse park. Dream N Blue and Alexis Gerych won the bike class. Paige McQuown drove Hawkeye's Spit N Image to the red ribbon. Taylor Rinehart rode Knight's Regal Count for the Under Saddle Medallion blue while Kaycee Dolwick rode Magic Reflection to reserve.
With seven entries, the Roadster Pony Limit class was certainly a full ring. Turbo Blue and James Maloney had the winning performance. Heartland Flurry with Elizabeth Campbell for Jerry Cummins came in reserve.
Truly the Grand Master lived up to his name winning the Harness Pony Grand Championship with Mike Brannon for Watermark Farm. Crystal Harmon-Cates, a strong presence in the ring for the pony classes, drove So Lovely to the reserve grand championship.
In the Hackney Pony Championship, Pit Boss won the blue ribbon with Joe Jenkins. Mr. Hawkeye grabbed the attention and the blue in the Hackney Pony Amateur class with Sharon Lewis driving. Reserve honors went to Kingsley Accolade and Crystal Harmon-Cates.
In the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Championship, High Life Pride made this victory pass for the third time in three years. Having won this title in 2003 and 2004, driven by Walker Lee, High Life Pride dominated the division winning both the championship and qualifier. Miss Fuente solidified her stature as a top pony with Charlotte Goodman in the cart making two reserve performances.
Richard Halstead drove the Hackney Harness Horse Grand Champion and Champion Halstead's Firethorn while Misdee Wrigley drove Brickell Robert to both reserve titles.
The ASB In Hand had a quality roster. Trujo's A Wish Come True and Melody Adler earned the blue ribbon and Sensational Elegance and Moe Anson were reserve.
Five-Gaited Pleasure Grand Champion and Adult/Junior Exhibitor Champion was the bold Callaway's Players Choice with Christine Broder up for Undulata Farm. The Reserve Grand Champion title went to She's Fancy Free and Brooke Jacobs of Werk Way Stables. Ashley Dickinson had a fantastic ride aboard Admiral's Gifted Miss for the reserve ribbon in the qualifier.
Sarah Crane expertly rode Talk About Attitude for the Five-Gaited Pleasure Novice win and also placed third in the championship. Amber One Up and Charlotte Kurtz garnered the red ribbon in the novice class for Seeblue Saddlebreds.
One of many Hart to Hart champions, Beware of the Fox and Wyatt DeHart earned the Three Gaited Park Pleasure Grand Championship after a reserve performance in the open qualifier. Worthy's Ticket and Kim Smith were reserve.Tuffy's Commander and Jackie Tanner won the Three-Gaited Park Pleasure Open class for the Jayo Family Corp.
The UPHA Park Pleasure winner was the noteworthy Undulata's Lost and Found and Allison Walker for Betsy Pankey. I'm Something Wicked with Joe Elam in the irons for River Dreams LLC earned the red ribbon in this very talented class. In another deep class, Three-Gaited Park Pleasure Denver/ Junior Horse, Gypsy's Stella and Anna Chandler emerged as champions for Glasscock Inc. Wyatt DeHart rode Finally A Prince for Richard Blake to the reserve title.
The Three-Gaited Show Pleasure division is always a crowd pleaser. With so many entries, it’s always questionable as to who will come out on top. John Conatser of Carriage Lane Farm directed For Reference Only and Tracy Garcia to the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Adult Grand Championship. Garcia returned from a reserve performance in the qualifier to put in the championship performance. My Southern Charm and Brook Jacobs won the Adult Show Pleasure qualifier and finished reserve in the championship.
The Bess Yet and Meagan Kucera, trained by John and Renee Biggins, proved to be the best yet in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Junior Exhibitor Championship with the impressive The Mystery Machine and Rachel Kelley from the winning Jo Cornell Stables earning reserve. The order was reversed in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure 15-17 class with The Mystery Machine making the victory pass and The Bess Yet taking the red ribbon. Diamond Dividend and Christine Sils were the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure 14 and Under winning team. Bessie Scott and Marian Turner were the second place finishers.
In the large Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Novice class, Take Caveat and Christy Brown took the top honors. Delightful Diamond and Gale Lazarus were reserve.
The Three-Gaited Pleasure Pony class turned out to be a show stopper with three entries vying for the blue. In the end, I'm A Sunbeam and Alyssa Lopez trotted into to the winner's circle. Ali Judah rode Radiantly Amazing for Jo Cornell and Karen Haupt to the reserve.
Show Pleasure Driving Grand Champion honors and the qualifier blue went to CH Harlem Heat with Lib Jones. Charlaton and Paige McQuown turned in a great drive for the reserve tricolor. In the qualifier, Arlys Solien drove Santana's Assessment to the red ribbon for Granite Hill stable.
As always the Country Pleasure Adult Championship was a hot ticket. Callaway's Blue Agate and Carol Hillenbrand took the ring by storm winning the championship as well as the qualifier. Callaway's Betty Hearnes and Stacie Herron earned the reserve tricolor as well as the novice horse blue ribbon. Hightime's Bayruma and Andrea Blackston earned reserve in the adult qualifying class.
Country Pleasure Junior Exhibitor had a huge turnout. Callaway's C.H.Hardin with Katie McLaughlin aboard went home with the grand championship. McLaughlin was all smiles as she exited the ring; she also earned the red ribbon in the novice horse class. The junior exhibitor reserve grand champion was the impressive dark black mount What's My Line with Magaret Lawrence riding. Margaret also won the qualifier. Spice Queen and Lindsay Taylor came in for reserve.
Countless Blessings and Kathy Snyder shined as true champions and won both the Country Pleasure Driving qualifier and championship for Rich Pence and Bob Cozzens. Cozzens is preparing to take over the lines soon with this magnificent horse. Reserve went to Oman's Native Rebel and Debra Bauer while Theology and John Scheidt finished second in the qualifier for Stonecroft Farm. All of these driving classes were large and it took some skilled maneuvering to come out on top.
Arlys Solien made the victory pass aboard Gunsmith for Granite Hill Stable in the Three-Gaited Western Country Pleasure class with Sharon Lewis riding The New Millenium to a reserve finish. Capture The Dream and Betsy Reiter won the Hunter Country Pleasure class while Honey Tree and Sara Elizabeth Price finished second.
In the Pleasure Mount Walk and Trot Only Championship, Alexandra Sowell rode America's Lass for the tricolor ribbon after earning reserve in the qualifier. Stonewall's Courageous and Tiffany Browning earned the reserve title. The qualifier blue went to Show Biz Time and Micaela Evans.
The equitation division at Kentucky Spring Premier was strong this year with many entries in both equitation and pleasure equitation. Established equation stars were present as well as up and coming riders. After intense railwork and the test of addressing reins, Chelsea Jo Roby, riding Selby Lane, won the Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Championship under the direction of Jo Cornell Stables. Earlier she had completed a flawless serpentine to win the UPHA Challenge Cup 13 and Under class. This young lady is certainly making her mark in the equitation ranks this year. Another skilled rider, Yasmin Wazir, earned reserve in the championship as well as the UPHA Challenge Cup 14-17 blue ribbon. She is trained by Renee and John Biggins. Olivia Weber was reserve in the senior challenge cup aboard Worthy Am I and Nathan Stein, riding Ace's and Eights, finished reserve in the junior challenge cup. Both ride under the direction of Premier Stables. In the Adult UPHA Challenge Cup, Brooke Jacobs and CH Bright Lights RWF took home the blue and Clinton Jury and Pinstripe Dance were reserve.
Taylor Young of Betsy Webb Stables rode S.S. Catch My Act to the Walk and Trot Equitation Championship and challenge cup win. Madison Hawes and Osage Lilly came finished reserve. Nicole Dolwick was second aboard Foxy Dame in the challenge cup.
Blair Barrett emerged as the pleasure equitation star winning the championship and qualifier with CH Monster Man. Her trainers, Renee and John Biggins and Toni Knight, were quite proud as Barrett put in two outstanding rides. Ali Judah rode CH Riva Diva to the reserve championship under the guidance of Jo Cornell Sables. Anna Hormann, riding Jabez, finished second in the qualifier.
With 12 entries, the Lead Line class was a busy one. Adam Webster, Angia Newton, Turner Gentry, Destiny Tharpe, Riley Erickson, Kylie Jankowicz, Emma Gearon, Taylor Duncan, Tamar Blue, Tyler Walker, and Alex Elam each earned the top blue ribbon for their rides.
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