Kentucky Spring Premier Heads To The Big Ring
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
by Leeann Mione
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Spring Premier, traditionally held during Kentucky Derby weekend moved a couple weeks earlier this year and the 21st annual version took place Wednesday through Friday, April 14-16, 2010.
The big, beautiful new indoor arena, which hosted the Kentucky Fall Classic in 2009, was the site for this year’s spring show and it was easy to see that the horse park is going to be ready to impress when the World Equestrian Games come to town in September.
Show manager Scarlett Mattson, along with show chairman Chuck Walker, secretary Beth Snider, stable manager Scott Snider and USEF Steward Donna Rocchetti made up part of the list of officials and staff that worked to make the show a success.
David Cater made the trip from New Hampshire to judge the Saddlebreds, roadsters, Hackney ponies and Equitation. Shetlands were added to the schedule this year and Cater evaluated their classes as well.
JoAnne Crockett, from Van Alstyne, Texas, judged the Morgans, Arabs, Half Arabs and National Show Horses.
Charles Wilson served as ringmaster and he was joined in the ring by organist Gene Wright and photographer Doug Shiflet.
Announcer David "Tuffy" Owens was perched high in the press box with a bird’s eye view of the action. Haygard Equine Medical Center served as the official veterinarians, James Quiram was farrier for the show and Richfield Video was official videographer.
The show serves for many as an early season warm up for several upcoming shows and Friday evening’s Five-Gaited Stake closed out the show with a good class.
I’m Royalty Too and Rob Byers took on J Crew with Clark Clouse, Hong Kong Fuey and Billy Jarrell, Lakeview’s Rare A Phi with Sam Stafford and Walterway’s What About Me with Merrill Murray.
Cater named I’m Royalty Too the winner for Fernandez Family Trust. Murray rode out with a good share of the crowd’s support for Larry Hartsock’s entry.
The amateurs hosted a nice group for their championship and when it was over, Tammy Devore met Cydni Simmons and Hey Joe in the winner’s circle for Burlington Saddlebreds. Callaway’s Jack Frost and Caroline Walker took the tricolor in the junior exhibitor championship for Hickory Hill Farm to add another win to the Devore Stables total.
Other winners in the gaited division included Callaway’s Carnival In Rio with owner Sally Jackson in the amateur class, Headhunter with owner Martin Gueldner in the limit class, Turning The Page with Rob Byers for owner and breeder Amy Dix Rock, Tremendous Style and Byers in the junior class for Ashlyn Farms and Mango Momma with Foster Roberts for Joe Johnson.
Brookhill’s Glam Slam went to the top of the class in the Three-Gaited Stake with Jackie Tanner riding for O’Brien Family Trust. Paranormal and Tre Lee were next in line for a ribbon for Betty Costopolos and Karen Thornhill.
Odyssey Man, with Neil Visser up for Terri Dolan and Simply Sophia, with Kyle Peel riding for Kelle Grimm rounded out the ribbon count in that order.
Hillside’s Sensation and Jennifer McGowan took the victory pass in the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship under the direction of Melissa Moore.
In A Minute and Paige Klee won the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Championship from Zubrod Stables and Rose Marie Wheeler teamed Simbara’s Cara Mia to the blue in the Three-Gaited Pony class for Fischer Sisters LLC. Kim and Fran Crumpler directed Wheeler to her win.
Ladies class winner Ro & Me’s Lady Godiva, with Andrea Perry Block, joined amateur class winner Callaway’s Blue Waltz and Susan Olcott on the list of top performers from the three-gaited division.
Kim Crumpler was on board Kalarama’s Much Superior to take the tricolor in the Three-Gaited Park Championship for R & R Farms.
The amateurs and junior exhibitors came together for a combined championship and Cumberland Crescent headed down victory lane with Candi Aversenti up under the direction of Pleasantview Farm.
Other winners in the park division included open winner Milady A La Lucie with Emily Lee for Holly Wilson, junior exhibitor winner Storm Heir with Alex Lawson for 926 Park Lane LLC, junior horse winner She’s A Little Flirt with Martin Teater for A.E. Nelson and three-year-old champion Ask Me Why with Joe Elam up for Rigby’s Green Farm and Juan Castillo.
Mary Gaylord McClean added another win to the Sunrise Stables total when she drove Cherished King to the victory in the Fine Harness Stake for Golden Creek Farm. CH Revolver and Dr. Robert Pugh, showing from Grey Ridge Farm, took the reserve tricolor.
Simbara’s Living Legend, winner of the amateur class with Chris Broder for Split Decision LLC and limit horse winner Shooter Jennings, with Martin Teater for A.E. Nelson closed out the list of winners in the fine harness division.
Winners in the roadster horse and pony divisions included Scruff and owner Deborah Koning in the open class, PTO and owner Perry Grieme in the amateur class and Kristen Bagdasarian’s Magical Beginnings, with Shane Mullins, in the limit horse class.
Maureen Lydon Campbell drove Stat to win the Open Road Pony class for Dr. Robert Pugh and fellow Majestic Oaks teammate The Wizard LF took the blue in the Amateur Roadster Pony class with owner Toni Nastali. Regal’s Mysterious Stranger LF and Alex Terry won the AHHS medallion class for Ford and Janet Blair.
Cheyenne Mabey had a busy week and she rode Aragorn to the win in the AHHS under saddle road pony medallion class for Bent Tree Farm.
The Remington won the Open Harness Pony class with owner Juliet McDonald and Nastali had another winner with Open Hackney Pony Champion Heartland Rough And Ready.
The pleasure driving ponies turned out in force with eight in the qualifier and six in the championship, but according to Cater none could top Heartland Spindazzle with owner Beth Jones driving for both wins under the direction of Connie Smith. Heartland Breaking News and Kay Marschel were the reserve grand champions under the direction of Double D Ranch.
Owner and breeder Amy Dix Rock put Take It From The Top at the top of Cater’s card to claim victory in the Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship after winning the novice class from Premier Stables. Catch The Moon was reserve with Cydni Simmons and Jewelfire and Barbara Jozwiak claimed the final blue in the division in the open qualifier for owner Stanley Jozwiak and added another win to the Devore Stables total.
Undulata’s Nuts And Bolts with Morgan Reiser and Born Ideal, owned by Aliyah Asch, with Rob Tanner won the Park Pleasure Championship and open class respectively. Reiser also rode to the win in the novice horse class for Paul Bird II.
Olcott had another winner with junior class winner Negative Image and UPHA Park Pleasure Classic winner added a blue to the Hart To Hart Stables total with Wyatt DeHart up for Darrell and Irene Crosswhite.
A Royal Gift, driven by Ann Fitzpatrick, took the victory pass in the Park Pleasure Driving Championship for new owners Edwina and Robert Hutto. The Carlyle exited with the reserve tricolor with Tami Reiser driving for National Distributors Company Trust. Doctor Zhivago, teamed with Dena Lopez, took the win in the open class for Michele Macfarlane.
The Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Championship was one of the biggest classes of the show and nine teams came through the gate to compete. They had plenty of room in the large ring and did a great job showcasing their talents but when it was over, High Point Memories and Kristen Stivers headed to the winner’s circle from Infinity Stables to claim the tricolor for Willow Wind Saddlebreds. My One Night Stand and owner Lisa Schlesinger, from DeLovely, exited with the reserve streamers.
The Agateer, owned by Tracy Garcia and shown by Cheyenne Mabey, took the title in the junior exhibitor championship under the direction of John Conatser.
Other winners in the show pleasure division included adult champion CH My Southern Charm with Brooke Jacobs from Werk Way Stables, junior exhibitor blue ribbon winner CH May Issue with Rose Marie Wheeler for Chestnut Dream LLC and Thunder Gone Wild in the big novice class with Sarah Lawson for DeLovely Farm.
Christine Broder and CH Callaway’s Halley’s Comet took two victory passes for Split Decision LLC when they were named the Show Pleasure Driving Grand Champions and Champions under the direction of Edward Bennett. Respectfully Yours and owner Sally LaPlant, showing from Carriage Lane Farm, were the reserve grand champions.
Rachel Seifert rode Red Shirt Freshman, under the direction of Premier Stables, to the blue in the Novice Country Pleasure class then returned to take the tricolor in the adult championship for her Long Hollow Farm.
Mollie Kregor handled the catch ride with Lipstick Sunset to win the junior exhibitor championship for Amy Dix Rock. Bibbidi Blackidi Boo and Cristina Prows Lepara, from Blue Willow Farm, followed in the ribbon count for Dr. Janalyn Prows.
The country pleasure division also showcased additional winners Geneve and owner Alexa Noble in the adult class and Cheetah’s Admiral, with Tyler Devore, in the junior exhibitor class for Stephanie Morrison.
Hi On Heir gave Sally Jackson another victory when they teamed up to win the Country Pleasure Driving Championship. Enzo and Sally Grieme, from Crumpler Stables, put together the reserve team effort. He’s A Royal Pepper and Alex Lawson won the qualifier for James Williams.
Willie Angel and Gunsmith battled it out for the top two spots in the Western Country Pleasure Championship, with Dave Lopez and Willie taking the tricolor after having won the qualifier. Arlys Solien rode Gunsmith under the direction of Larry Gardinier to win the Shatner class as well.
Hunter Chancellor rode to victory in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and fellow DeLovely rider Belle Owen won the USEF Saddle Seat Medal and NHS Saddle Seat Event class.
Mollie Kregor topped the 17 and under class and she also claimed the win in the UPHA Challenge Cup class from Premier Stables.
Amberly Hines represented Shadow Run Farm as the Saddle Seat Equitation Reserve Grand Champion. Cindy Zubrod Boel directed Maisie Benfield to the wins in the Walk and Trot 10 and Under Equitation Championship after they won the walk and trot challenge cup class. Jordyn Isgrigg was reserve in the walk and trot championship and was met by instructor Helen Robertson, of Infinity Stables, at the out gate.
Alex Lawson added two more victories to her list for the week by winning both the Pleasure Equitation 17 and Under class and the Saddle & Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion.
The Morgans returned to the show schedule this year and by the time the final class left the ring Friday evening, the PlayMor Farm-Donna Zimmerman team had several winning ribbons.
Jennifer Hazen put Bellisimo at the top spot in the Morgan English Pleasure class for PlayMor Farm. Donna Zimmerman and Stonecroft Byzantine, world champions under saddle last year, debuted in the driving division to win the Morgan Pleasure Driving class. Narragansett Spirit and Zimmerman won the Classic Pleasure Saddle class and Wildcard’s Satin Rose carried Zimmerman to the blue in the Morgan Western Pleasure class.
Susan Sunday teamed Legendary Nobelle Roz to the Morgan Hunter Pleasure blue for Sunday Stables.
Charming Day and Jennifer McGowan claimed both wins in the open-to-any-breed division with their efforts in the pleasure championship and qualifier for Powell and Watson. Martha Murdock and Last Goodbye won the OTAB Hunt Seat Pleasure class for HRH LLC.
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