Lexington Jr. League Show Coverage – Tuesday Morning
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Tuesday Morning
The view on Tuesday morning was ominous as riders and horses readied to compete during the second session of the Lexington Junior League. Most awoke to the drizzle of rain but once to the ring the competition came ready no matter the weather and even during several downpours the teams kept marching down the Red Mile track. Scott Snider had his job cut out for him but he kept the track in great shape with several drags as the show must go on. The weather unfortunately is just one of the things you take a risk on to show here so you cannot let it hold you back. The full schedule of classes was stacked with top teams, some were favorites we have seen already this year and some were here for the very first time.
The session began with the 16 and 17-years-old riders competing in their equitation qualifier. Fresh off wins at Midwest Alexandra Flynn was polished as she maneuvered through her gaits aboard Kalu’s Can’t Stop The Magic under the direction of team DeLovely. Emma Nichols aboard her new mount this season CH Worth A Scene garnered the red streamers. Nichols was teamed together with her well-matched mount by trainer Liz McBride-Jones.
Next in the ring was a outstanding group of five-gaited ponies. The 2005 Five-Gaited Pony Grand Champions Miss Outta My Way and Ivy Johnson remembered how to work this ring. Expertly piloted by Johnson this compact pony with her high step earned the blue. Reserve honors went to King Crimson and Whitney Bennett who blasted into this new division at Rock Creek for owners Monica and Robert Olson.
A competitive group of junior harness ponies entered in next. Randy Harper was on the lines of Regal’s Pride for the win for Frickey Farms. Matt Schuckert drove the striking Truly Naughty By Nature to the red ribbon for Richard McQuown.
The ring belonged to another group of equitation riders as the 14 and 15-year-olds competed in their qualifying class. Topping the competitive class was the flawless Jacqueline Beck riding Pinstripe Dancer under the direction of Cindy Boel of Zubrod Stables. Reserve went to Casey Morgan Tibolet aboard Undulata’s Time To Shine. Tibolet rides out of Cape Cod.
Twenty-two teams were on the list to compete in the Show Pleasure Driving and in this ring just having a clean drive is an accomplishment. Supreme Platinum has moved successfully into the show pleasure driving division for owner Jane Mueller. With Linda Fischer on the lines he topped the competitive class with an awesome performance. Performing Nightly is another grand horse that has made the move to the show pleasure driving division. Only a four-year-old and with a world’s championship title as a two-year-old behind her, this beautiful mare put on a great performance for owner and driver Ann Fitzpatrick to garner the red streamers. A strong third went to the grand Callaway’s Head Over Heels with Nancy Lassiter.
The rain continued as the Three-Gaited Pony class was called into the ring. Ten teams made the gate call as the junior exhibitors would not be denied a chance to show on the Red Mile. After sharp performances and the cards were turned in, the blue ribbon went to a surprised Holly Wilson aboard The Attaché Orchid. This neat, high-stepping pony marched around the ring for the win on the heels of a clean sweep at Roanoke several weeks ago. Reserve went to last year’s winner of this class, Cloudsplitter, with Olivia Weber. A strong third went to Powerful Tango and Molly Trent. In their first performance together they had a solid show under the direction of Scott Perrelli.
The junior exhibitors continued to shine in the spotlight, this time in the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving. For the second year in a row CH Advantage Me and Aliyah Asch topped the class with a pleasure perfect performance. Reserve honors went to Highpoint’s The Kings Sun and Kayla Mears riding under the Zubrod banner.
Equitation was back on the next as the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup was on the line.
After railwork and patterns were completed Amberly Hines was called to the winner’s circle. Hines rides out of Shadow Run and was aboard Spirit Stuff who last year took Kristen Koenig to multiple titles. What makes this win really special for Hines is that this was her first performance out of academy! Reserve honors went to the competitive performer Jordyn Broten aboard Ro & Me’s Here Comes The Rain.
The Hackney ponies were back to the ring, this time for the UPHA Hackney Pony Junior Classic. The striking chestnut Heartland Moonglow with Darrel Kolkman on the lines captured the blue streamer for Kay Marschel. Reserve went to Heartland Alluring and Dr. Alan Raun for Seven Oaks Farm of Chicago, Ill.
In another large class, 26 Adult Country Pleasure teams were on the schedule to vie for the qualifying title. In unanimous fashion CH Riva Diva and Catie Hawley captured the blue for owners Donna and Jack Finch. The Finches who are relatively new to the Saddlebred world purchased CH Riva Diva earlier this year for Donna to show. Donna is a product of the great academy program at Cash Lovell Stables and just a few weeks ago showed this illustrious mare to a blue ribbon at Carolina Classic. Until Donna is ready to show at the larger shows, Catie Hawley gets the privilege of showing this grand mare. Unfortunately, the Finches were not on hand to see their beloved mare earn the blue but be assured they will be here for the championship! Kaitlyn Grom was in the irons to garner the red streamers aboard her new country pleasure star Uwharrie’s Patriot Sage. Hillcroft Her Highness and Misdee Wrigley earned a very strong third in only their second show in this competitive division.
The 14-17-year-olds were back this time for the pleasure equitation. Topping the class was Deanna Lanigan riding Oh Gee Whiz under the direction of Carol and Scott Matton. The multi-titled Anna Hormann earned the red steamers riding Jabez for the Shadow Run banner.
The 13-year-olds closed out the session, competing in the pleasure equitation. Taylor Newton riding A Sweet Sensation has moved successfully from the walk and trot equitation division. With several titles behind her already this Sugar Knoll rider topped the pleasure equitation qualifier. Riding out of Knollwood, Loretta Mulberry earned the red ribbon aboard Undulata’s Clean Sweep.
Complete results can be searched by clicking on SHOW RESULTS.
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