Lexington Jr. League - Tuesday Evening
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Tuesday Evening
Amateur gentlemen riders aboard walk-trot horses were the first to occupy the Red Mile on another comfortable evening in which showers were still threatening but holding off. It was another light turnout for this division as only three entries competed. Topping the class with a big time performance, however, was David Rudder aboard his Kalarama Twister. This new combination will certainly mix it up with the other top amateur teams if they continue to have performances like tonight’s. Having earned more wins and reserves in the amateur gentlemen’s class at Lexington since it began, CH Nightly Affair was the red ribbon winner with Chris Nalley riding.
Lexington has evolved as a miniature Devon of the South with the addition of Hackney Horse and carriage driving classes over the past few years. This is a great setting for these longtime traditions and what a surprise it was to see seven Hackney Horses competing. Elisabeth Goth entries swept the top two places with Chad Reiser driving Rudulph The Second to the win and Chris Reiser taking Marspon Swan Songs to reserve.
The junior gaited mare class wasn’t near as large as the stallions/geldings the night before but there were some high class stars powering their way down the track. The big screen seemed to get the best of few of the entries as the class went on but former two-year-old world’s champion Radiante shot down the rail pass after pass. This was the second year in a row for Jenny Taylor to win the Junior Five-Gaited Mare Stake. This year’s winning owner was Pamela Boyers. Virgil Helm took Lilly The Filly to the reserve title for the Bill Blacklaw family.
It seemed that John Scheidt could do no wrong during these first few days of the show. The Amateur Fine Harness class was his third winning drive as he took The Great Gaspar to the winner’s circle ahead of Susan Hollowell and Catalytic. Bill Blacklaw and Dorian Warriors Song also had a great drive to take third place honors.
Dr. Morgan Wolin and Audrey Hepburn were a sight park trotting to the Ladies Three-Gaited Under 15.2 title. Trainer Ray Krussell greeted them in the winner’s circle of this good class. Ruth Gimple was aboard A Heir Of Magic to pick up the red ribbon for Pixie Dust and Steel, while Melinda Moore and A Great Day’s Cummin were third.
Of the six Open Harness Ponies, last year’s grand champion Par Excellence started the week in the winner’s circle. Larry Ella was again at the whip for Bent Tree Farm. Longtime Junior League exhibitor Dr. Alan Raun had the reserve winner in Wait & See’s Winter Day.
Next on the schedule, the Amateur Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding class was Lexington quality from top to bottom. Some of the country’s top amateur riders were jockeying for position and they were putting on an exciting show. Emerging as the champion with a grand show was Mary Gaylord McClean and I’m A Treat. The Premier Stables team was pushed hard by reserve champions Memories Paragon and Ceil Wheeler. One of the youngest amateur riders in the bunch, Lucinda Hartley had a good go with At The Stroke Of Midnight to take third.
With a few time outs and a couple of narrow misses, the eight-entry Amateur Gentlemen’s Roadster To Bike Class was quite entertaining. The red, white and blue silks of longtime roadster exhibitor Danny Bugg proved to be the winning colors as he piloted Geronimo around the traffic and to the winner’s circle. James Rosburg and Humdinger were called out in reserve, followed by Lanny Judd and Sundance Image in third.
There was all kinds of talent parading for the Lexington spectators in the Three-Gaited Over 15.2 Stake. Everywhere you looked someone was making a Lexington quality pass but in the end the multi-titled world’s grand champion CH Yes It’s True topped all challengers with Sam Stafford providing the smooth ride for Pidgeon Roost Farm. Last year’s over 15.2 champion I’m Sky High was even better this year with Gary Garone getting a crowd pleasing ride for owners Rick and Carolyn Daigle. Also challenging with a top show was the leg-waving Royal Messenger with Melissa Moore aboard for third.
Bent Tree Farm was two for two on Tuesday night as Karen Waldron and On The Mark marched as the Open Hackney Pony Champions. The West Coast team of Heartland Newsmaker and Gene Vanderwalt took home the reserve prize.
The Mike Roberts Stables was off to a good week with another winning entry for M.W. Sorenson. Roberts drove the toppy I’m A Lucky Charm to win the Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding title. Merrill Murray and Samur turned in the reserve performance for H. Curtis Meanor.
Rain drops had started and stopped a few times throughout the evening but by the time the large Amateur Three-Gaited Park class hit the ring it was now a solid shower. Enjoying the experience of a lifetime, Bambi Childress rode The Foxy Prince to defeat some of the best. It was even more special that she was greeted in the winner’s circle by her trainer/mom Barbour Childress. Delton Farms enjoyed a reserve finish as Amanda Dellinger and veteran star CH Ramses made each pass count to take home the red streamers. Having a great first season together Maguire Hall and New York Style were third in this crowded class.
Popular with the crowd, the Hackney Pony Pair class was topped by the championship team of Nabucco and Man On The Town. Gib Marcucci was at the whip for Mary Campbell. Hometown favorite Dinwiddie Lampton had the reserve team with Joel Brown driving Gifted Love and Ink Spot.
With only a few rides under her belt Ceil Wheeler took the powerful Waterway’s Remember Me past the contenders in the Ladies Five-Gaited Gelding class. What a sight it was as the Nelson Green trained team racked and trotted their way to the top of the judges cards. They had to be sharp as the world’s champion combination of Callaway’s Born To Win and Gayle Lampe were right there for reserve honors. Riding for Silver Brook Stables, assistant trainer Tracy James had a good go with It’s More Than Likely to take third.
Renee Biggins and Boston Legal were right on the edge but kept it together with an exciting win in the Junior Three-Gaited Over 15.2 Stake for Belle Reve Farm. Amateur rider Ricky Cook brought home the red ribbon to Don and Judy Whitney Harris with their Callaway’s Born A Star.
Moving right along, Jane Mueller and My Party Manners were the best of a talented field of Amateur Road Ponies. The Gib Marcucci trained team had challenges from many teams with winning records including reserve champions Dun-Haven Awesome Image and Georgia Blevins who were directed by Maureen Lydon. Also in the hunt, Abby Jones and Heartland Wonderful Miss picked up the yellow streamers.
The Five-Gaited Mare Stake brought the evening to a close and it was a surprise entry taking the honors. Having been in retirement the last two years, former Lexington Junior League Five-Gaited Mare Champion Glider’s Star decided she liked the pampered life of a show horse much better. Matt Shiflet gave her a few of their patented one-handed passes to have the crowd going. Mike Spencer and world’s champion Spider Red also gave a sporty performance as the reserve champions to make it a good mare stake. They were followed by Lakeview’s Rare Lady and Merrill Murray.
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