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Lexington Junior League - Friday Night



When God said, “Let there be horse shows,” this is what He meant.

What an absolutely phenomenal night for a horse show and a big outdoor party! Friday night was all that a show manager could dream of, as it was picture perfect and cool, with a nice dreamy breeze. There is no better setting in the world than this on a night this picturesque.

Also picturesque was Macey Joan Miles unanimous championship ride in the junior equitation division. Teamed with CH-EQ Coco Mojo, Macey is obviously directed by DeLovely. The UPHA Junior Challenge Cup National Champion a year ago, she will have to step up to take on the senior riders this year in that National Final. Her status as reigning Junior Equitation World’s Champion of Champions is one she can try to defend though. She has now already defended this Lexington title that she won a year ago as well. The Junior Challenge Cup placings from a year ago held up in this class, just as the placings from last year’s Lexington Junior Championship held up in this class, just as the qualifier placings from this week held up, with Maisie Benfield riding to the reserve championship. Teamed with Highpoint’s Syncopated Rhythm, Maisie continued a historic day for Zubrod Stables in this one. The 11-and-Under Equitation World’s Champion a year ago, she also won the Kentucky Rider Equitation class in Freedom Hall.

Winner of the qualifier here the last two years, CH Mastercraft’s Namesake LF was the Hackney Pleasure Driving Champion here tonight with Stephany Monteleone driving under the direction of Abel Vega. The reigning World’s Champion of Champions has enjoyed a great career on The Red Mile, beginning in 2007 as the reserve champion in this class. Nine World’s Championships later, they have had a remarkable career together and show no signs of slowing down. The Junior Hackney Pleasure Driving Reserve World’s Champion last year, Night Voyager was the reserve champion here with Meredithe Steinhauer driving for Denise Steinhauer. Majestic Oaks trains this one that was the champion of this division at Bonnie Blue. They were UPHA Hackney Pleasure Driving Classic winners here last season. Third in this good gathering of seven went to Heartland Parade Time and Beth Jones.

As true-trotting a harness horse as you will find anywhere, it was a unanimous victory for Magical Promises and Anna Marie Knipp. Directed for the round of honor by Robert Gardiner and Nick Kinsinger of Anna Marie’s High Spirits Farm, Magical Promises is a lightly shown eight-year-old daughter of Mountain Promises and a CF Rare Night Out mare. This team is absolutely thrilled with their springtime selection of this mare and the double-winning other half of the Blythewood package purchase, Anna Wintour. Anna Marie’s week is now complete on The Red Mile with four wins and four appearances. Jet black and beautiful, Kalarama’s New York Lady was reserve for the second time this week with Vicki Reed at the lines under the direction of A.J. Bruwer. Amateur winners at Midwest Charity and Southern Saddlebred Spring Fling, these two have really stepped up this season. A.J. Bruwer drove the mare to the Fine Harness Mare Reserve World’s Championship last season. CH His Supreme Reflection and Joy Warren gathered good crowd support in third under the direction of Nelson Green, followed by ARC’s I Can Teach You To Tango and Stacey Swalla for Glendale Stables.

Last Call and Mary Gaylord McClean were headed up for a tricolor round of honor by Tom Lowry and Jeff McClean. Their winning effort tonight came in the Amateur Harness Pony Championship. Winners of every class but one since last year here, they were Ladies Harness Pony winners a season ago. Last Call is by Mastercraft’s Stargazer LF and out of Malabar’s Femme Fatale. Up a spot from the qualifier, Seamair Sensation was the reserve champion in this one with Charlotte Wrather driving. Directed by Janet Crampton, Sensation was the amateur champion here last year with John Wrather driving. John would go on to be the Amateur Gentlemen’s Harness Pony Reserve World’s Champion with the strong contender. Mr. Brightside and Ali DeGray rounded out the top half of this six-entry affair in third for Helen Rosburg.

A slick-racking bay gelding, Top Recruit made perhaps his best show yet with Kitty Dorwart to take the top prize in a big group of 14 in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship. Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Champions at Oklahoma Centennial, UPHA Chapter 5, and Germantown, Top Recruit and Kitty are qualified for this pleasure division at Louisville based on the horse’s record the second half of last season with Linda Beltz. Randy Cates trained this tandem for Erica Anne Dorwart. Champions at J.D. Massey and Midwest Charity and qualifier winners this week, CH What’s The Whoopla and Camille Cowart took the reserve championship for Caitlin Leith and West Wind. They were champions here in 2012. What’s The Whoopla is by CH War Whoop Two and out of Like Fine Wine, by Sultan’s Starmaker. Last year’s reserve champion, CH Desert Supreme Kid, was third tonight with Madison Morgan aboard for Mercer Springs. Count The Money and Drew Taylor Hewitt finished in fourth for Barbara Gaynor.

The highlight of the Concours d’Elegance came second way, as Lanny Judd’s little passenger, Hadley, lost her hat, getting an, “Awwwwww,” from the crowd. A few steps later, Lanny threw off his hat as well, getting the crowd reaction of laughter and cheers. Lanny drove his single pony entry to the blue ribbon in this one, followed by Joel Brown with Gifted Love and Ink Spot for Brookside Farm.

The numbers don’t lie. Susan Shepherd and CH Callaway’s Kit Carson have shown here eight times together and have come away with the top prize six times. That is a rather remarkable record for any division, let alone some of the deepest and most competitive groups that the show ring has to offer. They were the Five-Gaited Pleasure Champions tonight for Pleasantview Farm, repeating their tricolor ride of a year ago. Lisa Duncan made another great ride with CH What Was I Thinking for her second reserve of the week for TNT Investment Enterprises and Virgil Helm Stables. This is their first year showing in this division. CH Titleist Right Tonight was third here with Allyson Ehle, while King’s Carma and Sandra Whittington hit some great spots in fourth.

The Junior Exhibitor Road Pony Championship went back to Majestic Oaks with Mr. Lucky Man and Cheyenne Mabey. The entry of Joe and Patrice O’Brien was also the Road Pony Medallion winner earlier this week. Cheyenne is actually undefeated with this son of Mr. Hawkeye over the past few seasons, winning both in the bike and in the saddle. Caroline Rainbolt Forbes stepped right down the rail at the lines of Surprize Surprize to claim the reserve championship for DeLovely Farm and the Rainbow Princess Farms. This was their same result from Lexington 2012.

Mike Barlow strode to the winner’s circle to meet his winning team in the Amateur Three-Gaited Park Championship, James Sigmon and CH Brookhill’s Periday. Winners of their qualifier here last year, they went on to be crowned Amateur Park World’s Champion of Champions in the high in the bridle and consistent style that has become their hallmark. They have won a class here now for the third year in a row. Qualifier winner CH Stravinsky was the reserve champion with Brittany McGinnis riding for Fish Creek Stables and DeLovely. The Amateur Park Stallion/Gelding World’s Champion last year, she went on to win the Open Park Stake at Kansas City. They were champions of this event a year ago and the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Champions in 2010. Nuttin’ Doing and Ellyn Dorsey placed third, with Kalarama’s Delightful and Megan McClure in fourth.

Speaking of numbers not lying, the important number for Sarah Byers and Mr. Center Stage is zero. That is how many times they have been beaten together. Zero. Nada. Zip. Zilch. It has been 12 wins in 12 tries for the team, showing for Golden Creek Farms under the Premier Stables banner. The two-time defending Ladies Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions just continues to amaze with his consistently brilliant performances. Winner of the over 2 qualifier, Buckles Boots N Spurs was the reserve champion with Hannah Teutsch riding for the Cooke family. Kelly Cooke was the 14-17 Three-Gaited Champion with “Cowboy” here in 2011. He is by Buck’s Co-Star and out of a Worthy Son mare, Mystic Promise.

McGee Bosworth has been as consistent as they come this week, always putting her horse in just the right position, finishing right near the top of every one of her classes. Adding to her five reserve wins so far, she put on a spectacular capper to her week, winning the Junior Exhibitor Park Championship with CH Let’s Talk. The entry of Pair Of Jacks Stables is trained by High Caliber Stables. He and McGee were the World’s Champion of Champions in this division a year ago and will return to Freedom Hall as bigtime contenders once again this year. CH Master And Commander is no stranger to Louisville glory, with multiple World’s and Reserve World’s Championships to his credit. Hannah Houske is enjoying her first season with the high-headed chestnut son of Belle Reve’s Renaissance Man and Triple Treat for Shelby Farm and Stables. Milo Jones trains Hannah’s string of top entries. Get Crackin’ and Alexandra Gendron were up for third, with CH Reedann’s Heir To Glory and Hallie Sansbury fourth for Patricia Dozier.

Going by the numbers again, John Wrather and Seamair Simply Awesome are 11 of their last 12 together here on The Red Mile, including all four of their classes the past two seasons. Amateur Hackney Pony Champions once again for Charlotte Wrather and trainer Janet Crampton, John and Simply Awesome have been one of the winningest teams in any division over the past decade. Karen Frickey and Nobu took the reserve championship back to Frickey Farms. They won a reserve title here a year ago as well.

We’ve been hard on the splitting of classes so far this week, but this one was done right, with 11 showing in the 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship and 14 in the 14-17. With the 13-and-Under going first, it was Aussie taking top honors with Madison Stringer up for Lisa Ulliman. Usual rider Cecelia Bolka was proud as could be of the Cape Cod-trained team. By Top Spool and out of My Matilda, Aussie was also the winner of the 13-and-under qualifier. Cape Cod has had a dream week so far on The Red Mile. Holding true to the qualifier placings, CH Keeper Of The Stars was the reserve champion with Grace McDonell riding for Gamine LLC and Judd Stables. One of trainer Maria Gilman’s all-time favorites, Keeper Of The Stars has been a Judd Stables resident since the 2005 season. He may very well never leave.

Odeon and Abby Mutrux made it two years in a row to win the 14-17 Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship. Also champions at Midwest and UPHA Chapter 5 last year, this team went on to claim a World’s Championship in their Louisville qualifier for High Spirits Farm. Perhaps the top two catch riders in the junior exhibitor business these days went one-two here, as Drew Taylor Hewitt was the reserve champion with Straight No Chaser. Harold Denton Jr. owns this entry from Clouse Stables. This team earned the championship in this division at Asheville. The big bay is a good match for Drew Taylor, who would tower over a small horse. Recently purchased from Maranatha Stables, Sunrise’s I Love Licorice was third here with Hannah Houske up for Krista Sinex and trainer Milo Jones. Fourth out of 14 went to Jessica Zarlingo and Caper’s Impressive, directed by Lauren Burin.

Thunderbolt and William Shatner zapped the competition to win the Amateur Roadster to Bike Championship for DeLovely Farm. Also winners of the qualifier, they were twice winners at the Royal last year and the Amateur World’s Champion of Champions to boot. They are on a heck of a tear over the past year. Mr.’s Bones and Charlie Jones remain the most fun duo to say. They were the reserve champions tonight for Lukens Stables, having won this class the last five years.

Now we haven’t looked at the Saddlebred Registry from four years ago to see, but judging by the numbers in junior horse classes this year, something like 10 Saddlebreds were registered that year. The Junior Three-Gaited Championship was cancelled tonight, and the Junior Five-Gaited Championship had one entry. At least that one entry was a good one, as Beaucoup Of Blues and Robert Gardiner were the winners for Katherine Hansil. The Reserve World’s Champion in the ASR Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited National Futurity last year, Beaucoup Of Blues is a chestnut gelding with plenty of white. He is by Call Me Ringo and out of Make It Magic, by Yorktown Magic.

Light Farms produced the top three in the Amateur Road Pony Championship, with Regal’s Lightning Strike LF claiming the tricolor with Mary Gaylord McClean for Golden Creek Farms. Winner of his last four classes in Freedom Hall, Lightning Strike was the Amateur World’s Champion of Champions in 2012 and the Road Pony World’s Grand Champion in 2011. Romeo’s Kristy Lee LF and Ali DeGray made their best show together to earn the reserve championship for Helen Rosburg. Ronnie Graham headed up this team in the lineup. This is the first year for Ali and Kristy Lee to be teamed up, and they are having great results so far. Candi Aversenti and Regal’s Promoter LF sped to third with the black and gold silks shining under the lights. Randy and Denessa Harper train Rock Creek’s Amateur Champion for Ed and Candi Aversenti.

Jaisen von Ballmoos had one of his biggest moments in the Saddlebred world, winning the Junior Fine Harness Stake with Cuttin’ Up for Albert Garner. With a lot of Undulata breeding behind her, Cuttin Up is by Undulata’s Heir Apparent and out of an Undulata’s Man Of The Hour mare. This was a debut in the harness division for the chestnut mare. Bakugan debuted to a reserve prize with George Knight driving for Georgia Herpin Baker. By Sir William Robert, Bakugan is out of World’s Champion Angelene, a daughter of World’s Champion Gracie Mansion.

Stepping up to close out the night was Kris Knight. She took Totally Kool to Pleasantview’s second tricolor of the night. This is the first show of the year for Totally Kool, by Ramona’s Hale Bopp. Pass With Care and Kristen Bagdasarian were reserve champions having won the Ladies Five-Gaited Gelding qualifier. Pass With Care was a Junior Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding World’s Champion in 2011. 

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