Lexington Junior League Off to a Heart-pounding Start - Monday
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Monday Evening
Year number 70 began on a beautiful Lexington evening with the grounds of the Red Mile looking immaculate. It’s one of the most unique and special settings in the industry and at the same time can take its toll on horse and rider alike. In fact, as the 10 entries for the first class were entering the ring, there was an accident at the in gate, which caused a 15 minute delay. It was reported later in the evening that the rider was okay.
When the show did resume the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Riders 14 and Under put on an entertaining show. It turned out to be a very special moment for a young lady from Statesville, N.C., as Camille Cowart captured the Lexington blue with the expressive Heathermoor’s Prince.
“It took me 20 years of showing here to win a class,” exclaimed mother and trainer Kim Cowart. “I can’t believe she did this.”
Reserve to the champion was the winning combination of Callaway’s Buttons And Bows and Nathan Stein.
A class full of country pleasure driving horses occupied the ring next. Leading the way from start to finish, Eddie Lewis and Hitman’s Special Delivery made the last pass down victory lane while representing the Jo Cornell Stables. Red streamers were awarded to John Scheidt and Theology who have made their share of victory passes. Hometown star Donna Smith was third in the large class with Heirithmatic.
Heartland Elise continued her winning season with an athletic performance to win the Amateur Hackney Pony class with Mary Gaylord McClean at the whip for Golden Creek Farm. A former Golden Creek entry, Heartland Newsmaker was the reserve champion with Bobbie Welch driving under the direction of Gene van der Walt.
Thirteen strong, the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited 15-17 class was a Lexington-quality class from top to bottom. Emerging from the pack, Kelsey Price guided Fiesta Thing to the title for Pleasantview Farm. Ali DeGray and CH Tigerlee handled the Red Mile track well with a reserve performance.
There were a couple of disappointing classes on Monday night as far as number of entries and the Amateur Ladies Roadster To Bike class was one of them with two. It did leave Vivacious and Geronimo plenty of room to operate. The noted under saddle team of Vivacious and Holly Ackerman made a successful transition to the bike winning with a dynamic performance under the direction of Mark and Mary Lou Greenwell. Ann Marie Dempsey and Geronimo crossed the finish line in reserve.
A nice class of 10 showed up for the Amateur Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under class. Looking like the champion every step of the way, Sheba’s Charm was a standout with Deborah Visser in the irons. Also turning in a strong ride, Vicki Gillenwater was called out as the reserve champion aboard the veteran CH Biras Creek.
Golden Creek Farm was two for two following the Ladies Harness Pony class. World’s Champion Shake Don’t Stir paraded down victory lane with Mary McClean driving under the direction of Tom Lowry. Pumping her legs every step of the way, Nacho Mama applied plenty of pressure as the reserve champion with Christy Gantley driving.
There was a large cast on hand for the Junior Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding class with many of the entries having winning records. When it was all said and done, Hall of Fame trainer and showman Don Harris occupied the winner’s circle aboard Belcort Farm’s Travel In Style. They were followed by Joe Elam and I’m Something Wicked for Riverdreams LLC. Mike Tunstall and Reserve World’s Champion Captain Roseridge were third.
The Ladies Fine Harness class couldn’t have been any deeper with household names from top to bottom. Coming off a good win at Midwest Charity, Just About Perfect was just that to take the title for owner/driver Ellyn Dorsey and trainer Lisa Strickland. Multi-titled World’s Champion CH Cary’s Moonraker marched a big trot to command reserve honors for Margo Baird and MBA Equestrians. They were followed by Unclaimed, Harlem’s Santa Fe, Catalytic, Nurse Goodbody and Dancing Up A Storm.
A full sister to World’s Champion Go Baby Go, Show Baby Show took the top prize in the Junior Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under class. Darrell Case made the winning ride for owner Sally Parker and Willowbank. Matt Shiflet and Supremacy’s Melody were right there for reserve honors while representing Uwharrie Hills Farm.
Lewis Eckard sent Hawkeye’s Chatterbox to the top of the UPHA Road Pony Classic looking more finished and mature than her four years would indicate. This top entry is owned by Allie Wellington. They were followed by Mike Barlow’s new entry Seamair Fashion Model.
Having already won two pony classes on this night, Mary Gaylord McClean was just as successful in the saddle. She piloted Take Me Away to the blue prize in the four-entry Ladies Five-Gaited Mare class. The reserve competition was Cary’s Legacy, ridden by Melinda Moore for Peggy Whitley.
The elegance of yesteryear was brought to life with the Hackney Pony Gig class. Bent Tree Farm’s Spirit Of Success was the winning entry with Karen Waldron at the whip. Luc Boileau and Kentucky Raine commanded reserve.
As they have done several times before, Mike Barlow and GrCh Ashland received a unanimous decision in the Open Roadster To Wagon class. Reserve honors belonged to Humdinger and James Rosburg.
Wyatt DeHart greeted Lindsey Shields and Sunken Treasure in the winner’s circle of the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited 14 and Under class. The closest to them was Reserve Champion CH Harlem’s Hot Ticket, ridden by Nick Neviaser. Claire Talley had a good ride aboard her young star Indigo Joe to take the yellow streamers.
High-headed and talented, Odyssey Man was the star of the Ladies Three-Gaited Over 15.2 class. From Premier Stables, Katy Drew made the winning ride for Diamond 5 Farm. There was plenty of strong competition as Lisa Strickland and Freakness took reserve just ahead of Melody Adler and High Heat.
The 13-entry Five-Gaited Gelding Stake brought opening night to a close and it was a good one! The Lexington crowd witnessed the season debut of last year’s World’s Grand Champion Five O’Clock. Todd Miles had the Chris and Jean Nalley entry ready for another season of campaigning with a unanimous ride over a strong group of contenders. Peter Cowart and the white-legged CH Breaking News were pressing hard every step of the way to take reserve honors for Megan McClure and Beth Arndt. Merrill Murray and Out Of Reach were also in the mix with a third place finish.
Complete results can be found at SHOW RESULTS.
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