Lexington Junior League - Thursday Morning
Thursday, July 11, 2013
What a strange morning it was today at Junior League! A gray, misty fog settled in over the city, causing the lights to be brought up for the morning classes for what has to be one of the first times in history. It was a cool setting both literally and figuratively.
The Saddle & Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion competitors were the first to enjoy the lower temperatures, with Kate Melican winning it unanimously aboard Renaissance Rose for Zubrod Stables. Equitation winner at Rock Creek last month, Kate is in her final year as a junior exhibitor. Alexia Stumler and Wizard’s Icon also represented Zubrod Stables as reserve winners. Also in her final campaign as a juvenile, Alexia won the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup last month at Shelby County Fair.
I Am Legend and Kay Marschel won unanimously in class number two in the order of go on this short Thursday morning program. They took the UPHA Hackney Pleasure Driving Classic blue back to Majestic Oaks. Showing for the first time under his new name today, I Am Legend was also the winner of this class at Midwest Charity. Heartland Novelty and Gerrie Bielefeld were reserve here under the direction of Mike Hylton. Sired by Heartland Blackhawk, Novelty is out of Heartland High Note.
Reserve Champion in this event a year ago, CH Callaway’s Summer Solstice moved up a notch this year to win the Adult Country Pleasure Championship with Carissa Marshall up for Tannehill Farms. The reigning World’s Champion of Champions was in top form for the top prize under the direction of Todd Graham. Ally Ehle is no stranger to this division here at Lexington, having won with CH Sir Winston C in past years. Today she was aboard CH Stonewall’s Stargate, an entry of Bob and Nancy Ehle. Stargate has taken well to his new division, enjoying a good campaign under the Kierson Farm banner, uncluding this Reserve Championship honor. CH Uncut Jewel and Jenn Katko picked up the third prize, while Juicy Fruit and Karen Thompson earned fourth under the direction of Keith Harger.
Sarah Madison Hecht and Aragorn took a tri-color turn of the track as the Road Pony Under Saddle Champions. It was back to back strong performances for Kierson-trained teams. This is their first show together, as Aragorn was previously teamed with Hannah Hirschhorn, showing to the Road Pony Under Saddle World’s Championship last year.
Abby Mutrux has become the official junior exhibitor of High Spirits Farm, getting seemingly every catch ride available from their ranks. And the results back up the decision! She took the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship today with Leatherwood’s Zenergy for Deborah Nathanson. Headed up for the round of honor by Robert Gardiner and Nick Kinsinger, Zenergy is by Hillcroft Faith’s Reward and out of Cake And Candles. Faith’s Reward is a lightly bred son of Callaway’s Blue Norther and Yorkshire Pudding (BHF). Cake And Candles is by Leatherwood’s Starlight and out of a full sister to CH Candle Dan. Maison Boyle earned her second reserve tie of the week aboard Certain Style, taking the reserve championship for Rufus and Phyllis Brown and Cape Cod. De La Hoya and Hannah Houske enjoyed a good ride in third, with Royal Valentine and Drew Taylor Hewitt third.
New to this division, Heartland Prancer put on a good performance to win the AHHS Pleasure Pony Under Saddle class with Samantha McCutchan. Trained by Kristen Bagdasarian, Prancer was a Road Pony Under Saddle contender in 2012. Prancer is by Heartland Head Of The Class and out of a Dun-Haven Bandolier mare. Reserve in this class for the second year in a row, Miss Fuente took the red prize with Aine O’Rourke. They are directed by Mike Tunstall.
Winning this class for the second year in a row, Top Shelf Jenn ‘N Tonic was the Hunter Country Pleasure victor with Katie Hafer Young. They are undefeated in this division over the past two seasons. Ali DeGray and Jolly Mon Sing picked up the red ribbon for Helen Rosburg and Ruth Gimpel Stables. They have four wins together so far this season.
The NHS Good Hands Event rounded out the day’s schedule, with Cassie Bystrack headed up for the round of honor by Kyle Gagnon and Devon Garone of Fairfield South. Cassie has come on strong this season, with good results at every show she has been to, never finishing lower than second. She qualified for the UPHA Challenge Cup Finals earlier this week. Cassie Bell was reserve in this battle of the Cassies. She was reserve in her age group qualifier the other day, riding under the direction of Judd Stables.
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