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Lexington Junior League - Tuesday Morning



The first morning session of the 2013 Lexington Junior League Horse Show began with a unanimous victory for Jessica Wuesthofen and Chanti’s Prayer in the 16-17 Saddle Seat Equitation age group. The DeLovely team has been a tough one to beat so far this season, in fact, it has yet to happen. Triple qualified and six for six on the season, they were the Saddle Seat Equitation Champions at Asheville and Midwest already this year. Cassie Bell earned a reserve prize on The Red Mile for the second year in a row, moving up an age group this season with Nuttin’ To It. Directed by Judd Stables, she was the 14-15 reserve winner in 2012. She and Jessie went one-two in the aforementioned Asheville Championship earlier this year. Brooke Boyer was third in this one from Glendale Stables.

Sitting in the shade of the in-gate terrace, it was striking to see the quality going into the ring for the Five-Gaited Pony qualifier, one of the deepest gaited pony classes seen anywhere in many a year. Three of the four entries in this barn burner have won World’s Championships within the last two years! Winning this one was one of the most highly decorated horses of all time, CH Sprinkles. Also a great ambassador for the breed as a Breyer model, Sprinkles made her pony debut with two wins at the Royal last season. Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes continued their undefeated run in this division for Rainbow Princess Farms and DeLovely. Last year’s Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure World’s Champion of Champions was up for reserve with McGee Bosworth aboard. This was the athletic CH Sunken Treasure, a High Caliber-trained entry of Pair Of Jacks Stables. McGee has been remarkably consistent so far this week, earning three reserve wins in as many trips to the ring.

Four more entries were up in the AHHS Hackney Pleasure Driving Medallion, with Heartland Breaking News and Kirstie Buerkley winning it for Kay Marschel. It was a unanimous division debut for the Majestic Oaks trained team. It was two years ago that these two teamed up for the 13-and-Under Road Pony Reserve World’s Championship and the AHHS 13-and-Under Road Pony Medallion National Championship. Champions here a year ago, Seamair Dear Sir and Olivia Schumacher were up for reserve today for the Kierson Farm banner. They were junior exhibitor winners just a couple weeks ago at Syracuse.

The other half of Senior Equitation qualifying saw Aleia Brown make the last pass as the 14-15 winner from Cape Cod. Riding Madeira’s Fame, Aleia has done well this season, coming off her 14-year-old season where she was the 14-Year-Old Reserve World’s Champion. Courtney McGinnis was the 14-Year-Old World’s Champion last season, finishing top three in all three of the National Finals. She settled for the reserve prize here aboard CH-EQ Kiss Of The Zodiac.

The Annas were the choice in Show Pleasure Driving, as Anna Marie Knipp and Anna Wintour continued a great first season together with a blue ribbon drive. Directed by Robert Gardiner, Anna Wintour was the Pleasure Driving Champion at UPHA Chapter 5 and the Reserve Champion at Midwest. She is by the black stallion A Superb Manhattan and out of a CF First Night Out mare. She is half of the Blythewood shopping excursion that High Spirits Farm made that netted them this mare as well as the chestnut harness mare, Magical Promises. Finest Material has won a championship here the past two years. Last season it was as the Three-Gaited Park Champion with Ronnie Graham, while the year before it was as the champion of this pleasure driving division. Ali DeGray was the driver here for Helen Rosburg. The big chestnut gelding is by Star Material and out of Captivating Style. Gypsy Gentleman and Sarah Wise were up for third, followed by American Art and Eddie Norris.

Faizah and Sydney Dunaway were the pick in the Three-Gaited Pony class, as Don Bridges joined them in the winner’s circle. 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Pony Reserve World’s Champions a year ago, this was their first time showing on The Red Mile for either rider or pony. Winner of this class the past two years, CH Powerful Tango was the reserve winner today with Emilea Stinnett up for Woodlea Farms. Trained by High Caliber Stables, this team is in their second season together, having already claimed nine blue ribbons together, including their two here last year. Also debuting on The Red Mile was Anna Hansil, finishing third aboard Designer Diva under the direction of “Uncle Rob,” Robert Gardiner.

Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving was a two-horse affair, with Miss Olivia O’Claire taking top honors with Lindsey Mason driving for Larry and Kristen Mason. Solideo and Hannah Carr were reserve for James Carr.

Maisie Benfield was the winner in the UPHA 13-and-Under Challenge Cup, as she rode Highpoint’s Syncopated Rhythm through the serpentine under the direction of Zubrod Stables. Scotty Brooks Bruggeworth and CH Can You Hear Me Now earned reserve honors under the Siren Song banner in Scotty’s first year showing in the cantering ranks.

CH Pure Country and Lexie Flint were the winners of the AHHS Road Pony Under Saddle Medallion class for Dr. Robert and Melissa Flint. This is the fourth straight year for Pure Country to win this class under the direction of Majestic Oaks. Sarah Madison Hecht and Aragorn made their maiden voyage to take reserve honors for Kierson Farm.

Adult Country Pleasure saw the continuation of a good run for Juicy Fruit and Karen Thompson, showing in their fourth campaign together. Trained by Keith Harger, this duo earned the reserve championship at Rock Creek last month. Their blue ribbon ride today was up one spot from their finish here last season. Juicy Fruit is by Belle Reve’s Renaissance Man and out of Carmelita Santana. While Uncut Jewel might be a terrible name for a gelding, he and Jenn Katko have been a fantastic team over the past two seasons. Twice winners here a year ago, they earned reserve honors here today for Judd Stables. Also a winner here last year, Callaway’s Summer Solstice was third with Carissa Marshall, followed by Join In The Dance and Tina Stodd in fourth.

Caroline Moeller rode Supreme Spotlight to a unanimous blue ribbon performance in Pleasure Equitation 14-17, directed by DeLovely Farm. Also winner of her qualifier at Midwest, Caroline was reserve in this class last year. Kaitlin Kelly and La Zingara were reserve here for Zubrod Stables. Kaitlin was reserve last year in the Kentucky Equitation class at Louisville. She has four wins already on the season in this division.

Blushing Bull and Malissa Welke picked up where they left off a year ago, winning for the fourth straight time on The Red Mile. They took the Western Country Pleasure qualifier for Suzanne Bradshaw and Lowry Stables. They were reserve champions last month at Midwest Charity. Marie Gwinn and Sir Don Juan were up for reserve under the Double D direction of Dena Lopez.

Paige Russell earned a Lexington blue in her first year out of academy, riding Who Needs Mama to the top prize for Zubrod Stables. But wait! It wasn’t that simple! Academy doesn’t usually come with three-way true ties! This class did. Three riders went back to the rail for additional testing, with Paige coming out atop the group. Hayley Byrne and Heir Brained Scheme are also in their “step up” year, as the Zubrod riding program has produced this new star as well. Frances Salisbury and Corsage rounded out the top three, directed by Stephanie Lilly. 

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