Lexington Junior League - Wednesday Morning
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
By the time the show began at 9 am on Wednesday morning, the temperature had already hit 86 degrees, it did not stop rising until the show ended at 11:30, when the temperature was at 93 degrees. The hard-riding equestrians and their powerful mounts powered through the warm weather, though to continue to make Junior League the top show that it is.
The first class of the morning was the USEF Adult Medal qualifier. Before the class began, the judges agreed to work five of the nine riders expected, but by the time the railwork was over, they needed all nine riders to perform the workout. Every rider performed beautifully, and all nine workouts showed that these riders knew what they were doing. Ali Judah topped the field aboard the lovely chestnut, Lemon Shake Up WRF. This was Ali’s first equitation class since 2007, when she was the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation World’s Champion of Champions. Another extremely decorated equitation rider, Jessica Moctezuma was reserve in the tough adult class aboard The Smooth Operator. Many of these riders and more will compete in the USEF Adult Medal National Championship on Friday Morning.
Continuing her undefeated season aboard Kiss Of The Zodiac, Courtney McGinnis won the 12 and 13 year-old equitation class unanimously. She hugged, "Zodi," in the winner’s circle as Mandy Martin greeted her to pin the ribbon. Tuesday’s Junior Challenge Cup winner, Gavin Gagnon, was reserve to Courtney aboard Callaway’s Born A Star. He rides under the direction of Marsha and Gary Garone, along with their daughter Devon, and Gavin’s brother, Kyle.
Caitlin Leith’s parents jumped and cheered with joy as her number was called out with CH Zildjian to win the Pleasure Driving Pony blue in a large field of 14. Her flowing salmon shirt and long blonde hair matched with her talented pony, made the team picture perfect. Kim and Peter Cowart had the one-two punch in this division, as they also train Heartland Parade Time and Tamra Arndt. Both of these teams have already had great seasons for the West Wind banner.
Last year’s Adult Show Pleasure World’s Champion of Champions, CH Tax Man, added his seventh win for the season by winning the 14 and Under Show Pleasure class with smart-riding mount, Jessica Cloud. Jack Magill trains the winning team , as well as the reserve finishers, Supreme Spotlight and Ashley Bryce. This team began their season successfully in the park pleasure division, but made a smooth transition to the juvenile show pleasure ranks.
Last year’s World’s Champion of Champions from the 9-10 year-old Walk and Trot ranks, Clara McCool is now cantering on her grand mount, Highpoint’s Syncopated Rhythm. In their eighth win of the season they won the 11 and Under class under the direction of David and Kristen Cater. Also a World’s Champion Walk and Trot rider last year, Mollie Codeanne was reserve aboard Callway’s Born With Style under the direction of Fairfield South.
Katie Moeller could not have looked more perfect aboard her fancy, He’s My Beau to win the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup class under the direction of Shelley Fisher. Alexandra Lawson and Feng Shui also made a great show to earn the reserve title under DeLovely’s instruction.
Aboard CH The Mystery Machine and under the direction of Zubrod Stables, Maisie Benfield continued her undefeated season to win the UPHA Walk and Trot Challenge Cup for the 9-10 year-old age group. With a strong season of eight blues going into Junior League, Joanna Ricci continued her great season with a reserve tie in her first trip on The Red Mile. She rides CH Callaway’s Coraleen and is instructed by Kierson Farm.
Emerging the winner from a giant 17-horse field in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure class was CH Harlem’s Moving Man and Ashley Bryce for Jennifer and John Eagle. This was another winning ribbon returning to the Magill tack room this morning. Reserve honors went to the adorable team of Cheetah’s Admiral and Raegan Morrison. This is just their first year cantering, and Tammy DeVore trains them.
Haley Mitchell’s cheering section absolutely erupted as her number was called off as the UPHA Walk and Trot 8 and Under Champions. Aboard Miss Mheiry Mac and under the direction of Greg Reason, this team sparkled as they came down victory lane. Cashlyn Lovell already has nine wins to her credit this year, and now she can add a great reserve finish at Junior League to her repertoire. She is instructed by her parents' Cash Lovell Stables by Kathryn Rodosky aboard her fancy mount, Aces And Eights.
Last year’s World’s Champion of Champions in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure division, CH Sunken Treasure, earned another win to top the juvenile gaited pleasure qualifier with Stephanie Brackett. Evan and Mary Orr proudly train this winning combination. Never lower than second this year, Mojo was reserve in the nice class with Megan Bush Barrett aboard the Peter and Kim Cowart trained entry. He was the winner of this class a year ago with catch rider Kelsey Olson up.
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