Lexington Junior League - Wednesday Morning
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The first class of Wednesday morning had to be split, though there were just 14 entries. This was the USEF Adult Saddle Seat Medal, a national qualifier added to this Wednesday morning session to provide a way for adult riders to qualify for the National Championship round on Friday. The problem with having 14 riders (more than in any of the Adult Medal National Finals in recent memory) is that only ribbon winners qualify to show in the Finals. So the class was split. All 14 riders will now be qualified to show back in the Finals on Friday morning.
The winner of the first split was a unanimous choice of the judges. Rachel Rafolski guided CH SS Lies & Alibis to the winner’s circle, instructed by Christy Parker-Cordell. This adult equitation star is now 10 for 10 in her first year of competition in the adult ranks. She also won her last four classes as a junior exhibitor, putting her winning streak at 14 heading into Friday’s National Championship. Winner of this National Final in 2003, Dr. Morgan Wolin was reserve with Rythmn Latte, with Jessica Bodnar directing. Aubri Kennamer was third, with Sherrill Ducharme rounding out the group called for the workout in fourth.
It was the laser focus of John Stutts that carried the day in the second section of the USEF Adult Saddle Seat Medal qualifier. Teamed up with CF Cool Night Out under the direction of Cindy Boel and Renee Zubrod, Stutts rides with an intensity and focus that are unparalleled. He is undefeated on the season, putting together five wins in five outings so far. The last time Casey Morgan Tibolet showed in an equitation class, she was top three in the Senior Equitation World Championship at the 2008 Morgan Grand National. She has been competing the past couple years with A Promise Fulfilled in the three-gaited ranks. They finished in reserve today. It was another young gent taking the yellow ribbon, as Joel Dorignac has returned to the equitation division for the first time since 2005. He showed Sports Night to third. Jennifer McGowan capped off the workout group in fourth.
Courtney McGinnis and Kiss Of The Zodiac remained undefeated in Junior Equitation competition, as they took a unanimous round of honor in the Saddle Seat Equitation 12-13 class. The 2010 Junior World’s Champion of Champions was also the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup National Champion last year and the NHS Good Hands Reserve National Champion. She is now seven for seven on the season. The Cape Coddery were loud and proud of Aleia Brown in reserve aboard Undulata’s Time To Shine. Aleia also finished reserve to Courtney in the Junior Equitation Championship at Midwest. She was the champion at Indianapolis Charity.
The extended lineup in the Hackney Pleasure Driving class benefited the crowd in attendance here on Wednesday morning, as they were treated to a jumbotron show that had everyone in stitches. This was the Reagan Richey Dance Party, a new program brought to us by Richfield Video. The dance party had to be cut short to announce the results, which featured another unanimous winner. This Lexington blue went to the absolutely freakish pony, Heartland Accolade. Kay Marschel drove this exquisite Majestic Oaks-trained pony. Accolade has a neck that won’t quit, coming straight up out of his withers then hinging up to let him tuck his chin to his chest. He was a sight on the Red Mile this morning. Reserve in this good class of 11 went to Extremely Supreme. Lauren Mathewson continued her strong season with her new partner, looking quite lovely in the early day sunshine for trainers Randy and Denessa Harper. This team won their first three outings at Rock Creek and Shelby County this year. A World’s Champion in 2010 and reserve in this class last year, Heartland Parade Time was third with Tamra Arndt driving under the West Wind banner.
Emma Sanchez and Lady Gabriella have really come together here in 2011, winning twice at JD Massey and Asheville both. They were winners today as well, taking top honors in the 13-and-Under Show Pleasure class for Sharyn Lackey. This entry is also trained by Peter and Kim Cowart at West Wind. Reserve in this class was a relative newcomer on this scene. This was Calibogue Charm, a full brother to Sir William Robert, acquired this spring by Chad and Tami Reiser. Their niece, Delaney Webb, has done the riding this year, taking a nice victory pass at River Ridge. They were second here in this one.
The 11-and-Under Saddle Seat Equitation class was a battle of Maisie vs. Macey, with Maisie Benfield taking her second trip to the winner’s circle on the week with CH The Mystery Machine for Zubrod Stables. She was the winner of the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup just yesterday. Last year’s walk-and-trot winner was today’s 11-and-Under star. Macey Miles was reserve here with Final Act for DeLovely Farm. Macey was the UPHA Junior Pleasure Challenge Cup Reserve National Champion just last season.
Taylor Newton looked like an equitation machine in first place in the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup. Undefeated on the season, Taylor is now quintuple qualified under the tutelage of Shelley Fisher. Not only is she qualified for all three high tail Finals, she also is set to show in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup and Saddle & Bridle’s Pleasure Equitation Medallion National Finals. She was 15-Year-Old Reserve World’s Champion last year, after winning her Louisville age group every year from 2005-2009. Callie Smith and Soli Deo Glori won their age group yesterday morning and were up for reserve today for DeLovely. They were also age group winners at Midwest Charity. Shelby Graves finished up in third with Mocha’s Mudslide for Knollwood Farm.
Scotty Brooks Bruggeworth took a unanimous round of honor in the UPHA 9-10 Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup aboard Viva Flamenca. This team is undefeated in the walk-and-trot ranks this year, having now won all nine of their classes together. Parents Scott and Annika Bruggeworth happily embraced as Scotty was announced the unanimous victor. Mark Turner joined the DeLovely-trained entry in the winner’s circle. Nine-Year-Old Reserve World’s Champion last year and an Eight-and-Under World’s Champion the year before that, Payton Walker was reserve today with Believe Her. Directed by Tammy DeVore, they have taken seven victory passes so far this year. Hallie Ricci and CH Callaway’s Coraleen rounded out the top three for Kierson Farm.
Kabu was in top form to take the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure blue with an absolutely elated Ashley Baird riding for MBA Equestrians. Scott Matton headed up the round of honor, as the longtime team made their way down victory lane. They were 13-and-Under World’s Champions of Champions in 2006. This was their first Junior League win together and Ashley’s second of the week. Channing McWilliams had the punched up Stone Captive looking just right in reserve for Cynthia McWilliams. Directed by Clark Clouse, they were winners at River Ridge earlier this season. Erin Ohning continued a busy and successful morning for West Wind with a top three finish aboard Callaway’s Letter To The Editor Diane Ohning. The Petite Princess and Ellie Kangur were fourth for Corbin Bumgarner and Annette Greene.
It was a Kierson sweep in the UPHA 8-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup, as Sarah Madison Hecht and Emily Vicari took the top spots. It was Sarah Hecht and the great CH EQ Amandari taking top honors back to Kierson, as parents Alan Hecht and Maria Jose de la Hoz cheered her on to her first Lexington blue. Second went to Emily Vicari, teamed with Platinum Asset. Emily is showing in her first year out of Academy and just continues to improve show after show. In her last three shows, Emily has finished no lower than second.
Mojo has an affinity for this track. Three straight years he has shown in this class, with three different riders. In 2009, Kelsey Olson showed him to a win and a reserve championship. In 2010, owner Megan Bush Barrett rode him to a reserve in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure qualifier and a top three finish in the championship. Today, it was Allie Wellington aboard for a blue ribbon ride under the direction of Peter and Kim Cowart. Kim gave a “Woohoo!” as she was running to the winner’s circle to greet her winner. Allie has taken over the reins of Mojo for the summer. She is enjoying success with a second victory pass in as many shows. A year ago, Catherine Wheeler had not yet even shown her partner, CH Desert Supreme Kid. You wouldn’t know it to have seen them a month later, as they rollicked to two wins in Freedom Hall. Today, horse show luck was not on their side, as they threw a shoe first way at the rack and then again at the second-way rack. They took the reserve prize back to Mercer Springs for Kenny and Ceil Wheeler. Ashley Stewart has a new partner this year in Out Of Reach. They finished third in this one. The Whole Town’s Talking and Emily Mayer were fourth for Todd and Katie Koeppel.
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