Lexington Junior League - Wednesday Morning
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
A normally reserved Connie Smith raised her arms over her head for a celebratory “Woohoo!” as Major Impact and Beth Jones left the ring as winners of the Hackney Pleasure Driving qualifier. This is the second year for this team to be together and Major Impact’s second year in this division. He is by Kilbro’s Image and out of Kilbro’s Precious Moments. Also out of Ohio, Reedann’s Liberace was the reserve winner with Jacqueline Hawkes at the lines. These two entries traded spots to each take a victory pass at Pink Ribbon Classic a couple weeks ago. Steve Demjen trains Liberace, by Heartland Head Of The Class and out of Heartland Velvet Rose.
Each of the ages was represented in the two-entry Saddle Seat Equitation 12-13 division. The younger of the two was judged to be the best in this one, as Sofia Rashid took the top spot aboard CF Tonight’s All About Her. The 11-and-Under Equitation World’s Champion last year, Sofia is trained by Jimmy and Georgia Morrison. The 13-and-Under Pleasure Equitation Champion here last year, Gabriella Snyder took the reserve prize with My Honor Guard. Kent Swalla directs this team, winners at Bridlespur, UPHA Chapter 5, and Des Moines already this year.
By Callaway’s Blue Norther and out of CH The Homecoming Queen, The Final Four was the winner of the Park Pleasure class with Lisa Strickland up for Klaud and Sheila Miller. With husband Jacques Marais getting a horse ready for the next class, Strickland Stables’ good friend Glenn T. Werry assisted with the victory pass. Lisa also made a victory pass with Final Four at Indy Charity in this division, while Jacques made a winning drive in Park Pleasure Driving there. Jan Lukens and Devon Park Pleasure Champion Celebrity Son were up for reserve for owner Rodney Fils-Aime. He is by Worthy’s Navigator and out of Yorktown Memories, by Memories Of Will Rogers. Undulata’s Mister Machine and Tommy Benton were third for Lauren Miller, with Lauren Burin and Undulata’s Spider Man fourth for Dr. Abbie Lipscomb.
Cuttin’ Up took a Lexington victory pass for the third year in a row, winning the 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Show Pleasure blue with Nicole Jackson. Every year it has been a different division for Cuttin’ Up. Two years ago she was the Junior Fine Harness Champion, while last year she carried off the Walk-and-Trot Equitation tricolor. Another year, another win in another division for the beautiful daughter of Undulata’s Heir Apparent and Charlotte Russe. Trained by Steve and Tiffany Wheeler, Cuttin’ Up is owned by Nicole’s grandmother, Sally Jackson. Oddly enough, this is the first Lexington blue to ever be hung on the Autumn Hills banner, as Steve and Tiffany don’t often bring horses to the track. This class was split last year, and the winners of both splits finished second and third this morning. Rondo and Emily Candelaria were six for six coming into today, finishing reserve in this one for Barbara Woods and Judd Stables. Rondo and Emily have two World’s Championships and two Reserve World’s Championships in the last two years in this division. Forever Heaven and Mina Mueller were up for the yellow ribbon, also from Judd Stables. Callaway’s Nachelle and Ava Stachowski rounded out the top four.
Four entries qualified for the Junior Equitation Championship this morning, as two showed in the 11-and-Under Saddle Seat Equitation class to go with the two 12-13-year-olds. Alayna Applegate and Blue Over You scored the blue for trainer Shelley Fisher in this one. Alayna kept the blue theme going with her signature blue suit. Last year’s 9-10 Walk-and-Trot Equitation World’s Champion of Champions and UPHA Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup National Champion has made the transition to cantering well. Another making the upward transition this year, Lilyanne Goodman was second under the direction of Zubrod Stables. She kept the blue theme going as well, showing Tangled In Blues to the reserve win. Lilyanne was a winner yesterday in the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup and a World’s Champion last year as well.
The UPHA Senior Challenge Cup blue went back to Southwick, Massachusetts, with Taylor Pszeniczny and Won For The Gipper. Kyle Gagnon headed up the victory pass here for Fairfield South. Taylor was the Saddle Seat Equitation Champion at both Bonnie Blue and Greater Boston already this year. Savannah Brock and Nothin But A Good Time were the reserve winners here. Savannah was the Saddle Seat Equitation Champion at Heartland Classic earlier this year.
The skies opened up as the call was made for the UPHA 9-10 Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup. Braving the rain well was Bravia, with Molly Crim riding down victory lane as the blue ribbon winner. Bill and Lisa Waller headed up the victory pass for the reigning 8-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Equitation World’s Champion of Champions. She was the walk-and-trot champion at Asheville already this year. Courtney Kramlick earned the red prize in second for Kierson Farm. She rode Victory’s Lady Fox to this spot today. Courtney has two tricolors on her resume already this year from Raleigh Spring Premier and Syracuse International. Reagan Webb rode Our Fleur De Lis to third, with Genevieve Arzberger fourth with Miraculous Odds.
Milo Jones continued a good week from Lone Star Saddlebreds, directing Jennifer Moritz and Callaway’s Essential to a soggy win in the big Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure class. By Callaway’s The Gipper and out of a Callaway’s Blue Norther mare, Essential is in his first full season with Jennifer. They took a victory pass at Lawrenceburg last month. With seven victory passes to their credit already this year, CH Jessie Cole and Gretchen Halloran settled for their second reserve win of the year for Gaited Inc. Trained by Matt Shiflet, this team took the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship here last year. Peanut Butter and Ellie Kangur finished third in a big group, with Emily Clark and Stars Go Blue fourth.
Undefeated on the season in Walk-and-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation, Ava Kimmel kept that run going here in the UPHA 8-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup. She took the unanimous decision with Number One Girl for Kierson Farm. Champions at Syracuse International, UPHA 14 Spring Premier, Jersey Classic, and Raleigh Spring Premier, this young lady keeps getting better. Gracelynn Jordan and Azure Dreams scored the reserve win under the direction of Stephanie Lilly. Gracelynn now has four wins and four reserves in her eight trips to the ring on the season.
Fresh off championship wins at Delaware Riding Club Spring and Brown County Charity, He’s A Secret Agent and Jill Wilson won Saddle & Bridle’s Shatner Western Pleasure. Directed by Brian Yount, this Troy, Ohio, based team has been together for three years now. Secret Agent is by VHF The Licorice Drop Kid and out of Keep The Secret, by Shamrock Santana. Courtney Oblender and Parole Violation were up for reserve for Toni and Courtney Oblender and trainer Janet Crampton. Parole Violation is by It’s Hammertime and out of Manhattan’s Lady In Red.
In a field of 14 Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure horses, the winner was the unanimous choice of the judges, though it took her a minute to realize it. Madeleine Wood was making her debut performance with new teammate, Take It From The Top. After her number was called she waited a beat, still looking off into the distance, but when Peter Doubleday said, “Take It From The Top,” the moment of realization was a great one. Madeleine let out a scream as she headed to the winner’s circle for 3 Sisters Stables LLC to be joined by trainers Jim and Fay Lowry. Agent Cool Blue and Clayton Stinnett made a good ride for reserve for Woodlea Farms and trainer Steve Gassen. Winners of their qualifier at Chattanooga/Cleveland Charity last month, these two are in just their third show together. Agent Cool Blue is by Desert’s Supreme Memories and out of a Santana’s Charm mare. Milan Kordestani continued his good week in third aboard Supreme Kiss, with Party Nut and Kara Hachigian representing Texas in fourth.
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