The question in the Three-Gaited Championship was would both of Elisabeth Goth’s entries show back? Hollywood Excellence had won the under 2 stake and Yes It’s True the over 15.2 section. Larry Hodge and Yes It’s True came through the gate as the single Goth entry for the evening and with a crowd-pleasing ride defeated last year’s grand champions Page Me and Jerry
Hutson, as well as several other contenders. As Hodge prepared to make his victory pass, announcer Peter Doubleday informed the large crowd that Yes It’s True was making the victory pass under the new ownership of
Sam and Anne Stafford of Blythewood Farm. The Staffords stand and own CF First Night Out, the sire of Yes It’s True and several Lexington stars.
Hutson and his wife Melissa Moore were among the young trainers that did very well. In addition to Page Me, they sent the fine harness stallion Revival down victory lane in front of photographer Howie Schatzberg twice with William Shatner. They were probably two of the best performances of Revival’s winning career. Melissa also won the Roadster To Bike Championship with The Secret’s Out for the second consecutive year.
From Oklahoma, Liz Cortwright got to enjoy the Lexington experience twice as she rode Reedann’s Phancy Phootwork to the Junior Three-Gaited Championship and over 15.2 blue. The young horsewoman and her junior horse were put together by Peggy Richardson. Steve Wheeler sure entertained the crowd with Park Horse Grand Champion 98 Degrees. Working under Nelson Green, he’s another of the new generation.
Although a veteran of many victory passes, Anna Johnson, a member of the younger generation and an amateur, drove her explosive I’ve Arrived to the Road Pony Championship with Chris Gantley as her trainer. Amateur owner Tara Duff won the Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Stake aboard the John Conatser-trained In My Heart. Again, not your everyday sights at Lexington Junior League.
And how about the ponies trained and shown by Rich and Beth Campbell. The Heartland Hackney entries continued to dominate and go home with new owners. Also making a name for himself, Tom Lowry has kept his
nose to the grindstone. Besides the Golden Creek Farm pony champions, he teamed Josh Greer and Buckwheat to the UPHA Road Pony Classic title.
Adding to the changing of the guard, a five-year-old horse and pony enjoyed Lexington stardom among the very best of competition. Sold Out Show was presented by Lisa Strickland to capture the Ladies Three-Gaited
Championship over a host of long-time winners. The same was true with Impress My Daddy and Gib Marcucci in the Harness Pony Championship.
In just her second year out of the junior exhibitor ranks, Kate Salmonsen won the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship with CH Doubletrees Steel The Show. From the equitation ranks two young ladies wore tricolors that represented the greatest wins of their careers thus far. While neither one was a stranger to the winner’s circle, the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Championship for Royal Scot’s Ashley Alden and the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Championship
for Premier’s Dakota Willimon sent them to a different level.
Not letting the youngsters steel all the glory,
Sallie Wheeler and John Shea did their parts to preserve the “old guard.” Shea had been showing Fancy Ribbons all season long for the Wheeler family, but basically couldn’t find any competition. The Lexington crowd got to see the Hall of Fame pony man and his
talented cob-tail at their best. Mrs. Wheeler returned to Lexington, not just as a proud owner, but as an exhibitor. Teamed with last year’s Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Grand Champion, Boutonniere (Merchant Prince
x CH Button Bright), Mrs. Wheeler made the victory pass in the Ladies Fine Harness class.
In many ways Lexington 2001 was a huge success. It was great that rain, heat and thrown shoes were not the main topics of conversation. Instead, the focus was on the many show ring triumphs, not just those
resulting in tricolors. For many, just making a
workout or receiving a ribbon was just reward. Those exhibitors went home with a sense of accomplishment rivaling those who had enjoyed Lexington’s winner’s circle.
Lexington was not all about the show ring. Ed Frickey again organized the annual golf tournament on the Sunday leading into the show. Many trainers and exhibitors enjoyed a beautiful Lexington day to help raise money for Just Say Whoa. Also growing in popularity is the Just Say Whoa Clubhouse. Nightly
activities were held on the second floor of the
grandstand giving the youngest generation a safe and healthy environment in which to socialize.
Of course for those who have to have horses day and night there was the TSE Tattersalls Summer Sale, the American Saddlebred Horse Museum, the Kentucky Horse Park, and numerous local training and sales
establishments who were more than happy to roll out the red carpet for visitors.
It was a red carpet week for LaHood and his staff, one of those times when it all came together.
“I can’t say enough about the Junior League ladies and my staff,” stated LaHood. “They worked their tails off to have this show ready for exhibitors. Lenard Davenport, Kent Moeller, Scott and Beth Snider, they all did a tremendous job to make this an enjoyable
week.”
For the complete show story see the printed edition of Saddle Horse Report dated July 23, 2001.