Skip to content

Louisiana’s Grand Finale Ends the Season On a High Note



by Leeann Mione
BATON ROUGE, La., - Louisiana State University celebrated all weekend long Nov. 7-10, as the site of the Dixie Jubilee Horse Show hosted Saddlebreds, roadsters, and Hackney ponies and Middle Tennessee State University for their homecoming football game.

LSU won the game by a large margin and exhibitors had a large time all weekend as parties ruled the day including the traditional Thursday night aisle party and Friday night’s Mardi Gras Ball. The Mardi Gras ball is always a blow-out and always has a big group dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Maria Gilman and Walking horse trainer Joe Cotton were called up to the dance floor as the Mardi Gras Queen and King this year.

A loyal following of barns from Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and Alabama returned again this year and were joined by newcomers representing Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama. Cascade Stables, led by Barbe Smith, went back home to Audubon Park in New Orleans with an enormous number of winning ribbons in performance, equitation and academy. The Buffalo Creek Farm group again came from Tennessee to put together a successful group effort in several performance divisions.

Judd Stables has been coming to the show for several years and Don Judd and Maria Gilman returned with their customers from Land O’ Lakes, Fla., and had a very good horse show. The group posted numerous performance wins. Trainer Clark Clouse brought his customers for their Dixie Jubilee debut and took home several titles to Kentucky.

Paul Cates Stables has been a loyal representative from Texas for several years and Cates-trained entries took home several blue and tricolor ribbons.

Trainer Clark Clouse not only brought the Clouse Stables-trained entries for their Dixie Jubilee debut but went home to Kentucky with the Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, and Roadster To Bike Grand Championship titles in addition to several other winning ribbons.

Bill and Lisa Waller’s Clover Leaf Stables joined the list of barns that made the trip to Baton Rouge for the first time. Even though MTSU lost the football game, Clover Leaf joined the Tennessee contingent that represented the Volunteer State well.

Hometown trainer Marjorie Judd, of Marjorie Judd Stables in Baton Rouge, La., led her group to several wins in both performance and academy.

Courtney Huguley again brought the Heathermoor Farm Riding Academy entries from Alabama and by show’s end, there were several blue ribbons on the tack room wall. Garland Presswood, of Breezeland Farm, supported the show when he was in Tennessee and still supports it now from his location in New Orleans. He went home with a trio of wins in the Hackney pony division.

Dr. Fraser Mackenzie’s entries posted victories in the country western pleasure division. Silver Run Stables made an appearance at Dixie Jubilee for the first time and went home to Florida with winning ribbons.

Dorothy Dukes Ford had the Bayou Park group from Texas in good order again this year for more than one victory pass.

Joe Lavery brought the entries from his newly-opened Lavery South in Chelsea, Ala., and went home with a couple of blue ribbons for his tack room wall. Long-time Dixie Jubilee supporters Camelot Stables, Roberts Stables, John Shea Stables, Maranatha Stables and Wedgewood Stables all went home with wins after taking a victory pass in center ring in front of official photographer H. Leon Sargent.

Dixie Jubilee is one of the few remaining horse shows that brings the American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse exhibitors together, and the weekend is always marked by a festive atmosphere. Show manager Faye Mary works hard to keep everybody happy and things running smoothly. Jimmy Miller traveled from Wentzville, Mo., to judge the Saddlebred, roadsters, ponies, equitation and academy divisions. Miller didn't face many large classes but he certainly faced great competitors who brought their horses in anticipation of a great show.

The Cascade Stables customers had an especially great show with wins in five-gaited, park, pleasure, equitation and academy to lead the win count for the weekend.

Darnell Bludworth and Santana’s Escapade just keep getting better and they began their winning weekend by claiming the LASHA Three-Gaited Pleasure blue ribbon before taking the victory pass in the adult pleasure qualifier. Winsome’s Tom Cat and Margaret Cordes took the LASHA pleasure red ribbon and then returned in the competitive Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake to claim the tricolor with a great display of teamwork. Belle Espirit and Ella Bright took the red ribbon in the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Pleasure class.

Holly Nalty and Champagne Bob were victorious in the Five-Gaited Pleasure class to continue the good season they’ve got going and then returned in the stake to finish as the reserve grand champions in the competitive stake. Kelcy Smith had Kalarama’s Flash Point right on the money to take the victory pass in the stake.

The mother and daughter team of Kitty and Lauren McMichael finished with winning ribbons in their respective divisions. Kitty McMichael and All Heired Up teamed up to win the amateur park stake after earning the reserve in the qualifier. Lauren McMichael teamed Mr. Bayleigh to the 14-17 pleasure class blue ribbon and then came back in the junior exhibitor stake to finish with the reserve title.

Coco Judd and Soulful Warrior turned in a powerful performance to win one of the most competitive classes of the show, the Amateur Five-Gaited Stake. Jon Paul Dorignac retired the trophy in 1999 in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake with CH The Spitfire Special. He and Charlie Chaplin teamed up this year to win the blue ribbon in the qualifier.

Victoria McHenry and Winter Possum have only been together a short time this season and they dominated the pleasure equitation division. They won the Pleasure Equitation Championship, Saddle & Bridle medallion and the 13 and under age group qualifier.

Kristen Neilson rode Sultan's Supreme spirit to the reserve finish in the Saddle & Bridle pleasure medallion and Maggie Noonan added another win in the division to the Cascade total. She rode Worth Waiting for to the blue ribbon in the 14-17 class.

Natalie Waters and Jane White landed a one-two punch in the UPHA 17 and Under Challenge Cup class. Waters rode Straight Talk to the win and White was reserve with Will's Deadline. Katie McComisky won the Walk and Trot Equitation Championship with a poised presentation of Private Benjamin. She came into the championship as the winner of the walk and trot qualifier. Tiffany Wei rounded out the Cascade Stables ribbons with the Academy Pleasure 9-10 Walk and Trot Championship tricolor.

Buffalo Creek added numerous wins to their already long list this season. Bobbye Six, in fact, entered the ring four times and went home with four wins. She and Heartland Firefly won the Harness Pony Championship and amateur class and she drove Callaway's Feature Story to a sweep of the show pleasure driving division.

Gwen Stableford and Ali had two of their best performances of the season to also sweep their division. Ali won the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. Rachel Seifert and her Callaway's Holy Moly have been contenders all season in the amateur five-gaited division and they earned the reserve title in the qualifier under the direction of Mike and Kathy Barlow. CH Mr. Gary Cooper was at the top of his game to win the Adult Country Pleasure Championship with Melissa Scrushy. Ashland turned in a powerful performance with Dr. Howard Six to earn the blue ribbon in the Open Roadster To Bike class and then returned in the open stake with Mike Barlow to claim the reserve grand championship title.

Don Judd and Maria Gilman brought a big string and went back home to Florida with a big number of blue ribbons for the Judd Stables ribbon count. Barbara Woods rode Discover to the Amateur Five-gaited title and then turned over the reins to Don Judd who rode the powerful gelding to the Five-Gaited Reserve Grand Championship.

Kelly Perez was in the irons for the win in the open park stake with Magical Image. The pair also teamed up to win the amateur class for Barbara Woods. Maria Gilman also went to the winner's circle with a Barbara Woods-owned entry. Gilman and Man In My Life won the open park qualifier before finishing with the reserve tricolor in the open park stake.

SDR's Calypso Rhythm was the Junior Five-Gaited Champion and also took the red ribbon in the novice class with owner Mary Jane Curtis riding.

Kelly Perez and Deliah Rose are yet another Judd Stables team that is well known in Baton Rouge. Perez rode her expressive mare to the Amateur Three-Gaited Reserve Grand Championship and reserve in the amateur qualifier and in the process put the mare on the list of Saddlebreds with a CH designation.

Night Symphony won the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Stake with Kim Reinhardt up for Crystal McLaran. Reinhardt had previously ridden to the reserve in the qualifier.

Claire Karst teamed Barundi to a great ride in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake for the tricolor victory after earning the red ribbon in the 14-17 class. Karst's entry, Remember This, was driven to the Country Pleasure Driving Grand Championship win by Lois Vartanian. Bright One and Cheryl Sotrop claimed the reserve in the Five-Gaited Pleasure class and Erin Siegelski also earned a nice reserve in the tough Pleasure Equitation Championship with Brew's Brightness.

Saturday night's Five-Gaited Championship was quite competitive. Although it wasn't an especially large class, it pitted up-and-coming young trainer Clark Clouse against veteran trainers Don Judd and Paul Cates. After a hotly contested battle Tonight Preferred was named the winner by judge Jimmy Miller for owners Seth and Alice Kegan. Sunset's Hope and Glory took the title in the Novice Five-Gaited class for Pamela Boyers. Clouse was up for the victory pass.

Clouse also rode I'm Here To Please, owned by Jeff Ramey Homes, to the open walk-trot red ribbon and showed Cameo's Carte Blanche to the title in the Novice Three-Gaited class. He elected to bring Carte Blanche back for the Three-Gaited Championship and put together a top team effort for the win for Angie Buckles and Samantha Woods.

Who knew that after only a few trips in the bike this season with Lady In Red, Connie Clouse would elect to show the amateur winner back in the open roadster grand championship. Clouse had her sights set on defeating the multi-titled team of Ashland and Mike Barlow and she did just that. With dirt flying, Clouse sped to the winner's circle and was met by Clark Clouse for the ribbon presentation.

Cathryn Coleman and Worthy Winner have put together a long list of wins this season and they added two more to that list by sweeping the amateur Three-Gaited Championship and qualifier under the direction of Paul Cates. Coleman also took the winning ribbon in the Open Three-Gaited class with Distraction and was reserve in the Amateur Five-Gaited Stake with Cloverhill's Redd Foxx.

Erica Renstrom added two more ribbons to the tack room wall when she was named the winner of both the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Show Pleasure Championship and qualifier with New York Prince ERB.

Jamie Hitchin's entries have only been under the direction of Bill and Lisa Waller for a short time but they finished with the highest ribbons in Clover Leaf's Dixie Jubilee debut. CH K-Mon won the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited class and Hitchin was the Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Champion and 17 and under champion with Show Me The Town. Show Me The Town moved over to the Novice Three-Gaited division to earn the red ribbon with Bill Waller in the irons.

Kathryn Nichols and Late Nite's Magic Moment put together a powerful performance to earn the Roadster Pony grand Championship after finishing with the reserve in the amateur qualifier. Magic Bay took the blue ribbon in the Open Harness Pony class for Lisa Waller.

Marjorie Judd directed her big group of customers to a very successful show. Kathryn Thornton rode A New Waltz to the titles in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Stake and the 14-17 class to head the MJS win list. Sound Advice claimed the second place tie in the Junior Exhibitor five-Gaited class with Chad Berg up for Lee Berg. Diane Mary catch-rode Japonica to the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure win for Stephany Monteleone.

Marjorie Judd was up for the reserve in the junior park class with her own Lucknow's Clever Trick. Windhover's Royal Rhythm and Diana Satterlee won the Adult Country Pleasure class and returned in the adult stake to claim the reserve grand championship.

In the academy division, entries instructed by Marjorie Judd came away with several championship titles. Ashley Judd was the Academy Walk and Trot Equitation 6-8 Grand Champion in section two and Janelle Sylvester captured the reserve tricolor in section one. Kate Fenn earned a reserve title in the 9-17 Walk and Trot Equitation Championship.

Courtney Huguley brought the Heathermoor Farm Riding Academy entries from Alabama and had a winning weekend. Beth Hazelrig and Hollywood Glitter have been working hard all year to put it all together and have been knocking on the door at show after show. In their final show of the year they did everything they needed to do to capture the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Grand Championship and it's coveted tricolor and victory pass.

Hazelrig had a busy weekend and she catch-rode Platinum Lady to the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure red ribbon for Patty Rudolph and took the reserve in the 13 and Under Three-Gaited Pleasure class with Wall Street & Vine for Chip and Lynn Hazelrig. She finished behind fellow Heathermoor competitor Martha Long and She's A Poptart, winners of the 13 and under pleasure class.

Americana's Flight has proven to be a contender all season with Alexis Braswell and at Dixie Jubilee proved to be one with Braswell's mother Joy O'Neal. Flight earned the red ribbon with O'Neal in the Adult Country Pleasure class and then carried Braswell to the win in the 13 and under class and a reserve in the 13 and Under Pleasure Equitation class. Brittany Keff earned the championship title in the Academy Equitation Walk and Trot 9-17 Championship.

Garland Presswood showed his ponies for Breezeland Farm and took a trio of ribbons home to New Orleans. Heartland Prime Time won the Hackney Pony Championship, open class and amateur class for a three-for-three performance.

Taylor Smith teamed Mackenwood's Tam O' Shatner to the Country Western Pleasure Championship and qualifier wins for Dr. Fraser Mackenzie and Andrew Magee drove Mackenwood's Highland Lass to the reserve in the Country Pleasure Driving class for Mackenzie.

In Silver Run Stables first Dixie Jubilee appearance, Bill Rodgers directed A Lotta Lovin' to the Fine Harness Grand Championship win after having taken the victory pass in the open class for The Nelco Companies. Amanda Rhodes, newly teamed with top equitation horse Trink Or Treat, put together a polished performance to claim the reserve grand championship in the 10 and under walk and trot division.

Dorothy Dukes Ford has been a long-time supporter of the Dixie Jubilee and her Bayou Park entries are familiar sights each fall at the John Parker Coliseum. Ford directed Stephanie Villani and The Money Train to the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure Grand Championship after their reserve in the qualifier for owner Christine May. Barbara Grannon catch-drove The Money Train to the red ribbon in the Country Pleasure Driving qualifier.

Joe Lavery recently relocated to Chelsea, Ala., and traveled to Baton Rouge with the Lavery South entries for their debut at Dixie Jubilee. Lavery had some help from his sister Lindsay, trainer at Richlon Farm in Ohio, who traveled to Louisiana to show some of the horses. Lindsay and Joe Lavery both went to the winner's circle to close out a successful show for the group. Joe Lavery rode Copper Tone to the win in the Junior Three-Gaited Park class for Florence Grant and Lindsay Lavery was in the irons of Worthy One's Rhythm to take the title in the Ladies Three-Gaited Stake class for Carl Holden, Jr., and Carla Ritzie.

Valhalla's Irresistible won the Ladies Five-Gaited Stake class with Madge Bass, of Camelot Stables, riding for Lauren Ferlisi. CH Trapp Mountain was the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Reserve Grand Champion in Andrea Athanasuleas' final appearance in the junior exhibitor division after an incredible year for the pair.

John Shea put Scooter Scheurich in the ring with his proven pleasure pony King Creole. Scheurich drove to the reserve title in the pleasure pony driving class. Bali Hai and Jessie Pettie won the Amateur Roadster Pony class before returning in the open stake to take the reserve tricolor. Directed by Leon Roberts of Roberts Stables, David Sumalt and My Lovely Duchess teamed up to win the Open Roadster Pony class. CH Knickerbocker was the reserve grand champion in the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Championship with Patrice Watson riding for owner Tommy Benton. Maiden Missouri and Sherry Wallace took the red ribbon in the adult pleasure qualifier. Dr. Cheryl Brown-Tilghman won the Academy Adult Equitation Championship under the direction of Morris and Aiden Caffery of Wedgewood Stables.

For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Saddle Horse Report dated November 19th, 2001.

More Stories

  • Letter To The Editor

    Dear Kentucky State Fair Board,

    My name is Melissa Moore; I am an American Saddlebred, Hackney and Roadster horse trainer. I am a second generation horse trainer whose family is deeply immersed in this equine industry and has been for over 75 years.  

    Read More
  • UPHA Office Moving

    UPHA is relocating to a new address. Kindly update your records with our new location. The postal address is P.O. Box 3728, Midway, KY 40347 and the physical address is 123 East Main St, Midway, KY 40347. Read More
  • From the Desk of Edward R. “Hoppy” Bennett

    Dear Members of The American Saddlebred Community, 

    As predicted, we have received pushback from various members of the Saddlebred industry, namely the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA).  When we made our decision to replace the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with Equine Sports Council (ESC), we were aware of and discussed this pushback and moved forward with the changes, knowingly.

    Read More
  • River Ridge Is USEF Lite Rated

    Barbara Dunham, manager of the River Ridge Charity Horse Show, announced that the show has been granted USEF Lite status for its April 24-27 event at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    In response to recent developments surrounding the World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated webpage to serve as a news hub for its members. This webpage will provide timely updates and information as the situation evolves. Read More
  • Morgan Grand National Update On New Coliseum

    The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is one step closer to the beginning of a new era as progress on the new state-of-the-art coliseum in Oklahoma City continues on schedule. Read More
  • Update On Citrus Cup Regional - New Venue and Dates For 2024

    Join in for fun in the sun at Citrus Cup at its new location, the fabulous World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, on April 24-27, 2024. Fay Lowry will be judging all main ring classes. The new revised class schedule includes classes for Morgans, Saddlebreds, Hackney, Harness Pony, Open breed, carriage, ranch riding, and dressage divisions. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    Many of you received an email today from David Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, that indicates a decision has already been made by the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) to change the governance of the World's Championship Horse Show from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is extending the National and National Amateur Futurity weanling nomination deadline until May 1, 2024... Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) has given the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) notice to terminate its 1995 agreement with the KSFB to provide support to the World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS). The termination notice was hand delivered to the KSFB on Friday, March 15. Read More