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Louisville - Friday Evening



Baby of the bunch and a rookie in this division, Riverdreams’ Marc Of Reflection was the Five-Gaited Pony World’s Champion of Champions to open up the Friday night proceedings. Anna Schweitzer made the ride once again for owner and breeder Riverdreams LLC. Trained by Lionel Ferreira and Sarah MacKenna, Marc Of Reflection is by Marc Of Charm, who will be retiring here later tonight, and out of Artimis, by The Harlem Renaissance. Also the qualifier winner, Marc Of Reflection will have a long career in this division if he can just stop growing! The Rest Of The Story has been one of the stalwarts of this division since 2009, when Tyler Miles piloted him to a reserve world’s championship. He was a reserve winner tonight as well with partner of nearly three years, Olivia Schumacher. Winners of this class just a year ago and the reigning national champion, The Rest Of The Story is by CH Caramac and out of Broodmare Hall of Famer, CH That’s My Story. Ultimate Spitfire and Hannah Herbst were third in their first Louisville foray. Infamous Kiss and Ryan Visser finished fourth for the estate of Ryan’s grandfather, Jim Orr.

What a selection Heartland Demonstrator has been for the Golden Creek Farms. Unbeaten in their three seasons together, Demonstrator and Mary Gaylord McClean were the unanimous winners of the Amateur Harness Pony World’s Championship. Ladies amateur world’s champions on Tuesday, they came back strong to garner all three first place votes. Tom Lowry and Jeff McClean headed them up for this their third straight year as the winners of this prestigious event. Reserve in this class for the third straight year, CH Crystal Creek’s Commander has pushed the champion hard every single time out, regardless of who is at the lines. A wonderful lady of the show ring, Sandra Surber was back at it again tonight for the reserve tricolor. The son of Dun-Haven Center Attraction and HCH Commander’s Supreme has long been a favorite of the Majestic Oaks team. He just keeps on impressing. Sweetheart Of Success and Karen Waldron were a good third in this one for Bent Tree Farm.

CH The Daily Lottery and Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes left the crowd absolutely buzzing as the 14-17 Five-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions for the second year in a row. Mark Turner and Caitlin Cooper had the incredible chestnut son of Sultan’s Great Day and Callaway’s Lady Lottery perfectly tuned tonight for the Rainbow Princess Farms. Everyone loves watching The Daily Lottery, even when he gets a bit fractious. Tonight, he saved that for the victory pass, though you always know that Eleanor will get it sorted. She’s one heck of a jockey. You knew it was a different story tonight by the first way rack, when everyone in the stands started to lean forward to make sure they caught the entirety of his passes coming out of the corner. He did not disappoint, making a show for the ages, winning his 13th class on the green shavings. Emma Sanchez and CH He’s In Style made a great show in reserve, taking that prize to go with their qualifier win earlier in the week for Sharyn Lackey and the Cowart training team. It took a world’s grand champion to beat them this year, having won all nine of their classes on the season coming into tonight. Emma still has another year left in this division and plenty of horse underneath her to get the job done next year. By Deep Blue and out of She’s In Style (BHF), He’s In Style has been a superstar in Freedom Hall since 2011 when he won the ASR National Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Futurity. Jozee Johnson and Mark Of Perfection had an incredible week on the green shavings, finishing third in this tilt for Harold Denton Jr. Finest Hour Spent and Laura Plant finished fourth for the High Caliber team.

It was a unanimous win for the Oklahoma team of CH Reedann’s Phancy Phootwork and Kiley Bush. Headed up by Kelly Kraegel and Kurt Hufferd, the pretty bay gelding made another great performance to grace the winner’s circle for the second time this week. By Phi Slama Jama and out of CH Longview’s Ravishing Ruby, Phancy Phootwork was born when the great stallion Phi Slama Jama was in his heyday. His dam produced other Louisville winners like Reedann’s Phancy Phootwork, Rags To Rubies, and What A Phine Ruby. Kelly has long been a star in the western division at the Morgan Grand National as well. She has brought that expertise to bear on the Saddlebred ranks now with this being her first time to carry off the carnations. The matriarch of the western division, Nealia McCracken had the reserve world’s champion of champions in CH I’m Goin’ Out Tonight. Ridden to this great prize by Camryn McHugh, I’m Goin’ Out Tonight is by Desert’s Supreme Memories and out of Chansonette. He has long been a pioneer in this division when new venues open up, winning the very first time Lexington Junior League offered the division and taking this exact same prize here in Freedom Hall in 2010, the second year it was ever held. That was with Nealia’s daughter, Jessie Moctezuma. Her stepdaughter Erin McCracken was the next to take a reserve win with him in 2013, and here he was once again. Jason Molback and Erin McCracken team up to train this one now. Your Lucky Stars and Gen Hess finished in third for Pleasants Valley Stable, with Bright Britches and Megan Novak fourth for Country Meadow Farm.

If you combined super cute with super tough, you would get Molly Crim. She was the crowd favorite in the 13-and-Under Three-Gaited World’s Championship with CH High Heat, and she did not disappoint. She carried off the tricolor, headed up by trainer Tyler Devore and cousin Tanner Parham. Tyler gave her a big high five when she dismounted for the strip, barely coming up to the big chestnut gelding’s shoulder. An entry of Steven Myers, High Heat has been in the family for three years now, teamed with brother Blake Crim the last two seasons. Blake rode to the Junior Exhibitor Park World’s Championship in 2014, before Blake grew about three feet. Molly’s first season cantering has been an epic one, and she was all smiles down victory lane tonight. Sallie Mason Wheeler turned in a better performance tonight with CH Undulata’s Secret Rendezvous to be named the reserve world’s champion of champions. By Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Gotta Secret, this dark chestnut gelding takes a big step for Sallie Mason. Directed by Mercer Springs, Secret Rendezvous was the champion of this division at Devon and Lexington this year.

To say that the retirement ceremony for Marc Of Charm was epic would be selling short the word “epic.” Find the video online. There were trumpets, there were drums, there were flagbearers carrying the Monnington banner into Freedom Hall, there were about 100 kids making a reception line as he left the ring. But really all you need to know is that Ella Herrin, Don Harris’ granddaughter, has the best story to tell at school on Monday. There was a contest held for one lucky young kid to get to sit on Marc Of Charm during his retirement ceremony. What wasn’t necessarily clear was that this kid was going to RIDE the horse around the ring with Lionel Ferreira. Riding her first world’s grand champion, compared to five for grandpa Don, Ella grabbed mane and held on as Lionel put Marc Of Charm into a jog. “That’s nice,” you thought as they bounced down the rail. After that, it was, “Hang on, Ella!” She went for the ride of her life, as Lionel put Marc Of Charm into full gear. What an absolutely incredible, once in a lifetime moment they gave to this young girl. Carolyn Koch and Georgia Ferreira are to be wildly commended for their attention to detail in a fitting retirement for the reigning world’s grand champion.

Best of the amateur road ponies for the second year in a row, Hopkins had a new partner to trim in tricolor. Georgia Blevins made the drives this year for double victory passes on the green shavings. Still trained by Majestic Oaks, the dynamo is by Seventh Heaven and out of Juliet’s Fancy Dancer. Canadian bred, he was selected after his Junior Road Pony win at the 2013 Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Four Louisville wins in a row is a pretty impressive record. Also out of the green and red aisle, Palisades’ Ladyhawke was the reserve world’s champion of champions with Allie Wellington Nunley. Stepping up their game in a big way tonight, they made a star showing for All-Well Farm. Ladyhawke is by Heartland Blackhawk and out of What Luck, by Dun-Haven Ringmaster. What Luck was breeder Sandra Surber’s former road pony partner. Carolina Dreaming and Donna Whatley kept it going for Majestic Oaks in third, with Regal’s Night Shadow LF and Deborah Jahn finishing fourth in this great group.

Reagan Campbell has continued her winning ways in her first year of 14-17. She and the grand CH Real Action were the unanimous winners of the 14-17 Three-Gaited World’s Championship tonight for Darby, Amy, and Reagan Campbell. Trained by Bill and Lisa Waller, Real Action is by Desert’s Supreme Memories and out of Callaway’s Worth Waiting For. This class has a Canadian tie-in as well, as Real Action was brought out to much acclaim as a two-year-old by our Canadian friend, Tom Scott. This puts the chestnut gelding into double digit wins in Freedom Hall. Winner of five in a row in these hallowed halls, Soquili’s Curious George was the reserve world’s champion of champions. Alex Rudder made a valiant effort tonight for David Rudder and the Wingswept Farm team. By Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Callaway’s Baby Blue, Curious George was the winner of this class a year ago and the Ladies Amateur Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions in 2014. Allie Gendron and She’s Born To Sparkle were game as always, finishing third for Matt Shiflet Stables. Prince Of Prowlin’ and Ava Stachowski took fourth for Shawn Stachowski.

That aforementioned Ladies Amateur Three-Gaited World’s Championship was next on the schedule, with Barbara Goodman Manilow and I’m Still Dreamin’ running their Louisville win streak to four. The amateur world’s champion of champions last year, I’m Still Dreamin’ took the ladies amateur under two on Tuesday. Here is another one by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of a Callaway’s Blue Norther mare, Callaway’s Blue Topaz. This is the second season together for this Skyline Stables entry, and they continue to do great things wherever they go. With three wins and two reserves to her credit here in Freedom Hall, Lady Mandolin was the reserve world’s champion of champions with Tara Grom. Trained by Neil Visser for Elisabeth Goth, Lady Mandolin is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Suddenly Summer, by Merchant Prince. Just a five-year-old, she has even more great things ahead of her still. Talk Is Money and Susan Swope finished third, with Nuttin’ Innocent and Ashlee Wheaton putting on a strong show in fourth.

Jeff McClean about fell out of the cart celebrating when his number was called out as the unanimous Amateur Hackney Pony World’s Champion of Champions. The athletic Heartland Road Show was just fine with it, headed up by Tom Lowry, strutting down to the winner’s circle to claim the prize for Golden Creek Farms. Reserve winners in the Amateur Gentlemen’s Hackney Pony class on Monday, Jeff and the son of Heartland Blackhawk and Heartland Just A Princess made a great comeback drive tonight for the tricolor. Always a crowd pleaser, Heartland High Tech was the reserve world’s champion of champions with the ever-smiling Ali DeGray. She just looks like this is the best thing in the world, loving her horses and ponies. Trained by Majestic Oaks, High Tech is by Dun-Haven Bandolier and out of Heartland Sweetheart, by Sky King. He was the winner of the ladies amateur qualifier on Tuesday. CH Heartland Globe-Trotter finished third with Charlotte Wrather for Majestic Oaks, with Heartland Rough And Ready and Grace Arnold fourth for Mercer Springs Farm.

With 22 wins in 23 trips to the ring, CH Nuttin’ But Style was the Three-Gaited Pony World’s Champion of Champions for the third straight year. Unanimous in every class she has shown in with Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes on the green shavings, they collected their 18th first place vote with this unanimous world’s title. Trained by DesMar Stables, Nuttin’ But Style is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of CH Heir Style, winner of this class just 14 years ago with Cassandra Lynch. Three years after that, CH Manhattan’s Irish Cream was the winner. Some 11 years after that, he’s still waving his legs, now for Kylie Jankowicz and Legacy Saddlebreds. The reserve world’s champion of champions tonight, he is by Simply Manhattan and out of Absolut Irish. You’ve got to have a perfectly built horse with the utmost in care to do what Irish Cream has done for over a decade. He has never missed a Louisville, not one in 12 years. That’s just amazing. WS One Fine Foxy Lady finished third with Maisie Benfield riding for Richard Baltierra, while Tra La Lady and Samantha Dunn took fourth.

Theresa Vonderschmitt’s return to the Freedom Hall show ring was a great one this week with Forever A Mystery. In her first class, she scored a reserve win, but tonight it was nothing but blue. She trotted off with the flowers in the Amateur Three-Gaited Park World’s Championship. A.J. Bruwer looked pleased as could be with his horse and rider. Sired by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Callaway’s Unsolved Mystery, Forever A Mystery was the Open Three-Gaited Park Reserve World’s Champion of Champions in 2014. Theresa Vonderschmitt is also the breeder of record for the big-going gelding, making this one even more special. Winners of their split earlier this week, Dr. Nancy Chauvin and Undulata’s Just Perfect were the reserve world’s champion of champions here for DesMar Stables. Owned by Drs. Jeff and Nancy Chauvin, Just Perfect is also by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of CH Undulata’s Perfect Gift ERB (BHF). Perfect Gift’s last victory pass here was in 2004 with the always-popular Aaron Stump. Belle Reve’s Lady Madonna and Shawn Stachowski made a good show for third, with A Breath Away and Nancy Leigh Fisher finishing fourth for WoodLeigh Farm.

The boys kept to themselves tonight and just made good drives tonight in the Amateur Roadster to Bike World’s Championship. The top spots held tight from the qualifier, with Game Changer and Tom Fiedler scoring the win once again for Lowry Stables. The first Dutch Harness Horse to carry off a floral blanket in this ring, Game Changer has so much curve and beauty to him. Add to that the element of good speed, and you see how aptly named he is. Martin Schaffel and IAmNotACow fought hard all the way to the end for trainer David Chretien. Reserve for the second time this week, this team will be back to duke it out again next year for sure. The 2014 reserve world’s grand champion and 2015 amateur world’s champion of champions has a ton left in that tank. Track Star and William Shatner made a flash and dash show in third.

The Ladies Amateur Five-Gaited World’s Championship was another epic showdown between Moonlight Memories and My Wonder. Their first meeting was last year at Midwest Charity, where they traded wins between the qualifier and championship. At Louisville, they both won their qualifiers, meeting up in this tricolor round with Nancy Leigh Fisher and My Wonder getting the better of it. This year at Midwest, it was My Wonder on top of his game for both wins. This week, they set themselves up for a clash again, winning their respective qualifiers. And what a clash it was. These two titans, the mare and the gelding, gave everything they had tonight, with McGee Bosworth evening the Freedom Hall score in epic style. The entry of Pair of Jacks Stables, CH Moonlight Memories is simply magical when she is on fire like she was tonight. Trained by High Caliber Stables, she is by Desert’s Supreme Memories and out of Tanbark’s Enchanted Evening (BHF). Winning here for the sixth time, she pushed this rivalry to another level tonight. Never one to go down without a fight, Nancy Leigh Fisher gave a supercharged performance with CH My Wonder for WoodLeigh Farm and the Hollow Haven team. Their supporters were in full voice tonight as the incredible team carried off the reserve tricolor. This is just the third year for both of these teams to be together, but it feels like they’ve been on top forever. He’s Taylor Made and Linda Bowen made a high and hinged-up show for third, with Coin Flip and Stefanie Sanchez making one of their best shows yet to finish fourth.

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