Her first win here came in 2002, and Monday morning kicked off with yet another World’s Championship round of honor for CH Callaway’s Pretty Penny and Nancy Anderson. As husband Bob looked on, cheering from his seat in Section 232, Pretty Penny and Nancy gave plenty of reasons to cheer in this first section of Country Pleasure Driving. She won her qualifier here for the eighth consecutive year in that same bold, tucked up and strutting way that has become her own in redefining the Country Pleasure Driving division. Looking beautiful in black and white, Donna Beck drove Carissimo to the reserve title. They put in one of their absolute best drives together to take the hard-earned red ribbon in this very deep split. Reserve in his qualifier a year ago, John Scheidt was third today with Stonecroft Tanqueray.
By the unanimous choice of the judges, Nick Maupin was the man on Monday morning to win the 15-Year-Old Equitation horse about his fancy mount, Coco Mojo. The Knollwood-trained rider has a strength and charisma about him that is hard to top. Reserve in this age group went to Katie Moeller aboard He’s My Beau. Dressed to impress in a tan suit and trained by Max Ciampoli, Katie put in a great ride for the red ribbon. Olivia Prentiss rounded out the top three under the direction of Fairfield South.
Another longtime campaigner made a return to Louisville’s winner’s circle in the first split of Three-Gaited Show Pleasure. CH Sweet Virginia’s first Louisville blue came in 2000 with Kelley Ricker. Today, it was Barbara Woods in the irons, as she has been since 2004. A beaming Maria Gilman ran to the winner’s circle to meet the unanimous winner along with Don Judd, just as they had in this team’s qualifier win in 2005. Bold in gold, Barbara worked the ring beautifully in this full class of 19 to earn the top spot. Reserve in her qualifier last year in her last year of junior exhibitor competition, Kaitlin Whatley was reserve today in her first year of adult competition, guiding CH The Last Straw to the red. The dark bay mare by CF First Night Out is out of Mahvalous Day, the dam of CH Callaway’s Halley’s Comet and CH Mahvalous Asset. Emily Abbott continued her hot streak of catch rides, finishing third in this one with Gangster for Janet Danuser. Always in a great position and getting the most out of her mounts, Abbott had Gangster on top of his game today.
Going for it every step of the way aboard, Feng Shui, Sarah Lawson rode to win in the 17-Year-Old Equitation class, and win she did. Sarah’s instructors, Lillian Shively and Shelley Fisher ran in holding hands at the most elated gait to meet Sarah in the winner’s circle. Rachel Machamer stayed cool and calm aboard a catch ride to win the reserve honors under the Hollow Haven banner, while Eleanor Watkins rounded out the top three aboard Worthy I Am under the Zubrods’ watchful eye.
Saying "Oh My God" to herself as Peter Doubleday called her number, Peggy Councilman followed that up with a big hug for her Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Section Two winner, CH Tax Man. With Neil Visser accompanying them to the winner’s circle, Tax Man and Councilman made a breakout performance today in a significantly deep class. With World’s Champions at every turn, they worked through the talented traffic and did it in high style. The Classic Memories son was up and airy and looking through the bridle on every pass. What a way to pick up a first World’s Championship for Peggy Councilman! Putting in another top notch performance, Ashley Wilson and Imagine My Surprise, fresh off of their Lexington Championship, were reserve today. A bay son of Deep Blue, Imagine My Surprise has a bold way of moving with the veteran rider, Ashley (Richardson) Wilson. A qualifier winner just a year ago, CH Lightnin’ Lil was third in this one with Nicolle Beltz Tolliver. The Grand Master and Thea Ervin were fourth, with CH Teuschers and Travis Van Zetten fifth and CH French Silk Stockings and Debbie Tomin sixth, showcasing the incredible depth of this class.
Continuing her winning streak since 2006, Taylor Newton again won her age group, this year as a 14-year-old aboard A Sweet Sensation, under the direction of Shelley Fisher and the whole DeLovely crew. Not only did she win in high style, she won unanimously. Reserve honors went to Zubrod’s excited rider, Jordyn Broten. Fresh off her successful show at the Morgan Medallion Classic in Santa Barbara, Tayler Walters rounded out the top three under the direction of Anne Speck and with the help of the Zubrod gang.
It was a blonde and then three bays in Section Three of Three-Gaited Show Pleasure. Catalyst Commander and Maguire Hall hit the show ring strong and never let up, taking the Louisville blue back to Cross Creek with Randy Cates looking on. Looking every bit the World’s Champion, Catalyst Commander made a victory pass for the ages. This was the seventh win in seven outings this year for the flashy, flaxen team. First of the bays was the reserve winner, CH Sultan’s Zorba. With Margaret Biggs aboard, they finished as Reserve World’s Champions for the second year in a row, making a stunning pass on their way into the lineup. In third was the bay CH My Southern Charm with Brooke Jacobs, and another bay, My One Night Stand, was fourth with Lisa Schlesinger.
DeLovely had the top three sweep in the 16-Year-Old division. Topping the field was Brittany "Bee" McGinnis aboard Soli Deo GLori. Lillian Shively again ran in hand in hand with Shelley Fisher to greet Bee in the winner’s circle. Ellen Medley Wright was awarded the red ribbon aboard her catch ride, Thunder Gone Wild. Faye Wuesthofen rounded out the top three aboard Kiss Of The Zodiac.
Callaway’s Show Me State earned the top spot in the second section of Country Pleasure Driving, with Vicki Gillenwater at the lines. Always a vision in the cart, Gillenwater was perfectly coiffed in her drive down victory lane. They made one of their best shows today on the biggest stage to earn the World’s Championship. Ali DeGray drove Harlem’s Worldly Lady to reserve. DeGray shares driving duties of this Harlem Globetrotter mare with mom Helen Rosburg. Worldly Lady and Helen were reserve in the Country Pleasure Driving World’s Championship just last year. Screen Idol and Corrine Stith rounded out the top three under the direction of Milo Jones.
Andy Hewitt was giving high fives all around the High Caliber crew as daughter Drew Taylor built on her Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship at Lexington with CH Sunken Treasure with a World’s Championship win here today. This was the tenth trip to the winner’s circle in 2009 for DT and Sunken Treasure, showing under the direction of Mary and Evan Orr. Slick as they come, Sunken Treasure looks like an absolute blast to ride, every bit a show horse. Alexandra Lawson finished in reserve with A Cloudburst for 926 Park Lane LLC under the DeLovely banner. By Attache’s Thunderbolt, A Cloudburst is out of a Supreme Heir mare. Qualifier winner at Lexington with Kelsey Olson, Mojo was third in this one with Megan Bush Barrett, now recovered from her knee surgery. Peter and Kim Cowart direct this team.
Mark Turner won the Roadster to Wagon qualifier for the third year in a row, this time with a new horse for the Louisville winner’s circle, Raising The Bar. National Champion in this division last year with Raymond Shively, Raising The Bar has done just that, sliding the turns to perfection to earn the blue. Steve Crabtree and Skatmando were reserve for Sunny Jenkins.
Cagle James continued her stellar season with Little Lord Huntly, wrapping up the 13-and-Under Five-Gaited Pony World’s Championship in their first year together. It was the twelfth win of the year for this talented team, directed by Drowning Creek Farm. Lewis Eckard was there all the way to call out instruction, even throughout the victory pass. Maya Manilow and Callaway’s Exception To The Rule show primarily in Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited all throughout the Midwest, where Pony classes are few and far between. Here on the green shavings, they move to the Five-Gaited Pony ranks, where Exception To The Rule has excelled in years past. It was a solid decision, as they picked up the Reserve World’s Championships today.
The Majestic Oaks-trained Kilbro’s Grandemeanor took the top spot in the final class before the break, Four-Year-Old Road Pony. Holli McDowell was at the lines for Jack Tatum to earn top honors. A sporty bay pony with a good motor, Grandemeanor is by Dun-Haven Grandeur and out of a Mr. Amigo mare. Lofty and strutting with increasing consistency as he moves deeper into his career, Twin Willow’s McDreamy was reserve with Dr. Alan Raun driving for Deborah Jahn. By Twin Willow’s McMillan, McDreamy is always fun to watch.
After the lunch break, the afternoon session kicked off with two unanimous victories. First of these was in the Park Mare class, where CH Ya-Ya and Dena Lopez earned the blue for the third year in a row for Elizabeth Shatner and Dorothy Anderson. Also a winner last month in Lexington’s Park Championship, Ya-Ya was all power and pizzazz again today. A winner of eight classes already on the season, Pearl Buck’s Leading Lady made her Louisville debut a great one, taking the Reserve World’s Championship for David Arnold and owner Gail Dearth. The bay mare by Buck’s Co-Star put on a fantastic show for the red. Lewis Meadows and Ooh Yes I Can were third for McDaniel Saddlebreds, while Born Ideal and Rob Tanner finished in fourth for Aliyah Asch.
Lexington Grand Champions Billy Jewel and Caroline "Rosie" Rose earned the 14-17 Five-Gaited Pony World’s Championship for Clara McCool, riding under the direction of David and Kristen Cater. Winner of this class just a year ago with Allison Combs and winner of his qualifier here for the third consecutive season, Billy Jewel had all of that flash and dash on display today as he swept to the blue by a unanimous choice of the judges. Debuting to a blue at Shelbyville just a few weeks ago, The Rest Of The Story and Tyler Miles were reserve today for Silver Brook Stables. By CH Caramac and out of the two-time World’s Champion That’s My Story, The Rest Of The Story is a beautiful bay five-year-old mare.
From the Roadster to Bike Mare division, Lady Hawke returned to the Bike division after a successful few years under saddle. Returning to the bike and driving down victory lane with Les Cunningham at the helm, Lady Hawke tore up the track for the blue today for Lanny Judd. Ashland also returned to the bike, but from the Wagon division. Kathy Barlow was at the lines this time for Howard and Bobbye Six. Ashland was the winner of this class in 2007.
Yet another unanimous winner took the World’s Championship title in the first section of Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited 13 and Under. This was I’m McDreamy, with Hunter Chancellor riding under the direction of DeLovely. Winner here as a three-year-old in 2007, McDreamy was at the very top of his game today to best a field of great ones. With Hunter wearing her shiny white coat, this team presents about as perfect a picture as there can be. The 14-17 World’s Champion of Champions from a year ago, CH She’s My Desire BH was reserve today, this time with Jessie Wuesthofen in the irons. Kaitlyn Creekmore was third aboard Heired Up, while The Great Gaspar and Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes finished in fourth.
With a new rider and owner this year, Manhattan’s Irish Cream earned his fourth win of this class, and third in a row. New teammate this year Dylan Hines was aboard once again today to tearily ride to the winner’s circle, where Tammy DeVore and Derrick Westbrook were there to greet him. Reserve in this class in 2006 and 2007, Powerful Tango was back again, also with a new rider, Dominique Bowlen, wearing a light blue coat with a nice sheen to it. Another Cater Stables-trained entry, Powerful Tango and Bowlen were reserve at Lexington as well.
With the panel of judges all on the same page, the Junior Hackney Pleasure Driving winner was also the unanimous choice of the judges. Bay but with a lot of chrome, Heartland Showboat was the winner in this one with owner Kelsey Herbert doing the driving. This was the fifth blue in five outings for Showboat and the lovely Miss Herbert, including a win last month at Lexington. Chuck Herbert and Lisa Salomon Uhde made the trip to the winner’s circle to meet the World’s Champion. Romeo’s Exclamation Mark LF and Stephany Monteleone were reserve in this one. They were the UPHA Hackney Pleasure Driving Classic Reserve National Champions last year. Exclamation Mark is by Romeo LF and out of a Mark Of Excellence mare.
With a set of Starmaker ears that practically touch at the tips, CH Cagin Martini earned his first World’s Championship with Alexandra Percoco aboard. Jan Lukens directs this talented team, now in their second full year together. As her number was called, Allie’s jaw dropped as the realization of her World’s Championship dream came over her. A happy and deserving World’s Champion headed to the winner’s circle in this one. Devote and Kailin Baechle made their first show since Louisville last year, earning the Reserve World’s Championship in their qualifier for the second year in a row. It was a great day for these two grand campaigners, as Cagin Martini is 13, and Devote checks in at 17 years of age.
The Amateur Road Pony 50-52" qualifier saw a repeat winner earn the top spot. With a blue ribbon to match her silks, Mary Gaylord McClean drove Regal’s Trademark LF to their sixth victory pass of the season in six trips to the ring. They were winners of this class a year ago as well. Also with six wins under his belt on the year, the reigning World’s Champion of Champions, Calvin Hobbs, was reserve today with Kevin Ingram driving for James R. Dellinger Jr. With yet another chapter written in this rivalry, the scene is set for yet another showdown in the Championship. From the East Coast, Free Willy was up for third with Jayne Romano driving under the Fairfield South banner.
The younger age group hit the ring with their walk-trot ponies, and a very competitive group it was. A qualifier winner here every year since 2006, and winner of this 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Pony World’s Championship for now three years in a row, CH The Attache Orchid was at the top of her class yet again by a unanimous choice of the judges. With Hunter Chancellor taking a second unanimous trip to the winner’s circle on the afternoon, this time in her "Attache Orchid" hot pink coat, this team looks ready to challenge for that elusive Three-Gaited Pony World’s Champion of Champions title. Finishing as a Reserve World’s Champion for the fourth time in her career, the still feisty at 15 Simbara’s Cara Mia picked up the red ribbon with Rose Marie Wheeler up for the Fischer Sisters LLC. Looking the part of the "Golden Cross" product of Merchant Prince and Denmark’s Radiant Society, Cara Mia is of course a full sister to CH Rejoice, CH The Radiant Prince, and CH A Sweet Treat, among many others. Speaking of siblings, one of her half sisters, CH Simbara’s Audacity, finished in third with Alexis Landreth. Audacity is by Sultan’s Starmaker. And keeping to the family ties, Rose Marie’s cousin, Catherine Wheeler, was fourth with Amelia Heir Cat, under the direction of Mercer Springs.
With another great group of ponies gathered for the Amateur Road Pony 50" and Under class, Patrice Watson O’Brien was another repeat winner from last year, bringing the blue home to the Majestic Oaks banner with Mr. Lucky Man. They were Section Two winners in 2008. A great combination of speed and poise, Lucky Man was tuned and teamed to a tee today. A relatively new name on the World’s Championship radar, Heartland Showin’ Off was the Reserve World’s Champion with Jesse Pelfrey driving for Rosemarie Pelfrey. Big and bay with a white blaze, Showin’ Off was up to the challenge in this one to earn the red. By Heartland Equality, he is out of a Dun-Haven Awesome Creation mare. Jessie Pettie and Alexandra were third, while Jeoff Bodenhorst and Regal’s Star Attraction LF, Section One winners last year, were fourth.
Barbara Woods’ day kept getting better, as she capped it off by watching Maria Gilman guide Master And Commander to the Park Stallion/Gelding World’s Championship. Always one of the toughest and biggest classes of the early part of the week, the Stallion/Gelding class was once again loaded with top talent. Reserve in this class last year, Gilman and Master And Commander moved up that one important notch to take the top honors. This was their fourteenth straight win since Louisville last year. It was a great day for Barbara Woods and the Judd Stables team. Jack Boos and Jane Deske own the Reserve World’s Champion, Tom Lewis, piloted to the red ribbon by Jim Lowry. With wife Fay on the rail, Lowry put on a great show with the six-year-old bay gelding by Mossimo. He was renamed as a three-year-old by the late Jimmy Miller. Tom Lewis was the original owner and breeder of this talented horse. Receiving a nice ovation from a decent-sized Monday matinee crowd, Big Man On Campus and Walden Bullard were third for Hagan Saddlebreds. Last year’s World’s Champion of Champions, Brookhill’s Periday, was fourth for Jim and Helen Cherry, with Jim Cherry in the irons.
Monday night will feature the Junior horses in what is always an exciting night in Freedom Hall. We'll keep you posted with the most up to the second information available anywhere, right here at SaddleHorseReport.com.