Louisville - Monday Daytime
Monday, August 23, 2010
All beautiful and blonde and headed to the winner’s circle in the first split of Country Pleasure Driving, Corbin Smith made the first World’s Championship performance here on Monday morning. Also beautiful and blonde was her teammate, CH Last Cat Standing, owned by Fritz and Candace Meili and trained by Mark and Toni Utoft. Corbin made an ecstatic drive down victory lane, looking up into the seats to find Fritz and Candace cheering along the rail. It was a big win to start the first morning session here on a beautiful Kentucky morning. Reserve in this one went to CH Callaway’s Pretty Penny and Nancy Anderson for the Brown-Anderson Farms and Hollow Haven. Time after time after time a World’s Champion, Pretty Penny looked strong as always in reserve. This was just the second time in the last four seasons that this outstanding tandem left the ring with anything but the blue prize.
As is the custom on Monday morning, the Saddle Seat Equitation riders hit the ring hard to vie for their World’s Championship honors. Reserve in her age group the last two years, Jordyn Broten made a breakthrough performance to win her first World’s Championship in the 15-Year-Old Equitation class. Directed by Cindy Boel at Zubrod Stables, Broten and Worthy Am I were the Senior Reserve Champions at Lexington. Winner of those two aforementioned age group titles, Taylor Newton was the Reserve World’s Champion today under the direction of Shelley Fisher. Senior Equitation Reserve World’s Champion a year ago and Junior Equitation World’s Champion the year before that, Newton was once again at the top of her game in this early morning showdown. Mollie Kregor and Lemon Shake Up WRF finished in third, with Emily Chapman and Show Material following in fourth.
From a great field of 17, Imagine My Surprise and Ashley Wilson headed to the winner’s circle, joined by Raymond Shively and cheered on by the DeLovely team and owner Steve Chancellor. Ashley wore an appropriate outfit for the Louisville Cardinals’ former home with a red coat and black pants. Her gorgeous bay partner by Deep Blue worked in his usual high in the bridle style, marching to the tune of a blue ribbon ride. Winners at Lexington the last two years, Wilson and Imagine My Surprise were reserve in their qualifier here in 2009. Kalarama’s Twister and Cindy Hettinger Carcione had possibly the best show of their four-year career together to earn reserve under the direction of Biggins Stable. They are in their first year together in the Pleasure division. Mr. Wildcat and Scooter Scheurich were third for Cascade Stables, while Pola Negri was fourth with Stefani Hanes for Steve and Ellen Hanes.
The first unanimous decision of the day came in the 17-Year-Old Equitation class, as Brittany McGinnis and Soli Deo Glori rode to the blue. Mandy Martin headed up the round of honor for Team DeLovely today. Undefeated on the year, Brittany just continues to set the standard in this division. Since her Walk-and-Trot World’s Championship debut in 2002, Brittany has won her age group every year but two. That is an astounding track record here in Freedom Hall. Mallory Hartigan earned her best ever Louisville finish as the Reserve World’s Champion. She is another career Equitation rider, as she also started her Freedom Hall career in walk-and-trot. Always smiling, that smile got even bigger when her number was called for second. Cori O’Brien, another Pleasure Equitation rider from the Midwest, was third, with Jennica O’Reilly in fourth.
A familiar sight to Louisville spectators, CH Lightnin’ Lil and Nicolle Beltz Tolliver rode to a qualifier blue in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure division. This time in Section Two, the longtime team put on another scintillating show to earn the blue ribbon for Linda and Homer Beltz. Directed by Biggins Stable, they have put together a consistently brilliant campaign in search of their first Louisville tri-color. Harley Rally and Elisabeth Goth continued their first season together in high style, as they rode to the reserve win under the direction of Visser Stables. Champions at Asheville, this team has continued to improve throughout the season, peaking at just the right time. No stranger to Louisville’s victory lane, CH French Silk Stockings was third with Debbie Tomin. Breathe and Alexa Noble finished up in fourth.
It was a DeLovely trifecta in the 14-Year-Old Equitation class, just as it was in the 13-Year-Old class in 2009. This time around it was Hunter Chancellor that took the last pass but aboard the same horse as last year’s 13-Year-Old winner, Belle Owen. This was, of course, the great Chanti’s Prayer carrying his rider down victory lane. Reserve in her age group last year, Hunter was wearing a beautiful suit that almost perfectly matched the color of her mount. She was the Junior Equitation Reserve World’s Champion in 2009. Reserve in her age group in 2008, Abby Mutrux was again reserve today with Blackboard. Undefeated on the year coming in, Abby was the 14-17 Pleasure Equitation Champion at Junior League and Midwest. The girl with the seemingly impossible name to pronounce right (it’s mew-troh), Abby always shines in the show ring. Jessie Wuesthofen and Callaway’s Mandate completed the trifecta in third. Jessie has had a consistently strong season in her first year back in the Equitation ranks after focusing on performance horses for the last three seasons.
A total of 15 came to the ring for the third and final qualifying section of Adult Show Pleasure. It was a section of repeat finishes, as the top two from last year’s Section Three repeated their finishes here in 2010. CH Catalyst Commander and Maguire Hall were right at the top of their game for trainer Randy Cates, once again winning this division. Wearing her satiny light blue coat, Maguire put on yet another smart ride aboard her flashy flaxen partner. They finished as the Reserve World’s Champion of Champion s in 2009. If you have to pick a ring for your horse to show best in, Freedom Hall isn’t a bad choice. Margaret Biggs feels that her now three-time-in-a-row Reserve World’s Champion, CH Sultan’s Zorba, likes looking up into the seats and seeing the people up over eye level. Whatever the case, he was the reserve winner for the third year in a row, making one of his best performances of the year. A Junior Exhibitor World’s Champion last year with Rachel Machamer, Got No Shame was third here with Kelly Williamson riding for Jeff and Kelly Williamson and BRK Equestrian LLC. CH The Last Straw and Kaitlin Whatley rounded out the top four. They were reserve in their qualifier the last two years.
How’s this for a track record? Nick Maupin has shown in his Louisville age group three times and won it every time! Winner in 2007, 2009 and now 2010, Maupin and Coco Mojo were 16-Year-Old World’s Champions today, with Carol Matton making the long run down to the far end of Freedom Hall. The UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Reserve National Champion last year, Maupin continued his stellar career in blue ribbon style. Alexandra Lawson is in her first season in the Saddlebred Equitation world, finishing in reserve in this one under the DeLovely banner. They have been strong contenders all year long, opening the season with four straight wins. Kristen Smith claimed the yellow ribbon in third, with Caitlin Donohue in fourth.
Three times a Reserve World’s Champion, including the last two Reserve World’s Champion of Champions honors, Harlem’s Worldly Lady earned her first World’s Championship in Section Two of Country Pleasure Driving for James and Helen Rosburg. Ali DeGray was at the lines, just as she was for two reserve wins in 2009. Ronnie Graham and Ruth Gimpel joined for the victory pass, as Ali flashed a sparkling smile under her wide-brimmed white hat. Teamed together since 2007, Marion Bryan and CH Reedann’s Phine By Me made one of their best shows together to earn the reserve title for Hugh and Marion Bryan. Steve Joyce picked up the red ribbon after heading his entry. Callaway’s Show Me State and Vicki Gillenwater were third for Scenic View Farm in this nice group.
In the first section of Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure, Maya Manilow made a hard-riding show aboard Callaway’s Exception To The Rule to capture their first World’s Championship together. They flew down the rail in high style to earn the last pass. Donna Pettry Smith led the way to the winner’s circle as she made the run to the far end, trailed by Kenny Smith. An entry of Barbara Goodman Manilow, Exception To The Rule and Maya made possibly their best show together here today. The Lexington Champions, CH Sunken Treasure and Stephanie Brackett, were reserve in this one for Steve and Peggy Brackett. Directed by Mary and Evan Orr, this team keeps getting better and better as they grow together. Sunken Treasure was twice a World’s Champion in 2009. Nick Maupin continued a great morning with a catch ride aboard Divine Renaissance, taking third for Judah Saddlebreds. Elizabeth Ververeli and Manhattan Whirlwind were fourth for Kathleen and Elizabeth Ververeli and Team Kierson.
A field of 14 filed into Freedom Hall for Section Two, with Catherine Wheeler topping the assembled group with Desert Supreme Kid. Recently purchased by Kenny and Ceil Wheeler, Desert Supreme Kid is trained at Mercer Springs Farm. Smith and Alexandra Lilly made the run to greet the winners. By World’s Champion Five-Gaited Stallion Desert’s Supreme Memories, Kid is out of the Reserve World’s Champion gaited mare, Katy Keen. Reserve in an Adult qualifier here in 2009, Just Heavenly was reserve in this one with Drew Taylor Hewitt getting the call for the catch ride for Bullet Concrete Materials. Why settle for anything less than one of the very best when needing a junior rider? That was the mindset of the Clouse Stables team, and it paid off with a Reserve World’s Championship. Courtney Greenbank and Callaway’s Set The Bar turned in a top notch performance in third, while Taylor LaFargue was fourth with Already Famous.
Raising The Bar returned to the winner’s circle with back to back Roadster to Wagon qualifier blues here in Freedom Hall. This year it was new owner Glenn A. Werry Jr. that went for the doctor and earned the unanimous trip down victory lane. They took the blue ribbon back to the DeLovely banner. Michael Bacon and Go For Broke, Amateur Wagon Reserve World’s Champions a year ago, were reserve again, this time in the Open qualifier. This was a third "RWC" for Go For Broke and the Bacon family.
Another unanimous decision sent Our Sonflower off with a matched pair of blue ribbons. Allie Poovey did the honors for Todd and Margaret Poovey in the 13-and-Under Five-Gaited Pony class. This was the first World’s Championship win of Allie’s young career, and she was all smiles, looking right at home in the winner’s circle. Zoe Brannon and Kate Spade were reserve for Marie Brannon. Kate Spade is by CH Heir To Champagne and out of Gift From Heaven, by Harrods Burg.
In a big group of Four-Year-Old Roadster Ponies, there were fireworks to be expected. Those came early on the first way, and once everything was put back in order, it was a great class with talent to spare. Holli McDowell Hayes made the winning drive in her Majestic Oaks white and green silks with the red trim. She piloted Heartland Dressed To Impress to an impressive victory for Darrel and Sandra Kolkman. By Heartland Code Of Honor, Dressed To Impress is out of a Dun-Haven Awesome Creation mare. Tom Lowry was at the lines of Sis O Six to earn the reserve title for Golden Creek Farm. By Twentieth Century, Sis O Six is out of Dixiana, by the great Cherry’s Dream Boy. Larry Bacon finished third with A Dazzling Diva, while Heartland Resplendent and Mike Tunstall were fourth for Gene and Ann Gallmeier, sending the crowd off for the short half hour lunch break.
Zach Duffy has teamed well with Callaway’s Local News over the summer, culminating with the Park Mare World’s Championship. Always giving the crowd a good reason to come back promptly from lunch, this was the first class after the break. Keith Kurz was the very pleased owner of the winner, as Susi Day and Mike Roberts joined for the victory pass. This big, powerful mare was a Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Mare winner here in 2007. "It was a thrilling victory and a total team effort, said Kurz, "from everyone involved, Bret and Susi, Mike and Zach and Jeff." The reigning Lexington and American Royal Park Champion, Nutcracker Ballerina, was reserve for Clark Clouse and Bullet Concrete Material. Rising to celebrity status at the Royal last year, this mare continues to wave her legs and wear her bridle, pushing hard for the top spot in just her four-year-old season. In a great class of mares, another stunner finished in third, as Designed For Blue and Jim Lowry earned the yellow ribbon for Tri-Color Ventures. The Blue Ridge Champion is cut from the same mold as Local News, big and powerful with loads of show mare attitude.
Mitchell Tunstall put on a show to win the 14-17 Five-Gaited Pony blue for Barbara Von Borries. Mitchell’s dad, Mike Tunstall, joined for the round of honor as the winning trainer. It doesn’t hurt when you don’t have to look outside your own house for a top junior exhibitor jockey. This was a first World’s Championship for Mitchell, as he looked the part of a grizzled Freedom Hall veteran in victory. Caroline Walker and CH The Champagne Lady earned the reserve title for Tammy DeVore. Formerly a winner of this class, The Champagne Lady just keeps on rolling and racking up the top honors as she goes.
In a suddenly wide open Roadster to Bike division, Ashland made her season debut in blue ribbon style, winning the Roadster to Bike Mare class that she was reserve in just a year ago. She was the winner of this class in 2007 as well for Mike and Kathy Barlow. Mike Barlow was at the lines once again today, as he has been for so many of this incredible mare’s World’s Championship moments. Bo Lucas drove Joanna’s Lost to the reserve win for Rae Lee Mills. This mare is always a top performer all throughout the Virginia/Carolina area.
The Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited 13-and-Under division was split into two classes of nine and eight entries. In Section One, Peter Fenton called out Victoria Lynn and Caroline Cherry as the "California Dreamin’" World’s Champions. Sired by Jim Cherry and out of the great show mare Helen Cherry, Caroline has grown into an impressive young rider. She was the 9-10 Walk-and-Trot World’s Champion in 2007 and Victoria Lynn was the 2008 Ladies Three-Gaited World’s Champion with Helen Cherry. Now teamed together, they will be tough to beat. Cheyenne Mabey made her first ride on Callaway’s Flying Blue a great one, earning a Reserve World’s Championship for Luci Nouwens. Flying Blue was a Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited World’s Champion in 2008 with Larry Hodge up. Heired Up and Kaitlyn Creekmore were third for Thomas R. Brock Jr. Clara McCool made a nice catch ride with Bugatti’s Pinata for Holli Esposito in fourth.
Every year that CH The Attache Orchid has shown in the Three-Gaited Pony division at Louisville, she has come away with a qualifier blue. Teamed once again with Hunter Chancellor, Attache Orchid won the 14-17 division for the second time, the first with Hunter. She was aboard the last three years to win the 13-and-Under class. This unbelievable team is undefeated since after Louisville 2008. Reserve in both classes here a year ago, Powerful Tango and Dominique Bowlen were reserve again today under the direction of Cater Stables for Alex Bowlen. They were Reserve Champions at Junior League as well.
Kay Marschel and Heartland Accolade took top honors in the Junior Hackney Pleasure Driving class. Darrel Kolkman headed up the Heartland-bred, Majestic Oaks-trained winner. By Heartland Code Of Honor and out of a Dun-Haven Bandolier mare, Accolade has five previous wins on the year. Carl Nichols earned the reserve title with Crystal Creek’s Royal Prince. By Dun-Haven Celebrity and out of Twin Oak Ruffian, Royal Prince is owned and bred by Carl and Kathryn Nichols’ Crystal Creek Farm.
It was another "trainer’s kid" winning the second split of 13-and-Under Three-Gaited, as Audrey Lowry was the victor aboard Undulata’s Just Plain Nuts for Margaret Strano. Proud parents and trainers Jim and Fay Lowry joined for the victory pass with this Undulata’s Nutcracker product out of the great World’s Champion Madame Machine. Second in Section Two went to Simbara’s Belle Michelle and Lexie Flint for Grey Ridge Farm. Freshly trimmed this summer, Belle Michelle was the picture of walk-trot elegance in reserve. The Great Gaspar and Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes rounded out the top three for Rainbow Princess Farms.
One of the most exciting classes of the week so far, the Amateur Road Pony 50-52" qualifier brought 11 ponies to the show ring. After some traffic problems in the first go round, a group of three was sent back to the rail for additional work. Ali DeGray and Seize The Moment got to work right away on the second work, with Regal’s Trademark LF and Jeff McClean strutting right along with them. Sugarland and Toni Nastali rounded out the group of three called for the workout. Bigger and bigger, stronger and stronger, Sugarland kept building as he went through the workout. They weren’t settlin’ for anything less than everything, as they earned the World’s Championship honors. They needed every bit of that great effort, as Seize The Moment and Ali DeGray finished in reserve for James and Helen Rosburg. Reserve in the Open section of this division last year and winner of it the year before, Seize The Moment loves to show in Freedom Hall. Two-time defending World’s Champion in this class, Regal’s Trademark LF finished third with Jeff McClean for Golden Creek Farms.
In between the Amateur Road Pony divisions, the saddle-type ponies came to grace the green shavings in the 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Pony class. Catherine Wheeler had the day of her Louisville life here on Monday, as she took a second victory pass on the day, this one with Amelia Heir Cat, the unanimous winner. Looking like a littler version of Ceil in the saddle, Catherine made it widely known today that she doesn’t just look like her highly skilled mother, she has the riding ability to back up her pedigree. The great CH Audrey Hepburn and Stella McAuley continued their great season together by earning the Reserve World’s Championship for Helen Laughery and Cash Lovell Stables.
Mary Gise made her Louisville debut with Romeo’s Kristy Lee LF in the 50"-and-Under Amateur Road Pony qualifier and left with a one-for-one record. Directed to the blue by Hollow Haven, Kristy Lee and Mary Gise made a speedy, leg-waving show that got even better in their quick trip down victory lane. Kristy Lee added this win to her list of three World’s Championships she had already earned in her young career. Patrice Watson O’Brien, who finished fourth in the 50-52" class with Boogity Boogity, was reserve in this one with Mr. Lucky Man. A World’s Champion in this class the last two years, Lucky Man was the Amateur winner at Lexington as well. Surprize Surprize and Donna Whatley rounded out the top three, with CH Free Willy and Jayne Romano in fourth.
"So it was, so it shall be," said Peter Fenton as he sent Master And Commander and Maria Gilman back to the winner’s circle as back to back World’s Champions in the Park Stallion/Gelding division for Barbara Woods. They finished up the 2009 show as the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. Always a tightly contested division, Master And Commander is consistently at or near the top of it. Always a crowd pleaser with his incredibly hingy headset and marching movement, Big Man On Campus moved up a slot from last year to take the Reserve World’s Championship with Walden Bullard up for Hagan Saddlebreds. Bret Day and Brookhill’s Reveille were third for Touch The Moon LLC, an entry trained by Blue Willow Farm and formerly shown by Bret’s good friend, the late Joe Elam.
It’s Stud Stake night here in Louisville, we’ll be the first ones to bring you all the details, just as always.
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