Louisville - Monday Daytime
Monday, August 19, 2013
As if it was preordained, Monday morning opened with a big ray of sunshine for Happy Valley Farms, having endured so much over this summer. Both of the top two prizes in the first section of Country Pleasure Driving went to products of Happy Valley. Fascinating Conversation went to the winner’s circle as the blue ribbon winner, taking the top prize back to Texas with Cynthia Vance. Steve and May Chadick directed the round of honor for the big, dark chestnut by Harlem’s Friendly Conversation. Moe Anson got a thrill as a Reserve World’s Champion at the lines of Photo Prince. By Merchant Prince and out of CH Take My Picture, Photo Prince is trained by Chad Cole and Signature Stables. Co-owned with Gail Kline, Photo Prince was the Country Pleasure Driving Champion at Shelbyville earlier this month. Tornaado’s Storm Warnings finished third with Janet Kellett, followed by Bungalow Bill and Molly Steinkamp in fourth.
Courtney McGinnis carried off another World’s Championship in her illustrious career, riding CH EQ Kiss Of The Zodiac to the top prize in 15-Year-Old Equitation. Lillian Shively and Sarah Lawson were on hand to celebrate in the winner’s circle. Courtney continued her string of age group wins here with a fourth straight victory. Aleia Brown and Madeira’s Fame are fresh off their Lexington Senior Equitation Championship. They finished as Reserve World’s Champions here under the Cape Cod banner. This was the same order of finish a year ago when these two faced off as 14-year-olds. Caroline Cherry was up for third, followed by Ellie Kangur in fourth.
It was another multiple-year winner in the Amateur Gentlemen’s Harness Pony division. This was a third straight win for Twin Willow’s Handsome Dan and Jeff McClean. Directed by Tom Lowry for the Golden Creek Farms, Handsome Dan looked gentlemanly as could be, dressed all in black with white accents. Handsome Dan is also the signature breeding stallion of Golden Creek, producing winners already in just a limited amount of production. Dr. Chip Pugh made a good drive for the Reserve World’s Championship at the lines of Michigan’s Striking Image. Top three last night in the Kentucky County Fair Championship, they stepped it up today to claim this title under the Majestic Oaks banner. Majestic Oaks rounded out the top three as well with Tom Fiedler and Twin Willow’s Triumphant.
The riders in the first section of Adult Show Pleasure put the “Show” in Show Pleasure, competing hard and acting as if the rail carried some contagious disease in their efforts to stay off it. Who better to win a class of riders putting on a show than David Rudder? Phind The Treasure was his mount today for Joan Hamilton and Kalarama Farm. A Reserve World’s Champion the last two years in the Park division, Phind The Treasure is a bay mare by Phi Slama Jama and out of Dianna’s Treasure. Ali DeGray had a serious “happy face” as the Reserve World’s Champion aboard Starlight Voyager. Reserve Champions at Asheville earlier this year, this team is trained by Ruth Gimpel Stables for Helen Rosburg. Captain Sparrow JJS made a good show for third with Caroline Skinner. Bella Diva and Jessica Lindstrom earned fourth for Virginia and Kris Naros.
After a group of 10 showed in the opening equitation event of the week, a cool baker’s dozen joined for the second go-round, this one for the 17-year-olds. “The graduating class of the equitation ranks,” as the announcer put it, laid it all on the line for their final Louisville try. It was a unanimous call for Jessica Wuesthofen and CH EQ Chanti’s Prayer. Lillian Shively made the long run to the far end again to greet the winner, another younger sister of a DeLovely Triple Crown winner. Jessie has been tough to beat this year, taking a victory pass at every horse show she has been to. She was the 16-17 qualifier winner and Senior Equitation Reserve Champion at Lexington. Caroline Moeller looked thrilled to be called out as the Reserve World’s Champion. Also a winner everywhere she has been this year, this was one of Caroline’s best Louisville rides. She has a long history in Freedom Hall, having won her split of walk-and-trot back in 2006. Jerrah Biggerstaff was a good third, followed by Maya Manilow in fourth.
With a big hug for her horse, Carol Hillenbrand had the winning number in the second section of Adult Show Pleasure. She rode Mighty Thor to the victory under the Biggins Stable banner. Champions at Shelbyville the past two years, they earned a World’s Championship round of honor today, their first together. Carol beamed all the way down victory lane. The DeLovely Machine rolled on, as the Jumbotron captured a neat moment, with Jessie Wuesthofen and Chanti’s Prayer coming up the chute with their blue ribbons in tow, while CH Perfect Vengeance and Tara Grom crossed their path to blast down to the in gate with Mark Turner in charge. Tara did her usual masterful job of working the ring and putting her horse in its best place to perform, earning the reserve title. Ali Judah makes you think, “How does she do that every time?!” when you see her all alone for an entire rail in a huge class. She did that today for third aboard Nuttin’ But The Best for Elisabeth Goth. Nina Campbell and Susan Estes finished up fourth for the Hollow Haven banner.
It was a serious pony race in the Four-Year-Old Road Pony division, with 11 entries showing for the World’s Championship. The reigning Three-Year-Old Road Pony World’s Champion and UPHA Road Pony Classic National Champion held serve today with a good drive by Maureen Campbell. This is Born On The Bayou, by Sugarland and out of Mardi Gras. The Majestic Oaks team has another good one here for Denise Steinhauer. Jeff McClean pushed them hard in reserve with Regal’s Night Shadow LF. A winner at Midwest, Lexington, and Shelbyville, Night Shadow is by Dun-Haven Regal Attraction and out of Romeo’s Sweet Sugar LF. Prim Rose and Junior Schut finished third, followed by Jon Walker and Crystal Creek’s Charming Lady for Debra Clark.
Why not add one more World’s Championship to an incredible tally? It was a Five-Gaited Pony World’s Championship going on the resume of the great CH Sprinkles. Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes rode her to the blue for Rainbow Princess Farms and DeLovely. This was their sixth Louisville victory pass together and the mare’s 100th “CH” point! Another longtime champion was up for the Reserve World’s Championship, as CH Sunken Treasure earned that prize with McGee Bosworth riding for Pair Of Jacks Stables. Riding under the High Caliber banner, McGee took the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure World’s Championship here last year and a qualifier blue the year before that. Little Lord Huntly and Charles Gassen were a popular third for Brenda Kelly, with Alex Rudder cheering them on. CH Billy Jewel and Anne Pateman were fourth.
With a shoe and two riders off, the third section of the Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure qualification was certainly eventful. Amanda Murchison was the unanimous winner here with Stocco. As the announcer went through the list of sponsors and donors for the class, Amanda sat aboard her big chestnut gelding holding the buckle of her reins, the very definition of “chillin’.” It was one of those Louisville moments where the cheering section reacts before the rider. The Cater fans blew up, and Amanda rode to meet David Cater in the winner’s circle. Husband Jerry Murchison accepted high fives on the way up the ramp. There are few who are bigger fans or supporters of their spouse than Jerry. Carolyn Moore Miller and Designer Quality made one of their best shows to earn the Reserve World’s Championship. Designer Quality is by Designed and out of Glenview’s Successful. Wintersby and Ali DeGray finished in third for Helen Rosburg, followed by CH iTunes and Jackie Ware for Katherine and John Singleton.
The 16-Year-Old Saddle Seat Equitation World’s Championship went back to Fairfield South with a unanimous victory for Kaelin Baechle. Teamed up with Harley Rally, Kaelin was joined by Gary Garone for the round of honor. She was the Reserve World’s Champion a year ago in her age group and the World’s Champion in 2010 as a 13-year-old. Juliette Dell claimed her best Louisville prize to date as the Reserve World’s Champion. Top three a year ago, she is directed by DeLovely. With another full class of equitators, Cassie Bell took a strong third for Judd Stables. Gavin Gagnon took fourth, also from Fairfield South.
Last year’s Amateur Roadster to Wagon World’s Champion was the Open World’s Champion today with Raymond Shively driving for Judy McNeish. Last Call and Shively are undefeated on the year, with wins at Harrodsburg, Lexington, Midwest, Asheville, and ARHPA. Ronnie Graham found himself a good spot to show, finishing reserve with Roar Of Thunder for Helen Rosburg. They were winners at Gasparilla and Asheville earlier this year.
It was a significantly deep group that hit the ring for the second section of Country Pleasure Driving. With a kiss for the winner, Hoppy Bennett made his way to the far end to greet CH Callaway’s Halley’s Comet and Christine Broder. This team is now nine for nine in the Country Pleasure Driving division, taking double victory passes at Kentucky Spring Premier, May Classic, and Rock Creek already this year. Dr. Steve Gilman was the Reserve World’s Champion here with a great drive at the lines of CH Carissimo. Owned by Maria Gilman and headed up by Don Judd, Carissimo earned his best Louisville finish with this title. He and Dr. Gilman have been teamed up for three seasons now. Third in this loaded class went to a World’s Champion from a year ago, CH Callaway’s Cumulus, with Susan Aschenbrenner. Double Or Nuttin’ and Priscilla Marconi earned the fourth prize in this loaded split.
The Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure qualifier was split, with ten showing in the first division. Flat racking a hole in the ground, Top Recruit cruised to top honors with Kitty Dorwart aboard for Erica Dorwart. They are directed by Randy Cates at Cross Creek Stables. They were champions of this division at Lexington last month. Of note here is that this one was bred and recorded by show manager Scarlett Mattson! Brianna Meyer had one of her best rides yet aboard Faithfull One, earning a Reserve World’s Championship for Brown-Anderson Farms. The Hollow Haven crew cheered loud and proud for their team. Just a four-year-old, Faithfull One was the Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Mare Reserve World’s Champion last year. Just Heavenly and Maya Manilow were up for third, followed by Fort Chiswell’s The It Girl and Caroline Rainbolt Forbes and Kiss Goodnight with Juliette Dell. The big cheer came for the littlest of the competitors, Blake Crim, who showed the girls what was what to take sixth with Kalarama’s Lady Bancroft.
It was a unanimous decision once again for Jessica Wuesthofen, her second of the day, this time with The Cat Walk in the second split of Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure. Also a winner in their qualifier a year ago, Cat Walk and Jessie are directed by DeLovely for Glenn A. Werry Jr. Cat Walk was famously the winner of one of the first ever All American Weanling Cups, making Jim Aikman proud, as an in hand baby goes on to acclaim as a performance horse. CH What’s The Whoopla and Camille Cowart have been first or second in every class they have shown in this year, and today was no exception. They took the Reserve World’s Championship back to West Wind for Caitlin Leith. Champions at J.D. Massey, Asheville, and Midwest, they were once again in top style. Radio Flyer and Kaitlin Hughes were an excited third, with CH Desert Supreme Kid and Madison Morgan fourth.
Proud sire earlier in the day and proud winner now, Sugarland was the Amateur Road Pony 50-52” World’s Champion with Elisabeth Goth driving under the Majestic Oaks banner. Winner of this class in 2011 as well, Sugarland was named Best In Show at Midwest Charity this year, the first Hackney Pony to earn that honor. Winner of this one a year ago and the reigning World’s Champion of Champions, Regal’s Lightning Strike LF was the Reserve World’s Champion with Mary Gaylord McClean driving for Golden Creek Farms. They were champions of a big class at Lexington last month. CH Calvin Hobbs and Alice Unger were a speedy third for Nancy Leigh Fisher and Hollow Haven. Sis O’ Six and Louise Bennett finished two behind sister Mary in fourth from Cross Creek Stables.
First up after the lunch break was 14-Year-Old Equitation. The second DeLovely rider of the day to take a performance and an equitation victory pass, Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes was the pick here aboard CH EQ Lemon Shake-Up WRF. Champion of her age group a year ago as well, Eleanor went on to be named Junior Equitation Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. World’s Champion of her age group in 2011, Sydney Budzinski returned to Louisville’s Equitation division with Royal Tryst to claim the Reserve World’s Championship for Knollwood. Clara McCool was a good third from Cater Stables, while Audrey Crites picked up the white ribbon in fourth.
The Open Three-Gaited Park Mare blue was the property of CH Callaway’s Local News and Smith Lilly. An entry of Grassy Run Farm, this is Local News’ second time to win this title and her third World’s Championship win overall. She is by Callaway’s The Gipper and out of a Will Shriver mare. Wildly athletic, she was shown way up high in the bridle by Smith once again today. With two wins in her four classes on record, Stonecroft Priceless was the Reserve World’s Champion here with Tre Lee riding for Pinekrest Farm. By Belle Reve’s Renaissance mare, she is out of a Shamrock Santana mare. Chicagoland was represented well next with Ray Krussell and Samantha Jones third, followed by Ro & Me’s Satori and Mayo Moctezuma.
Jeff McClean completed a sweep of the Amateur Gentlemen’s classes this morning, winning the Amateur Gentlemen’s Hackney Pony class with Heartland Whirlwind for Golden Creek Farms. No stranger to the winner’s circle here, Whirlwind was the Junior Hackney Pony World’s Champion of Champions last season. She is by Heartland Equality and out of Heartland Karen. She was the Three-Year-Old Hackney Pony World’s Champion in 2011. Seamair Simply Awesome and John Wrather were Reserve World’s Champions for Charlotte Wrather and trainer Janet Crampton. They were winners of this class the last five years.
Belle Starr won the Roadster to Bike Mare Stake for the third straight year, with three different drivers. This time, it was Janelle D’Amato Jones driving for Kathleen Melious. The Jansal team raced to the far end to greet their World’s Champion. Possibly named after her driver, Hot Lips was the Reserve World’s Champion with Jimmy Robertson driving for Karen Raque. They were top three in the County Fair Championship just last night.
The Rhumba turned heads as he danced his way to the winner’s circle with Nicole Bester in the 13-and-Under Three-Gaited class. They were joined by a family of Singing Hills trainers, Gene and Annalize van der Walt and Nicola Burger. Nicola has been showing the horse all season, with Nicole Bester taking over for her first show on the green shavings. It was certainly a successful one, as it came with all the trappings of a World’s Championship. Sarah Muraki and Ro & Me’s Lady Godiva have been stars all year long for Sarah and Elizabeth Muraki and Clean Sweep Farm. They added a Reserve World’s Championship to their wins at every show they have been to this season. Lady Godiva is by Trust Fund and out of Buffy Bronze. CH Heathermoor’s Prince and Emma Sanchez earned the third prize for Sharyn Lackey, with Size Me Up and Maisie Benfield fourth for Michael and Maisie Benfield.
Chuck Herbert got the assist for his Majestic Oaks friends, heading up Heartland Smooth Operator in the lineup for driver Donna Whatley. The Majestic Oaks team had a full boat of entries in this 50”-and-Under Amateur Road Pony class. Donna and Smooth Operator were the Reserve Champions in the County Fair Championship just last night. Reserve Champions at Lexington, Romeo’s Kristy Lee LF and Ali DeGray continued their top ribbon string with a Reserve World’s Championship for Helen Rosburg. This was the second Reserve World’s Championship of the day for Ali and her third top three performance! Candi Aversenti finished up third in this good class with Regal’s Promoter LF for Ed and Candi Aversenti. Silver Oak’s Sirfistication and Patrice Watson O’Brien earned fourth under the Majestic Oaks banner.
No better way to make a pony debut than as the Three-Gaited Pony World’s Champion. That was what A Silver Charm did today with Camille Cowart, taking the World’s Championship blue back to West Wind for Little Cahaba Properties. It’s been a long Freedom Hall career for Silver Charm. He debuted here to a Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding World’s Championship with Dena Lopez in 2004. A year later he was the Junior Three-Gaited 15.2-and-Under Reserve World’s Champion with Tre Lee. A year later? Open 15.2-and-Under World’s Champion. It’s been three more Reserve World’s Championship performances since then, and he is now a World’s Champion once again in this new division. One of the most decorated walk-trot ponies of all time, CH Manhattan’s Irish Cream was the Reserve World’s Champion with Alexis Landreth riding for Equestrian Investments of Tennessee and trainer Tammy DeVore. This one has been a walk-trot pony nearly all of his career, debuting on the green shavings in 2005 with two World’s Championship wins in the division. With 10 victory passes to his credit, this was his first ever reserve title. Lady’s Main Man was a good third for Marek Poe, followed by The Crowd Favorite and Maisie Benfield in fourth, her second set of white streamers in the past three classes.
The always well-filled Open Three-Gaited Park Stallion/Gelding qualifier was split, with a dozen showing for the Section One blue. That World’s Championship would go to CH Doctor Zhivago and Dena Lopez. The entry of Maguire Hall LLC was way high up in the bridle and marching light and airy down the rail. The 2011 Amateur World’s Champion of Champions and 2010 Open World’s Champion of Champions was the first division winner today. Caraway’s New York Minute narrowly missed giving Smith Lilly a sweep of the Park divisions, having won the Mare Stake earlier today. All hinged up as few can do, New York Minute put on a good show in reserve for Ceil and Kenny Wheeler. A World’s Champion in harness the past two years, New York Minute has enjoyed his time under saddle this season with great success. Tami Reiser grabbed a good prize in third aboard Fortunate Encounter for Jessica Wallace. Jan Lukens and The Toy Soldier were a big and bold fourth for Jayne Romano.
Nuttin’ Doing claimed the world title in the second split, as Lisa Strickland rode to that prize for Ellyn Dorsey. Jacques Marais and good pal Glenn T. Werry joined for the victory pass. Amateur Champion at the Royal a year ago with Ellyn up, Nuttin’ Doing teamed up with Lisa for the first time in over a year to take a Louisville blue, the second of his career. Tyler DeVore made one of his biggest shows as an adult to claim the Reserve World’s Championship aboard Cherished King for Susan Hanna. A Pleasure Driving Reserve World’s Champion here last year, Cherished King is by CH The King Of Highpoint and out of Cherished Jewel. They were open qualifier winners at Blue Ridge last month. Designed By You took Bob Brison to third for Linda Stone, followed by Fort Chiswell’s Prince Charming and Clark Clouse for Miriam Hirshon.
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