Louisville - Monday Matinee
Monday, August 20, 2012
It’s 9 a.m. on a Monday, and that can mean but one thing: Time for 25 new World’s Champions to be crowned of course! As is often the case, one section of the Country Pleasure Driving qualifier ended up chock full of former World’s Champions and top contenders. That was the fate of Section I this year, with a group of the division’s royalty coming down the chute. The Callaway Hills-bred banner has been passed in this division to a new headliner, CH Callaway’s Cumulus. Susan Aschenbrenner drove to a qualifier blue here for the second year in a row for John and Susan Aschenbrenner. Trainer Amanda Simpson gave John a double thumbs up as she prepared to head the final pass of Susan’s loop and a half victory pass. This team has not been beaten since the championship round here last year, encompassing now 18 straight wins. The 2009 Ladies Three-Gaited National Champion has found a new home in the Country Pleasure Driving division. Conway returned to the green shavings to claim the reserve honors. He has been in training at Lance Hayes Stables this season, driven by Mike Bletsoe for McDonald LLC. Last year’s World’s Champion of Champions, CH It’s Good Karma, was third here for Elisabeth Goth, while CH Carissimo and Dr. Steve Gilman finished fourth for Maria Gilman.
Lexie Friedrich smashed onto the National scene with a World’s Championship win in the 15-Year-Old Saddle Seat Equitation class. Carol Matton greeted her in the winner’s circle, with Scott Matton coming in to head up her last pass down Louisville’s victory lane. Few know better than the Knollwood team how to come to Louisville to beat the high tail riders with pleasure equitators. They have been making sport of it for many years. World’s Champion as both a 12 and 13-year-old, Kailin Baechle was the Reserve World’s Champion this time out. The UPHA 14 Spring Premiere Champion rides for Fairfield South. Juliette Dell was third today in her Louisville debut, with Brett Lee Self in fourth.
Regal’s Lightning Strike LF did not disappoint in his first Freedom Hall appearance since being crowned Road Pony World’s Grand Champion a year ago. Mary Gaylord McClean drove him to the Amateur Road Pony 50-52” qualifier win this morning, with Jeff McClean heading up the Golden Creek entry. Undefeated on the season, they were Amateur Champions at Midwest. Janel Scott saved her best drive yet for the green shavings, taking the Reserve World’s Championship with Heartland Showin’ Off. By Heartland Equality and out of Heartland Summer Song, a half sister to the great Heartland Rain Song, Showin’ Off is trained by Mike Hylton. Misdee Wrigley Miller and Heartland Dressed To Impress made their Louisville debut together to earn third for Hillcroft Farm and Kalarama. Late Nite’s Basic Impact and the strapping Max Kaplan were fourth for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Inc. and Mike Roberts Stable.
The first split of Adult Show Pleasure went to a familiar face, CH French Silk Stockings. The 2007 Adult Show Pleasure World’s Champion of Champions with Debbie Tomin, she had never won an Adult qualifier blue before this morning. The daughter of Supreme Heir and Belle France SM put all of that storied presence on display here with an ears-up, bright and happy show under the direction of Bill Tomin. No stranger to Freedom Hall, she debuted here in 1998 with Carter Cox as the Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited Reserve World’s Champion. CH iTunes earned his best Louisville finish to date, taking second with Jackie Ware riding for John and Katherine Singleton. Trained by Harrison Shiflet Stables, iTunes is a happy go lucky sort of horse, seeming to enjoy every step of the way. Amanda Murchison was delighted in third with Lexington Champion Stocco. Cater Stables trains them. Caroline Skinner and Captain Sparrow JJS finished in fourth for James and Judy Skinner.
Taylor Newton’s ninth and final Louisville as a junior exhibitor started out well, as she was crowned 17-Year-Old Equitation World’s Champion. The 2005 10-Year-Old Walk-and-Trot Equitation World’s Champion has never finished lower than second in her age group since then, winning it now six times and finishing reserve twice. She teamed once again with CH-EQ A Sweet Sensation for trainer Shelley Fisher. Reserve National Champion last year in both the UPHA Senior Pleasure Challenge Cup and Morgan Challenge Cup National Finals, Tayler Walters earned her best Louisville finish in reserve aboard CH-EQ Coco Mojo. Trained by DeLovely, Tayler is based out of San Diego, California, having just finished showing at last week’s Morgan Medallion Regional. Morgan Brison was a popular entry in third, with Allison Schuh fourth for Knollwood.
It was time to celebrate here on Monday morning for the Sugar Knoll gang, as they had two horses showing this morning that happened to fall back-to-back in the schedule. It worked out just fine, as both of them took victory passes! It was Piper Bordegon taking this second round of honor. She showed CH Undulata’s Fashion Plate to the Adult Show Pleasure Section II blue for Maribelle Granger. Undefeated together at Lexington in their two years together, this was their first Louisville win, having finished reserve in their qualifier last season. Another bright chestnut, My Kind Of Lover was reserve in this one with Sarah Lawson riding for James Williams and the DeLovely banner. By Molligny Don’t Worry Be Happy, My Kind Of Lover is out of Reedann’s Vivacious. They won their split of the Adult Show Pleasure Championship at Midwest this year. Ali DeGray and Starlight Voyager had one of their best goes to take third for Helen and James Rosburg, while Reedann’s Whodunnit was fourth with Ali Judah up for Terri Dolan.
Sheila Clouse made the winning drive in the Four-Year-Old Road Pony class, taking the top prize with Mastercraft’s Forecaster LF for Scott Seils. Scott headed up the Mastercraft x Regal’s Mayblossom LF cross for the round of honor. Sheila also drove Forecaster to two wins at the Illinois State Fair. Three-Year-Old Road Pony World’s Champion a year ago, Regal’s Monarch LF and Tom Lowry were reserve today for Golden Creek Farms. Monarch is by Dun-Haven Regal Attraction and out of a High Power mare. Cocked N Ready was third with Juan Rios at the lines for Dr. Chip Pugh.
Courtney McGinnis added yet another title to her resume with CH-EQ Kiss Of The Zodiac, that of 14-Year-Old Equitation World’s Champion. In just her first year in the Senior division, Courtney has continued to make waves, earning the Senior Equitation Reserve Championship at Lexington. A year ago, Courtney took the 13-Year-Old blue and the Junior Equitation World’s Championship. Aleia Brown took the reserve honors back to Cape Cod in this one. This was Aleia’s best prize at Louisville since she was the 9-10 Walk-and-Trot Equitation World’s Champion of Champions in 2008. Alice Rowland finished in third, directed by Missy Hughes Smith, while Caroline Cherry took the white ribbon for fourth.
Susan Creekmore and Three Point Shooter made their Louisville debut, sinking one from downtown to win the third split of Adult Show Pleasure. All three sections of this class required second second-way trots to sort out. Susan and Three Point Shooter to solidify their hold on the top spot, taking the blue ribbon back to Hollow Haven Farm. “Now you’re goin!” called Lynda Freseth, as Three Point Shooter made another great second way pass. The son of Undulata’s Nutcracker and CH Kalarama’s New Sensation is owned by Thomas R. Brock Jr. Also just a five-year-old, Birthday Kiss was the reserve winner with Carla Ritzie up for Carl Holden. They saved their best ride for the green shavings, getting a nice salute from the crowd. Birthday Kiss is by Callaway’s Northern Kiss and out of Runaround Town, by CH The Talk Of The Town. Get Crackin’ and Brian Ferguson finished up in third, with Golden Market and Elizabeth Ghareeb in fourth from Grey Ridge.
It was back-to-back years for Twin Willow’s Handsome Dan and Jeff McClean to win the Amateur Gentlemen’s Harness Pony blue. They took a second straight round of honor for Golden Creek Farms. They went on to be crowned Amateur World’s Champion of Champions a year ago. Seamair Sensation and John Wrather were reserve for Charlotte Wrather and trainer Janet Crampton, a repeat of their finish last year as well as in 2009. They earned the top spot in this division in 2010.
Hunter Chancellor has put a stranglehold on the Equitation division this season, having yet to be beaten in 2012. The reigning Senior World’s Champion of Champions and UPHA Senior Challenge Cup National Champion put all of that horsemanship and showmanship on display to win the 16-Year-Old Equitation World’s Championship this morning, her third straight age group win at Louisville. She showed CH Imagine My Surprise today under the DeLovely banner. The DeLovely banner got much heavier in this class, as they took the top four prizes. Abby Mutrux was the Reserve World’s Champion for the third year in a row, this time showing Lemon Shake Up WRF. A year ago, Abby was the NHS Good Hands National Champion. Caroline Moeller was third, while Jessica Wuesthofen finished fourth.
Chip Pugh was at the lines to win the second section of Country Pleasure Driving. He replaced his hat with the red, black and white of this year’s “Kentucky State Fair Winner” hats for the round of honor. This is the first year in this division for Hammered Last Night TS. Trained by Gerhardt Roos, Hammered Last Night is by It’s Hammertime and out of CF Night Out On The Town. The rangy bay put on a good show for the World’s Championship title. Reserve for the fifth straight class, Roberta Belle and Kathy Capsuto-Walker made a good show this morning, headed up by Geof Dixon. Their reserves have been quite impressive, as they came at Midwest Charity, Lexington, and now Louisville. The Camera Man and William Grey were third for John Willis Stables, followed by HV Act Again and Sharla Deuschle.
One of the “richest” horses on the grounds, The Cat Walk was the winner of Section One of Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Show Pleasure. Jessica Wuesthofen put on a phenomenal ride for Glenn A. Werry Jr. and the DeLovely crew, winning in high style. The Cat Walk has long been a star, winning the All American Weanling Cup in 2007 and a paycheck of $55,292.16! She would go on to win the ASR Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited Sweepstakes, finish top three in the All American Three-Year-Old Cup (another $21,842.08), and then take the ASR Four-Year-Old Five-Gaited Sweepstakes with John Biggins famous catch ride. All totaled, she checks in at around $86,000 in total prize money won! The Werrys have bought three horses from Bill and Nancy Becker’s Shadow Run over the years, and all three have gone on to Louisville victories. Credit for this mare’s slick rack goes to John Johnson of Glenmore Farm, who gaited her for the Werrys. Maya Manilow and Just Heavenly continued their great first season together, as the black mare took reserve honors here for Barbara Goodman Manilow. Trained by Skyline Stables, Just Heavenly has been in the top prizes all season long, with wins or reserves at every show she has been to. One More Kiss and Cheyenne Mabey finished third here for High Hickory Farm and Carriage Lane, while Lotta Bucks and Angela Mangine were fourth.
Maddie Morgan made a Facebook post the night before her class saying she couldn’t wait to show on her birthday. Her presents were wrapped in blue ribbon, as she was the winner of Section Two of the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure class. World’s Champion of Champions a year ago with Maddie’s good friend, Catherine Wheeler, CH Desert Supreme Kid was a World’s Champion once again here for Mercer Springs Farm. Reserve Champions at Lexington and Champions at Blue Ridge, “Dewey” has been a star of this division for the past three seasons. With an unexpected split of this class, there were no ribbons available for second through eighth place! Announcer Peter Doubleday had to explain to the riders and the crowd why they would be leaving the ring with no prize, which some riders understood better than others. Winner of her split a year ago, McGee Bosworth was reserve here with CH Sunken Treasure. Showing under the High Caliber banner for Allen and McGee Bosworth, Sunken Treasure is a veteran of many a Louisville battle. This is just McGee’s second year with the game little chestnut gelding. Harlem’s Class Act and Jake Butts earned third for Sharon Anderson and Matt Shiflet Stables. Jake spent a second looking for the ribbon presenter before being reminded of the lack of streamers to be distributed. Soquili’s Southern Comfort picked up the white streamers in fourth with Morgan Brison.
Scatman Du and Steve Crabtree earned the Open Roadster to Wagon blue for the second year in a row, screaming down victory lane in their first class of the season. A year ago, they finished up as the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. Shelby Young and Matt T Tup were reserve for David Crockett.
First up after the break was the 13-and-Under Five-Gaited Pony class, with the young men coming up big to take the top two spots. All the young ladies of the “tween” set went wild for Charles Gassen and William Nalty’s big wins, as Charles was the World’s Champion aboard Little Lord Huntly and William was reserve with Moon Charmer. Charles Gassen rose to fame in 2009 as the 13-and-Under Road Pony World’s Champion of Champions with CH Cappuccino. Still in the 13-and-Under ranks, Charles was directed to this blue ribbon by his dad, Steve Gassen. This is her first year showing in under saddle competition! William Nalty and Moon Charmer made one of their best shows to claim the red ribbon as Reserve World’s Champions. Moon Charmer is owned by James and Holly Nichols. Tyler Miles at one time showed this talented pony to two World’s Championships and two Reserve World’s Championships.
It was a unanimous win for Todd Miles in the Three-Gaited Park Mare Stake. He guided Brookhill’s Passion Punch to the top prize for Calico Farms. A Reserve World’s Champion in junior exhibitor competition a year ago with Callie Smith, Passion Punch is by Attache’s Royal Assets and out of The Lady Pizazz BH, by CH Harlem Town. Lionel Ferreira and Heir To A Kiss made their debut together to pick up the reserve prize. Recently purchased from the Mercer Springs string, Heir To A Kiss was the Park Champion at Blue Ridge with Smith Lilly. Chad Cole made a high in the bridle show with Tart’s High Heels to finish third for Robin Rogers, while Robert Gardiner came fourth with Callaway’s Blaire for High Spirits Farm.
Mollie Kregor was the unanimous winner of the 14-17 Five-Gaited Pony class with The Rest Of The Story for Ann Marie Brickzen. By CH Caramac and out of That’s My Story, Rest Of The Story was greeted in the winner’s circle by Rob Byers and Heather Digiannantonio. They were also winners at Shelbyville this month. Last year’s Reserve World’s Champion of Champions and the World’s Champion of Champions the year before that, I See Daylight was reserve today, once again showing with Mitchell Tunstall for Barbara Von Borries. They were Champions at Blue Ridge last month.
Seamair Simply Awesome and John Wrather made it five years in a row as the winners of the Amateur Gentlemen’s Hackney Pony class. Also four times the Amateur World’s Champion of Champions, this team is trained by Janet Crampton. They have never finished lower than second in their six-year career together. Reserve honors went back to Majestic Oaks with Heartland Dixie Drummer and Paul Richardson. Last year's UPHA Hackney Pony Classic Reserve National Champion looked strong with the red ribbon. Dixie Drummer is by Heartland Equality and out of Heartland Joyful Song.
Charlie Jones is now three for three with Belle Starr, having won twice at Lexington Junior League as well. This was the second year in a row for Belle Starr to earn the Roadster to Bike Mare World’s Championship. A year ago it was Raymond Shively making the catch drive for top honors. Matt Shiflet and Lady Cat were reserve in this one for Jon Dabareiner. They were reserve a year ago in the USTA Roadster Classic.
Catherine Wheeler followed up her catch ride win at Blue Ridge with another, even bigger win, this one on the green shavings of Freedom Hall aboard Ready To Jet in the first split of 13-and-Under Three-Gaited. Neil Visser headed up the entry of Elisabeth Goth, as the Louisville crowd sent them off with a big ovation. Ready To Jet was a popular pick in junior harness in 2010, where he was the Junior Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding Reserve World’s Champion. Emma Sanchez had her best Louisville ride aboard CH Heathermoor’s Prince, winning reserve. Owned by Sharyn Lackey, Heathermoor’s Prince is trained at West Wind. This is Emma’s second year showing the son of Merchant Prince and Lorece. CH Callaway’s Born With Style and Molly Codeanne finished in third for Cedarledge Farm and Cater Stables. Undulata’s Lost And Found was fourth with Kelsey Hargadon for Theresa Hargadon.
The competition in the 14-17 Three-Gaited Pony class was intense. So intense in fact, that judges Gene van der Walt, Rick Wallen, and Melissa Moore all selected a different horse for first… and second… and third… Uhoh. The magical true tie! Back to the rail went the three entries to vie for their World’s Championship honors with additional work. As Peter Fenton called them back to the rail, the crowd went wild, re-charging the batteries of all three as they took off as a park trot. The crowd really got behind one in particular, and the wild-trotting veteran of many a walk-trot pony battle came through for them. It was a unanimous victory for Alexis Landreth and CH Manhattan’s Irish Cream. Owned by Equestrian Investments of Tennessee, Irish Cream is trained by Tammy DeVore. But it wasn’t Tammy that made it to the winner’s circle first, it was Dylan Hines, who rode this pony to the 2010 Three-Gaited Pony World’s Championship. He leapt and jumped and raced down to the far end of the ring. It was the loudest the crowd has been yet this week, and it was much deserved. The reigning World’s Champion of Champions earned reserve honors this time out, as CH The Attache Orchid and Hunter Chancellor put on yet another stellar show. Owned by Steven Chancellor, Attache Orchid is by Attache’s Thunderbolt and out of The Irish Orchid. She is trained at DeLovely. Also receiving a nice ovation was CH Powerful Tango. Twice a winner at both Lexington and Blue Ridge, Powerful Tango is teamed this year with Emilea Stinnett under the High Caliber banner. They rounded out the top three.
Bubble Bath has fully embraced his role as a kid’s horse, winning the second section of 13-and-Under Three-Gaited. Junior Exhibitor Champion at Blue Ridge, Bubble Bath teams with Laura Plant for Tom and Patsy Plant. Evan and Mary Orr made the run to the winner’s circle to greet the fixy chestnut son of Adriatic and a Sultan’s Starmaker mare. One of the most highly decorated walk-trots of all time, CH An Heir About Her was the reserve winner, this time showing with Harriet Townsend for Ever Glades Farm. Missy Hughes Smith trains this one. Seven times a winner on the season, An Heir About Her was the Champion at Midwest and UPHA Chapter 5. Macey Miles was third aboard Hillcroft Claret for Hillcroft Farm, while Royal Tryst and Sydney Budzinski finished fourth for Knollwood Farms.
It was pony power in the Amateur Road Pony 50”-and-Under class, as Majestic Oaks had all five of the top five winners in this field. Best of these today was CH Thunderation, with Meredithe Steinhauer putting him to work for Denise Steinhauer. Her black and gold silks were lit up by the Freedom Hall lights, and her bay pony was working in high, driving style to remain undefeated on the season. Patrice Watson O’Brien had the reserve winner with Mr. Lucky Man, an entry of Joe and Patrice O’Brien. Amateur Champion at Bonnie Blue, Mr. Lucky Man was the AHHS Road Pony Under Saddle Medallion National Champion last year with Cheyenne Mabey. Donna Whatley drove to third with Heartland Smooth Operator, with Kharbon Steel and Toni Nastali fourth. Donna Zimmerman and Dimitri completed the Majestic Oaks sweep in fifth.
Thunder Gone Wild made the switch to the Three-Gaited Pony division at Harrodsburg, winning the Championship there with Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes up. Today, the Rainbow Princess Farms entry continued that pony prowess as the 14-17 Three-Gaited Pony World’s Champion. The pretty, fixy bay looked right at home, showing for just the second time in his life with no mane. Sydney Dunaway and Faizah made one of their best shows to take reserve honors for trainer Don Bridges. This was the biggest win to date for this upright bay daughter of Kalarama’s Spanish Dancer and Batteries Are Not Included. Bravia and Brylie Mays were right in there in third for Ray and Kiersten Mays.
A stampede of 20 came tromping down the ramp for the Open Three-Gaited Park Stallion/Gelding qualifier. Hollywood Agent’s Louisville career is now bookended with blues. His smashing debut as a Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding World’s Champion was his first trip on the green shavings, and now he has added this World’s Championship to his impressive list of accomplishments. Four times a Reserve World’s Champion in the walk-trot division, Hollywood Agent was shown today by Jannie Giles for Jeffrey Schab and Wade Giles (no relation to Jannie). He is by Exalted Effect and out of World’s Grand Champion Hollywood Excellence (BHF). Wade and Jeffrey send special thanks to Jannie for all of her hard work. They love the gelding's show horse spirit combined with his ability to just be a clown around the barn. The 2009 and 2010 winner of this class, CH Master And Commander, finished reserve today, also his second reserve win in this event. Maria Gilman was back aboard for Barbara Woods. They were Open Three-Gaited Park Champions at the Royal last year. He is by Belle Reve’s Renaissance Man and out of Triple Treat, by Sultan’s Great Day. A newcomer to the scene this season, The Toy Soldier finished in third for Lukens Stables, with assistant Samantha Hegstrom up. Owned by Jayne Romano, Toy Soldier is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of a Talent Town mare. Robert Gardiner was also fourth in this class, as he was in the Mare Stake, with The Red Hot Kid, another entry of High Spirits Farm.
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