Louisville - Monday Morning and Afternoon
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
MONDAY MORNING & AFTERNOON
The first morning performance of this year’s World’s Championship Horse Show came bright and early on Monday, and first to work was a team that needs no introduction to daytime performances in Freedom Hall. CH Callaway’s Pretty Penny and Nancy Anderson have been to the Louisville winner’s circle in a Country Pleasure Driving qualifier every year since 2002. This surreally consistent mare is 10 years old, and today, she tallied her tenth World’s Championship blue ribbon, all under the direction of Andy and Lynda Freseth. Second in this first Country Pleasure Driving split were Callaway’s Show Me State and Shelby Reimer for Soquili Stables LLC. Shelby was decked out and looking elegant in a hat that she had borrowed from her mother.
Cindy Boel found her way to the winner’s circle a couple times on Monday, first was with Eleanor Watkins in the 15-Year-Old Equitation class. Eleanor and Marie Claire were teamed to perfection to take the blue. In 2006, Eleanor took another trip down Louisville’s victory lane, that time in Kentucky Riders 14-17 Equitation. Kelsey Olson was reserve in this well-filled class. Rachel Machamer was third.
Seventeen strong hit the ring for the first division of Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure. The first two through the gate were CH Lightnin’ Lil and CH Just Special, and they finished in that order. This is the third year in a row that Lil and Nicolle Beltz Tolliver have won their qualifier. Lightnin’ Lil is by Supreme Heir and out of an Attache mare. CH Just Special and Carol Hillenbrand were a tough second. They were second in both of their classes here last year as well. CH Just Special is no stranger to blue ribbons in Freedom Hall, as he carried Allison Combs to victory three different times in Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited. Raffle Ticket and James Sigmon were third, while Debbie Tomin was in from California to take fourth with CH French Silk Stockings.
CH Lightnin’ Lil and Nicolle Beltz Tolliver
Coming off a strong performance at Lexington, where she garnered the Saddle Seat Equitation Reserve Championship, Ali Judah had Feng Shui moving through traffic with poise and confidence, taking on the 17-Year-Old Equitation division and emerging with the blue. Ali was looking bright on this Monday morning with her lilac vest and tie over a white shirt. Sarah Byers made the long run from the in-gate down to the winner’s circle to greet her. The 16-17 Equitation winner at Lexington, Lindsay Haupt, was reserve in this class. Emily Abbott was third, with Kyle Gagnon in fourth.
Ali Judah and Feng Shui
The second section of Three-Gaited Show Pleasure brought Donna and Kenny Smith to the far end of the ring to greet Abby Reising and Irresistible Day. Only a five-year-old, this dark bay is just coming into his own for the long-standing Smith/Reising team. He is by CH Great Day’s Came The Son and out of a The Showboat mare. The Showboat was at one time owned by the Pettry family. It seems there is a bright future for this team to go along with the long history of success. Reserve in this section went to Unlisted Number, with Tate Bennett in the irons for the catch-ride for owner Neartown Animal Clinic. Sandy Currier trains this big, bold, black horse. Third in the class was a qualifier winner last year, CH Uncle Abe. Piper Granger was once again in the irons. Betts Coup and Unanimous Consent were right in there for fourth in this tough class.
Once again, the first entry into the ring was the last to leave. This time it was in the 14-Year-Old Equitation class. Brittany Ann McGinnis and Amandari were a picture of perfection to head up a DeLovely trifecta. Ellen Medley Wright and Kalu’s Can’t Stop The Magic were second, with Faye Wuesthofen and Timeless Drifter in third.
The third and final section of Three-Gaited Show Pleasure fielded 16 entries. Coming off wins at Tanbark and Blue Ridge, as well as the gigantic Pleasure Championship at Midwest, CH Ninety-Eight Degrees and Susan Creekmore were on top of their game once again under the direction of Andy and Lynda Freseth. Last year, it was Alice Unger in the irons, guiding Ninety-Eight Degrees to wins in both the qualifier and the Championship here. This year, Alice had her new baby daughter with her in the stands as she and her mom, Nancy Leigh-Fisher, cheered on their former entry. Teuschers, the home-bred product of the Goodman/Manilow family’s breeding program, was reserve with Barbara Goodman Manilow. I’m Taken and Sarah Shakespeare were third, while CH Callaway’s Rockaway and Chris Nalley were fourth in their first venture into the Three-Gaited Pleasure ranks at Louisville, having formerly found much success in Five-Gaited Pleasure.
Cindy Boel was back in the winner’s circle in the 16-Year-Old Equitation class, but this time, Ann Speck was headed in right behind her. This was because of the unanimous winner, Jacqueline Beck. While in her home state of California, Jacqueline rides with Ann Speck at Rancho Del Mar. Here in Kentucky, however, she is under the direction of Cindy Boel at Zubrod Stables. This team approach has paid off. Jessica Moctezuma was riding hard in reserve for her mom, Nealia McCracken.
Division Two of Country Pleasure Driving had by far the best celebration when the winner’s number was called. CH Dr. Deker was the unanimous choice of the judges for owners Todd and Margaret Poovey and trainer Cash Lovell. But it was Dr. Deker’s driver that makes this story. Debbie Marcum was at the lines for the Pooveys, as in Mary Marcum-Orr’s mom. Mary is Cash Lovell’s assistant trainer. The first thought was to look for Debbie Marcum and see her reaction, but one couldn’t help but notice the young lady streaking through the in-gate at a dead run with both arms raised above her head, cheering loudly and pumping her fists. That was Mary. Mrs. Marcum-Orr is not usually prone to such outbursts, but in this case, it was quite acceptable. Debbie, on the other hand, was driving down to the winner’s circle looking like she was in a state of shock, with her mouth agape. It was a great Louisville moment. Second in this strong class went to the flashy, flaxen Heirithmatic. Heidi Bowie was catch-driving today for Tubby and Donna Smith.
An excited group pauses for a photo op:
Mary Orr holding Dr. Deker, Allie Poovey, and
Debbie Marcum (hiding under her hat)
“Way to go, Lou!” That was what Ben Scharpf was shouting from the stands as his daughter, Emily, made her victory pass in the first division of Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure aboard Callaway’s Where There’s A Will. This 10-year-old son of Caramac is Bill Walsh’s former Amateur Five-Gaited mount and is now under the direction of Scott and Carol Matton. Julie DeVault had CH Forever Aptor up and moving to garner reserve for Gail Hooker. The second section featured a horse that is no stranger to Five-Gaited Pleasure. Shown to many blues across the country by Christy Bennett, The Champagne Tiger is now the mount of Claire Talley and is trainer by Randy Cates and Dianna Rannells. The 11-year-old Champagne Fizz product was firing on all cylinders today, as he tore up the track and the competition to take the blue. Cydni Simmons had Catch The Moon up for reserve in this one. Simmons will be retiring CH Sammyshine during the Thursday evening performance.
Ashland, who would be heard from later in the performance, had won the Roadster to Wagon qualifier for the last four years. This year, she is pursuing the Roadster to Bike title, so a new qualifier winner would be crowned. This one needed no introduction though, as it was Power Ranger who glided down victory lane with Mark Turner at the helm for DeLovely Farm. Dancin For Dollars and Steve Crabtree were reserve for Andrew Mirabole.
It was “boys rule” in the Five-Gaited Pony 13-and-Under class. Billy Jewel and Shelby Wayne Floyd headed to the winner’s circle to the delight of the crowd. Moon Charmer and Tyler Miles, who earned a hard-fought reserve, had their own considerable cheering section.
Shelby Floyd and Tyler Miles
A newcomer to the Golden Creek string, Prince’s Performer LF has wins at Midwest, Lexington and now Louisville to his credit, as he took the Four-Year-Old Roadster Pony title. Mr. Lucky Man and Maureen Lydon were reserve for Gene Gallmeier.
After the 30-minute lunch break, the Park Mare qualifier took center stage. Dena Lopez had Ya-Ya looking fantastic to take the mare’s first Louisville blue for Elizabeth Shatner and Dorothy Anderson. The bay mare is by Forty-Second Street ERB. The always-popular Mike McIntosh was reserve with Hillside’s Sensation for Patrick and Laura Lockwood. The big, fronty chestnut got a nice round of applause on the way out the gate.
Alexa McWilliams had her shiny silver coat working to her advantage in the Five-Gaited Pony 14-17 class. She stood out from the crowd aboard Callaway’s Exception To The Rule. Little Lord Huntley and Andrea Wolkoff were making some impressive passes in reserve. Cyd Simmons and CH The Champagne Lady were third for Tyler DeVore. It just wouldn’t have seemed like a Louisville Five-Gaited Pony class without Cyd.
Ashland made her presence felt in the Roadster to Bike Mare Stake. Fresh off wins at Lexington in the Wagon classes, Mike Barlow had her working strong pulling just the two wheels this time for Dr. Howard Six. The big bay mare had to beat last year’s winner, The African Queen, skillfully shown by Larry Bacon to the reserve ribbon.
Peter and Kim Cowart ran down to the winner’s circle together to greet the unanimous Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited 13-and-Under winner, Heathermoor’s Prince, with their daughter, Camille Cowart aboard. Camille and her late grandmother, Anita Cowart, owned this horse together, and Anita was the Merchant Prince gelding’s breeder. Camille and Heathermoor’s Prince were coming off a big win at Lexington in the 14-and-Under Three-Gaited Championship, defending their 2006 title in that class. Hunter Chancellor had Can You Hear Me Now working high in the bridle to garner reserve and a nice ovation from the good-sized crowd. Lady Cinnamon and Maya Manilow earned the yellow ribbon.
Manhattan’s Irish Cream re-visited Freedom Hall’s victory lane, this time with Grant Shiflet aboard in the Three-Gaited Pony 14-17 qualifier for Kathleen Bagdasarian. Kristin Shiflet met Grant down at the far end, as a slightly lame Matt Shiflet was not able to move real fast. Howie Schatzberg and Doug Shiflet were there to take the presentation picture, with Howie sporting three stitches in his lip. Howie tried to eat his camera on Sunday night during the Yearling class, as he was going to take a picture and got his camera bumped right back into his face. Schatzberg, an avid ice hockey player, was able to tough it out and continue.
Reserve in the Three-Gaited Pony class went to Powerful Tango, with Molly Trent up. Cloudsplitter and Olivia Weber were a consistent team for third, while Alyssa Lopez had Callaway’s Kiss & Tell working strong in fourth. Junior Hackney Pleasure Driving was the property of I’m In Heaven and Anna Marie Knipp. This looks to be another in a long line of great ponies for Knipp. This team took top honors in the Mid-West Hackney 3-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Futurity a few weeks ago at Illinois State Fair. Another great pony exhibitor, Karen Frickey, was reserve with Heartland Stepaside.
Randy Cates and Dianna Rannells took another jog to the far end of the ring, this time with That’s Chicago and Katie Cunningham in Section Two of the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited 13-and-Under. That’s Chicago was consistent and square off all four corners to take the blue. Show Baby Show and Christina Collis were a cute and fixy team in reserve.
One of the best classes of the day was the Amateur Roadster Pony 50-52 Inches qualifier. Once this incredibly deep class sorted itself out, the winner was the unanimous choice of the judges. Heartland Production and Mary Gaylord McClean went to pick up their blue ribbon with Tommy Lowry and Jeff McClean in tow. Reserve in the class was the brand new team of Heartland Sundust and Mia Morris for Blevins Farm. These two put on a show for a hard-earned reserve. Heartland Victory Maker and Toni Nastali were third in this class that left everyone wanting more. Friday night’s Championship will be one to watch.
Hunter Chancellor had her turn in the winner’s circle in the Three-Gaited Pony 13-and-Under qualifier. The Attache Orchid hardly backed an ear as they were greeted at the far end by Allison Sargent, a key component of Team DeLovely. Another cute team, Amelia Heir Cat and Jessica Wuesthofen, were reserve in this one.
Chris Long-Schubert had to drive one-handed on her trip down to pick up her unanimous blue in the Amateur Roadster Pony 50 Inches and Under with St. Patrick. She was wiping tears with one hand and had the other on the lines as she drove shaking her head in disbelief at her first world’s championship. Jane Mueller had Triumphant moving forward nicely to take reserve.
Possibly the highlight of the afternoon was its last class, the 21-entry Park Stallion/Gelding class. This class was absolutely loaded with talent and park horse royalty. Sixth in the class was Phi’s Phortune Teller, Reserve Champion at Lexington and a former Amateur World’s Champion. Janet Crampton was aboard for Ashley McKenzie. Fifth went to Buena Vista, Victoria Bennett’s sensational entry, shown by Wyatt DeHart. This horse is incredibly big-fronted and never fails to win over the crowd. The Lexington Champion, Lime Twisted Gin, was fourth, with Clark Clouse up for the Jacquelyn Stred Trust. The 2003 winner of this class and a longtime star of the Park division, Another Bay, was third with Neil Visser up for McDonald LLC. The red ribbon went back to King’s Row with The Woodsider. Jackie Tanner was showing this six-year-old Periaptor entry of Robert Facciola.
Only one could emerge from this crowd of 21, however. Today, it was His Supreme Reflection. The big chestnut with white trim is by Supreme Heir and out of Beat The Odds, an Attache mare. He showed with much success in the 2-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity classes here at Louisville as a young horse, so he is right at home in Freedom Hall. Andy Freseth was aboard for Robert and Marilyn Gaiswinkler. At just five years of age, the sky looks like the limit for this one. It was a great way to wrap up a long day of horse show.
For complete results of Monday's day session, click here. For Judges Cards, click here.
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