Louisville - Saturday Daytime
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The switch from the Road Pony division proved to be a rather genius one in the first class on Saturday, as Catch Me If You Can and Lauren Mathewson drove to the Hackney Pleasure Driving World’s Championship. Owned by Mathewson’s aunt, Karen Frickey, Catch Me If You Can was twice a Reserve World’s Champion as a road pony. Wearing a white jacket with an Elizabethan collar, Lauren Mathewson was thrilled with her tri-color round of honor. Champion in this event in 2007 and 2008, CH Mastercraft’s Namesake LF finished as the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions this time around. Driven by Stephany Monteleone for trainer Abel Vega, Namesake has been a qualifier World’s Champion four years in a row. The picture of pleasure, Namesake always makes a strong show for Monteleone. The second section qualifier World’s Champion, Heartland Parade Time, looked superb in third for Megan McClure and her aunt, Tamra Arndt. Reserve in her qualifier, Kay Marschel was fourth with Heartland Breaking News. It’s rather ironic that Megan McClure finished one place ahead of a pony called Breaking News.
When you see Nancy Anderson, most would see the matriarch of a horse showing family, one where most everybody gets in on the act, from grandma and grandpa all the way on down to the grandkids. And most of them have won World’s Championships. But what you won’t see on the outside is that this is one fiercely competitive lady! After a reserve finish in her qualifier, Mrs. Anderson was scouting out her competition, studying the cards, and counting on her trainers Andy and Lynda Freseth to make the adjustments necessary to make a comeback performance in the tri-color round. They most certainly did that, as CH Callaway’s Pretty Penny made it eight years in a row as Country Pleasure Driving World’s Champion of Champions. That is unbelievable. That is incredible. That is unprecedented. One of the winningest horses of all time, Pretty Penny made her final victory pass over the green shavings today, as Peter Doubleday let the crowd know that this would be her final Freedom Hall appearance. It was a sweet 16 (16!) Victory passes as a World’s Champion for this indomitable team. The Queens of Country will abdicate their throne when 2011’s World’s Championship Horse Show rolls around, but for now, they once again reign supreme.
Vicki Gillenwater was absolutely thrilled when she was called out as the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions with Callaway’s Show Me State. Qualifier winners here in 2009, Show Me State and Gillenwater made a great drive for the hard earned reserve win. CH Last Cat Standing has certainly found his new division to be a good fit, as he finished third with Corbin Smith for Fritz and Candace Meili. They were winners of their qualifier. Reserve in both classes in 2009 and winner of their qualifier on Monday, Harlem’s Worldly Lady and Ali DeGray finished fourth in this good class for James and Helen Rosburg.
The confidence and focus with which Maya Manilow has approached her classes this week has been remarkable. Every time out she has put on a great performance, and that is with five different mounts to show. Kenny and Donna Smith are to be commended for the great strides that Maya has made as a rider over the years. She took it to an absolutely fantastic group of 14-17 Show Pleasure horses with The Majestic, making a powerful yet well-mannered performance to take the tri-color. They were also the winners of their qualifier in their first year in the older age group. The winner of the second qualifier, CH Brookhill’s King Of Kool, was the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions with Jessica Wuesthofen aboard for Glenn A. Werry Jr. Undefeated to this point on the season, King Of Kool and Jessie were 13-and-Under World’s Champions a year ago. This is a rivalry that potentially has three years left on it, and it will be fun to watch each and every time. Lexington Champions CH Stonecroft I’m Radiant and Rebecca Boorstein were third for the second time this week for Equilateral Enterprise Inc. They have been impressive all year long for the Lowry Stables team. Fourth in the class went to Ashley Bryce and Supreme Spotlight. Showing every day but one here in Louisville, Bryce made another strong ride for Bryce Heritage Investments and Jack Magill Stables.
Mike Hylton had the Junior Harness Pony World’s Champion of Champions in Heartland Queen Of The Road for Susan Olcott. Reserve in the Four-Year-Old class, Queen Of The Road is by Heartland Head Of The Class and out of Heartland Just A Princess. This golden pony was trimmed in blue, red and yellow today. Randy Harper brought the Four-Year-Old World’s Champion in for reserve in this one, as Major Impact took the red, yellow and white streamers back to Frickey Farm.
Now just a 17-and-Under event the Kentucky Riders Equitation class was up next with five entries. Callie Smith was a Kentucky Equitation winner in 2007 and 2008 and kept that streak intact with a win here, making it three classes in a row to take the blue in this event. Mollie Kregor repeated her reserve finish from 2008, earning the red streamers again today, directed by Premier Stables.
Another incredible talent made his swan song here in Freedom Hall, as CH CF First Light Of Dawn and Maya Manilow rode off with one last tri-color in the 14-17 Country Pleasure Championship. What a way to go out for this incredible gelding by CF First Night Out. He started and ended his career on the green shavings with a win, taking a Two-Year-Old Fine Harness blue with Debbie Foley in 1997. Four more Louisville wins would follow over his long career as a performance horse, not to mention his stint as perhaps the best Equitation horse in the land. That run included a Triple Crown with partner Sarah Thordsen for the Knollwood team. All throughout, he never lost that signature hinged up headset. He had it fully on display one last time in the show ring today, wearing the tri-colors and flowers with pride, going out on top, as he so richly deserved. You earned it, Forbes.
Rebecca Boorstein concluded her great week with a Reserve World’s Championship aboard CH Teuschers. Section One qualifier winners, Teuschers and Boorstein worked in high style once again today. Of note here would be that the owner of the Champion, Barbara Goodman Manilow, was the breeder of the Reserve Champion, Teuschers. Dylan Hines repeated his qualifier placing in third with Protector for Yvonne and Rick Hines. They are directed by Tammy DeVore. Reserve in their qualifier, Mollie Kregor and Tremendously Charming finished fourth for Paula Schmidt and the Kathy Capsuto Trust.
Carol Hillenbrand and League Of Nations repeated their 2009 World’s Championship as Adult Country Pleasure World’s Champion of Champions for the Carriage Lane banner, earning the unanimous approval of the judging panel. John Conatser jumped the rail and pumped his fist in the air before taking off on his signature lope down to the winner’s circle. Their undefeated season intact, they took their fifth Louisville victory pass together. Ali DeGray continued her remarkable Louisville career with a reserve win here aboard Careless Fortune for James and Helen Rosburg. Directed by Ruth Gimpel and Ronnie Graham, Ali and Careless Fortune were Lexington Champions in this, their first full season together. The popular gray mare, CH Jessie Cole, was third with Amanda Dellinger riding for James R. Dellinger Jr. Directed by Hollow Haven, they were World’s Champions in their qualifier. Stonecroft Ring Leader and Deborah Richardson rounded out the top four spots after taking reserve in their split.
Jessica Cloud was on cloud nine with CH Tax Man as the 13-and-Under Show Pleasure World’s Champion of Champions. With her sky blue coat with the dark tan pants and hat, Jessica made a highlining ride to the winner’s circle, with Jack Magill running briskly over the green shavings to greet her in the winner’s circle. A new team this year, Jessica and Tax Man had wins at Midwest and Lexington heading into the big dance. This was a fourth straight Louisville win for Tax Man, as he was twice a winner in Adult Show Pleasure in 2009. William Nalty was a popular reserve with Vuarnet for James and Holly Nichols. Also reserve in the qualifier, William put on a bigtime show for the reserve tri-color. Kaitlyn Creekmore continued a great week for the Creekmore family and grandpa Thomas R. Brock Jr, as she rode Heir’s Halo to third under the Hollow Haven banner. Winners of Section Two of the qualifier, Heir’s Halo and Kaitlyn Creekmore were a good third today. CH So Audacious and Samantha Robinson were fourth for the second year in a row, but this time it was in the final round of competition. Reserve in their qualifier this year, they picked up the white streamers in the Championship for Bradley Stables LLC.
In the home of Louisville basketball up through last season, Three Point Shooter was a slam dunk in the ASR National Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Futurity. By Undulata’s Nutcracker, he is out of the great World’s Champion mare, CH Kalarama’s New Sensation. New Sensation was also a National Futurity Champion, winning the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness version in 1999. She would go on to win seven World’s Championships and two Reserve World’s Grand Championships. By Slam Dunk H.G., her bottom line lists three Broodmare Hall of Famers in the first three generations. Andy Freseth rode this leg-waving youngster to the blue, earning over $15,000 in prize money for Priscilla Gise. Second in this big money class went to Double Black Diamond with Mitch Clark up for Julie Behrend Jones. By Clark’s grand walk-trot stud, Castle Bravo, Double Black Diamond is out of Evangelique, by Harlem Globetrotter. It’s been a big week for the young mare, as she also produced two-time weanling winner, We Must Be Nuts. Another Nutcracker colt, Don’t Know Nuttin’ was third with Nicole Immonen riding for Suzanne Wright. Don’t Know Nuttin’ famously won a split of Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited a year ago with Darrell Case. Reserve to Don’t Know Nuttin’ in 2009, Simon Cowell finished fourth, once again with Peter Cowart riding for Bill Beckley. Simon Cowell is by Mountain Empire and out of a Gypsy Santana mare.
It was a return trip to the winner’s circle in the Roadster Under Saddle Championship for Where Are We Now and Dr. Brian Garrett. This team, trained by Mike Brannon, made it four for four in Freedom Hall, as they sped down victory lane. Dr. Garrett was standing in the stirrups as he turned on his road horse partner and flew around the ring at speed. The 2008 World’s Champion of Champions, All Glory, was reserve with Elizabeth Shatner making a fantastic ride for Belle Reve. They were charging hard in reserve today. A World’s Champion a year ago in the Open qualifier, Big N Rich was third with Derrick Westbrook sporting the Matt Shiflet Stables silks. Open winner this year, Despite It All and Suzanne Crabtree finished fourth for Barbara Watts.
A great hand with a young horse, Liz Kinney brought out another top one in My Gypsy Moon. Recently purchased by Donna Beck, she was also recently renamed from Gypsy’s Debonaire. This daughter of Gypsy Santana squatted down low and got to strutting down the rail, just crawling with energy and excitement as she pumped her legs high in the air. She is out of Heir Marked, by Supreme Heir. Setting the Red Mile on fire back in July as the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness winner, Kalarama’s New York Lady was reserve for A.J. Bruwer and Three Gables LLC. By I’m A New Yorker, the jet-black filly is out of Lady Whitney. Her second dam is the World’s Champion walk-trot mare, CH Lady’s Favorite Event. Nutasha and Darrell Case finished third for Gail Kline and Willowbank Farm. By Nutcracker, Nutasha is out of With Memories, the dam of Show Baby Show and Zagnut. World Turning finished in fourth for Bret Day and owner Carroll Robertson Ray. Sired by The Mac Attack, she is out of Starheart’s Whisper.
Joe Harrod made a spectacular comeback drive in the 14-17 Road Pony Championship to claim the tri-color with Heartland River Dance. The Championship round seems to be their forte in Freedom Hall, as they were Reserve World’s Champion of Champions in 2009 after a low finish in the qualifer. Rodney Hicks made the long jog to the winner’s circle to head up the winning entry of Susanne Harrod. Sha-Boom and Shannon Ella were reserve for the second time this week for Karl Bridgeman. In her maroon and gold silks, Ella always makes it look easy at the lines. Junior Exhibitor Champions at Junior League, Max Kaplan and Late-Nite’s Basic Impact finished third for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Inc. and the Mike Roberts Stable team. Albert Kaponey, Champion of this class in 2008, was fourth with Kevin Berman driving for his grandma Ada Perwien.
Winning here for the third time in his undefeated career, Alde-Mar’s Crystal Pistol topped the field in the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding class for Janet Kellett. By Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of the great CH Crystal Illusion, Crystal Pistol’s full sister was a Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited World’s Champion just yesterday. Hoppy Bennett once again did the driving, just as he did last year for a Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding World’s Championship. Callaway’s Another Saturday Night made his show ring debut in Reserve World’s Champion style with Sam Stafford driving for Joan Hamilton and Larry Hodge. Saturday Night is by Callaway’s The Gipper and out of Callaway’s I’m A Lady Too, by Show Me Too. The bright chestnut Front Row Frankie finished third with Joan Lurie at the lines for Hallston Manor and Willowbank Farm. By Nutcracker, he is out of Heir Spray, the dam of Line Of Thunder, Nutorious, and Safecracker. Callaway’s Never Wanted More, by Callaway’s Blue Norther, was third. Daniel Lockhart drove this one, another entry of Hamilton and Hodge. Never Wanted More is out of Callaway’s Claudette, the dam of CH Callaway’s Copyright.
Two of the three World’s Champions of Champions from the Park division from 2009 squared off head to head in the Junior Exhibitor Park Championship. Both are bay horses with a similar carriage, one has a power-packed, marching way of moving, while the other floats down the rail, moving in a lofty, lilting manner. It was power-packed and "Parky" that won the vote of all three judges, as CH Justa Rascal and Camille Cowart rode to the winner’s circle, still the only team to ever win a Junior Exhibitor Park world title. It was their 10th win on the year and their fourth consecutive victory on the green shavings. Taking that floating trot to a Reserve World’s Championship was CH Ya-Ya with Ashley Bryce. An entry of Bryce Heritage Investments, Ya-Ya was the Open Park World’s Champion of Champions in 2009 with Dena Lopez. Bryce and Ya-Ya have been remarkably consistent in their first show season together, finishing reserve twice at both Midwest and Lexington in addition to this Reserve World’s Champion of Champions title. Last year’s owner of the "RWCC" title, First Class Heir was third with Brianna Meyer riding for Brown/Anderson Farms. They were Champions at Blue Ridge and Midwest this year under the direction of Andy and Lynda Freseth. Reserve in the qualifier, Brookhill’s Passion Punch finished fourth with Callie Smith looking pretty in pink for Calico Farms.
In 2009, it was Holli McDowell driving Nashville Cat to the Reserve World’s Championship in the Road Pony to Wagon class. This year, Holli’s mom, co-owner Lisa McMackin, showed her daughter how it’s done, winning the World’s Championship title for Lisa McMackin and Charlotte Goodman. Holli, now Holli Hayes after her January wedding, hasn’t had too shabby of a week. She led the way for the girls with four World’s Championship wins and a Reserve World’s Championship in five trips to the ring on the week. Bud Light and Ronnie Graham, World’s Champions a year ago as well as in 2008, were reserve today for Helen and James Rosburg. Part-time teammate of James Rosburg for the Road Pony to Bike division, Bud Light is always in the top ribbons.
What has become a much-anticipated Saturday afternoon capper year after year, the Park World’s Championship came down the chute with a wide-open field looking for Louisville glory. It is always looked forward to not just because it always delivers as one of the deepest classes of the show, but because it is the last daytime class of the week, meaning the marathon days are now far behind us and only Stake Night remains. Dena Lopez found herself back in familiar territory in this one, the winner’s circle. She directed a different horse there this year, as it was Doctor Zhivago who took home the tri-color and blanket of flowers. Whereas Ya-Ya won a year ago and went to live in Texas with Ashley Bryce and Jack Magill, Doctor Zhivago will head to Oklahoma with owner Maguire Hall and new trainer Randy Cates. Cates joined Dave Lopez in the winner’s circle to greet Dena and the black and white pinto. Receiving a first-place vote in his qualifier, Zhivago leapt to the top here on Saturday afternoon with a leg-waving performance. It was consistency in the placings, as Maria Gilman was the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions yet again this year, though she had the same mount, Master And Commander, owned by Barbara Woods. Master And Commander is by Belle Reve’s Renaissance Man and out of Triple Treat, by Sultan’s Great Day. They were qualifier winners earlier in the week as well as in 2009, finishing reserve in 2008. They have been remarkably consistent here in Freedom Hall. The unbelievably talented Nutcracker Ballerina put all of her athleticism on display to take third with Clark Clouse putting on a show for Bullet Concrete Material. Lexington’s Park Champion was once again in peak form to earn the yellow streamers in this always competitive class in just her junior year. Another young mare, Designed For Blue finished fourth with Jim Lowry up for Tri-Color Ventures.
|