Louisville Sunday Afternoon Session
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Sunday silence enveloped Freedom Hall, as the Reverend Gene Wright is still taking part in the morning’s worship service at Shelbyville First Baptist Church! Gene is the worship pastor there, providing the music for those fine folks, just as he does for us at the shows. It makes for an odd setting for the show, as we have just become accustomed to Gene providing the background to all of our Louisville moments.
The first winner on a silent Sunday was Emma Von Ballmoos, borrowing Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered from Victoria Walz. Dad Jaisen Von Ballmoos threw both arms in the air as Emma’s number was called out atop the 11-and-Under Saddle Seat Equitation World’s Championship. Oftentimes a World Champion at the Morgan Grand National, this was Emma’s first Louisville win. She was the 2014 11-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Morgan Equitation World Champion and the 2014 9-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Hunt Seat Equitation Reserve World Champion. Reserve for the second time on the week, Alayna Applegate made another grand performance aboard Rob New York. Trained by Shelley Fisher, Alayna may be the youngest rider to ever win the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup National Championship and also one of the only to win the UPHA Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup National Championship and Junior National Championship in back to back years. Kayla Harger was up for third, with Emma Phelan riding to the white ribbon in fourth.
The long-necked and upright Heartland Accolade was picked as the winner of the Junior Exhibitor Hackney Pleasure Driving qualifier. Zach now has seven wins on the season with the entry of the Brown-Anderson Farms. Winners at Blue Ridge and Midwest Charity as well, Accolade and Zach are trained by Hollow Haven Farm. The curled up and cute Charmed Masterpiece was a picture of pleasure with Ella Reagan driving for Dr. Ginger Reagan. Trained by Majestic Oaks, this is just the third class together for Ella and the product of Truly A Masterpiece and Extremely Charmed. The Perfectionist and Danny Hicks made a good show for third for Marjorie Kenney, while Heartland Anthem and Rose Marie Wheeler finished fourth for Jayne Romano.
Malika Keglowitsch had her Louisville dream come true in the 16-Year-Old Equitation World’s Championship, besting a group of 12 to take the top prize. Part of a DeLovely trifecta atop this group, the lone Canadian rider in the crew was the winner today with CH I’m McDreamy. Malika claimed her best ever prize on the biggest of stages. She was followed closely by barnmate Macey Joan Miles. Macey once again rode CH-EQ Lemon Shake Up WRF. Macey fought hard to keep her streak of qualifier blues alive, coming up one spot short of winning her age group for the sixth consecutive year, a tremendous achievement. Victoria Walz kept the red-and-black curtains happy in third aboard CH CH-EQ Reedann’s Heir To Glory, while Molly Codeanne was the highest non-DeLovely rider, placing fourth for Cater Stables.
With 39 entered in the 14-17 Three-Gaited Show Pleasure division, two splits were made, with Stonehenge taking the first group for Mercer Springs Farm. Ridden by Sausha Saunders for Jon Saunders, Stonehenge is by VHF The Licorice Drop Kid and out of Royalty’s Splashdance. This was the best prize yet for this team, marking their fifth win of the season. Sausha and Stonehenge were top three in both of their classes here two years ago in their first season together. Second in this somewhat fractious class went to Callaway’s Nachelle and Ava Stachowski. This was a third straight reserve win for Rock Creek’s Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Reserve Champion. Owned by mom Shawn Stachowski, Callaway’s Nachelle is by Callaway’s Blue Norther and out of Callaway’s Return Engagement. This is Ava’s first year of 14-17, having won the 13-and-Under Show Pleasure World’s Championship last year. I’m In Heaven and Jacquelyn King kept a good day going for DeLovely in third, while Buzz Lightning and Catherine Street carried off the white ribbon in fourth.
With basically every class for juveniles crammed into today’s schedule, it was time for the first split of 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Show Pleasure next. Sallie Mason Wheeler got the call for the catch ride aboard Royal Valentine. An entry of Roberta and Miriam Hirshon, Royal Valentine was the World’s Champion here in this one. By Samur and out of Royal Pretty, Royal Valentine is erstwhile the teammate of Roberta Hirshon. Sallie Mason did her usual sensational job in what seems like her 20th year in the 13-and-under division. Grace Weisner and My Sweet were up for the reserve world’s championship today. By Merchant Prince and out of Such Sweet Memories, My Sweet has really teamed up well with Grace this year, improving with every go. Just last month they had two top three finishes at Lexington. Molly Crim and The King’s Charm were good for third for Charles McKibben, while CH De La Hoya and Ava Greer finished fourth.
While Sallie Mason took the last class, her cousin Rose Marie was the winner of the next one. It was A Promise Honored as the winner of the 14-17 Road Pony World’s Championship. Rose Marie Wheeler did the honors here for Toni Nastali and the Majestic Oaks team. This was the second year in a row for this team to take the qualifier blue, but their first show together of the season. Showing in their third season together, Story Sinex and Boogity Boogity cruised to the reserve title. Directed by Milo Jones, this marked Story and Boogity Boogity’s best Louisville finish. They were also reserve winners at Lexington last month. Sirfistication and Emma Wood were up next in third for Three Sisters Stables. Showstar’s Prince Philip LF and Tabitha Zimmerman picked up fourth for Fritz Zimmerman.
From Colorado, Lauren Evans is part of the “Destination DeLovely” program. She continued the DeLovely Parade of Champions with a unanimous win in the 16-entry 12-13 Saddle Seat Equitation class. Also the winner of this qualifier at Lexington, she picked up two more blues at Blue Ridge as well. In her first year out of walk-and-trot and her second year out of academy, Ashley Perry scored the Reserve World’s Championship today. The thrilled young rider was a winner at both Connecticut Summer Classic and Summer Kickoff in her final two tuneup shows. Emma Dollison was up next in third, while Sofia Rashid garnered the white ribbon in fourth.
There are few horses in history who can say they won two World’s Championships in the same session, but add CH Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered to that very short list. Winner of the 11-and-Under Saddle Seat Equitation class with Emma Von Ballmoos, Signed Sealed Delivered made the quick turnaround to show to the 14-17 Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Section Two World’s Championship with Victoria Walz. Teamed together for three years, this might have been Victoria’s best ride yet with the chestnut cross of CH Call Me Ringo and Carmelita Santana. Faith Robbins and CH Anderson Cooper finished with the reserve prize for the sixth straight class. The entry of Faith and Lori Robbins has gone up against some of the best competition, taking double reserves at Midwest Charity. Anderson Cooper is by Attache’s Royal Assets and out of Callaway’s Anchor Woman. Iowa was represented in third by Uptown Chatter and Jade Woods, while Laney Henley claimed the white ribbon with CH Catalyst Commander.
Alyssa Grace Ridings had her dream come true moment in the 14-Year-Old Saddle Seat Equitation World’s Championship. She and Callaway’s Silent Partner topped the group under the direction of Landon Farm. Alyssa thanked Helen Rich and Ali DeGray over and over again in her interview with Richfield, as they loaned this horse of theirs to Alyssa and the Landon team. She made the most of the opportunity today to be crowned a World’s Champion. Kent Swalla’s crew celebrated their reserve world’s champion, Gabriella Snyder. This was the best Louisville finish for Gabriella, who continues to improve as her “step up” year continues in the 14-17 ranks. She has recently teamed up with Nuttin’ Doing with great success already. Joan Benjamin was up next in third for Cascade Stables, while Haley Berget represented Knollwood in fourth.
Olivia Turner proclaimed it the “happiest moment of my life” when she was called out as the unanimous 13-and-Under Road Pony World’s Champion with Take It To The Limit. Majestic Oaks has done well with trainers’ kids in the road pony division. This one has been a winner all season long, never dropping a class. Take It To The Limit is by Heartland Equality and out of Heartland Lace And Leather. The venerable Seamair Strutter showed he has plenty left in the tank, earning the reserve world’s championship with Nick Schubert driving. By Dun-Haven Awesome Creation and out of Heartland Simplicity, Strutter was the reserve world’s champion of champions in this division last year with Nick. Dimitri and Olivia Schumacher finished third in this one for Majestic Oaks, with Regal’s Wild Card LF and MyMy Singh fourth for WoodLeigh Farm and the Hollow Haven banner.
The borrowed winners continued to be a trend in the 15-Year-Old Saddle Seat Equitation World’s Championship, as Hallie Ricci rode Dr. Morgan Wolin’s So Smitten to the unanimous title. Directed by Erin Boggs, this was Hallie’s first trip to Freedom Hall with the Cape Cod team. She also took a blue ribbon trip at Lexington this year. Scotty Brooks Bruggeworth and Harlem’s Wild And Wonderful were up next as the reserve world’s champions. Directed by Siren Song and DeLovely, Scotty has long been an equitation star. He was the 14-Year-Old Saddle Seat Equitation World’s Champion last year. Ellie Grosspietch was up next in third for Equitate LLC, with Jordyn Isgrigg fourth from Infinity Stables.
The 13-and-Under Five-Gaited qualifier was one of those tough calls on the split, with a group of 16 being split before three scratched and yielded a total of 13 to show. The first group saw another winning ride for Sallie Mason Wheeler. She and Bodidly made their first ride in Freedom Hall count. She was the winner here for Ceil and Kenny Wheeler and the Mercer Springs Farm team. The 13-and-Under Five-Gaited National Champion a year ago, Bodidly is by Heir Emerald and out of Callaway’s Crepe Myrtle. Jackalberry and Natalee Hagy have been great all year. They were named reserve world’s champions in this split. This is the first year for this team to be together. Jackalberry is by Dorian Warriors Song and out of Walterway’s Love Me Forever. Callaway’s Don’t Blink and Cashlynn Lovell picked up the yellow streamers in third, with King’s Carma and Nissa Sultan finishing fourth for trainer Matt Shiflet.
The last time Novella showed in Freedom Hall, she was the ASR National Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Futurity Reserve World’s Champion. Today she moved up a spot, some six years later, making her second ever trip down onto the green shavings a good one as the unanimous winner of Section Two of the 13-and-Under Five-Gaited qualifier. Sarah Hecht did the riding today under the direction of Alicia Owens and Scottfield Stables. This was Alicia’s first Louisville winner and Sarah’s first Louisville win. Emotional dad Alan Hecht couldn’t muster anything but, “Sarah! Sarah!” as the ribbons were being pinned. Madison Law and Turquoise made West Virginia proud as the reserve world’s champions today. Champions at the West Virginia State Fair and Bluefield, Turquoise and Madison are in their second season together. This mare is by Time Out For Lovin’ and out of Constantinople, by Family Jewels.
Scotty Matton didn’t even know that his rider had won the 17-Year-Old Saddle Seat Equitation World’s Championship until she came up the ramp with the ribbons streaming, as he was preparing a rider for a class to follow. Frannie Gefke was the winner in this one for the Knollwood team, headed up by Carol Matton for the round of honor. Scotty was beside himself as he greeted the latest of his equitation world’s champions. Frannie has been a remarkably hard worker, honing her craft with both Morgans and Saddlebreds. Jacquelyn King and CH-EQ Imagine My Surprise was up in the top prizes again today. She claimed the reserve world’s championship for DeLovely Farm. Jacquelyn is also a crossover rider, coming from the Arabian breed to enjoy great success on these green shavings as well. Maddie Cochran was up next in third among the 17-year-olds, with Kaeley Arterburn finishing in fourth after her Kentucky Riders Equitation win last night.
The Reagan girls each got to take a victory pass today, as Dr. Ginger Reagan was the one to make the last pass in the Junior Hackney Pleasure Driving qualifier. Palisade’s Center Ring was the was the pick here for the Majestic Oaks team. With four blues in four trips to the ring, Center Ring is by CH Crystal Creek’s Commander and out of What Luck. Twice a winner in two shows before this, All Star was the Reserve World’s Champion today with Vern Houston. Owned by Vern and Lynne Houston, All Star is by Regal’s Top Star LF and out of Black Princess.
The final class of the afternoon was another blue ribbon win for Mercer Springs Farm. Kate Smith and CH Redesigned made their Louisville debut a great one, taking the World’s Championship today. This was just the fifth show together for this first-year team. Redesigned showed Kate the way to the winner’s circle, as the grand horse continued his wonderful career with a fourth world’s championship. HS Decorum and Harriet Butscher had one of their best goes yet in their new division. The entry of Janine and Harriet Butscher was second today for the Infinity Stables team. Decorum is by Sir William Robert and out of A Daydream Believer (BHF). Double Black Diamond and Max Michalek were a good third, with Ocean Eleven and Nicole Jackson rounding out the top four.
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