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Louisville - Sunday Evening



Who expected the National Anthem vocalists tonight?! The Oak Ridge Boys did a great job and received a big sendoff for their rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. They set the stage for a special performance by the unanimous winner of the ASR Four-Year-Old Fine Harness Sweepstakes. Larry Hodge made the drive tonight with a special young horse, Futurette. A Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Mare Reserve World’s Champion last year, Futurette is another by Wine Women And Song and out of Miss Moriarty. Miss Moriarty has become quite the producer over the past few years for Melinda Moore. She bred this one that is now owned by Tim and Marty Shea, who obviously have a great track record in picking a young harness horse. Always a top hand with a young horse, Pedro Martinez had the reserve winner in Diamond Bezel. Bred by Blythewood, Diamond Bezel was a World’s Champion here as a yearling. She won all four of her appearances this year leading up to tonight for owner Barbara Hendrickson. By First Watch, the pretty colored chestnut is out of a Belle Reve’s Renaissance Man mare. Gary Garone and Undulata’s Crystal Crown AMF finished third for Jan Beardsley Blanco, while Cupid’s Marc and Tre Lee were fourth for Steven E. Chancellor.

What a season it has been for Emma Sanchez and He’s In Style. The entry of Sharyn Lackey now has eight wins in nine trips to the ring in 2015. Champions at Midwest Charity and Lexington, they added the 14-17 Five-Gaited Section One World’s Championship to the West Wind banner tonight. The 2013 Ladies Five-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions has adapted exceptionally well to this division, looking every bit the part of a juvenile star. Catherine Wheeler had He’s Born To Royalty looking sharp as the Reserve World’s Champion for Ceil and Kenny Wheeler. Trained by Smith Lilly, Born To Royalty is by CH Callaway’s Born To Win and out of Princess Nora B.R. This was the exact order of finish in both classes at Lexington this year as well, where Catherine debuted with the powerful gelding. Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes and CH The Daily Lottery were up next in third for Rainbow Princess Farms and DesMar Stables. New York’s Real Magic and Bo Ashlyn Cates rounded out the top four for Paul Cates Stable.

The 12-13 Saddle Seat Equitation age group proved that it is basically impossible to balance out the age groups in the equitation division here. While we had three entries in the 14-year-old class this afternoon, tonight there were 16 hard-riding youngsters in the ring in this 12-13 age bracket. Hopefully there will be another big group in the 11-and-under bracket, otherwise the call will be to go back to 12-and-under and a 13-year-old class. And when that happens, we will have 20 in the 12-and-under and two in the 13-year-old class! There’s no way to know which division will be overloaded from year to year. Riding to the head of the class in this huge equitation field was Isabella Privitera. Watch this young lady show, and you will see her watch the pack ahead of her and line up her pass as she goes through the turn. Missy Hughes Smith has her teamed to perfection with CH Heir’s Halo, scoring her first Louisville win to go with two Reserve World’s Championships. Emily Candelaria showed in equitation once last year. She hasn’t showed in this division at all in 2015, but what the heck, it’s Louisville! She came down the chute and put on a show to claim the Reserve World’s Championship. It’s not like she doesn’t have the resume for it though. She was twice a World’s Champion and twice a Reserve World’s Champion of Champions back in her walk-and-trot days. Ainsley Budzinski and CH-EQ Oh What A Feeling were third from Knollwood, while Michael Arquilla rode hatless for most of his trip aboard Mooi Mooi to place fourth for Northern Tradition Farm.

Last year, Chuck Herbert stepped up on You’ve Been Thunderstruck to finish third in the ASR Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure National Futurity. This year, he had the Stockings N Stripes LLC entry up to the top of the group to win the ASR Four-Year-Old Park Pleasure Sweepstakes. This was the first time Chuck has shown the son of Thundergun and Odessa Jane since last year right here on the green shavings. This was the first Louisville win for Thunderstruck, having finished top three every year from yearling on up through three-year-old. Tina Sutter is the owner and rider of reserve winner Cash Out. Bred by Blythewood, he is by CF First Night Out and out of Harlem’s So Rare, making this a full brother to World’s Champion Ava Gardner. Softly Spoken and Evan Orr were up next in the money in third for Pair of Jacks Stables, with Up In Arms and Katy Sterba fourth for Kurz Equine Investments.

It was a unanimous win in the first split of Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure. By a World’s Champion and out of a World’s Champion, CH Take It From The Top was atop all three cards with Madeleine Wood aboard for Three Sisters Stables LLC. Jim and Fay Lowry headed up the round of honor for a horse who really epitomizes this division. He never dropped an ear and carries himself like few horses can. He comes by it honestly, as he is by CH Top Spool and out of CH My Front Page Lady. The ever-popular Ethan Devore scored his best under saddle prize yet on the green shavings. He and CH Heirrison Ford were the Reserve World’s Champions here from Devore Stables. This dynamic duo has a win at every show this year, from Kentucky Spring Premier to Rock Creek and Blue Ridge. By Supreme Heir, Heirrison Ford is out of Chandellay. Madison Morgan and Undulata’s Sweet Sister were third for Mercer Springs Farm, while Agent Cool Blue and Clayton Stinnett took fourth for Amy Stinnett.

Michael Beasom has had this horse for his entire career. He brought him out as a three-year-old and showed him as a four-year-old as well. Catherine Street waited in the wings, getting ready to team with the pretty bay gelding. Last year, that became a reality, and tonight dreams came true. Open First was called out as the winner of the second section of Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Pleasure. Catherine rode to the far end of the ring at somewhere between a canter and a gallop, as she hugged her horse and patted his neck all the way down the rail. Michael Beasom was there to greet her to commence the celebration. Also excited was the Reserve World’s Champion, Tea Snider. She piloted Lucky You Lucky Me to the Reserve World’s Championship under the direction of Mike McIntosh. The entry of Duane and Tonna Snider is by Worthy’s Lucky Son and out of Riddles And Roses. Just a five-year-old, this is the black gelding’s first year to be teamed with Tea Snider. Party Nut and Kara Hachigian were third for Texas K Club LLC, while Lauren Osborne and Finding Treasure took fourth for Glitter Farm LLC.

The first section of 13-and-Under Three-Gaited featured eight entries. Ava Stachowski’s superb day continued in this one, as she claimed her second World’s Championship of the day, this one with Prince Of Prowlin’. Ava saved her best ride with the chestnut gelding for tonight, as she took her first victory pass with the son of Callaway’s Guy Park and a CH Night Prowler mare. Ava was once again headed up by Jim Stachowski for owner Shawn Stachowski. My Hail Mary has finished outside the top two here just once in her entire career. In fact, she won a World’s Championship the first four years she came to Freedom Hall! She was right in there again tonight for a Reserve World’s Championship with Clayton Stinnett. The entry of WoodLea Farms LLC is by Revival and out of CH Crimson Blue. She was twice reserve at Lexington Junior League last month as well. Callaway’s Silent Partner and Alyssa Grace Ridings were up next in third for Helen Rich, while Tia Margarita and Nissa Sultan finished fourth for The Sultan Gallery LLC.

CH Real Action really lit it up on the reverse, putting all of that animation and style on display to win the second split of 13-and-Under Three-Gaited. Reagan Campbell can’t possibly second-guess her decision to give up cheerleading to focus on this exquisite son of Desert’s Supreme Memories and Callaway’s Worth Waiting For. Trained by Bill and Lisa Waller, Real Action is owned by Darby, Amy, and Reagan Campbell. He was the unanimous winner in this one. It was Real Steel as the Reserve World’s Champion. Natalee Hagy made the good ride tonight for the red prize. Real Steel is by Castle Bravo and out of World’s Champion Simbara’s Audacity. This was one of their best rides yet, coming off a win and reserve championship at Blue Ridge last month. Blake Crim was back at it again with another catch ride. He took third with Undulata’s Crystal Illusionist for Double D Ranch. Sirtainly Stylish and Jessica Manzo were fourth here for Jacqueline Manzo.

Bret Day gave no less than three leaping fist pumps on his run down to the far end to greet the 14-17 Five-Gaited Section Two World’s Champion, Wicked In A Winning Way. Rose Marie Wheeler will not soon forget her Sunday in Freedom Hall, as she took her fourth victory pass of the day. Owned by Chestnut Dream LLC, Wicked In A Winning Way is a hinged-up bay son of Deep Blue and a Santana’s Cameo mare. Rose Marie put together one of her best rides yet to take the blue back to Grey Ridge Farm. The power-packed little dynamo Callaway’s Play It Again was the Reserve World’s Champion with Cameron Kay. Cameron made two great catch rides at Blue Ridge as well for Jacquelyn King and Team DeLovely. She did it again tonight with the daughter of CH Caramac and Broodmare Hall of Famer CH That’s My Story. Catherine Wheeler was up next in third aboard Nuttin’ But Talk for Ceil and Kenny Wheeler and Mercer Springs Farm. Fox Grape’s Blue Streak and William Nalty completed the top four for James and Holly Nichols.

Tre Lee had the top spot in the ASR Four-Year-Old Three-Gaited Sweepstakes. This class was the first to add “Mane Optional” in its specs in the prize list for a four-year-old walk-trot class. All but one opted to keep their mane attached in this one. Undulata’s Optical Illusion ERB is the next in a long line of grand horses by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Broodmare Hall of Famer CH Crystal Illusion. Owned by Jeff and Janet Sterba, Optical Illusion was the winner of the ASR Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited National Futurity here last year. Also a winner here last year, Kalarama’s Studious Girl was the reserve winner tonight. Kelly Self was once again aboard, just as she was last year to win the ASR Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Park National Futurity. Owned by WoodLea Farms LLC, the gorgeous bay mare is by Calif First Night Out and out of Kalarama Co-Ed, by Harlem Globetrotter. Nut Too Sweet and T.J. Santaferra had a memorable ribbon in third for Paula Schmidt and Kathy Capsuto Walker.

The first section of 14-17 Three-Gaited saw Soquili’s Curious George wear the blue ribbon with Alex Rudder up for David Rudder. Trained by Wingswept Farm, the team didn’t let their bad horse show luck at Lexington get them down. After throwing a shoe and taking the gate there, they were back with a vengeance to win twice at Shelbyville. They continued their string of only blue ribbons tonight, as Curious George was once again trimmed in blue. Last year’s Amateur Ladies Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Callaway’s Baby Blue. The punched-up strutter, She’s Born To Sparkle, was the Reserve World’s Champion with Alexandra Gendron. Trained by Matt Shiflet, She’s Born To Sparkle is by He’s Born To Royalty, who also scored a Reserve World’s Championship tonight. She is out of the Supreme Heir mare, Callaway’s Sparkle. The black mare hasn’t been out of the top three all season long, no matter the competition. Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes was also in the top three. She rode Nuttin’ As Perfect to third for DesMar Stables. Nuttin’ To Gain and Tabitha Zimmerman were fourth for Fritz Zimmerman. Soquili’s Manolito and Morgan Billig were fifth to round out a top five that featured four horses by Undulata’s Nutcracker!

They kept the little kids up past their bedtimes tonight, with the 11-and-Under Saddle Seat Equitation class coming to the ring at 9 p.m. From her family’s High Tail Acres, Abigail Tate has plenty of experience in the saddle. She got the call tonight to ride Rob New York under the direction of Jaisen and Meghan Von Ballmoos. They made a good choice, as Abigail earned her first World’s Championship blue. When we say that Abigail has been riding all her life, it’s not an exaggeration. That hard work paid off tonight and then some. A Reserve World’s Champion in walk-and-trot here last year, Gabbie Gardiner has stepped up to the cantering ranks this year with the same results. She was a Reserve World’s Champion again this year. Gabbie has made victory passes already this year at Lexington and ETSA Midsummer Classic. Finn Cooper was up next in third, with Emma Dollison in fourth.

CH Swing An Singin made one of her best shows ever tonight, and that is saying something. She was absolutely on point for Catherine Wheeler to be the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park Section One World’s Champion in unanimous style. Headed up by Smith Lilly for the round of honor, Swing An Singin is owned by Ceil and Kenny Wheeler. These two are still undefeated on the season in what has been one of the deepest divisions of the year. By Designed, she is out of Reedann’s Supreme Glow. Another team that has always been in the top of the prizes together, Blake Crim and CH High Heat haven’t finished lower than second all season long. In fact, the reigning World’s Champion of Champions has finished second in every qualifier this year, but has come back every time to take the tricolor for Devore Stables and owner Steven Myers. It will take another great ride to accomplish that feat here on the green shavings. Milan Kordestani’s debut night at Louisville wrapped up with a top three finish in this one aboard CH His Supreme Reflection for Jennifer Dixon and owners Omid and Milan Kordestani. CH iTunes took Jessi McCurry to a great catch ride fourth for Katherine and John Singleton.

It was another unanimous winner in the second section of Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park, as It’s Aerosmith and Skylar Rueff captured their first World’s Championship. Trained by Betsy Webb Stables, the gorgeous black gelding is by VHF The Licorice Drop Kid and out of Steal The Day, by Sultan’s Great Day. This was the ninth win of the year in 11 classes for the striking horse with a big cheering section. Trainer Jenn Holdren was elated with a big win at “the fair” as these locals call it. Amy Cedrone and Simon Cowell followed up their double reserves at ETSA Midsummer Classic with yet another reserve win tonight. This one carries the title of Reserve World’s Champion with it. Amy rode to two wins in this division earlier this year at J.D. Massey for owners Dan and Laura Cedrone. Buster Jangle and a very busy Blake Crim finished third for Martha Pope. Double Black Diamond and Aubrey Behnke finished out the top four for the white ribbon.

What a night it was for Madeleine Wood, the lone sister representing Three Sisters LLC tonight. She took her second victory pass in as many tries, this time with Buckles Boots N Spurs. By Buck’s Co-Star and out of Mystic Promise, by Worthy Son, the Lowry Stables entry rode to the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Section Two World’s Championship tonight. These two also captured their qualifier at Lexington last month. Champions at Midwest Charity, Callaway’s Reality Show and Chris Hawley were the Reserve World’s Champions here for Nancy Hawley. Reality Show is by Callaway’s The Gipper and out of a Show Me Too mare. Just a year ago, this was the Amateur Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions with Deborah Orr. Peter and Kim Cowart train this top team. The popular CH Hi On Heir finished third here with Kara Hachigian. Thunderboomer and Chloe Deeb were a good fourth for Overtime Farm LLC.

Merrill Murray had the big money winner in the ASR Four-Year-Old Five-Gaited Sweepstakes. Walterway’s Born To Be Wild got the top spot in the nightcap for Ghareeb Equine Investments. This mare is by I’m Lookin’ For You and out of Callaway’s Fine As Silk, by CH Callaway’s Born To Win. She was the winner of the Junior Five-Gaited Mare class at Lexington this year. Smith Lilly and Artistic were up next in reserve for Katy and Janet Sterba. By Master Class, she is out of Art Show, by Show N Off Too. She was the Junior Five-Gaited winner at Bonnie Blue this year. My Royale Flush and TJ Santaferra were third for Escalade Stables, while Adam Levine and Clark Clouse took the fourth place money for Harold Denton Jr. 

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