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Louisville - Thursday Evening




Thursday Evening

Thursday evening began with the coveted Kentucky State Fair Senior Equitation Championship with 19 entries making the gate call. After the completion of the required rail work each was inspected in the line up by the judges. After deliberation, 10 riders were called back to perform pattern work: Kyle Gagnon, Ali Judah, Tara Grom, Michelle Krentz, Jessica Moctezuma, Alexandra Flynn, Mary Catherine Swinson, Shana Jo Brown, Casey Morgan Tibolet and Rachel Machamer. When the cards were turned in, it was the polished Alexandra Flynn earning the title aboard Kalu’s Can’t Stop The Magic. Capturing the reserve title was Kyle Gagnon under the direction of Marsha and Gary Garone. Earning the third place was Michelle Krentz aboard CH Louisville Lass.


The Junior Three-Gaited Championship was in next with nine entries. The top two on the judges’ cards battled it out at Asheville Lions Club and earlier on Monday. Both times it was Grande Gil besting Can You Hear Me Now. Actually it was
New York’s Perfect Gift that won the Monday qualifier, but that would be his only appearance. Moving up to claim the top title was the Desert’s Supreme Memories-bred Can You Hear Me Now. Todd Miles was in the irons for Steven Chancellor. The gifted Grande Gil with Neil Visser aboard earned the reserve title and huge crowd approval. By I’m A Prince and out of Steel Hearted Woman, he is owned by Joan Hamilton.

Next in were the amateurs vying for their fine harness championship. It was a class filled with depth with nine teams on the schedule. Making flawless pass after flawless pass, CH Kalarama’s New Sensation marched to the winner’s circle with Mary Gise on the lines. This was the second consecutive year this Hollow Haven-trained team earned the top honor. The handsome Gone Platinum with Mary Sally Aylward captured the reserve title with CH Cary’s Moonraker and Margo Baird in for a strong third.

The speed demons barreled down the ramp for their Roadster To Wagon Championship with six teams in the mix. It was a repeat win for Power Ranger and Raymond Shively as their number was called to the winner’s circle, making it the third title for DeLovely this evening. Merrill Murray drove Stylish Stepper to the reserve title for Matilda Ewald and Dr. Ty Thomas. The amateur of the group, Judy McNeish driving Invincible Summer, garnered the yellow streamers.

The young stars of the five-gaited division were in next for the Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Mare. Winning the class was the high-headed Catalyst’s Work Of Art with James Lowry. The Catalyst-bred mare made her first appearance this season at UPHA Chapter 5 and continued to gain momentum with a win at Midwest Charity and now she won on the green shavings all for owner Priscilla Marconi. The Callaway’s Blue Norther-bred Callaway’s Karla garnered the red streamers with Debbie Foley up.

Thirteen hard riding teams made it down the ramp next for the Five-Gaited Pony Championship. CH Sammyshine and Cydni Simmons have become synonymous over the years and during that time they have won title after title and tonight was no different as their number was called to receive the roses where trainer Tammy Devore met them. Reserve honors went to the sporty Small Packages with Brittany McGinnis catch-riding for Kim and Peter Cowart. The crowd went wild when CH The Champagne Lady and Tyler Devore went to accept their third place ribbon, and Devore respectfully took his hat off.

The junior stars were back to the ring this time for the Junior Fine Harness Championship with nine entries. Tonight it belonged to Night Sight. Never laying an ear back this CF First Night Out son floated through the air for Sam Stafford, earning the win for Cedarledge Farm. With huge crowd approval the impressive Castledream and Larry Hodge captured the reserve title for Hillcroft Farm. The gifted Mother Mary and Smith Lilly rounded out the top three for Platinum Stock Farm.

Next in were the junior exhibitors for their Three-Gaited Pony Championship with 13 teams competing. It seemed to be an even field with all great ponies. One last trot was called for and Allie Wellington stepped up to the plate putting her high-stepping, park-trotting Royalty In Black out there for the judges to see, riding harder than ever and much like her dad, the late Johnny Wellington, who was looking down and smiling tonight. After a fifth place finish on Monday they had nothing to lose and it worked because when the winner was called it was Royalty In Black and Allie Wellington. Simbara’s Cara Mia and Ashley Biggins were in top form to garner the red streamers, with Callaway’s Kiss And Tell and Alyssa Lopez rounding out the top three.

Barns have had a one-two finish in lots of classes but in Freedom Hall how many times has an owner had a one-two finish? Tonight that is just what Frank Jones did. Jones actually had three horses in the next class, the Two-Year-Old Five-Gaited, but Busting Out lost a shoe that was repaired but then lost it again as Matt Shiflet had to direct this flashy chestnut out the gate. Jones still had Out In Dixie and Legacy’s Super Idol in for contention. When the cards were turned in it was Out In Dixie, with Darell Cruse, called to the winner’s circle with Legacy’s Super Idol and Clark Clouse in the irons for reserve. The 2004 weanling winner Texas Hold ‘Em and Bret Day earned a strong third in their debut performance for J.C. Pierce.

The high-stepping Hackney ponies were in next for the Amateur Hackney Pony Championship. The exquisite Royal Canadian with Muffy Ernster on the lines was picture perfect to win the roses under the direction of Gib Marcucci. The winner from the amateur gentleman class, Classical Dancer with Ed Frickey, was outstanding for the reserve title.

This marked the 10th year for the USTA Roadster To Bike Classic and 10 entries burst through the gate for the purse totaling $15,000. With great speed each performed to the top of their game with quality all the way through the class, showing that the next set of stars in the roadster to bike division are extremely talented. Fresh off a win from Blue Ridge, Luanne Kilday’s entry Wuddacomeover with Debbie Foley sped to the winner’s circle. Reserve honors went to the mighty The Dream Thief with Ruth Gimpel on the lines for Helen and James Rosburg. The powerful Matt T Up and Steve Hanks garnered the yellow streamers for the Snowball Partnership.

The evening was brought to a close with not one but two sections of the Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Mare. How thrilling it was for the Country Meadow team when number 773 was called to the winner’s circle. Barbara Vincent recently purchased the striking Silver And Blue who was fresh off a win with Jenny Taylor at Lexington. Julie Ann Wroble tested the waters at Illinois State Fair with a win, but did that prepare them for the green shavings? It did, and they turned in a powerful performance getting the crowd behind them and besting the competitive class. Reserve honors went to the elegant He’s A Dreamer and Jackie Tanner for Danny Bugg.

 

While the next class may not have had the excitement, what it did have was a steady pace. When the requirements were finished the winning entry was Roseridge’s All Mine. Mike Tunstall masterfully presented this Roseridge Heir son for High Hickory Farm. Debbie Foley piloted the Attaché’s Royal Assets-bred I’m Sticking To It to the reserve title.

 

This concludes the highlights of Thursday evening’s show. Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking on SHOW RESULTS.

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