The trend of absolutely loaded splits continued this morning with the first section of Show Pleasure Driving. The other trend of repeat winners also continued, as Doctor Zhivago and Michele Macfarlane returned to the Section One winner’s circle for the second year in a row. Wearing black and white to match her horse’s spotted coloring, Macfarlane put on another of those Freedom Hall performances that she has made commonplace over the years. Accented with light blue gloves and light blue in her hat, Macfarlane was greeted in the winner’s circle by trainer Dena Lopez. Reserve in this class was a special story, as Linda Fischer drove Open Arms to the red ribbon for a lady who was very special in her life, the late Jane Mueller. Trained by Grey Ridge Farm, Open Arms was the Pleasure Driving National Champion last year. Pleasure Driving World’s Champion of Champions in 2007, CH Candle Dan was third today with Jayne Romano at the lines, while Lexington champions A Cinderella Story and Karrie Graham were fourth. The depth of talent in this single split was incredible.
"A lot of hard work paid off," said brother Tyler Miles as his sister Macey Joan Miles made her fifth trip down Louisville’s victory lane. Aboard Worth The Trip, Macey earned the top spot in 10-and-Under Equitation after winning the 8-and-Under Walk-and-Trot World’s Championship last year. Kaitlyn Creekmore was back in the Equitation ranks for the first time since the Royal last year. She picked up the Reserve World’s Championship under the Hollow Haven banner.
Another repeat winner rode to the winner’s circle in the first section of Five-Gaited Show Pleasure. This was Champagne Treat with Jennie Turner Garlington. Trained by Kalarama, Champagne Treat worked high in the bridle and slickly maneuvered through all of the traffic that a 22-horse gaited class can bring. It was a smashing opening salvo for the reigning Five-Gaited Pleasure World’s Champion of Champions here on Tuesday morning. A top contender all season long, including two wins at Shelbyville and a qualifier win at Lexington, Just Heavenly was up for reserve today with Anitya Marlowe riding for Bullet Concrete Material Inc. Making his return to Freedom Hall, It’s All About Me was third for Chris Nalley, while Lexington’s reserve champion, Cool Down Papa, was fourth for Kathy Scherer.
Kailin Elizabeth Baechle couldn’t have been more excited to hear her number called off to win the 12-Year-Old Equitation class aboard her beloved mount, Devote. Excited trainer Kent Swalla and barn supporter, Emily Abbott ran to meet her in the winner’s circle and to help with ears on the victory pass. Reserve honors went to the Cater Stables trained entry of Maggie McCool aboard the mare that had so much success for Sarah Taylor, Undulata’s Time To Shine. Gavin Gagnon rounded out the top three under the direction of Fairfield South to give New England two of the top three riders.
Wearing the same day coat that she wore to roll down victory lane here with CH Blackberry Delight, Rachel Machamer was a Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure 14-17 World’s Champion once again, this time with Got No Shame. Owned by Jeff and Kelly Williamson, son and daughter-in-law of Lynda Freseth, and BRK Equestrian LLC, Got No Shame was a Two-Year-Old Fine Harness World’s Champion in 2006. Now five, he has matured into a fantastic pleasure horse, long-necked and well-mannered. Andy and Lynda Freseth ran in tandem down to the winner’s circle to greet their winning entry. A horse that went head to head with Got No Shame at Blue Ridge, trading victories, Stonecroft I’m Radiant was the Reserve World’s Champion today with Rebecca Boorstein up for Equilateral Enterprise Inc. and trainers Jim and Fay Lowry. Krystal Murphy and In Due Time were third for Taylor Creek Stables, while CH Fine By Me and Alicia Sacotte were fourth under the direction of Ginger Schinktgen.
In her first performance of the year, Madison Peyton Miller won the 11-Year-Old blue aboard the borrowed, Exotic Times. With a great crowd ovation, her number was called and trainer, Ryan Stodd excitedly marched to the winner’s circle. Reserve honors went to Caroline Cherry , cheered on by trainers and parents, Jim and Helen Cherry. Courtney McGinnis rounded out the top three aboard the equitation superstar, Amandari.
CH Ninety-Eight Degrees made it a cool dozen in Freedom Hall, winning the second section of 14-17 Show Pleasure with Katherine Randall aboard. You read that right… 12 World’s Championship rounds of honor for this one amazing son of Harlem Town. There is a very select group of horses that have won enough to earn their "CH" designation, but to have enough "CH" points from Louisville alone? That is just incredible. Julie Kaufman and the Blue Willow team, assisted by Bret Day, celebrated in the winner’s circle. Lexington champions Ben Ferreby and CH New York Style were reserve for the Walnut Way banner. Another one with an impressive resume, New York Style has three Louisville wins to his credit. Flashy and flaxen, CH The Mystery Machine rounded out the top three with Gretchen Bentz riding for Nick Neviaser.
Winning her age group every year since 2006, Belle Owen was at it again to win the 13-Year-Old Equitation class aboard "Button," Chanti’s Prayer. Just as they did yesterday in the 16-Year-Old division, DeLovely topped the top three placings. Reserve honors went to Hunter Chancellor aboard Can You Hear Me Now, while Abby Mutrux rounded out the top three aboard Blackboard.
Winning his fifth World’s Championship title, CH Stonewall’s Stargate racked up the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Section Two blue for the second year in a row with Stefanie Lackey Sanchez. Under the direction of Peter and Kim Cowart and wearing her signature light blue coat, Sanchez was at the top of her game and at the top of this huge class once again. Elisabeth Goth put on possibly her best ride of the season with Love Bite to earn the Reserve World’s Championship. By Time Out For Lovin’, Love Bite is a big, powerful chestnut, trained by Kalarama. Nancy Leigh Fisher and Gotta Be Charmed were third under the Hollow Haven banner, while JJ Beck made a great catch ride aboard Out Of Reach for fourth for Karen Blankenship Shumate.
Twice a World’s Champion already in his career, The Majestic was once again a Freedom Hall winner, this time with Maya Manilow aboard in the 13-and-Under Show Pleasure class. Donna and Kenny Smith made the run to the far end, as the big, bold chestnut son of Supreme Heir trotted to the winner’s circle. Ellie Kangur and the High Caliber team had the second place finisher in Brookhill’s Kool As Ice. A qualifier winner at Lexington with Drew Taylor Hewitt up, Kool As Ice is by Periaptor and out of CH It’s A Beautiful Day, the dam of Brookhill’s King Of Kool and She’s My Desire BH. At 17, CH Creditworthy was back on the green shavings, taking third with Jenna Winquist riding under the direction of Knollwood.
Section Two of Show Pleasure Driving saw a unanimous win by Christine Broder with CH Callaway’s Halley’s Comet. Hoppy Bennett strolled to the winner’s circle as the winning trainer. High-headed and never backing an ear, Halley’s Comet was in top form for the blue. Reserve champions at Lexington, Unclaimed and Jan Beardsley Blanco were reserve today as well, directed by Gary Garone. Buena Vista and Kaye Bowles Durnell were third with another great performance.
Laura Plant made her first Freedom Hall victory pass aboard her new partner for this season, Uwharrie’s Patriot Sage. Winning Section One of the 13-and-Under Country Pleasure class, they put it all together for the blue ribbon ride. Haunting and Holly Hein provided good alliteration and a great ride as the Reserve World’s Champions. Putting in one of their best shows together, Holly and Haunting garnered a hard-earned red ribbon.
Reserve champions at Midwest, Section Two winners Alice Rowland and Callaway’s Winning Number certainly put on a show to take the unanimous decision. Light chestnut with a blonde mane and tail, Winning Number is by CH Callaway’s Born To Win. He didn’t back an ear, he didn’t miss a step, and Alice Rowland had him exactly where he needed to be all class long under the watchful eye of Missy Hughes. Winner of this class last year, CH CF First Light Of Dawn was reserve today for Maya Manilow, rounding out a highly successful day for Maya and the Goodman Manilow family. Matrix and Jessica Cloud were third, while Salt Heir and Garrett Weiler delighted their big cheering section with a fourth place finish.
With a big group of seven, the Amateur Gentlemen Harness Pony class was one of the best in recent memory. Shown to a Three-Year-Old Harness Pony World’s Championship by Mary Gaylord McClean in 2007, Twin Willow’s Handsome Dan was bold, black and beautiful once again today, with Jeff McClean at the whip. By Twin Willow’s McMillan, Handsome Dan is out of a Vindicator mare. Third in this class the past two years, Seamair Sensation and John Wrather moved up a slot to claim the Reserve World’s Champion title under the direction of Janet Crampton. The homebred Crystal Creek’s Commander and Carl Nichols finished up in third.
Standing in the irons and absolutely flying at speed, Dr. Brian Garrett raced off with his first World’s Championship aboard Where Are We Now. We’re not sure what the speed limit is on Victory Lane, but with his white and blue silks a blur, Garrett was certainly in jeopardy of breaking it! Winner of this class the past two years, All Glory was reserve today with Elizabeth Shatner.
Section Two of 13-and-Under Show Pleasure went to a Reserve World’s Champion from last year, CH Brookhill’s King Of Kool with Jessie Wuesthofen. Making her first blue ribbon ride at Louisville, Wuesthofen picked up her tenth straight win with King Of Kool, directed by DeLovely. This also added to It’s A Beautiful Day’s resume, as her son added a World’s Championship to the Reserve World’s Championship won by Kool As Ice earlier in the session. Cagle James and CH My Grande were reserve in their qualifier this year after winning it just last year. The bay veteran performer by Sultan’s Santana hasn’t lost a step over the years, putting on that same high in the bridle performance he has become known for. Heir’s Halo and Kaitlyn Creekmore earned a tough third for Thomas R. Brock Jr., while Supreme Spotlight and Ashley Bryce were fourth.
The top two spots in the Four-Year-Old Hackney Pony class went back to Majestic Oaks, as Heartland Rough And Ready took top honors by a unanimous choice of the judges. Maureen Lydon Campbell was at the lines for Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Kolkman. Rough And Ready is by Heartland Victory and out of a Dun-Haven Bandolier mare. Another Heartland-bred pony, Heartland Spindazzle, was reserve for Holli McDowell and owner Sandra Surber. This one is by Heartland Code Of Honor and out of a Sky King mare. The third and fourth spots went to Golden Creek ponies, as Red Tide and Tom Lowry were third, and Romeo’s Prime Minister LF and Abel Vega were fourth.
In her final year as a junior exhibitor, Angela Darrow and Freaky Links picked up their first World’s Championship as a team. Coming off two remarkable wins at Lexington, Darrow and Freaky Links were never better than they were today, rolling down one rail and back up the other. They earned the unanimous choice of the judges in section one of the 14-17 Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited class, as Scott Matton and assistant Kara Waitek made the run across the green shavings. Black with lots of chrome, The Decisive Moment and Suzanna Crews picked up their best ever Louisville finish as well, taking the Reserve World’s Championship under the direction of Melissa Moore. Alexa McWilliams made a great go for third with Stonecroft Rumor Has It, while CH What’s The Whoopla and Caitlin Leith were fourth in the deep split..
If you want to see "simply awesome," take a look at the show record of Seamair Simply Awesome. John Wrather drove to a 21st straight victory today in the Amateur Gentlemen Hackney Pony class, a repeat win from 2008. Jerry Cummins and Heartland Summer Storm were reserve today. Geof Dixon drove Summer Storm to the Hackney Pony County Fair Championship on Sunday for owners Betty Bishop and Warren Featherston.
"It’s two in a row for Bones and Jones!" said best in the business Peter Fenton, as Charlie Jones and Mr’s Bones racked up yet another blue ribbon drive, this time repeating as the Amateur Roadster to Bike World’s Champions. Long winning streaks are part of this World’s Champion’s world as well, as this was his 15th straight amateur win. The reigning World’s Champion of Champions looked every bit ready to defend the title today, as Bones and Jones always bring their "A" game. Back in the ring at Freedom Hall for the first time in a long time, Jerry Miles made the drive with Emerson to pick up reserve for DeLovely. Emerson was reserve in the USTA Roadster to Bike Classic with Raymond Shively in 2008. This was a special day for the Miles family as it gave them three generations showing at Louisville in the same year.
After a great night last night, earning a reserve with Nurse Goodbody and watching his stallion, I’m First, take home the stud stake with Steve Wheeler, John Scheidt was beaming once again as he drove Nobu to the winner’s circle. The unanimous choice of the judges was directed to the Four-Year-Old Harness Pony blue by Majestic Oaks. Nobu is by Mr. Hawkeye and out of Albelarm Distinctive Lady. The UPHA Harness Pony Classic National Champion from a year ago, Regal’s Norma Jean LF was reserve today for Stephany Monteleone under the direction of Abel Vega. Norma Jean is by Dun-Haven Regal Attraction.
It has been quite a career for Yearling Breeders Open winner Chosholosa. This is his resume: Two trips to the horse show, both of them to the Kentucky State Fair, two times through the in gate, two World’s Championships. That’s not too shabby, as this bay son of Dorian Wild Temper (SA) is batting 1.000 in his young career! Out of the Periaptor mare, Dark-Eyed Dancer, Chosholosa also sports CH Night Prowler and Can Can (BHF) on his bottom line, as his second dam is a half sister to CH New York New York and CH Gotta Dance. Big and bay and certainly full of himself, Chosholosa earned a second $2,500 payday in his two class career. Andre van Schalkwyk presented for Copper Coin’s Bob and Wendy Johnson. By Basquiat, Blossoming Violet was reserve today. A beautiful milk chocolate chestnut color, Blossoming Violet has an incredibly long neck and just a beautiful look about her. Kurt Hufferd filled in for his brother John, showing for John and Alva Graber.
In a much-anticipated showdown, "Tonto" and Sprinkles finally faced off in the 13-and-Under Five-Gaited World’s Championship. In this clash of the petite girls with their powerful mounts, the crowd got to rockin’ with every pass. CH Platinum’s New Look and Hunter Chancellor started off slow and just continued to build momentum throughout the class, capping off their work with a pass at the second way rack that was just about as good as it gets in any division. CH Sprinkles and Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes came out with guns blazing first direction, raising the bar even higher. In the end, the incredibly strong second way work of Hunter and Tonto put this class out of reach, as they took the blue back to DeLovely. Sprinkles and Eleanor were reserve, receiving a nice ovation from the appreciative Tuesday afternoon crowd. Third in the class was Captain Roseridge, with Camille Cowart, while Abby Mutrux and Cara Clara were fourth. You would be hard-pressed to find a more exciting four-horse class anywhere.
Joan Lurie had shown only two black weanlings in the last 25 years at Louisville before Sunday night. She may rethink that after Safecracker’s win on Sunday and now Sir Clarence Ronald’s win in the Weanling Breeders Open today. Jet black and chiseled with a small white star, Sir Clarence Ronald is named after Tom Galbreath’s brother. An absolute knockout, he strutted and posed to the blue by unanimous acclaim for Darrell Case and Joan Lurie. Owner C. Thomas Galbreath and son Phillip beamed with pride as Clarence Ronald bested the field of 12. Obviously by Sir William Robert, Sir Clarence Ronald is out of Joellen Fisher Blount’s top harness mare, Tornaado’s Tidal Wave. By Winsdown Westinghouse, Winsdown Lilac Lane was second for James Vantrease and his mother, Louise Gilliland. Lilac Lane is the first foal of Satori’s Celebrity, by Leatherwood’s Starlight and out of Satori, herself a winner of this very class with none other than Joan Lurie leading in 1988. Kurt Hufferd and Wowie were third for Melissa Moore and Tom Lowry. She is by Santana Hosanna and out of Judy Elaine, a cross of Simbara’s Rising Son and Yorktown blood. A full brother to another in hand star, MBA’s Sir William Blue, MBA’s Crimson Glow was fourth in this one after placing fifth in Sunday night’s futurity. An entry of MBA Equestrians shown by Antonio Hernandes and Pat McConnell, Crimson Glow is by Sir William Robert and out of the top show mare, Crimson Blue.
What a night in store for us on Tuesday, as it is Amateur night, along with a slew of National Futurities. So stick around, we’ll be right back.