Louisville - Tuesday Daytime
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
It was a Cinderella story in Section One of the Show Pleasure Driving qualifiers. Karrie Graham and CH A Cinderella Story continued their undefeated season with a first ever trip down Louisville’s victory lane. Making an incredible 11th blue ribbon drive on the year, Karrie and Cinderella Story were joined in the winner’s circle by Jim Lowry as co-owner and husband Dwaine Kinderknecht waved from the stands and drank in the emotion of the moment. Coco Loco has worn the harness to the winner’s circle here before, as he was the Junior Fine Harness World’s Champion of Champions. In his first season in Pleasure Driving, he picked up the red ribbon for second. Mark Utoft headed up Corbin Smith, who added another title to her growing resume on the week for Fritz and Candace Meili, rocking a beautiful red dress with a black hat and accessories. That red and black combination has been a good one all week here in Louisville’s Freedom Hall. Thunder Crackin’ and Elisabeth Goth continued to grow together as a Pleasure Driving team as they picked up a strong third with Neil Visser heading. Buena Vista and Kaye Bowles-Durnell finished fourth with Eddie Cockriel joining in the ring.
Foster Roberts has been the go-to young rider for Rick Wallen all year long, and it most definitely paid off in the first split of Road Pony Under Saddle. Dun-Haven Majestic Motion and Foster Roberts wore the blue ribbons with pride, the yellow and black silks heading down the rail with speed and form. Owners Denise and Meredithe Steinhauer were overjoyed, with Meredithe calling out, "Yeah Boy, Junior!" from her seats. A winner in this division the last three years, Pure Country debuted with new rider Lexie Flint to pick up reserve. Wearing Shannon Ella’s silks, Lexie made a hard-riding performance to launch her Road Pony career. A tough little rider, she looked poised as always, trotting out with the red ribbon with trainer Holli Hayes.
An absolute "Murderer’s Row" of gaited pleasure horses ended up in Section One of the Five-Gaited Pleasure class, one of those times when the numerical split lands some of the biggest winners throughout the country all in the same class. Fighting off a field of some of the very best in the business, Ally Ehle and CH Titleist Right Tonight were the elated winners, a first Louisville blue for these two tough competitors. Trained by Mike and Jessie Richardson, Right Tonight was right today. It was all smiles and tears when mom Nancy joined outside the ring for the victory celebration. The reigning World’s Champion of Champions and two-time winner of this class, CH Stonewall’s Stargate was reserve today with Stefanie Sanchez riding under the direction of Peter and Kim Cowart. The Lexington Champions were on top of their game again today in this impossibly deep class. Undefeated to this point on the season and Champions at Asheville, Midwest and Blue Ridge, CH Take A Guess and Michelle Krentz were third for Mary Krentz. The big bay with a white stripe got a nice ovation for his yellow ribbon performance. Gotta Be Charmed and Nancy Leigh Fisher made a strong showing in fourth, with CH Quidditch and Janet Thompson in fifth.
Two multi-titled World’s Champions teamed up for another World’s Championship performance in the 12-Year-Old Equitation group. Courtney McGinnis earned her fifth Louisville blue, this one in unanimous fashion, with a picture perfect performance aboard The Kiss Of The Zodiac. "Zodi" himself is no stranger to the winner’s circle, as he was Faye Wuesthofen’s mount for her Senior Equitation World’s Championship and subsequent Triple Crown wins last year. Come to think of it, when you factor in Courtney’s undefeated 11-for-11 season so far in 2010, Zodi hasn’t left the ring with anything less than the blue ribbon in just over a year! Both of the top two riders were former Walk-and-Trot World’s Champions, as Caroline Cherry earned the red streamers for second. Reserve in her age group here the last two years, Caroline was the 2007 Walk-and-Trot World’s Champion of Champions. From walk-and-trot to walk-trot, Caroline was a Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited winner yesterday with Victoria Lynn.
From a talented collection of 14 good ones, it was a unanimous decision that sent Kenny and Donna Smith running down opposite straightaways to the far end of the show ring. They were headed to meet The Majestic and Maya Manilow, winners of the first split of 14-17 Three-Gaited Show Pleasure. It has been a spectacular week so far for the Skyline Stables team and the Goodman/Manilow family, as the top honors are piling up fast. Peter Fenton called them "The Picture of Pleasure" as they trotted out with blue streamers in tow. Seeming to always be right at the top of every class they go in, Supreme Spotlight and Ashley Bryce were reserve for Bryce Heritage Investments and trainer Jack Magill. Both Maya and Ashley have an impressive string of horses to ride this week. Lexington Champions Rebecca Boorstein and CH Stonecroft I’m Radiant were third for Equilateral Enterprise Inc. and Lowry Stables. De La Hoya and Alle Hagan finished fourth for Cece Hagan.
Another Equitation age group, another pair of former Walk-and-Trot World’s Champions took top two. The reigning 9-10 Walk-and-Trot World’s Champion of Champions, Clara McCool, rode to another Louisville victory pass under the direction of Cater Stables in the 11-Year-Old age group. Teamed with Highpoint’s Syncopated Rhythm and cheered on by parents Dave and Catie McCool and sister Maggie, Clara was elegant as always as the World’s Champion. Four times a Walk-and-Trot World’s Champion, the 2008 World’s Champion of Champions, and last year’s 10-and-Under Equitation World’s Champion, Macey Joan Miles finished reserve today for the DeLovely team. This highly decorated young lady always sparkles in the show ring with that winning smile on display no matter what prize she gets. Apparently Walk-and-Trot provides a strong foundation for these young equitators, because two-time Walk-and-Trot World’s Champion Kaitlyn Creekmore finished in third, and two-time Reserve World’s Champion Natalie Robinson was fourth.
The second section of 14-17 Show Pleasure was also well-attended, with 14 entries making it a perfectly even split. Twice a World’s Champion last year in the 13-and-Under ranks, CH Brookhill’s King Of Kool (as it is properly spelt) was a World’s Champion once again, this time against the older kids but still with his same teammate, Jessica Wuesthofen. An entry of Glenn A. Werry Jr, King Of Kool was the Asheville and Midwest Champion as well. CSF Supreme Memories and Leslie Mechling received a big pop in reserve for Judy Brown. This was the same finish as the 14-17 Championship at Asheville, as Supreme Memories was reserve there as well. He was twice a winner at Chattanooga/Cleveland Charity back in June. Kristen Gardner and Callaway’s Law And Order made one of their best performances together to take the yellow streamers for Ready Set Show Inc. and Landmark Farm. The ageless CH LaGuardia and Eva Heniges were fourth for Meridyth Munns and trainers Kris and Kara Martalock.
It was back to back winners and a top two sweep in the 13-Year-Old Equitation group, as Kailin Elizabeth Baechle and Gavin Gagnon finished one-two. The 12-Year-Old Equitation World’s Champion a year ago, Kailin Baechle returned to Freedom Hall to take another last pass on the green shavings for Fairfield South. Gary, Marsha, and Devon Garone, along with Kyle Gagnon coached from the rail, as their two top riders battled for the blue. Lexington’s Junior Equitation Reserve Champion for the past two years, Gavin Gagnon was reserve here as well. Looking back at previous classes, we’ll note that he was a 9-Year-Old Walk-and-Trot World’s Champion in 2006. Shelby Hader and Oh What A Feeling finished third for Knollwood, while Kirwan Kennedy finished fourth, making the long trek from Arizona to once again show on the green shavings.
Amy Dix Rock and Take It From The Top put it all together here on Tuesday morning to take the last pass in Section Two of Five-Gaited Pleasure competition. Rob and Sarah Byers made the joint run to pin the blue ribbons on this son of the great World’s Champions Top Spool and My Front Page Lady. Owned and bred by the Dix family, he continues to get better and better for the Premier Stables banner. The first World’s Champion out of Front Page Lady, he made mama proud, wearing her tail switch today. It’s a tail that has seen the green shavings many times before. Maneuvering through the gathered mass of 19 entries, he left with the top honors. Sarah Crane had that great Louisville look of shock and surprise mixed with excitement and sheer joy as she rode up to ribbon boy Ethan Roetman to pick up her Reserve World’s Champion award with What About Phil. Owned by Mike and Sarah Crane and directed by Steve and Tiffany Wheeler, this team worked in high style for a great reserve tie. Jacque Nance and CH Under Oath finished third in this split, with CH Callaway’s Dealbreaker and Betts Coup fourth for Karen Coup. CH Hank Heiron and Kelly Williamson were fifth for BRK Equestrian LLC, while Cool Down Papa and Kathy Scherer ended up sixth.
Split one of the 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Show Pleasure division saw a unanimous choice of the judges headed to the winner’s circle. This was CH Tax Man, with Jessica Cloud riding for the Jack Magill Stables banner. Qualifier winners at Lexington, this team has put together a great first season together. Tax Man was of course the Adult Show Pleasure World’s Champion of Champions just a year ago with Peggy Councilman aboard. His victory pass with Jack Magill and Debbie Graves heading him up was a great one to be certain. From the West Coast, CH So Audacious and Samantha Robinson put on a great show in reserve for Rancho Del Mar and owner Bradley Stables LLC. She got a loud cheer out of the Rancho Del Martians for her Reserve World’s Championship. Mackenzie Hall and With Bells On were third with bells on, while CH Vegas Dreams and Jennifer Van Horn were fourth for Pegasus Farms LLC.
Section Two of Pleasure Driving rounded out the morning session, with CH Candle Dan returning to the Louisville winner’s circle. Jayne Romano did the driving as always for their ninth win of the year under the direction of Jan Lukens. Big and bold, Candle Dan has been the Champion at Blue Ridge, UPHA 14 Spring Premiere and Bonnie Blue already in 2010. A new entry on the Pleasure Driving scene, My Stiletto finished as the Reserve World’s Champion with Kenny Wheeler doing the catch driving for good friend Janet Sterba and the Mercer Springs team. Owner Katy Sterba called in after watching online from Senegal, Africa, where she is serving in the Peace Corps. She talked to her mom after the thrilling reserve. "I’m like a quivering mess of flesh right now," Janet said to daughter Katy from thousands miles away, brought closer together by a great Louisville moment.
Laura Plant had to skip the lunch break on Tuesday again this year, as she had to prepare to once again open the Tuesday afternoon session with a blue ribbon ride aboard CH Uwharrie’s Patriot Sage in Section One of 13-and-Under Country Pleasure. Patriot Sage has loved this ring the last few years earning a reserve title in 2008 with Tara Grom. Now trained by Mary and Evan Orr, Patriot Sage looked just as strong as ever to take the blue. Anna Leigh Amrein and Callaway’s Fox Jackson made one of their best shows to date to take reserve back to Zubrod Stables. Fresh off their Dayton wins, they were pleasure perfect for the red ribbon.
The winning number on all three cards in Section Two was "299." That one belonged to Callaway’s Winning Number, the winner of Section Two last year as well as the Championship of this division. They made some truly spectacular passes in this one, all flash and flaxen under the direction of Missy Hughes for Ever Glades Farm. World’s Champion of Champions in this division in 2008, The Petite Princess was reserve today with Caroline Rainbolt Forbes riding for the Rainbow Princess Farms and Team DeLovely. They put together one of their best shows to ride to the red ribbon.
Third in 2008, reserve in 2009, and the World’s Champion in 2010, Seamair Sensation topped the Amateur Gentlemen Harness Pony class with John Wrather at the lines for Charlotte Wrather and trainer Janet Crampton. They were Harness Pony Champions at Lexington this year as well. Regal’s Pride LF and Kenny Wheeler took reserve for Frickey Farms.
Where Are We Now? Well that’s not really a question that Dr. Brian Garrett had to ask himself when he hit the winner’s circle in the Amateur Roadster Under Saddle class. He had been there just a year ago with Where Are We Now. They were welcomed back with a nice round of applause for their third World’s Championship together. Dr. Holly Ackerman and Vivacious picked up reserve honors in this nice field of five. All Glory and Elizabeth Shatner made a nice show in third for Belle Reve.
Section Two of 13-and-Under Three-Gaited Show Pleasure saw a unanimous victor really put on a show to take her first performance World’s Championship. This was Kaitlyn Creekmore, teamed today with Heir’s Halo for a blue ribbon performance. Andy and Lynda Freseth ran to meet the Thomas R. Brock Jr. entry. They earned their sixth victory pass of the year, having won at Midwest, Blue Ridge, and Tanbark already this season. The big man, William Nalty, finished reserve with Vuarnet for James and Holly Nichols. Trained by Nichols and Barbe Smith at Cascade Stables, Vuarnet was reserve to Halo in both classes at Blue Ridge as well as in the Midwest Championship. Thunder Gone Wild and Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes took a strong third in this big class for the Rainbow Princess Farms. Brookhill’s Kool As Ice, a half-brother to King Of Kool, was fourth with Ellie Kangur for Tom and Mickey Kangur.
Elisabeth Goth kept the string of unanimous ties going with a Four-Year-Old Hackney Pony victory at the lines of Heartland News Leader. Recently acquired by Elisabeth, News Leader is undefeated in his young career. He is by Heartland Head Of The Class and out of a Sky King mare. Elisabeth wore an extraordinary black and white outfit, complete with a white veil on her elegant black and white hat. Rich Campbell headed up the victory pass in this one. Larry Ella drove Lexington winner Le Marc to reserve for Ella Stables and Kathryn Boyd. Le Marc is by the great Mark Of Excellence.
The judges were all three on the same page again in the first split of 14-17 Five-Gaited, as they all sent CH Platinum’s New Look and Hunter Chancellor out of the pack and down to the winner’s circle. Undefeated since leaving Louisville a year ago, they were 13-and-Under World’s Champions in 2009 and 2008. "Tonto" looks all primed, pumped and ready for the older age group here in 2010, as he is now five-for-five on the year. Maya Manilow is dialed in here in Freedom Hall and is making some of the best rides of her career early on in this week. She made another one with Out With The Ladies to pick up the red streamers for Barbara Goodman Manilow and the Skyline stables group. Rebel Rooster and Mollie Kregor made a hard-charging performance in third for Kathy Bagdasarian and the Diamond View team, while Katie Jarve had a great go with CH Walterway’s Remember Me in fourth for John and Jacque Jarve.
Making their unanimous victory in the Amateur Gentlemen Hackney Pony class even more special, Seamair Simply Awesome and John Wrather retired the Apollo Sand Challenge Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Wheeler. It took three consecutive wins to get that accomplished, and today made number three for this indomitable team. Just continuing to shine for trainer Janet Crampton, they are undefeated on the year for Charlotte Wrather. Larry Schultz had the Gib Marcucci-trained Front Page News up for reserve. Front Page News is by Dun-Haven Grandeur and out of a Patent Pending mare.
Charlie Jones’ undefeated career in Amateur classes in Freedom Hall continued this afternoon, as he captained Mr’s Bones to the Amateur Roadster to Bike World’s Championship for the third year in a row. It was back to back three-time winners here, as well as another unanimous decision. This was victory pass number 17 on the year for this team that loves nothing more than playing horse show! Amateur Reserve World’s Champion of Champions in 2009 and Reserve World’s Grand Champion in 2008, Valparaiso was reserve here for Tom Fiedler and the Lowry Stables crew. Long a road horse enthusiast, Fiedler makes solid performances every time he hits the ring.
Randy Harper once again drove his Lexington winner, Major Impact, to a blue ribbon performance for Frickey Farm. This time it was for a World’s Championship title in the Four-Year-Old Harness Pony class. Mike Hylton made a nice show with Heartland Queen Of The Road to take reserve for Susan Olcott. This is another by Heartland Head Of The Class.
Royal Scotsman and Richmond DeHart made the last pass in the Yearling Breeders Open, showing for Carl T. Fischer Jr. A rich brown chestnut with a light touch to his mane and tail, Royal Scotsman is by Sir William Robert and out of Odessa Jane, by Adriatic, Fischer’s stallion. Two white socks and a white foot behind combine with a wide white stripe to make for lots of chrome on this quite literal standout. William Robert swept the top two spots in an in hand class for the second time this week, as Sir Smokey Robinson earned the red streamers with Darrell Case and Joan Lurie teaming up for Hallston Manor and Willowbank Farm. Out of Sugar Pie Honey, by Supreme Heir, Smokey’s second dam is Heir Spray, the dam of In Hand World’s Champions Safecracker, Nutorious, and Line Of Thunder. Bump In The Night and Ramon Gomez were third for Blythewood, with Goodfella and Mayo Moctezuma were fourth for Hickory Knoll Farm.
The 13-and-Under Five-Gaited class saw the reigning World’s Champion of Champions return to take the qualifier blue this year by a unanimous choice of the judges. CH Sprinkles and Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes capped off a busy day for the Rainbow Princess Farms with a stunning in spots performance. Of course we refer to the pinto mare’s spots, because anyone watching this class knows that these two were right on point from cover to cover for the DeLovely banner. Blue Ridge Champions Kalarama’s Lady Bancroft and Alexis Landreth earned the reserve title for Equestrian Investments of Tennessee LLC. By Exalted Effect and out of Mary Jane Bancroft, by CF First Night Out, Lady Bancroft can flat motor. She was third in the Mare Stake here a year ago with Lisa Rosenberger. Tanner Parham and What’s Your Daddy were third for Steven Myers, with CH Harlem’s Hot Ticket and Devon Van Ess fourth for Dan and Marlene LaFleur.
The Weanling Breeders Open closed out Tuesday afternoon, with We Must Be Nuts winning the blue ribbon as well as the fictional "Best Name of the Day" contest. By Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Evangelique, by Harlem Globetrotter, he was handled by Darrell Case for S & J Partnership. Commander’s Stud Muffin, a son of Zovoorbij Commander In Chief (SA), sired the reserve winner, Niecy Nash. The pretty bay filly is out of a Haven’s Hero mare. James Hale was at the helm for James and Jackie Hale.
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