Louisville - Tuesday Daytime
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
It is a pleasurable day here in the Bluegrass, not just the weather here at 9 am, but the schedule of classes. Today is the day for Pleasure Driving, Five-Gaited Pleasure, and Junior Exhibitor Show and Country Pleasure to qualify, with each division having two or three splits. First up on this extended matinee was the initial section of Show Pleasure Driving. With the support of all three judges, the Hollow Haven team of Irresistible Design and Elizabeth James Lipscomb made the last pass for Susan and Elizabeth James LLC. Undefeated on the season, Irresistible Design has been the rising star of this division in 2011. With wins at Des Moines, Bonnie Blue, Midwest, Tanbark, and Blue Ridge, this Designed daughter is taking the Pleasure Driving world by storm. Just a four-year-old, she was the UPHA Fine Harness Classic National Champion just last fall. A star here a year ago and the reigning National Champion of this division, My Stiletto was reserve for the second year in a row, this time with Debbie Marcum driving for Daniel and Debbie Marcum. This team shows under the High Caliber banner with Debbie’s daughter, Mary Marcum Orr. Spend The Night and Cindy Kolmeier were third for Destiny Farm, while Soquili’s The Nutcracker Prince and Jackie Ware were fourth for Soquili Stables.
With an unbelievably well-filled class of 17, it was a longtime Freedom Hall veteran taking the round of honor, as Pure Country topped the Road Pony Under Saddle class. It was 2006 when Pure Country found his destiny as an under saddle pony, gracing the green shavings in this division for the first time. Anna Hormann was aboard that day. A year later he won his first world title with Samantha Johnson. The next two years it was more of the same, as Samantha and Pure Country romped to victory two more times for Holli McDowell and Lisa McMackin. He was sold here a year ago to Dr. Robert and Melissa Flint for their daughter Lexie to show, and this year he once again returned to the top of this class, still showing under the Majestic Oaks banner. Winner of both the qualifier and championship here a year ago, Dun-Haven Majestic Motion was reserve today with Cheyenne Mabey riding for Denise Steinhauer. This was the first time all season for Majestic Motion to finish anything but first, taking all eight blue ribbons back to Majestic Oaks. Reserve World’s Champion of Champions last season, Mastercraft’s Guess Who LF was third with Tayler Rhinehart for Brad and Barbara Bacon. Brynn Lunaas overcame a helmet issue to finish fourth with Unique Star Attraction for Deborah Jahn and the Utofts.
Holy Split! The 24-entry first section of the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure qualifier read like a “Who’s Who” of the last five years of gaited pleasure horses. It was deep. It was competitive. It was loaded! And for a class of this size and magnitude, it held together fairly well, with just a few issues getting in the way of the competition. Jennie Turner Garlington and Champagne Treat returned to the show ring this year and have come along steadily under the Kalarama banner. Today, they returned to the top of the division they know so well, winning this one in high style. How’s this for a record? In four tries, Champagne Treat has never been beaten in his Louisville qualifier, winning in 2006, 2008, 2009, and now 2011. That is simply sensational. Another four-time qualifier winner, CH Stonewall’s Stargate, was reserve with Stefanie Lackey Sanchez aboard for Sharyn Lackey. Also reserve a year ago, Stargate was the 2010 Reserve World’s Champion of Champions as well. He is trained by Peter and Kim Cowart. Wendy Bruwer has had the riding duties aboard Tango Mango all season long for Singing Hills Stables and good friends Gene and Annalize van der Walt. Just a five-year-old, Tango Mango finished third, having won the Championship at Shelbyville earlier this month. Kelly Mount finished fourth with CH Callaway’s Dealbreaker, while Midwest Champion One More Kiss was fifth for Kristin Stivers and High Hickory Farm.
Just four showed up for the 12-Year-Old Saddle Seat Equitation age group, with Sydney Budzinski taking the world title back to her home base of Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Trained by the Knollwood team and headed up by Carol Matton, Sydney teams with Oh What A Feeling, former mount of such top riders as Deanna Lanigan and Nick Maupin. “Nice goin’, Sydney!” boomed Scott Matton’s voice from the in gate, as the beaming young lady made her first Louisville victory pass in just her second trip to Louisville. A year ago, Ally McHugh was winning the 11-and-Under Academy Equitation class at ASHAV. This year she is a Reserve World’s Champion. Teamed up with Rosewood’s Potpourri and directed by Team Kierson, Ally has just kept getting better all season, finishing top three twice at Lexington. Pretty impressive for a first year show rider!
Stephany Monteleone and Mastercraft’s Namesake LF made it five years in a row to win their qualifier here, earning a Hackney Pleasure Driving World’s Championship yet again. Directed as always by Abel Vega, Monteleone made a pleasure perfect drive today, topping this nice class. This team bested them all in 2007 and 2008 as World’s Champion of Champions and earned the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions title in 2010. Sired by the great Heartland Equality, Catch Me If You Can was reserve with Sandra Surber at the lines. Directed by Majestic Oaks, Catch Me If You Can was headed up by Rich Campbell. Champions at Blue Ridge last month, Catch Me If You Can was the World’s Champion of Champions last season. Early Edition has made a return to his top form in 2011, finishing third for Georgia Blevins and Blevins Farm. Also trained by Majestic Oaks, this one was headed up by Majestic Oaks’ special guest helper, Mark Bodnar.
In the last two seasons, CH Brookhill’s King Of Kool has been beaten once. And that was in the World’s Championship here a year ago, where he finished as the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions with Jessica Wuesthofen. That streak would not be touched today, as he and Jessie once again took top honors under the direction of Mark Turner and DeLovely Farm. Champions at Asheville, Midwest, and Lexington, Jessie and King have clearly not dodged the competition, winning against the very best of the best. They won their qualifier split here a year ago as well. Riley Sockett had the ride of his life to finish as the Reserve World’s Champion aboard Double Secret Probation TS. Very much a Midwest product, Double Secret Probation was bred by Tillman Stables and is trained at Equitate LLC by Sheri Brandl and Sarah McClintock. Riley put on a show today to take reserve honors, making that trip to the green shavings oh so worthwhile. Sired by Kalarama Cabernet and out of Callaway’s Little Tipsy, the third place finisher’s name could have gone a lot of different directions. It did. And that’s why his name was changed to He’s My Beau once his destiny as a juvenile horse became clear! Katie Moeller once again rode for Caroline and Katie Moeller. The veteran all-star CH The Grand Master was fourth for Mary McWilliams.
Just four more showed up for the 11-and-Under Equitation group, with Macey and Maisie battling for the top spot. It was Macey’s day today, as she took Final Act to the top spot and round of honor for DeLovely Farm. Macey was also a winner yesterday aboard Hillcroft Claret. Reserve in this class last year, Macey went on to win the UPHA Junior Pleasure Challenge Cup Reserve National Championship. Maisie Benfield and The Mystery Machine were reserve here, having won this class at Lexington and the 9-10 Walk-and-Trot World’s Championship just last year. They are directed by Zubrod Stables.
Hitting the green shavings for the first time since their 2009 World’s Championship victory, Ben Ferreby and CH New York Style picked right back up where they left off, winning once again. This was their first qualifier win here together under the direction of Marilyn Macfarlane. This was the grand gelding’s fifth Louisville victory pass. He is by Local Hero and out of a Supreme Sultan mare. At 14, he shows no signs of slowing down, also winning at Shelbyville earlier this month. Sweeping this division a year ago, The Majestic finished reserve this time out with Maya Manilow riding for Barbara Goodman Manilow. The Skyline Stables team of Kenny and Donna Smith direct this team. They were also National Champions in 2010. By Belle Reve’s Renaissance Man and out of CH Cary’s Moonraker, who has to be qualified for the Broodmare Hall of Fame after last night’s win by Cary On Broadway MBA, Memories Of Us finished third with Dakota Reiser up for Ed Rhoads. CH Tax Man and Jessica Cloud came fourth.
Four for four on the year now, Regal’s Auctioneer LF took top honors back to Majestic Oaks with Toni Nastali at the lines. Sired by Dun-Haven Regal Attraction, Auctioneer is out of a Mastercraft mare. Winner at Lexington, Heartland Code Breaker was reserve here with Darrel Kolkman driving for Heartland Hackney Farm. By Heartland Code Of Honor, he is out of Heartland Just A Star, by Heartland Victory.
Courtney McGinnis won her Equitation age group qualifier for the second year in a row, taking a unanimous decision in the 13-Year-Old class. Teamed up with CH-EQ Kiss Of The Zodiac, Courtney has been untouchable, winning every junior equitation class she has entered. She took this blue ribbon back to DeLovely as well with a sparkling performance. Caroline Cherry made her first equitation show of the year and continued her run of Reserve World’s Championships. Every year since 2008, she has been reserve in her Louisville age group! The year before that, she was the 9-10 Walk-and-Trot World’s Champion of Champions.
The second split of Adult Five-Gaited Pleasure got off to a disjointed start, as the first order of business was the replacement of a shoe. Once that was all squared away, the 23 entries went back to the rail and got to work. Best of them all was A Dream In Color, enjoying her new job this year, still with Kate Codeanne showing under the direction of Rob Turner. By Worthy’s Prodigy and out of Make It Magic, Dream In Color was Amateur Ladies Five-Gaited Reserve World’s Champion of Champions in 2009. She took her seventh victory pass of the season here in splendid style. Lizelle Hill once again put on a top ride aboard Callaway’s Unsolved Mystery, earning the reserve win for B & T Vonderschmitt LLC. Champion at Rock Creek and Reserve Champions at Asheville, this mare is by CH Callaway’s Born To Win and out of Broodmare Hall of Famer Callaway’s Agatha Christie. Karen Blankenship Shumate had Treasures In The Park looking good in third for Melvin Blankenship. Joan Hammond had her owned, bred and trained star Superior Revelation in top form for fourth.
After the 30-minute lunch break, the 13-and-Under Show Pleasure riders came to the ring. Just last month, Sarah Muraki showed The Oracle in the blistering heat and overwhelming humidity at Oshkosh Charity. She overheated that day and had to take the gate. Apparently all she really needed was a little air conditioning, as she hit the Freedom Hall air and lit the ring on fire! Under the direction of Ryan Rongers and Pat McConnell, she captained The Oracle to a blue ribbon round of honor, her first on the green shavings. Allison Gann made a great ride aboard Blue Dragon to earn the reserve prize for Joy and David Hicks. This black and white spotted son of RA Hot Every Nite was working in high style for Allison to take the red ribbon and Reserve World’s Championship. All American Weanling Cup Champion in 2005, CH With Bells On has gone on to great success as a pleasure horse with Mackenzie Hall. They finished up in third.
Leslie Bennett once again got the call to drive Finest Material, an entry of James and Helen Rosburg. A long and rangy son of Star Material, he is just the type that the Crumplers like in a driving horse, hence why he has spent his summer with Kim and Fran. He worked every inch of that fine frame to perfection today to take the second section of Show Pleasure Driving. Elisabeth Goth looked stunning, dressed perfectly in pink for her afternoon drive with Buck Be A Lady. They finished reserve under the Visser Stables banner. Neil was reserve with this daughter of CF First Night Out in the Junior Fine Harness Mare Stake here in 2008. The reigning World’s Champion of Champions, CH A Cinderella Story finished third with Karrie Graham driving for Karrie Graham and Dwaine Kinderknecht and Lowry Stables. Eddie Norris was dapper driving American Art in fourth.
How many different ways are there to say that Callaway’s Winning Number was the winner of his class? Alice Rowland and Missy Hughes seem determined to find out, as Alice once again rode to a unanimous victory in Freedom Hall. Winners now of their last five classes here, Winning Number and Alice took the first split of 13-and-Under Country Pleasure today. Two-time defending World’s Champion of Champions, they epitomize this division. Long a stalwart of this division, Highpoint’s Grandee was 13-and-Under World’s Champion of Champions in 2007 and 14-17 World’s Champion of Champions in 2008. Vanessa Patch was the reserve rider today for Lisa Austin and trainer John Whalen. A qualifier winner here in 2009, Harlem’s Miss Abigail finished third with Mia Clementi riding for Nancy Leigh Fisher and the Hollow Haven team.
Macey Miles continued what has been a phenomenal start to the week, winning in yet another catch ride, this one aboard Kalarama’s Witness. Directed by Stephanie Sedlacko for Suzanne Kidd, she took a unanimous round of honor in the second section of 13-and-Under Country Pleasure. Just her third show aboard this five-year-old daughter of Harlem Superior, Macey rocked out her silver daycoat in taking the blue. Directed by Zubrod Stables, Callaway’s Fox Jackson and Anna Leigh Amrein were reserve for Tyra and Anna Leigh Amrein. Also reserve in their split a year ago, Fox Jackson and Anna made a great show today for the red ribbon. Vamoose and Jessica Zarlingo were third for Dr. Abbie McGowan.
Chris Gantley headed up his good friend Josh Greer’s victory pass just last night with Regal’s Lightning Strike LF. Josh returned the favor today, as Chris Gantley drove to top honors in the Four-Year-Old Harness Pony class with Bruce Almighty. Sired by Twin Willow’s McMillan and out of Carmen Electra, Bruce Almighty is a dark bay with a white stripe. He has that fineness and elegance so exemplary of the long tail division. Heartland Passion and Darrel Kolkman finished reserve for the Heartland Hackney Farm. This marchy and cadenced mare is by Heartland Code Of Honor and out of Heartland Rhapsody In Blue, the dam of Heartland News Leader.
Where Are We Now will go down as one of the greatest Roadster Under Saddle horses of all time. He has been flat getting it done for what seems like forever, and he just keeps on going. His renaissance with Dr. Brian Garrett has been inspirational, as those navy and white silks with the red trim have blasted down victory lane in this class for three years in a row now. Kristen Bagdasarian was cheering loudly from the in gate as sister Stevie went up to get her reserve prize aboard Eclipse. The black and pink silks never looked better as they cranked it up for the red ribbon. Elizabeth Shatner had another great one, All Glory, looking strong in third for Belle Reve.
Moving up from their reserve finish a year ago, Vuarnet and William Nalty reigned over the second section of 13-and-Under Show Pleasure. His stepdad and trainer, James Nichols, met him in the winner’s circle. This was William’s first Louisville win after three reserve finishes. A year ago they went on to take the title of Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. Emma Sanchez is enjoying her best season yet with Lady Gabriella. She took the red ribbon back to West Wind today. They were twice winners at Lexington last month for owner and grandma Sharyn Lackey. Kaitlyn Creekmore has won nine times this season with CH Be Advised. They took third here for Thomas R. Brock Jr. and Hollow Haven Farm.
A horse that has won his qualifier here every year since 2006, CH Platinum’s New Look’s history in Freedom Hall is the stuff of legend. He made it six years in a row for an early week victory, taking Section One of the 14-17 Five-Gaited class. The second section won’t show until tonight. In 2006, he was a Junior Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding World’s Champion with Smith Lilly, while 2007 saw Kim Cowart make her famous catch ride to win the Ladies Gelding class. From 2008 on it has been all Hunter Chancellor aboard for Steven Chancellor and the DeLovely team. In the last three seasons, they have not finished lower than second, an incredibly consistent and brilliant resume. Maya Manilow always seems to save her best rides for Freedom Hall. She took her second Reserve World’s Championship of the day, this one with Out With The Ladies. Another entry of Barbara Goodman Manilow, Out With The Ladies is also trained by Skyline Stables. A qualifier winner here in 2009, CH Freaky Links finished third with Jenna Winquist riding for Sally Winquist. Knollwood directs this team, continuing their good day of showing.
The Amateur Roadster to Bike class got off to an inauspicious start, as the first horse through the gate slipped and fell in a heap. He would get up and finish the class, but broke his check in the spill, so while he was getting his harness fixed, the other five in the class had to jog around the ring for the five-plus minutes of the timeout. Once the class came to order, it was business as usual, as Charlie Jones and Mr’s Bones continued their undefeated streak in this class, winning it for the fourth straight time. Bones and Jones are a team that loves to go to the horse show, and they rarely skip one. This is their ninth horse show of the year under the Lukens Stables banner! Tom Fiedler and Valparaiso also kept a streak intact. Every year since 2008, they have earned a Reserve World’s Championship, the second straight time it has come in this class. In 2009 they were Amateur Reserve World’s Champion of Champions, while in 2008 they were Reserve World’s Grand Champions. Thunderbolt and William Shatner tore up the track in third for Belle Reve.
The Junior Exhibitor Hackney Pleasure Driving saw a unanimous victor in the form of Nashville Cat. Rose Marie Wheeler once again did the honors for Charlotte Goodman and Lisa McMackin. Trained by Majestic Oaks, Nashville Cat is undefeated in this division with Rose Marie. They won twice at Lexington and Blue Ridge and took home their biggest blue to date in this one. Nashville Cat was the AHHS Hackney Pleasure Driving Youth Medallion National Champion with Shannon Ella driving in her junior exhibitor swan song last fall. The two young gentlemen followed in second and third, as Garrett Weiler guided Honest Impression to reserve for Amy Weiler and Moctezuma Stables. Reserve World’s Champion of Champions a year ago, Honest Impression was also reserve in the aforementioned Medallion National Championship. A winner here last year, Zach Meyer drove Pacifico’s Standing Ovation to third for Brown-Anderson Farms and Hollow Haven. Cherry Royale and Caroline Rainbolt Forbes were fourth for the Rainbow Princess Farms.
The Yearling Breeders Open featured 18 vying for the $10,000 purse. It was a unanimous decision that sent Heartbreak Warfare to the winner’s circle. Matt Shiflet made the winning lead, with Tre Lee tailing for Uwharrie Hills Farm. Sired by Tangos Parting Kiss, Warfare is out of Supremacy’s Melody, by Supremacy’s High Time. Fine with long lines, Warfare parked out for the judges like he had been doing it his whole life. The crowd loved him, the judges loved him, and he took home the world title. Matt Shiflet, showman that he is, couldn’t help himself on the victory pass, stopping halfway between the judges’ stand and the in gate to park out his winner again, right in front of photographer Doug Shiflet. The big grin on Matt’s face told the whole story, as the crowd saluted his entry again. It was a family affair in almost every way here in this one, as Grant and Harrison Shiflet had the Reserve World’s Champion, Tango’s Private Matter. Owned by Harrison and Beverly Shiflet, Private Matter is also by Tangos Parting Kiss. Another chestnut colt, Private Matter is out of CF Deny Me Not, by First Night Out. Twice a Reserve World’s Champion already in her young career, MBA’s Cary’s Girl was third here with Antonio Hernandez handling for Margo Baird. The Bodnar boys, Mark and Whitney, finished fourth with Tangled Sheets for Double D Ranch.
CH Sprinkles made it a cool dozen World’s Championships today, winning the 13-and-Under Five-Gaited class with Eleanor Rainbolt Forbes up for the Rainbow Princess Farms. It has been over a year since they have been beaten, sweeping this division here a season ago. The two-time defending World’s Champion of Champions was as consistently brilliant as always to take yet another Louisville blue. While the class was sponsored by the Kurz family, Susi and Griffin Day came to the ring to present the trophy. It is important here to note that Eleanor is Griffin’s celebrity crush, though he says they are “friends because she is 13!” and hence way too old for Griffin. Todd Miles held Griffin up to get a picture with Eleanor and Sprinkles in the winner’s circle, much to his delight. Last year’s Reserve World’s Champion of Champions, Heirrison Ford, was reserve here as well with Morgan Billig riding for Carson Kressley. The gray horse who has long been a celebrity for his celebrity owner was in top form today for the Kierson Farm banner. He received a nice ovation from the crowd in reserve.
Co-owned by Cherokee Saddlebred LLC and Willowbank Farm, It’s Sam I Am took the final blue ribbon of the afternoon in the Weanling Breeders Open. By Samur and out of the Attache’s Thunderbolt daughter, Simply Thunderful, Sam I Am is a bright chestnut with an exquisitely long neck. Fine and fixy, he looks every piece and part of his fantastic pedigree. Darrell Case and Joan Lurie showed this one to the blue. Reserve in this one went to a bay colt, First Time Feeling. James and Jackie Hale showed this one to pick up the red ribbon. By the Hales’ stallion, Commander’s Stud Muffin, he is out of a Haven’s Hero mare, Midnight Dream Of Summer. First Time Feeling’s full sister, Niecy Nash, was reserve in this class just last year. Cary’s Moonraker produced her second third-place finisher of the day, Cary’s Blue Moon MBA, shown by Antonio Hernandez. This one is by MBA’s Sir William Blue, also owned by Margo Baird.
|