Tuesday evening’s schedule was filled with classes for the young horses and they kicked things off with the ASR National Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Futurity. A great group came through the gate to face the panel and compete for the huge prize money. All seven definitely had their share of fans as they put on a great show to get the evening started right.
The panel named Zagnut, sired by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of With Memories, the champion for owner Robin McKenzie Vuillermet and the leg-waving three-year-old earned more than $16,000 in prize money. Smith Lilly was on board to take the victory pass from Mercer Springs Farm. Stonecroft Farm picked up more than $8000 for the reserve finish. Steve Wheeler rode the I’m First-sired youngster Stonecroft First Request, out of the mare Price On Request, to the reserve world’s championship.
Four teams headed down the ramp for the evening’s next class, the Amateur Gentlemens Three-Gaited. All four men put their horses where they needed to be to impress the panel but when the cards were turned in, three number ones were at the top beside number 1763. David Rudder headed down victory lane with Liberty’s Magic (My Magical Moment x Lucky Bi-Wing) to catch ride and take the blue for owner Vicki Reed under the direction of A.J. Bruwer. Harold Denton, Jr. piloted He’s A Jim Dandy to the reserve world’s title, under the direction of Clark Clouse, for Bullet Concrete Materials. Denton’s entry made it a one-two finish for horses sired by My Magical Moment. He’s A Jim Dandy is out of the mare Dolce’s Dandy.
The World’s Championship Horse Show program listed 49 entries for the ASR Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Kentucky Futurity and nine hardworking entries in the first split took on the challenge of round one including Ninja Warrior with Billy Jarrell, Park Avenue Diva with Carter Cox, At Midnight for Blythewood Farm and Double Black Diamond with Mitch Clark.
There was a break in the action as Dun-Haven Grandiose joined a big group of his past and present owners, trainers and admirers in center ring with Kirstie Buerkley. They made their final show ring appearance together as the grand roadster pony retired in a fitting ceremony that showcased his incredible career.
Theresa Vonderschmitt faced a great group with Mr. Center Stage in the Amateur Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under class and they came out on top with the world’s championship win. Sired by Deep Blue and out of the mare Daphne Dearest, Mr. Center Stage topped nine other very competitive entries for the win under the direction of Bob Brison. Hillcroft Claret, sired by Kalarama Cabernet and out of Clairissa Co-Ed, exited with owner and breeder Misdee Wrigley Miller as the reserve world’s champions after a strong effort in the competitive class to add another top ribbon to the Kalarama total.
The first section of 14-17 junior exhibitors and their gaited horses competed earlier in the day and the second section had their turn Tuesday evening. Their class was a true testament to the quality and talent in the junior exhibitor division this season. The class was very deep and proved to be one of the most competitive of the night. A big group of 11 entertained the crowd and the list of entries read like a who’s who. The young riders did a great job of showcasing their horses and when the cards were turned in the result was a unanimous win for Stravinsky, sired by Nureyev and out of S.F.’s Arlene Fox, with Brittany McGinnis from DeLovely. Randy Cates directed Victoria McCune and the grand campaigner CH Callaway’s Independence Day (Sultan’s Collector’s Item x Callaway’s Smell The Roses) to the reserve title for Barbara McCune. Callaway’s Lil Abner (CH Caramac x Town Flower (BHF), and Faye Wuesthofen, winners of the class last year, finished in the top three for Glenmore Farm.
The second group of two-year-old fine harness horses kept a great night of competition rolling and all eight did their best to impress the panel for a chance to come back Friday for the Futurity finals. The group included Nuttin’ To Lose with Chuck Herbert, Birthday Kiss and Wendy Winstead, Double Or Nuttin’ with Darrell Case, Tango Cat with Dena Lopez and Stonecroft Dutch Treat with Nelson Green.
The open three-gaited horses put on a great class for the 15.2 and under group and competition was deep. Robert Gardiner and VHF Belle Epoque won the class in 2008 and the panel was in complete agreement that they should head to the winner’s circle for the second year in a row. Sired by Bluebell Banner and out of Broome Street, Belle Epoque turned back all challengers to wear the blue streamers for Landmark Farm. The class also marked the return to Freedom Hall in the open division of three time World’s Grand Champion Three-Gaited CH An Heir About Her (Supreme Heir x Sweet Illusion W.F.). Edward Bennett was in the irons and they finished as the reserve world’s champions for Ever Glades Farm.
Gary Haugen, Alan Raun and Karen Frickey stepped into the ring to present the AHHS Foundation Scholarships. Haugen presented the Al Haugen Memorial Scholarship, Raun presented the American Hackney Horse Society Foundation Scholarship and Frickey presented the Ed Frickey Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships were awarded to Shelby Reimer, Anna Stoddard and Katie Andrews respectively.
The Amateur Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding class was one of those classes where just getting a ribbon was an impressive accomplishment, let alone winning the blue amongst an incredibly talented group of horses. Everywhere you looked another horse was making another great pass down the rail and riders went all out in an effort to impress the panel. Announcer Peter Doubleday called out number 1301 and an elated Deborah Orr Visser headed to center ring with (SA) Kalarama’s Ultimate Choice. The panel had unanimously selected the stallion son of (SA) Redwood’s The General’s Choice out of the mare (SA) Greyfour Captivati to be the world’s champion. Megan McClure and 2008 World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited CH Breaking News (CH The Talk Of The Town x Reedann’s Cascade) put together a great team effort to be named the reserve world’s champions for co-owner Beth Arndt. Another South African bred stallion finished with the yellow streamers for third. David Rudder piloted (SA) Calif First Night Out (SA) Enja Hell-Of-A-Nite x (SA) Majel’s Autumn Love) under the direction of Kalarama Farm. Kelsey Price and Don’t Ask Me followed in the ribbon count for Pleasantview Farm and they were followed by CH Callaway’s Banner Headline and Janet Kellett, Zara Spook and Christy Bennett, Shame On You and Maguire Hall and Bluebonnet’s Challenger with Joan Cantrell.
The futurity horses were next on the evening’s agenda but this time it was the three-year-old fine harness entries competing for a spot on the list for Friday’s finals. Nine youngsters came through the gate for the first split including Three Gables Cracklin’ Rosie with Bill Knight, Call Me Regal with David Blevins, Roberta Belle with Kathy Capsuto-Walker, In A Nutshell with Bob Brison, Alma Cox with Pedro Martinez and Hillcroft Rare Fortune with Smith Lilly.
The amateurs were back and once again they faced very deep water but this time they brought their over two three-gaited horses. Marching Orders and Barbara Goodman Manilow not only earned the right to take the victory pass under the direction of Kenny and Donna Smith, they earned it in unanimous fashion to win the class for the second year in a row. Be Advised and Tara Duff exited with the red ribbon for owner and breeder Happy Valley Stables. Marching Orders and Be Advised were both sired by Merchant Prince. Kent Brockman, sired by Jon Bugatti, claimed the top three finish with Bridget McNeese showing for owner Catherine McNeese.
Romeo’s Kristy Lee LF and Andy Freseth topped the Roadster Pony 50 Inches And Under class to earn the world’s championship blue ribbon. Sired by Romeo LF and out of Regal’s Kristina LF, the open pony earned the victory for owner Priscilla Gise. Last year’s winner Beaulah Jean was right there for the reserve finish with Jeff McClean driving for Golden Creek and for the third time of the evening, the top two winners were sired by the same stallion. Beaulah Jean is out of Ain’t Misbehavin’.
The Amateur Roadster To Wagon class had the crowd cheering their favorites and the panel all agreed that their favorite to wear the blue ribbon from the field of four would be Invincible Summer with Judy McNeish. The win marked the sixth year in a row that the pair have taken the title and their win was a unanimous victory to add to the DeLovely total. Mike Bacon and Go For Broke were the first team to leave the ring after they were selected as the reserve world’s champions for Brad Bacon.
The ASR National Three-Year-Old Futurity Five-Gaited class put a great group in front of the judges and all 10 racked and trotted their way to an impressive class as they vied for big prize money and the title of world’s champion. Neil Visser was on board Nuttin’ Doing (Undulata’s Nutcracker x Eyee Gadzoox) and they won the blue and prize money of $16, 525 after a powerful performance. Visser rode for owner Elisabeth Goth from Kalarama. The King’s Redemption, sired by CH The King Of Highpoint and out of Miss Rio Lita, was next in line for the ribbon and prize money and picked up a check for $8,262 with Tre’ Lee showing for Bridget McNeese. Night Of Fun, by First Night In and out of Dispel, exited with the yellow streamers and prize money of $4,131 with Matt Shiflet showing for Julia Barnhiser-Patton.
The amateur mares kept the five-gaited action front and center and their riders kept them making good pass after good pass for the judges and the crowd. Ava Gardner and an elated Ashley Alden were met by equally elated trainer Tammy DeVore when they were called out as the world’s champions. Alden piloted the dark bay daughter of CF First Night Out and Harlem’s So Rare for Alden Farms LLC. Ellyn Dorsey and her mare, Most Definitely Diamonds, by Attache’s Royal Assets and out of Diamond Lou, finished with the reserve title under the direction of Lisa Strickland.
Majestic Oaks was represented in center ring again when Heartland Moonglow was named the unanimous Amateur Ladies Hackney Pony World’s Champion with owner Kay Marschel. The mare sired by Heartland Equality and out of Heartland Beauty was one of three Heartland Hackney Farm bred ponies in the class. Exhilarating, sired by Mark Of Excellence and out of My Sweet Georgia Brown, headed out of the ring with owner Marjorie Kenney after they finished with the reserve ribbon and title under the direction of Rodney Hicks.
Monday evening’s stallion stake closed out a great night of competition and Tuesday evening’s Five-Gaited Mare Stake did the same thing. The class closed out a great night of competition and provided another hint of what may be to come in Saturday night’s Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship. The mares worked hard but none could top 2007 and 2008 winner CH According To Lynn with owner, breeder and exhibitor Mary Gaylord McClean. Their third win in a row retired the CH Garland’s Dream Challenge Trophy. Lynn is sired by CH Callaway’s Born To Win and out of Carol Lynn (BHF). Callaway’s Karla, a multi-titled daughter of Callaway’s Blue Norther and Callaway’s Twice The Spice, carried Debbie Foley to pick up the red ribbon after a strong effort for owner Jo Ann Griffin.