Louisville - Tuesday Night
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Opening up Tuesday evening’s session was Everett McCorvey’s rendition of the National Anthem. Dr. McCorvey, who is the Lexington Opera Society’s Director of Opera among other duties, serves on the Alltech World Equestrian Games Federation Board.
First on the evening schedule was the ASR National Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Futurity. It would be the only futurity of the evening that would not be split, therefore, it was tied tonight. Eight talented youngsters made the gate call. Once railwork was completed, the judges walked the lineup to review conformation, which accounted for 25% of the total judging. Beginning the evening session exactly where he finished the afternoon session, it was Darrell Case once again called to the winner’s circle. Case piloted the striking black Thunderstar to the top spot for Judith Swartz. This is the first World’s Champion by the up and coming Thundergun who is the next generation of Attaché Thunderbolt breeding royalty. It was a great night for Pam Slater who is the new owner of the reserve titleholder Fox Grape’s Imprimis. Larry Hodge presented the Undulata’s Nutcracker X CH Garland’s Dream son. Undulata’s Nutcracker also sired the third place finisher Nutorious. A world’s champion as a yearling, owner/trainer Peggy Alderman was aboard the fancy black gelding.
Marching down the chute next were the amateur gentlemen with their three-gaited mounts. Out of a field of eight, it was the multi-titled junior exhibitor champion CH Heathermoor’s Prince with Gabe Deknatel handling the catchriding duties while his usual partner Emily Druckman is busy getting settled in at Rhodes College. It was a unanimous win for the John Conatser trained team. CH Hollywood Agent, also with a new partner, carried out the red streamers with Bruce Williams riding under the direction of Ricky Cook. Carson Kressley had Unchaperoned looking better than ever for a strong third finish.
Next in was the first section of the ASR Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity. Later in the evening the second section was held and then the top two-year-olds will be brought back to start Friday evening’s session.
The walk-trot horses were back this time with their amateur riders in the 15.2 and under qualifier. A star in the open park division earlier this season, the DeLovely team made the decision to trim With Style And Grace just a few weeks ago at Shelbyville for the amateur championship win. Tonight she was just as elegant with her chestnut features offset by Tara’s champagne colored coat marching all the way to the winner’s circle. Newly matched up West Wind Stables team of A Silver Charm and Alexis Braswell put together a grand performance for the reserve title while last year’s winner Mr. Center Stage and Theresa Vonderschmitt were on top of their game garnering the yellow streamers.
Taking a pause in the schedule Dr. Joseph H. Hunt directed his eight mule hitch from Fancy Farm Mules into Freedom Hall showing off their skills. Following the mule hitch, announcer Peter Fenton recognized members and coaches from this year’s World Cup Equitation Team.
Picking up the schedule back up was the second section of the 14-17 five-gaited division. For the second class in a row, team DeLovely was called to the winner’s circle. For the second year in a row it was Brittany McGinnis in the spotlight guiding her powerful Stravinsky with all the required gaits for the unanimous win. With crowd approval Fight Night earned the reserve title with Andrew Slater. This team is under the direction of Larry Hodge. Tyler DeVore handled the riding duties tonight aboard Leatherwood’s Colors up for Bill and Coe London for a top third spot.
Eight entries were on the schedule vying for the Open Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under title. When the work done it was the newly teamed Callaway’s Clemency and Elisabeth Goth to the winner’s circle in only their second show together. Neil Visser selected the elegant superstar for Goth just a few weeks ago. Before tonight most remember her from her Junior Fine Harness Championship win in Freedom Hall in 2007 with Ricky Cook. With the crowd’s applause The Road Less Traveled and Jim Lowry garnered the reserve title. Owned by Tom Brock, the striking liver chestnut better known as Frost made pass after pass with his high-stepping park trot. The four-year-old daughter of I’m A New Yorker and CH Undulata’s Perfect Gift ERB, Perfection Me, made a great show for the top third spot. Mike Tunstall was aboard the newly trimmed young sensation for owner/breed Mary Jane Glasscock. Last year’s winner VHF Belle Époque with Robert Gardiner made a strong play for the white ribbon.
Action continued with the amateurs and their five-gaited stallion/geldings with 15 bursting through the gate. When the work was done it was the hardworking CH Breaking News besting the field for the win with Megan McClure aboard. CH Callaway’s Banner Headline might be 13 but he certainly didn’t look it as he motored around Freedom Hall never dropping an ear. With Janet Kellett in the irons Banner carried out the red streamers. The flashy flaxen Don’t Ask Me with Kelsey Price accepted the yellow ribbon after turning in a solid performance.
The first section of the ASR Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity was the next with the second section to follow later in the evening. Cards were marked with the top horses to return during Friday evening’s session.
Fifteen seemed to be the number of the night as fifteen amateur riders made the next gate call for their three-gaited over 15.2 class. The dynamite CH Marching Orders made it three years in a row as Barbara Goodman Manilow piloted him to the top spots. With wins at great shows including Lexington and Asheville, the elegant Leatherwood’s All Smiles with Whitney Bennett claimed the reserve world’s champion title for Anne Holmes. Kent Brockman and Bridgett McNeese captured the top third spot with an outstanding performance under the Grey Ridge banner.
The pace picked up with the Open Road Pony 50 Inches and Under Stake hitting Freedom Hall next. With a stellar show Beaulah Jean and Jeff McClean were back to claim the world title just like before in 2008, 2007 and 2006 for Golden Creek Farms. Lexington’s Open Road Pony Champion Moment Of Excellence with Larry Ella cruised into the reserve spot for Bent Tree Farm. Bo Lucas carried the yellow ribbon back to North Carolina with his high-stepping Outside The Lines.
Speed remained in the spotlight as the Amateur Roadster To Wagon class made the next gate call. Fast and furious four entries made the call for the doctor and when the trip was done Invincible Summer and Judy McNeish made their way to the winner’s circle unanimously. They have dominated this class winning it for the seventh year in a row. Postmaster Mike and Jon Dabareiner were in top form for the reserve title for the Fish ‘N Fun banner.
Once again the ASR Futurity division was in the spotlight this time for the three-year-old five-gaited horses in their first section. Later in the evening the second section was held with the top horses from both sections returning to close out Friday evening’s session.
Next in was the Amateur Five-Gaited Mare class with a field of nine. For the second year in a row it was Ava Gardner called to the title. Teamed with Ashley Alden this mare might be little but she is definitely mighty as she moves smoothly from gait to gait with ease. Amy Dix Rock continued her success. Earlier today she topped section two of the Adult Five-Gaited Show Pleasure qualifier and tonight she garnered the red streamers with another daughter out of her beloved CH My Front Page Lady, Turning The Page. Many Pearls and Cindy Sherman Siders carried the yellow ribbon out for Carl T. Fischer, Jr.
The Hackney ponies returned to the Freedom Hall for the with their amateur lady whips. It was a unanimous victory for the 2009 World’s Grand Champion Heartland High Tech with Helen Rosburg on the lines. The leg-waving pony marched in perfect form rail after rail for Rosburg who was stunningly dressed in gold. Another Mark Of Excellence son trained by Larry Ella and owned by Bent Tree Farm, On The Mark, marched to the reserve title with Karen Waldron at the whip. Third place honors went to CH Classical Dancer and Kathy Mulvaney Buente.
The Five-Gaited Mare class closed out the session and if nothing else it was entertaining. Just looking at the schedule you knew it would be a battle to the finish especially with Debbie Foley on Callaway’s Annabel Allison and Merrill Murray on Walterway’s What About Me but don’t discount According To Lynn and Mary McClean or Pucker Up and Smith Lily. Each horse a little different in her own way, all brought their A game to Freedom Hall tonight fighting hard for the second piece of Saturday night’s puzzle.
When the work was done the crowd was entertained a little more as good friends and competitors Murray and Foley began to circle each other in the lineup like a standoff at the O.K. Corral. Murray tried to egg Foley on just a little more as he racked off one-handed but as announcer Peter Fenton said it best it was "Debbie Foley that has the last laugh" and with a tip of Murray’s hat Foley racked her way one-handed to the winner’s circle. Callaway’s Annabel Allison was the second Callaway Hills bred open stake winner of the night and second open five-gaited stake winner of the week. With Foley at the helm the mare was bright, beautiful and powerful, all the qualities a champion must possess. Never discount Mary Gaylord McClean aboard CH According To Lynn. Winner of this class for the past three years they know how to work this ring. Finding their spot rail after rail, the mare by CH Callaway’s Born to win was both beautiful and explosive but settling for the reserve title tonight. Merrill Murray made a hard run for the top prize aboard Lexington and Shelbyville’s five-gaited grand champion Walterway’s What About Me carrying out the yellow ribbon for owner/breeder Larry Hartsock. Pucker Up and Smith Lilly rounded out the top four with a solid performance for Ceil and Kenny Wheeler.
With Tuesday evening done the story is shaping up for Saturday night’s championships and we will continue to bring you the happenings day after day.
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