WEDNESDAY EVENING
Outside the heat continued from the afternoon into the evening, and when the Ladies Three-Gaited Over 15.2 hit the green shavings the competition inside heated up too.
With the afternoon session only wrapped up a short time ago, Wednesday evening began with the peacocks of the show ring in first. Outside the heat continued from the afternoon into the evening, and when the Ladies Three-Gaited Over 15.2 hit the green shavings the competition inside heated up too. Marching down the rail to the winner’s circle was Madeira’s Love with Liz Cortright presenting for Fox Grape Farms. Reserve honors went to the world’s champion from the past two years, Marching Orders with Barbara Manilow. A strong third went the high headed CH Sue She with Ericka Nelson.
Owen Weaver and Lynn Via celebrated with
Liz Cortright after her win aboard Madeira's Love.
Ten high stepping harness ponies were next down the chute with their amateur lady drivers. With a magnificent drive the celebrated champion Vindicator, at the age of 22, captured the title with longtime owner Karen Waldron. Christy Weaver was thrilled when her number was called for the reserve title with Minute Maid. With a strong show the 2006 titleholder, Shake Don’t Stir and Mary Gaylord McClean, garnered the yellow streamers.
Karen Waldron and trainer Lee Hudson
hugged after Vindicator’s win.
The driving stars continued to hold court with the Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding in the ring next. Tonight there would a new champion as CH Callaway’s Copyright, the winner of this class the past five years, made his last appearance in Freedom Hall in the 2006 Fine Harness Championship. Tonight the spotlight belonged to The Tango Dancer with Ronnie Graham on the lines for Helen and James Rosburg. With support from the crowd reserve honors went to Legend Of Troy with George Knight presenting for Poser Farm. I’m A Lucky Charm and Mike Roberts captured the yellow ribbon for Marion Sorenson.
The Tango Dancer and Ronnie Graham
The spotlight turned on the junior exhibitors next in the first section of the 14-17 three-gaited. Fresh off wins at Lexington Junior League, CH (SA) Nelmar Tango 4 Ever and Emily Scharpf earned all three votes from the judges winning the title. Coming in with wins from Illinois just a few weeks ago, Jama Rose and Kathryne Stief captured the reserve title for the Lowry Stables banner. The Jack McGill trained I’m Bewitched with Sarah Singer earned the top third.
The Hackneys were back this time for their stallion/gelding stake. Topping the class was the refined Regal’s Trademark with Jeff McClean on the lines. Karen Waldron made her second trip of the evening into Freedom Hall earning the reserve title with the Larry Ella trained On The Mark. Limited Edition, another Hackney from Golden Creek, rounded out the top three with Abel Vega on the lines.
Eighteen lady riders were on the schedule next for with their five-gaited geldings, year in and year out one of the best classes of the entire week. It was a breathtaking class with every team giving it their all. Kim Cowart had a smile on the entire class as she catch-rode Platinum’s New Look for the Steven E. Chancellor family to the top ribbon. Reserve honors went to the sporty CH Callaway’s Born To Win with Gayle Lampe. Putting on the pressure the second way of the ring was the elegant CH Walterway’s Remember Me and Ceil Wheeler garnering the yellow streamers.
The elegant three-gaited horses were next to grace the ring for the over 15.2 stake. Grande Gil has had a successful season graduating from the junior ranks with wins at Asheville and Lexington. Tonight he added the most impressive win of the season to that list unanimously winning the Three-Gaited Over 15.2 Stake with Neil Visser in the irons for Joan Hamilton. Tré Lee presented Helen’s Charm to the reserve for Riverdreams LLC with Wee Pee’s Storm and Bill Tomin in for the third place ribbon for DeVault Farms LLC.
Back in the spotlight were the Hackneys for their mare stake. Marching into the winner’s circle was Heartland Alluring with Dr. Alan Raun on the lines for Deborah Jahn. Reserve honors went to the Randi Wightman entry Fancy Ribbons with Marilyn Macfarlane presenting.
Next into Freedom Hall was the Ladies Three-Gaited 15.2 & Under Stake. Mary Marcum Orr has had quite a week. Earlier in the week she directed her mom Debbie to her first world’s title. Tonight she earned her own world’s title with a stunning performance aboard Our Charming Lady. This elegant bay mare is owned by Donna and Jack Finch, and earlier today Orr coached Donna Finch to a reserve world’s title on her first trip in Freedom Hall. Reserve honors went to the Hallston Manor owned The Proof Is In The Heir. Libby McLemore presented the Supreme Heir son. West Coast star Victoria Lynn rounded out the top three with Helen Cherry in the irons.
Jack and Donna Finch, Cash Lovell, and
Mary and Evan Orr after Mary's win
with Our Charming Lady.
The Fine Harness Mare Stake was in next with 11 outstanding entries. With unanimous approval, Along Came A Spider earned her fourth title with another thrilling performance. George Knight expertly presented this stunning black crowd favorite for Georgia Herpin Baker. Reserve honors went back to Virginia with Margot Harwood’s Seaforth’s Bonnie Lass. John Champagne expertly presented the daughter of Revival and CH Rejoice. Peter Palmer was back to garner the yellow streamers with Undulata’s Blue York Lady for Patricia McCoy.
Ten entries made the gate call vying for the Ladies Five-Gaited Mare title. Topping the class with all three votes was the sporty bay mare Lady Bella with Megan Nicole Harrison aboard for Sandra and Virgil Helm. Tracy James had a smooth ride aboard Most Definitely Diamonds earning the reserve title for Silver Brook Stables. Shez So Delightful and Kris Knight rounded out the top three for Three Gables LLC.
The schedule took a pause as Gayle Lampe was presented the Audrey Pugh Gutridge Award.
It did not take long before the crowd was back to finding a favorite as they watched the Harness Pony Stallion/Gelding Stake. Dun-Haven Phenomenal has had a great season so far with wins at Asheville, Midwest and Lexington. Tonight Maureen Lydon once again called on this petite, yet powerful, stallion and he delivered as they marched down victory lane for Kathryn and Carl Nichols’s Crystal Creek Farms. Fresh off a pair of wins at Lexington Heartland Expectation and Karen Frickey had a top drive to earn the reserve title. Impress My Daddy and Gib Marcucci garnered the yellow streamers for Glenn A. Werry, Jr.
Lucy Blackmon, Carl and Kathryn Nichols, Gartaell
Blackmon, Maureen Lydon, Rich Campell and
Mariellen Bateman with Dun-Haven Phenomenal.
The second section of the 14-17 three-gaited hit the ring next. Keeper Of The Stars and Jackie De la Parte have the look - with his swanlike neck and chiseled head and her beauty - they represented the division well. Tonight they were on the money as they made pass after pass to win their first World’s Champion title together for the Judd Stables banner. In only their second show together Ali Judah and Odyssey Mann were fluid. Fresh off a championship win at Shelbyville this team was in top form to earn the reserve world’s champion title for Terri Dolan. CH Steel In Love and Scott Pisarik gave the girls a run for their money as they rounded out the top three under the direction of Kelly and Mark Hulse.
The evening closed out with a 13-horse Five-Gaited Gelding Stake that was entertaining to say the least. It was a battle as great horses like the lesser-
known Courageous Lord, 2006 World’s Grand Champion He’s The Man, Memories Paragon, Zara Spook and The Echo Of Thunder all went head to head. The crowd went wild getting behind their favorites as the sound seemed to come from every corner of Freedom Hall. All the cheering seemed to encourage many of the riders to sacrifice form for speed.
When the cards were turned in it was the solid ride from He’s The Man and Todd Miles that earned the trip to the winner’s circle for the Steven E. Chancellor family. Clark Clouse has been working hard to get Memories Paragon just where he wants him and with every show he gets one step closer. With the crowd behind him, Clouse presented the charismatic entry from Ceil and Kenny Wheeler to the reserve title, graciously accepting his ribbon and applause, tipping his hat and blasting up the ramp.
Trimmed-in-white Zara Spook was thrilling to watch as Melissa Moore had him in top order to earn the competitive third and crowd support for Wendy Troyer. Courageous Lord was back tonight in his first show ring appearance since his ribbon in the 2005 junior class in Freedom Hall with Lisa Heres-Rosenberger. Mike Barlow piloted the popular high-headed chestnut to the top fourth with The Echo Of Thunder and Jan Lukens were staying busy to round out the top five also earning cheers from their fan club.