Louisville - Wednesday Matinee
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Taylor Newton is aging out of junior exhibitor competition after this year. She leaves big shoes to fill for the Sugar Knoll gang. Enter Alayna Applegate. When there are big shoes to fill, it makes it easier when the horseshoes are the same! Alayna once again jumped aboard the great CH-EQ A Sweet Sensation, Taylor Newton’s longtime partner, to claim a unanimous blue in the first split of 8-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Equitation. Shelley Fisher gave her a big hug before heading down to the winner’s circle, as the winning horse show mom threw both arms in the air on the rail in celebration. Alayna is now even ahead of Taylor’s career path, as Taylor won at her second Louisville, while Alayna won in her debut! Thea Merlo earned reserve honors here to the delight of the Northern Tradition Farm team and instructors Tom Thorpe and Bob Griffin. A year ago, CH Hank Heiron was showing here in Five-Gaited Pleasure. Just 15 years ago, he was the 3-Year-Old Five-Gaited World’s Champion with John T. Jones. Today, he made his walk-and-trot debut on the green shavings as Thea’s Reserve World’s Champion mount. Ethan DeVore’s second show out of Academy wasn’t too shabby, as he picked up the yellow ribbon for third with proud mom Tammy. Mila Olivier earned fourth place honors.
Remi Adams picked right up where she left off a year ago, winning her third Louisville blue. A year ago she swept this 8-and-Under division aboard Miss Mheiry Mac. She did more of the same today as proud aunt Terri Chancellor called support from the rail while Todd Miles and Lillian Shively joined the Section Two winner. She is now nine for nine on the season. She was still wearing her Kentucky State Fair Winner cap hours after her class! Team High Caliber celebrated the reserve winner, Abigail Tabor. Mary Orr headed Doubletrees Aqua Blue in the lineup, heading straight out the gate with no ribbon as the split class ribbon debacle continued this week. In any classes split for excess numbers, there is no set of ribbons to present for second through eighth. The riders just leave the ring with no prize and are sent ribbons after the show. Abigail made a great ride today to leave without her red prize as the Reserve World’s Champion. Emily Vicari was a good third aboard Platinum Asset, claiming that prize for Team Kierson. Haley Garcia rounded out the top four in this split.
BeBe Olcott was the winner of the first edition of Adult Country Pleasure today with Negative Image. Sarah Byers and Katy Hannah headed up the Premier Stables-trained entry. Champions at Shelby County Fair and Rock Creek this year, they were Reserve World’s Champions in this class a year ago. By Sir William Robert, Negative Image is out of Blacklisted. Multi-titled World’s Champion CH Teuschers earned reserve honors today, with Priscilla Marconi in the saddle once again for their best Louisville finish together. They took a red ribbon back to Cherry Stables. A winner at Lexington, CH Callaway’s Summer Solstice was third today for Carissa Marshall and Tannehill Farms. Maguire Hall picked up the white streamers for fourth aboard CH Catalyst Commander.
Heartland Summer Rain continued a family tradition as the unanimous winner of the Three-Year-Old Harness Pony World’s Championship. Famously the winner of the Open Harness Pony class at the Royal last year as a two-year-old, Summer Rain is by Heartland Code Of Honor and out of World’s Grand Champion Heartland Rain Song. Darrel Kolkman made the winning drive for Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Kolkman. Leroy Wood headed up the victory pass. Sired by their grand World’s Grand Champion Dun-Haven Phenomenal, Crystal Creek’s Hot To Trot was the reserve winner here for Crystal Creek Farms. Driven by Eduardo Lopez, Hot To Trot is out of Late Nite’s Magic Moment.
Sofia Rashid sent the Meadow Dream Team into a state of elation, as Jimmy and Georgia Morrison joined the 9-Year-Old Walk-and-Trot Equitation World’s Champion in the winner’s circle with Callaway’s Kiss & Tell. This was the first Louisville win for Jimmy and Georgia, and their cheering section had all the trademark signs of a Louisville win: the standing with both hands raised, the screams, the hugs, the hands covering the mouth, the borderline tears, it was all there! Yet another product of the Kierson Farm Riding Academy, Cara DeForge won reserve honors here with Jessie Richardson’s favorite mare, Rosewood’s Potpourri. A second-generation star, Jessica Manzo earned third with Callaway’s Never Wanted More. Nelson Green headed them up in the lineup. Ray Krussell directed fourth place winner, Mae Luce.
Major Buck and Audrey Lowry continued their Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving division success with a World’s Championship round of honor for owner Kathryne Stief. By CH Harlem Town and out of Yolanda, by Sultan’s Royalty, Major Buck was joined in victory by Jim and Fay Lowry. World Turning was a good reserve with all-star driver Rose Marie Wheeler at the lines for Carroll Robertson Ray and Grey Ridge Farm. World Turning is by The Mac Attack and out of Starheart’s Whisper, by Fox Creek.
The 13-and-Under Road Pony class featured a whole lot of moments, one of which came on the reverse, when it seemed like all 12 of the entries in the ring stopped at the gate-end of the show ring, creating a traffic jam that could have been disastrous! They had to play a pony version of Jenga to unstack the pileup, with judge Gene van der Walt and ringmaster Kent Moeller closest to the action and looking on with momentary panic. Please! These kids are pros! Once they were back to work, Ashley Creekmore took over. She drove CH Cappuccino down victory lane for Thomas R. Brock Jr. and trainers Andy and Lynda Freseth. A dominant force in this division, Cappuccino hasn’t been beaten in this division in Freedom Hall since 2008, and that year he was twice reserve! Ashley drove him to both World’s Championship wins a year ago. Champions of this division at Blue Ridge, Crystal Creek’s Duchess was the Reserve World’s Champion for Carl and Kathryn Nichols and Majestic Oaks. Sired by Crystal Creek’s Commander, she is out of B. Witched, by Dun-Haven Center Attraction. At the lines was quick-change artist Rose Marie Wheeler, who showed in these back-to-back kids’ classes, in what can only be described as a scheduling anomaly. The entire Saccocia family was thrilled with Kellie Saccocia’s third-place finish with Dun-Haven Highly Impressive for Cater Stables, while the littlest of all competitors, Ethan DeVore, was back for another great show to place fourth with Not My Pony for Tom and Marcia Hollands.
Showing for the first time under saddle, Out Of Hand was the winner of the first ASR Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Park class here in Freedom Hall. Key Everhart Waller made the ride today for Blythewood Farms. Shown by Pedro Martinez to two wins in harness, Out Of Hand is by CF First Night Out and out of Desert’s Awesome Lover, an outcross from their traditional bloodlines by Desert’s Supreme Awesome. So Swank earned the reserve win with Jim Lowry up for Redwing Farm. Sired by their own grand stallion, Designed, So Swank is out of Swak, a daughter of Broodmare Hall of Famer One Parting Kiss. By Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of CH Garland’s Dream, Schadenfreude was third with Tiffany Wheeler up for Fox Grape Farms. Lord Balanchine and Darrell Case earned fourth for Pidgeon Roost Farm.
It was another split affair in 10-Year-Old Walk-and-Trot Equitation, with the first section blue going back to Judd Stables with unanimous choice of the judges Emily Candelaria. Aboard Callaway’s Gentleman’s Agreement, she was directed in her victory pass by Maria Gilman. Emily was the 9-Year-Old World’s Champion a year ago and the 9-10 Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. She is undefeated in this her 10-year-old campaign. Delaney Fitzgerald made the trip from Nebraska to claim the Reserve World’s Championship for trainer Jonnie Surland. She has 11 wins to her credit already this season. Headed up by Erin Richey, the young South African, Alfred Dercksen, picked up third, with Faith Sturm in fourth.
The second split followed directly, with another top performance, this one by Reagan Campbell and CH The Mystery Machine. They won for the sixth straight time in this their first season out of Academy. Bill and Lisa Waller were the delighted trainers of this young World’s Champion. Ainsley Budzinski started out the season in Academy and has come on strong all year long for Scott and Carol Matton. She teamed up with sister Sydney’s former teammate, Oh What A Feeling, to earn reserve honors. She has six blue ribbon rides on the year so far. Sophia Dercksen was the South African representative in this one, finishing third with Stephanie Sedlacko heading her up, an ironic finish, as twin brother Alfred received the same prize one class earlier. Noah Justice rounded out this top four.
It was a group of 21 that showed up for the second section of Adult Country Pleasure, with Amanda Dellinger taking her second victory pass of the week. Today she took CH Jessie Cole to the winner’s circle with the support of all three judges. Andy Freseth greeted the Hollow Haven team for owner James R. Dellinger Jr. This is their third straight year winning their Louisville qualifier. They swept the division a year ago. Champions at Roanoke, CH Talkin’ To You and Donna Finch were Reserve World’s Champions today for Jack and Donna Finch and High Caliber Stables. They made their best Louisville show together to claim their best Louisville prize together. Donna was formerly a Reserve World’s Champion in this very same division with her great CH Riva Diva back in 2007. Section 319 went wild for third place finisher CH Shamrock’s Asagi with Cornelia Hempe. Asagi is trained by Kris and Kara Martalock. Juicy Fruit and Karen Thompson made a good show for fourth.
The young ponies returned with a Three-Year-Old Hackney Pony competition. Best of the young cobtails was the unanimous choice of the judges, Heartland Road Show. Purchased after his Midwest win by Golden Creek Farms, Road Show debuted here with Jeff McClean to take the top spot. Square and true every step of the way, he is by Heartland Blackhawk and out of Heartland Just A Princess, a full sister to Heartland Equality. Heartland Midnight Music completed the Heartland-bred sweep of the top prizes. Abel Vega drove for Garry Brumm. In an outcross for Heartland Hackney Farm, Midnight Music is by LLF Top Of The Mark and out of Heartland Country Music, by Dun-Haven Bandolier.
It was a happy day for Mackenzie Lyttle, as she made her Louisville debut in blue ribbon style aboard Callaway’s Nachelle. Owned by Elisabeth Goth, Nachelle is by Callaway’s Blue Norther and out of Callaway’s Return Engagement, by Royal Return. They were Champions of this Junior Park Pleasure division at Blue Ridge Classic. Last year’s ASR Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Futurity Champion, A Night In Vegas, was reserve this time out for Jim Cherry and owner Grace Arnold. Sired by up and coming stud Northern Vegas, he is out of Sultan’s Lady’s Night Out, by CF First Night Out. It should make for an entertaining Championship round when these two square off again. Also in the mix were Mr. Bling and Danny Lockhart in third for Garlington Saddlebreds, and I Am The Storm and Jim Stachowski in fourth for Shawn and Ava Stachowski.
Trainer Tara Wentz Goosley was ecstatic at the in gate when sister Cassi Wentz’ number was called out atop the Western Country Pleasure class to close out the morning session. This was Cassi’s first time showing Winsdown Edgecliff here on the green shavings. This makes a cool dozen wins on the season for this team against one reserve finish, their only time leaving with anything but the blue ribbon. Erin German, daughter of Mark McCracken of North Wind Stables, was reserve aboard North Wind’s CH I’m Goin’ Out Tonight. Owned by Marjorie Brown and Nealia McCracken, I’m Goin’ Out Tonight was the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions here in 2010 with Nealia’s daughter, Jessie Moctezuma. The reigning World’s Champion of Champions, CH America’s Lass, was third today for Suzanne Bradshaw, with O’ Ain’t I Somethin’ and Luanne Kilday Malone finishing up in fourth.
First up after the break was a unanimous blue ribbon heading back to the Lone Star State and Lone Star Stables with De La Hoya and Hannah Houske. The top young jockey followed up her Lexington and Harrodsburg wins with yet another triumphant round of honor for Shelby Farm and Stables LLC. The son of Harlem’s Friendly Conversation out of a Merchant Prince mare had that flaxen tail streaming behind him as he headed up the ramp with trainer Milo Jones in tow. Just a four-year-old, Extremely Fortunut has a great future ahead of him in this division. He opened his Louisville career with a Reserve World’s Championship. Brittany Cloutier delighted the Cater Stables cheering section with a great ride. These two horses swapped blue ribbons at Lexington, as Extremely Fortunut was the qualifier winner there. Formerly a World’s Champion of Champions in this division, Highpoint’s Grandee was third. Vanessa Patch moved up from the 13-and-Under ranks with Grandee this season for owner Lisa Austin. She was twice reserve here a year ago in that division. It was Dakota Reiser aboard Highpoint’s Grandee when he made those rounds of honor here in Freedom Hall. Dakota had a different mount today. He showed Join In The Dance to fourth for dad Chris Reiser.
Sheila Clouse made yet another catch drive to a World’s Championship blue, the second of the week for her and the second of the week for owners/breeders Dan and Leah Light. This one was with Regal’s Pauline LF in the Junior Hackney Pleasure Driving class. Don Mace headed up the daughter of Dun-Haven Regal Attraction and the Mastercraft daughter Mastercraft’s Lilah LF. Lexington and River Ridge winner Night Voyager was reserve today for Meredithe Steinhauer for Denise Steinhauer and Majestic Oaks. Night Voyager is by Mr. Hawkeye.
The second section of 14-17 Country Pleasure went to reigning World’s Champion of Champions CH League Of Nations and Maya Manilow. Also the National Champions, they are five for five on the season. By Zovoorbij Commander In Chief (SA), he is out of CH Ivy League, a World’s Champion herself in amateur gaited. The Cowboy Casanova was the Reserve World’s Champion with Angela Mangine. Owned by Helen Harris, he is by Madeira’s Caramac and out of Manipulative, by The Manipulator. Star Sighting made some great passes in third for Erin Rae Beever and Lowry Stables, while CH Stonecroft Ring Leader was fourth with Alexandria Cedrone for Dan and Laura Cedrone.
CH Stravinsky and Brittany McGinnis made a winning Park debut on the green shavings to win their seventh class of the year. They debuted together in this division at the Royal last year to sweep the Amateur Park classes. Todd Miles and Constance Young headed up the victory pass today for Fish Creek Stables. James Sigmon was a popular reserve with CH Brookhill’s Periday. An amateur winner at Lexington the last two years, Periday is trained by Mike and Kathy Barlow. This was their first finish as anything but the winner this season, winning all nine of their previous classes on the year. Imperiaptor and Laurel Nelson were third today with a scintillating show, followed by CH Doctor Zhivago and Maguire hall in fourth.
The Three-Year-Old Road Pony class featured a ton of excitement, some of the good kind and some of the bad kind. We’ll report all the best parts, especially the blue ribbon winner, Born On The Bayou. Maureen Campbell was delighted at the lines, as she sped down to the far end of the ring for Dr. T.J. and Georgia Blevins. This one is a star in the making by another great one, Sugarland. This filly is out of Mardi Gras, by Pocket Money and out of Ragtime Rose. Tom Lowry drove to reserve with Regal’s African Prince LF. Winner at Harrodsburg, he is by Dun-Haven Regal Attraction and out of Romeo’s Peggy Sue LF. Dan and Leah Light, breeders of this fourth generation “LF” pony, are also the owners. Button Bright and Randy Harper were third in this one for Karen Frickey, with Zephyr and Abel Vega fourth for Golden Creek Farms.
Caroline Walker was the good luck beneficiary of some bad luck for a fellow competitor. Luckily the class was split, because McGee Bosworth fell suddenly ill in the warmup ring getting set to show Let’s Talk. Mary Orr hurriedly looked for a rider to climb aboard just to get the talented dark chestnut gelding qualified for the Championship! She found Caroline Walker, dressed and ready to show J. Crew in the second split of this Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park class. Caroline jumped into the saddle and what took place was the stuff of Louisville legend. With a true team effort, Caroline showed with Let’s Talk’s trainers Mary and Evan Orr, her own trainer Tammy DeVore, and Let’s Talk’s former trainer Dena Lopez all giving instruction and encouragement from the rail. She rode the absolute hair off of this horse. Coming off McGee’s phenomenal Championship performance at Blue Ridge, Let’s Talk put on a heck of a horse show to claim his second World’s Championship crown. Owned by Pair Of Jacks Stables, Let’s Talk gave Caroline Walker her first World’s Championship win in epic fashion, one they’ll never forget. Cloverleaf Turner Jake and Tayler Walters were reserve in their qualifier for the second show in a row, having taken the same prize at Lexington for DeLovely and owner Debra Hurst. They were Champions at both Pro-Am and Indy Charity this year, their first season showing together. Mitchell Tunstall came in third aboard Heir’s Mark for James Orr. Catalino and Camryn Silverton finished fourth for Jennifer and Camryn Silverton.
Claiming Section Two of this class and reclaiming their crown as Junior Exhibitor Park World’s Champions, Camille Cowart and the great CH Justa Rascal rose to the top for West Wind Stables. Twice reserve here a year ago, they were the winners of the first four Junior Exhibitor Park classes ever held here in Freedom Hall. Lexington Champions Hallie Sansbury and CH Reedann’s Heir To Glory were reserve today for Patricia Dozier and Cape Cod Farm. Heir To Glory is by Supreme Heir and out of Glori-Phi. Mia Clementi took third back to Hollow Haven with CH Princess Ruby Begonia for Nancy Leigh Fisher. Guy From Vegas and Lauren Ellis finished fourth for owner Kathleen Bagdasarian and trainer Kristen Bagdasarian.
If you aren’t familiar with Turtle Man from Animal Planet’s popular TV program, Call of the Wildman, you won’t fully understand the name of the Amateur Ladies Roadster to Bike World’s Champion, Live Action. An entry of Hillcroft Farm, Live Action takes his name from Turtle Man (aka Ernie Lee Brown Jr.) and his infamous call, “Live action, baby! Yeeeeeee!” Seriously. People watch this show on actual television. We’ve heard it’s a guilty pleasure of several prominent horsemen, along with Griffin T. Day. This was Misdee Wrigley Miller’s first time showing the speedster, and she did another great job, just as she did to win this class in 2010 with Trio Bolero G. Live action happened to be a fitting name for the winner of this class, as it was fraught with some wreckage. Iamnotacow received a big ovation in reserve, as the popular 2011 World’s Champion in this division was once again driven by Debra Clark. Trained by Jon Walker, Iamnotacow and Debra pioneered “CowCam” at Asheville this year where Jon and Erin Fann fitted Debra with a helmet camera so people could get a driver’s eye view of a road horse class!
Reserve Champion in the County Fair Championship on Sunday night, Regal’s Amigo LF was the winner of the 14-17 Road Pony class with Kirstie Buerkley at the lines. Kirstie has finally reached the Senior age bracket after five seasons of showing in 13-and-Under. Yes indeed, it was five years ago now that she made her Louisville debut with two blue ribbon drives behind the great Dun-Haven Grandiose. Regal’s Amigo is owned by Toni Nastali and trained by Majestic Oaks. Zoe Schaffel is also in her first year of 14-17. She made one of her best drives with P.T. Cruiser to claim the reserve honors for MLS Equestrian LLC and trainer David Chretien. Regal’s Bandolero LF and Cheyenne Mabey picked up third for Dan and Leah Light.
Normally the teammate of Erica Salley, it was Millie Pyles aboard Just Like That today, and just like that, she became the Amateur Park Mare World’s Champion. Owned by Antares Farm and Stable, she is trained by Stephanie Sedlacko. Just Like That is by Supreme Heir and out of Rare Southern Grace. This was the first World’s Champion for Antares Farm and Stable, prompting Rebecca Salley to post in all caps on Facebook, “THE SALLEY FAMILY HAS A WORLD CHAMPION HORSE NOW. CAPS TOTALLY NECESSARY. BRB SHAKING AND CRYING. CONGRATS EVERYONE AT WINGSWEPT FARM!!!!!” Third in this class a year ago and reserve in the Open Park Mare class last year with Danny Lockhart, Phind The Treasure went to a reserve finish with David Rudder up for Joan Hamilton. David’s daughter, Alex, rides with winning trainer Stephanie Sedlacko. This red ribbon winner is of course trained at Kalarama. Elizabeth Ververeli was pleased with her yellow prize in third with CH Fox Grape’s Forever Yours for Kathleen and Elizabeth Ververeli and Kierson Farm. CH Nurse Goodbody returned from the baby factory this season and made some passes worthy of a top prize in fourth for Wendy Bruwer and Stonecroft Farm.
With the second split of the ASR National Park Pleasure Futurity closing out the afternoon, we have no results to report! The judges will select their favorites and bring them back for a final round on Saturday afternoon. We’ll tell you all about it then, as we are the ONLY place to go for fact-filled recaps of every class, lightning-fast results, video highlights, and interviews with the top performers of the week!
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