Wednesday Morning and Afternoon
Wednesday morning dawned another beautiful day in Louisville and horse after beautiful horse paraded through the gate to claim their awards. The first class belonged to the three-year-old roadster ponies. Top honors, and the unanimous decision of the judges, belonged to Dan and Leah Light’s Mastercraft’s Promoter LF with a world of presence and extravagant motion. Eric Kirsch was on the lines for his first personal world’s championship. Light Farms is quickly becoming a major factor in Hackney circles; four of the eight ribbon winners in this class alone were products of Light Farm’s breeding program. Driving away with the red ribbon was new owner Gene Gallmeier on the lines of Mr. Lucky Man.
As always the Country Pleasure division is extremely popular and competitive. The first of three splits trotted down the chute next on this Monday morning. Coming off of two impressive wins at Blue Ridge Classic, not to mention being last year’s Country Pleasure Grand Champion with Sherry Frankel-Deal, CH The Shadow Knows was absolutely on top of his game to claim the top honors in this first split with Linda Meyer under the direction of Hollow Haven. Reserve honors in this class belonged to Sultry Heiress and Melody Adler.
Nine entries made the gate call for the Equitation Walk/Trot Eight Years-Old & Under riders in the first split in of this division. Looking picture perfect in powder blue, Courtney McGinnis was in top form to claim the blue ribbon under the direction of DeLovely. Looking too cute for the reserve ribbon was West Virginia’s Lexie Flint under Matt and Kristen Shiflet’s watchful eyes.
World’s championships must run in the Miles family as Macey Miles stepped up in her father Todd Miles’ footsteps to claim the blue ribbon in the second split of the eight and under class, making it back to back wins for DeLovely. Aleia Brown, under the expert direction of Cape Cod, had a stellar ride to claim the reserve honors in this competitive division.
The second split of the Adult Country Pleasure class made their way into Freedom Hall and around the green shavings. Taking home the blue ribbon, after two wins at Midwest Charity in June, The Straight Guy and Susannah Sherman were the best of the best in Freedom Hall on Wednesday morning, under the direction of Chuck Herbert. The red ribbon belonged to the up-headed Irish Epic and Cecelia Hagan.
The next class to trot down the chute were the nine and under walk/trot riders for their equitation class. Looking like a younger version of his older brother Kyle, and just as talented, Gavin Gagnon was in top form to claim the blue ribbon under the direction, Gary and Marsha Garone. Reserve honors, and taking her ribbon home to the Tar Heel state, was Cagle James aboard Seattle Song, under Cash Lovell’s direction.
The three-year-old Hackney ponies next entered the ring. Coming away with the top honors was the extraordinary Honky Tonk Man, a son of reigning WGC Nabucco, and Gib Marcucci for Art and Gaye Birtcher. After a lengthy absence from the show world, it’s good to see the Birtchers back again with their usual high quality ponies. Reserve in this class belonged to Heartland Moonglow, a light chestnut mare in the image of her sire, the legendary WGC Heartland Equality, driven by Darryl Kolkman for owner Kay Marschel.
Twenty-four Three-Gaited Park Mares trotted into the show ring for their stake class. Looking like a star CH Lady Maya and Barbara Goodman Manilow came away with the blue after a very competitive ride. As last year’s winners, Princess Ruby Begonia and Nancy Leigh Fisher, picked up their reserve ribbon, the crowd showed its appreciation for the Hollow Haven-trained team.
The junior exhibitors took center stage with their Show Pleasure Driving horses. It’s hard to imagine this class without CH Advantage Me and Aliyah Asch. Having wins in 2000-03, and reserves in 2004-05, this veteran pair were back in their accustomed place - the winner’s circle – after a sparkling drive. Reserve honors went to CH Lover’s Heir and Tiana Tapper for Wentz Stables and Susan Molinaro.
Another large group of talented young equitation riders were split into two groups. Winning the first split of the 10 year-old walk/trot was Caroline Moeller, under the direction of Max Ciampoli. Reserve honors went to Cape Cod-trained Hallie Sansbury who just came off important wins at Dayton and Lexington.
The second 10 year-old split saw a rare natural three-way tie that necessitated an extra workout. Making their way back to the rail for extra work were Alexia Stumler, Hunter Chancellor, and Nadine Van Zomeren. Coming out on top to claim the blue ribbon was Alexia Stumler with a proud Cindy Boel heading her up. The red ribbon went to Hunter Chancellor, under the direction of DeLovely.
Ten road ponies and their junior exhibitor drivers answered the gate call in the first split of the 14-17 year old age group. Speeding into the winner’s circle for the second year in a row with a unanimous blue ribbon were Ali DeGray and the high-headed Seize The Moment under Ruth Gimpel’s direction. Reminiscent of last year’s exuberance, this energetic pony gave a couple of his signature “bounces” as he exited the ring to the amusement of the crowd. Reserve honors went home with Heartland Sundust and Rachel Machamer for Priscilla Gise, under the direction of Hollow Haven.
The second split made their way into Freedom Hall and driving away with the blue ribbon were Kilbro’s Must-B-Dreamin’ and the black and gold silks- clad Casey Bray. Flying into reserve honors were Heartland Flyaway with Alexis Gerych.
The final split of the Adult Country Pleasure division belonged to League Of Nations and Dori Zandy under the direction of Steve and Julia Joyce. The homebred son of WGC (SA) Zovoorbij Commander In Chief and CH Ivy League represents what a true country pleasure horse should be with his bright, animated presence, yet impeccable manners. Reserve honors belonged to the many-titled mare CH Riva Diva coming off of two major wins at Lexington Junior League. Up for the ride was Catie Hawley for Jack and Donna Finch, trained by Cash Lovell Stables.
The amateurs and their stallion/gelding park horses answered the gate call in two different splits as the first class following the morning break. Making it three years in a row, and at the top of their game, were CH A Step Of Time and Luanne Kilday under Debbie Foley’s direction. Reserve in this popular division were CH The Foxy Prince and Bambi Childress Bollin.
Nineteen horses were in the second split of the park stallion/gelding class. Coming off two impressive wins at Lexington and continuing his dominating presence in this hotly contested division, Perfect Vengeance claimed the blue ribbon with good-riding Kaitlyn Grom in the irons. Reserve honors belonged to another popular team, CH Justa Rascal and Megan McClure, under the direction of Peter and Kim Cowart.
After the park class, the Junior Exhibitor Hackney/Harness Pony Pleasure Driving gave Debbie Foley back-to-back wins. Ali Judah did the honors with Diamond Legacy for owner Beth Jones. Reserve honors in this 12 entry class went to Heartland Special Special and Kelsey Herbert for Janet Sterba.
Making World’s Championship Horse Show history was the inaugural American Saddlebred Western Country Pleasure Invitational. Sixteen glittering riders and silver-clad horses qualified for this class by accumulating points during the 2005 and 2006 show seasons. Taking the first World’s Championship for a western pleasure horse was The American Flag and Suzanne Bradshaw. The Reserve World’s Championship belonged to CH Fiasco and Douglas Glick.
Seven lovely three-year-old harness ponies entered the ring to compete for their chance a World’s Championship. Coming out on top was a little beauty, the high-stepping Anamaria and Tom Lowry for Stonecroft Farm. Reserve honors belonged to Gib Marcucci and Tanglewood’s Feature attraction, for Todd Gordon/Frank Boyd.
No one should ever doubt that the lady drivers have any less grit and determination than their male counterparts. As always a very exciting Ladies Amateur Roadster To Bike class took center stage and speeding away with the blue ribbon for three years in a row were Dirt Devil and Deborah Butler under the direction of DeLovely. Reserve honors in this six entry class went to Elizabeth Shatner and All Glory.
As with the adults, the large numbers of junior exhibitor country pleasure entries required splits in the 14-17 age group. Riding away with the blue ribbon in the first split of eighteen entries were Ooh La Latte and Sarah Lawson with Shelley Fisher heading them up in the winner’s circle. The red ribbon belonged to Phi Phalutin’ RR and Amy Hein under the direction of Adam and Desiree Clausen.
Looking fabulous in a summery green coat, not to mention having a wonderful ride with her mom’s Kalarama’s High Roller, Ali DeGray was all smiles on her way to the winner’s circle to claim her blue ribbon in the sixteen-entry second split. Reserve honors belonged to I’m Dreaming and Michelle Krentz.
It was certainly a junior exhibitor day as the younger division of the juveniles and their road ponies sped into the ring and around the second way of the ring. Taking home the blue ribbon in the first split of eight entries were Zildjian and Conner Leith under the direction of Heather Boodey. The red ribbon went to Heartland Flurry and Cory Vetter for Jerry Cummins.
The second split of this class had one less entry, but matching quality. Speaking of quality the very sporty K & J’s Aviator and Shannon Ella marched away with the blue ribbon for Darrell Vaughn. The win for the Maureen Lydon-trained pair comes on the heels of a big win last month at Lexington. Reserve honors went to Boxford’s Courageous Spirit and Max Kaplan.
The ASR National Three-Year-Old Futurity - Three-Gaited Park Pleasure saw twenty-five entries and two sections. The following horses were selected to show back in a later-scheduled final: That’s Exactly Right, Stonecroft I’m Radiant, The Debonair Gentleman, Stonecroft Serengetti, Brookhill’s Tom Tom, Reedann’s Phorget-Me-Not, Stonecroft All That Jazz, An American Beauty, It’s Night Time, Callaway’s Paisano, Miss Photogenic, and The Pool Boy.
Winding up the day session was the 16-entry Adult Amateur Hackney/Harness Pleasure Driving class. The quintessence of pleasure and repeating their 2005 qualifying win were Early Edition and Jane Mueller driving into first place under the direction of Gib Marcucci. Reserve honors belonged to the lofty Heartland King of Kings and Joanne Weiner, trained by Bill Tomin.
This concludes the highlight’s of Wednesday’s day session. Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking on SHOW RESULTS.