Louisville - Wednesday Night
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The ladies and their over two three-gaited horses opened up Wednesday evening’s session with a tremendous class. Stacked with name after name it took a second trot for the judges to make up there mind but in the end it was the 2009 World’s Grand Champion CH Our Charming Lady proving to be the best of the best tonight. Mary Marcum Orr presented the bay mare with her long swan-like neck for Donna and Jack Finch. Lynda Freseth took over the reins from Ericka Nelson aboard CH Sue-She. Freseth had the Marilyn and Robert Gaiswinkler bay beauty in top order for the reserve title. The hooky Punch Baby paraded around Freedom Hall with Jackie Tanner for the top third spot for owners Sarah and Joe Benza. Rounding out the top four was Majestic’s Jackie O and Amy Dix Rock.
An amazing 10 teams made the gate call for the Amateur Ladies Harness Pony class. Once again with all the top talent that graced Freedom Hall it took more than a second trot this time for the judges to make a decision therefore four were sent back to the rail. Those four included Crystal Creek’s Commander, Heartland Expectation, Sweetheart Of Success and Regal’s Norma Jean LF. Tonight the spotlight belonged to the newcomers, Crystal Creek’s Commander and Kathryn Nichols. Commander was outstanding for Nichols who was thrilled, exclaiming "it took 65 years for me to earn my first blue in Freedom Hall and I did it in a work out!" Last year’s winner multi-titled world’s grand champion Heartland Expectation garnered the reserve title. Mary Gise was at the whip under the Hollow Haven banner. The refined Regal’s Norma Jean LF and Stephany Monteleone were in the third spot with Sweetheart Of Success and Karen Waldron finishing fourth.
Up next was the Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding Stake, the first piece to Saturday night’s open championship. Under Nancy Bryan’s new ownership this year A Travelin’ Man made the move back to the harness division with Todd Miles at the whip. This grand horse who has been a winner ever since he hit the ring at the Shelby County Fair in 2006 added another title to his resume with the unanimous win tonight. The somewhat unknown Wild Carrissma marched to the music with Jim Stachowski at the whip earning the reserve title. The flashy Catalytic rounded out the top three with Martin Cockriel on the lines.
The junior exhibitors made their first appearance of the night with the 14-17 year olds riding in the first section in the three-gaited division. Topping the class unanimously was the exquisite CH An Heir About Her. Never putting an ear or foot out of place the grand Supreme Heir daughter headed to the winner’s circle with Marjorie Townsend under the direction of Missy Hughes to earn yet another world’s title. Riding with a broken ankle and sometimes only one stirrup Faye Wuesthofen proved her skills garnering the reserve title with CH Heir To A Star for the Shadow Run banner. Stablemate CH Enough About You and Callie Smith captured the top third spot for Lynda Norman.
With a pause in the session Freedom Hall was transformed into one of the courses that will be featured during the combined driving event at the Alltech FEI World Games. The Hillcroft team set up the course for the four in hand team that included one half Saddlebred. Larry and Marilyn Denny were at the helm of the phaeton. They worked the course with ease showing off the skills of the team with precision never knocking a cone down. After the exhibition, attention was called to the winner’s circle for the presentation the Audrey Pugh Gutridge Award given to Shirley Parkinson, adding another recognition to her long list of accomplishments in the industry.
The action picked back up with four high-stepping Hackneys vying for their open stake. Top honors went back to Ohio with Faydelle Schott’s 2009 Reserve World’s Grand Champion and 2008 Junior World’s Champion of Champions. Heartland Fortune Maker. Bob Phillips was at the whip of the leg-waving pony for the win. Larry Ella was behind another world titleholder, Lord Ovation, for the reserve streamers with a great performance for Kathryn Boyd.
Answering the call next was the Ladies Five-Gaited Gelding class. It has been a memorable week for Mark and Kelly Hulse after the win on Monday night in the junior over two. Tonight Kelly made it even better with an outstanding ride aboard El Matrero. The bold moving son of CH El Cortez motored through the crowd of horses effortlessly winning for owner Scott Pisarik. Riding hard, Tammy DeVore picked up the reserve title aboard Cindy and Lee Waggoner’s Virtruvian Man. The toppy A Different Story with Phyllis Brookshire garnered the yellow ribbon in this well-filled class.
The Three-Gaited Over 15.2 class was an impressive one with eight great entries. Tonight the blue ribbon belonged to Dena Lopez aboard Let’s Talk with a solid performance giving his sire, Sir William Robert another Louisville winner this week. The crowd recognized the reserve champion CH Grande Gil with huge applause. Coming back after illness in 2009, the former world’s grand champion never missed a beat with Misdee Miller in the irons making a fantastic show. Lexington’s grand champion Romance In New York was at the top of her game receiving the yellow ribbon with Matt Shiflet presenting for Kristen Pettry and Marge Ferguson. The elegant former junior world’s champion of champions Soquili’s Georgia Kracker and Bob Brison rounded out the top four for B & T Vonderschmitt.
The three-gaited horses remained in the spotlight this time with the ladies under two class. For the second year in a row it was Heavenly Thunder called to the winner’s circle. Elegant and refined Nancy Leigh Fisher had her park trotting every step under the Willowbank banner. The crowd got behind Cataclysmic and Terri Anne Ullman. With a chiseled head and extreme motion the dynamite chestnut carried out the red streamers for Susan and Kenneth Halverson. Size Me Up and Deborah Visser earned the top third spot with Hilheiry Duff and Mimi Bahcall rounding out the top four among these all-star entries.
The speed picked up with the Open Roadster Under Saddle class bursting down the chute next. Maintaining form and distinction of gaits Despite It All and Suzanne Crabtree captured the win unanimously for Barbara Watts. Steve Crabtree greeted them in the winner’s circle. Last year’s winner Big ‘N Rich garnered the red ribbon with Derrick Westbrook handling the riding duties. The youngest of the group, Jocelyn Brock rode hard for the third place finish aboard Eclipse under the Jon Walker banner.
The second part of what will make up the Fine Harness Championship was in next with eight mares on the schedule. Wearing out the Louisville blue tonight was former junior world’s champion of champions Voulez Vous. Back in harness with Nelson Green this mare is part of the Nalley breeding program. Pedro Martinez presented the five-year-old chestnut beauty Magical Promises to the reserve title for MSK Trust. Lionel Ferreira was at the whip behind Tia Margarita for the top third spot for new owners Johnny and Linda Bowen.
The lady riders returned aboard their gaited mares. From a field of 11 the best tonight was Lynn Williams with Mary Gaylord McClean. The half sister to CH According To Lynn fit the ladies specs perfectly never dropping an ear while effortlessly gliding across the green shavings. Carol Hillenbrand was aboard Callaway’s Cassis for the reserve title. The expressive mare put on a solid performance with Hillenbrand under the Carriage Lane banner. Deborah Butler carried out the yellow streamers with Pour Some Sugar On Me after a nice ride. These three ladies have probably won as many Louisville titles as any three in the business today.
Five made the next gate call for the Harness Pony Stallion/Gelding Stake. When the work was done it was the bouncy Spencer earning the victory unanimously with Randy Harper on the lines for Karen Frickey. Last year’s junior world’s champion of champions Nobu with John Scheidt at the whip marched up to the reserve title with Mastercraft’s Promoter LF and Jeff McClean scoring the third place finish for Golden Creek Farms.
The second section of the 14-17 three-gaited graced the green shavings next. Tonight no one could deny I’m McDreamy and Hunter Chancellor. The charismatic horse was exceptional step after step and with Chancellor’s white coat it was a breathtaking picture. They captured the win unanimously for Steven Chancellor. Scott Matton has Callaway’s Rosemary And Thyme looking great and Ashley Baird did a great job of presenting the mare. Together they earned the reserve title. CH Yes It’s True record speaks for himself and once again he put on another great show. Matched up with Karly Morgan, now in their second season together, they were solid as ever to capture the top three spot in the deep class.
The evening closed out with another blockbuster, the Five-Gaited Gelding Stake. Seven made the call. The crowd waited with anticipation as each came in to see how last year’s grand champion Courageous Lord would show. It was worth the wait, as he did not disappoint. With Merrill Murray at the helm this explosive horse seemed settled but not dull by any stretch. As a matter of fact they were dynamic.! Murray had "Joe" stroking pass after pass, trotting and racking. They could not be denied and tonight they wore the Louisville blue for the second year in a row for owners Marsha Shepard and Bill Carrington. Reserve honors went back to the DeLovely Farm banner with Heir Comes The Man. Mark Turner has done a great job with this unknown entity. Shown earlier at Midwest and Harrodsburg by Turner the Supreme Heir son is coming on strong for owner Glenn Werry proving he is a horse to keep an eye on. Tammy DeVore claimed the top third spot aboard Zombie Stomp. Trimmed in white, the powerful chestnut was solid with DeVore in the irons for new owner Mary Gaylord McClean. Picking up the white ribbon was Yippeekiyokiyey and Mike Spencer for Minna Hankin.
So another night is in the books and with Thursday morning’s short session ahead of us and championship classes in the not so distant future. Keep refreshing your browser for the most up to date and complete results and show coverage.
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