The 2001 horse show season wraps up in the Midwest area with the Mid America Fall Horse Show. As is the custom, the show takes place at the Ledges facility in Roscoe IL. This year the dates were Oct. 19-21, 2001. The judge selected for the event was Randy Cates, of Versailles, Ky. He did his work timely and well with a full slate of classes all three days.
Mother nature overall cooperated with exceptionally nice fall days, warm during the day with cooler evenings.
One of the highlights of this show is the costume class held on Saturday night. One of the area's top performers in this division was John Willis and he did not let us down this year with his Silence of the Lambs portrayal. Following the show that night, the exhibitors' party in the warm up ring gave people a chance to mingle and relax.
The first UPHA challenge cup class was the 17 and under pleasure equitation class. This class was won by an exceptional riding Paula Murray continuing her winning ways. Later Friday afternoon the UPHA Adult Challenge cup class convened and Jonelle Chovanec snapped up the win.
The 11 & under version of the UPHA class was won by Faye Wuesthofen. Devin Curran topped the competition in the 10 & under walk and trot championship.
Mandy Martin demonstrated how it's done winning the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. Amalia Piehl picked the UPHA Saddle Seat Challenge Cup.
Saturday started the championship classes with one of the first being the junior exhibitor country pleasure with Amalia Piehl and Radiant Blue riding to this tri color.
The show pleasure driving championship was next with Sue Powers showing her pretty Queensbury Coquette to that title, for their first driving tri color.
Lightning Up saw the winners circle more than once at Mid America was back in the winner's circle with Meredithe Steinhauer at the lines for the Hackney Pleasure Pony Driving Championship, for Denise Steinhauer.
The tough adult show pleasure championship saw the snappy Tip Rodgers with Ellyen Dorsey in for that tri color for Bea Bruce Borland.
The junior exhibitor three gaited show pleasure class saw Play Date and rider Alex Baumann pick up top honors with a tri color championship. It was fun to see them have such a great time.
Neva Van Ess has a winner with Kronman's equine the flashy Redann's Firestorm in for the park full mane and tail stake, causing quite a stir.
A pleased Cynthia Leute brought in Sterling Sharp for the victory photo in the three gaited country pleasure driving championship.
Jennifer Karnes made a successful trip to Mid America to win the amateur five stake with CF Chief's Torchbearer. This horse is a really a dandy and they made a great pair.
The open three gaited stake was swept up by Yorktown Heiress and Brittany Becker. Ray Krussell brought the fancy Dr. Deker in for the tri color in the open five gaited stake for Melina Lukas.
The Material Girl was right on the money for top honors in the three gaited amateur stake for rider Michelle Roskelley.
The impressive pair of Alpha Prioity and Brenda Jostad made the victory pass in the five gaited show pleasure championship.
Melissa Donovan and CH So Fizzical won the country five gaited championship.
In the three gaited version it was the winning Scarnio RD and Sarah Larson.
On the young horse side we got to see Lisa Strickland bring Just About Perfect in to win the UPHA Fine Harness Classic for Ellyen Dorsey. Neon Deon And Lisa Strickland rode right to the victory pass to the junior park pleasure win for Bonnie Lee.
In a truly interesting pleasure equitation championship, Austin Eversman's named was called out first. She did a fabulous job in the work out.
Sharon Vuinvich was thrilled as she rode In the Zone in winning the country western championship.
Can't wait to see what next year's costume class brings!
For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Saddle Horse Report dated November 12th, 2001.