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Mid-A Enjoys A Resurgence In Quality And Quantity



by Diana Davidson

 

LEXINGTON, Va. – When a horse show with a 50 year history marked with great show ring competition and rivalries is combined with one of the finest horse show facilities in the country, how can the results be anything but great. This is certainly the case when the horse show is Mid-A, which has billed itself as “every year a horse show to remember”, and the location is the picturesque and well-appointed Virginia Horse Center. Mid-A marked its third year at its new location with its 51st annual show on June 27-30.

 


Slick and Dodger with Barry Dickeson on the lines along

with owner Cindy Nord once again opened the evening
sessions at Mid-A to the delight of their many fans.

 

While the show celebrated its milestone golden anniversary a year ago, Mid-A certainly had a lot to celebrate in 2007. The show enjoyed a great resurgence with several prominent stables returning after a long absence or coming to the show for the very first time. With the beautiful setting in the Shenandoah Valley and the state-of-the-art facility along with prime show season dates, Mid-A should become a staple on the show schedule of many stables. This year’s show drew barns from throughout the Mid-Atlantic states as well as Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Georgia and North Carolina with numbers up significantly.

 

In addition to some outstanding show ring competition, Mid-A has always treated its exhibitors to great parties and many fun activities. This year was certainly no exception. There were doughnuts and coffee at the hospitality booth every morning along with a party every night. From the pig roast and ice cream social compliments of Broadmoor to the Saturday evening exhibitors’ party as well as wine and cheese prior to the evening sessions, everyone had plenty of occasions to eat, drink and socialize.

 

The nightly chuck-a-duck competitions certainly kept everyone in their seats and featured lots of highly skilled duck-chuckers who won a good deal of money for their efforts. The competition in the FBR Mid-A Open Golf Tournament featured a victory by Herm Germ with a score of 81 topping the competition. There were also several vendors on hand as well as many nice items in the silent auction.

 

The Youth Contest under the direction of Leitha Stone certainly kept many of the youngsters busy. Chelsea Kahn-Deere earned a trip to Oklahoma as Senior Youth Of The Year. The junior division was won by Kacie Bayreuther, while Taylor Altomare was the high-scoring contestant in the walk-trot division.

 


The Youth Contest featured a large field
of youngsters vying for top honors.

 

The officials of this year’s show all worked together to help the show run smoothly. Kent Moeller returned as the show manager and did double duty as the paddock master. Coordinators Molly Corcoran (dressage), Kathy Newcomb (carriage), and C. P. Staley and Mike Staley (hunter) did a great job organizing the competitive sport horse divisions. The officers and directors of the Mid-Atlantic Morgan Horse Club as well as the members of the show committee worked tirelessly to make the show a success. 

 

Linda Burke was the show secretary and kept the office running smoothly, while Janice K. Wright kept everyone in line as the USEF steward. Ron Saunders and Bob Kleinfelter shared duties as ringmasters. Tuffy Owens was the voice of Mid-A, while Stacy Beam kept everyone entertained as the organist. Doug Shiflet returned to Mid-A to capture the winning moments on film while Mike Sebastian was the videographer. The judging panel consisted of Sandy Sessink, Garn Walker, Cynthia Lytle, Kail Lynn Palmer-Miller and Beth Barritt.

 

The show ring highlights of the 51st Mid-A Morgan Horse Show follow. Complete results may be found by clicking here

 

PARK SADDLE

         

Allyson Wandtke closed out the Friday night session with the victory pass in the Park Saddle Championship for the second year in a row. This year she guided CN’s Stylish Debut to the honors after topping the ladies class for Cindy Nord. The sporty new team of WS Commanding Spirit and Elizabeth Lloyd Reitz paired up for the reserve honors guided by Sebring Stables for Patricia Lloyd.

         

It was a battle to the finish for two champion riders from Broadmoor in the amateur division. Pat Dills enjoyed a blue ribbon debut with her new partner MEM Heart And Soul as they topped the qualifier. Kathy Gutting matched up with her multi-titled CMBF Undeniable for a determined ride to make the victory pass in the Amateur Park Saddle Championship.

         

Michelle McCleester and Heatherstone Destiny’s Child earned matching blues for Catherine Stump as they won the open and limit classes.

 

PARK HARNESS

         

Kohler Stables and its entries certainly made their presence known in their Mid-A return after an absence of many years. HVK Carmen headlined the string as Tom Caisse drove the brilliant bay mare to the Open Park Harness blue and tricolor awards for Herbert V. Kohler. The next generation of Kohler champions also featured Two-Year-Old Park Harness winner HVK Noble Italia with Steven DeBolt on the lines.


 
HVK Carmen and Tom Caisse

 

Barb Goda directed the Friday Farm string to some top finishes in their return to Mid-A. P. D. May handled the lines of JW Authority for the Open Park Harness Reserve Championship, while Sarah Gallant and Gillfree Power Play teamed up to carry the Amateur Park Harness Championship along with the ladies blue for Friday Farm.

 

Jacqueline Clapp and Will-O-Way Moment In Time followed up their tricolor Southern States debut by topping the amateur qualifier at Mid-A in their only performance of the show.

 

Harry Sebring had World Champion Whitemud Dixie DanceKing playing the winning tune in the Junior Park Harness when they carried the blue and tricolor ribbons back to owner Patricia Lloyd.

 


Harry Sebring and Whitemud Dixie DanceKing.

 

Bellerophon enjoyed a victorious season debut as he earned Judge Sessink’s nod to make the victory pass in the Three-Year-Old Park Harness with Lynn Peeples directing the impressive colt for Steven Handy.

 

ENGLISH PLEASURE

 

HB Miss Intimidation and Jennifer Mason carried the Open English Pleasure Championship victory to Donna Lee Brown after earning the blue ribbon in the mare qualifier. CBMF Infatuation and Mike Goebig made two attention-capturing showings for reserve honors for Copper Beech.

 

The Ladies English Pleasure blue ribbon and flowers also went back to the Mason Training Stables banner as Graywoods Lennox and Jennifer Mason captured the honors for Katrina Wood.

 

Kim Germ and Gotti enjoyed returning to the Mid-A winner’s circle as they successfully defended their victories of a year ago in the Amateur English Pleasure Championship and the stallion/gelding qualifier. Lauren Cojocar gave the well-named Motivated Ms. a fine ride to add the reserve tricolor to the Waterford Farm banner for Alex and Deborah Cojocar. Lauren Hogge and Unfaithful matched up for the yellow ribbon in the competitive championship following a winning ride in the amateur mare qualifier.

 


Mike Goebig greeted Gotti and Kim Germ

in the winner’s circle.

(photo by Steven Handy)

 

Justin Mullaney and HRS Mirror Image were the pick of Judge Sessink and their fan club as they made the victory passes in the junior exhibitor qualifier and championship for the Stump family. Kristin King and Total Recall showed off their flashy style to collect the reserve honors coached by Rob Marsh.

 

Allison Kaufman displayed the winning smile as Jennifer Mason directed her to the winner’s circle with BBY Glorious Command in the Walk-Trot English Pleasure for proud grandfather Benjamin Kaufman.

 

The young horse competition featured the dynamic Extremelee earning top honors in the Junior English Pleasure Championship as well as the four-year-old qualifier with Dwayne Knowles in the irons for Tony Lee. Following a blue ribbon ride in the three-year-old class, MLS Shock N Y’all and Alexis Armour collected the reserve tricolor for Tom and Elizabeth Molin.

 

Kohler Stables brought out several new faces at Mid-A. HVK Noble Topic and Steve DeBolt celebrated a winning saddle besting the limit horse class with a stylish performance.

 

PLEASURE DRIVING

         

HVK Bold Spirit enjoyed two victorious performances as Steve DeBolt guided the ground covering bay to the Pleasure Driving Championship as well as the stallion/gelding blue for Herbert V. Kohler. PAF Ecstasy and Harry Sebring stepped up with a sharp drive to collect the reserve streamers following a blue ribbon performance in the mare class for Copper Beech.

         

The competitive ladies class saw the sleek Voodoo Vixen and Debbie Pavan Peterman earn the rose-adorned victory pass performing for James Griffin.

         

Donna Zimmerman opened the season with The Last Don as they enjoyed a pair of victorious drives. Steve DeBolt directed the pair to the Amateur Pleasure Driving blue and tricolor from the competitive field of entries. Cathy Minard and her handsome JAJ Bel Shashar turned in two fine drives to collect the reserve honors for 21st Century Morgans prepared by Dwayne Knowles.

         

The dapper duo of HVK Primary Light and Austin McLallin drove away with the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving Championship to the delight of the PlayMor Farm cheering section. Jessica Sebring and Hunter Hill By Design turned in a pair of stellar drives to earn the qualifier blue as well as the reserve tricolor to the delight of proud parents Harry and Carolyn Sebring as well as owner Sandra Kimple.

         

Fred and Pat Dills enjoyed watching their homebred CPMF Mystic Light make two victory passes in her debut show when Dwayne Knowles drove the dynamic mare to the Junior Pleasure Driving Championship and four-year-old blue. Dwayne Knowles also debuted another impressive youngster in Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving winner Miyake, a charismatic Mizrahi son owned by Copper Beech.

         

Two more blue ribbons went back to the Kohler Stables banner from the pleasure driving division. World Champion HVK Bold Reasoning topped a fine class of three-year-olds with Steve DeBolt driving the stylish chestnut for Herbert V. Kohler. Tom Caisse had Mac The Knife motoring down the straightaways and onto victory lane in the limit class where Cathy Hazen was announced as his new owner.

 

IN HAND
         

The in hand competition got the show underway on Wednesday with the stallions first to perform. MCC Lady’s First Dance posed for the first tricolor of the show as Grand Champion Stallion. Jim McCleester guided the Born To Boogie son to the three and over win as well for David Glick. Will Vidler guided the sporty two and under winner Sunny Acres The Wizard to the Reserve Grand Champion Stallion honors for Sunny Acres Farm.

         

Mountain Run Windtalker returned to the Mid-A winner’s circle as he topped the four and over class as well as the Grand Champion Gelding competition with Dan Pavan on the lead for James Griffin. Christopher Bernard gave his parents’ handsome Out On The Town a good lead for the reserve tricolor honors. The three and under blue was pinned to the bridle of Harwich Maximus for proud owner Alison Jane O’Connor.

         

Boxford Magdelina enjoyed her trip to the flower-laden winner’s circle as Steve DeBolt guided Donna Zimmerman’s lovely bay to the Grand Champion Mare honors as well as the three and over blue. Maggie Hood cheered on her pretty KGA Montigo Bay as Nikki Rae Woodworth presented the Mizrahi daughter to the reserve tricolor. Will Vidler was back in the winner’s circle in the Two and Under Mares with his Arboria Noble Victor daughter Arboria Reprise.

 

CLASSIC PLEASURE

         

The Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship featured a large and competitive finish for this division as the Grand National Championship team of Sandcastle Spittin Image and Whitney Hazen earned the tricolor following the stallion/gelding blue. Danielle Paufve gave Burkland Legacy a well-placed ride to garner the reserve tricolor honors.

         

June Davis and Coalition Royal Billing continued their winning ways with the victory pass in the AOTS Classic Pleasure Saddle to the cheers of their fan club.

         

Carley Pavan was the small but mighty winning rider in the junior exhibitor championship and 13 and under qualifier as well as the mare class with her dynamic chestnut Windwards Cassiopeia. Christopher Bernard and Out On The Town added another reserve tricolor with a fine ride in the junior exhibitor championship. The yellow ribbon in the championship went to the 14-17 qualifier winning team of Brittany Young and NBN Perfect Timing.

         

Allyson Wandtke and CN In Grand Style continued their streak of victories as they earned matching Mid-A blue in the junior classic saddle and junior classic driving classes for Cindy Nord.

         

The world championship team of Med-E-Oka Nobel Prize and Jacuqeline Clapp added to the PlayMor banner when they earned the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship as well as the stallion/gelding blue. Cathy Minard enjoyed two stellar drives with her flashy white-trimmed Hollybrook Independence when they captured the reserve honors coached by Harry Daughtry. Betsy Buchanan and Stonecroft Endless Love nabbed the yellow ribbon the competitive championship following a victory pass in the mare class.

 

WESTERN PLEASURE

         

HL My My and Kathleen Peeples opened the season with a trio of victorious performances for proud owner/breeder Holly Seavitt. They closed out the show jogging away with the Open Western Pleasure Championship following matching blue ribbons in the ladies and mares classes. Fresh off their Gold Cup Regional triumphs RJM Pardon My French and Dean Scott collected the stallion/gelding blue as well as the reserve tricolor for PlayMor Farm.

         

Kathleen Peeples directed another sleek black western horse to the winner’s circle as Seaway St. Lawrence topped the junior qualifier and championship for Bob and Roberta Marshall. Dragonsmeade Taylor Made and Michelle McCleester made another nice showing for Anne Donaldson to claim the reserve tricolor.

         

DVF Heat Lite and Amy Sargent continued their outstanding season topping a large and competitive field in the amateur championship. Lauren DuPont and Windward’s Mariana turned in a polished ride for the reserve tricolor presentation. Following a victory pass in the amateur stallion/gelding class Salem Total Eclipse and Elizabeth Abernathy added the yellow ribbon in the amateur championship.

         

Sunny Acres Resurrection and Danielle Paufve enjoyed a memorable trip to Virginia as they collected a trio of blue ribbons from the AOTS, amateur mares and limit classes.

         

The Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure Championship featured a tricolor sweep for the sister-brother duo of Anna and Austin McLallin. Anna took the victory pass in the championship as well as the qualifier aboard her handsome new partner Highland Ridge Daniel. Brother Austin followed up with his well-matched new mount QVM Collector’s Edition.

         


Anna McLallin aboard Highland Ridge Daniel and

Austin McLallin with HVK Primary Light and

QVM Collector Edition enjoyed their tricolor
performances in PlayMor Farm’s first trip to Mid-A.

 

Rebecca Beets was all smiles when she made a trip to the winner’s circle aboard Sunny Acres Skywalker in the Walk-Jog Western Pleasure for proud mom Eleanor Hutcheson.

         

HUNTER PLEASURE

         

The Brown/Klein family and trainer Kathleen Peeples have a new mare to add to their string of world titled hunter pleasure horses. Ladies Night earned rave reviews in her show ring debut as she earned the Open Hunter Pleasure Championship following the limit class victory. Preservation Hall and Bethanne Metts turned in a smooth and steady ride to garner the reserve tricolor honors.

         


Ladies Night with Kathleen Peeples,

Serena-Lynn Brown, and Sasha Klein.

 

Jennifer Mason directed Jacqueline Palumbo’s white trimmed NBN Excalibur to the winner’s circle in the Hunter Pleasure Stallion/Gelding class.

         

The Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championship was filled with top performing teams as D Bar J Habakkuk and Cara Hose who earned the tricolor finish after topping the amateur stallion/gelding class. Dreammaker Whatta Sight and Jane Thompson enjoyed a fine ride for the reserve tricolor after topping the amateur mare class, while trainer Amanda DuPont rode the smooth-striding bay to the open mare win. Paradigm Pageantry and Cara Lynne Schengrund closed out the show with the third place finish in the amateur championship following a blue ribbon ride in the ladies class.

         

Joseph Virgo and Sunny Acres Rebellion teamed up for the blue ribbon ride in the AOTS Hunter Pleasure class.

         

The enormous junior exhibitor division featured qualifiers and championships for two age groups. In the older group Carreg Wen Nocturnal Hawk and Alyssa Peechatka added the blue and tricolor ribbons to the Windward Farm banner. Kelly Simpson and Sonatina Dolce performed for the reserve honors in both classes. The 13 and under top honors went to CBMF Danger Zone and Kelsey Thomas as they continued their winning ways with a pair of victory passes under the West Coast Morgans banner. The world titled team of Emma Thompson and BL Hana Bak Ibsen followed in reserve.

         

Cassie Bell matched up with Arborlane Black Market to add the Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure 10-11 win for Kristen Cole. In the 9 and under class, it was the adorable pairing of H-Vee Hawk’s Saralaine and Zoie O’Neal who earned the victory pass for Trotwood Stables.

         

SBK Sasha’s Beau and Kathleen Peeples made their season debut at Mid-A with a tricolor performance in the junior championship to add to their record for the Brown/Klein family. Tristanne Childress guided Graywoods Oliver to the reserve finish with a bold ride for Jennifer Kaczmarek.

 

Amanda DuPont presented a pair of blue ribbon winning youngsters as she piloted the powerful TTA Knight of Glory to the four-year-old blue for Andrea Groeff and later guided Kathleen Pierce’s colorful Kinzus Whistle Dixie to the three-year-old win.

         

EQUITATION

         

The equitation division featured numerous classes in all seats and age groups. Lauren Hogge showed poise and polish with her game mare Unfaithful to capture the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship as well as the UPHA Challenge Cup. Molly O’Guinn was named reserve champion following a blue ribbon ride in the qualifier.

         

The Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation featured a promising group of aspiring equestriennes such as Isabella Bertolani who showed off her winning smile with Barb Goda coaching her to victory.

         

Stephanie Fejes enjoyed a trio of victory passes in her season debut with PTR Raz Ma Tazz as they jogged away with the Western Seat Equitation Championship for the third year in a row. This followed the AMHA Western Seat Medal and qualifier wins directed by Dwayne Knowles. Harry and Carolyn Sebring cheered on daughter Sara as she matched up with the multi-titled Millbrook Spellcaster for the reserve tricolor ride.

         

Rebecca Beets and Sunny Acres Skywalker enjoyed a return engagement in the winner’s circle in the walk-jog equitation, where they were greeted by Ann Scussell.

         

Kelly Simpson continued her winning ways as she was named Hunt Seat Equitation 14-17 Champion aboard Sonatina Dolce and coached by Tom Johnson. Kristin King took a trip down victory lane as the reserve champion. Elizabeth Fawcett followed up her 14-17 qualifier win with a yellow ribbon in the competitive championship.

         

The 13 & Under Hunt Seat Equitation Championship featured a tricolor ride for Emma Thompson after a win in the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal as well as the Showmanship 13 and Under coached by Marci Cesanek. They were followed in the championship by Julia Harsh. Kelsey Thomas and CBMF Danger Zone topped the 13 and under qualifier to the delight of instructor Valarie Siemer.

         

Just as they had in the walk-trot pleasure classes, Cassie Bell reigned supreme in the 10-11 equitation while Zoie O’Neal topped the 9 and under.

         

Kacie Bayreuther leapt to victory in the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal with Talladega under the direction of Johnna Chenail. Kimberly Fullerton earned the winning score for the AMHA Dressage Medal.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

         

This facility is a perfect showcase for the versatility of the Morgan breed with all disciplines enjoying center stage in the many show rings and arenas. The roadster competition featured Arboria Victorious opening the season in winning fashion as Lynn Peeples raced to the finish line with Paul Calandra’s handy bay in the bike qualifier and championship. Dean Scott was on the lines of HVK March Flaire to add the reserve tricolor finish to the PlayMor Farm banner. Nikki Rae Woodworth introduced Maggie Hood’s sporty chestnut MEM Feel The Heat to the winner’s circle for the Roadster Under Saddle blue and tricolor.

         

The Road Hack class featured a victory pass for Myrrhwood Mary Mint and Leitha Stone for Patricia Couto.

         

Josette Conti entertained the audience with a pair of top-performing Morgan reiners. Conti slid away with the Open Reining blue aboard Cindy Nord’s athletic Disco Fever. Ellen Palillo and Disco Patricia spun for a winning ride in the Non-Pro Reining.

         

The dressage competition was outstanding with many top-scoring entries performing. The list of winners featured Salem Total Eclipse (Intro Level Champion), FCL Just A Miracle, Stateman’s Signature (Training Level Champion), PTR Time To Dance, RWD Direct Class, Spring Hollow Raindancer, Spring Hollow Night Magic (First Level Champion), Spring Hollow Legend, SEP Peter Pan and Marle Hills Majors First Edition.

         

Some of the top winning sport horses also excelled in the Sport Horse In Hand where Stateman’s Signature, Spirit Of Delight, Spring Hollow Raindancer and Spring Hollow Legend all posed for blue ribbons.

         

The splendor of the carriage division was on display the carriage ring and show arena where KSS Highlight In Bronze, WF Remington (Sec A Champion) and FCL Just A Miracle (Sec B Champion) topped numerous classes.        

The hunter/jumper classes were entertaining with a number of top entries including; Spring Hollow Morita, SFX King’s Braveheart (Low Hunter Champion), Sacred Paths Rayne, Talladega (Open Hunter Champion), Severn Hill Good As Gold (Medium Working Hunter Champion), Laughter’s Anniversary (Amateur Hunter Hack Champion), C My Sandalwood Dolly, Battersea Fred York (Beginner Hunter Champion), Blue Knoll Zephyr (Junior Exhibitor Working Hunter Champion and Hunter Hack Champion), Windy Cove Paisley, KSG Highlight In Bronze and That’s My Nick (Jumper Champion).








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