Mid-America Has A New “Signature” Location
Monday, July 2, 2007
Judge: Alohana Jackson, Evansville, Ind.
Ringmaster: Greg Becker
Manager: Joy Meierhans
Secretary: Cheryl Rangel
Photographer: Mat Bastian
by Michelle Krentz
ROSCOE, Ill. - This year’s Mid-America Signature found itself in a new location in the outdoor ring at the Ledges Sporting Horses Stables. In years previous, the show was held at the Camp Lake show grounds, but this year, the choice was made to hold the Signature show at the same location as the Mid-America Spring Horse Show, which uses the indoor facility at Ledges in March. The fun and relaxed atmosphere of this show is great for all competitors. The show boasts many pleasure classes and these classes proved to be well filled. Judge Alohana Jackson gave the equitation riders extra pattern practice by calling for patterns in every class, even the age groups, and the large academy classes ensure a bright future for the breed.
Tuffy Owens and Jayne Tillman enjoyed the fun atmosphere of the show.
Although there were no Open Five-Gaited horses at the show, the two Amateur horses showed great quality. Under the direction of Bob Griffin and Tom Thorpe’s Northern Tradition Farm, Whitney Anderson and her bold-moving The New World Man won both the Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Classes. A Little Imagination and owner/rider Jill Bosshard picked up the reserve in both classes.
The New World Man and Whitney Anderson
There was only one Three-Gaited horse on the fairgrounds, but even after losing a shoe at the first way trot in the Championship, Bucky Brannon was able to guide the Elkay Saddlebreds’ entry, In Perfect Taste, to both blues.
The Park classes at Signature were competitive with some great quality in both the Amateur and Park divisions. The combined Amateur/Open Park Stake was won by Lisa Dahel’s entry, Watch Me Boogie, shown by Bob Griffin. The reserve honors went to Sarah Shakespeare’s picturesque bay, Mr. Ted E Bheir. Slam Dunk’s Delight was shown to the Open Park blue by Mark Utoft, in the irons for James Nichols. Reserve in the qualifier was Chardonnay’s Phrangelica with Tom Thorpe for Toni Henle. The Amateur Park blue went to Wild Surmise and Lesley Kordecki. The red streamers went back to Franklin, Wisconsin, with Shari Hanneman and her Clover Hills Coup d’Etat.
There was only one Road Pony at the show, but Pat Kittredge’s entry, Fitz’s Vegas, put on a great show to win both the Amateur Road Pony and AHHS Youth Medallion blues.
Wonmore Diamond Legacy was shown to last year’s Hackney Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor World’s Championship by Ali Judah. This year, the gifted pony is under the direction of Palos Hills Stables with new owner Marilou Wilschke at the lines. Looking great, this team won both Hackney Pleasure Pony classes. Among the Stars took home both reserve honors with owner, Janet DiVecchio.
Country Meadow Farm had a great weekend in Roscoe, and their success was highlighted by Kalarama’s Pretty Woman’s success in both Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Classes. Nina Lieponis rode the quick-racking chestnut mare to the victory laps for Prime Land Development. Reserve in the Championship were Cinderella’s Believer and Abigail Schaefer for Patricia Nahn. The red ribbon in the qualifier went to Kid Russel and Bryanna Mitchell.
The Junior Park Pleasure classes had three very promising entries. Coming out on top was Ray Krussell with his own Mr. Bigglesworth, a stretchy, young chestnut. Second went to the Hickory Knoll Farm entry, High Speed Access, and Mayo Moctezuma. Just for the Hal of it and Tom Thorpe rounded out the awards for owner Meri Adler.
Sixteen entries marched through the in-gate in the Adult Show Pleasure Championship, and what a competitive class it was! The elegant-riding Sarah Shakespeare won the tri-color aboard her exciting yet elegant I’m Taken. This team also took home the reserve honors in the 18-38 qualifier. Reserve honors went to the Champagne Fizz son, A Champagne Toast, with Thea Treiber riding for Susan Honkamp. Under the direction of the Martalock sisters, Amberwood’s Bobby McGee won the 39 and Over Show Pleasure class with owner Meridyth Munns. Heiron Spelling and Maureen Mietelski took home the red streamers. The 18-38 champion was A Night Under the Stars, entering the winner’s circle with owner Danielle Delimata. With such a great amount of Novice pleasure horses at the show, it was imperative that the class be split. The Section A blue went home with Yale Man and owner Kathy Osmus, while the Section B blue went to Midnight Love Song, shown by Samara Lancia for Fay O’Meara.
The Junior Exhibitors had their work cut out for them in the Pleasure division as their classes were deep and filled with quality. Under the direction of Nancy Turner and the Knollwood banner, the 14-17 tri-color went home with Lexxi Rokvic and Priscilla Vanilla. Paul Schwemer owns the expressive bay mare. Reserve honors in the Championship went to Rainbow Rumble and Deborah Jacobson, for owner Kim Mitchell. The qualifier blue went to Baron De Jewels and Alyssa Boushon for Jan Boraca. The red streamers went home with Brittany Lindstrot and Highpoint’s Happy Day. The 13-and-Under tri-color went to Jebadiah Springfield and an elated Elizabeth Iversen. Elizabeth shows under the direction of Ray Krussell. Reserve in both the qualifier and Championship was I’m A Money Maker with Sarah Stuebing. Winning the qualifier was the bay, Tantara’s De-Phi All Odds, and Gabrielle Zimmerman, directed to the blue by the Arnstons' Country Meadow Farm.
Elizabeth Iverson and Jebadiah Springfield
The Show Pleasure Driving horses were in top form, showing distinction and presence. The refined Intoxicating Gypsy and proud owner Tiffani Banaszak made the victory pass in the Championship. Lady Kiara and Kelley Frechette took home the reserve streamers. The qualifier blue went to the high-headed, long-necked entry of Debbie Black, Summerize. Debbie and “Grady” brought the blue back to Knollwood, under Nancy Turner’s direction. Hometown Fire and Mary Narko picked up the red ribbon in the qualifier.
The Country Pleasure Five-Gaited tri-color and blue both went to Immortality and Dena Capitani. Ch Radioactive RWF and Hannah Fuller racked out with the reserve honors in both classes for owner Jacqueline Coffey.
In a class of 12, Barbara Southgate was ecstatic with her Adult Country Pleasure Championship, aboard her beloved The Peace Giver. Reserve honors went to Hula Hooper and Sarah Lindner, for owner Carol Matton. This pair won the 18-38 class, with Jedidiah and Jennifer Miller picking up the reserve honors. My Point of View and Susan Narko won the 39 and Over class as well as the Country Pleasure Limit Horse class. Ray Krussell trains the attractive chestnut. Reserve honors went to Tamale Wally and Nancy Rothe. This free-moving chestnut won the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship and picked up the qualifier reserve with Nicole LaRoussa aboard.
Winning the Country Pleasure 14-17 class was CH My Crescendo, with Corie Allen riding for Linda Wallen. The winner of the 13 and Under class had a very successful weekend under Martha Hoyt’s Palos Hills' instruction. Robert Shriver and Paige Stulginskis won the qualifier, as well as picking up the reserve honors in the Championship and the red ribbon in the Novice Rider class. The winners of the Novice Rider class were Yo Adrian and Nancy Marteau. Esther Diamond showed the Bonnie Kegley-owned entry of Spirit in Motion to the Novice Horse blue. Special Intentions and Judith Lowry picked up the red streamers in that class. This Just In and Raymond Lawson won both the Country Pleasure Driving classes, with Ted Klint’s entry, Vera Cook, taking home reserve honors in the Championship under John Willis’ direction.
Harlem’s Mojo and part owner Neil Thorpe had an incredibly successful show, winning the Country Western Pleasure tri-color and blue. Reserve in the Championship went to the stately pinto, Lakota’s Medicine Man, under the direction of Dennis Verschelden. The qualifier red went to City Pages and Leah Jones. Saddle & Bridle's Shatner Western Pleasure blue went home with Corie Allen, showing I Told You for Linda Wallen. City Pages and Leah Jones took the red streamers. Jan Langer and The Best Part jogged through the victory lap in the Novice/Junior Horse class, with That’s My Point and Marcia Fuller close behind.
Neil Thorpe and Harlem’s Mojo
The Country Pleasure Hunter Champion was Magic’s Royal Gift with April Cuthbertson. The Saddle and Bridle's Hunt Seat Classic winner, LaShanna, picked up the red in the Hunt Class, with owner Lori Graves.
Picking up the tri-color and the qualifier red in the Country Pleasure classes was Royal Crest’s Rocketeer. Knollwood’s beloved “Zeus,” also known as Andeker Light, won the qualifier and earned the Championship reserve with Stephanie Chatham.
Steady and poised, Jourdan Schaye won the Equitation Championship aboard Champagne Man, under the direction of Moctezuma Stables. Jourdan was also the reserve champion in the UPHA Challenge Cup Class, with Katie Sullivan winning the Challenge Cup. Amanda LeBlanc nailed her pattern to be crowned the Equitation Reserve Grand Champion. Lexi Rokvic, aboard Priscilla Vanilla, won the Senior Equitation class, with Corie Allen picking up the red ribbon.
Jourdan Schaye
The Junior blue went to Dale Arnston’s rider, Margaux Walker. Second in that class went to Alex Fischer. Knollwood riders dominated the Adult Challenge Cup class, with Sarah Lindner winning aboard Hula Hooper and Thea Treiber picking up the red streamers aboard A Champagne Toast. The Walk and Trot blue went to the adorable Lexie Frechette. Looking stronger and more poised than ever, Kelly Creech won Saddle and Bridle's Pleasure Equitation Medallion, under Bob Griffin’s expert instruction. Jourdan Schaye was the reserve champion in that class. Eva Heniges won the Maiden Rider class, with Kelsey Ribordy picking up reserve honors.
The Pattern Riding blue went home with Deborah Jacobson, and Lindsey Bade expertly guided Princess Caraboo through the pattern to pick up the red ribbon. Amanda LeBlanc won the Showmanship class, with Corie Allen close behind to pick up the red streamers.
The Open English Pleasure class was deep with quality. Jedidiah and Jennifer Miller came out on top. Ray Krussell picked up the red ribbon on Dr. Morgan Wolin’s entry, Ms. Betty Grable. That’s My Point and Ralph Faillo won the Open Western Pleasure class, with The Best Part and Jan Langer coming in reserve. A Little Imagination, handled by trainer Monty Wallen, won the Open Model Class for owner Jill Bosshard. Supreme Attachment and Helene Zasadny were second.
Adding fun and excitement under the summer sun were the Family Fun class and the Egg and Spoon Class. Held at the end of the Saturday Afternoon performance, these classes help make the atmosphere what it is. With the move to a new location and a great staff, this show promises growth and success for the future.
Complete show results can be found by clicking here.
|