Midwest Part 2
Friday, June 25, 2004
Pleasure
You might call Midwest “Pleasure Country” as some of the division’s best and brightest call the Midwest home.
Having as much fun as anyone in the show ring today, Mary Jane Gralton showcased her CH A Magic Spell to her best advantage first topping the field of 39 and over riders and then returning to claim the 10-entry Show Pleasure Championship from Hollow Haven Farm. They had already won Milwaukee's adult championship last month. It was a great class with Kristen Pettry and Madison's grand champion in their age group, My Grande, earning reserve honors
followed by Autumn Hunt and In Your Honor in third.
Under the direction of Kenny Smith, Pettry and My Grande had won the adult qualifier for riders 18 to 38 earlier in the week, followed by Autumn Hunt and In Your Honor in reserve. Reserve in the 39 and over competition went to Mimi Bahcall and her New York’s Best M & N.
Abby Krempasky kept up her winning streak aboard Absolutely Exquisite. This bright new team topped Laura Dozer and Lookin Yonder and a field of 11 other entries to claim the Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Stake. These two talented entries finished in the same order in the 14-17 qualifier for Hollow Haven and DeLovely farms.
There were also 13 entries in the 13 and under competition and things really changed between the qualifier and the stake. Anisa Tracy and her The
Chocolate Rose topped the 15-entry qualifier followed by Jessica Moctezuma and Callaway’s Royal Request. May Issue and Allison Rohloff earned a third place finish in the qualifier but came back loaded for bear to win the stake while representing Timber Hills. Sarah Singer and She Bop also staged a rally earning reserve in the stake after placing fourth in the qualifier.
Jessica Moctezuma also showcased her riding talents aboard Protector to win the Junior Horse Show Pleasure Championship for mom Nealia McCracken. Protector and Moctezuma were reserve in the qualifier to I’m A Diva
Too and Whitney Irwin who catch rode for Sally and Perry Grieme. Having had a great season so far with her sporty youngster, Michelle Sprengelmeyer and Peppermint Kiss earned a reserve in the championship.
The Show Pleasure Novice Rider class saw seven entries make the gate call and Caramac’s Casanova and Amber Mitchell were the last to leave after making their victory pass. Max Ciampoli escorted them from the ring. Jo Musser and Corky’s Asset earned reserve honors.
It was a most memorable week for entries from the Dick Obenauf Stables. Adding to the success, Barbara Manilow and Another Heir topped the Illinois
Resident Championship after claiming a reserve in the qualifier behind My Dakota and Gail Costello. Morgan Wolin and Rex Harrison were reserve in the
championship.
The Show Pleasure Driving division featured some excellent talents. Bride to be Alice Unger and her CH Heir’s Town were in top form to win the 38 and Under Show Pleasure Driving Class followed by Titleist Symbol and Whitney
Anderson, who also competed in the ASHA Foundation Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge and made their own victory pass.
Terri Dolan and her Harlem’s Strong Will were also at their best to lay claim to the 39 and over title followed by Lib Jones and Harlem Heat.
When the two classes came together for the championship, the two qualifying winners locked horns and in the end it was Alice Unger and CH Heir’s Town making the tricolor victory pass. Dolan and Harlem’s Strong Will
made a strong show and received a hearty applause for their reserve championship.
Representing McConnell Stables, Rebecca Salley and her Foxy’s Delight earned reserve honors in the ASHA Foundation Challenge.
The Country Pleasure competition started out tough with 14 entries in the qualifier. World’s Champion CH The Shadow Knows and Karen Smith were clear winners and must have run off some of the competition as only six entries returned for the championship. Perfect with every pass, Smith and The Shadow Knows did it again for tricolor honors on Saturday afternoon. Sally Pavel and CH Catch The Fever were pressing all the way in both classes and earned a reserve in the championship and a third place tie in the qualifier. Andrea Bilotti and Amazed were third in the championship after taking reserve honors in the qualifier.
The competitive junior exhibitor country pleasure classes featured a leader board that didn’t change much. The veteran Colorado team of Kendyl Tracy and Midtown Man topped both classes with strong performances. New kids on the block, Ali Leitermann and So Much To Say pushed the champions to earn reserve honors both times.
Similarly Ashley Alden claimed two blues with Pheiress Wheel, winning both Illinois Resident Country Pleasure classes. This championship combination just came off a tricolor performance from Madison. Jennifer Karnes and Chere Peridot were reserve in the championship after earning a third-place finish in the qualifier behind Spock and Sandra Dyer.
Reigning World’s Champion Callaway’s Pretty Penny and Nancy Anderson were up to their old tricks claiming both Country Pleasure Driving classes. Under the guidance of Andy Freseth they never seem to miss a beat. New to the division, Donna Smith earned a reserve with her beloved Heirithmatic in the
championship, after good friend Heidi Bowie did the honors to earn reserve in the qualifier.
It’s hard to beat A Magic Surprise and Pat Johnson in western competition. And despite 11 entries in the championship and 13 in the qualifier who were trying hard, none of them did. Barbara Brown and The Midnight Express finished closest to the winners in the championship with a reserve finish. Lisa McClaren and her Super Rooster were the challengers in the qualifier.
Callaway’s Scoop The News and Kristen Pettry had finished in third in the Country Western Pleasure qualifier, but it was their turn for a victory pass in the Saddle and Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure Class. Versatile Autumn
Hunt and Hide-A-Way’s Golly Miss Molly earned reserve honors in the eight-entry class.
Seventeen entries made for a deep Five-Gaited Pleasure qualifier. Deborah Butler was back in the winner’s circle aboard her Champagne’s Irish Sea to claim the large and extremely competitive class. Catching everyone's attention at Milwaukee and Madison, Carrie Warner and Forever Aptor claimed reserve in the class, a performance they repeated in the championship.
In that championship round Pamela Slater was elated as Ridgefield's Excessive was called to the winner's circle. This enthusiastic new rider was greeted by trainer Bob Griffin.
Park Pleasure competition always draws a crowd looking for the next “big thing,”and with 14 entries in the UPHA Classic Park Pleasure class, there was
certainly plenty to look at. Really standing out in the good class were Robert Gardiner and Tantalize Me, a Tango's Wee Pee daughter owned by Carolyn Stuart. John Conatser also had an interesting youngster in Last Cat Standing, an entry owned by Fritz and Candace Meili, who earned the reserve hnors in the good class.
The junior section featured Max Ciampoli in the winner’s circle aboard Treasured Memories. Linda Roos owns this young star. Ryan Rongers and Shady Creek Spretta earned reserve honors in the four-entry class.
Morgan
Dwayne Knowles marked the cards for the Midwest Morgan exhibitors who were proud to present many world class entries to the multi-breed audience. The show committee has worked hard to increase the Morgan division and participation and exhibtors have responded. Erotic Dancer topped the Park Saddle classes including the Park Saddle Stake with trainer Phil Fountain up
and the amateur stake with owner Dawn Fire in the irons. Whitney Bodnar and Ensbrook Chain of Command claimed the reserve honors in the three entry
championship. Montbelle Endeavor and Eugene Mathes earned reserve honors in the amateur stake. Trainer Jim Lowry showcased Ultra’s Dark Shadow to the
Junior Park Saddle win for owners Jim and Lynn Miller. This young champion was challenged by Valerie Guell and Hylee’s Red Fox who had to settle for the reserve in the under saddle division. Guell and Hylee’s Red Fox also made a nice solo presentation in the Junior Park Harness class. A strong Morgan Park Harness Stake on Saturday afternoon featured five top entries. Kurt Hufferd finished off the wall of ribbons at Indian Creek with a tricolor performance with Springmill Sequel for the SpringMill Morgans. Diane Conrady and BJL Courageous pressed the champions with a strong reserve performance for Barry
Laub. This talented youngster earlier claimed the Park Harness UPHA Classic followed by Kurt Hufferd and Take The Stars, an entry of Kings Points, Inc.
Five entries were also on hand for the amateur stake. This time it was Debra Simon with her Ensbrook Chain Of Command to take the tricolor. Lois McDermand and CHF Promise Of Excellence were reserve in the good class.
The English Pleasure Stake featured Kathy Minder in the winner’s circle aboard Montbelle Sovereign. This talented duo also claimed the open qualifier and the ladies class earlier in the week. Part of the winning Merriehill Farm string, Whitney Bodnar presented Cadence Jasmine to the reserve tie in the stake class. The qualifier showcased Phil Fountain and Cairnbrae Courage Forever in the reserve spot.
Representing Lowry Stables, Ben Thomas and TVT Invictus topped both amateur English pleasure classes, besting Shelby Lamm and Bery Banke Toot Toot in the amateur stake, and leading MJK Seize Command and Colleen Harper in the amateur qualifier. Lamm and Bery Banke Toot Toot were also reserve in the ladies class to Minder and Montbelle Sovereign.
The Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure section saw two top entries vie for Knowles’ attention. Christina Roethemeyer and Grand Cru Valentino received the nod followed by Victoria Wheeler and KC Sharmayne. This was yet another title for Indian Creek.
With seven youngsters in the junior competition, the competition was intensified. Jessica Cavanaugh and Cadence Jasmine made the victory pass while Jim Lowry and Kriskroft Crescendo earned reserve honors for KrisKroft Farm.
Phil Fountain and MEM Reality Check topped the Morgan Pleasure Driving Class as well as the Junior Pleasure Driving Class earlier in the week. When they didn’t return in the championship, reserve qualifying winner JLH Coming Up Roses and Diane Conrady were more than happy to take over the lead of the class. Whitney Bodnar and Merriehill IsaBoo earned reserve honors in the championship.
Four top entries in the Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship featured
Russell Quilhot in the buggy behind FCF Capestranno to claim the tricolor victory pass. Tami Johnson was in top form with Harry Caray to earn reserve honors for owners Walt and Jaye Alles. Russell Quilhot couldn’t be there earlier in the week, but Brendan Heintz happily stepped up to make the qualifying drive and take the blue ribbon to boot! Johnson and Harry Caray
were also reserve in this qualifier.
Andrew Sheehan and SMS Myorca were tops in the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving competition. Andrew Williamson and Royal M Kodi rounded out the ribbons with a reserve tie in the two entry class.
Phil Fountain and MEM Reality Check bested a field of five to take the Junior Pleasure Driving title for owner Judy Voss. Diane Conrady and LDF Forever Mine claimed reserve honors in the good class for owner
David Walker.
Mark Bodnar directed Cadence Jasmine to the UPHA Morgan Pleasure Driving Classic title for the Cadence Farm. Under saddle or in harness, this talented Morgan was a champion either way you looked at it. Diane Conrady and BJL Ransom were reserve to the champions.
Eight entries competed in both classic pleasure under saddle classes and four of these same horses also entered the Midwest ring for classic pleasure driving competition.
Merriehill Talk The Talk and Greg Fancsali topped the Classic Pleasure Under Saddle Stake after finishing in reserve in the qualifier. Susan Ellis and her talented EBM Diamond Lady were reserve in the stake after winning the under saddle qualifier and the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship. Tami Johnson and Ashdon’s Commando’s Topic were reserve to Diamond Lady in the driving championship after winning the classic pleasure driving qualifier topping Ellis and Diamond Lady.
Shanna Gish did the honors in the Western Pleasure Stake after besting a field of seven in the open qualifier aboard AMHF Bal Du Masque for Springmill
Morgans. Directed by Kenny Guell, Susan Ellis and Alakazam were reserve in the
stake, and were third in the qualifier to TCC Dustin and Andrew Williamson.
John Huse was in the saddle of the Western Pleasure champion AMHF Bal Du Masque to top the Amateur Western Pleasure competition. Ashley Hellemann and TE Bea Mi Thunder earned reserve honors in the five entry class.
Laine Vincent and Walnut Ridge’s Solid Gold swept the hunter pleasure division winning the Hunter Pleasure Open Class, the amateur class, and finally the Hunter Pleasure Stake. King Lehr’s Debutante and Christine Karas were reserve in the Stake and in the amateur class. The open class featured Richfield Holiday Gold in the reserve spot for owner Nancy Bower.
Marilyn Weber and Senator Sharcoal made a nice solo presentation in the Junior Hunter Pleasure Class for
owners Carolyn and Kathy Firch.
Equitation
Alexandra Flynn enjoyed a terrific horse show which was capped off with a beautiful victory on Saturday night in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. The judges left elements of the workout up to the individual riders and Flynn nailed it, without stirrups. Flynn rides with Delovely, so in addition to her regular instructors of Lillian Shively and Todd Miles, new
Delovely team member Missy Hughes was on the rail to offer her support.
To qualify for the championship Flynn also topped the UPHA Challenge Cup. The very talented Ashley Alden earned reserve titles in both the championship and challenge cup. Top rider in the NHS Good Hands competition, Alden receives her instruction from Donna and Kenny Smith of Royal Scot Stables.
The equitation 14-17 class did not feature either of these riders in the field. This time it was the talents of Whitney Irwin earning the judges’ nods.
Irwin rides under the direction of Kim and Fran Crumpler, and she also earned reserve honors in the NHS Good Hands and USEF Medal competition. Lisa McClaren earned the reserve title under Country Meadow’s guidance in the 14-17 class.
Team Delovely talents were all across the leader boards in the 13 and under ranks. Lindsey Landrum topped the seven-entry UPHA Challenge Cup followed by stablemate Gabriella Flynn.
Stablemate and friend Ellen Medley Wright topped both the Saddle Seat Equitation 13 and Under Championship and the 13 and under qualifier with precision performances.
Anisa Tracy traveled from Colorado to claim reserve in both of these classes.
The 10 and under classes were large and a little crazy with more than one rider being dismounted. One young rider was even carried to the hospital after a spill in the lineup, but she was fine and was back in the saddle the next day, if only to practice.
Claire Talley bested a field of 10 with a precise and careful win in the UPHA Walk and Trot Challenge Cup. Randy Cates prepared this young rider from the Peggy Richardson Stables. Elisabeth Hunziker earned the reserve nod under Renae Van Zomeren’s direction. In the Open 10 & Under Walk and Trot class it was Hunziker making the victory pass ahead of Talley.
Six adults vied for the judges' attention in the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup. Morgan Wolin succeeded in claiming victory followed by Sarah Van
Galder. These riders represented Ray Krussell Stables and Knollwood Farm, respectively.
Nicholas Sunder was the sole entry in the Exceptional Rider Challenge Cup, and he did an excellent job.
The Pleasure Equitation Championship featured Kelsey Nicole Smith in the winner’s circle as she has been all year long. The Knollwood Farm rider also won the Pleasure Equitation 14-17 Class as well as the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Class.
Junior equitation standout Jessica Moctezuma earned reserve in the 17 and Under Pleasure Equitation Championship. She also won the 13 and under qualifier and the 17 and Under Pleasure Equitation UPHA Challenge Cup.
Kristin Gilbert claimed reserve in the UPHA Challenge Cup as well as in the 14-17 age group. Jourdan Schaye earned reserve in the 13 and Under
Class after winning the Saddle and Bridle Pleasure Medallion. Magdalene Marcyan earned reserve honors in the Medallion.
Six leadline riders worked on their skills and each were rewarded with a blue ribbon. They were Trentin Sheehan, Gage Briney, Lauren Briney, Ben Bishop, Megan Bishop, and Leah Collins.
This wraps up the highlights of the show ring competition from the 2004 Midwest Charity Horse Show. It was another great week of competition and hospitality at its best. For complete results, go to www.saddlehorsereport.com.
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