Midwestern Hospitality at St. Louis
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Judges: Melissa Moore, Debbie Foley, Michael Craghead, Patti Kent
Ringmasters: John Fry, Malcom McDuffee
Announcer: Marion Vandewall
Photographer: Rick Osteen
Organist: Groff Bittner
Show Secretaries: Maryann Meiners, Marian Sandboothe
Show Manager: Fern Bittner
by Lauren Camp
LAKE ST. LOUIS, Mo.- The 29th annual St. Louis National Charity Horse Show kicked off in high style on Wednesday morning, Sept. 27 with donuts, fruit, yogurt and coffee every morning before the show. Showing off their Midwestern hospitality there was a welcome reception for the Saddle & Bridle finalists, Wednesday night hosted a “Meet Me In St. Louis” welcome party featuring great food made famous by the 1904 World’s Fair. Thursday night focused on the Taste Of St. Louis Italian Style, and Friday was a grand exhibitors’ dinner. All in all the St. Louis Charity Horse Show had good food, great horses and wonderful people.
A special treat was the induction of six phenomenally versatile Saddlebreds into the Saddle & Bridle Western and Hunt Hall Of Fame. These inductees included: the beautiful buckskin Great Day’s Buckaneer, the grey beauty Snow Job, Janian’s Midsummer Knight, the golden American Saddlebred CH Starfire Fox, Good Luck Christopher and Desert Princess.
The St. Louis National Charity Horse Show benefits the Long Meadow Rescue Ranch, which is an affiliate of the Humane Society of Missouri. This ranch rescues abused and mistreated horses, rehabilitates them and places them with a benefactor that supports their care. The ranch has recently decided to branch out and has begun adopting roosters, chickens, donkeys and mini horses. It is a wonderful ranch that does a lot of good in the state of Missouri.
Five-Gaited
The Five-Gaited Championship proved to be a very exciting and surprising class on Saturday night in St. Louis. Riding away with the top honors under the direction of Mike Roberts were the spunky new pair of Studcor Donatello and Glenda Pugh. Reserve honors went to the lovely mare A Cloudburst and Todd Miles for 926 Park Lane LLC. This perky mare also took top honors with Miles aboard in the Open Five-Gaited qualifier, with Heir Dazzle and Tom Scott in reserve for owner Robert Ratte.
Gayle Lampe and her characteristic smile graced the winner’s circle in the Ladies Five-Gaited Championship and in the qualifier. Her high stepping mount CH Callaway’s Born To Win lived up to his name again as the pair made two victory passes under Mike Roberts’s direction. The high-headed CH Chandler and Julie Wroble stepped up to claim the reserve ribbon in both classes for owner Elaine McClaren.
What’s The Whoopla and Karen Coup made two victory passes in the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship and qualifier, under the direction of Mike Roberts. This pair just came off two fabulous wins at the Missouri State Fair. Reserve honors in both classes belonged to Tashe’s Diamond Thief and owner/rider Kim Gallenberg.
Studcor Donatello and Glenda Pugh were two for two in their classes at St. Louis. Their qualifying win the Amateur Ladies Five-Gaited was extremely exciting as this duo strutted their stuff straight into the winner’s circle. Reserve honors belonged to It’s Star Spangled Hammer and Chris Tresten for Tony Diamond under the direction of Dan Flowers.
Champagne’s Limited Edition and Landon Rowland took home the top honors in the Amateur Novice Rider Five-Gaited class for the Ever Glades Farm Inc. under Mike Breeggemann’s direction.
Brittany McGinnis and Carolina Cat were two for two in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Championship and qualifier under the direction of DeLovely. This game team has been racking up the blues since the end of last year including two world’s championships this year. Reserve honors in the championship belonged to Cara Clara and Marjorie Townsend for the Ever Glades Farm. Reserve honors in the qualifier went to Worthy’s Three Iron and Scooter Scheurich for the Royal Scot Stables.
Mike Benn guided the high-headed Love Bite into the winner’s circle of the novice class for owner James Orr. Reserve honors belonged to Kalarama’s Rare Conversation for owner Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Racking away with the top honors in the Junior Five-Gaited class belonged to Callaway’s Unsolved Mystery and Bob Brison for B & T Vonderschmitt LLC. Reserve honors went to Just James and Tom Scott for Krueger/Hendrickson.
Top Honors in the UPHA Five-Gaited Classic went to Pour Some Sugar On Me and Michelle Hartman for Melrose LLC. Reserve honors went to Roseridge’s Go With The Flow and Tom Scott for owner Robert Ratte.
Tom Scott was busy aboard his five-gaited horses with another great ride for top honors in the Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited class aboard New York Surprise for owner Robert Ratte. Reserve honors in this class belonged to El Matrero and Kelly Hulse for owner Gayle Lampe.
Three-Gaited
Stealing away with the blue ribbon in the Three-Gaited Championship were Zach Duffy and the high-stepping Steeling The Show for Bel Cheval Inc. Reserve honors belonged to Andrea Perry and Gypsy’s Say When.
Jama Rose and Billy Greenwell made their way to the victory circle for owner Katherine Stief in the Open Three-Gaited class. Picking up the reserve were Harlem Charm and Max Ciampoli for Harold Denton.
Taking center stage in the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship was the powerful new team of Manila Thrilla and Theresa Vonderschmitt under the direction of Bob Brison. Reserve honors went to CH An Heir About Her and Sarah Rowland under Mike Breeggemann’s direction. Rowland and CH An Heir About Her took top honors in the Amateur Three-Gaited qualifier with Manila Thrilla coming in reserve.
Callaway’s Halley’s Comet and Jessica Curl were on top of their game in the Amateur Ladies Three-Gaited class to claim the top honors under the direction of Bob Brison. Reserve honors belonged to Royal Sweet and owner/rider Michelle Hartman.
The pair of Scott Pisarik and CH Steel In Love trotted into the winner’s circle in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Championship and in the qualifier. Stepping into reserve were Morgan Brison and Callaway’s Sunday Edit in both competitive classes.
Made Ya Look and Beata Lilja were looking good under the direction of Robert and Jonelle Gardiner to claim the blue ribbon in the Amateur Novice Rider Three-Gaited class. Reserve honors belonged to Champagne Suzie and Jane Costello.
Three-Gaited Novice Horse honors went to the Katie and Caroline Moeller entry of He’s My Beau and trainer/exhibitor Max Ciampoli. Amberwood’s Bobby McGee and Eva Heniges were reserve for owner Meridyth Munns.
Todd Miles took a victory spin in the Junior Three-Gaited class aboard Can You Hear Me Now for owner Stephen Chancellor. Reserve honors belonged to Bit Of Bubbly and Billy Greenwell for B & T Vonderschmitt LLC.
Top honors in the UPHA Three-Gaited Classic went to High Time’s Northern Son and Max Ciampoli for owner Jerald Miller. Reserve honors were picked up by Robert Gardiner and the black beauty Harlem’s Showman for EquiElegance Ltd.
Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited honors belonged to Sarah Track and Mountainview’s Peaches N Cream for owner William Gonzalez. Riding away with the top honors in the Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited class were Zachary Duffy and My Roberta for owner M W Sorenson.
Park
James Nichols went two for two in the Three-Gaited Park Championship and qualifying class with the necky Vuarnet for owner Jan Small Beth. Reserve honors in both classes belonged to Mike Benn and Uncle Charlie for owner James Orr.
Lori Hoelscher and Who’s Your Daddy made two beautiful victory passes in the Amateur Park Horse Championship and in the qualifier under the direction of Bob Brison. Reserve honors in both classes belonged to Burlington Northern and Carol Friel.
Todd Miles and Miss Majesticness looked majestic indeed in the Junior Three-Gaited Park Horse class to claim the top honors for the new owners DeLovely Farm Inc. Reserve honors belonged to Kent Swalla and Gotcha Covered for owner Ann Eaker.
Fine Harness
Lady Vol and Mike Roberts marched around the ring and right into the victory circle in the Fine Harness Championship for owner Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Switching drivers in the Amateur Fine Harness class Chris Kaplan and Lady Vol earned the blue ribbon in that class as well. Reserve honors in both the championship and in the Amateur Fine Harness belonged to Cybertown and Cydney Cutchall for William Woods University.
Mike Roberts returned to the winner’s circle in the Open Fine Harness class with I’m A Lucky Charm for M W Sorenson.
Zach Duffy and Charmed By Chance took top honors in the Junior Fine Harness class for Doris Marks Trust. Three-Year-Old Fine Harness honors belonged to Bob Brison and Callaway’s Tomorrow’s News for B & T Vonderschmitt LLC. Also for B & T Vonderschmitt LLC, Billy Greenwell guided Moshi Moshi to the blue in the UPHA Fine Harness Classic.
Roadster
Judy McNeish and multiple world champion Invincible Summer sped away with the tricolor in the Roadster To Bike Championship and the blue in the qualifier under the DeLovely banner. Reserve honors in both classes belonged to I Can Book and James Nichols for owner Doug Greenwood.
Jonelle Chovanec-Gardiner rode the leg-pumping Dick Francis to the blue ribbon in the Roadster Under Saddle victory.
Deja Blues and Billy Greenwell drove away with the tricolor ribbon in the Roadster Pony Championship, as well as the Open Road Pony class, for owner Tom Fiedler. Reserve honors in both classes belonged to Unique Star Attraction and Gerald Miller.
Cowboy Magic and Tyler Miles were looking good in their tricolor ribbons in the Junior Exhibitor Road Pony Championship and in the AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony, for owner Gabriella Flynn under the direction of DeLovely. Reserve honors in the AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony belonged to Wait & See’s Bright Flame and Bryce Smithwick. This pair raced off with top honors in the AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony Under Saddle as well.
Hackney Pony
Jeff Vogel had Austin Powers marching for the championship honors in the Hackney Pony Championship and Open Hackney Pony class for owner Middendorf Farms.
Barbara Pippin and Portrait of A Lady were perfectly pleasurable in the Hackney/Harness Pony Championship and qualifier to trot away with the top honors in each. Driving away with reserve honors in both classes were Rolls Royce and Stacey Swalla.
Pleasure
Twelve entries made the gate call in the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship, and racking away with the top honors in both the championship and the qualifier were Judy Warner and CH Executive Dunk under the expert direction of DeLovely. Reserve honors in both classes went to Kristen Pettry and Roseridge’s Daybreak under the direction of Royal Scot Stables.
Colleen Harper Hertzog and Callaway’s Informed Source were in top form to claim the top honors in the Novice Rider Five-Gaited Show Pleasure class. Reserve honors belonged to Belle Owen and CH Champagne Bob.
James Nichols and the high-stepping Shady Creek’s Sensation made their way to the winner’s circle twice in the Park Pleasure Championship and the Open Park Pleasure qualifier for owner Gayle Jones. Taking home the reserve in the championship were Beaujolais Nouveau and Brent Jacobs for owners Randy and Liz Thomas. Reserve in the Open Park Pleasure class belonged to the perky Worthy Of March Madness and Jonelle Chovanec-Gardiner for owner TBM Equitation, Inc.
My Seraphim and Paula Hildebrand were trotting high to claim the top honors in the Amateur Park Pleasure Championship and the qualifier under Kent Swalla’s direction. Reserve honors in both classes went to Jedidiah and Sharon Vuinovich.
Yoshiko and Don Bridges made a great show in the Junior Park Pleasure class to claim the blue ribbon for owner B & T Vonderschmitt LLC. Reserve honors belonged to James Nichols and Charismatic Ken for Gayle Jones. This pair also took reserve in the Four-Year-Old Park Pleasure class behind Blackboard and Carrie Wooten McLinney. Taking away the top honors in the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic were Tattoo You and Mike Benn for James Orr. Stepping up for reserve were Noblesse and Greg Haston for James Lawson.
The ever popular Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship was not disappointing in St. Louis. Taking home the blue ribbon under the direction of Jimmy Hite was the duo of Linda Roos and CH Treasured Memories. This sharp pair also took home the blue ribbon in the Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure 40 And Over qualifier. Reserve honors in both classes belonged to Square Dance and Cathy Klasek. Taking home the blue ribbon in the 18 to 39 qualifier were Kristen Pettry and Magnolia Hawks for Royal Scot Stables. Reserve honors in that class went to Opti Mystic and Beth Krueger.
Late Last Night and Elizabeth Hunziker were on top of their game in the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship for the junior exhibitors, taking home the unanimous tricolor ribbon under the direction of Renae Van Zomeren. Stepping up for reserve were Loaded Weapon and Natalie Stezovsky for Courtney Lynch. This pair also took home the reserve in the 14-17 qualifying class. The blue ribbon in that class belonged to Four Alarm and Lauren Woodruff. Stepping up for the blue ribbon in the 13 and under qualifier was the Scott and Carol Matton trained entry of Oh What A Feeling and Nick Maupin. Open All Night and Hali Steenhoek took home the red ribbon.
Top honors in the Novice Rider Three-Gaited Show Pleasure class belonged to the perky Late Last Night and Elizabeth Hunziker. Recently crowned ASHAF Youth Pleasure Driving national champions, CH Highpoint’s Coming Attraction and Kaelyn Donnelly, were reserve in a rare under-saddle outing.
The Paula Jo Briney-trained duo of Special Material and Sally Jo Briney were in top form in the Show Pleasure Driving Championship to take home the tricolor. This pair was reserve in the qualifying class behind Lily Bart and Kathy Vance.
Macey Miles and Aces And Eights had two pleasurable rides for two blues under her father, Todd Miles’s expert guidance in the Walk/Trot 10 and Under Championship and qualifier. Reserve honors in the championship class went to Tantara’s De Phi All Odds and Gabrielle Zimmerman. The walk/trot qualifying reserve honors belonged to Zero Mostel and Lauren Brannon under the direction of Rocky Brannon.
Ann Bradstreet and Rhonda Sue Dickerson took home two blue ribbons in the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier. It’s That Special Look and Jacky Tasche were reserve in the qualifying class.
Country Pleasure
Tracy Kobs had Longshadow Moody Blue trotting high into the winner’s circle in the Country Pleasure Adult Championship. Reserve championship honors belonged to Prodigy’s Pride and Raegan Birdwell. In the qualifying class the blue ribbon went home with Magikal Marissa and Elizabeth Coup. Taking home the red ribbon in that class were Callaway’s Simon Says and Julie Witthoff.
Trotting into the winner’s circle in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship were Thomas Gordon and Kiley Lawrence. Reserve honors belonged to CH Simbara’s Samba Jamba and Abigail Schafer. This cute pair claimed the top honors in the qualifying class under the direction of Kris Martalock.
The hard work of the amateur owner/trainers paid off in their country pleasure class. Taking home the top honors were Paint By Numbers and Janet Thompson. Reserve honors belonged to Manhattan’s Review and Rebecca Babcock.
Showing off their driving skills, the country pleasure horses made a great show with six entries making the gate call. Taking home the top honors in the championship and qualifying class were Pierre Cardin and Barb Hendrickson. Jesse Ventura and Deb Nathanson stepped up for reserve honors in both classes.
Western
The St. Louis National Charity Horse Show features a very prestigious award of Saddle & Bridle’s Shatner Western Pleasure Grand Championship. Going home with top honors was the very versatile Kansas City and Beth Oliver. Reserve honors belonged to CH Magic Surprise and Pat Johnson. Kansas City also took home the blue in Saddle & Bridle’s Working Western Pleasure Grand Championship, while Exquisite Step and Teresa Byron Amen stepped into reserve. Country Western Pleasure Championship honors belonged to Winsdown Cosmos and Sharon Vuinovich. Reserve championship honors went home with Harlem’s Mojo and Neil Thorpe.
The Shatner Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure Finals was another popular class with many outstanding teams entering through the gate. Topping the tough competition were Royal Crest Whispering Stone and Hilary Kleinert. Jessica Moctezuma rode the Johnson/McCracken entry of CH A Magic Surprise to the reserve championship honors. Other western winners included: CH Royal Crest’s Black Marble and Tracey Mitchell, Super Rooster and Lisa McClaren, Neil Thorpe and Harlem’s Mojo, Harry Spotter and Joan Todd, Exquisite Step and Teresa Byron Amen and Laurie Fowler and Periapt.
Hunter
Showing off the versatility of the American Saddlebred, the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show also features Saddle & Bridle’s Hunter Seat Classic Grand Championship and ASB Hunter Over Fences classes. The Kansas City and Beth Oliver switched tack and were in top form to claim the Hunter Seat Classic National Championship honors. Taking home the Reserve Grand Championship were Classy News and Kimberly Moore.
Manhattan’s Review and Rebecca Babcock showed off their skills in the over fences class and were rewarded with a blue ribbon. Reserve honors in that class belonged to Canaan Land and Jennifer Crafton. A proven champion in the country pleasure and western divisions, Kristen Pettry and Callaway’s Scoop The News decided to show off their skills this year in the country hunter pleasure division. Coming away with the blue ribbon in the Country Hunter Pleasure Championship, this pair looked very classy in their new class. This team also won the blue in their qualifying split. Reserve honors went home with Caraman and Erica Mundt. Other hunter pleasure winners included: Emily Grey and Joan Todd and Katherine Krahenbuhl and Rose of Windhaven.
Equitation
Mary Catherine Swinson showed off her beautiful form in the Senior Saddle Seat Championship and qualifier and was rewarded with a tricolor and a blue, under DeLovely’s direction.
Another DeLovely lovely won the top honors in the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and qualifier. Brittany Ann McGinnis was the perfect picture of equitation elegance for the tricolor and the blue ribbons. Reserve honors in the championship class went home with Elizabeth Hunziker. Amberly Hines stepped up for reserve in the qualifying class.
It’s a sister act for the McGinnis family and Courtney was in top form to step up for the tricolor and the blue ribbon in the Walk/Trot Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and the UPHA Walk/Trot Challenge Cup 10 and Under aboard CH Callaway’s Coraleen. Reserve honors in both classes belonged to the too cute Hunter Chancellor, another DeLovely entry, riding Imagination Station.
Cori O’Brien stepped up to take home the top honors in the USEF Saddle Seat Medal class and Caitlin Donohue came in reserve. The UPHA Challenge Cup 17 and Under honors belonged to Leann Patterson, and stepping up for reserve was Kristin Nielsen.
Taking home the prestigious Saddle and Bridle’s American Saddlebred Pleasure Equitation Senior Medallion Final honors was Emily Abbott, instructed by her mother Kathy Conflenti. Reserve honors belonged to Deanna Lanigan, under the direction of Carol and Scott Matton. The Shelley Fisher-trained Taylor Newton captured the Junior Medallion Finals. Nick Maupin, just named Pleasure Equitation National Champion at Wisconsin, finished in reserve. He is also instructed by the Mattons.
Getting an early start on 2007 qualifying for the Pleasure Equitation Medallion was the picture perfect Anna Bergman winning the qualifier for ages 14-17. Stepping into reserve was Victoria McHenry. McHenry also was reserve in the UPHA Challenge Cup Pleasure Equitation class. The top honors in this class belonged to Caitlin Donohue.
St. Louis is also the home of the Five-Gaited Equitation/Horsemanship Finals. The top honors in the finals belonged to Cristina Sloan Heet, captain of the 2006 US World Cup five-gaited team. Reserve honors in the finals belonged to Brooke Jacobs, also a member of the US World Cup five-gaited team, who claimed the blue ribbon in the Five-Gaited Equitation/Horsemanship qualifier. Erin McCracken was in top form to claim the red ribbon in the qualifying class.
This concludes the highlights of the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show. Complete results can be found by clicking here.
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