Morgan Champions Shine at Kentucky State Fair
Thursday, September 14, 2006
by Jennifer Hazen
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- The Kentucky State Fair Morgan Horse Show was held once again at the legendary Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. The weather was wonderful for the two-day event with only one rain shower after the Monday evening performance, wetting down the dusty barn isles for the second day of showing. Traveling not too far from Indiana, Belle Hufferd officiated as this year’s judge. The show ran extremely smoothly under the hand of Show Manager Harold Workman, and with the help of a great ring crew. But what made this year’s show a great one was the quality not quantity of horses that were brought to show. From regional champions to multi-titled and history-making world champions showed up to put on a great 2006 Kentucky State Fair Morgan Horse Show.
The show started off with the in-hand division, and though it was a light division with only nine horses entered, it held a few surprises for Morgan enthusiasts. The Grand Champion Mare class brought forth the winner of the Two-Year- Old class, Boxford Magdelina owned and shown by Steve DeBolt, and the winner of the Mares Four and Over class, Cedar Creek Arabella shown by Judy Harris for Larry Bolen. When judge Hufferd turned in her card, Cedar Creek Arabella was crowned Grand Champion with Boxford Magdelina coming in reserve. Arabella also returned to win the Junior Park Harness Stake with Judy Harris at the lines. The gelding division had only one entry, but HVK Bold Spirits came into the ring as if there were a ring full of horses to defeat. Stopping down at the end of the ring to strike a pose with the crowd’s approval, this six-year-old won the three and over class and was pinned Grand Champion Gelding.
Following the gelding championship it was time for the stallions to perform in Freedom Hall. Four horses came trotting into the ring for the Grand Champion Stallion class with many surprises in store. Holding his head high and curled tight in the bridle, this gorgeous chestnut stallion was none other than Reserve World Champion Stallion Key Biscayne. Standing in perfect form for judge Hufferd to inspect, then with his knees hitting his chest and his hocks snatching underneath him, there was no doubt in his mind or in anyone else’s, when he was crowned Grand Champion Stallion. But Key Biscayne’s job was not yet finished. Later that evening he was shown to perfection by his owner, Lori Skover, to win the Amateur Park Saddle Stake.
Cheryl Woosley was busy throughout the show with a large group of young riders. Olivia Lahr was one of those young riders who were very busy riding two multi-titled champions, JL’s Night Tracks and Ebony Dan D San. Lahr and Night Tracks wrapped up their show with wins in the Amateur Hunter Pleasure, Hunt Seat Equitation 17 and Under and the Hunter Pleasure 13 and Under. Lahr’s talents are not only bound to the hunt division as she proved when she and Ebony Dan D San jogged away with the Amateur Western Pleasure and the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure 17 and Under. Dan D San also jogged away with wins in the Walk/Trot Western Pleasure with Madison Wurster aboard and the Ladies Western Pleasure with Cheryl Woosley aboard.
A few other highlights from this year’s show brought out great talent. Trainer Tim Roesink brought two horses to show in three classes and came away with two blues and a championship. Paradigm Hot Chocolate was shown to win the Junior English Pleasure Stake for Kourt Jester Morgans. Roesink’s other entry came in the form of BEF Elrond, owned by Kentucky’s Royce and Rita Adams. The smooth striding chestnut was shown by Taylor Lloyd to win the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure 14-17. The following day Rita Adams showed Elrond to win the Open Hunter Pleasure Championship.
Stonecroft Farms brought three entries that were no strangers to the winner’s circle. John Scheidt was at the lines of JW Nobella to win the Amateur Pleasure Driving Stake. Dianna Rannells made the victory pass in the Ladies Pleasure Driving at the lines of Stonecroft Intuition. On Tuesday afternoon the final class of the show to enter the ring was the Open Park Saddle Stake. In perfect form with his knees curled to his chest, a dark silhouette could be seen coming down the chute, and then in trotted Reserve World Park Saddle Champion Stonecroft Trilogy. Taking charge of the huge Freedom Hall arena, Trilogy never backed an ear as Dianna Rannells guided him to the victory pass with the approval of the crowd and owner John Scheidt.
These were not the only surprises that this year’s show held. Kohler Stables brought 11 horses to the show and among them were World Champion HVK Port Rush and World Champion Mare HVK Crystal Bay. Steve DeBolt showed the handsome Port Rush to win the Open English Pleasure qualifier for owner Holly Johnson. HVK Crystal Bay returned to the show ring in grand style with Tracy James in the irons to win the Ladies English Pleasure class. Steve DeBolt also showed a marvelous Kohler-bred horse by the name of HVK Noble Topic to win the Open Pleasure Driving Stake. He also drove his newest acquisition, the lovely mare Tomeri Bella Riviera.
The biggest surprise of all came in the shape of a history-making young stallion. Judy Harris stormed into the ring at the lines of last year’s Open Park Harness World Champion JW That Special Flaire. This undeniably powerful and charismatic stallion is the true definition of a park harness horse. His lofty motion and Ferrari-like engine had this three-year-old parading down each wall knowing the win was his. And indeed it was as That Special Flaire was given the nod for the Open Park Harness Championship for owner Fran Pugh of Tara Farm.
There may not have been a huge number of horses at this year’s show, but the quality of horses in all divisions was amazing. It was a very pleasurable trip to this year’s event as Morgan champions set the stage for this year’s tricolor competition at the Kentucky State Fair.
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