Morgan Gold Cup Regional Horse Show
Wednesday, July 4, 2007

by Jeffrey Howard

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Entries were up and spirits were high as the 2007 Morgan Gold Cup Horse Show experienced a 15 percent increase in horses in 2007, from 258 in 2006 to 297 in 2007. Because of a change in the USEF calendar, the 2007 edition of the Gold Cup fell the week after the Midwest Charity Horse Show allowing several stables to return to Gold Cup after a several year absence.

For the fourth year, the Gold Cup was held in the Champions Center in Springfield, Ohio and because of the growing attendance extra bleachers were brought in for Friday and Saturday performances. Cool weather and much needed rain greeted both the Friday and Saturday performances as well but neither could dampen the atmosphere on the show grounds. Parties were plentiful as those featuring subs, watermelon and the traditional progressive party all were well attended. The annual Toss-A-Tubby contest drew many yet few found the circle despite the perceived ease of the contest.

Friday night’s performance was highlighted by the retirement of Grand National and Canadian National Champion Trinity Challenger, known as “Lenny” to those who are close to him. Thought by some as too small to compete against the “big boys,” Lenny touched the lives of many people in the industry and carried a large number of novice riders safely into the show ring and to victory. The annual Ride-A-Buck classes were well attended and the Ride A Twenty class was probably the longest of the night that ended in a close call.

 
Amid some tears and much appreciation,
Trinity Challenger was retired
on Friday night at Gold Cup.

New Gold Cup President Lana Richey did a wonderful job ensuring the continued success of the 47^th edition of the show and judges John McDonald and Kathy Shorten examined the entries all week. Show Manager Guy Brown did another excellent job with the organization of the show and each session flowed like clockwork. Other show officials included Dennis Rumsey as announcer, show secretary Judy McManama, farrier Tim Lawrence, organist June Brune, ringmaster John Frye, USEF Steward Nancy Noble and new videographer for the 2007 show WDA Video. Photographer Howard Schatzberg was present again and had on display his new computer terminals allowing participants to view proofs within minutes of completion of the class. This new system also allows participants to view proofs from all shows that Schatzberg has shot this year and the technology rivals that of most Fortune 500 technology departments.

Highlights of the Morgan Gold Cup Regional follow, and complete results can be found by clicking here.

Park Saddle

The 2007 Gold Cup Park Saddle Championship class was missing a popular exhibitor in Judy Whitney Harris due to a stroke suffered during the Saturday evening session (see separate news story) however the two entries that did enter the class treated the audience to quite a show. Favorite Son and John Warner took the honors with an entertaining performance in their debut show under saddle for the Robert Morgan family. Lookaway’s Fortune took the reserve honors in the class following up on their earlier win in the qualifier with Kathleen Flower in the irons for owners Jim and Linda Stewart. World Champion Bellisimo and Judy Whitney Harris had warmed up for their hopeful Saturday night bid with a repeat victory in the ladies class for dedicated owners Barbara and Arthur Jones.

John Warner and Favorite Son

In the amateur division the world titled team of Dawn Fire and Erotic Dancer claimed the tricolor to start off the final day of Gold Cup show ring action for Peeper Ranch. Patchwork Simply Amazin and Donna Zimmerman collected the reserve championship following their impressive win in the qualifier under the direction of Jim and Jenny Taylor at Memory Lane Farm.

The younger park saddle horses put on quite a show and had two qualifying winners battling it out in the championship. Capitalizing on their win in the Park Saddle Four-Year-Old class, Cabot First Things First claimed the Junior Horse Championship with Jim Lowry in the irons for WSS Prestwick Farms, LLC to follow up their 2006 world titled saddle debut. Claiming reserve honors and following up on their win in the Park Saddle Three-Year-Old class was Dragonsmeade High Drama in her saddle debut with Ernesto Chavolla presenting for Dragonsmeade.

Park Harness

The park harness division was competitive as always at the 2007 Gold Cup and for the first time in four years the champion was not Sheza Bell, although Judy Whitney Harris drove this wonderful mare to the Park Harness Ladies Championship. Exceptionallee and Stephanie Skelton won the Park Harness Championship for owners Robert and Jean Morgan. This win comes on top of their previous win this year at the KYOVA Morgan show in the open park harness division. HVK Port Rush and Jennifer Hazen were an impressive reserve, and HVK Port Rush won the Park Harness Junior Exhibitor Stake with Anna McLallin on the lines for PlayMor Farm.

The Amateur Park Harness Stake was won by Minion Valentino and Darwin Olson in their 2007 debut at Gold Cup competing under the direction of Brian Stewart. Donna Zimmerman and her athletic stallion Evolution put on two bold showings to take the qualifier blue as well as the reserve tricolor back to the Memory Lane banner.

The junior championship was won by 2006 High Point Report Champion Watch Me Dance and Tim O’Gorman as they made the victory pass for owner Sally Sliman. The Four-Year-Old Park Harness gold cup was awarded to SYP Puttin On The Ritz in his harness debut with Jim Taylor handling the lines for Shipyard Point Morgans. Bri-B XTC and Brian Stewart put on quite a show for the Three-Year-Old Park Harness victory in their only performance of the show. John Hufferd continued a winning show with Ultra’s Special Intention as they made the Two-Year-Old Park Harness victory pass for Jaye and Walt Alles.

English Pleasure

There were big classes and great horses in the English pleasure division, and the competitive division was topped at the 2007 Gold Cup by the always-colorful Nocturnal Flash and John Hufferd for owner the Three Ss LLC. Showing the balance in the division was the reserve tricolor team of Hylee Bellagio and John Warner who had finished first in the stallion/gelding class for owner Elizabeth Gaker. The mare division was won by Cedar Creek Arabella making her pleasure debut with Larry Bolen in the irons for Cedar Creek Farm.

Dawn Fire was all smiles as she matched up with her beautiful new Treble’s First Take to add the Ladies English Pleasure Championship to the Peeper Ranch banner under the direction of Sandy Sessink. Century Mardi Gras and Eva Busboom put on a stellar show to add the reserve tricolor to their list of accomplishments under the direction of Lowry Stables.

Dawn Fire and Treble's First Take
with Sandy Sessink

Kriskroft Choirboy and Jennifer Hazen were the pride of PlayMor Farm as they made the victory pass in the ladies gelding class. Promiscuity and Kathy Ferenc enjoyed a memorable victory as they entered the winner’s circle in the ladies mare class.

Bad Company and Elizabeth Burick were in excellent company as they claimed the Amateur English Pleasure Championship to add to their tricolors won earlier in the season at Tampa Charity and River Ridge under the Memory Lane banner. Angela Conner Bulmer enjoyed the trip from England as she matched up with the multi-titled Versace for the reserve tricolor following the amateur mare win under the Whitney Stables banner.

Comiskey Park and Amanda McHatten followed up their winning Southern States debut with another victory pass as they earned the gold cup in the amateur stallion/gelding division for Kourt Jester Morgans. The amateur owned and trained division was topped by Key Attitude and Jaynee Clark as they earned a trip to the winner’s circle.

The junior exhibitor championship was claimed by Hylee Bellagio and Katherine Gaker for Elizabeth Gaker as they ended to a great Saturday night for the entries trained by John Warner. Gable’s Top Quark and Natalie Savoy finished with the reserve tricolor honors.

Raintree Picasso and Alison Crone turned in a bright showing to top a competitive 14-17 division under the Triumph Stables banner. The 13 and under division was won by Almost Famous and Caitlin Howard with a great ride to repeat their 2006 win for Bonnie Howard coached by Tim Roesink.

The walk/trot championship featured the tried and true Syndicat Tiger Eye matched with Sara Heidenreich for the tricolor win under the Crystal Farms banner. Audrey Lowry and THB Heaven’s Masterpiece followed their winning Indianapolis Charity performances with the reserve tricolor. The 11 & Under Walk/Trot class was claimed by the new team of Sardes Sinful and Cameron Kay as they added to the Crystal Farms banner.

Sara Heidenreich aboard Syndicat Tiger Eye

The Youth English Pleasure class saw Holly Carton aboard MJK Assets N Attitudes take the victory pass. The novice division also produced a Crystal Farms victory as Mary Carlton matched up with the fronty BJL Ransom for Barry Laub. Tim Roesink hit the jackpot in the limit class as he guided Daily Double to the top honors for Cochran Auction Service.

The junior horse championship was taken by MJMHA Morgan Showtime champion Cedar Creek Cariad and Shirley O’Gorman for Cedar Creek Farm. This team also claimed the three-year-old honors at this year’s show in addition to their in hand titles. Furious Love and Nancy Flower carried the reserve tricolor honors to Jeannie Fuelling. One True Love and Tim Roesink added the four-year-old win to the Grove Pointe banner for Laura Braddock.

Pleasure Driving

World Champion Dragonsmeade Carnaros and Nancy Hendricks added another tricolor to their first season together as they claimed the Pleasure Driving Championship for Carreg Wen Farm. TES Annuity finished reserve after claiming top honors in the stallion/gelding class with Nancy Flower driving for Thomas Schubert.

In their 2007 debut DSD Northern Delight and Pierre Loiselle claimed victory in the mare division for owners Dave and Stephanie Draper. The 2006 Grand National Champion Kriskroft Keynote and Jim Miller staked top honors in the Pleasure Driving Gentleman class cheered on by Lowry Stables. Pierre Loiselle also drove Bonnie Lee Future Star to the limit class top honors with a bright showing for Mona Bonham.

MEM Twisted Sister and Lyn Begalla topped one of the most outstanding classes of the show as they were named Amateur Pleasure Driving Champions. This followed their earlier victory pass in the ladies class under the direction of Phil Fountain. CN Grand Style enjoyed a winning return to the driving competition as Rebecca Sebastian guided the flashy chestnut to the amateur stallion/gelding win followed by the reserve tricolor drive for Bonus Time Morgans. In the amateur mare division FRF Looking Glass took top honors in the first performance of the year for Linda Stewart and Lookaway Farm.

Lynn Begalla

The junior exhibitor championship was claimed by 14-17 Gold Cup Champion KH Show Byz and Joshua Rohrs. This team had already claimed top honors twice at 2007 MJMHA Morgan Showcase starring under the Triumph Stables banner. Reserve in the championship was 13 and under winner HVK Primary Light and Austin McLallin adding to a great show for PlayMor Farm.

The junior horse championship was claimed by World Champion RCV Don Coeur Lion and Jim Lowry as they earned the spotlight pass for Kathleen Gatien. A pair of three-year-olds carried home the tricolors as TES Infinity and Nancy Flower added to a stellar week for the entries of Thomas Schubert.

Saralin Joy Ride and Tim Roesink added to their Gold Cup victories from a year ago as they collected the four-year-old top honors for Saralin Farm. Stonecroft Tribute and Jim Taylor put on an impressive showing to top the competitive three-year-old qualifier as they followed up their victorious Southern States debut with the win for Donna Zimmerman

The two-year-old championship and qualifier had similar results with JW Patty LaBelle and Judy Whitney Harris playing the winning tune. Briar Oaks Armani and Phil Fountain matched up for the reserve honors in their performances for Denny and Toni Maunder.

In Hand

The in hand division got the 2007 Gold Cup off to a tricolor start on Tuesday night with some world-class talent. World Champion Mizrahi enjoyed his show ring return as Bill and Sammi Hazen guided the crowd-pleasing PlayMor Farm entry to repeat his titles of a year ago as the Five & Over, Senior and Grand Champion Stallion. Preceding two wins under saddle Cedar Creek Cariad and Shirley O’Gorman posed for the Three & Four Year Old Stallion win as well as Reserve Senior and Reserve Grand Champion Stallion honors for Cedar Creek Farm.

MSV Maximum and John Hufferd took home the Two-Year-Old Colt and Junior Champion Stallion victories for proud breeder/owner Margaret Van Meter. Martinique’s Dynasty and Brian Stewart won the Yearling and Under Colts class and added the Reserve Junior Champion Stallion honors with a fine showing for Darwin and Barbara Olson.

Sheza Bell and Judy Whitney Harris got another Gold Cup off to a winning start for breeder/owners Barbara and Arthur Jones as they made a clean sweep of the mare division posing for the Five and Over, Senior and Grand Champion Mare titles. Grand National Champion RJMF Symphonic Music continues to bring tricolors to the Morgan family as John Warner guided the polished bay to the Reserve Senior Champion mare honors.

Furious Love put on quite a show as well as she claimed the Three and Four-Year-Old Mares class with Nancy Flower for Dale and Jeannie Fuelling. Ultra’s Special Intention and John Hufferd had the judge’s eye as they collected the Two-Year-Old, Junior and Reserve Grand Champion Mare titles for Jaye and Walt Alles. CBMF Whispers of War and Tim Roesink made their presence known claiming reserve honors in the junior championship for Dragonsmeade. In the Fillies Yearlings and Under, Essex Lady Di and Nancy Flower started off a victorious night with a trip to the winner’s circle for Michael and Pat Postiglione.

Rage and John Warner claimed two gold cups with an impressive evening to top the Grand Champion Gelding and three and four-year-old class for owner/breeder Anne Morgan. Dragonsmeade Bravura showed off his polish and good looks with Phil Fountain as the reserve champion and winner of the five and over class for Cadence Farm.

Classic Pleasure

World Champion Boogie Nights and Anne Marie Biron followed their victorious UPHA Chapter 5 team debut by sweeping the Gold Cup Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship as well as the open qualifier under the Peeper Ranch banner. Following their memorable Southern States season debut, About Last Night and Carolyn Gibbard topped the limit class and added the reserve tricolor to the Grove Pointe banner.

Outrageous Courageous and Shelley Silber matched up for a win in their team debut as the Kourt Jester team won the ladies class directed by Tim Roesink. The Amateur Owned and Trained Gold Cup went to LSC Georgian Bay and Lee Sutherland with a polished performance.

Shelley Silber and Outrageous Courageous

Amabayus and Bailey Bartley are off to a great start this year with wins at Oklahoma Centennial and a clean sweep at Gold Cup, including the junior exhibitor championship crown and the 13 and under win. The adorable new pairing of Priceless Jule and Samantha Brobst claimed reserve honors in both, directed by Nancy Flower.

Syncopation and Lauren Little teamed up for the 14-17 win directed by Pepper Ranch for Jayne Dubin. Bears It All and Tina Drumm had all the right moves to top the Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Horse.

The world titled team of Med-E-Oka Nobel Prize and Jacqueline Clapp claimed three more wins at this year’s Gold Cup with wins in the driving championship class, ladies class, as well as the stallion/gelding class for PlayMor Farms. Reserve in the championship went to the up and coming new combination of Dragonsmeade Bravura and Janelle Schroeder for Cadence Farm.

Jacqueline Clapp

The Grand National Championship pairing of Merriehill High Spirits and Tom Burick added to the Memory Lane banner as they earned another impressive victory in the gentlemen’s class. With two wins at River Ridge already in tow, CBMF Can’t Touch Me and Ann Hailey added the mares title to their resume at Gold Cup for Copper Beech Morgan Farm under the direction of Grove Pointe.

Junior exhibitor top honors went to Calabash and Ryan Haunstein for RJ Becht & Son. This pair had earlier in the show claimed the qualifying class top ribbon as well. The Classic Pleasure Driving Limit gold cup went to TES Cartel and Kim Schubert for Thomas Schubert prepared by Nancy Flower. Driving out with the hardware in the junior horse division were WNDC Midnight Special and Mike Grimes for Windcrest Farms.

Western Pleasure

Making trips to the winner’s circle seem routine was RJM Pardon My French. This talented stallion took Dean Scott to victory twice with the Western Pleasure Champion crown and the gentlemen’s title. He and Jennifer Hazen also paired up for the victory in the stallion/gelding class for PlayMor Farms. The world titled team of Worked In Gold and Jeffrey Bessey jogged away with the reserve tricolor and a tip of the hat for Francis Beers

SPR Starina and Marilyn Leroy claimed the tricolor ribbon in the mares division as well as the amateur mares with polish and consistency. Capitalizing on momentum from two Kentucky Spring Premier wins, KN French Commandante and Jennifer Hazen rode to victory for PlayMor Farms in the ladies championship class. The ladies qualifier was won by Evil Knievil and Cheryl Woosley for Madison Wurster. Reserve in both the championship and qualifier for ladies were Jax Black Jack and Monya Locascio for Shirley Keller. This team also showed some versatility winning the Road Hack class.

The Gold Cup amateur championship went to Briarlane Above Regala T and Terra Zimmerman. This came after two previous wins at the show including the ladies amateur title with Zimmerman and the Walk/Trot Championship with Nikki Liedel. Kalamazoo Can Do and Jolie Murphy claimed a big win in the well-filled amateur stallion/gelding class and finished with the reserve tricolor in the amateur championship.

Amateur owned and trained top honors went to WNC Compadre Reflection and Rick Gaeckle for Shara Davis. Where The Sidewalk Ends and Jill Eide look forward to a good season as they started off with the youth win.

The junior exhibitor championship was a tricolor start for the new team of Highland Ridge Daniel and Anna McLallin. This talented duo also won the 14-17 division at this year’s event for owner PlayMor Farm. Reserve in the championship went to Evil Knievil and Madison Wurster who also were reserve in the 13 and under division. It was another winning new team for PlayMor as QVM Collector’s Edition and Austin McLallin matched up for the 13 and under win. Poplar Eldorado and Madison Memering added the walk/jog qualifier win as well as the reserve championship in a grand field of up and coming young riders.