DEL MAR, Calif., - Wow! What a nice horse show. The Del Mar Charity Fair Horse Show brought the West Coast exhibitors together again and they came together in a big way. With many well filled classes and lots and lots of quality entries, the show was arguably one of the “Best of the West.”

The show changed dates this year and took place Monday through Thursday, June 17-20. The date change, if anything, increased attendance as fairgoers gathered ringside to watch Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Morgans, roadster ponies and Hackney Horses compete. New to the schedule this year, the Friesian Horses had numerous classes to entertain the crowd and the ever popular Icelandic horses returned again to display their four beat tolt and speedy flying pace.

Show manager Harriet Landrum and show secretary Leonora Bedolla kept things running smoothly in the office. Larry Witter handled the data processing duties. Linda Esau was the AHSA Steward, John Owens announced all the classes and Grace Yaglou was ringmaster.

Rick Osteen shot the winning photos and Take One Video was the videography company on hand to capture the action.

The exhibitor's party was held Tuesday evening after the show. Wednesday evening, Rancho Del Mar hosted their annual dessert party but this year they used the occasion to also celebrate the marriage of Nicole Johnson and Joe Chait.

There were many highlights but one of the best had to be the fact that there were 10 talented equitation riders in the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. So many good riders in fact, that six of them were called upon to perform a workout. With many of the equitation classes being light so far this season it was great to see so many poised young riders showing off their skills in front of judge Brent Jacobs.

Jill Yerger didn't have a huge of number of Morgans to judge but she had a quality entries in front of her all weekend. The Friesians made their debut at Del Mar in a big way and they displayed their versatility and showcased why their division continues to grow in popularity.

The Hackney Horses were also out in full force and it was great to see so many quality contenders in their classes which are so often very light or nonexistent at many shows around the country.

The show, in conjunction with the Del Mar County Fair, offered something for everyone. It was well run, well attended, and well supported by a strong group of West Coast exhibitors that is making their presence known in the industry and soon will be making the trek towards Freedom Hall. There is no doubt they will make their presence known there as well.

Five-Gaited
Despite the fact that Thursday evening's Five-Gaited Stake had only three entries, it was a great class. Midnight Fizz and Nicole Johnson, open winner Callaway's Regatta and Michele Macfarlane, and Just A Tad Bad with Jim Cherry came through the gate working to impress Brent Jacobs.

All three horses worked well but it soon turned into a battle between Callaway's Regatta and Just A Tad Bad. And what a battle it was. With two very different looks and styles, the entries each had their own share of fans in the audience which truly seemed to be equally divided with their support. Regatta came into the class with the qualifier blue and Just A Tad Bad has already been a winner this season for Zazen Ranch. They both turned it on when it counted and neither horse could be faulted for their performance. It really came down to personal preference.

After the reverse and just before the canter, Cherry's entry cast a shoe but with the damage minimal, Cherry decided to canter without it. When Jacobs turned in his card it was Just A Tad Bad at the top of it. Regatta had to settle for the the reserve grand championship for Scripps Miramar Ranch and left the ring with an enormous send off from the crowd.

After turning in such a strong performance that left his fans wanting more, the Just A Tad Bad fan club was disappointed when the cast shoe prevented the Zazen Ranch entry from taking a well deserved victory pass.

Macfarlane wasn't done yet and when she came through the gate in the amateur qualifier with her spotted sensation Sprinkles the crowd let out a roar of appreciation. The horse that captured the attention of many at Louisville last year turned in a strong performance for the win in the seven-entry class. Four horses returned for their stake and once again Sprinkles went to the top of the class with a charismatic performance. The Champagne Rebel Rouser scored a huge move up in the ribbons to claim the reserve grand championship title after a great ride, for Barry and Teri Yount, by Christy Mallory.

It was another Yount-trained entry, Apache Rose Of Silver Oaks, that turned in two solid efforts to sweep the junior exhibitor division. Amanda Zale was up for both winning rides to top four other teams in both classes. Meghan Hill and The Irish Ember moved up to claim the reserve title for Diamond Hills under the direction of Michael Craghead.

Terry Thorn teamed Sky's Blue Angel, directed by Roy Tuttle, to two blue ribbons in the gaited division for Judy and Aubrey Baskin. After winning the junior horse class, Sky's Blue Angel returned later in the week to win the limit horse class as well. Trainer Liz Bolton was up on Callaway's Kit Carson to take the victory pass in the three-year-old class for Andrew Nadder.

Three-Gaited

Poetry had already been to the winner's circle this season as a three-gaited grand champion and she did it again at Del Mar for Renata Wolff. It was disappointing that the stake, like the gaited stake, had only two entries but that didn't diminish her performance on the way to the title, or the fact that it was the second year in a row, with Dave Becker up from Tandy Ranch West. S.L. Diogenes On The Go took the reserve with Stacey Hennessy riding from Gerry Rushton Stables but would go on to take a win in the division. Poetry and Becker took the blue ribbon in the five-entry open class.

Anne Speck, chair of the Charity Fair Horse Show committee, brought a huge string and went home with a huge number of winning ribbons. One of those came in the amateur stake when Jennifer Sefton and Callaway's One In A Million went to the winner's circle. Priceless Heirloom and Peggy Mehagian finished as the reserve grand champions. Like Sunshine added another win to the Diamond Hills banner when Susan Valley Chen took the winning trip in the amateur qualifier.

Ashley Field proved it was S.L. Diogenes On The Go's time to shine when she went to the winners circle in the junior exhibitor stake after a big move up in the ribbons. Sarah Rainwater and Callaway's Oh Boy were reserve in the five-entry class. Lori Fuller and Jazz March won the qualifier, topping five other teams under the direction of Liz Bolton.

Trainer Matthew Roberts rode Harlem Charm to the title in the three-year-old class for Mia Martori and Mirimax was the winner of the two-year-old class with Michele Macfarlane.

The park division, as it has been on virtually every circuit this year, was quite deep with eight strong contenders in the open stake and 10 teams in the qualifier. Worth A Scene continued the win streak by claiming both victories for Zazen Ranch with Jim Cherry up. My Special Sultan proved his versatility in yet another division by claiming the reserve grand championship with Michael Craghead riding for Teresa Vonderschmitt.

Fine Harness
There is no doubt that numbers of entries in the open divisions has declined over the last several years. In fact that was the motivation for the formation of the MASCUP program this year that offers reward incentives for horses to compete in open classes. After reading that this horse show had only two entries in both the five- and three-gaited stakes, it would be natural to assume that the Fine Harness Stake at Del Mar was light as well. Guess again. Not only was the stake well filled, it was filled with an incredibly deep and talented field of entries.

Many time winner in the harness division Casablanca's Sky Chief was joined in the ribbon count by the homebred and multi-titled Fair Hill's Sky High, last year's Amateur Three-Gaited Grand Champion French Memories, CH Reedann's High Noon, world's champion Carmelita Santana and world's champion Paladin's Presidio. What a class.

The big field had plenty of room to show off for Brent Jacobs in Del Mar's enormous ring and show off they did. After several strong performances in the group it was Kevin and Sarah Hausheer's entry, Paladin's Presidio, that went to the winner's circle in one of the best classes of the show. Dave Becker drove for the victory. Fair Hill's Sky High added to an already successful season with the blue ribbon in the open class and claimed the reserve tricolor for Maynard and Linda Brittan. Fair Hill's trainer Derek Repp had the lines for both performances. French Memories and Helene Aumont took the yellow ribbon under the direction of Greg Carstons from Seamair Farm.

No Jacket Required seems to be enjoying the move to the harness division and has earned several top ribbons so far this season from Diamond Hills. Sally Spalding continued that precedent by sweeping the amateur division with two strong drives. Philosopher and Julie Greenbaum Belgrad went back to Emerald Hills with the reserve amateur tricolor directed by David Buyher.

French Memories won the junior horse class for Helene and Patrick Aumont. David Becker, Jr., drove Callaway's Potentate to the winner's circle in the three-year-old class and Michele Macfarlane teamed her two-year-old Laguna Niguel to the blue ribbon for Scripps Mirimar.

Roadster Ponies
A top group of ponies competed in both the open stake and open qualifier. Smart Charlie, after a big move up in the ribbons, went to the winner's circle in the five-entry Roadster Pony Stake with Katie Richardson driving for Joan Richardson. Greg Carstons directed the winning drive. Sandra Surber and her world's champion roadster What Luck have had a great season so far under the direction of Bruce and Jennifer Dixon and the pair took the winning drive in the open class before returning in the stake to claim the reserve grand championship.

Hackney and Harness
Senor put Dixon Stables back in the winner's circle when Sandra Surber drove the sporty pony to the win in the Harness Pony Stake after having won the qualifier for owner Yvette Scandling. Legendary industry veteran Robert Lewis drove Reedann's Aloha Lady to the reserve in the stake for Alison Register.

The quality and depth in the pleasure driving pony division on the West Coast rivals any circuit in the country and Del Mar showcased a talented group. Pacifico's Standing Ovation and Debbie Tomin have proven to be unbeatable so far this season and they did it again at this show. They swept the division with two powerful performances for Rockridge Farm. Harry Potter and Sarah Asch, with a proven reputation in the division, had two strong performances as well under the direction of Joy Lazarus but had to settle for the reserve grand championship. Patti DeVault drove First Choice to the third place finish in the deep class.

Pride's Perfection won the AHHS Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Youth Medallion class with Jacqueline Beck driving under the direction of Anne Speck. Aliyah Asch went to the winner's circle in the under saddle youth medallion class with Great Day.

Pleasure
The pleasure division, as expected, was well filled with strong contenders across the board. The Five-Gaited Pleasure Stake and qualifier each had seven top teams competing but it was Joanne Weiner's grey mare Because You're Mine that earned the victory pass in both from Rockridge Farm. Amy Barmeier Dru rode Louise Jones to the reserve tricolor for Carlyn Barmeier.

Death By Chocolate and Kathy Lanz-Haupt continued their win streak this season by sweeping the junior park pleasure division; winning the junior/novice horse stake and qualifier. Reedann's Phallin' Angel started establishing her reputation as a yearling, earning both a reserve world's championship in the Kentucky futurity and a reserve national championship at the All American Yearling Breeders Classic. The three-year-old daughter of Phi Slama Jama and Kourageous Heart won the Del Mar UPHA Park Pleasure Classic with Bruce Dixon riding for Dr. Alan Raun's Reedannland Farm.

Amy Barmeier Dru was back in the winner's circle twice more with Carlyn Barmeier's entry J Peterman. Dru rode to the tricolor in the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake and adult qualifier. Swiss Bank Corp won the limit horse pleasure class with Julie Greenbaum Belgrad and came back in the seven-entry stake to take the reserve grand championship title for Heather Greenbaum.

Aliyah Asch and CH Lightning Vision had a great show. They swept the junior exhibitor division to add two more prestigious wins to the Asch family total. Ryann Prieser and Kiss A Spot were reserve in the stake. Carole Whitt earned the nod in the novice rider class with her Sneakin' In. Callaway's Party Time gave the Bishop family plenty of reasons for a party when Samantha Bishop rode to the winner's circle in the 10 and under walk and trot pleasure class.

Black Sterling, Janna Weir Goldman's imposing Friesian has made a name for himself this season not just for his many English Pleasure wins but for his dressage display at the end of every victory pass. He was on fire at Del Mar and won the English Pleasure Stake, open qualifier and amateur qualifier. Peppermint Twist was the junior exhibitor blue ribbon recipient with Loni Fuller and also claimed the reserve grand championship.

CH Advantage Me, last year's ASHAF Pleasure Driving Youth Challenge National Champion, and Sarah Asch were in fine form to take both the show pleasure driving tricolor and qualifier blue back to the Park Place tack room. CH Special Attention was reserve in the stake with Kendall Weber driving from Seaview Farm. Fair Hill's Mountain Man, another recognized home-bred entry of Maynard and Linda Brittan, topped the Show Pleasure Driving qualifier. Phoenix Rising and Kirsten Anderson were unbeatable in the ASHAF youth challenge class under the Tandy Ranch West banner.

Valerie Daidah and her Friesian Nonning claimed the Pleasure Driving Stake and open class wins. Altadena Starlight was the reserve grand champion with Marcy McLemore driving for Altadena Stables. Koopman's Lightening Rod, the high point Hackney Horse of the show, won the Pleasure Driving Working Stake followed by Halstead's Vibrance and Elsa Mikkelson. Mikkelson had already been to the winner's circle with her entry in the working qualifier. Lightening Rod returned for another winning photo when Ann McClure drove to the blue ribbon in the reinsmanship class. Nonning and Daidah won the turnout class.

My Idle Time Fancy put in a strong performance in the Country Pleasure Stake to claim the championship win after having already carried Christy Mallory to the win in the open class for Barry and Teri Yount. Dancing With Destiny and Tina Grunnan were the reserve grand champions in the nice six-entry class after a big move up in the ribbons. The Cat In The Hat and Jaime Kintonis won the novice horse or rider class.

Jack Reich had a busy weekend under the direction of Rockridge Farm. He had already made a successful debut with his brand new harness mare Carmelita Santana. He put together two good drives with CH Triumphant to indeed be triumphant in both the Country Pleasure Driving Stake and qualifier.

The western country pleasure division was huge at Del Mar. The division across the country has been especially deep and well-filled in recent years and at Del Mar that was the case. Twelve entries jogged into Del Mar's big ring but only one would jog out with the impressive win. When Brent Jacobs turned in his card it was I'm Lucky, although luck had nothing to do with it, and Gen Hess taking the victory pass for Pleasants Valley Stable. Meghan Hill switched gears and rode her junior/novice winner, Perfect Adventure, to the reserve grand championship for Doug and Janine Hill. Perfect Adventure wasn't done yet. Hill went to the winner's circle in the Saddle and Bridle class as well to top a field of nine strong teams. E Glitz was third in the stake for William Shatner and Revelwood's Jacks Are Wild topped the equally tough 10-entry open class with Shatner in the saddle under the direction of Dan Girardi.

Blue Is My Color and Toni Nickell displayed their teamwork to win the Saddle & Bridle Working Western Pleasure class. Ron Goldman joined his wife, Janna, in the win count when Enchanted Knight took the blue in the Western Pleasure Bridle Path class. Winsdown King Of Diamonds and Kay March claimed the title in the Western Trail Any Breed class.

Wendy Collins and Endeavor's Story earned the tricolor streamers in the Hunter Pleasure Stake, edging out The Day After Tomorrow and Kathy DaSilva. Collins also took the victory pass with her mount in the adult class. Jared Hill and Call My Agent were able to put it all together and prove their versatility to win the junior exhibitor class.

Morgans
Liberation Velvet Spirit and JoAnne Berg were the English Pleasure Grand Champions from Festival Morgans and Festival Troubador was the open champion from Rancho Del Mar. The amateurs faced five entries in both of their classes with different results when Jill Yerger turned in her cards. She named the Liz Bolton Stables-trained Tricolor Prime Time the amateur grand champion with Alex Bishop riding. AFF The Stalker, directed by Gerry Rushton, won the amateur qualifier before taking the reserve title in the stake with Katie Cook.

DRF French Riviera, driven by Rachael Miller, claimed the title in the Pleasure Driving Stake after winning the amateur qualifier. Open qualifier winner Samuel Dawson left the stake class with the reserve title. Dona Jones drove Samuel Dawson for both performances. Gerry Rushton put another winner in the ring when he drove Tomeri Tiamo to the blue ribbon in the junior/novice class. Deer Creek Tiffany proved Rushton Stables' domination of the division by claiming the two-year-old championship and qualifier victories with Stacey Hennessy driving for Craig Sommers and Jen Griffith. Festival Can Can was the reserve grand champion with Frank Miller driving.

HBN Challenger and Eric Antman were nearly unstoppable in the classic pleasure division. Together they earned numerous ribbons both under saddle and driving from Rancho Del Mar. Challenger claimed the Classic Pleasure Grand Championship, junior exhibitor under saddle blue ribbon, Classic Pleasure Driving Grand Championship and open qualifier title. AW Wishful Thinking and Rachael Nemes took the reserve title in the under saddle stake after having come out on top in the qualifier for Sharon Shedroff. AW Wishful Thinking put together the reserve effort with Nemes in the driving stake as well. Abacus Mo Betta Blues was the Ladies Classic Pleasure Under Saddle Champion with Alison Lester in the irons and Ashley Duke won the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Pleasure class with Ganymede Commandment.

Ted Gallegos teamed Fletcher T Bar to the tricolor title in the Western Pleasure Stake for Bob Fletcher to add to the blue ribbon on the tack room wall from the open class. Festival Atomic Energy was the reserve grand champion, with Ann Woulfe Miller up, and had already won the junior/novice class. Sara Hunt claimed the final western pleasure ribbon with the amateur class win with El General Command.

Sweeney's Warrior Spirit and Roy Hartwick topped three other entries to claim victory in the hunter pleasure stake followed by Endeavor's Story and Wendy Collins. Festival Atomic Energy, already a reserve grand champion western horse, proved to be truly versatile by winning the seven-entry Open Hunter Pleasure class with Caprice Soltice.

Equitation
Lara Pockros, instructed by Anne Speck, went four for four in the equitation division. She scored an impressive victory in the 10-entry Saddle Seat Equitation Championship after nailing her workout. Six of the 10 riders were asked to work by Brent Jacobs and as the road to Louisville gets shorter and shorter they certainly got a taste of how high pressure things can get. This class was one of the highlights of the show because it isn't often that an equitation stake is this large or the field so deep. Meghan Hill has a solid reputation in the equitation division and she was poised and polished for the reserve in the championship and reserve in the 14-17 class. Ariana Corrigan, Jacqueline Beck, Aliyah Asch and Kendall Weber claimed the remaining championship ribbons.

Hailey Richardson claimed the title in the maiden riders class to top six other young riders. Julie DeVault claimed the reserve. Julia Chen won the 10 and under walk and trot class instructed by Michael Craghead. A win made especially memorable because there were 10 young walk and trot riders in the class. Samantha Lyttle earned the title of high point walk and trot rider and also took win in the Morgan 10 and Under Walk and Trot class and the reserve in the 10 and under class from Rancho Del Mar.

Ariana Corrigan claimed win in the Morgan equitation class and the reserve ribbons in both the USAE Medal and the UPHA Challenge Cup. Jacqueline Beck won the AMHA Medal directed by Anne Speck.

Nine little ones were on board their trusted mounts for the lead line class giving the audience a glimpse of what's in store for the equitation division on the West Coast in the next few years.