The New England Morgan Horse Show - Continuing The Tradition
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Editorial and Photo Coverage by Diana Davidson, Bob Funkhouser, Leslie Potter and Steven Handy
The 68th edition of the New England Morgan Horse Show was far more than just a week of horse show competition. It was a weeklong tribute to the magnificence of America’s First breed and to the people whose love and dedication to it have preserved and promoted it. The New England Morgan Horse Show has seen many great horses, historic performances, memorable occasions and well-noted changes over the years. The 2007 edition was truly the culmination and celebration of all that had come before.
The approximately 1,000 horses taking part in the competition from July 22-28 took their rightful place beside those of this show’s storied past. The record number of entries represented stables and owners from nearly all of the 50 states as well as Canada, Great Britain and Austria. The depth and quality of the competition in all divisions represented the best the breed has to offer.
Northampton has always been a show that is different from all others. First, it is a show with an unparalleled history. While the Three County Fairgrounds has never been the easiest place to show, it attracts the best year after year and decade after decade. Ulysses, Mentor, Upwey Ben Don, Orcland Leader, Windcrest Dona Lee, Windcrest Showgirl, Westwold Dona Resa, Townshend Debadonna, Bay State Gallant, Chasley Superman, Wynakee Kristen, UVM Promise, Bennfield’s Ace, Katy Bennfield, Special Kay, Val’s Terry, Schenectady, Big Bend H-Bomb, Saddleback Supreme, The Buckeye, R-Bar-B Lord Spence, Greentree Mary Jane, Irish Hawk, Long View Sundance, Particular Red, Rake’s Progress, Kickapoo Kracker Jax, Laurelledge Renegade, Topfield’s Janet, Wham Bam Command, The Master’s Touch, Born To Boogie, UVM Unity, Man About Town LPS, Century Free Spirit, Liberation First Star, Noble Flaire, HVK Courageous Flaire, Queen’s Vanity Flair, and HVK Bell Flaire, are some of the show ring greats who have taken their place in the winner’s circle in Northampton’s grandstand ring and in the history books of the Morgan breed.
For those who have been around the Morgan breed long enough, these horses evoke great memories of Northampton performances for large and appreciative audiences. However, for even the first-time Northampton spectator, this show exudes a special aura. From a walk around the historic barns and tents that house the elaborate set-ups of the major barns to the homemade curtains and signs of the one horse owner, to the show ring and box seat area specially created and erected for this show, to the wealth of vendors in the infield, to the ever enlarging infield pub, this is certainly no ordinary horse show. It is an extraordinary horse show!
The level of competition and enthusiasm this year were created by several amazing events that all took place during a memorable week in Northampton. The show featured a record purse that was distributed throughout the week. The Pinnacle Prize Fund awarded the champions and reserves in the 12 East Coast Championships with over $50,000 in total prize money thanks to the sponsorship of generous donors from around the country. Two highlights on Saturday night were the show sponsored $10,000 Winner Take All Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship, as well as the $10,000 All American Yearling Sweepstakes thanks to a generous donation from the proceeds of the 2006 Maine Event Spring Event Sale by George Schott and Rick Lane.
This show and its management continue to look back and honor its history as a way of continuing the tradition. This was never more evident than on Thursday night. There were no classes scheduled and the evening was set aside to honor some of the breed’s great champions and dedicate this year’s show to a horse who has revolutionized the breed.
The box seats, grandstands and railside were filled as the Boston Swing Ensemble and announcer Peter Fenton welcomed “2007 Grand Ole Champions” Simply Maserati, Pondview Portrait, Hillfield Nightrider, A Sharper Image, Twin Pond Disco Kid, Long View Sundance, Rum Brook Immortal Bliss, Immortal Command, Burkland Nicholas, Beams Nighthawk, Tedwin Taurean and Syndicat Legal Tender back to Northampton’s grandstand ring. (see separate story)
It was a poignant presentation for all in attendance. Bonnie Sogoloff relates the decision to bring 32-year-old Long View Sundance. “We weren’t going to bring him. His age scared us, and we certainly didn’t want to face the inevitable at a horse show. It was Rick Lane who said, ‘Everyone wants to see him, and something will do him in, it might as well be New England’. So Hayes and I decided the night before, and we didn’t tell Keely and Wendy. We brought him on the trailer with the equipment, and Sundance practically dragged Hayes up the ramp!
“Early one morning at the show, Wendy took Sundance for a walk on the track. Sundance refused to go back to the barn, turning Wendy around and demanding to be led to the In Gate. Keely and I were alone in the ring and watched this proud stallion march up the track as the memories came back to him. It was a sight I will never forget.
“We were not prepared for the outpouring of affection Sundance received, not for the greatness of the horse. I think we all had forgotten just a little, so were humbled by him as we have been over and over again. He is a true icon of the Morgan Horse.”
It was truly a night to pay honor to the icons of this breed. It was just one year ago that the Morgan industry learned of the passing of the legendary Noble Flaire. The New England Morgan Horse Show committee wanted to honor the memory of this unparalleled show horse and sire by dedicating the 2007 show to him. Owner Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. and trainer Thomas Caisse were on hand for the ceremony at the close of Thursday evening.
The ring was darkened and audience members held small lights as announcer Bill Carrington read a moving tribute to Noble Flaire. (see separate story) Show manager Fred Nava then introduced the Noble Flaire Perpetual Memorial Trophy that will be presented annually to the East Coast Park Harness Champion as Mr. Kohler and Mr. Caisse thanked the show and the Morgan industry for recognizing Noble Flaire and his memory.
Nava reflected, “It was a true honor for myself and the committee to be able to pay tribute to Noble Flaire and to have Mr. Kohler and Mr. Caisse participate. It is a moment I will never forget.”
In a continuing effort to honor the contributions of those who have come before us, The Northampton Horsemen’s Hall Of Fame was established at the 2006 New England Morgan Horse Show with the induction of Anna Ela, John Lydon, Patricia Tataronis Orcutt, Dr. S. Robert Orcutt, Lyman Orcutt and Joe Parker.
In 2007 the late Dr. Stewart K. Harvey and the late W. Dayton Sumner had their names added to the Hall Of Fame and the plaque on the box seats surrounding the Northampton grandstand ring that reads:
“In recognition of dedication, sportsmanship and support of the Northampton tradition and the Morgan show horse.” (See separate story)
In keeping with the tradition of insuring the financial stability of the show and the continuous improvements the show has enjoyed, Friday night's NEMHS Benefit Auction (see separate story) again earned phenomenal support from those donating and purchasing the trips, breedings, clothing, jewelry, artwork and tack offered to the tune of over $40,000.
When show manager Fred Nava and the show committee came on board to resurrect the New England Regional, they set a goal of improving the horse show in every way. Piece by piece they have worked their magic to not only bring the show back to its former glory, but to surpass even their own expectations in every way imaginable. Their master plan has been achieved by bringing this great show into the 21st century with a flourish while maintaining the traditions that have always set this show apart from all others.
“The show continues to grow, in spite of the condition of the facility and the uncertainty of the weather conditions as with any outdoor show.
“Given the amount of people, horses, vehicles and the size of the show grounds, I feel the show went remarkably well. Due to the above mentioned there is great reason to enforce the many rules for parking, traffic and safety. It was so great to have everyone’s cooperation. The severe weather on Saturday put undo stress and strain on everyone. However, we all met the challenge and finished the week with a record New England Morgan Horse Show,” Nava commented following the show.
This year’s show ring competition was outstanding from start to finish. A sparkling Sunday afternoon welcomed the beginning of a record week of competition as the first tricolors of the show were awarded. MEM So Emotional carried the East Coast Grand Champion Mare honors back to Ann Hailey and Copper Beech LLC to begin a great week for the Copper Beech entries as well as the breeding program of George Schott’s Maine Event Morgans that produced the daughter of Futurity French Command and Miss Bluegrass.
MEM So Emotional with Tim Roesink
Monday morning’s East Coast Grand Champion Gelding competition featured the Copper Beech breeding program earning the honors this time as CBMF Ruling Class (GLB Bell Pepper x CEN Can’t Touch This) posed for the honors guided by Ken Swanson for owner Holly Johnson.
CBMF Ruling Class with Ken Swanson
The presentation of the Martha Morse Memorial Trophy in the East Coast Grand Champion Stallion competition featured three-time World Champion Stallion LPS The Boogie Man (Man About Town LPS x Honeytree’s Simply Unique) returning to the winner’s circle for the title he also won in 2004 for owners Michael and Nancy Ramsey. This marked just the beginning of what would be a memorable week of tricolors for trainer David Rand.
LPS The Boogie Man presented by David Rand
The East Coast Championship competition continued on Friday and Saturday nights in the nine performance divisions. The western pleasure horses were the first to compete with the crowd-pleasing Treble’s Tanqueray jogging down victory lane with the tricolor for the second year in a row with Judy Nason presenting for proud owners Greg and Carol Fleck.
Treble’s Tanqueray ridden by Judy Nason
The Friday evening session produced back-to-back East Coast Championships for the driving entries performing under the Merriehill Farm banner. First, Debbie Simon and her stylish gelding Ensbrook Chain Of Command drove away with the East Coast Classic Pleasure Driving Championship. In the very next class, Stan Bodnar teamed the charismatic What’s My Line to an impressive victory in the East Coast Pleasure Driving Championship for Epona Morgans LLC.
The historic inaugural presentation of the Noble Flaire Memorial Trophy in the East Coast Park Harness Championship closed out the Friday evening session in grand fashion. Prior to the awarding of the trophy, announcer Peter Fenton named several of the previous winners of this class including last year’s champion JW That Special Flaire. Fenton then asked the audience to please keep Special Flaire’s breeder and trainer Judy Whitney Harris who suffered a stroke in their thoughts and prayers.
It was then time to honor the champion MEM Thriller as Mike Carpenter guided the five-year-old son of HVK Bell Flaire and AFF Beulah down victory lane for breeder/owner George Schott of Maine Event Morgans. Carpenter also added his name to the list of trainers who have received the W. Lyman Orcutt Perpetual Memorial Trophy awarded to the winning trainer by the UPHA Chapter 14.
MEM Thriller and Mike Carpenter
It was truly a memorable victory for Mike Carpenter, “I couldn’t be happier than to train and present the first horse to win the Noble Flaire Memorial Trophy. Noble Flaire was the greatest horse I have ever been around, and this victory with his grandson is a great honor. I just love Thriller and was delighted when Rick (Lane) and George (Schott) sent him to me. He is a wonderful and kind horse, and he is fun to show. Tonight I called on him and he answered the call.”
As the final day of competition opened on Saturday, so did the sky as torrential rains, thunder and lightening took over the Northampton area. For safety reasons, the show had to be moved into the cramped indoor facility. While the inability to warm up and the footing in the indoor ring caused several horses to scratch on Saturday, for most competitors the show went on.
The East Coast English Pleasure Championship crowned the first of Saturday night’s five East Coast Champions. Fox Glen Hail To Divinity headlined in his new division as Ann Anderson guided the champion for Joy Ann Bogstad.
Fox Glen Hail To Divinity and Ann Anderson greeted by Peter Wheeler
The East Coast Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship featured Boogie Nights earning the top honors for the third year in a row. This dynamic show ring performer has earned the title with a different owner and rider each year. This time it was a beaming Ann Marie Biron in the irons for the tricolor victory directed by Phil Fountain and Sandy Sessink.
It was another tricolor Saturday night at Waterford Farm as they carried home a pair of East Coast Championships for the second year in a row. Kathleen Peeples introduced a new star to center stage as Ladies First became the fifth East Coast Hunter Pleasure Champion she has presented in the past seven years. The attention-capturing bay mare is owned by the Brown/Klein Family. Arboria Victorious was in high gear as he sped away with the East Coast Roadster To Bike Championship for the third time in four years as Lynn Peeples skillfully handled the lines for owner Paul Calandra.
Lynn Peeples commented on the deep competition and his show ring strategy. “I feel in order to be the best, you’ve got to challenge the best. I was once told by a hall of fame horseman, ‘when in doubt, remove all doubt’. I try to remember that when showing my horse. I always say that I’d rather be sorry for something I did than for something I should have done.”
That same thought must have crossed David Rand’s mind on Tuesday night as he introduced Lamborghini In Black to the open park saddle ranks. Rand commented, “It was the ride of a lifetime. From being able to show at probably the best Morgan event I’ve been able to attend, to having two great horses (Lamborghini In Black and Stand And Deliver) put on amazing shows for the crowd, and have the crowd reward them with their encouragement and applause, it was tremendous.
“The crowd was so into the class (the Park Saddle Stallions), and when we were asked for that final trot with both horses coming down the stretch battling and Shane (photographer Shane Shiflet) in the middle and the crowd cheering on both horses, it was really about the moment, it wasn’t about who was going to win.”
The winner was certainly the Morgan breed. The level of excitement and competition was amazing, and it will no doubt go down as one of the great moments in Northampton history.
The East Coast Park Saddle Championship closed out the festivities on Saturday night. Lamborghini In Black capped a tricolor week for the entries trained by Rand and an amazing week of show ring competition as the champion. David Rand delivered the victorious ride for owner Dr. Grace Steere, who was able to sound the horn to close the show with ringmaster Grace Yaglou’s horn that Steere had purchased at the NEMHS Benefit Auction.
Lamborghini In Black with owner
Dr. Grace Steere and trainer David Rand
It takes an amazing team to make this show run. The many people who work to make this horse show happen have given themselves the moniker Team New England, and in many ways they are one big family.
In addition to show manager Fred Nava, co-chairmen Christine Nava and Debra Lane, and the show committee, a host of other officials helped to make the show so successful. They include, secretary Linda Burke; USEF Stewards Mary Lynn Whitley and Janice Wright; announcers Peter Fenton, Bill Carrington and Larry Wahl; ringmasters Kent Moeller, Grace Yaglou and Bill Whitley; farriers Tim Keller and Rick Howe; veterinarian Jay Merriam; grounds and stabling supervisor Mark Caisse; security supervisor Curt Collins; organist Nancy Roberts; recorders Carole Hutchison and Robert Marsh; dressage coordinator Edith Root; sport horse coordinator Bill Hutchison; driving coordinators Elsie Rodney and Susan Koso; course designer David Raucher; paddock superintendent Anne Blizniak; technical delegate Mickey Bowen; camper supervisor Bill Nazzaro; night security Ray Ferro; EMTs Jim and Joy Wheeler; videographer WDA Video; show ring photographer Shane Shiflet; sport arena photographer Denlore Inc.; and a host of others.
Show manager Fred Nava and his right-hand man, son Stephen, made sure the show ring footing was in shape throughout the week.
Honored with the task of pinning the 2007 New England Regional Champions were Harold Angell (Stallions and Mares In Hand, Park Harness, English Pleasure, Road Hack, Classic Pleasure Driving, Roadster, and Futurity); Terry Jones Brennan (Geldings In Hand, Park Saddle, Pleasure Driving, Classic Pleasure Saddle, Saddle Seat Equitation, Saddle Seat Walk-Trot and Leadline, and Futurity); Karen Homer-Brown (Specialties In Hand, Hunter Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Stock Seat and Hunt Seat On The Flat Equitation, Hunt/Western Beginners and Leadline, Futurity, Trail, and Miscellaneous); John Greenall (Carriage Driving); Frederick V. Hunt (Hunters, Jumpers, and AMHA Hunt Seat Medal Over Fences); and Jan Gille (Dressage).
All parts of the United States and the world were well represented at the 2007 New England Morgan Horse Show. From New England to Florida to the Midwest to California to Oregon to England to Austria, owners were represented in Northampton’s winner’s circle. This show will go down in history for its many unforgettable moments.
The tradition continues!
Park Saddle
The Park Saddle competition at the New England Regional once again set the standard. The week was filled with spectacular performances. Some of the breed’s top winning world champions faced a new crop of amazing challengers, while a fabulous group of young horses set out to make headlines of their own. From the first park saddle class on Monday afternoon through the final victory pass on Saturday night, the park saddle horses entertained on center stage.
The East Coast Park Saddle Championship was the final chapter of a record week of competition in Northampton. While the indoor setting could not match the grandstand ring in terms of ambiance, atmosphere, and footing, the grand finale capped the show in memorable fashion. The image of Lamborghini In Black trotting down victory lane with the East Coast Park Saddle Championship ribbon streaming will be a lasting memory. The Northampton crowd saluted Grace Steere’s magnificent black stallion as David Rand guided him to the Stephen P. Tompkins - Orcland Leader Perpetual Memorial Trophy.
After watching his saddle debut in Northampton a year ago Grace Steere set out to purchase Lamborghini In Black. It was then David Rand’s turn to take the world titled harness performer to the next stage that turned out to be a spotlight ride to “Phantom Of The Opera” in the UPHA Chapter 14 Symphony Of Horses just three months ago. The symphony performance served notice of what was to come, as on a darkened stage on Tuesday night in Northampton Lamborghini In Black made his dramatic entry into the Open Park Saddle ranks.
Tuesday night’s Park Saddle Stallions was perhaps the class of the show. It was a head to head battle between the reigning two-time East Coast Park Saddle Champion and Park Saddle World Champion Stand And Deliver and the challenger Lamborghini In Black. The crowd filled the box seats and were three deep on the rail as these two phenomenal stallions staged an epic battle. Mike Goebig and Stand And Deliver opened the season in defense of their titles with a great ride to the cheers of their fan club for breeder and owner Tara Good. Lamborghini In Black and David Rand entertained the crowd with brilliance and expression.
The crowd was equally divided as judge Terry Brennan called on the stallions and their trainers for one final trot. As Mike Goebig and Stand And Deliver hit a park trot down the grandstand rail with photographer Shane Shiflet at the midpoint of the straightaway, David Rand and Lamborghini In Black cut around the corner with the two stallions trotting side by side with Shiflet in between and the crowd reaching a fever pitch in support of both fabulous show ring performers and the talented horseman directing them.
It was certainly a class for the ages and a win for the Morgan breed as the crowd showed its support for both grand horses. Lamborghini In Black and David Rand took a memorable trip to the winner’s circle and Mike Goebig tipped his hat to his supporters as he accepted the red ribbon for Stand And Deliver.
Grace Steere was able to sound the horn she purchased at the NEMHS Benefit Auction on Friday night as Lamborghini In Black made the final victory pass on Saturday night as the 2007 East Coast Park Saddle Champion. Mike Goebig brought Cindy Nord’s exceptional four-year-old Astronomicallee daughter Love Her Madly back for a Saturday night ride. They proudly carried the reserve tricolor steamers after celebrating a stellar victory on Tuesday night in the Park Saddle Mares and Geldings. As the lights dimmed during this class due to a nearby accident that caused a partial power outage, the park saddle mare/gelding entries did their part to illuminate the ring.
Something Wicked and Amy Neifert enjoyed a pair of exceptional performances for Copper Beech LLC. On Tuesday night they picked up the red ribbon with a bold ride in the Park Saddle Mares and Geldings. They returned the following night and stepped into the record books besting a phenomenal field of world titled performers in the nine-entry Ladies Park Saddle. They were greeted in the winner’s circle by Harry and Carolyn Sebring for the presentation of the blue ribbon and flowers. Sandy Hendrick enjoyed a memorable show with her mares as she matched up with her always-elegant Queen’s Victorian Lady for the red ribbon in this memorable ladies class directed by David Rand. The amazing list of ladies ribbon winners also included; Erotic Dancer and Dawn Fire, Patchwork Simply Amazin and Donna Zimmerman, CN’s Stylish Debut and Allyson Wandtke, KD Hot To Trot and Maureen Cartelli, Cedar Creek Arabella and Shirley O’Gorman, and CBMF Leading Man and Catherine Ehnle.
The Amateur Park Saddle division provided some of the largest and deepest classes in the park saddle division with great entertainment for the many knowledgeable railside spectators. The Monday evening session opened with the nine-entry qualifier to set the stage for an amazing evening of show ring competition. The afternoon rains had let up, the horses and riders were turned out to perfection, and the boxes and railside were filled with supportive audience members.
When the winning announcement was made, BKC Valiant Star and Casey McDonald earned the trip to the winner’s circle with a crowd-pleasing ride to follow their victorious performances at UPHA Chapter 14, Southern States and Connecticut Morgan. They added the Amateur Park Saddle Championship to the Rand banner from an electric Friday night of competition performing for Firewind Morgans. The 2006 New England and World Champion Amateur Park Saddle pairing of CN The Master’s Flyte and Allyson Wandtke put on two bold showings as they challenged every step of the way to collect the reserve honors in both classes performing for Cindy Nord under the Broadmoor banner.
BKC Valiant Star and Casey McDonald
The entertaining team of Bear Brook Bodacious and Shelley Stevenson put on a pair of victorious performances as they carried the Youth Park Saddle blue and tricolor back to Stone’s Throw Morgans LLC. Last year’s tricolor team of Laura McGee and Ultra’s Special Delivery delivered a pair of reserve ribbons to owner Deedee Ludlam and trainer Luman Wadhams from their polished performances.
Stevie Meder and Set To Dance have set out to impress in their debut season as they continued their victory march from Vermont Spring to Connecticut Morgan and onto Northampton. They performed for the Junior Exhibitor Park Saddle blue and tricolor under the guidance of Taylor River Farm. RER Popcorn and Julia Strier repeated their reserve tricolor finish of a year ago and were also reserve in the qualifier this year riding for owner Carey Churchill and coached by Scott Neidlinger.
The awarding of the Loring V. Tirrell Perpetual Trophy in the Junior Park Saddle Championship marked yet another impressive victory for World Champion Get Busy. Kathy Gutting’s charismatic black stallion put on a tail-flagging performance to earn the tricolor as Dwayne Knowles capped a memorable day with his young performers. Knowles guided his third junior saddle champion of the day on Friday as Get Busy followed Junior Classic Champion CN In Grand Style and Junior English Pleasure Champion Extremelee to the winner’s circle. The Queen’s River Farm breeding program sent another tricolor entry down victory lane as Queen’s Newport Summer carried home the Junior Park Saddle Reserve Championship with David Rand guiding the expressive Mizrahi daughter.
World Champion Cabot First Things First gave his all in his first trip to Northampton as Jim Lowry guided the WSS Prestwick Farms entry to the Four-Year-Old Park Saddle win over a star-studded field. This marked another proud victory for the get of Liberation First Star as First Things First was victorious in his only performance of the week during the heat of Tuesday afternoon. CBMF Ready Or Not added some excitement to the competition as Rosalie Leary rode the sporty bay to the red ribbon in the qualifier for Jean DeGutis.
Jim Lowry and Cabot First Things First
The Three-Year-Old Park Saddle class was the first of the division as it took place on Monday afternoon, and it certainly got things started on an exciting note. MEM Bonnie Blue had them all talking as she enjoyed a saddle debut to remember. The Northampton audience cheered on this athletic and expressive filly as Tim Roesink guided her down victory lane for owners John and Nancy Hendricks. Ann Anderson set sail for the New Venture Partnership as she debuted Legacy’s Atlantis to the reserve honors.
MEM Bonnie Blue with Tim Roesink
JW Sporting Victory was sporting the New England blue ribbon as Jane Morrell directed the sparkling chestnut down victory lane in the limit class for Equus Novus LLC. Elier Najera gave Lookaway’s High Roller a pair of outstanding rides for Deborah Phelan as they earned the top honors in the Novice Park Saddle as well as the red ribbon in the limit class under The River’s Edge banner. Hylee’s Babylon and Richard Boule performed for the reserve honors in the novice class with an eye-catching ride for David Lund.
Park Harness
The Park Harness division was again filled with some of the great champions of the day eliciting cheers from the crowd. It was an amazing lineup that included numerous reigning world champions and others who look to wear the roses in Oklahoma this October.
The Friday evening session came to a fitting climax with the inaugural presentation of the Noble Flaire Memorial Trophy to the East Coast Park Harness Champion. Just as the Northampton show ring had been the site of Noble Flaire’s memorable harness debut and many tricolor performances by his son HVK Bell Flaire, it provided the stage for this night’s memorable victory for MEM Thriller (HVK Bell Flaire x AFF Beulah).
It was a meaningful victory for trainer Mike Carpenter who guided MEM Thriller, also the 2006 New England Junior Park Harness Champion, to the top honors and earned the W. Lyman Orcutt Perpetual Memorial Trophy presented to the trainer of the champion by UPHA Chapter 14. MEM Thriller also took a trip down victory lane in the open qualifier to close out Monday evening’s session as part of a great week for owner/breeder George Schott and Maine Event Morgans.
In what would be the final class in the grandstand ring for 2007, World Champion Whitemud Dixie Dance King put on a fine show to add the East Coast Park Harness Reserve Championship to the Sebring Stables banner. Harry Sebring guided Patricia Lloyd’s sporty four-year-old to the reserve tie in the qualifier as well.
Just as Lamborghini In Black had energized the grandstand ring with his Tuesday evening victory, his son Diablo In Red lit up the ring on Wednesday morning in his performance debut. He returned to Northampton, the site of his only other showing as the 2003 Weanling Colt winner, to captivate the audience in winning the Limit Park Harness with Rick Lane on the lines for Robert and Robin Veghte’s Mendonhall Morgans. Ann Anderson guided KHF Grand Idea to the red ribbon for Jeffery Smeed.
Diablo In Red with Rick Lane
The awarding of the Mark H. Hanna Memorial Trophy by the family of Mark Hanna brought the Amateur Park Harness competition to a poignant close on Saturday evening. It was a return trip to the winner’s circle for trainer Rick Stevens as he guided Brenda Varney and her majestic CN The Commanding Touch to top honors for the second year in a row. This marked the third time in the trophy’s four years that Rick Stevens has trained the winning team.
Robert Neimeth was on the lines of the reserve champion for the second year in a row as this year Stonecroft Sudden Impact carried the reserve honors back to Misty Meadows Farm. The crowd erupted when JW Raire Review and Erin Kelley were called out for the third place ribbon. David Rand earlier directed this entertaining team to the blue ribbon and flowers in the ladies class. The crowd continued their applause as the impressive amateur qualifier winning team of Tara’s Firewalker and Krista Headley picked up the white ribbon under the direction of Ken Swanson in this much-discussed competition.
The young athletes of the breed were showcased in brilliant fashion in Northampton's park harness competition. World Champion Signed Sealed Delivered returned to the site of her show ring debut just a year ago to again thrill the Northampton audience with her presence and athleticism to garner the Three-Year-Old Park Harness blue. Dwayne Knowles guided Kim Germ’s dynamic Stand And Deliver daughter to the honors on Tuesday afternoon. MEM Chill Factor turned up the heat in his park harness debut to collect the red ribbon with Rick Lane on the lines for George Schott.
The UPHA Park Harness Classic set the stage for the finals at Jubilee with Bellerophon returning to the Northampton grandstand ring in victorious fashion. Lynn Peeples directed Steven Handy’s impressive colt to the tricolor victory pass and the cheers of the audience. Jim Lowry teamed Lake Holiday Magic to the reserve finish following a blue ribbon debut at Midwest Charity for Jim and Shula Dodson and Becky Dodson Krupp.
The Four-Year-Old Park Harness class welcomed the largest field in the division as six promising youngsters competed on a hot and steamy Wednesday afternoon. MEM Ultimate Star proved to be well-named as the brilliant son of Liberation First Star and Miss Bluegrass was the choice of the audience as well as the judge. Tim Roesink introduced the promising youngster to the winner’s circle for Bill and Shelley Silber’s Kourt Jester Morgans. Ann Anderson had another fancy Liberation First Star get as Azeedad’s Lucky Star collected the red ribbon.
The young horse competition in the qualifiers certainly set things up for what was hoped to be a large and exciting Junior Park Harness Championship on Saturday afternoon. Mother nature had other ideas as the torrential rains on Saturday morning moved the competition indoors and kept many entries from returning.
Following victorious performances in her first two shows, Azeedad’s Lucky Star showed off her tricolor style on Northampton’s victory lane. The get of the late Liberation First Star again led the way as Ann Anderson directed Chris and Andrea Kelley’s homebred performer to the tricolor honors in the Junior Park Harness Championship. Tim O’Gorman directed Gold Cup’s Junior Park Harness Champion Watch Me Dance to the reserve tricolor for Sally Sliman.
The list of horses that have carried home New England’s Two-Year-Old Park Harness Championship over the past 25+ years reads like a who’s who of Morgan greats. The list includes; 1981 Wham Bam Command, 1986 Noble Flaire, 1988 Hyland Acres Command, 1989 Tug Hill Whamunition, 1990 Liberation Starbrite, 1992 HVK Bell Flaire, 2002 Sheza Bell, 2005 JW That Special Flaire, and 2006 Signed Sealed Delivered to name a few. On this Friday afternoon, PPR Belly Dancer added her name to the list for Peeper Ranch. Phil Fountain guided the promising daughter of world champions HVK Bell Flaire and Erotic Dancer to the honors.
The youngest of the park harness performers look to have a stellar new crop as five promising entries tested the water in Wednesday afternoon’s Two-Year-Old Park Harness qualifier. The Indian Creek Farm breeding program introduced another bright young star as Indian Creek American Girl took a trip to the winner’s circle. Kurt Hufferd directed the charismatic daughter of Mizrahi and Cache to the win for Russell and Jeanette Quilhot in her only appearance of the show.
It looks like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree as Kristopher Hufferd took over the lines from his dad Kurt to present NDT French Impressionist to the Junior Exhibitor Park Harness blue and tricolor with a pair of much-applauded victories for Indian Creek Farm.
James Sebring also followed in his father’s footsteps as he continued his string of winning park harness performances at Northampton once again claiming the youth blue. This time he matched up with CBMF Great Balls Of Fire to the applause of his friends and family.
English Pleasure
The English Pleasure division was filled with fabulously entertaining classes from start to finish. It featured many deep classes with world titled performers renewing acquaintances with each other as well as with many exciting new challengers. Grand luminaries from throughout the country vied for the chance to visit Northampton's winner's circle in many exciting English Pleasure classes.
The East Coast English Pleasure Championship was one of the Saturday evening feature presentations as it capped the division in tricolor style. A small yet promising field competed for the tricolor in this class sponsored in memory of Dr. Stewart K. Harvey by his friends. A new name would be added to the list of previous champions as Ann Anderson made the trip to the winner’s circle aboard the handsome Fox Glen Hail To Divinity. In just his first year in this division, the bay son of Tara’s Cherokee and Hail Columbia earned his second tricolor of the season in as many shows under the ownership of Joy Ann Bogstad. Sarah Gove and Cartier dazzled in their Northampton performances as they earned the stallion/gelding victory on Tuesday evening and claimed the reserve tricolor for Gay Gove and the Taylor River Farm cheering section on Saturday evening.
The English Pleasure Mares opened the performance section on Tuesday evening with Mike Goebig directing CBMF Infatuation to the winner’s circle to add to a blue ribbon show for the entries of Copper Beech. Luman Wadhams guided the reserve entries in both the mare as well as stallion/gelding classes. Starboards Ring My Bell picked up the red ribbon in the mare class with a bright showing for South Bay Morgans, while Wadhams came back two classes later with Deedee Ludlam’s handsome Sarde’s Manistique for the second place tie in the highly competitive stallion/gelding class.
The prominence of the ladies divisions in the Morgan industry can certainly trace back through the years to the many grand ladies of the show ring. The Ladies English Pleasure Championship is a particularly important class at New England as the competitors vie for the Pat Tararonis Orcutt Memorial Trophy established in 2006.
The Ladies English Pleasure division was truly outstanding with the grand finale in the crowded indoor arena on Saturday afternoon. Eleven teams returning to vie for the distinction of becoming the second to earn the trophy as one could almost envision “Pat Tat” out there giving it her all riding, at least in spirit, to try to beat them all and enjoying every minute of it.
It was certainly a fait accompli for Katie Mair and Marie Frank’s handsome bay as Fait Accompli added his name to the trophy as the 2007 champion. The Futurity French Command son earlier bested the field of multi-titled entries in Wednesday evening’s Ladies English Pleasure Gelding class. MEM Exotica made her presence known as Shanna Gish rode the Tri Color Ventures entry to the reserve tricolor for the second year in a row. It was a tricolor sweep for the get of Futurity French Command as Exotica wore the reserve tricolor from the second place finish in the ladies mare class. Jenny Taylor teamed up with Narragansett Spirit to garner the yellow ribbon in the championship following a trip to the winner’s circle in the ladies mares for Hobby Horse Enterprises and trainer Rick Stevens. The domination of the Futurity French Command get continued as the world titled team of Nicoria and Amy Gatewood Gendjar picked up the white ribbon in the championship following a lovely ride for the red ribbon in the gelding qualifier for Dantree Farm.
While there was no $10,000 winner take all prize in the Amateur English Pleasure Championship this year, the class was just as deep and the competitors were riding just as hard. The Saturday night competition hosted an amazing field of 19 impressive teams from near and far boasting tricolor résumés. Judge Angell made quick work of the class as many wondered if a workout was in the offing. After walking the lineup, Angell put the wonder to rest as he decidedly marked his card.
The winning announcement provided another memorable Northampton moment for Sandy Hendrick and Queen’s Proud Mary as they greeted trainer David Rand in the winner’s circle. It was a familiar trip down victory lane for this stellar team as they were the Ladies English Pleasure Champions just a year ago for Queen’s River Farm. It was also just a year ago at Northampton that the name Bada Bing was prominently featured as Peggy Alderman rode the spectacular bay gelding to the East Coast English Pleasure Championship on the way to a world championship less than 90 days later. This year Phil Alderman earned the opportunity to ride Bada Bing and stepped up with two impressive performances to add the Amateur English Pleasure Stallion/Gelding win as well as the reserve championship to the Salem Farm banner.
The amazing amateur championship field also boasted the world titled team of Gotti and Kim Germ as the third place finishers following the reserve ride in the amateur stallion/gelding class representing Broadmoor and their homeland of Austria. It was an international field of top performers as Angela Conner Bulmer of Great Britain matched up with the amateur masters winner Versace for the white ribbon in the championship under the Peeper Ranch banner.
The blue ribbon in the Amateur English Pleasure Mares also was proudly hung at Peeper Ranch as Northampton’s 2006 Junior English Pleasure Champion Treble’s First Take enjoyed a winning return to the grandstand ring. Dawn Fire matched up with her beautiful mare to earn a trip to the winner’s circle.
BW Shrek made a trio of top showings with different riders at Northampton. First, Allison Harned guided the entry of Pinnacle Holdings to the victory in the amateur novice rider class. Betsy Buchanan also added the reserve tie in the amateur masters, while trainer Rob Marsh picked up the red ribbon in the novice class. Merriehill Local Talent and Holly Bedient matched up for the red ribbon performance in the novice rider class.
Wednesday morning’s Novice English Pleasure class featured a wealth of promising entries as 18 horses filled the ring. It was IGF Coeur Et Ame and Jim Lowry who stepped up with a stylish performance to best the field for Lowry Stables.
The Youth English Pleasure division featured a long and impressive lineup of entries with 17 in the preliminary round. Saturday afternoon’s tricolor finish saw WSG Whamo collect his second tricolor of the show as Kristin Cyr picked up the reins from owner Alexandra Frangiosa for the impressive victory under the direction of Jean DeGutis. Elizabeth Stockwell and Change Of Heart matched up for a stellar ride to garner the reserve tricolor under the Taylor River banner. Following a blue ribbon ride in the qualifier, SLB Triple Play and Laura Poulin picked up the third place ribbon in the championship directed by Ann Anderson.
Adriana Liberty closed out her Northampton junior exhibitor career in grand style with her partner Ultra’s Proclamation. They started the week with a confident ride to top the 19-horse field in the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure 14-17 and returned to the grandstand ring on Friday afternoon to earn the tricolor finish to the delight of trainer David Rand and a large group of family and friends. Alexandra Frangiosa’s horses enjoyed a great week as she shared Think About It MEM with Meghan Bradley as the sporty bay earned his first of two tricolors with a reserve finish in the 14-17 championship coached by Jean DeGutis.
Annie Thurber and LA Ricochet enjoyed a tricolor Northampton return. After sweeping the walk-trot tricolors a year ago, they stepped up a notch to carry the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure 13 & Under Championship back to the Sterling Training Center banner this year. Pacific Rim Take Aim made his presence known in his first trip to Northampton as Hayley Porter rode him the blue in the 13 and under qualifier as well as the reserve tricolor for new owner Chloe Deeb and trainer Jean DeGutis. The dapper duo of Spencer Alderman and Graywoods Arthur picked up the red ribbon in the qualifier, while the adorable team of Plum Haven Minuet and Kristen Wade garnered the yellow ribbon in both well-filled classes.
WSG Whamo and owner/rider Alexandra Frangiosa each earned their first of two tricolor victories of the show in the Walk-Trot English Pleasure 10-11 Championship. Following their winning debut at Connecticut, they enjoyed another tricolor ride under the direction of Jean DeGutis. Last year’s 9 & under tricolor team of Gradell’s Wild Reflection and Max Liberty enjoyed two more trips down Northampton’s victory lane this year as they bested the field in the 10-11 qualifier and added the reserve tricolor to the Rand banner.
Kasey Saccocia and Indian Creek Belle Star were the stars of the 9 & under division this year as they made a clean sweep of the pleasure and equitation classes. Kristen Cater met the picture perfect winning team as they topped the fields of 11 in both the Walk-Trot Nine and Under English Pleasure qualifier and championship to the delight of their proud family.
Kasey Saccocia and Indian Creek Belle Star
with instructor Kristen Cater
and her proud family
Bilzone’s GQ Material and Siara Clemmey put together a confident ride to add the reserve tricolor to the Janbark Farm banner, while Nicholas Roberts and Dial Wild dialed in for the qualifier red ribbon with a polished ride coached by Cindy Mugnier.
The Junior English Pleasure division featured a large group of promising youngsters. When the Junior English Pleasure Championship tricolor announcement was made, it was another proud moment for the Shingle Branch Farm breeding program as Extremelee added the win to a great show for his sire Astronomicallee. Dwayne Knowles guided the white trimmed chestnut to the prestigious title. SpringMill Souvenir enjoyed another stellar show in Northampton as Shanna Gish directed the Nostradamus son to the winner’s circle for the third year in a row. He started off with the Four-Year-Old English Pleasure Stallion/Gelding win and added the Junior English Pleasure Reserve Championship performing for SpringMill Morgans LLC.
Queen’s Fancy Me is yet another gorgeous product of the Queen’s River Farm breeding program gracing the winner’s circle. David Rand guided the Mizrahi daughter to a blue ribbon ride in the four-year-old mares. Rob Marsh added a red ribbon to the Flintlock Farm banner with a nice ride aboard Flintlock’s Testarosa in the four-year-old mares. World Champion Sacred Path Indiana Jones turned in a stylish performance for the reserve ribbon in the deep four-year-old stallion/gelding class with Tim Roesink in the irons for Kourt Jester Morgans.
The Three-Year-Old English Pleasure Stallion/Gelding class featured a phenomenal group of masculine young performers vying for top honors. MEM Sambuca earned the nod of judge Angell with an impressive performance in his saddle debut under the direction of Kurt Hufferd. The charismatic performer represented the Maine Event Morgans breeding program in the winner’s circle. The top two entries both displayed the same type with high-headed copper bay frames trimmed with white as Graycliff Tony collected the reserve tie with Luman Wadhams in the irons for Graycliff LLC.
The three-year-old mare counterparts were equally impressive as they displayed style and elegance. Dragonsmeade Infusion starred in her saddle debut as Phil Fountain directed the HVK Bell Flaire daughter to the winner’s circle for the Fu Family of Dragonsmeade Farm. Queen’s No Mercy, a full sister to Queen’s Fancy Me, displayed style and athleticism to garner the red ribbon in her first time to the show ring with David Rand presenting for Steve and Jill Tassinari.
Pleasure Driving
The Pleasure Driving division was outstanding from start to finish with some of the most stylish performers of the season vying for their own place in the spotlight. From the first class of the week through Saturday night’s $10,000 Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship, you would not want to miss a single performance.
Friday night's East Coast Pleasure Driving Championship featured a strong field of nine of the breed's top winning horses battling for top honors in the grandstand ring. What’s My Line is no stranger to Northampton’s winner’s circle having earned top honors in pleasure driving classes here each of the past three years. On this Friday night he earned his most prestigious title to date as the East Coast Pleasure Driving Champion. Stan Bodnar handled the lines of the champion for Epona Morgans LLC after signing their ticket for Friday night with the victory pass in Monday night’s mare/gelding class. World Champion Dragonsmeade Carnaros and Tim Roesink challenged with a bold drive to carry home the reserve tricolor honors. Owner Nancy Hendricks started out the week with a stylish drive down victory lane with Carnaros in the amateur masters class.
The open qualifiers took center stage on Monday night with MEM Just My Style opening the season returning to the winner’s circle in the Pleasure Driving Stallions with Percy McDaniel on the lines for Clint and Linda Barber. In addition to her in hand victories MEM So Emotional garnered the reserve tie in the Pleasure Driving Mare/Gelding class with Harry Sebring directing for Copper Beech LLC.
The Maine Event Morgans breeding program also produced the winner of the Gentlemen’s Pleasure Driving as MEM Say My Name returned to the winner’s circle under the direction of Rick Lane for George Schott. Harry Sebring and CBMF Strike Zone followed up in reserve in the gentlemen’s class and then came back with a homerun victory in the novice gelding class for Patricia Lloyd. Percy McDaniel directed Christine Thorn’s sporty Lee-El’s Thunderbay to the reserve finish in the deep novice gelding class.
The novice mares featured another winning combination for Rick Lane and George Schott as MEM Malibu Barbie earned the victory pass. Flintlock’s Testarosa and Rob Marsh added another reserve finish performing for Pete and Gael Jaeger.
Grand National Champion Graywood’s Boogie Boy opened the season with a blue ribbon performance in the Novice Pleasure Driving Stallions as Mark Mason presented for top honors for Katrina Wood. Shelley Silber matched up with her handsome new partner Sacred Path Indiana Jones to add the red ribbon for Kourt Jester Morgans.
The Ladies Pleasure Driving Championship featured a flower adorned victory pass Can't You See MEM and Melissa Morrell, who triumphed in this championship for the second time in three years. They also collected the blue ribbon in the highly competitive qualifier for Phyllis Frechette. Barbara Lindauer and HVK Sweet Obsession returned to the site of their blue ribbon team debut a year ago to add two impressive reserve drives to their list of accomplishments.
The Amateur Pleasure Driving division has been phenomenal this year from coast to coast with a number of grand combinations stepping to the forefront. One of the most anticipated events of the show came to fruition on Saturday evening when 10 entries trotted into the indoor arena to compete for the $10,000 Winner Take All Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship. With entries coming back on Saturday night from four different qualifiers, the field was very entertaining in spite of several horses not returning due to the weather and the indoor location.
After working the class both ways of the ring and close inspection in the lineup, judge Brennan selected three entries to go back to the rail for a workout as the crowd encouraged its favorites. CBMF Ruling Class and Holly Johnson, CN Grand Style and Rebecca Sebastian, and Stonecroft Byzantine and Dan Kelley earned the chance to battle head to head for the tricolor honors. As the headers of these three entries stepped out of the ring, the drivers and horses prepared to give it their all in pursuit of the tricolor and added prize money.
As the tricolor announcement was made, Stonecroft Byzantine made the familiar trip to the winner’s circle. It was a very bittersweet victory for the winning team as Byzantine’s loving owner Heidi Kunkel was not there due to the death of her father the night before. Dan Kelley stepped in for his friend and was able to earn this memorable victory that would be Byzantine’s final performance for Heidi Kunkel as Byzantine was then purchased by PlayMor Farm. Rick Stevens valiantly directed the tricolor team as he has directed Byzantine to each of his amazing victories over the past ten years.
CBMF Ruling Class and Holly Johnson enjoyed a tremendous performance for the reserve tricolor directed by Ken Swanson. They earned a strong ovation from the crowd as they had the previous Sunday night as they also finished in reserve behind Stonecroft Byzantine in the amateur stallion/gelding class. Rebecca Sebastian and CN Grand Style added to their great Northampton memories with another stylish performance for the yellow ribbon following a blue ribbon drive in the amateur novice driver class directed by Lowry Stables.
MEM Twisted Sister and Lynn Begalla added the white ribbon in the championship as well as the red ribbon in the amateur mares class to their list of accomplishments. The multi-titled team of RJM Roulette and Janet Morgan picked up the pink ribbon in the ultra-competitive championship following the red ribbon performance in the amateur maters class.
The Amateur Pleasure Driving Mare class closed out the opening day of competition with a superb performance by Paradigm Tokyo Rose and Ann Hailey. The glistening chestnut lit up the ring to carry the blue ribbon back to Sebring Stables in what would be her only performance of the show.
The Grand National Championship team of Noteworthy’s Nobel Heir and Jennifer Kellert enjoyed their time on center stage in Northampton as they added the Youth Pleasure Driving blue to The River’s Edge banner. Jennifer’s former New England championship partner Oak Creek Chief Of Staff was right behind in reserve with Lindsay Perry handling the lines for Margaret Brown.
The new combination of Dragonsmeade Divine Miss M and Bianca Buller have starred on victory lane from California to Colorado and now Northampton in their debut season. Proud parents Charles and Martine Buller cheered on this lovely pair as they earned the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving Championship under the direction of The River’s Edge. Stephanie Slater and The Bachelor MEM matched up for a polished drive to carry the reserve honors in the qualifier and championship back to Taylor River Farm. World Champion Boston Dylan and Jarrett Burch turned in a fine drive in their first season together as they collected the yellow ribbon in the championship for Steve and Lynn Burch.
The 12-entry Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving qualifier featured a grand performance for HVK Primary Light and Austin McLallin. They bested the grand field for PlayMor Farm.
New England's Junior Pleasure Driving Championship put a cap on a week of fabulous performances by the young stars of the breed. The indoor arena hosted the Saturday afternoon competition as Sea Vu Justified and Richard Boulé turned in a stylish drive to earn their second regional tricolor of the season for Taylor River Farm. Intrepid Behold returned to the site of show ring debut of a year ago with a charismatic performance to win Sunday night’s Four-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Stallion/Gelding class and closed out the week with the Junior Pleasure Driving Reserve Championship with Rick Stevens guiding the son of Stonecroft Byzantine and Intrepid Immortal Beloved for Arthur Perry. World Champion Dantree Night Call answered the call in Sunday night’s qualifier and collected the red ribbon in his only performance of the week with David Rand directing for Dantree Farm.
The Four-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Mares closed out the Monday morning session with HVK Sweet Obsession returning to Northampton’s victory lane. Tim Roesink opened the week in winning fashion on the lines of Barbara Lindauer’s dynamic starlet. Missy Hanover and Ring Girl came east with a top record from the west coast as they added the reserve tie from Northampton’s four-year-old mare class.
When the UPHA Pleasure Driving Classic was called to the ring on Wednesday afternoon, SpringMill New Harmony played the winning tune once again. She returned to the site of her victorious show ring debut of a year ago to again garner the tricolor with Kurt Hufferd on the lines for SpringMill Morgans LLC. CBMF Double Down drove away with reserve honors in the UPHA Classic after dealing the winning hand in the Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Stallion/Gelding class on Sunday evening with Tim Roesink on the lines for Copper Beech.
The young entries of Copper Beech impressed throughout the week. Straight Up and Harry Sebring drove away with the reserve tie in the three-year-old stallion/gelding class, while Tim Roesink guided LBJ Uptown Girl to the red ribbon in the rain-soaked three-year-old mare class. The victory pass in the Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Mares belonged to Highover To The Nines as she seemed to disregard the rain with a bright and elegant drive presented by Kass Booth for Katherine Thompson. The Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Championship featured a ring full of budding celebrities. Stony Pt Harlequin Romance topped the list as Cheri Barber guided Patricia West’s handsome Cedar Creek Harlequin son to top honors. The majestic bay trotted down victory lane with the tricolor following a blue ribbon performance in the stallion/gelding qualifier. The Indian Creek Farm breeding program debuted a pair of two-year-olds out of Cache at Northampton as Indian Creek Warbird (sired by Futurity French Command) followed in reserve in both classes with Kurt Hufferd directing for Russell and Jeanette Quilhot.
While the stallions dominated in the championship, the two-year-old mares showed off their style and elegance as well. Merriehill Dusk To Dawn glistened as Whitney Bodnar directed the Hollybrook Stage Rage daughter down victory lane to add to the Merriehill Farm banner. The Shipyard Point breeding program added SYP Material Girl to their list of promising HVK Vibrance offspring to compete as Mike Carpenter drove to the second place finish for Phil and Gloria Blevins.
In Hand
Day one. Class one. Year 68. Another year in Morgan history officially began as eight entries filed into the grandstand ring in the Sport Horse In Hand class on Sunday afternoon. With the specialty division being judged by Karen Homer Brown, the first New England blue belonged to Dantree Constantine and Kelly Howe to the delight of their fan club. Tim Morrell stood DRF Sea Hawk up for reserve honors while representing owner Carol Ramsey Rice.
For the third year in a row, the winning team in the Western Pleasure In Hand class included trainer Roger Brown, owners Jim and Natalie Maloof and the pretty bay mare PLF Rare Elegance. Lakeside Mercury and Ray Ferro struck a pose for the red ribbon.
Hollybrook Now Hear This announced his presence as Karen Bobbi presented Yvette Pieck’s entry to the Hunter Pleasure In Hand win. Qua-Lity Kayley Q made the Qua family happy as she picked up the red ribbon.
The Specialty In Hand Championship was a bittersweet victory for the team surrounding Whispering Bellavante. The win was dedicated to the memory of his late owner Paula Macklin by her husband John, trainers Roger Brown and Vickie Wirth as well as Bellavante’s former owners Charles and Judy Dorr who presented him to the tricolor as well as the Classic In Hand win. Last year’s tricolor team of Stonecroft After Midnight, Jason Douglass and Jack Gatewood had the support of their cheering section as the collected the reserve honors in the classic competition as well as the Specialty In Hand Championship for Dantree Farm.
Harold Angell stepped into the famed New England grandstand ring to determine the 2007 winners in the mare division. His first decision came in the Filly Foal class in which MTG All Eyes On Me visited the winner’s circle. John Lampropoulos was on the lead of the Main Frame daughter to add the Northampton blue to her recent Maine Breeder Sweepstakes victory Bonnie and Melissa Gawrys. Kass Booth and Richard Boulé teamed up to present Highover Heaven Can Wait to the red ribbon for Katherine Thompson.
KD Tinsel Town opened a winning show for Stonegate Farm as Rick Stevens presented the full sister to KD Hot To Trot to the Yearling Fillies win for Kimberly Dunn. Joanne Galvin and DRF Ladies Night Out claimed a red ribbon at Northampton for the second year in a row with a sharp performance.
Following a victorious debut at Connecticut Morgan, Dragonsmeade Balenciaga dazzled on Northampton’s fabled runway to start a winning week for Dragonsmeade Farm and the get of Mizrahi. She bested an impressive field of nine to earn the Two-Year-Old Mares blue on the way to the Junior Champion Mare honors with Mike Carpenter making the winning presentation. Merriehill Dusk To Dawn showed off the same style as in her 2005 Morgan Breeder Sweepstakes reserve tricolor performance as she posed for the reserve honors here in the two-year-old and Junior Champion Mare competitions performing for Merriehill Farm with Whitney Bodnar presenting.
In her show ring debut Brenda Starr was the first of many stars on the week sired by late Liberation First Star to visit Northampton’s winner’s circle. Peggy Alderman introduced the tall and impressive mare out of AFF Savannah as the Three-Year-Old Mares winner over a grand field of eight.
2005 East Coast Grand Champion Mare MEM Shock & Awe (Serenity Masterpiece x AFF Evening Episode) added to her many Northampton victories as she posed as the Reserve Senior Champion Mare and East Coast Reserve Grand Champion Mare following the second place finish in the three-year-old class with Rick Lane on the lead. It was just the beginning of a show filled with many impressive honors for George Schott’s Maine Event Morgans breeding program.
The Four-Year-Old Mares also went to a Maine Event Morgans product as Jaisen von Ballmoos guided MEM Evening Affair (Futurity French Command x AFF Evening Episode) to the blue ribbon for Misty Meadows Farm. The Five and Over Mare class was also dominated by the MEM prefix with MEM Love Affair (Nobility x Star Lake Ellisa) posing for the red ribbon presented by Richard Boule for David Lantz.
The first blue ribbon of what would be many for Copper Beech LLC came in the Five & Over Mare class where MEM So Emotional made her presence known as she posed for the presentation picture for the second year in a row. The elegant daughter of Futurity French Command and Miss Bluegrass proudly carried the Copper Beech emblem as well as that of her breeder Maine Event Morgans as she posed as the Senior Champion Mare as well as the East Coast Grand Champion Mare. Tim Roesink handled the lead as he was reunited with the chiseled bay beauty who now performs under the Sebring Stables banner.
Day two at the 2007 New England Morgan Horse Show began with the gelding classes officiated by Terry Brennan. Rick Stevens guided Connecticut Morgan Champion A Man’s Man, a full sibling to yearling filly winner KD Tinsel Town, to the winner’s circle in the Two & Under Geldings as well as the Junior Gelding Championship for Kimberly Dunn. Melanie Small’s Pondview Morgans enjoyed another memorable week in Northampton as the fronty Aljak’s Double Whammy son Pondview Maharajah posed for the reserve honors in both classes in his show ring debut directed by David Rand.
The Three and Four-Year-Old Gelding class featured another exciting show ring debut as Claim To Fame found his fame in the grandstand ring as Tim Roesink guided the Beethoven son to the blue ribbon followed by the Reserve Senior Champion Gelding and East Coast Reserve Grand Champion Gelding honors for Copper Beech LLC. The Whispering Whammunition son Slam Dunk earned his share of applause as Lynn Peeples guided the smooth entry of Doug and Marlene Sluiter to the reserve honors in the three and four-year-old class.
The largest group of geldings came in the five and over class where the competition was filled with multi-titled entries. CBMF Ruling Class (GLB Bell Pepper x CEN Can’t Touch This) enjoyed a victorious return to Northampton as Ken Swanson guided Holly Johnson’s entry to the blue ribbon. Breeder Ann Hailey enjoyed a win-win situation in the Senior Champion Gelding and East Coast Grand Champion Gelding classes as CBMF Ruling Class was named the champion with her own current entry Claim To Fame in reserve. Circle J’s Grand Champion Gelding Whispering Masqued Man returned to his native state of Massachusetts as Bob Kellert gave Deborah Phelan’s handsome bay a great lead for the red ribbon in the Five and Over Geldings.
Monday morning’s session moved right into the stallion division with three Weanling Colts competing first in front of judge Harold Angell. Representing the Maine Event Morgans breeding program, the crowd-pleasing MEM Just Me (Liberation First Star x MEM Just Because) enjoyed his trip to the winner’s circle with Rick Lane guiding for George Schott. The University of Connecticut and its storied breeding program presented UC Dr. Sanchez (UC Ringmaster x UC Tee Time) to the red ribbon guided by John Bennett.
Rick Lane was right back in the winner’s circle as Cabot French Masterpiece (Serenity Masterpiece x KJM French Confession) began a memorable week for Debbie Lane and George Schott by claiming the blue ribbon in the Yearling Colts class. The get of LPS The Boogie Man are beginning to make their presence known in the show ring as Rowenda Boogie On Down paved the way for his sire’s entrance. David Rand guided the smooth black colt to the red ribbon for breeder/owner Alice Welch.
The SpringMill Morgans breeding program and the memory of Liberation First Star were well represented in Northampton’s winner’s circle by SpringMill Stardust (out of Treble’s Unchained Melody). The impressive bay stallion announced his arrival as Kurt Hufferd handled the lead for a memorable show ring debut as the Two-Year-Old Stallion winner, Junior Champion Stallion and East Coast Reserve Grand Champion Stallion.
SpringMill Stardust with Kurt Hufferd
Following a blue ribbon performance last year as a yearling, CBMF Arbitrage showed off his newly matured presence to command the reserve honors in the two-year-old and Junior Champion Stallion competitions. Harry Sebring and Tim Roesink combined forces to present the son of Ben’s Rhapsody and Arielle for Ann Hailey’s Copper Beech LLC.
The fans of the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm breeding program had a chance to cheer on the winner of the Three-Year-Old Stallions as UVM Made To Order (Tug Hill Whamunition x UVM Eloquence) posed for the blue ribbon handled by Steve Davis.
A trio of impressive show ring stars paraded up and down the rail and then modeled for all to see in the four-year-old class. World Champion Kosta Boda (Mizrahi x Abacus Simple Dreams) enjoyed a tail-flagging performance in his first outing on the east coast as Harry Sebring and Tim Roesink closed a memorable tricolor show from the in hand division for Copper Beech LLC. Ann Hailey beamed as the magnificent stallion posed for the four-year-old blue as well as the Reserve Senior Champion Stallion honors. MEM Blue Chip (Futurity French Command x Miss Bluegrass) continued an impressive collection of performances and ribbons for Rick Lane and George Schott with the second place finish in the four-year-old class.
The arrival of three-time World Champion Stallion LPS The Boogie Man brought the Northampton audience to attention. In his first trip back to Northampton since posing as the 2004 East Coast Grand Champion Stallion, Boogie Man’s performances on this day added many new fans to his long list. He has simply blossomed even more with maturity and confidence as his performances showed. David Rand guided the beloved entry of the Michael Ramsey family to the Five and Over Stallions blue, the Senior Champion Stallion tricolor, and then added his name to the record book as East Coast Grand Champion Stallion for the second time alongside his sire Man About Town LPS (3-time champion) and his maternal grandsire Born To Boogie (2-time champion). Ken Swanson continued a busy morning as Tara’s Firewalker added the reserve pose from the Five and Over Stallions to the Tara Farm banner for owner Krista Headley.
Following a delay due to torrential rain and thunderstorms on Saturday morning, the remainder of the All American Futurity competition got underway with the two and three-year-old in hand classes. The Two-Year-Old Specialty horses were first to compete with Riverside Rhapsody posing for the tricolor with Charles and Judy Dorr. Townshend Pep’s Martini and Mark Kimball carried the reserve honors back to Townshend Farm.
The final group from the existing futurity program saw the Two-Year-Old In Hand victory go to MCS Bandini as the Liberation First Star son came back with the winning performance for George Schott with Mike Carpenter handling the lead. Following her victorious show ring debut in the yearling futurity last year, Frosted Flake (Mainframe x JW Romantic Memories) showed off for reserve honors with David Rand on the lead for the Ray Ramsey Family.
The Townshend Farm breeding program produced the winner of the Three-Year-Old Specialty In Hand as Townshend Holly’s Last Call struck the winning pose. Michabou K T Marilynn added the reserve honors shown by Percy McDaniel for Lori St. Hilaire Cash.
MEM Shock & Awe (Serenity Masterpiece x AFF Evening Episode) continued her supremacy in the futurity as she was crowned the Three-Year-Old Futurity Champion with Rick Lane again on the lead for George Schott. John Lampropoulos guided Townshend Main Date to the reserve finish for John Suprenant.
The All American Futurity High Point Presentation produced dual champions and reserve champions in the addition of points from the weanling through three-year-old years. The Troutbrook Farm/Maine Event Challenge Trophy will be shared by a pair of breeders from the state of Maine with Katherine Thompson’s Highover To The Nines and George Schott’s MEM Chill Factor sharing the top honors. The reserve scoring entries were George Schott’s MEM Shock & Awe along with Lori St. Hilaire Cash’s Michabou K T Marilynn.
As the current format of the All American Futurity comes to its close, 2007 marked the first $10,000 All American Yearling Sweepstakes Championship. The class funded through a donation from the proceeds of the 2006 Maine Event Morgans Spring Sale event drew entries from breeders from New England to Georgia to Washington State. Following two preliminary rounds earlier in the week, the finals were held to kick off Saturday night’s championship session.
As the three judges’ cards were tabulated and the ribbons were presented in reverse order from tenth to first, the excitement mounted. Prize money was paid through six places with Rowenda Boogie On Down (LPS The Boogie Man x Rowenda Belleek) in third with David Rand presenting for Alice Welch, MSV Dreamer (Astronomicallee x Pompp & Pizazz) with John Hufferd for Margaret Van Meter in fourth, Partridge Hill Tonic (Treble’s Tanqueray x Partridge Hill Pagent) with Greg Fleck presenting for fifth for Greg and Carol Fleck, and MCS Color Me Happy (Futurity French Command x Carlyle Flying Colors) in sixth with breeder/owner/handler Mike Carpenter.
At this point the two champions remained in the ring representing the states of Maine and Washington. Announcer Peter Fenton welcomed the reserve champion Fire Run Natalia (Pondview Tres Bien x Rush To Judgement) to center ring as Bob Kellert presented the lovely entry of Fire Run Farm to the check for $2500. This left the champion alone in the spotlight as Cabot French Masterpiece (Serenity Masterpiece x KJM French Confession) earned the top honors and $5,000 for co-owners Debbie Lane and George Schott with Rick Lane handling the winning lead.
Classic Pleasure
The Classic Pleasure division featured large and competitive classes from start to finish in the saddle and driving events. It took a stylish and steady performance to stand out among the outstanding competition.
The competition culminated Saturday night with the East Coast Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship with a field of 11. For Ann Marie Biron, it was the exclamation point on a great week in Northampton to add to an amazing debut season with Boogie Nights. This marked the third win in a row of this class for the world titled son of Born To Boogie and UVM Unity as he has won the title each year with a different rider. From Tara Good to Dawn Fire to Ann Marie Biron, the results have been tricolor. Peeper Ranch directs the perfectly matched team who earlier trotted to victory on a misty Monday afternoon in the Classic Pleasure Saddle Stallion/Gelding class. Under the direction of Moreland Farm, Kristi Evans and SBS Power Play had a strong ride and trotted away with the reserve tricolor for Richard and Donna Evans after a red ribbon performance in the stallion/gelding class as well.
Brenda Varney enjoyed another trip down Northampton’s victory lane aboard her pretty DCS Irresistable as they topped the Classic Pleasure Saddle Mares coached by Rick Stevens. Rare Obsession and Shirley Haas started off the week with the reserve tie under saddle competing from Mike Carpenter Stables.
The ladies sections were clearly the deepest in several divisions at New England. Twenty entries came back for the Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship, and Whitney Hazen rose to the occasion with her beloved Sandcastle Spittin Image as Hazen put on her game face after a leg injury suffered earlier in the day. Together they collected the tricolor ribbon and roses for PlayMor Farm after earning the blue ribbon ride in the ladies geldings qualifier. Shelley Silber matched up beautifully with Outrageous Courageous to collect the reserve honors in both highly competitive classes for Kourt Jester Morgans under the direction of Tim Roesink.
Shelley Silber had a busy Tuesday night as she followed up her ride with Outrageous Courageous by teaming up just four classes later with her world titled partner Intrepid Immortal Beloved for a blue ribbon ride in the ladies mares in her season debut. It may be the last time we see these lovely ladies together as Beloved and her new partner made headlines just two days later. The multi-titled Futurity’s Miss Munitions and Becky Krupp made a smooth transition to the classic division as they added the red ribbons from the ladies saddle mares and ladies driving to the Lowry Stables banner.
Numbers once again reached the double digits in the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Saddle 14-17 division. It certainly was lucky 13 in the championship for Med-E-Oka French Morocco and Maxine Kenny as they earned a tricolor trip to the winner’s circle for Deborah Kenny under the direction John and Sheri Lampropoulos. Standing out in a crowded field of 18 in the qualifier, Syncopation was matched with top-riding Emily Buchanan for the blue ribbon ride and came back on Saturday for the reserve tricolor for Jayne Dubin under the Peeper Ranch banner.
Kristin King enjoyed her first trip to Northampton as she rode Total Recall to the yellow ribbon in the 14-17 championship directed by Rob Marsh. Following a red ribbon in the 14-17 qualifier along with a victory in the novice rider class, Noteworthy and Sarah Fredette carried the white streamers from the championship back to Driftway Meadows. Cingate Susy Q and Caitlyn Lynch had quite a cheering section as they earned the red ribbon in the novice rider class for Heather Mallette.
Equinox Wild Card and Amber Brown held the winning ticket in the Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under division as they claimed top honors in the qualifier and championship for Susan and Jeffrey Evans under the direction of Vintage Valley Stables. Elizabeth Wylie teamed up with Ann Whitman’s fronty Lilac Hill Under Fire for the reserve tricolor performance guided by Jean DeGutis. Victoria Rose Allen and Sweeney’s Midnight Son added the red ribbon from the qualifier along with the third place finish from the championship to the Rolling Oaks banner.
The result of matching a dedicated six-year-old child and the top winning classic pleasure mare in history are proof of why we all love the Morgan breed. One look at Bill and Shelley Silber watching Ariella Silber ride Intrepid Immortal Beloved said it all as they made their eagerly awaited debut to earn the Walk-Trot Classic Pleasure 11 & Under qualifier and championship perfectly prepared by Tim Roesink.
Proud parents Shelley and Bill Silber
greeted daughter Ariella following her
winning walk-trot debut with
Intrepid Immortal Beloved.
Brittany Pothier was in command of her fronty partner Hillwood Who’s Your Daddy as they added the reserve tricolor to the Janbark banner. Derek Hufferd and MJK Assets N Attitudes teamed up for a pair of great rides to collect the red ribbon in the 12 entry qualifier along with the yellow streamers in the championship to the delight of the Indian Creek Farm cheering section.
Twelve riders made their way into the ring for the Novice Classic Pleasure Saddle. Burkland French Tradition and Carla Ferro matched up for a polished ride to add the blue ribbon to the Moreland Farm banner. UVM Kestral and Rachel Crystal carried the red ribbon back to the UVM Morgan Horse Farm banner with Kylee Cochran pairing up with the pretty Tug Hill Slight Indulgence for the yellow ribbon directed by Tim Roesink.
Allyson Wandtke and CN In Grand Style continued their winning streak as they made a pair of victory passes in the Junior Classic Pleasure Saddle qualifier and championship. The perky bay earned the honors for Cindy Nord with Dwayne Knowles training his first of three junior saddle champions on Friday in Northampton. Greg Fancsali was over the moon excited with his performances with Cingate Shoot The Moon. They earned their second of two tricolor as the Junior Classic Pleasure Saddle Reserve Champions for Dennis Fancsali under the direction of Merriehill Farm. Dantree After Hours and Casey McDonald matched up for the reserve finish in the qualifier along with the yellow streamers in the championship with a pair of bold rides for Firewind Morgans.
The East Coast Classic Pleasure Driving Championship featured a dozen of the division’s top winning entries vying for tricolor honors. Debbie Simon and Ensbrook Chain Of Command celebrated a memorable drive down Northampton’s victory lane as they earned the first of two back-to-back East Coast Championships on Friday night for Team Merriehill. The tricolor team started off with the blue ribbon and flowers in the ladies class. Janet Morgan and Libretto’s Bravado continued their tricolor debut season as they added the reserve streamers to the Broadmoor banner.
Ensbrook Chain Of Command and Debbie Simon
Last year’s East Coast Championship team enjoyed another trip to Northampton’s winner’s circle as Rare Obsession and Shirley Hass topped the Classic Pleasure Driving Mare class directed by Mike Carpenter Stables. CBMF Can’t Touch Me and Ann Hailey picked up the red ribbon with a lovely drive in their only performance of the show.
Dragonsmeade Bravura and Janelle Schroeder caught judge Angell’s eye as they earned dual victory passes in the stallion/gelding and novice classes to add to the Peeper Ranch banner. Jacqueline Clapp and her handsome partner Med-E-Oka Nobel Prize collected the red ribbon in the stallion/gelding class, while Barbara Ray and Rae Of Light finished in reserve in the novice class.
Robert Neimeth took over the lines of Raintree Valedictorian to top the Classic Pleasure Driving Gentlemen class for Misty Meadows Farm. Thomas Lawlor matched up with Mary Ellen Mulligan’s smooth performing Stoneleigh Flair For Life for the red ribbon drive.
Contagious and Jessica Sebring dominated the junior exhibitor section as they were on top of judge Angell’s cards in both the Classic Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor Championship and qualifier to the delight of everyone at Sebring Stables as well as owner Ann Hailey. Maxine Kenny teamed up for her first of two Northampton tricolors as she drove her mom’s new horse World Champion Whispering Rhythm N Blues to add the reserve championship to the Northgate banner. Anna McLallin matched up with On A Mission MEM to add the reserve finish from the qualifier to the lineup of ribbons at PlayMor Farm.
Hartland Best Man was indeed the best man in the Novice Classic Pleasure Driving as Lori Kielceski directed Hartland Morgans’ handsome black performer to the winner’s circle under the direction of Alicia Fraser. Deborah Phelan and Whispering Masqued Man turned in a bold drive to add the reserve finish to The River’s Edge banner.
Eleven horses filled the grandstand ring on Sunday night in the Junior Classic Pleasure Driving qualifier with Roxanne Sardelli and Sarde’s Samurai securing the second of three consecutive blue ribbon performances for Stonegate Farm. They came back four days later to add the Junior Classic Pleasure Driving Championship. Greg Fancsali and the sporty chestnut Cingate Shoot The Moon drove away with the reserve tricolor to the delight of the Merriehill Farm cheering section. Final Judgement and William Filosi scored the red ribbon in the competitive qualifier and finished up with the yellow streamers in the junior championship.
Western Pleasure
Just about every class in the western pleasure division featured Oklahoma titled horses and riders, or those on their way toward that standard. Elegance and beauty were as abundant as ever this year in Northampton and that was never clearer than in the East Coast Western Pleasure Championship.
Treble’s Tanqueray and Judy Nason returned to the spotlight on Friday night as they successfully defended the top honors in the East Coast Western Pleasure Championship. They jogged away with the impressive repeat victory for proud owners Greg and Carol Fleck. After sweeping top honors from the junior division in 2006, Worked In Gold and Jeff Bessey are looking to challenge the very best in the open division as they accepted the reserve honors in the championship following a blue ribbon ride in the gentlemen’s class for Francis Beers.
Hanna Welch and Charlestown Blue Moon enjoyed a show to remember as they picked up the yellow ribbon on Friday night after besting the field of trainers for the blue ribbon in Tuesday night’s stallion/gelding class. They started off with the second place finish in the youth class for proud owner Alison Chickering.
The Ladies Western Pleasure Championship capped a flawless week for the stunning pairing of PJM Sho-Bree-O and Allyson Hughes. The Florida based team jogged away with the tricolor and flowers following matching blue ribbon rides in the open mares and ladies mares classes. Marion Bengtson and her lovely ECP The Seventh Stone collected the Ladies Western Pleasure Reserve Championship. They earlier picked up the red ribbon in the amateur masters performing under the Bellewether banner.
World Champion Bear Brook Supreme Bar enjoyed a return trip to Northampton to open the season. Sammi Hazen rode her handsome entry to the Ladies Western Pleasure Gelding honors, but sat out the indoor championship on Saturday. Troika’s Black Russian and Ling Fu Wylie also began their 2007 campaign in Northampton as they carried the red ribbon from the ladies geldings back to the Peeper Ranch banner. HL My My and Kathleen Peeples added the red ribbon from the ladies mares to their list of accomplishments for Holly Seavitt.
The Novice Western Pleasure blue also went back to the PlayMor banner as STM Victory’s Sharpshooter and Jennifer Hazen hit the target with their performance. Judy Nason guided Rum Brook Immortal Valor to the red ribbon for Jacquelyn Harrington.
The Amateur Western Pleasure Championship was the largest class of Saturday night’s finale as 16 multi-titled teams filed into the indoor arena. When the winning announcement was made, it was a memorable tricolor repeat performance for the 2006 winning team of Mtn Laurel Election Day and Caitlin Harrison. They began the week by besting the field in the youth class for the second year in a row as well. As Dwayne Knowles directed the tricolor team down victory lane on Saturday night, it was announced that it was Caitlin’s final ride on her champion who had just been purchased by Tony Lee.
Dwayne Knowles congratulated Caitlin Harrison
on Mtn Laurel Election Day
The partnership of Patricia West and Chase Manhattan rose to a new level in Northampton as they jogged down victory lane over an amazing group in Monday night’s Amateur Western Pleasure Stallion/Gelding class and concluded with the reserve amateur championship under the direction of Cheri Barber.
Hanna Welch and Meadowair Fire Dance teamed up for the red ribbon in the amateur stallion/gelding class to the delight of the Meadowair Farm family. Wait A Second and Erica Mitchell put on a smooth performance to carry the Amateur Western Pleasure Mares blue to Best Of Both Worlds. They were followed by the consistent team of Master’s First Impression and Robin Vergato.
Natalie Maloof celebrated another fine show with her western pleasure entries. She took the victory pass in the amateur masters aboard her handsome PLF Maximum Results, while Roger Brown also picked up red ribbons with him from the stallion/gelding and gentlemen’s classes. PLF Rare Elegance and Roger Brown had the reserve performance in the open mares as well.
Judy Nason greeted the tricolor winner in the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure Championship once again this year as DFM Poetic Justice and Jenna Britt jogged away with top honors over a wonderful field of 17 following the blue ribbon ride in the 14-17 qualifier. It was celebration time at Sebring Stables as Sara Sebring and Millbrook Spellcaster earned the reserve honors in both classes. Anna McLallin and younger brother Austin dueled it out for third and fourth place ribbons as Anna matched up with Highland Ridge Daniel for third and Austin guided QVM Collector’s Edition to the white ribbon for PlayMor Farm. Austin earlier picked up the red ribbon in the 13 and under class where The Sorceror and Katie Fraser triumphed for Gary and Joann Ward under the Sunny Acres banner.
The Walk/Jog Western Pleasure Championship featured several up and coming young cowgirls. Ashley Carkin and WRS Status Quo had the winning number in the championship as Judy Nason guided them to top honors. Following a blue ribbon ride in the qualifier Rebecca Beets and Sunny Acres Skywalker jogged away with the reserve tricolor to the cheers of the Scussell Stables box. The crowd-pleasing team of Miller Young Fina and Marin Royal Command finished up with the yellow ribbon after collecting the reserve honors in the qualifier.
Monty Kugeler and her beautiful black mare AMHF Missiplicity have enjoyed a fabulous debut season as they brought a winning record from California to Colorado and now added Northampton’s Junior Western Pleasure Championship to the list. The tricolor team performs under the direction of The River’s Edge. Jeff Bessey has another impressive youngster this year as Grand Cru Hollywood Wishes carried the qualifier blue as well as the reserve championship back to Karen Saville. Jason Douglass and ECP Pretty Woman matched up for a polished performance to add the reserve ribbon in the qualifier to the Rand banner for Erika Ramsey.
Hunter Pleasure
The hunter pleasure division is always one of the largest, regardless of what show you’re attending. But at Northampton the numbers are off the charts with many classes divided. A large group of multi-titled entries were complimented by some athletic new challengers.
This division’s finale was held Saturday evening, when a ring full of 14 exceptional horses trotted through the gate in hopes of being crowned the East Coast Hunter Pleasure Champion. The end result was Kathleen Peeples making the tricolor ride for the fifth time in the last seven years. This year she introduced a gorgeous new mare named Ladies Night to her list of East Coast Champions featuring world champions Let’s Boogie (2006), Indian Creek Final Touch (2002 and 2003) and UVM Columbine (2001). In just her second show, the ground-covering daughter of Cedar Creek Harlequin garnered top honors on Saturday night as the newest headliner in a long list for the Brown/Klein Family following a blue ribbon ride in the grandstand ring in the novice mares.
Monty Kugeler and Light Year returned to the site of their team debut from a year ago as they enjoyed another Northampton tricolor. They carried the East Coast Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship back to The River’s Edge after picking up the red ribbon in the stallion/gelding class.
Twin Peak Heritage and Monty Kugeler directed by Mary Cockriel
The world titled field also included MEM Virtual Insanity as Jennifer Piper rode Lauren and Pattee Booth’s sporty bay to the yellow ribbon on Saturday night after a victory in the stallion/gelding class. Dreammaker Whatta Sight and Amanda DuPont turned in a bold ride for the white ribbon in the championship after performing for the red ribbon in the mare class for Jane Thompson.
World Champion Let’s Boogie and Kathleen Peeples opened the season in victorious fashion in Northampton. The dazzling Born To Boogie daughter ate up the track in the grandstand ring performing for matching blues in the ladies mares and open mares classes before carrying the tricolor and flowers from the Ladies Hunter Pleasure Championship back to owner Cynthia Brown Clark. Elizabeth Highgas and Apostrophe put an exclamation point on their show with the Ladies Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship after also collecting the red ribbon in the amateur stallion/gelding class directed by Moreland Farm. The grand field of ladies entries featured Joyce Thoma and her lovely Garland Fleur De Lis picking up the yellow ribbon in the championship following the reserve award in the ladies mares.
Monday night’s Ladies Hunter Pleasure Geldings featured an immense entry of 30 necessitating a split of 15 each section. It was a handsome new face in the division who bested the field in the first section as PWF Good Will Hunting and Sarah Gove teamed up for the blue ribbon and flowers performing for David Rand and Jason Douglass. They were followed by the bold-striding Merriehill Isa Boo and Jessica Cavanaugh in reserve for Epona Morgans LLC.
The second section featured MEM Virtual Reality and Anna Weeks adding a Northampton blue to their great season under the Moreland Farm banner. Hanna Welch continued a busy week with the red ribbon ride aboard Meadowair High Hopes for Andrea Sawyer.
Following the Progressive Obstacles Carriage class, the Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championship opened up a great night of competition in the grandstand ring on Friday night. The tally of 24 entries, was only slightly smaller than last year’s $10,000 Winner Take All competition. While there was no big purse on the line, the distinction of being named New England Amateur Hunter Pleasure Champion and earning the Bonnie Moore Messer Memorial Trophy was prize enough for the 24 horses and riders competing.
When judge Karen Homer Brown’s card was turned in, it became a night to remember for Willowick Neon Lights and Rachel Coombs as they made the tricolor victory pass for Cassandra LaDonne under the direction of Shawn Amazeen and Jen Martel. Monty Kugeler added her riding expertise to Wesley and Shannon Fox’s smooth striding Twin Peak Heritage to carry the reserve tricolor back to Colorado. They started off the week with the victory pass in the 22-entry amateur stallion/gelding class.
The Amateur Hunter Pleasure Mares displayed a group of elegant show ring performers with Andrea’s Radiance and Sara Heffernan earning a trip down victory lane for their efforts. Chris Thoma and KN Curiosity continued a fine first season together as they added the red ribbon to the Cedar Spring Farm banner.
Connie Hose matched up with 2005 East Coast Champion D Bar J Habakkuk to make the victory pass in the Amateur Masters Hunter Pleasure. Craig Cole and CHC Ollie O enjoyed a fine ride to carry the red ribbon back to the Mason Training Stable banner.
Sunday night’s Novice Rider Hunter Pleasure featured 24 horses and riders vying to earn a trip to the winner’s circle. Mary Ziegler and Bittersweet Beau Jangles held the winning number from the immense field. It was Double Or Nothing and Betsy Coco who nabbed the red ribbon for Noelle Thabault.
The huge field in the youth division was the stage for the well-matched team of BMF Take Down The Flag and Whitney Hazen to shine. After being kicked in the leg by a horse during the first round of the 33-entry divided Youth Hunter Pleasure Championship, Hazen dug deep and returned to team up with her grand bay gelding for the tricolor. They had earlier bested the field in the first section of the divided 36-entry youth stallion/gelding qualifier for PlayMor Farm. D Bar J Habakkuk matched up with Kara Hose to add the Youth Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship for owners Hose and Fawcett. The yellow ribbon from the championship also went back to the Windward Stable banner with Riverchase Starbound and Alyssa Peechatka who had triumphed in the second section of the youth stallion/gelding class.
Stephanie Slater enjoyed a great week with her horses as she rode her beautiful Better In Black to the Youth Hunter Pleasure Mares blue under the Taylor River Farm banner. MEM Scan-dal-less and Lauren Foy turned in a fine ride to earn the reserve honors for Michael and Sara Foy.
When the show office announced that the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure 14-17 Championship was being split by age group into two separate championships, there was a sigh of relief. Now the incredible field of 42 was cut down to an even and more manageable split of 21 entries in both the 14-15 and 16-17 age groups.
The 14-15 exhibitors were first to entertain on Thursday afternoon with world champion Chelsey Abate and her sleek black Grand Cru Valentino taking a tricolor ride directed by Melissa Lambrecht. They earlier triumphed in the second section of the 27-entry 14-15 qualifier and were also reserve in the first section of the youth stallion/gelding qualifier. Riverchase Starbound followed in reserve in both classes with Morgan Cioffi in the irons of the flaxen performer in this age group for Denise Fulmer.
The first section of the 14-15 qualifier featured another memorable Northampton ride for Rebecca Boorstein as she matched up with her handsome new partner Z’s Majestic Sensation for the victory pass directed by Lowry Stables for Equilateral Enterprises Inc. Travis Wilson and Stone Pine Sebastian teamed up for the second place honors performing for owners James and Mary McClain.
Kane Creek Oregon Reign and Lauren Knupp knew the way to the winner’s circle as last year’s 14-17 tricolor team earned the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure 16-17 Championship in their second visit to Northampton. Katie Mair directed the strong and determined team who also took the victory pass in the second section of the 16-17 qualifier.
Lauren Knupp and Kane Creek Oregon Reign
Stephanie Slater added to a great show as she matched up with her bold striding Sight Unseen for the reserve tricolor honors. The well-matched team of Under Fire and Bianca Abella added the yellow streamers from the championship to the red ribbon earned in the second section of the 16-17 qualifier.
The first section of the 16-17 qualifier featured an impressive victory for Cingate Lucky Strike and Rachel Hamlin performing under the direction of Jackie Ross. JJF The Big Easy and Kristin King turned in a fine ride to add the reserve finish to the Flintlock Farm banner.
The competition in the younger age group was just as phenomenal with 22 youngsters competing in the first round of the 13 and under. Night Out made the return trip to Northampton following his historic victory a year ago with owner Jennifer Grey in the $10,000 Winner Take All Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championship. This time Annie Thurber had the honor of riding the stellar gelding to the blue and tricolor honors in the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure 13 and Under to add to the Sterling Training Center banner. Abby Raucher and Garland High Lilly combined for an outstanding performance to add the reserve tricolor to the JP Stables banner for owner Denise Sondak. The red ribbon in the qualifier went to the adorable team of Mattina’s Splendition and Eliza Hine.
The theme of large and competitive classes held true in the walk and trot sections of hunter pleasure as well. Hollybrook Wild Heart and Devann Lapointe enjoyed the thrill of victory in the Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure 10-11 Championship for the second year in a row, once again coming back from their reserve finish in their 12-entry qualifier. They had quite a cheering section headed by proud parents Mike and Cherylann Lapointe. The qualifier winners Eire Crest Splendid Lady and Sadie Reynolds added another fine performance as they claimed the reserve championship coached by Scott Travers.
Nicholas Roberts and TJB Opinionated enjoyed defending the Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure 9 & Under Championship as they carried the tricolor back to their proud family after starting off with the red ribbon in the qualifier. The Howe family cheered on Ultra’s Legal Advantage and Katie Howe as they earned the qualifier blue along with the reserve championship coached by Judy Nason.
Proving the future of this division is as strong as the present, the junior horse competition was outstanding. Kathleen Peeples’s string of young horses earned headlines as did her open and ladies champions. She started off the week with the victory pass in the four-year-old class aboard Reserve World Champion SBK Sasha’s Beau. Sasha Klein then took over the reins of the look-alike son of World Champion Mirabel’s Isabeau for the reserve ride in the second section of the youth stallion/gelding class. Peeples then paired up with another four-year-old HVK Bell Flaire son, as she rode Jerome and Shirley Modell’s handsome Gradell Ring My Bell to make dual victory passes in the UPHA Hunter Pleasure Classic and the Junior Hunter Pleasure Championship.
Amanda DuPont and the bold-striding TTA Knight Of Glory repeated the Junior Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship that they also won a year ago and also added the UPHA Hunter Pleasure Classic Reserve Championship for Andrea Groeff. Storyville and Jamie Gerardi paired up for the yellow ribbon in the junior championship as well as the reserve in the four-year-old class for the McLellan/Cooley partnership.
The Three-Year-Old Hunter Pleasure featured a blue ribbon debut for the extravagant MEM Once Again with proud owner Misty Pleiness in the irons under the direction of Mary Carlton. Sarah Gove directed Garland Movado to the second place finish in the group of promising youngsters for Chelsea Miller.
Gloria Henry and Townshend Out On The Town enjoyed their blue ribbon ride in the Novice Hunter Pleasure Stallion/Gelding class directed by Cedar Spring Farm. They were followed by HVK Voyant, performing with Judy Nason for Lynn Carothers. In the novice mares, Hygreet’s Ivena and Valerie Brown finished in second place for Darcy Delaney.
Equitation
After diligent preparation heading into this all-important show, some of the nation’s best equitation riders were ready to compete at the New England Morgan Horse Show. Solid numbers and talented riders were evident in every class, proving the popularity, strength and importance of the equitation division.
The Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship served as the finale for the equitation classes taking place during the Saturday evening session. Emily Buchanan and her partner Mantic Top Gun brought a winning record from throughout the Midwest as Buchanan made her first trip to Northampton. Sandy Sessink had Buchanan and her mount focused and ready for the challenge as they performed with precision on the rail and in the individual workout to capture the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. They started off the week with the victory pass in the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal as well as the red ribbon in the 14-17 qualifier.
The team of Emily Buchanan, Mantic Top Gun
and instructor Sandy Sessink
World titled Brittany Schilling and Highover All The Rage repeated their titles of a year ago as they collected the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Reserve Championship after making the victory pass with a precise ride in the 14-17 age group directed by Jean DeGutis.
The third place ribbon in the senior championship also went back to the Janbark banner as Meghan Bradley added to her reserve finish in the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal. Last year’s senior champion Kate Alderman picked up the white ribbon in the championship along with the reserve finish in the Senior UPHA Challenge Cup with Minion Absolut. Kristin Chandler enjoyed a trip down victory lane in the Senior UPHA Challenge Cup and closed out with the pink ribbon in the championship directed by Suzanne Habarek.
The Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship also featured a competitive group of riders performing on the rail and in individual workouts in the indoor arena. Kate Kielceski enjoyed a ride to remember with her perfectly matched partner Hermitage Avatar as they posted the tricolor victory following a precise pattern directed by Alicia Fraser. Following a blue ribbon ride in the 13 and under qualifier, Nason Lee Bastarache and Hollybrook Romeo added the reserve tricolor coached by Sarah Gove.
Hayley Porter and Versailles matched up to carry the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup back to the Janbark banner as well as the red ribbon from the 13 & under qualifier. Carolyn Spinelli and RRG Reign Man picked up the red ribbon from the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup representing Taylor River Farm.
Alexandra Frangiosa showed off her skills in both the pleasure and equitation divisions in Northampton. Matched with Think About It MEM, Frangiosa made the victory pass in the Walk and Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 10-11 Championship directed by Jean DeGutis. Emily Tarr and Born Yesterday collected the reserve tricolor for the second year in a row coached by the Sogoloffs of Cedar Spring Farm. The tables were turned in the qualifier where Emily Tarr made the grandstand ring victory pass with Alexandra Frangiosa in reserve.
Kasey Saccocia earned her first of two Northampton tricolors as she rode her adorable Indian Creek Belle Star to the Walk and Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 9 & Under Championship. They earlier topped the qualifier with a focused ride under the direction of Kristen Cater. Nicholas Roberts enjoyed a stellar week in the hunt and saddle seat divisions as Cindy Mugnier directed him to the reserve tricolor here aboard Dial Wild. Siara Clemmey and Bilzone’s GQ Material picked up the red ribbon in the qualifier with a poised ride instructed by Jean DeGutis.
The Classic Saddle Seat Equitation division continues to grow and prosper. The championship featured a tricolor sweep for the riders from Rolling Oaks as Maggie Smith captured the victory aboard Auhl Turned Out following a blue ribbon ride in the 14-17 qualifier. Following a win in the 13 and under qualifier, Victoria Rose Allen and Sweeney’s Midnight Son followed their stable-mates as the reserve champions.
Maggie Smith and Auhl Turned Out
Amy Podesva and Season’s Supreme Challenge carried the red ribbon back to Rolling Oaks in the 14-17 qualifier, while Quinn Mercier earned the reserve honors in the 13 and under qualifier from Amazeen Stables.
The Walk and Trot Classic Saddle Seat Equitation division featured a tricolor sweep for young the riders of Equitation Unlimited in a large and competitive field. Brittany Pothier showed determination and poise as she rode Hillwood Who’s Your Daddy To the tricolor. Lauren White matched up with Cingate Mystere for the reserve tricolor. This was a reversal from the qualifier where Lauren White earned the blue ribbon and a big round of applause, while Brittany Pothier picked up the red ribbon and the admiration of her cheering section.
Brittany Pothier and Lauren White
Saturday morning offered a chance for the industry’s youngest competitors to shine. The Leadline Saddle Seat 7 and Under featured a fine group of youngsters gaining some early show ring experience. Genevieve Kerr displayed her budding talent as she earned a trip down victory lane to the cheers of the appreciative audience under the direction of Jean DeGutis. The field of promising young equestrians also included ribbon presentations to Charlotte Smith, Kellie Saccocia, Nicole Kaufman, Tahla Gatewood, Carly Lettre, Jordy Shepard, Darian Shepard, Erin Flannery and Kira Gendjar.
Numbers remained very high in the hunt seat equitation division and one of the largest classes was the Hunt Seat Equitation 14-17 Championship with 26 riders filling the ring and six riders asked to perform the individual workout. Stevie Meder duplicated the title she also won in 2005 as she matched up with Manchester In Demand for the tricolor ride following a blue ribbon win in the second section of the 31-rider divided 14-17 qualifier under the Taylor River Farm banner. Alyssa Rumsey enjoyed her Northampton performances as she matched up with Merriehill The Lion King for the reserve tricolor after taking the victory pass in the first section of the qualifier for Triumph Stables.
Last year’s 14-17 tricolor team of Lauren Knupp and Kane Creek Oregon Reign followed up with the yellow ribbon from the championship in addition to the red ribbon in the second section of the qualifier. Morgan Cioffi collected the red ribbon in the first section of the qualifier in addition to her top performances in the pleasure division.
The blue ribbon from the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal added to the Windward Farm banner as Alyssa Peechatka posted the victory and qualified for a slot in the finals. Rebecca Boorstein enjoyed great rides from the pleasure, over fences and equitation divisions as MXM Breezy Knight was her mount for the second place finish in the medal directed by Lowry Stables.
Lexi Chruscicki and Quaker’s Astrid have made it a habit of starring on Northampton’s victory lane. With polish on the rail and in the individual workout, they carried New England’s Hunt Seat Equitation 13 and Under Championship back to Reindance Stables for the third year in a row. They earlier bested the field of 20 in the qualifier. Kyle Sewing enjoyed the reserve tricolor ride with a precise performance. Abby Raucher added the yellow streamers from the championship to the red ribbon in the qualifier as part of a great show under the JP Stables banner.
McKinlie Carpenter was the toast of Meadowmere Farm as she posted the Hunt Seat Equitation Walk and Trot 10-11 Championship victory. Jeanna Jarvis earned a trip down victory lane as the reserve champion. The top two spots in the large and promising field in the 10-11 walk and trot qualifier were occupied Devann Lapointe and Angelina Ditta, respectively.
Nicholas Roberts started off his 2007 Northampton tricolor streak with the winning ride in the Walk-Trot Hunt Seat Equitation 9 & Under Championship partnered with TJB Opinionated. They started off with the red ribbon ride in the qualifier under the watchful eye of Cindy Mugnier. Katie Howe earned her first of two reserve tricolors coached by Judy Nason and cheered on by her family and friends. Rebecca Beets showed off her polish as she made the victory pass in the qualifier directed by Ann Scussell.
The youngest hunt seat equitation riders also competed on Saturday morning. Kayley Qua’s practice made perfect as she was named the class winner directed by Jackie Ross with Jesse Meder, Lauren Santoro, Erin Flannery, Jenna Blocher and Thomas Mercier enjoying ribbons and prizes from their memorable rides.
The AMHA Hunter Seat Over Fences Medal required skill, determination and dedication. Alaina Savage earned a shot at the finals with the winning ride while Andrea Moran posted the second place finish.
For the AMHA dressage medal, riders age 21 and under complete Training Level Test 4. As with the other equitation medal classes, the winner earns a spot in the Gold Medal class at the Grand National. This year's winner at New England was Michelle Simons, riding her horse Cresent Lake Berry Wyne. Earning a reserve in this large class was Kara Lynne Fidler and her WB Absence of Malice.
Experience was definitely evident in the Western Seat Equitation Championship as several of the nine riders have had their turn at earning tricolor victories at prestigious shows. Riding DFM Poetic Justice, Jenna Britt had a flawless workout to be named the champion for the second year in a row. They started off with the blue ribbon ride in the qualifier directed by Judy Nason. Nicole Evans turned in a smooth and steady ride aboard Futurity’s On The Mark for the reserve tricolor finish under the Moreland Farm banner. Stephanie Fejes closed out her partnership with PTR Raz Ma Taz with the yellow streamers from the championship following the reserve ride in the qualifier with the Broadmoor team cheering from the stands.
Christine Harb earned her pass to compete in Oklahoma by striking gold in the AMHA Western Seat Medal under the CPM Stables banner. Brittany Russo did a great job riding Dare You All for the red ribbon coached by Kathleen Peeples.
The walk and jog division was dominated once again by Miller Young Fina as she polished off a pair of wins in the Walk Trot Western Seat Equitation Championship and the 11 and under qualifier. She earned the titles for the second year in a row with Marin Royal Command directed by Barbara Irvine. Ashley Carkin jogged away with the reserve honors matched with WRS Status Quo under the Bellewether banner.
Philip Roberts made his family and fan club proud after being named the Leadline Western winner with a blue ribbon ride aboard Barbara Irvine’s Marin Royal Command. Daniel Wesson, Erin Flannery, Cole Meeker and Zoie Marsh also took home ribbons and precious memories from their show ring appearances.
Specialty Classes
Northampton features a variety of classes for all disciplines of Morgans, no matter the specialty. The Roadster division is always an exciting division as the speedsters take to the track in Northampton. Due to the weather, Saturday night’s East Coast Roadster To Bike Championship was held in the cozy confines of the indoor arena. That let the railbirds get up close and personal with the entries flying by.
The tougher the competition, the faster Arboria Victorious goes. This was certainly the case on Saturday night as Lynn Peeples guided Paul Calandra’s fast-hustling bay gelding across the finish line in tricolor fashion. This marked the third East Coast Roadster To Bike Championship title to match those won in 2004 and 2006. Paul Calandra was in the driver’s seat on Tuesday night to make the victory pass in the amateur class.
MEM No Inhibitions made the return trip to her native New England carrying the colors of The River’s Edge. Bob Kellert opened the week driving down victory lane in the nine entry Open Roadster To Bike on Monday night and closed out the week with the East Coast Roadster To Bike Reserve Championship. Owner Alison Bendele breezed across the finish line in the Roadster Under Saddle to the cheers of the large Friday night audience in the grandstand ring.
The Saturday night competition gave the crowd another chance to cheer on the always crowd-pleasing speedster Blk Orchid Live From NY as Percy McDaniel guided the Clint and Linda Barber entry to the yellow ribbon. Three-year-old Dragonsmeade Maxmara threw his name in contention with the red ribbon drive in the open qualifier directed by Luman Wadhams for Chuck Hudson. Grace Steere matched up with her newest partner Dragonsmeade Virtuoso as she introduced him with a reserve finish in the amateur class. It was a beaming Jennifer Hazen who gave HVK March Flaire a memorable ride for the red ribbon in the saddle class for PlayMor Farm.
The Road Hack Championship featured a smooth and ground-covering tricolor ride for Rumor Has It and Elizabeth Young Fina. This well matched team earlier won matching blue ribbons in the open and amateur qualifiers for Barbara Irvine. KH Chapter One and Ashley Brown turned in a wide-open ride to collect the reserve tricolor for Pattee Booth and Winged Spur Ranch. Mt Pleasant Echo’s Quality and Megan Lesperence picked up a pair of red ribbons in the open and amateur qualifiers.
The Pleasure Driving Specialty competition saw Nancy Caisse and Townshend Pep’s Martini add a blue ribbon to the historic Townshend Farm banner. Reflection Of Nightwind and Dottie Brittingham picked up the red ribbon in this diverse group for Tom and Marla Wisehart.
The adept navigational skills of horses and riders were tested in the Trail class with Greenvale Shanty and Jacquelyn Pitoniak earning the blue ribbon ahead of second place finisher Three D Renegade with Hillary Wiles Lafayette.
Hunter/Jumper
The hunter/jumper division at Northampton kicked off the sport horse segment of the show with their classes being held in the infield on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each hunter division consists of two over fences classes and an under saddle (on the flat) class, as well as an over fences stake in all divisions except the beginner crossrails and the working hunter.
The well-filled beginner hunter division kicked off the competition on Tuesday morning. Making a clean sweep with blues in both of the over crossrails classes as well as the under saddle, THS Love Me Tender and owner Stephanie Gilbody easily took the tricolor. Reserve went to Three D Renegade with Christian Wiles Lafayette in the irons for owner Hillary Wiles Lafayette after a second place finish over crossrails and a fourth under saddle.
The Suitable Hunter division followed, where the height of the jumps goes up to 2'. Champion in this division was MXM Breezy Knight with Rebecca Boorstein for Equilateral Enterprise Inc. This team earned their championship through a victory in the first over fences class as well as the $300 Suitable Over Fences Stake adding to the versatile list of champions from Lowry Stables. Reserve honors went to Queechee's Black Rose with Raryn McGrath up for owner Marianna Vikse after their first and second place finishes in the over fences classes and a third under saddle.
Three D Renegade earned another tricolor, this time with owner Hillary Wiles Lafayette in the Low Hunter division after the pair earned a string of impressive placings, including firsts in over fences and the over fences stake, and second over fences and under saddle. Equinox Jamboree and owner Sheila Porrini took the reserve champion title thanks to victories in the first over fences class as well as under saddle.
Fences went up to 3' for the working hunter division. Cream Hill Blue Moon and Alaina Savage took the top honors in this division with an over fences victory as well as a blue ribbon in the under saddle class. Representing the University of Connecticut, UC Buckingham and Andrea Moran took the reserve after an over fences blue and seconds over fences and under saddle. UC Buckingham and Andrea Moran also took top honors in the large hunter hack class, where horses are judged both under saddle and over two fences.
Jumpers had their time in the spotlight on Wednesday. Though the show offers fewer jumper classes than hunter, it drew plenty of entries and is a treat for spectators. That's My Nick and Amanda DuPont were crowned champions of this division after victories in Low Jumper II and Low Jumper III and a second place finish in Low Jumper I. That's My Nick is owned by Kathy Pierce. Reserve honors went to MEMC Diamonds Are Forever and owner Carrie Wind. This pair finished second in both Low Jumper II and Low Jumper III. Greenvale Shantily Rose and Jacquelyn Pitoniak leapt to victory in the Low Jumper I.
Carriage
While the show horses took the stage in the Grandstand Ring, the majority of the carriage division went on across the street in the outfield and in the infield arena as well. This division is very popular, and Morgans simply excel at it. These athletes continued their classes through the torrential downpours that turned the Three County Fairgrounds into the Great Lakes on Saturday, and then splashed through their obstacle classes in those newly formed lakes through the afternoon. At the end of Saturday afternoon's session the top teams in the carriage division came into the main arena for the working championship along with the presentation of the championship awards.
In the arena driving division, Lyn Howard and Shalako took the Section A Championship. This section is for drivers who have not competed in more than 12 recognized shows or won 12 blue ribbons. Lyn and Shalako earned their championship after impressive placings throughout the week, including wins in Arena Driving Hazards and Carriage Dressage Training Level test 3-A. Taking reserve in that section was Coakley Farms JS Mosby with owner Catherine Malinowski at the lines. The pair also won the Cross Country Obstacles earlier in the week.
Section B is for horses who have not competed in more than 12 recognized shows or won more than 12 blue ribbons. In this section, HAI Stormy Edition and Gino Guaraldi took top honors for owner Elva Hutchinson. Sheradins Lyric and owner Gina Handy took reserve.
The final section in arena driving is Section C, open to all horses and drivers. Last year's reserve champions, Jeff Morse and SBS Risky Business, stepped up and took the championship. This talented team earned this honor after winning a large Arena Driving Hazards class, the Carriage Dressage Preliminary Level 4 and the Progressive Obstacles class that opened the Friday evening session in the Grandstand Ring. This pair also took the reserve in Cross Country Obstacles.
Jeff Morse and SBS Risky Business
Reserve champions in section C were New England veterans DRF Sea Wolf and Tim Morrell for owner Carol Ramsey-Rice. This flashy chestnut had an impressive third place finish in the tough Cross Country Obstacles as well as in the Carriage Dressage Intermediate Level Test 2.
In the pleasure driving division, Coakley Farms JS Mosby and Catherine Malinowski were welcomed back to center ring again, this time for the championship. Earlier in the week they had won first place in the Carriage Pleasure Working for Section A. Shalako and Lyn Howard took reserve championship this time around, having also taken reserve in the Carriage Pleasure Working class.
For Section B's pleasure division, The Sorcerer and Dale Vidler stepped up and took the tricolor for owners Gary and Joann Ward. This team had earned blue ribbons in Super Reinsmanship and Carriage Pleasure Working. This versatile horse was also a competitive Western Pleasure contender at New England. HAI Stormy Edition and Gino Guaraldi made a second appearance in the winners' circle, taking a reserve in Section B pleasure.
Section C saw another champion-reserve switch from the arena driving to pleasure. Tim Morrell and DRF Sea Wolf took the top award in this division thanks to first place finishes in the Super Reinsmanship as well as in a big Carriage Pleasure Working class for Section C. SBS Risky Business and Jeff Morse earned their reserve honors with a second place finish in Super Reinsmanship and third in Carriage Pleasure Working.
In carriage driving Section D is the division for junior exhibitors. This year, the Section D championship went to Selects Command It with Ryan Tilley on the lines. This young driver had a successful week, earning first place in Carriage Dressage Training Level Test 1 and a second in Carriage Pleasure Working. UC Rianna and Katie Santer were reserve champions, having also taken a blue in Super Reinsmanship as well as Carriage Pleasure Working. Both these horses are owned by Gino Guaraldi.
One of the top honors that a judge can bestow upon a carriage competitor is the Councours D'Elegance. It is not held as a separate class, but as a "competition of elegance" where the judge chooses the competitor he feels is the most elegantly turned-out representative of the carriage division throughout the show. Looking elegant in ninety-degree weather one day and flooding rains the next is no easy feat. However, judge John Greenall found Oak Alley Bravado and owner Amy Severino worthy of the award. More than just a good-looking team, this pair also earned a blue in Super Reinsmanship for Section A earlier in the week. The multi-talented Coakley Farms JS Mosby and Catherine Malinowski earned a reserve nod for the Councors D'Elegance.
Though not part of the carriage championship competition, the Park Carriage class is a treat for spectators in the main arena. This year Tim Morrell proved he is the driver to beat in this class, taking the Carol Ramsey-Rice owned entry DRF Sea Hawk to the blue ribbon. Woodnbrook High N Mighty with Peter Webster took reserve for owners Susan and Whitney Therrien. This pair was also quite a contender in the division, with wins in Arena Driving Hazards and Cross Country Obstacles in Section B.
The list of top performers from the carriage division also included 28-year-old Orcland Supreme Echo, FR Freedom’s First, and Graywood’s Lacelot.
The carriage driving competition was a great success, thanks to a fantastic group of competitors as well as dedicated officials including Sport Horse Coordinator William Hutchinson, Driving Coordinators Susan Koso and Elsie Rodney and Technical Delegate Mickey Bowen.
Dressage
The dressage division at New England showcases not only the versatility of the Morgan, but also how dressage can be a great sport for all types of horses. Dressage is growing in popularity more and more in the United States, and within the Morgan community. Judging by the large numbers, especially in the junior rider classes, it's safe to say that this division will continue to grow as more and more Morgan dressage riders move up the ranks.
Dressage riders have the benefit of a relatively cool and shady area for their competition. Unfortunately, the flip side of that is that, like the carriage drivers, several of Saturday's classes were held in the pouring rain and in the saturated ground that came with it. However, dressage riders were welcomed into the main arena for the presentation of championship awards at the beginning of the Saturday evening session.
For the senior riders, the Training Level champion was the bold-moving bay, The Legacy of Scot Madison with owner Tess Strumwasser in the irons. This came after victories in large Training Level Test 1, Test 2 and Test 4 classes.
The Legacy of Scot Madison
and Tess Strumwasser
Homeward Bayberry and owner Elizabeth Smith-Price took reserve honors in this division, with second place finishes in Test 2 and Test 3.
Training Level champion for the junior riders was Senator Burns and his owner Morgan Matuszko. This pair took home the top placing in Test 4 and a second place in Test 1. Reserve went to veteran Taproot Old Glory with Catherine O'Neil for owner Kristi Haines after earning a blue ribbon for Test 2 and a second in Test 3.
First Level championship honors for the senior riders went to the lovely liver chestnut Sagamore Domino with his owner Michaelana Richardson. The pair also took home blues in Test 1 and Test 4, and a second in Test 3. Taproot Old Glory again took reserve, this time with owner Kristi Haines. They earned their award through first place victories in Test 2 and Test 3, and a second place in Test 4.
Canequin's Letter Perfect and owner Kara Norton came out on top of the First Level, junior rider division, with firsts in Tests 2, 3 and 4. Reserve went to Nation's Dancer and Deirdre Craven after their victory in Test 1. This pair also had a successful show in the hunter under saddle, over fences, and jumper division.
Second Level champion was the talented GKB Coal Magic with rider Lucy Tidd for owner Joanna Kelley. They earned an impressive string of Second Level victories, earning top honors in all four tests. Reserve went to Rose Vale Leggo, a stunning black horse ridden by Dee Loveless for Bill Broe. This pair earned second place honors in Tests 3 and 4.
GKB Coal Magic and Lucy Tidd came back to the winners' circle for their victory in Third Level. This seemingly unstoppable team again had a blue ribbon sweep with victories in tests 1 and 2. Reserve went to Bonnie Lee Mona Lisa and Stephanie Chandler for owner Linda Delene.
The dressage division also produced top scores and blue ribbons for Twelve Oaks Intrepid, FCF Tanqueray, Oak Creek Rebel Spirit, Wintergreen Sultana, Graycliff Caravaggio, Lone Oak Chance and Okaw’s Midnight Lace.
Thanks to Dressage Coordinator Edith Root, Technical Delegate Mickey Bowen, and judge Jan Gille for their roles in this year's successful dressage competition.
This concludes the highlights of New England Regional Horse Show. Complete results can be found by clicking here.
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