New England's Premier Production Continued
Friday, May 6, 2005
The fine harness division was a pleasant surprise in terms of quality and numbers. The classes weren't overflowing by any means, but they were competitive. Kiri looked every bit the part of Fine Harness Grand Champion and open champion with John Champagne at the lines for Margot Harwood. Jan Lukens presented Katrina Wood's home-bred Galad to take reserve twice.
John Champagne also collected the winning loot in the Amateur Fine Harness Championship as he sent Janet Sterba and She's A Starburst to the winner's circle. It was their second trip down victory lane for the week. She's A Starburst was new to the harness division as was twice reserve champion Callaway's Whirligig. The reserve grand champion was presented by Sue Spann under the direction of Cricket Hill Farm.
Celtic Charmer was the top youngster in the UPHA Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Classic. Representing her DelTorchio family's High Tail Acres, Deidre Henry made the winning drive for owner Nancy Reed. Doreen Weston had Jet Lee in the reserve money for Smoke Hollow Farm.
The Saddlebred show pleasure division featured large numbers in several events. With 11 in the qualifier and 10 in the second round, both gaited pleasure classes were very competitive. The new combination of Caroline Deshaies and Berry Garcia proved unstoppable this week by taking both victory passes. No stranger to the top, Titleist Commander and Traci Van Horn were twice reserve. Raye Lynn Funkhouser and The King Of Music carried home the yellow streamers from the championship as did Megan Ryan and CH Rastafarian in the qualifier.
Janet Sterba was a driving machine at the Spring Premiere. Besides her fine harness wins, she presented Shamanic Dream to win the Show Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier for Steve and Lisa Gumenick. Sally Kropp and Black Ice twice trotted off with reserve honors.
One of several world's champions on hand for the week, CH Bonnie Buck came out firing to win the Adult Show Pleasure Championship and qualifier under the direction of David Cater at Cricket Hill Farm. The up and coming talent of Society's Upperkrust scored two reserves with Cheryl Innis riding for Somersdream and trainer Ricky Harris. Stablemate Cashmere and Swede was third in the championship with Leslee Hill aboard.
Another Cricket Hill entry, Power Source, was the Novice Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Champion. They warmed up with a victory pass in the novice adult qualifier. With two consistent shows, Diane Ahlin and Livin' On A Prayer KMC were twice reserve.
Juvenile pleasure was broken down into two age groups with world's champion CH Lover's Heir ruling the 14-17 division. Cassi Wentz was the winning jockey in both the qualifier and championship for Wentz Stables. A strong group of challengers included twice reserve champion City Gypsy, ridden by Christie Milbury.
The tricolors kpet returning to the blue and green curtains of Cricket Hill Farm. Adding to the tally was 13 & Under Juvenile Show Pleasure Grand Champion and qualifying winner CH Callaway's Publicist. Caroline Rose was at the top of her game delivering two splendid rides. Highpoint's Merlot was a tasty reserve both times out with Kirby Tapper riding from the Wentz Stables. Alyson Sandler provided two good catch rides to earn the yellow streamers in both classes for Doreen Weston.
Novice pleasure honors went the way of Dark Heiress, an entry ridden by Rachel Cyrstal for Jennifer Smith. Leslee Hill guided Cashmere and Swede to the the red ribbon.
Coming off a winning performance at Raleigh, The Princess Dianna made it two for two in 2005 winning the Junior Pleasure Prospect class. Of the seven entries, I'm Simply Divine was the reserve winner for trainer Ronnie Graham and owner Canterlope Farm.
Nicholas Villa has built a good business in New England in a short time. He topped the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic with Avery Kepple's Bella Dahl, while David Arnold rode Memories Of 42nd Street to the reserve money.
The youngest riders also had their time in the spotlight as 12 competed for the Walk-Trot Pleasure Saddle Seat Championship. Having already made a victory pass in the qualifier, Alexandra Frangiosa and Think About MEM were unstoppable in the championship as well. This division was full of winning young riders as Alexandra Percoco and Dakota Cloudburst were twice reserve champions, followed by Krystle Doyle and Buck's Federal Express in third and Max Liberty aboard Hyland Acres Command for fourth in the championship round.
Jan Lukens usually has a good show at the Spring Premiere and this year was no exception. She directed Jayne Romano and Champagne Mizz-T-Phi down victory lane in both the Country Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. Genius Poetic Justice was judge Krussell's choice for reserve in both events.
When results were turned in for the Adult Country Pleasure Championship Jean Heiney and Rockin the Blues topped the card just as they did in the qualifier. Moving up to reserve grand champion honors was Roberta Hirshon with Gone Native. Kate Harvey Codeanne had a good ride aboard The Petite Princess for third place honors after taking reserve in the limit class.
Also moving up, Bi Mi Malahene and TJ Santaferra started out reserve in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure class but then came back for a tricolor ride under the direction of John and Elaine Gregory. Worthy Of The Name and Jessica Ribiero moved up four places to take reserve grand champion honors. The qualifying round featured Jessica Moctezuma and Some Kind Of Magic in the winner's circle. They also won the limit class.
Novice riders on country pleasure horses had a good turn out and going home with championship memories was Leslie Hagenow aboard Touch The Fire. They collected the red ribbon in the first round for novice riders. SS Inner Vision and Mary Kitkish commanded reserve championship honors, while qualifying winners Stonewall's Night Of Pandemonium and Mary Coon were third in the championship.
The majestic gray gelding, CH A Magic Surprise, will certainly go down as one of the best of the Western Pleasure division. In addition to flag duties, he won the Country Western Pleasure Championship and qualifier with owner Pat Johnson aboard from North Wind Stables. Julie Lanoch's Manhattan Medic was reserve grand champion.
Moving back to the Morgan division, there was plenty of excitement up and down the board. No one came to compete against him, however, the multi-titled champion Cedar Creek Pazazz was quite impressive in his new division. Dr. Grace Steere drove the Morgan Roadster To Bike Grand Champion and open winner.
Morgan High Point Trainer David Rand made several winning presentations. In addition to coaching Dr. Steere and Cedar Creek Pazazz, he rode WSG Wham O to the Morgan English Pleasure Jackpot Championship. Although he didn't have to qualify for the Jackpot class, he also rode the impressive championship to the open class blue. Trimmed in white and talented with his legs, Total Recall was reserve Jackpot grand champion with Ann Anderson riding for Peter and Pam Janetatos. Anderson was the Reserve Morgan High Point Trainer as well.
No stranger to the winner's circle, OH Independence Hall made the last pass as the Morgan Amateur English Pleasure Grand Champion with Serena Chaves aboard. Dottie Brittingham was the winning trainer and Missy Ayers was the winning owner. They had traded places with qualifying winner Hillwood Irish Revenue, ridden by Jamie Kalalas for Susan Kalalas.
A stablemate to Hillwood Irish Revenue, Think About It MEM scored the top honors in the Ladies Morgan English Pleasure class. Nikki Rae Woodworth was the winning rider for Alexandra Frangiosa. Amy Neifert presented CBMF Belle Fleur to exit the ring with the red prize for owner/breeder Ann Hailey.
Another tricolor was hung on the RAND tack room curtains as Adrianna Liberty and Ultra's Proclamation turned it on and moved ahead of six other challengers for the Morgan Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship. Qualifying winner The Bachelor MEM was again right there to take reserve grand champion honors for top riding Tricia Morrison.
David Rand kept returning to the winner's circle. He greeted Amanda Poirier and Hollybrook Sabrina there for the Novice Morgan English Pleasure win ahead of Ann Anderson and Total Recall. Rand also rode Monnington Wish to the junior pleasure blue for the Raymond Ramsey family. John Lampropoulos and Alansa's Dark Knight were reserve in that one.
A great addition to the Morgan mix was Taylor River Farm. With Richard Boule driving for the Gove family of Taylor River Farm, Cartier was crowned the Morgan Pleasure Driving Grand Champion and open winner. They had strong competition from twice reserve champions Whispering Rhythm-N-Blue and Sheri Lampropoulos.
The top two from the Amateur Morgan Pleasure Driving class traded places in the championship. The reserve champion victory pass was made by qualifying winner OH Inspiration, driven by Kathy Ranzinger. Moving up from their reserve in the qualifier, Ann Hailey and Contagious marched down victory lane as the grand champions from Sebring Stables.
Sebring also drove CBMF Strike Zone to top honors as the Junior Morgan Pleasure Driving Champion for Patricia Lloyd. Ann Anderson presented Fred and Christine Nava's Say A Little Prayer to the reserve honors. Sebring made a return to the winner's circle with UPHA Morgan Pleasure Driving Classic Champion CBMF Mozambique. Sheri Lampropoulos debuted with an interesting youngster named Arpeggio to command the reserve money in the quality filled class.
As they are in many parts of the country, Friesians are gaining in popularity within the show ring. They were well represented at UPHA Spring Premiere, showing in both the Friesian classes and open saddle and driving events. The star of New England for a few seasons now, Jorrit was the Friesian Pleasure Saddle Grand Champion and champion with David Arnold aboard for Lou and Delia Fox. Loek Neimeth had a blast aboard Teakes to command two reserve prizes under the direction of Jaisen von Ballmoos.
Morgan Classic Pleasure was strong as ever with 10 competing for the saddle championship. It's hard to beat the Barbara Irvine-trained Rumor Has It and no one did this week. With Elizabeth Young Fina aboard, Rumor Has It was the Classic Pleasure Saddle Grand Champion, open winner, and ladies winner. Strolling down victory lane in the junior/novice section, Queen's Earth Angel was the reserve grand champion. Aboard her new mount, Indian Creek Belle Star, Jill Saccocia turned in the reserve performance from the ladies class. Minion Crossfire and Robert Neimeth were second in the junior/novice event.
Katherine Bennett was thrilled with her week in W. Springfield. In addition to her dad, John Bennett, being put into the UPHA Chapter 14 Hall Of Fame, she directed Brynne Cummings and Portrait In Red to the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship and qualifying blue. They also won the Morgan Classic Pleasure Equitation class. Merriehill Wish Me Well made the Reserve Classic Pleasure Saddle Champion victory pass with Gaetanna Daleiso-Spina, while Kehle Osborne-Trussell and The Lion King were reserve in the qualifying round.
The tricolor returned to Hobby Knoll Stables following the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving Championship. It was the second victory pass of the week for Steven Handy and Hermitage Avatar. Twice reserve to the champions was Med-E-Oka French Morocco with Dr. Grace Steere.
Also in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving section, Sarde's Up In Smoke was the junior/novice winner with Kathy Shubitowski at the whip. George Fayad presented reserve winner Reuben-Ide Pinch O'Pepper.
Ann Hailey and Morningdance could do no wrong. They jogged to the Morgan Western Pleasure Championship and the Morgan Amateur Western Pleasure Championship. Winners of the junior/novice class, Dottie Brittingham and Raintree Treasure scored the reserve open championship, while Brittany Lee and Ultra';s Legal Advantage were the smooth reserve champions from the amateur championship. Chris Cassenti and Happy Magic's Ebony Star picked up the red streamers from the open qualifier and Cadette B did the same in the amateur qualifier with Christine Sorenson.
After taking a few thirds in the qualifying rounds, Carlyle Markedly and Kate La Rose came back with a picture perfect performance to finish the week as the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Grand Champion. Open class and junior/novice winner Swan's Genuine Trust was reserve grand champion with Julie DiDonato.
John and Sheri Lampropoulos' Northgate Stables had a lock on the Amateur Morgan Hunter Pleasure Championship. With wins at all the major shows, Tori Mattozzi and Bradvue's Sudden Impact were the grand champions with stablemates Nicole Morrison and Beta B Gallalee commanding reserve grand champion honors. They were also first and second in the qualifier. Nicole did double duty, also taking a blue in the Hunt Seat Equitation qualifier. Katelyn Jenkins won the championship, followed by Valerie Brown.
Fox Meadow Farm was home for TJB Opinionated and Ashley Mugnier, winners of the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor Championship. They traded places with qualifying winner Trebles Johnny B Goode and Katelyn Jenkins who had won the open class.
Rounding out the Morgan competition, Katelyn Merrill rode as the Walk-Trot Hunter Equitation/Walk-Trot Western Equitation Grand Champion under the direction of Sarah Gove. She also made the victory passes in the pleasure section for Hunter/Western walk and trot. The veteran star, Marin Royal Command, was reserve in both with Miller Young Fina.
Cricket Hill Farm had a great week in the equitation ranks as well. Lisa Jensen and Kristen Spann ended up the High Point Trainers and part of their success came with Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Champion Jamie Cruz. This talented young lady also claimed the blue prize in the AMHA Medal and the UPHA Morgan Challenge Cup. Instructed by Jean DeGutis, Elizabeth Stockwell was the reserve grand champion and winner of the 14-17 class.
Gary and Marsha Garone's Fairfield South was first and second in the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. World's champion Ashley Stine defeated seven other riders for the title. She had warmed up with a blue ribbon ride in the NHS Good Hands event. Stablemate Melissa Swain is stepping up her game as evidenced with a winning ride in the UPHA 13 & Under Challenge Cup as well as the junior reserve grand championship.
Brianna Saunders turned in the winning ride from the 12-13 year old age group, just ahead of Meghan Bradley and five other contenders. Marlo Franco scored the highest from the limit rider class and Abby Raucher was on top in the 11 & under event.
In addition to putting Maeve Tibbetts in the winner's circle for the NEHC Medal, Lisa Jensen showed her personal equitation skills as the Trainer's Saddle Seat Equitation Champion. Robin McGahey jumped in as the reserve champion.
McGahey also coached Giovanna Leone to win the UPHA 10 & Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup over Olivia Prentiss. The Teresa Werka-instructed Prentiss did win the 11 & Under Walk and Trot Saddle Seat class over Kaitlyn Powers, winner of the UPHA 8 & Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup from Rocking Horse Farm.
Winner of open and pleasure equitation events on the national level, Jessica Moctezuma was UPHA's Pleasure Equitation Grand Champion and qualifying winner. Instructor/mother Nealia McCracken also greeted her in the winner's circle for the USEF Medal. Maeve Tibbetts was the Pleasure Equitation Reserve Grand Champion.
This completed the twenty-third edition of the UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere. With attention to detail, the men and women of chapter 14 are returning the show to the glory days when great competition and the Symphony Of Horses made this a show with national interest.
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