CORUNNA, Mich.--The Michigan All Morgan Horse Show celebrated its 50th Anniversary from July 18-22. The show kicked off at a new facility, the Shiawassee County Fairgrounds. The show was formerly held about two hours south in Detroit.
Exhibitors attending the show welcomed the change of location. Despite the loss of an air conditioned indoor arena, the new site offered nice barns, a big outdoor arena and a warm family atmosphere. The Shiawassee Country Fairgrounds luckily has a small indoor arena, which came in handy for the booming storms that came about during the show’s final session on Sunday morning.
The storm was so intense that many people gathered inside the indoor arena just to watch the very dramatic thunder and lightning show. The show was put on hold for about an hour. Soon enough, however, the storm passed and Michigan All Morgan finished on a high note.
Lonnie Lavery and Doug Untiedt shared the judging responsibilities, while Shane Shiflet was the photographer. Show Manager Sue Hall did a fantastic job setting the stage for a comfortable show, making many additions to go along with the new location. She was assisted by Show Chair Bonnie Spiekerman and Show Secretary Jean Hedger and the many people making up the 2002 Michigan All Morgan Show Committee.
Wednesday evening’s barbecue was just one activity the show sponsored. Attending barns hosted other celebrations. Crystal Farm put on a lovely champagne and strawberries party, “For the love of the sport,” at their beautiful set up after the Saturday evening performance. In addition to various gatherings, Michigan All Morgan supports strong youth activities for those working to better their knowledge of the Morgan Horse.
When the show ended on Sunday, everyone seemed very happy to have participated. With a hard-working show staff, a fine family atmosphere and a good dose of competition; Michigan All Morgan seems to have started its next 50 years off on the right foot.
The Park Saddle Grand Championship concluded Saturday evening’s performance. Tim Roesink and the CKH Spirited Gift attracted the crowd's attention as they worked the ring. Their grand permformance earned them the tricolor for Jan Marie Evans. This year's reserve honors went to Night On The Town and Molly Lazar for Kimberly Dunn.
It was Mary Carlton riding AMHF Absolut Top Calibre in the Park Saddle Junior Horse stake that scored the pair a tricolor victory for Jan and Steve Lazar. Cozy's Joshua and Sandy Wrenn exited as reserve grand champions.
Tim Roesink returned to the ring with his UPHA Park Harness Classic champion, Primary Investment GP, for a solo performance in the Park Harness Championship, taking home another Grove Pointe win for Rebecca Burns.
The up and coming KDP Warrior Princess with Damian Hyde at the line impressively worked the ring for owners Tina Lessnau and Paula Messier, capturing the Two-Year-Old Park Harness stake.
When the classes moved inside for Sunday morning's final show session, only three horses made their way through the gate. Nonetheless, the three were extremely competitive entries, all strutting their stuff with high hopes of claiming a championship victory in the English Pleasure Championship. Judge Lavery chose Shaker's Sharpes and David Earehart as champions for owner Henry Berns while Coal Miner's Ruby and Tim Roesink finished reserve after winning the English Pleasure Mares Class earlier in the week for owner Todd Muller.
Another tricolor for Grove Pointe came about after Liberation Instant Replay and Jan Marie Evans shined their way through the Amateur English Pleasure stake. Lavery placed Rose Valley Raging Fire and Barbara Pionk reserve, moving the pair up several notches from the amateur qualifier.
Four entries trotted through the gate for the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure stake. Key Criterion and Sara McKay performed boldly with full support from their friends at Crystal to claim the championship. MH Verdict and Danielle Palermo put forth a good go for reserve.
JP's Livin On The Edge and David Earehart stood out for a fabulous finish in the Junior English Pleasure stake, taking first out of a five horse, competitive class. JP's Livin On The Edge is owned by Paula Cook. Pierre Loiselle was up for the reserve win aboard SBB Fortunate Son, owned by Colleen Andrews.
Pierre Loiselle was at the lines of Colleen Andrew's classy entry, MJK Desert Flaire for the Pleasure Driving Grand Championship win. The duo also placed first in the qualifier.
In the Amateur Pleasure Driving stake, CBMF Simple Pleasure worked the ring in tricolor style, after winning the junior exhibitor qualifier, with Heather Aller in control at the lines. Shaker's Sharpes was driven to reserve honors with owner/driver Henry Berns, winners of the amateur qualifier.