Ninth Annual Carolina Classic Provides Fun For All
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
by Merritt Pryor
WILLIAMSTON, N.C. - The ninth annual Carolina Classic Benefit Horse Show was held Oct. 11-13 at the state-of-the-art Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center. In the past the show has been held in June but due to a change in the schedule with the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show, Manager Ray Cloninger moved the show to October. Although the entries were slightly down, the comfortable temperatures and southern hospitality produced a fun horse show.
Each morning, coffee and donuts helped jump-start the day while an incredible exhibitors’ party was held Friday evening. The party kicked off after the final class Friday night at Deadwood, an authentic cowboy town just five miles from the show grounds. Eastern style barbecue was served with all the sides. After the meal a professional group of line dancers made their way to the dance floor to entertain all in attendance. The game room was open to all the young or simply young at heart to enjoy arcade games, train rides and putt-putt. The annual dog show was held Saturday evening prior to the first class of the show. During the show Saturday evening, an ice cream social was sponsored by Big Apple Farms.
The Carolina Classic benefits the Martin County Community College’s equine science program and other local charities. During the show a silent auction was held with proceeds benefiting these charities.
Renee Lavery made the trip from Ohio to judge all divisions at the Carolina Classic. She had help in center ring from Ringmaster Jessica Fry. Sandra Hall was in center ring to make sure each entry received a great picture while Wyatt Lilly served as the announcer. Barbara Woodlief and Karla Cloninger made sure things ran smoothly in the show office while Ray Cloninger managed the show.
Five-Gaited
Two entries made the gate call for the Five-Gaited Championship. After the class was worked and the crowd had picked their favorites, the card was turned in. Sara Scheck’s number was called out with Judy Megelich’s mare, Ventura’s Gold Card. The team had ridden away with the blue streamers in the ladies qualifier. Reserve went home with Janelle D’Amato and last year’s ladies winner, Shamrock’s Free Step.
Kathy Cook trotted away with the blue streamers in the open qualifier with Classic Native Dancer after picking up the red ribbon in the ladies class. Reserve in the open class went to Trieste Felder and Harlem’s Blaze Of Glory.
Kathy Cook and Classic Native Dancer
Only one horse trotted through the gate for the amateur qualifier. Millie Tripp and Transfigured Jewels rode away with the blue.
Caitlin Leith dominated the junior exhibitor division with her new horse, What’s The Whoopla. After showing in Louisville and St. Louis under the direction of Mike Roberts, Whoopla made the trip back to the Carolinas only a week ago. Heather Boodey ran into center ring both times to meet the winning team. Reserve in both the qualifier and championship went to Katherine O’Brien and SDRS Calypso Rhythm.
Caitlin Leith with What’s The Whoopla
Kathy Cook took home the blue streamers in the novice class with Callaway’s Super Nova. Reserve went to Millie Trip aboard Bo Taylor.
Three-Gaited
Only one entry trotted through the gate for the Three-Gaited Championship. Megan Whitby expertly rode Let The Magic Begin to the winner’s circle for owner Jeanne Frazer. Whitby also picked up the blue streamers in the junior horse qualifier. Jon Walker rode Jokers Wild to the win in the qualifier for Bob and Jan Gunn.
Anna Stoddard rode MJB High Fire to the win in the amateur qualifier. This was the only appearance made by this team. Patience English swept the junior exhibitor division with Styles By Cavalier.
Park
Rick Felder made an exciting show to sweep the open park division with Le Femme Nikita. After being shown in the fine harness division until North Carolina State Championships, this mare seems to have taken well to the under saddle division. Reserve in both qualifier and championship was Lady Karissa and Bobby Jones for Jansal Saddlebreds.
The amateur park division was one of the larger divisions of the show. Jon Walker Stables packed a one-two punch in the qualifier and championship. Cindy DeMarco rode Ranten N Raven to the championship win after picking up reserve in the qualifier while Carolyn Brock rode away with the reserve in the championship after topping the competition in the qualifier.
Britt Mitchell had Katie’s Dream in top form to ride away with the win in the qualifier and championship of the junior exhibitor division under the direction of Johnny Lucas & Sons Stables. Morgan Feimster rode Riva’s Periaptor to the reserve in both classes.
Britt Mitchell and Katie’s Dream
were met by Robbie Lucas
Fine Harness
Only one horse made the gate call for the Fine Harness Championship and qualifier. Sarah Miller put on a great show with Elegant Artistry.
Roadsters
Four road horses raced through the gate for the Roadster To Bike Championship. Steve Deutsch drove Eclipse to the winner’s circle for the second time after winning the amateur qualifier. Reserve went to another Jon Walker-trained entry of Debra Clark and Where’s Reuben. Steve Edwards drove Charlie Rob to the red ribbon in the amateur qualifier.
Steve Hanks topped the competition in the limit class with Eddie Case’s new horse, Daddy Sang Bass. Just recently off the track, this exciting horse is going to be one to watch in the future.
Harry Daughtry swept the open road pony division with Vivacious EF. Reserve in both the qualifier and championship went to Charles Leonard and Gia.
Jan Edwards drove away with the win in the Amateur Road Pony qualifier and championship with Doing Time. Reserve went home with Debra Clark and Star Sweetheart.
Caitlin Leith made two winning drives in the junior exhibitor division with Zildjian. Although she was the only one in both the qualifier and championship she put on an exciting show. Madison Cheatham flew into the winner’s circle with Star Sweetheart in the Road Pony Under Saddle class.
Hackney/Harness Pony
Although the Hackney/harness pony division was light the quality was impressive. Topping the Harness Pony Championship and qualifier was Robert Jones with DRS First Lady. Charles Leonard drove away with the win in the Hackney Pony division with Bill Weavil’s entry, Willowood Balladeer. Susan Whittington continued her winning year with Believe It! in the pleasure driving division.
Susan Whittington with Believe It!
Pleasure
After Dustin Lassett rode CH Callaway’s No Problem to the winner’s circle in the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure qualifier, he handed the reins over to his grandmother, Jean Meyers. Meyers had a great time in the class as she was met by Steve Hanks in the winner’s circle in the championship.
Jean Myers and CH Callaway’s No Problem
Marie Gwinn topped a nice class of park pleasure horses in the championship with VHF Midnight Empress. This was the mare’s third show under saddle and proved she would be one to watch in upcoming shows. Reserve went to the qualifier winner Trixie Chick with Jenny Glennon in the irons. Reserve in the qualifier went home with Rick Felder and Jewels To Go. Jenny Glennon was back in the winner’s circle with Karen Jones Glenn’s entry, Spanish Summer Dance in the Four & Under Three-Gaited Pleasure Prospect class.
Making a repeat performance from last year in the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Championship and qualifier were Barbara Matthews and CH Five Minutes More. Riding away with the red streamers were Carol Love and She’s Extra Charming. Love and She’s Extra Charming won the novice horse class which was the team’s first blue ribbon together. Ginger Reagan, who catch rode Bongo for Amy Roberts, rode away with reserve in the qualifier.
Bredin Rush made two victories with CH Future Treasure under the Heads Up banner. The first was in the novice qualifier and again in the 14-17 championship. Reserve in the championship went to Irish Cappuccino, the winner of the qualifier. Reserve in the novice rider class went Dr. Melinda Snyder and Emanating.
Bredin Rush and CH Future Treasure
The young men put on quiet a show in the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure 13 & Under class. Riding away with the win in the qualifier and championship were Austin Hazelwood and The Chesapeake Bay. Reserve went to Drew Love aboard Picabo Street.
Emily Murphy rode away with top honors in the Walk/Trot 12 & Under Championship with I’ve Got Heart. Anna Ergish trotted away with reserve. The results were reversed in the qualifier.
Emily Murphy and I’ve Got Heart
with trainer Leigh Zalzneck (ctr)
and mom Dana Murphy (right)
The English pleasure pony division was a class for new talent. Both riders, in their first year out of academy, showed the crowd they would be riding for years to come. Lissie Vining topped the competition in the qualifier and championship with Scotty’s Lace. Reserve in both classes went to Alex Ennis and Santana’s Flaming Dawn.
Susan Whittington swept the show pleasure driving division with CH Harlem’s Babe Ruth.
Making two more trips down victory lane were Marie Gwinn and Monsignor in the adult country pleasure division. Reserve in the championship went to Expectations and Mary Higgs, who had won the novice rider qualifier. Ginger Reagan rode Hasani to reserve honors for Amy Roberts.
Marie Gwinn with Monsignor
in saddle seat tack for a change
Bredin Rush was back in the winner’s circle, this time with Matchplay in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure 14-17 qualifier and championship. Reserve in the championship went home with Ashlin Bryan and Commet’s Second Chance. Brittany Keel and CF Star At First Sight were reserve in the qualifier.
Sharon Price expertly drove Blue Right Through to the winner’s circle in the Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier. He was met in center ring by his daughter, Hollie Davidson, of Cross Wind Farm.
Alicia Patrick was thrilled with her win in the Western Pleasure Championship with Callaway’s Son Of A Son. The team picked up reserve in the qualifier and won the limit class.
Callaway’s Son Of A Son and Alicia Patrick
VHF Bay All Day and Marie Gwinn jogged out with reserve in the championship. Judith Gandarillas and Cosmic Sunfire made multiple trips into center ring. The pair won the western pleasure qualifier, Open Western Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier along with the Hunter Pleasure Championship. Holly Henson picked up the win in the hunter pleasure qualifier with Symbols Supreme Eclipse.
Judith Gandarillas and Cosmic Sunfire
Equitation
Kim Mueller handed over the reins of Tip Rogers to Erin Breslin in the saddle seat equitation division. Breslin had a picture perfect performance to claim the blue in the championship and qualifier. Bredin Rush made a strong showing for reserve in the championship after she won the USEF Medal class.
Ellie Kangur and Vanessa Patch are friends and competitors. Each rode away with a first place and second place ribbon with Kangur taking the blue in the Walk/Trot 10 & Under class and Patch with the blue in the UPHA Walk/Trot 10 & Under class.
Janelle D Amato put her equitation skills to use as she won the USEF Adult Saddle Seat Medal class.
Morgans
Kerri Beth Fersch and They Auhl Adore Me made two trips to center ring in the Morgan English pleasure division. The first was in the 17 and under qualifier, the second was in the open championship. Reserve in the championship went to Captivation Of Foxridge and Emory Sykes. This team also rode away with the red streamers in the amateur championship after winning the amateur qualifier. Debbie Hemingway had a come back ride in the amateur championship with WS Our Celebrity Belle.
The Morgan Pleasure Driving class brought John “Chet” Sowle to the winner’s circle with TSL Starcraft. Hollybrook Indian Brave and Mary Daughtry drove back to the barns with reserve. The results were reversed in the qualifier. Only one horse made the gate for the Amateur Morgan Pleasure Driving class. June Davis drove Hollybrook Walk In Tall to the win.
Mary Daughtry with Hollybrook Indian Brave
Natalie Tetterton made two victory passes with Glorious Answer in the Morgan classic pleasure division. Reserve in the championship went to Susan Sykes and Coalition Royal Billing. Bredin Rush and Hylees Galileo trotted away with reserve in the qualifier.
Mary Ann Harris with
Natalie Tetterton and Glorious Answer.
Dan Redman swept the Morgan classic pleasure driving division with Face The Nation. Reserve in both the qualifier and championship went to June Davis and Coalition Royal Billing.
Elisabeth Abernathy made three victory passes aboard Salem Total Eclipse in the Morgan western division. Sheila England was right on her heels as she was reserve in three western classes with Savenac’s Commadore.
FRF Center Stage topped the competition in three different Morgan hunter classes. Emory Sykes was in the irons in the open championship and qualifier while Mary Kelly rode to the win in the amateur qualifier.
Making victory passes in the academy division were Denese Patch, Melinda Tedder, Aileen Staples, Rachel Baker, Victoria Hedrick, Nicole Price, Anne Bissette, Summer Blackwelder, Alex Cedrone, Libby Bowen, Cashlyn Lovell, Laura Plant, Caroline Staples, Savannah Woodruf and Sydney Beason.
This concludes the highlights from Carolina Classic. Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking here.
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