Numbers Continue To Grow: Des Moines Springfest 2002.
Tuesday, May 7, 2002

By Chris Larson

Posted May 7, 2002

A beautiful setting and an attentative staff are factors that turn an ordinary show into what can be called an exhibitors's show.

This year, the Des Moines Springfest Horse Show succeeded in obtaining those elements, making the show, once again, very enjoyable for all who attended.

The charming Iowa State Fair is home to this show. The grounds feature old, interesting architecture, which you do not see just anywhere. The numbers continue to grow as several new barns attend each year.

Show Manager Leonard Davenport said he was very pleased with how things went in this year. The 2002 show was his third year acting as show manager.

This year was a challenge for those expecting the sunny days of years past. Despite the chilly weather, exhibitors appeared to warm up to the simple idea of getting together and beginning the 2002 show season.

And to help kick off the season, Des Moines choose Gary Garone, from New Bedford, NH, to judge the spingfest.

There were many social gatherings at Springfest. One of which included a luncheon aisle party by Reedannland on Friday after the morning performance. For this particular party, the weather held up fine and we all got a chance to “sit in the sunshine." The Saturday night Exhibitor's Party at Springfest had good food, conversation, and music. On Thursday evening, the show offered a cheesecake social for exhibitors to indulge in following the performance.

A lot of effort goes into putting this show on and a job well done is truly the mantra.

Many many spectators attended the show in the evenings, especially Saturday, that were there to watch participants in the Celebrity Driving Class. Some of these included Laurie Groves, of WHO TV 13, Dick Layman, of WHO News Radio and Maxwell Schaeffer, of KIOA. The exhibitors in this class were good sports and seemed to have a good time driving the horses. The crowd also appeared to be having a good time watching these local celebrities try something new and different. The horses and ponies were provided by Heartland Stable, Clear Creek Stables, and Reedannland.

Other hits of the show were the Saturday night Lead Line Class and Walk and Trot Pleasure, both held first thing Saturday evening.

Des Moines Springfest featured a slate of UPHA classes.

Allison Rohloff was the judge's choice in the 10 & Under UPHA Challenge Cup. Mandy Martin's determination as a rider paid off as she won the UPHA Challenge Cup 14-17. The 13 & under version belonged to Meaghan MacQueen. Ashley Alden looked great with her mircle horse and the judge thought so too as she won the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and the National Horse Show Saddle Seat Good Hands Class.

The former AHSA medal, now the USAE Saddle Seat Medal went to Emily Goren. The adult version was won by Christina Sloan.

The UPHA Park Pleasure saw Jenny Nosal present Peppermint Schnapps for the top prize. Ashely Goudreau started her year out with the blue and took the number one spot in the UPHA Pleasure Equitation Challenge Cup.

One of the stars of the show was a handsome bay creature called Reedann’s Phire Up. He was presented by Kelly Freeman for Reedannland. The duo won the UPHA Three-Gaited Classic title. Reedannland completed the performance UPHA sweep with the UPHA classic blue in the fine harness classic with Your Eminence driven by Rob Kritzer and owned by Reedannland.

The five-gaited UPHA classic version went to a snappy number called Harlem Trend, also ridden by Rob Kritzler for owner Dr Alan Raun.

The Pony Classics stacked up like this: Ruth Sprenger was called out first with Marks Fine & Fancy in the Hackney Pleasure Pony UPHA Classic. Heartland Elegant Dancer and Darrel Kolkman made the final pass in the UPHA Hackney Pony Classic. Top UPHA roadster classic pony was Heartland Wonderful Miss. Darrell Kolkman zipped off with that win. Darrel Kolkman also drove UPHA Pleasure Pleasure Pony winner Heartland Celebrate Celebrate.

The under saddle AHHS version went to seasoned campaigners Desert Light and Cindy Cram. This pair really covered some ground as they dashed out with that win.

AHHS Pleasure driving went to Dream Field’s Foolishness and personable Michelle Herron for Carol Hall.

The roadster pony AHHS medallion blue went to Mastercraft Gambler and Tabitha Ireland -- what cool pair!

The stands held a full house Saturday night for the championship and stake classes. The first class out was the Fine Harness Championship. When the class was complete CH The Edge made the trip around victory lane with Kay Richardson at the lines .

With a new look, the duo of A Supreme Surprise and Abby Reising were victorious in the Pleasure Driving Stake.

Whitney Houston proved to be top campaigner in the Three-Gaited Park Stake, with Rob Kritzler for Reedannland up.

The Gib Marrcucci Stables' ponies were looking quite fancy at Springfest and one of their wins was the Hackney Roadster Amateur Championship with Mastercraft Gambler driven by elated owner Tabitha Ireland.

Next was the Open Three-Gaited Stake. Kelly Freeman guided Aurora Borealis and made a victory pass with the beautiful tricolor for Alan Raun.

The pleasurable Moment by Moment was crowned Country Driving Pleasure Stake winner for owner Rick & Ann Curl. Ann Curl was the driver.

Next up was the Hackney Harness Pony Championship and Billy Bud was ready for the challenge as he was directed by owner Mary Campbell.

The Five-Gaited Show Pleasure stake saw a great ride by Abby Reising. She made the victory pass aboard Highpoint’s Mahongany Prince.

Jared Ratzloff and Lady Hawk won the Roadster Pony Stake, zipping off with the tricolor for Donna Beck.

Muffy Sweeney Ernester made a memorable drive debut as she drove her pony Royal Canadian winning the Hackney Pony championship for the.

The Five-Gaited Stake most certainly had the crowd's attention. This stake belonged to CH Peppermint Sonburst for the second year. This show program cover star was ridden by Donna Pettry Smith and belongs to Marge Fergusson. After rail work, the crowd was brought to it’s feet -- each cheering for a favorite.

The five-gaited class for amateur riders was great Boo! and Barbara Manliow, also making their debut at Des Moines.

A pleased Whitney Anderson and Titleist Symbol were the judge's pick in the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Stake. The senior show pleasure division stake saw the pretty pair of Bella Marietta and Claudia Gardner Sipp make the last pass with the tricolor.

The pleasure equitation riders had their work cut out for them after the workout. Adrain Bell won for the 14-17 age group. In the 13 & under group it was Siri Hadland who made the victory pass.

Nancy Schned was all smiles as she watched her horse, Amberwood’s Show Stopper exit the ring last in the Park Pleasure Championship Stake with trainer Cary Volz.

Next in the ring for a championship was Jessica Harrison with the New York Cheesecake ERB.

The Amateur Owner Trainer Rider Pleasure Stake saw the team of Night Flicker and Fay Coulthard bring home the tricolor.

The Country Western Stake saw a pleasurable Brett Maverick tie first for owner and rider Shari Eades.

Impressive Ruler showed his versatility as he once again won the Country Hunter Stake. Heirreverent and Blair Townsend was the team selected for the tricolor in the Show Pleasure Consolation Stake.

Erica Mundt was elated with her win with her horse Property Tax as they won the Open English Pleasure Championship.

My Grande was the proud winner of the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake with happy owner Susan Halvorson in the irons. What a way to start the season for this new pair!

In memory of Des Moines champion Harlem’s Knight, owned by Jana McConnell, Callaway’s Potourri wore the tricolor out in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake for rider Anne Skiba. Owners Steve & Karen Skiba appeared delighted at the pair's win.

Callaway’s Scoop the News and Kristen Pettry won their first championship this season for Tom & Jeanne Pettry in the Country Pleasure Stake.The consolation country pleasure stake went to Dekermania for owner rider Lesley Strucker.

Dream field’s Foolishness marched off with the Hackney Pleasure Pony Driving Championship with owner Carol Hall at the lines.

The final class at this year's Des Moines Springfest was the Amateur Five-Gaited. It was an exciting class as the horses hustled around the ring. Summer Fox made his mark in this stake with the win for rider and owner Jean King .

This was a great horse show and thanks to everyone who helped put it on and make it all happen. Great job!!!!

For the complete show story, see the prinited edition of Saddle Horse Report dated May 6, 2002.

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