Old Dominion Highlights Labor Day Weekend In Virginia
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
by Mary Daughtry
2004 marked the third year that the Old Dominion Morgan Horse Show and Futurity has been held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, on Labor Day weekend. In addition, there is a full-day open dressage show as well as one entire day devoted to open carriage driving. All who attend love the state-of-the-art facility, the lovely college town and all the historic sites nearby. The weather could not have been better.
Ben Qua came down from New York to mark the cards in the main arena, while Dana Bright and Dina Babcock officiated in the carriage and dressage respectively. Th center ring crew also included ringmaster Gary Hooghkirk, announcer Ed Peterson and organist Dale Stone. Jewel Marsh was organization personified as the secretary, while Robin Peterson served as manager this year.
The Old Dominion Club sponsored a “Welcome to Lexington” pizza party on Thursday night before the show began and coffee and doughnuts in the mornings. All other social events were sponsored by Midshine Morgans, Broadmoor, Just-A-Wee Morgans, Saturday Acres, and Flintlock Morgans. These parties included an ice cream party after the show Friday night and a lavish spread for the exhibitor’s party Saturday night.
Old Dominion championship highlights follow along with complete results that can also be found at www.saddlehorsereport.com.
Broadmoor presented the lovely winner of the fillies two and under, Whitemud Dixie Drummer. This is another in a long list of stars bred and owned by Rhoda Hoenmans. Ken Swanson led HVK Flaire Lady to the blue in the class for mares three and over for Holly Johnson and Tara Farm. This mare went on to be grand champion with Whitmud Dixie Drummer reserve champion.
The dynamic black mare Flintlock’s That Girl made a fine exhibition in the Park Saddle for Pete and Gael Jaeger and trainer Tristanne Weber-Childress. Chintimini Heart And Soul had the ring to herself in the park harness with Andree Vetrano in the buggy in the qualifier while trainer Ken Swanson drove in the championship.
The many-times champion Black Tie Optional and Kathy Gutting made a pair of victory passes in the Amateur English Pleasure under the direction of Broadmoor. WRM Porvenir’s Legacy B also topped the judge’s card twice to win the junior horse competition with Steve Lehr in the irons for owner Lisa Jorgenson. Tristanne Weber-Childress had Marin Five-O-One in top order to win the open blue and tricolor for Marilyn North.
Tara’s Firewalker was bright and airy going to win both the Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving qualifier and championship for Ken Swanson and Fran Pugh. Mike Goebig drove the sporty Touch Of Spring to a pair of wins for Charles Marcon in the junior qualifying class and championship. In the open class and championship another Tara entry took top honors, this time HVK Port Rush with Ken Swanson presenting. Holly Johnson was pleased with her newest acquisition. Holly took her place in the buggy to win both the amateur qualifying class and championship with Med-E-Oka Nobel Prize. Yet another Tara Farm entry won the class for limit drivers. This time it was Brief Encounter with Ashley Swanson making her debut a blue ribbon one.
June Davis and Coalition Royal Billing stepped up to claim the Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship. In the junior exhibitor championship White Christmas closed out a winning show with the tricolor. The Classic Pleasure Driving Championship featured Tempest Abbey Road and owner/driver Karla Haartz Cortelyou driving away with the tricolor under the direction of Susan Martin.
The competition was deep in the western pleasure division. In the junior horse championship the judge’s pick was CPMF Magic Light with Dwayne Knowles riding for Fred and Pat Dills. CJMM Just As Bold Charlie and Morgan Dodd collected a pair of firsts in the junior exhibitor class and championship. Elizabeth Abernathy and Salem Total Eclipse had a super show with matching tricolors in the amateur and the open championships.
Many top riders and horses competed for top honors in the hunter pleasure division. Michael John Eure rode to the winner’s circle on Bethanne Ridgeway’s Octoberfest in the junior exhibitor championship. The amateur championship was hotly contested and finally making the victory pass was the team of Windward’s Mariana and Lauren DuPont. Dreamaker Whatta Sight won the junior championship for Denice Fulmer with Amanda DuPont presenting. Bethanne Ridgeway made yet another victory pass in the open championship on Preservation Hall.
The equitation division saw Lillian Thomas win Saddle Seat Equitation Championship with Kara Hose topping the Hunt Seat Equitation Championship following the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal honors. The Tara Farm box cheered on Avery Myers and Brief Encounter to win the walk-trot championship.
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