Skip to content

Reading Between The Lines Part Two



OPEN WESTERN PLEASURE    

Futurity's Such a Twist tops the High Point Report with 222 points - earned in 13 classes at five shows. Dan Ramsour presented the two-time world champion and Grand National champion to this top spot for owners Bill and Kathy Papola. This outstanding three-year-old also earned points at Morgan Classic Royale, Far West, Santa Cruz and Morgan Medallion in addition to their three Oklahoma titles.    

Stephanie Shearer and Amy Reisdorf both show Delawares Night Life to the winner's circle in open western pleasure competition. Each rider won Grand National titles as well as making good shows at Penn Ohio, New England and New York Morgan.    

Mary Carlton presents Iron Forge Diamonds R Blue in open western pleasure competition with winning results for owner Richard Weaver. They won virtually all their classes at Gold Cup, Michigan All Morgan and Jubilee, and also had a reserve finish in Oklahoma. Expect more great things to come from this exciting youngster in 2004!    

DLH Dakota Blues, Maximum Pepper, Star of Midnight, Futurity's Ultimate Twist, HVK Counsel, Ensbrook Commanding Force and Cedar Creek Priority complete the group of impressive top 10 finishers.

AMATEUR WESTERN PLEASURE

DanTree Farm was back in the High Point Report in the amateur western pleasure division. This time it was Amy Gatewood Buckle who did the honors aboard MCA Seawind Serenade. World Champions Ladies Amateur Western Pleasure, the team also earned titles at Southern States, Gold Cup, New England and Jubilee.

Virginia Adams and her He’s Simply Marvelous claimed blue ribbons across California and the Grand National in a fantastic season to earn reserve in the High Point Report. Under the direction of Garn Walker, the talented team earned wins at Diamond Jubilee, Morgan Classic Royale, Santa Cruz and Morgan Medallion. The team was also crowned Grand National Champions in ladies amateur and ladies amateur gelding competitions as well as earning the amateur world championship. Congratulations on an outstanding season and on this newest honor!

Ling Fu Wylie is no stranger to the winner’s circle and she makes a name for herself in the western pleasure division aboard Burkland Elegant Lady. Showing both open and amateur at Southern States, Gold Cup and New England, this team always finishes at the top of the cards. The team also earned top ribbons in each of the four classes they entered at Oklahoma earning the reserve grand national title for ladies amateur mares.

Other outstanding entries in this field include Delawares Night Life, CRS Executive, Bears Braveheart, Love’s Masterpiece, Shaker’s La Strada, Leave It To B and Iron Forge Be Blue.

JUNIOR EXHIBITOR WESTERN PLEASURE    

In three breeds, this is the only category where we had a tie for the first place winner in the High Point Report. World Champion 14-17 HDD Wild Thing and Haley Coplen earned 149 points in eight classes at four shows. Co-champion Evil Knieval and Hollie Luedtke also earned 149 points in 10 classes at five shows including the 11 and under Grand National title. Congratulations to both outstanding champions.    

Haley Coplen and Wild Thing began their season with wins at Gold Cup, then swept both amateur and junior exhibitor classes at Indiana Morgan. Four reserve performances (in open and junior exhibitor competition) at New England and a reserve Grand National title and World Championship title completed their outstanding season.     Hollie Luedtke and Evil Knieval started their run of wins at Diamond Jubilee. They continued with winning success at June Classic Morgan Show and earned top ribbons at Far West and Morgan Medallion before winning the 11 and under grand national class at Oklahoma. Owner Jill Smith also shows the talented mount in amateur competition.    

Only nine points out of the lead was Sarah Partridge and HVK Field Rennaisance, reserve grand national winners in the 12 and 13-year-old age bracket. This talented team started off the season with a win at Tampa and Citrus Cup and then made strong shows at Southern States and Summers End before heading to Oklahoma. Their 140 points earned them a third place finish in the High Point Report.    

Congratulations to our other top 10 champions - Merriehill The Lion King, DFM Poetic Justice, Sandlyn's Connemara, Kane Creek Kryptonite, FMF Wild Heiress, Truly Divine and QVM Collector's Edition.    

OPEN HUNTER PLEASURE    

Taking every opportunity to show in the open hunter pleasure division, Jill Yerger and LPS Mr. Jalapeno earn the High Point Report's greatest honor in the hunter pleasure world. Showing an amazing 15 times at four horse shows, Jalapeno and Yerger have displayed their level of dedication and love of showing. Wins and other top ribbons at Morgan Classic Royale, June Classic Morgan Show and the Morgan Medallion added to their winning 189 points. Four ribbons earned at Morgan Grand National including a third place tie in the Grand National Ladies Gelding class completed the outstanding season for the Pacifica Partnership.    

Tristanne Weber shows Carmen Miranda in open hunter pleasure classes for Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fiocco. When Carmen Miranda is not competing in amateur hunter pleasure classes with Jamie Fiocco, Weber is collecting blue ribbons at Raleigh Spring, Southern States, Gold Cup and North Carolina State Championships. Together this team also made four ribbon-winning shows at Morgan Grand National earning two Reserve Grand National Champion titles.    

Grand National Three-Year-Old Mare Champion CHC Blues Shining Star and Jennifer Lalone finish in third place in the High Point Report. With 176 points, this talented team won classes at Delmarva and Mid Atlantic as well as Grand National and earned top ribbons at Vermont Spring and Gold Cup. Lalone showcases this bright star for owner Helen Westphal.    

Other top 10 stars in the open hunter pleasure division include Paradigm Pageantry, Chintimini Bravo Charlie, Taproot Command Pilot, Indian Creek Final Touch, WH Zimbabwe, Highover Narcotic and Startrend Mystic Visions.

AMATEUR HUNTER PLEASURE

You can’t even talk about this division without the name GPM Genesis B coming up. “Gene” as he is more affectionately called dominated the category earning 275 points, more than 100 points more than the nearest challenger. The team of "Gene" and Melissa Walker are certainly tough to beat no matter where they go. Wins and reserves at Diamond Jubilee, Morgan Classic Royale, Far West and Morgan Medallion could not have prepared Melissa and Garn Walker for their phenomenal week in Oklahoma. World Champion Ladies Amateur, World Champion Amateur, Grand National Champion Amateur Stallion/Gelding, Grand National Champion Ladies Amateur Gelding, Grand National Champion Gentlemen's Finals (where points were accumulated in the open hunter pleasure category). It was an unbelievable end to an unbelievable season. We are happy to add our congratulations on this season and on this High Point Report honor.

Cabot Top Attraction and Amy Gatewood Buckle are the Reserve High Point Report Champions earning 171 points in the five shows they attended. Points were earned with top performances at Southern States, Gold Cup, New England, Jubilee and Oklahoma where they earned the Grand National Champion Ladies Amateur Mare title. This talented team closed out their career with their top 2003 performances for DanTree Farm.

Erin Thomas also enjoyed the thrill of a Grand National victory for the second year in a row. Winning the Amateur Stallion/Gelding Under 15.1 Hands class, Thomas and LCP Stars N Stripes capped off a fantastic season of blues. Wins at Indianapolis Charity, Indiana Morgan, Michigan Morgan in the amateur division and at Gold Cup and Jubilee in the open division completed the successful season for the team trained by Mary Carlton.

Other outstanding top 10 champions in this division where 181 horses earned points include; En Excess NKS, Liberation Daddy’s Girl, Glacier Dreamin, Double Dutch, Jax Noble Onyx, Windwards Mariana and Out Of The Blue Willow.

JUNIOR EXHIBITOR HUNTER PLEASURE    

The younger riders dominated the High Point Report in the hunter pleasure category. Merin Maggi and Futurity's Roman Torch topped the charts with 159 points earned in 10 classes at five shows. Wins at Diamond Jubilee, Morgan Classic Royale and Far West plus two reserve titles earned at Grand National helped to push this 13 and under rider into the top spot.    

Eleven and under rider Samantha Schuring and Precious M Fleet Command earned the second place finish in the High Point Report with 142 points from their nine classes in this division. Samantha also shows this talented Morgan in dressage and owner Melissa Hart has even shown western pleasure on the versatile Precious M Fleet Command.    

Brittany Morris, showing in the 14-15 year-old age group, also had an outstanding season with RJ Jeremiah. She began the season with a win at Gasparilla and added wins at Citrus Cup and Carolina Classic plus made good shows at New England and Oklahoma to earn 106 points and a third place finish in the top 10.    

The other outstanding top 10 winners in this division are on BMF Unforgettable, Cabot Courage Command, Talamar Enstarment, Illustra Mahogany Row, Black Orchid Ace Commander, Pondview Lady Hawk and WSG Independence Command.

CLASSIC PLEASURE SADDLE

Sometimes it's about sheer numbers. With the huge number of horses earning points in the Classic Pleasure division, one had to be in the ring more than the rest to top this competitive division. Elizabeth Young Fina and Rumor Has It did just that, entering the gate 18 times at six shows to earn 237 points. Wins at UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere, Vermont, Connecticut, New England, and Mass Morgan plus ribbons in all four classes they showed in at Oklahoma including a reserve grand national title added up to a winning 237 points for this talented team prepared by Barbara Irvine.

Robin Vergato and her Riverside Buckingham pushed hard at all the shows they attended winning all four classes at New England, three at Granite State, and making good showings at Mass Morgan and Connecticut Morgan. In addition they were crowned Grand National champions in the stallion/gelding under 15.1 hands division of this category to earn 234 points, only three points behind the winner, to be crowned Reserve High Point Report Champion.

Terry Jones Brennan did not show as often, but by sweeping the division at Oklahoma, she and Maximum Effort finished in third in the High Point Report. They were crowned Grand National Ladies Mare Champion, Grand National Mare Champion, World Champion Ladies Classic Pleasure and World Champion Classic Pleasure in 2003. In addition they won all other classes where they competed at Morgan Classic Royale and Far West. Congratulations to this much touted team.

Other outstanding performers in this competitive division include LC Baywatch, Goldencrest Aleksis, Carlyle Can Can, Lookaway’s Howitzer, Rum Brook Immortal Mystic, DFM Mutual Agreement and Bud The Wiser.

JUNIOR EXHIBITOR CLASSIC PLEASURE    

Once again, showing the most paid off in the High Point Report. Kristin Johnson and Boomtown showed 10 times in five shows to earn 163 points, 46 more points than the next point-winner. Johnson and Boomtown won classes at Vermont, Granite State, New England and Mid Atlantic and a reserve grand national performance in the 16 and 17 classic pleasure class garnered the impressive point total. Boomtown is owned by Grace Steere.    

Caitlin Harrison and Manhattan Design earned the reserve High Point Report title in the classic pleasure division as well as being in the third spot in pleasure driving. Together they won saddle classes at UPHA Chapter 14, Southern States, Delmarva and had two top goes at Oklahoma.    

Brittany Davis and Plum Haven Minuet claimed the World Championship for 14-17 year-old junior exhibitors in the classic pleasure saddle division. This coupled with points earned from two wins at Far West were enough to earn Minuet the third place finish in the High Point Report. Since the end of the season the Robert Jones family has purchased Plum Haven Minuet from Neil and Sally Plumley.    

Rounding out the top 10 mounts for the top young riders in this division are VVM Litigator, Flairely Apparent, Intrepid Sovereign, Southbrook Ultimatum, SKB Lilyth, Bono In Command and FCF Blue Fox.

CLASSIC PLEASURE DRIVING

Fran Pugh and her Tara Farm have made an impression on the Morgan world in virtually every division where Morgans show. Be it in showing or breeding, Tara horses readily rise to the top. So it is only fitting that Tara’s War Eagle tops our High Point Report. Sweeping the division at Oklahoma, Mrs. Pugh and War Eagle were crowned World Champions Ladies Classic Pleasure Driving, World Champions Classic Pleasure Driving and Grand National Champions Ladies Geldings. An undefeated season with wins at Raleigh Spring, Southern States, Carolina Classic, Mid Atlantic Morgan and North Carolina State Championships made them an impossible team to beat. All in all they earned 220 points in their 10 classes at five shows. Congratulations!

Cindy Sheldon and Intrepid Immortal Beloved pushed as hard as they could to finish in reserve in the High Point Report showing 11 times at five shows in their debut season. Wins at Southern States, Gold Cup, New England and Jubilee led up to their reserve finish directed by Cedar Creek Farm.

Grand National Mare Champion Cedar Creek Vizcaya and Jack Gatewood earned 197 points, only 23 points behind the winner, with wins at Gold Cup, New England, Jubilee and, of course, Oklahoma.

Other outstanding classic pleasure driving horses finishing in our top 10 include RDF Hi Voltage, Raintree Valedictorian, Miss Voodoo, Stonecroft Sedona, Tomeri Tiamo, MSH Phantom and DAF Monte Cristo.

JUNIOR EXHIBITOR CLASSIC PLEASURE DRIVING    

Two of the top three winners in this division were also Top 10 High Point Report Champions in the under saddle division. Southbrook Ultimatum and Jill Cheicko showed eight times in driving classes and seven times in under saddle classes at four different shows to earn points in both divisions. Her 139 points earned at Connecticut, New England, Mass Morgan and Oklahoma were enough to allow her to claim the High Point Report Championship. Congratulations to this hard working young woman!    

Steven Handy and Hermitage Avatar concentrate on the driving division, but they do it very well. Wins at UPHA 14 Spring Premiere, Vermont, and New England plus strong shows at Connecticut and Oklahoma earned them the reserve finish in the High Point Report and 107 points.    

The third place finish was a tie with 92 points earned both by Caitlin Harrison and Manhattan Design (who were the reserve High Point Report champions in the driving section) and Springmill Market Square for owner Lisa Mullaney. Following these top teams in the top 10 are UVM Uptown, Century Le Baron, Cedar Creek Tour De Force, Amabayus, Cingate Nick of Time and Old Oak Rare Edition.

ROADSTER TO BIKE    

Darwin Olson shares the bike with Dan and Julie Williams, but they rarely miss a chance to show their Roadster to Bike winner Arboria Perfection. Top shows at Southern States, Delmarva and Mid A led up to Oklahoma where each of they earned a trio of third place finishes.    

Alison Bendele and her trainer Mary Cockriel each enjoy showing Oak Creek Doubletake. The Reserve World Champion also won two reserve Grand National titles after making good shows at Colorado Classic, Circle J and Morgan Medallion to lead up to Oklahoma.    

HVK Stradivarius and Grace Steere showed more times than any other entries in the top 10 with 11 classes at six shows to earn their 152 points. Wins at UPHA 14 Spring Premiere, Vermont, Connecticut, Granite State and New England added to good performances at Mid A and Oklahoma earned them their third place finish in the High Point Report.    

The remaining Top 10 Roadster Champions are JW Romantic Ways, Arboria Victorious, HVK Baymarch, Century Oak Wild Mariah, Trijas Peter Pepper, AFF Narrow Margin and Millbrook Raquel.

SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 14-17    

The very competitive senior equitation division was dominated by two equitation riders in the points race. Katie Doncilovic and Susie Sessink each showed in 14 classes to earn in excess of 250 points. Almost 100 points separates these two riders and the rest of the top 10.    

Showing in senior equitation competition as well as UPHA Challenge Cup and AMHA Saddle Seat Medal competition, Katie Doncilovic made victory passes at Southern States, Gold Cup and New England with KEW Challenger. She also earned top 10 ribbons in four classes at Oklahoma to top our High Point Report!    

Susie Sessink showed also showed in all of the equitation final classes as well as in Hunt Seat Equitation, a true lover of the sport of equitation! Sessink won classes at MJMHA Classic, MHSA Spring, Michigan All Morgan and Jubilee as well as winning the World Championship for Senior Equitation at Oklahoma and the UPHA Morgan Senior Challenge Cup.    

Lindsay Wood earned a third place finish in the High Point Report with wins at UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere, Vermont, Connecticut and Mass Morgan. She also made good shows at New England and Oklahoma to clinch the third place spot.    

Other outstanding senior equitation riders include Lindsay Gama, Sara McKay, Morgan Glenn, Brittany Davis, Sarah Taylor, Lauren Cojocar and Stephanie Taylor.

SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 13 & UNDER    

Katie Coney took every opportunity at the five shows she attended to show her mare Conundrum. Her first and second place finishes at Vermont, Connecticut, New England and Mass Morgan plus three good ribbons at Oklahoma put them in the top spot in the High Point Report with 177 points.    

Only six points behind was Coney's Janbark stablemate Samantha Weinand paired with the equitation great Black Gold Windsor. Weinand also won classes at Vermont, Connecticut, New England and made good shows at Mass Morgan and Oklahoma to win 171 points.    

Reserve Grand National champion Sarah Shimmer also won classes at Gold Cup, Michigan and Jubilee to earn her 160 points and the third place finish in our standings.    

Emily Hoernschemeyer, Ariana Corrigan, Rachel Keidan, Samantha Lyttle, Tommy Brisco, Caroline Gaker and Caleb Noble also deserve congratulations for their top 10 finishes in 2003.

CLASSIC SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION

Leigh Fitzgerald topped the classic equitation competition with an impressive season with Bono In Command. Fitzgerald showed in nine classes where points were counted at five different horse shows. Competition at Vermont, Connecticut, New England, Mass Morgan and Oklahoma showcased the senior equitation rider's skills. At Oklahoma she earned a reserve grand national title and was third in the Classic Saddle Seat Equitation World Championship.

Tricia Morrison earned reserve honors in the High Point Report. She earned top ribbons at Twin States, Maine, Mass Morgan, New England and Grand National to earn 91 points and finish in second. Expect more great thing to come from this young rider who captured the 13 and under Grand National title and was fourth in the world championship where she competed against much older riders.

Marlo Franco earned third in the High Point Report with a strong season directed by Jean DeGutis. Franco worked hard to earn 73 points at Vermont, Connecticut, New England and Mass Morgan. Congratulations to Franco and to the other top 10 champions on their accomplishments - Elizabeth Thomas, Eric Antman, Lindsay Perry, Brooke Yule, Kate Foy, Jane Mitchell and Jenny Cramer.

SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION WALK & TROT    

Winning across the New England states, Maggie Cramer tops our youngest age group of High Point Report statistics. She won classes at Vermont, Connecticut and Mass Morgan in addition to making good shows at New England and turning in a reserve Grand National performance at Oklahoma.    

Chloe Hooper wasn't able to show as often (five times compared to eight), but had stunning results at Gasparilla, Citrus Cup, Carolina Classic and Summers End for the reserve high point award. In just his first season, Spencer Alderman won the Grand National title for riders nine years old and under in addition to winning most of his classes at Connecticut and Granite State for the third place finish.    

Other talented riders in the top ten in this division include Alexandra Meyer, Cheyenne Rumens, Chelsea Inlow, Katie Jarve, Kelsey Ryan, Brianna Saunders and Madison Wiles Haffner.

WESTERN SEAT EQUITATION    

Western seat equitation is virtually every bit as competitive as saddle seat equitation now despite fewer available classes to compete in and the list of top 10 champions proves this. Morgan Glenn won the High Point Report Championship showing seven times at three shows to earn 159 points. Winner of the AMHA Western Seat Gold Medal Finals, Glenn also won classes at Gold Cup and Jubilee in both Western Seat and Saddle Seat Equitation (although only western points count here).    

Julie Brempelis won the Junior Equitation World Championship for the third year in a row, as well as winning her 12 and 13-year-old age group at Oklahoma. She also won all of her classes during the year at Far West and Morgan Medallion to finish in reserve in the High Point Report.    

Kristiana Wright showed an impressive ten times at four shows to finish in third in the standings. Wright showed in western and hunt seat equitation. Her points in western seat were earned at Key Classic, Far West, Oregon Morgan Classic and of course Grand National.    

Congratulations to these three winners and the rest of our top 10 - Maggy Pionk, Logan Mather, Kati Anderson, Sarah Partridge, Lindsay Perry, Ellen McQuade and Kimberly Foster.

HUNT SEAT EQUITATION

Katie Klooster won the AMHA Hunter Seat Over Fences Gold Medal Finals at Oklahoma, now she can add winning the High Point Report in the Hunt Seat Equitation division to her list of accomplishments. Klooster earned points in 15 classes at five shows including Morgan Classic Royale, Far West, Santa Cruz, Morgan Medallion and of course Oklahoma. The talented young rider also earned reserve grand national titles at Oklahoma both on the flat and over fences. Congratulations to an outstanding young rider.

Kara Hose wasn't too far behind earning 207 points in her 13 classes. Wins and reserves at Connecticut, Delmarva, New England, Mid Atlantic and Old Dominion, set the young rider up for an exciting Oklahoma. With two third place finishes and a fifth. Hose earned enough points to attain this High Point Report reserve honor.

Nicole Morrison enjoyed an almost undefeated season coming into Oklahoma. Wins at Vermont, Granite State, Maine Morgan, and New England led to a Grand National title for riders 14 and 15 and a reserve World Championship for senior equitation on the flat. This earned her the third place finish in this highly competitive division in the High Point Report.

Other outstanding young riders include Merin Maggi, Lauren Cook, Kati Wood, Ashley Wright, Kale Erin Hutchinson, Emily Rosini and Alyssa Rumsey.

More Stories

  • UPHA Office Moving

    UPHA is relocating to a new address. Kindly update your records with our new location. The postal address is P.O. Box 3728, Midway, KY 40347 and the physical address is 123 East Main St, Midway, KY 40347. Read More
  • From the Desk of Edward R. “Hoppy” Bennett

    Dear Members of The American Saddlebred Community, 

    As predicted, we have received pushback from various members of the Saddlebred industry, namely the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA).  When we made our decision to replace the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with Equine Sports Council (ESC), we were aware of and discussed this pushback and moved forward with the changes, knowingly.

    Read More
  • River Ridge Is USEF Lite Rated

    Barbara Dunham, manager of the River Ridge Charity Horse Show, announced that the show has been granted USEF Lite status for its April 24-27 event at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    In response to recent developments surrounding the World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated webpage to serve as a news hub for its members. This webpage will provide timely updates and information as the situation evolves. Read More
  • Morgan Grand National Update On New Coliseum

    The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is one step closer to the beginning of a new era as progress on the new state-of-the-art coliseum in Oklahoma City continues on schedule. Read More
  • Update On Citrus Cup Regional - New Venue and Dates For 2024

    Join in for fun in the sun at Citrus Cup at its new location, the fabulous World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, on April 24-27, 2024. Fay Lowry will be judging all main ring classes. The new revised class schedule includes classes for Morgans, Saddlebreds, Hackney, Harness Pony, Open breed, carriage, ranch riding, and dressage divisions. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    Many of you received an email today from David Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, that indicates a decision has already been made by the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) to change the governance of the World's Championship Horse Show from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is extending the National and National Amateur Futurity weanling nomination deadline until May 1, 2024... Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) has given the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) notice to terminate its 1995 agreement with the KSFB to provide support to the World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS). The termination notice was hand delivered to the KSFB on Friday, March 15. Read More
  • FoalsNFocus – Week 1

    Here we are again, springtime. With the warmer temperatures and the greening of the landscape comes one of the most exhilarating times of the year for horsemen and women, foaling season! Hopes and dreams literally come to life. Read More