The 2007 Regional Finale – New York Morgan
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
by Diana Davidson
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The New York Morgan Horse Show closed out the 10 AMHA Regional Championships of 2007. The 47th annual show enjoyed strong support from stables from the eastern United States and Canada with approximately 400 horses in attendance at the AMHA Region 2 Championship. The show has become a final tune-up or qualification for some horses headed to Oklahoma. For many others it marks the end of show season. The show dates of Sept. 12-15 featured some lovely early fall weather with some rain to conclude.
One of the continuing highlights of this show is the NYSMHS Breeder's Sweepstakes classes where nearly $30,000 was awarded. Offspring of the stallions whose services were auctioned off at the annual NYSMHS Stallion Service Auction were eligible to participate in the three classes. The classes for Weanlings In Hand, Four-Year-Old Western/Hunter Pleasure Saddle and Four-Year-Old Park/English Pleasure/Classic Pleasure Saddle were all well filled with some outstanding quality and entertaining competition on Friday evening.
The show also featured numerous special awards and presentations. The annual presentation of the Mike Hens Sportsmanship Award was made to Sandy Trushel, a longtime supporter of the Morgan breed and this show.
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Sandy Trushel
(Photo by Terry Young)
The High Point Dressage Award featured the presentation of the Joan Ide Sackett Memorial Trophy with JoAnn Squier’s Chandell High Noon earning the distinction. This versatile mare went on to earn the High Point Carriage Driving as well. The Youth Contest featured sisters Kelsey and Hannah Bornt topping the junior and senior divisions respectively as they showed their equine knowledge and skill.
The 2007 New York Regional also marked a new group manning the helm with Stephanie Shearer taking over as show chair, Naomi Blumenthal as show manager and Tari Weston as secretary. Phil Fountain and Chris Nelsen shared the judging duties in center ring with Harry Sebring joining them in the Sweepstakes classes. Dorothy Maxfield scored the dressage rides, and Lore Homer officiated in the carriage competition. Dale Stone kept the music flowing as he took over as organist while Kenn Marash again served as announcer. Terry Young made his fourth trip to the show as official photographer. John Franzreb and Brian Pierce completed the center ring officials as ringmasters.
The championship highlights of the 2007 New York Regional Morgan Horse Show follow. Complete show results can be found by clicking here.
This year’s show began as always with the in hand competition on Wednesday morning with the mares first to enter the ring with a nice group of over 25 filling the classes. Peggy Alderman introduced a new show ring star as Salem’s Front And Center (Centerpiece x AFF Savannah) moved to the winner’s circle in the Two-Year-Old, Junior Champion and Grand Champion Mare competitions. Tim Murray guided GS Stellaluna to the reserve junior championship from the two-year-old class. Liberty Stables enjoyed a victorious trip to Syracuse as Willowick Maria La Bella posted the first wins in the three-year-old and Senior Champion Mare classes before closing out with the Reserve Grand Champion Mare honors for Margaret Keeler. Five and over winner Boot Scootin’ Boogie posed as the Reserve Senior Champion Mare for William Haines.
The geldings in hand followed with last year’s weanling colt sensation ADC March Madness adding more New York Morgan laurels as yearling winner and Junior Champion Gelding with Lynn Peeples on the lead of the Man In Motion son for Alex and Deborah Cojocar. Seaway Smart Alex struck a winning pose in the Two-Year-Old Geldings on the way to the Reserve Junior Champion Gelding to kick off a tricolor show for Bob and Roberta Marshall. Pondview EZ Spirit enjoyed a victorious show ring return as Jaisen von Ballmoos presented Patti and Sally Berthelette’s fronty bay to the Five and Over, Senior and Grand Champion Gelding awards. Scott Neidlinger had quite a cheering section in his debut show as trainer for Misty Meadows Farm as he guided Whispering Masquerade to the Three and Four-Year-Old win along with the Reserve Senior and Reserve Grand Champion Gelding honors.
The stallions were next on center stage with Sunny Acres Magic Man enjoying quite a memorable debut as Will Vidler guided Sunny Acres Magic Man to the Weanling Colts, Junior Champion and Grand Champion Stallion victories for proud mom Nancy Vidler. It was a tricolor sweep for the Vidlers as Sunny Acres The Wizard was named Reserve Junior Champion Stallion following his two-year-old win. MCC Lady’s First Dance concluded his tricolor season as the Five and Over winner, Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Stallion with Jim McCleester showing the handsome Born To Boogie son for Millwood Morgans. Michaele Ganz was proud of Master Suite as he added the Reserve Senior Champion Stallion title to his season.
Wednesday's tricolor competition concluded with the Specialty In Hand Championship. Bob and Roberta Marshall teamed up to present Festival Flamenco to the tricolor following the Classic In Hand win. JW High In Command and Annilee Obrochta added the reserve tricolor to their Hunter In Hand win.
The tricolor presentations resumed on Friday when the Junior Classic Pleasure Driving Championship featured a beaming Lyniece Talmadge earning her very first personal tricolor. On the lines of LNT Jack Be Nimble, Talmadge’s red outfit perfectly matched the red flowered neck garland as trainer Luman Wadhams escorted them to the winner’s circle. Donna Zimmerman enjoyed a victorious visit to Syracuse with her four entries all earning trips down victory lane. Her newest entry Stonecroft Neoclassic earned the Junior Classic Pleasure Driving blue and finished up with the reserve tricolor directed by Jim and Jenny Taylor.
Julia Stier showed off her versatile riding talents as she rode TTE T Time Talisman to the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure Championship for Catherine Ehnle. The well-matched team of Emily Jones and Vigilmar Thomas followed up in reserve under the Rolling Oaks banner.
Lynn Peeples matched up with Cathy Miller’s sporty three-year-old Astronomicallee son Without Limits to collect the Junior Pleasure Driving Championship. Black Meadow Phoenicia and Jonathan Cleveland followed in reserve for Thomas Gascon.
The Amateur Park Saddle Championship closed out the afternoon session in grand style as Donna Zimmerman and Patchwork Simply Amazin gave the crowd plenty to cheer about. They carried the tricolor back to the Memory Lane Farm banner with a dynamic showing following the ladies qualifier victory. Kandle’s Myriah and Samantha Hoag matched up for the reserve tricolor following the amateur qualifier blue for Marie Vandemark.
Donna Zimmerman & Patchwork Simply Amazin
Friday night's show ring action started off with the NYSMHS Weanling Breeder's Sweepstakes with a grand field of 22 promising youngsters vying for a purse of approximately $12,500. The entries were each presented individually in the first round, and they were brought in as a group for further inspection by judges Fountain, Nelsen and Sebring.
Chris Nelsen, Harry Sebring and Phil Fountain
marked the cards in Friday night’s New York
Stallion Service Auction Sweepstakes classes.
The enticing victory along with a check for $4,980 went to LPS Provocative (LPS The Boogie Man x Hail Mary) as owner/breeder Lynn Peeples guided his charismatic filly to the honors. CVH Celtic Dancer (CVH Celtic Command x Fantasia’s Dreamcatcher) continued the tricolor breeding program of Catherine Haynes as he posed for the reserve tricolor honors and a check for $2,490 presented by Bernard Parker.
LPS Provocative posed with
breeder/trainer Lynn Peeples.
Next on the Friday night championship schedule was the Amateur Western Pleasure Championship where MSV Ringo Starr and Kathryn Daly earned the familiar jog down victory lane directed by Jeff and Amy Bessey. Jimmy Houston and Mike Chase had quite a cheering section as they picked up the reserve tricolor from the 11-entry field.
MSV Ringo Starr and Kathryn Daly
SYP Puttin’ On The Ritz and Jim Taylor put on a fine show for the large Friday night audience as they carried the Junior Park Harness Championship back to Phil and Gloria Blevins. Jaisen von Ballmoos had CBMF Backstage Pass looking through the bridle on the way to the reserve tricolor for John and Sue Tilson.
The NYSMHS Breeder's Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Western and Hunter Pleasure featured a competitive field of 13 vying for nearly $8,500 in prize money. As the awards were presented in reverse order, it was R.I.G. Park Avenue (Simply Maserati x Suwanee Sweet Dreams) who stood alone in the winner's circle. Jennifer Baskinger was aboard the Illene and Randy Goulette’s entry for the victory and the winner's share of nearly $3,400. Representing the western entries, Seaway St. Lawrence (Immortal Command x Seaway High Voltage) jogged away with the reserve title and a check for almost $1,700 for breeder/owners Bob and Roberta Marshall and trainer Kathleen Peeples.
The 11-entry Open English Pleasure Championship featured an impressive tricolor performance for Belalugosi and Keely Sogoloff to the delight of proud owner Lyniece Talmadge. Pondview EZ Spirit concluded a tricolor show as the reserve champion presented by Jaisen von Ballmoos following a blue ribbon ride in the ladies class with Meghan von Ballmoos.
Margaret Brown and Oak Creek Chief Of Staff put on a bold showing to add the Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship to their list of victories under the Vintage Valley banner. Illene Goulette added to a memorable night as she catch-drove the sporty Lee-El’s Thunderbay to the reserve tricolor for Christine Thorn under the direction of Percy McDaniel.
Oak Creek Chief Of Staff
The Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship was the largest performance championship of the evening with a field of 16. It saw a jubilant Ann Maile guide French Episode to the winner’s circle where they were greeted by trainer Jenny Taylor. Roberta Marshall and Festival Flamenco added the reserve tricolor to the Seaway banner with a polished ride.
Meldon Hawk and Michelle Yake put on a bold and ground-covering showing to collect the Open Hunter Pleasure Championship to carry the honors north of the border for Anne Munro. Delaware’s Night Life and Stephanie Shearer followed in reserve on this night.
The Open Park Harness Championship went back to the Black Orchid banner as Percy McDaniel teamed Cortney Barber’s handsome Graywood’s Corin to the tricolor finish.
The NYSMHS Breeder's Sweepstakes Four-Year-Old Park/English/Classic closed out the trio of sweepstakes classes and was the grand finale of the Friday evening session. This class featured seven entries vying for nearly $8,500 in prize money. World Champion GDT The Godfather stood alone as the entry bred and owned by Greg and Dawn Tatro and ridden by Wendy Sogoloff collected the laurels and a check for nearly $3,400. Freedom Spirit and Tricia Morrison teamed up for the reserve honors and a check for nearly $1,700 to the delight of their proud family and trainer John Lampropoulos.
The first tricolor of the Saturday morning session was awarded in the Three-Year-Old Futurity Championship as Cum Laude Oakleigh carried home the tricolor to the Celecki family following the fillies win. In a tricolor sweep for the fillies, Tugs And Wishes carried the reserve honors to Sandy Hanson presented by Chris Wilson.
Crazy Love followed in her mother’s footsteps as Lynn Peeples guided the charismatic filly winner to the Two-Year-Old Futurity Championship for Doug and Marlene Sluiter. Sunny Acres The Wizard closed out the week with another tricolor as Dale and Will Vidler showed the colt winner to the reserve tricolor.
The Yearling Futurity saw the same results as a year ago when they were weanlings. ADC March Madness again made his presence known as the colt winner and the champion with Lynn Peeples again on the lead for Deborah and Alex Cojocar. After besting the fillies in contention, CVH Celtic Lady Catherine added the reserve tricolor for Catherine Haynes with Bernard Parker handling.
The Weanling Futurity division hosted a total of 23 entries in the qualifiers. The well-named Seaway Elegant Image (Ultras Special Agent x Seaway Elegance) stood at the front of the line as the champion following the fillies win with John McDonald handling the winning leads for Bob and Roberta Marshall. Following a win in the colt class, CVH Celtic Dancer added another reserve tricolor for breeder/owner Catherine Haynes and trainer Bernard Parker.
The tricolor action continued with Syncopation and Daisy Beisler earning their second Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Championship in as many shows directed by Sally Lindabury. Julia Strier matched up with Carey Churchill’s pretty Jamar Wild Jewel for the reserve tricolor.
Daisy Beisler and Syncopation
Kathleen Peeples was aboard the New York Regional Junior Hunter Pleasure Champion for the fourth year in a row. This time it was the promising three-year-old Cherrydale Melania who carried the tricolor back to owner/breeder Robin Herrick in her debut show. The outstanding field of 11 youngsters also saw HUR’s Remington and Amanda DuPont collect the reserve tricolor for Jane Thompson.
Kathleen Peeples and Cherrydale Melania
The varied field in the Road Hack Championship produced a tricolor victory for Highover Viking and Emma Nobles. Heritage Direct Current and Olivia Soutt followed in reserve for Donna Fox.
The Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship saw Kate Alderman and her equitation partner Minion Absolut close out the season with a tricolor ride as they tried their hand at the performance division. Jessica Rusnock and Treble’s Fleetwood Max teamed up for the reserve tricolor in the field of nine under the Liberty Stables banner.
The Junior Western Pleasure Championship featured another outstanding win for Grand Cru Hollywood’s Wish with Jeff Bessey guiding Karen Saville’s polished bay. CBMF Cutting Edge and Bonnie Sogoloff turned in the reserve performance with a steady showing for Jerry and Mary Jane Nau.
The Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Championship featured UVM Sally and Steve Davis earning the tricolor and the cheers of their fan club for the University Of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm. Following a tricolor debut at Old Dominion, Alphastar Wilburforce added the reserve streamers here with a bold showing for Jim McCleester and owner/breeder Allan Fisher.
The large and competitive Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Championship saw Legendary And Noble and Gaetana D’Alesio Spina team up to carry the tricolor back to the Chrislar Farm banner with a bold performance.
Anna Kufs enjoyed a great show as, in addition to a pair of driving wins with Successive Endeavors NKS and GDT Al Capone, she rode Walnut Ridge’s Solid Gold to the reserve tricolor here and came back later to earn the Hunt Seat Equitation Championship for the second year in a row under the Rolling Oaks banner. Following dual blue ribbons, Brianne Lambert and JNP Simply Delorean teamed up for the Hunt Seat Equitation Reserve Championship coached by Jennifer Keuhn.
Anna Kufs earned the Hunt Seat Equitation
Championship for the second year in a row.
Steve Davis added a second tricolor to the UVM banner just moments later as UVM Louisville performed for the Junior Park Saddle Championship.
Amber Bornt and Circle Z Noble Signature turned in a precise performance to garner the Western Seat Equitation Championship. It was a tricolor sweep for Rolling Oaks as Eimly Jones and Vigilmar Thomas followed up in reserve.
The Saddle Seat Equitation Championship featured a stellar performance on the rail and in the individual pattern by world champion Julia Strier as she was reunited with JW Sensability to earn the tricolor under the Lingering Hills banner. Ellen Atkinson turned in a confident ride with Primera Danger-Field to add the reserve tricolor to a winning show for Chrislar Farm.
Bob Neimeth and Silverheels Synergy showed off their show ring style as they performed for the Amateur Park Harness Championship for Misty Meadows directed by Scott Neidlinger. Robert Severino matched up with last year’s Junior Park Harness Champion On Star to add the reserve tricolor to the Waterford Farm banner.
Julie Rohrer and Hylee’s Vanity started off a tricolor evening for Wadhams Stable as they drove away with the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship with a stylish performance. Pamela Wirth was delighted to be called out in reserve with Wintop’s Price Charles under the Mason banner.
The get of Man In Motion continued their tricolor show as Bad To The Bone turned in a charismatic performance with Lynn Peeples to garner the Junior English Pleasure Championship for EPA Partners. Debbie Lukas and Ultras Legal Holiday followed in reserve in the seven-horse field for Stephen Smith.
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Robert Allen, as a youngster was a caretaker
for Cornwallis, was on hand to present the
Junior English Pleasure Championship to Bad
To The Bone and Lynn Peeples. In the 1930s
Allen’s father C.E. Allen owned Indian Spring
Stock Farm and raised many horses sired by
Cornwallis who we see in the pedigrees of
many of today’s show horses.
(photo by Terry Young)
The Roadster To Bike Championship featured a dynamic performance for three-year-old Dragonsmeade MaxMara to earn the tricolor finish with Luman Wadhams carrying the winning colors for Chuck Hudson and Treble’s Morgan Manor. The crowd-pleasing team of SpringMill Premonition and Ben Kaufman enjoyed a grand drive of their own for the reserve tricolor finish.
Judge Nelsen certainly made the eight Open Western Pleasure Championship entries work hard for their prizes as Rum Brook Immortal Valor and Judy Nason posted the tricolor victory for Jacqueline Harrington. Jeff Bessey directed Dannell’s Notice Me through the calls on the way to the reserve tricolor for Nancy Elliott.
The Amateur English Pleasure Championship featured a tricolor finale for Lisa Howa in her first trip to the New York Regional as she directed Rampaige to the victory pass under the Wadhams Stable banner. Bad Company and Elizabeth Burick added to a tricolor season as they collected the reserve honors under the direction of Jim and Jenny Taylor.
The Open Pleasure Driving Championship featured MEM Just My Style and Percy McDaniel sporting their tricolor style as they returned to the winner’s circle for the tricolor honors for Clint and Linda Barber. Cherrydale Acappella and Luman Wadhams added the reserve tricolor to a fine show for the entries bred and owned by Robin Molaskey Herrick.
The Junior Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship saw Bears It All and Tina Drumm celebrate the tricolor victory under the Summerbird banner. Kara Brooke Hose and three-year-old Slam Dunk added the reserve tricolor to a blue ribbon performance in the qualifier for Doug and Marlene Sluiter directed by Lynn and Kathleen Peeples.
The Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championship featured the inaugural awarding of the UVM Valcour Memorial Trophy. Delaware’s Night Life and Stephanie Shearer became the first to add their names to the trophy as they earned the title for the second year in a row. It was tricolor repeat from a year ago as Sunny Acres Sneak A Peek and Dorothy Atkinson added another reserve tricolor with Nancy Vidler cheering them on.
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Chris and Rob McDermott along with Chris
and Larry Cassenti were on hand to award
the inaugural UVM Valcour Memorial Trophy
to Delaware’s Night Life and Stephanie Shearer.
(photo by Terry Young)
The Open Park Saddle Championship rounded out the show ring competition with The Alchemist and Scott Neidlinger closing out a memorable show for Misty Meadows Farm by adding their names to the list of winners of the Deacon Doubleday Memorial Trophy. Cedar Creek Uproar and Alicia Fraser earned the roars of their fans as they collected the reserve tricolor for Scottfield Stable.
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