by Michelle Krentz
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sunshine, 80-degree temperatures and show season excitement heralded in the 2009 River Ridge Charity Horse show. With so much hospitality welcoming all the best barns in the nation to the show, it is no wonder that so many come great lengths to bring their best stock to compete. With a party every day, no exhibitor, trainer, or caretaker went hungry. Included in the River Ridge festivities were breakfasts, a progressive barn party, a pizza party, a chili party and a fruit party.
The horse show does not just support its exhibitors; it is making a difference for charity. The 50/50 raffle that was held raised over $900 with all proceeds benefiting Camp Hamwi’s Equestrian Program for children with diabetes. The UPHA Ladies Five-Gaited Pink Ribbon class raised over $750 for the Susan B. Coleman Breast Cancer Foundation.
Although River Ridge is known as a preview to the next young superstar, one show ring star’s story came to a close. Just Watch, better known as Clyde to all his loved ones, showed in the ring where he won four junior exhibitor road pony titles for the final time. Then his cart and harness were removed, and he was draped with flowers and led to the end of the ring. He is now happily retired to pasture.
Everyone’s high hopes to see the best of the best were not disappointed, as many of last year’s world’s champions showed, new young talent performed, and there was even a case of brilliant show ring star’s triumphant return to the show ring. Everyone who came to the show got their money’s worth of the highest caliber of proven show horses and bright young stars.
Five-Gaited
In the open stake, Bille Rae Graham made a strong comeback ride on Callaway’s Melosa to take the tricolor after a reserve finish in the mare class. The strong chestnut mare trimmed in white is by Blue Norther and out of a Will Shriver mare, and is owned by Royal Winds Farm. J. Crew and Clark Clouse made a nice show to finish in reserve in the stake. This is J. Crew’s first year in the five-gaited division, since he was Melissa Flint’s adult show pleasure horse last year. Dr. Tina Mayes now owns the sporty gelding.
In 2005, Bono won the Three-Year Old Five-Gaited Stallion Gelding Division B World’s Championship and the UPHA Five-Gaited Classic Grand Championship with Bret Day, and in 2006, he continued his winning ways in the Junior Division with both Bret and Susi Day, but in 2007, it was Linda Fischer Wheeler’s turn. At Midwest that year he won the Amateur Ladies Five-Gaited class and the championship in superb style, but immediately after his championship class, tragedy struck. While being walked out outside, he broke his ankle and was rushed to surgery in Kentucky. Word spread around the industry, and many believed that his show ring career was over. No one at Grey Ridge Farm gave up hope, though. Great care was taken for Bono and it was well over a year before he even started jogging again. Slow progress was taken with him, but it was well worth the wait as Bono is back. He won the competitive Five-Gaited Stallion & Gelding class looking as great as ever. The handsome bay gelding Hong Kong Fuey and Billy Jarrell put in a good show for second. Rock This Town did just that as she racked and trotted up a storm for the mare qualifying blue. George Knight was aboard the bright chestnut for Carolyn Garrett.
Enchanting Memories combined the elegance and refinement of a walk-trot horse with the strength and speed of a gaited horse to give her the look of a star. She was the Ladies Five-Gaited champion with Krista Dent for the star himself, Carson Kressley. Always consistent and true, yet animated and fast, Beringer Red is steadily in the top ribbons with his expressive look and ears up attitude. This grand gelding was reserve in the ladies class with the always-smiling Jenny Taylor.
Over the past couple months the horse show community has been closely following Justin Cowley’s progress with his kidney transplant. Through his transplant journey there have been some ups, some downs, and some downright scary moments, but the greatest triumph thus far has been to see him cheering and guiding his pal, CH Colonel Hoss, and new owner Harold Denton Jr. on the rail at River Ridge. Denton and "Hoss" were reserve in the stallion/gelding class, but with Cowley there on Saturday night, both horse and rider seemed to turn it up a notch to win the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship. Callaway’s Carnival In Rio put in two fantastic shows to win the amateur stallion/gelding class and finish reserve in the championship with Sally McClure Jackson under Melissa Moore’s direction. Callaway’s Lunar Eclipse and Laura Michelle Dozer won the mare class, with Battle Rattle and Barbara Gaynor in reserve.
Tyler DeVore has become quite the showman and the crowd loves it. Aboard his aptly named Out With The Ladies, the crowd and Judge John T. Jones agreed he was the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Champion. His proud mom and trainer, Tammy DeVore, ran into the ring smiling to put on the tricolor. Qualifier winners, The Decisive Moment and Suzanna Crews, won the qualifier and were reserve in the championship under Melissa Moore’s direction. Callaway’s On Line and Paige Bundy were the qualifier red ribbon winners under the Cape Cod banner.
Callaway’s Set The Bar is a royally bred chestnut gelding by Callaway’s Blue Norther and out of Callaway’s Will’s Countess who was the Junior Five-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions in 1994 with Mike Benn. Set The Bar won the Limit Five-Gaited class at River Ridge with Chuck Herbert for Sarah Rowland’s Everglades Farm. Direct Effect and Bille Rae Graham put in a strong show for second for Graham’s mom, Dawn Wilkes.
The Junior Five-Gaited class was one of the most anticipated classes of the show with nine extremely nice horses showing to win. Last year’s UPHA Five-Gaited Classic Reserve National Champion, Caper’s Spotlight, won the class under his new name, Break On Through. With speed to spare and a head set to die for, Break On Through will be one to watch in the junior division this year. Bret Day rode the horse to the Junior Five-Gaited blue for proud and elated owners Mary and Michelle Krentz. Last year’s Three-Year Old Five-Gaited Mare Division I Reserve World’s Champion, Foxcross’s Divine Asset was second with Todd Graham in the irons for Miller Marketing Communications.
Fashion Avenue made her show ring debut a winning one with Steve Wheeler for Mary Jane Meanor. The sporty chestnut mare is by I’m A New Yorker and out of a Roseridge Heir daughter and won the UPHA Five-Gaited Classic class. Treasures In The Park and Todd Graham picked up the red streamers for Melvin Blankenship.
Three-Gaited
All eyes were on Hallelujah Chorus in the Three-Gaited Championship. The twice world’s champion (as a three-year-old and as a four-year-old) waved her legs, bent her neck and never dropped an ear. The divine mare was shown by Tom Sworm for Kimberly Jones to win the Three-Gaited Championship after a reserve finish in the qualifier. Last year’s Kentucky County Fair Three-Gaited Champion, Kalarama’s Personality Plus, was reserve in the Three-Gaited Championship with Tiffany Wheeler aboard for STJ Partners. The bright and airy Bubble Bath and George Knight were the open qualifier winners for Michelle McCune.
Fresh off two wins at Pro-Am, Erin Obenauf continued her winning season aboard her new mount, Thunder Cloud Nine. She and "Jinx" were the Ladies Three-Gaited Champions and Amateur Three-Gaited Grand Champions under the Reiser Stables banner. The lovely Limit Three-Gaited Champions Simbara’s Bountiful and Kristen Bagdasarian were reserve to them in the ladies class, while the gorgeous, black My Original Sin and Linda Lowary were reserve in the Amateur Three-Gaited Championship under Steve and Tiffany Wheeler’s direction. The amateur qualifier blue belonged to Anitya Marlowe and Amber Lager, trained by Clark Clouse. Handsome Heir and Susan Hanna were reserve.
Forever Foxy and Elizabeth Ververeli swept the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited classes in high fashion under the Revelation Farms banner. Reserve in both classes belonged to Shezacat and Angeline Mangine for Robert and Monica Olson.
Fort Chiswell’s Leading Lady and Steve Wheeler and Sir Yes Sir and Erin Richey went head to head in the Junior Three-Gaited class. It was a tough call as both horses are extremely talented, but in the end, the blue went to the nice chestnut mare, Leading Lady and her owner, Doran H. Frame II. Sir Yes Sir, who was 2007’s Two Year Old Three-Gaited Division B World’s Champion with Carter Cox, was the red ribbon winner in the nice class for Jamie Wise Lanier.
Sally Hemings made a blue ribbon debut to win the UPHA Three-Gaited Classic with Mike McIntosh for owner Judy Houk. Twice Nightly is CH Nightly Affair’s first foal to hit the show ring, and the multi-world’s champion mare seemed to already be a grand producer since Twice Nightly takes after her mother in the best ways. Steve Wheeler showed this nice filly for Chris and Jean Nalley.
Manhattan’s Irish Cream is continuing to be a force to be reckoned with in the Three-Gaited Pony class as the spunky gelding won the class with new owner Dylan Hines. Mr. Heirastotle and Chandler Ratcliff were the reserve champions.
Park
Looking as good as ever, My Paramour swept the open park division with trainer Reese Richey in the irons for owner Abby Jansen Van Vuuren. Cheryl Friedman’s Our Fallen Angel returned in the open championship for the reserve title with Chris Reiser while Unlisted Number was reserve in the open qualifier with Steve Wheeler for Neartown Animal Clinic in their only appearance.
Last year’s world’s champion of champions in the amateur park section, CH His Supreme Reflection continued his winning ways when he won both amateur park classes at River Ridge with Jacqueline Manzo for Kimberly Jones under Tom Sworm’s direction. In their only appearance, Big Man On Campus and Scott Hagan were reserve in the qualifier under the watchful eye of George Knight. CH Perfect Vengeance returned with a strong performance for reserve in the championship with Tara Grom.
With the addition of a junior exhibitor park division at Louisville this year, many are deciding to grow a mane and support the new division. Stonecroft Front And Center and owner Chelsea Patterson have decided to do just that. After a successful run in the juvenile walk/trot division, the pair has begun to win in the juvenile park division. After the exciting duo received the red ribbon in the qualifier, they came pack to scoop up the tricolor under the direction of Gene and Kathy Boggs and Reese and Erin Richey. Qualifier winners, Stone Captive and Channing McWilliams, came back after a good show to pick up the reserve streamers in the championship under the direction of Clark Clouse.
The blonde beauty, Simbara’s Belle Michelle never dropped an ear and marched every step of the way including on her victory pass in the Junior Park class with Bret Day for Hy Horse Farm, Grey Ridge Farm and Jack McAllister Equine LLC. Another horse with Simbara breeding, Royal Crest’s Rising Above The Rock, who is by Simbara’s Rising Son and out of a Talent Town mare, looked the part of a true show horse to get reserve in the Junior Park class.
Fine Harness
Voulez Vous look at you! Last year’s Junior Fine Harness World’s Champion of Champions has not lost a beat and may even look better than ever. The bay mare with all the go, all the motion and all the expression continued her winning style to sweep the open fine harness division at River Ridge. The flashy chestnut stallion Bucardi was reserve in the open qualifier with Matthew Schuckert for Kelly Naylor. The former Day’s Grecian Gray, now CH Revolver, made his Amateur Fine Harness debut at River Ridge with Dr. Robert Pugh in high fashion to pick up the red ribbon in the amateur qualifier as well as reserve in the open championship. A reserve world’s champion in Amateur Ladies Fine Harness last year, CH Harlem’s Santa Fe was back at it to win the Amateur Fine Harness Championship as well as the Ladies Fine Harness class with Susan Bartlett under the direction of Chuck Herbert. Sally Grieme and her Escriva were reserve in the ladies class, and Sally McClure Jackson’s Junior Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding World’s Champion, Hi On Heir, won the amateur qualifier and was reserve in the Amateur Fine Harness Championship.
Assets And Memories is a gorgeous chestnut gelding trimmed in white with talent to spare, and that talent led him to the winner’s circle in the Junior Fine Harness class with Jim Taylor at the lines for Cindy Scoggin. Curtis Lowe, 2007’s Fine Harness Two-Year Old Stallion/Gelding Division I World’s Champion, is still looking great with Steve Demjen at the lines to pick up the red ribbon in the exciting junior harness class.
A Daydream Believer (BHF)’s spot in the Broodmare Hall of Fame is well-deserved as she is already the dam of World’s Champions Castledream and HS Daydream’s Believe In Me. Last year’s Fine Harness Two-Year-Old Stallion/Gelding Division II Reserve World’s Champion HS Dignitary, a full sibling to the two-year-old sensation HS Daydream’s Believe In Me, is continuing to draw attention to Scott Hagan’s successful breeding as the gifted gelding won the UPHA Fine Harness Classic at River Ridge with George Knight. Royal Crest’s Rhinestone Cowboy showed brightly to pick up the red ribbon with Pat Wessel for Bruce and Rusty Raddeman’s Royal Crest Farm.
Road Horses
Shane Mullins had his very own cheering section in his debut show with the Bagdasarians’ new road horse, Magical Beginnings. His crowd cheered loudly and he went fast, only stopping to get his tricolor in the Roadster To Bike Championship. In the qualifier it was P.T.O. and Kim Crumpler to win for owners Perry and Sally Grieme in their only appearance, while John T. Bert ‘N Me with Connie Smith was reserve in both classes for Virginia Powell.
Ponies
The multi-titled Heartland Sundust was in top form with Beth Jones to capture the Road Pony Championship and AHHSF Adult Amateur Road Pony. In their debut show together under the direction of Matt Schuckert, Lieutenant Dan and Georgia Blevins raced away with the reserve in the open championship and qualifier. Beth Jones earned her second victory trip of three in the road pony division with the sporty Dun-Haven Awesome Image in the amateur class. Runaway and Amber Estis carried out the reserve in the AHHSF Adult Amateur Road Pony class for David Estis.
Kentucky Hot Brown likes having a Tyler in his life. In 2008, Tyler Miles jumped in the bike and had two outstanding catchdrives for a top three spot in the 13 and under championship at Louisville and just a few weeks later garnered the blue at the All American Horse Classic. With Miles not at River Ridge, trainers Maureen Lydon and Rich Campbell looked to Tyler DeVore and he did not disappoint as he capably piloted her to the junior exhibitor win for Holt Oaks Farm. Under the direction of Mike and Jessie Richardson, Mastercraft’s Gambler LF and Alex Ververeli had a strong show for reserve.
You Raise Me Up hit the high note to win the Novice Road Pony class with Matthew Schuckert and Rick McQuown over Nashville Cat and Holli McDowell for Goodman and McMackin. All eyes were on Crystal Creek’s Magic Moment and Maureen Lydon as they won the UPHA Road Pony Classic for Kathryn J. Nichols.
The high-stepping Image Of Sophistication with Perry Grieme was crowned the Harness Pony Grand Champions with a comeback drive. Romeo’s Best Girl LF and Kathy Buente garnered the reserve titles in the Harness Pony Championship and AHHSF Adult Amateur Harness Pony class. Impress My Daddy and Georgia Blevins made their first appearance of the season to win the AHHSF qualifier under the Debonaire banner. Debonaire earned another blue as Matt Schuckert drove Leather And Lace to the UPHA Harness Pony Classic title for David Estis.
Bob Phillips added to his success in the Hackney divisions debuting Faydelle Schott’s new star Crystal Creek’s Hot Shot to the win in the Open Harness Pony. Back in the spotlight, Phillips piloted the magnificent Heartland Fortune Maker in the cobtail division. One of the superstars of the show, he swept the open Hackney division for owner Faydelle Schott. The Final Contender and Jim McIntosh were reserve for owner Linda Lewis.
Showtime’s So Tuff and Dr. Bing Crosby earned the AHHSF Adult Amateur Hackney Pony titled for Showtime Saddlebreds, while Classical Dancer and Kathy Buente were reserve. David Estis earned another trip to the winner’s circle with his Heartland Moonshot in the UPHA Hackney Pony Classic.
D.J.’s High Fashion and Beth Jones were elated with their tricolor drive in the pleasure pony championship. The AHHSF Adult Pleasure Pony driving winners, Romeo’s Miss Mariah LF and Perry Grieme, were reserve in the championship. Driving Miss Emma and Sarah Wise were reserve in the AHHSF class.
Continuing a blue ribbon week to earn a total of five this week, Rose Marie Wheeler drove Semair Dear Sir to the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Pony title under the direction of Kim and Fran Crumpler.
Donna Zimmerman was thrilled with her debut drive behind Heartland Smooth Operator. With only a few practice drives Zimmerman drove her first Hackney to the blue in the UPHA Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony. From the McDonald’s breeding program at Stonefield Farm, Walk The Line captured the reserve with Juliet McDonald for the Majestic Oaks banner.
Pleasure
Perfect at all five gaits, there was no stopping Titleist Right Tonight and Allyson Ehle in the five-gaited pleasure division, as they won both classes under the Revelation Farm banner. Reserve in both classes belonged to Jewelfire and Barbara Jozwiak.
Catapult Shot came back from a reserve show in the qualifier to win the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship with Sarah Strong. The gray beauty Callaway’s Jack Frost and Caroline Walker won the juvenile gaited pleasure qualifier and picked up the reserve streamers in the championship.
The charming Wings Of The Dove put in two clean shows to win both Park Pleasure Driving classes. Vernon Wise Jr. drove the adorable chestnut trimmed in white. It was great to see Holli McDowell driving a Saddlebred again, and a good one at that with Periaptus Infinitus. The pair was reserve in both Park Pleasure Driving classes for Goodman and McMackin. Your Eminence and Bret Day put in two solid shows to round out the top three for Dr. Louis Johnson.
As classically beautiful as the Hollywood actress herself, Ms. Betty Grable performed flawlessly to win the Park Pleasure Championship with Chuck Herbert for Dr. Morgan Wolin. Undulata’s Runteldat and Lori Uretta were reserve in the championship class and the novice class for Alexander Weiner. Royal Crest’s Connected To Stone, a big, pretty horse by The Irish Connection and out of a Harlem Globetrotter mare, won the Park Pleasure qualifier with Pat Wessel for Royal Crest Farm, while Spooling Up and Clark Clouse were reserve in the qualifier for Barbara Gaynor. Last Man Standing has continued to be undefeated under saddle as he won the novice class with Bret Day for the Fischer Sisters.
Timely Caper was right on time to win the Amateur Park Pleasure class with Tiffany Sharp, while Emanating and Jessica Wilson were reserve. Fox Grape’s Forever Yours looked picture perfect to win the Junior Park Pleasure class with Tiffany Wheeler for Fox Grape Farms. Carson Kressley has another star in Remember Ella Mae, who was reserve in the junior class with Krista Dent.
Looking to be another Hagan Stables show ring star, HS Fixation, who is out of a World’s Champion Fine Harness mare She’s Not Bad and by Attaché’s Born Believer, won the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic with Walden Bullard. From Callaway’s Guy Park’s first crop of foals to hit the show ring, Guy From Vegas is representing his sire well as he was reserve in the tough and large Park Pleasure Classic with Kristen Bagdasarian for her mom, Kathy.
With a strong comeback ride, The Muffin Man won the Adult Show Pleasure Championship with owner Kim Langdon under the direction of proud trainer Mike McIntosh. Last year’s ASR National Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Futurity World’s Champion, Pola Negri, took a spin around the Pro-Am ring last month with trainer Chris Reiser to win the Junior Park class, but here it was owner Stephanie Hanes’s turn. The royally bred horse by Exalted Effect and out of CH An Heir About Her won the Novice Three-Gaited Show Pleasure class and put in a strong show to win the reserve streamers in the championship. Adult show pleasure qualifier winner with Erin Obenauf, Hillcroft Her Highness, a barnmate of Pola Negri rounded out the championship top three with Lindsay Hensler. I’m The One With The Roses was reserve in the qualifier with Rachel Kelley under Tammy DeVore’s direction. After a strong run in the ladies walk/trot division, An Heir Of Magic and Michelle McCune have switched gears to pleasure to pick up the red ribbon in the Novice Show Pleasure class under the direction of George Knight.
He’s A Royal Pepper trotted well above level and looked right through his bridle, but also had perfect manners, making him a great pleasure horse. He proved this by winning the Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Show Pleasure Championship with Alexandra Lawson after they were reserve in the qualifier. Lenore’s Maddie’s Design and Samantha Reed were excited with their reserve finish in the championship. Dakota Reiser couldn’t have been more excited when Santana’s Gypsy Gal was presented to him at the Reiser Christmas party, so his win at River Ridge in their qualifier was just the icing on the cake. Dakota and his dad, Chris, seemed elated by the victory.
Undulata’s Lady In Red and Allie Wingfield were absolutely adorable to sweep the Junior Exhibitor 13 & Under Show Pleasure classes. Payton Grecier and Callaway’s Place Your Bets were just as cute to win reserve in both classes.
Attached To You and Kaitlin Klucas made the victory pass in the AOTR Pleasure class over Major Cool and Candy Gierke. Harlem’s Spark and Donna Thrane won the Novice Rider Show Pleasure class, while Callaway’s Jess Luvon was reserve with Tracy Engle for Jacqueline Hawkes.
Sweatin’ Bullets and Sally Jo Briney were picture perfect to win the Show Pleasure Driving Championship after a reserve showing in the qualifier. Buena Vista and Kaye Bowles Durnell stylishly picked up the red ribbon in the championship under the direction of Ed Cockriel.
Rose Marie Wheeler was undefeated in three different divisions at the show including pleasure driving where she won the qualifier and the ASHA Youth Pleasure Driving Challenge with CH May Issue. Proud and successful show mom, Linda Fischer Wheeler was on the rail every step of the way for Rose Marie, and couldn’t have been more proud for her talented daughter. The Straight Guy and Melissa Steinkamp were reserve to May Issue in the youth class.
Country Pleasure
Sweeping the adult country pleasure was At First Sight with Jacqueline Manzo. The beautiful chestnut trained by Tom Sworm was also a world’s champion in 2002 as a yearling. Reserve in the championship went to the Mike McIntosh-trained entry of Arrowhead’s Captain Morgan and Kristina Keating. Callaway’s Big Deal and Linda Thorin Johnson put in a flawless show for the red in the qualifier.
In the juvenile ranks, the blond bombshell Protector took the blue in the 14-17 class and the tricolor in the juvenile championship home with Dylan Hines under Tammy DeVore’s direction. The 13 and under blue ribbon winners, Castle Wizard and Kayla Yutzy, were reserve in the championship. Lucky Curve and Emily Rhoads were reserve in the 14-17 class and put in a good show to round out the top three in the championship under the Diamond View Farm banner. Call Me Too and Presley Adkins won the red ribbon in the 13 and under class, as well as the blue in the novice rider class.
Neon Deon and Sync Heir Swim went head to head in the AOTR class, with Neon Deon inching out over the competition with Melissa Seitzman. Kaitlin Klucas showed Sync Heir Swim. She’s Extra Charming charmed Judge John T. Jones to win the blue in the novice horse class with Nicole Sedivec, while Kalarama’s Flo Jo picked up the red ribbon with Diana Whitinger.
Last year’s Country Pleasure Driving Division I World’s Champion, Enzo, was back in the winner’s circle at River Ridge with proud owner Sally Grieme to win both country pleasure driving classes. A reserve world’s champion in country pleasure driving last year, Stonecroft Tanqueray looked fabulous again to claim reserve honors in both country pleasure driving classes with owner and breeder John Scheidt.
Delightful Fascination looked delightful and fascinating to win the blue in the Shatner and Western Pleasure qualifier and then the tricolor in the western championship with owner Debi Chylek. Kim and Fran Crumpler train the grand horse. Highly Charmed and Joan Todd were reserve in the western qualifier and championship. In the AOTR class, My Genius Private Secretary and Lynn Shaw won the blue over Foxfire’s Design and David Barnett.
Staffordshire proved his versatility as a western horse and a hunt horse when he and Corey Coovert were reserve in the Shatner class. Aside from that, he swept the hunter division, winning the championship, the qualifier, and the Hunter Seat Classic. Harlem’s Buck Eye was reserve in the classic and the championship with Virginia Jeffries, while Showtime Shamrock and Kailin Klucas were reserve in the qualifier for Megan and Gary Picket.
Equitation
Under the direction of DeLovely’s newest addition, Shelley Fischer, Sarah Lawson won the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and the USEF Saddle Seat Medal, aboard the trusty Feng Shui. New this year to cantering, Aleia Brown is already making her mark in the saddle seat equitation division as she and "Nemo" won the equitation qualifier and Junior Challenge Cup class under the direction of Cape Cod. Barn mate Hallie Sansbury was reserve in the Junior Challenge Cup. Sarah Lawson’s barn mate, Taylor Newton, was reserve in the Saddle Seat Medal and she won the NHS Saddle Seat Medal. Mary Mitkish won the Senior Challenge Cup and was reserve in the senior age group. Taylor Deer won the pleasure equitation qualifier and the Pleasure Challenge Cup.
Rebecca Boorstein made a quick trip to River Ridge to win the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal with Sydney Salerno following in reserve. Also in the equitation ranks, Lauren Brus won the Morgan Saddle Seat Equitation 17 & Under class followed by Alyssa Mediate, and Haley Heid was the 11 and under walk and trot winner.
Aboard the fabulous pony Simbara’s Cara Mia, Rose Marie Wheeler swept the walk and trot equitation division under the Crumpler Stables banner. Another rider with a dad and mom who are horse people, Ava Stachowski was reserve in both classes with Jenny Taylor instructing.
Morgans
The Morgan division featured several world titled performers, with a number enjoying winning debuts in new divisions. True to his name, No Contest swept the Morgan park saddle division at River Ridge in his debut under the Grove Pointe banner. Tim Roesink presented the attention-capturing HVK Bell Flaire son for Richard and Linda Hawkins’ Mountain Hawk Farm. Linda Stewart and Arboria Top Gun reunited for the reserve streamers in the championship for Lookaway Farm. Donna Jean Zimmerman matched up with the sporty four-year-old CBMF Clear Victory to earn the victory pass in the amateur park saddle directed by PlayMor Farm. Merriehill Home Town Hero was reserve in the amateur class with Jessica Rusnock in the irons for Champions Way. WNDC Chairman Of The Board trotted away with the blue ribbon in the Open Park Harness class with Mike Grimes for Windcrest Farm. Stonecroft Trilogy and owner/breeder John Scheidt won the amateur park harness class with a dynamic showing under the Memory Lane banner.
Tim Roesink was back in the winner’s circle with Tomeri Tango to sweep the open English pleasure division for Bonnie Howard. SSL Unique Creations and Selvin Torrez were reserve in both classes for Brooks and Hoy
Sacred Path Indiana Jones and Shelley Silber won the English Pleasure Ladies class under the direction of Tim Roesink, and HFF Thrill Seeker and Lori Sargeant were reserve.
After a reserve showing in the qualifier, Comiskey Park and Amanda McHatten won the Amateur English Pleasure Championship with a bold ride for Kourt Jester Morgans. Stonecroft Byzantine and Donna Jean Zimmerman debuted for top honors in the qualifier and added the reserve in the championship for PlayMor Farm. MEM Star Search and Kristen Nicole Arkens won the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure class. RJMF Chandler and Annie Morgan enjoyed a victorious saddle debut in the English Pleasure Junior Horse class, while OFS French Leiutenant and Todd Walker were reserve for Tom Roe.
CBMF Stand By Me and Amanda McHatten won the Pleasure Driving Ladies class, after the sporty chestnut topped the open class with Tim Roesink. Patchwork Lights Out and Craig Hummel were reserve in the open class for Tim and Carol Selinsky, while Clonmel Commandant and Jane Faldetta were reserve in the ladies class.
Donna Zimmerman celebrated a fantastic week showing a number of horses for the first time including her own Stonecroft Tribute. They won the amateur pleasure driving class over Wind Blu Rhythm & Blues and Roger Barricklow.
Century Oak Acadia and Tim Roesink won the Junior Pleasure Driving with a stylish performance for Bob and Muriel Herrick and returned to earn the Open Pleasure Driving Championship with Clonmel Commandant and Jane Faldetta in reserve. Roesink also guided the dynamic State Of Grace to the UPHA Pleasure Driving Classic victory for John and Nancy Hendricks. LDF Perfect Tense and Jennifer Hazen drove away with the reserve ties in the UPHA Classic and the junior class for Barry Laub.
Donna Zimmerman completely swept the classic division at River Ridge. She won both saddle classes in her team debut with C’est La Vie under the Memory Lane banner and both driving classes with The Last Don adding to the PlayMor banner. Razor’s Edge and Candy Gierke were reserve in both saddle classes for Cherylyn Howard.
Heyday Royal Spirit and Jennifer Hazen jogged away with the Western Pleasure Championship for Polly and Nina Quinn. The amateur blue ribbon and tricolor winner, Ultra’s Special Force, was reserve in the open championship with Terry King for King Lehr Stable. LVB Karen and Brittany Clark won the open class and were reserve in the amateur championship and qualifier. Razor’s Edge won the junior exhibitor class with Jasmine Reyes and was reserve in the open class with owner Cherylyn Howard. Aquila’s Stardust and Connor Chaffin Farley won the Western Walk-Trot 11 & Under class, while Coulee Bend Heritage and Haley Held were reserve.
In the open hunter division, it was RJMF The Great Bambino and David Earehart to win the tricolor and blue in both classes for LS Morgans. Razor’s Edge and Cherylyn Howard were reserve in the qualifier, and Festival Honey ‘N Spice and Sydney Salerno were reserve in the championship as well as the winners of the junior exhibitor class. Victory’s Selection and Dorothy Illson were reserve in the junior exhibitor class for Dayan Birchler, and in the amateur class, Cassie Smith showed Selection for the blue. I Believe In Miracles was reserve in the amateur class, but came back to win the open road hack class.
Open To All Breeds
It takes a special kind of horse to beat the Saddlebreds, Morgans and Friesians in the all breed classes, and the National Show Horse Johnny B. Good is certainly special. The stretchy gray gelding won the Amateur English Pleasure and Adult English Pleasure Championship with Patti Carleton under the direction of Bobby Phillips. The Supreme Rose and Erin Obenauf were reserve in both classes for the Biddinger Family Trust. Merlin and Patrick H. went head to head in the Adult English Pleasure class, and in the end it was Merlin and Connie Smith who were crowned with the blue ribbon. Kelli Bill and Patrick H. received the red ribbon for Susan Mills. Paradoc’s Korygami and Taylor Deer were the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure winners, and the same horse and Haley Kesner came back to win the championship. Harlem’s Jackpot and Lexie Bragg were reserve in both classes.
Almost Famous and Ariella Silber swept the 10 and under walk and trot division under Tim Roesink’s expert guidance. Skyborn and Katelyn Crisp were reserve in both classes.
Wentworth Lucifer and Beth Jones won the Pleasure Driving Championship, and D.J.’s High Fashion and Connie Smith won the qualifier. Heartland Storyteller and Alicia Schuckert were reserve in both classes.
My Genius Private Secretary and Lynn Shaw won the Western Pleasure class, while Divine Memory and Autumn Hunt Harrier were reserve.
Academy
Early Saturday morning belonged to the academy riders from area riding programs. A full schedule was offered for the new stars of the show ring and as incentive to the trainers and instructors $100 award was offered to the riding program with the most entries. This year the award went to Greg Reason. Those who won titles were: Madison Gray, Sarah Maxwell, Jessica Allread, Elizabeth Burton, Megan Buckley, Mandee Young, Sofiea Dueno, Madison Bartha, Bobbie Johnson, Samantha French, Danielle Schrodt, Sara Maxwell, Tyler Walker, Payton Walker, Jozee Johnson, Olivia Utley, Katy Dunn, Jena Allread, Julianna Mills and Maggie Price.
The River Ridge Charity Horse Show always brings the best of the best, and this year was no different. Sometimes called "Little Louisville", River Ridge is always a preview of who might be the next world’s champion.