Santa Barbara – It’s Where Everybody Wants To Be
Friday, July 14, 2006

by Leeann Mione

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The 87th annual Santa Barbara National Horse Show, held at the Earl Warren Show Grounds, was a showcase of not only top horseflesh, but also of how glorious the region is. Mother Nature provided picture-perfect conditions for a fun filled weekend. This is the place everyone wants to be . . . to vacation, shop, eat great food or simply relax and enjoy the scenery, it is one of California’s most popular destinations. To be able to enjoy a terrific horse show at the same time is just icing on the cake.

The show, which hosts Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Roadsters and equitation divisions in addition to several other breeds, is also the regional qualifier for the Friesians which head to Las Vegas in November for their national championship.

Led by competition manager Rae Deane Stone and her capable staff including show secretary Harriet Landrum, assistant show secretaries Sheri Hurst and Mary Kay Hartman and data processing secretary Ron Hood, the show proceeded smoothly both in and out of the ring.

Nancy Troutman made the trip from Salem, Va. to judge the Saddlebreds Hackneys, roadsters and equitation divisions. Suzanne Perkins, from Santa Barbara, was selected to judge the Friesians.

Cecile Hetzel-Dunn was the USEF Steward and Malcolm Rossoll announced from center ring. Grace Yaglou served as hornblower and ringmistress. Kelly Carle was the official farrier and Ed Moore captured the winning moments as official photographer. Patricia Dedrick, DVM was the show veterinarian and Take One Video Productions served as official videographer of the show. Jim Trader set everything to music as the show organist.

The Earl Warren Showgrounds also hosted the orchid festival the same weekend, but even the exotic displays of flowers which drew a large crowd couldn’t compete with the first rate competition inside the show ring.

CH Forever Aptor and Bill Tomin were joined by Doubletrees That Masqued Man and Don Deardorff, Black Comedy with Barbara Beamer, Doubletrees Hearts Afire with Rich Swiger and CCV Casey’s Final Countdown with Michele Macfarlane for the Five-Gaited Stake Friday evening.

Judge Nancy Troutman put the group through their paces and after a good class, she tied the South African entry of Si Si Stables and Michele Macfarlane first to continue the great season they’ve been having on the West Coast. Tomin and Forever Aptor were the reserve grand champions after having won the open qualifier for Gail Hooker.

Julia Martin and CH Callaway’s Arbitrator topped a nice amateur stake to make it two for two at Santa Barbara for Patricia Martin. The pair show under the direction of Dixon Stables and had previously won the amateur/ladies qualifier.

Jack-A-Lope and Kendall Weber finished as the reserve grand champions in the amateur stake to add to the many wins and top ribbons they have accumulated in their career together under the direction of Barbara Beamer.

Jessica Laurie stepped into the spotlight when The Irish Ember was named the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Grand Champion for Janine Hill. Michael Craghead of Diamond Hills met the winning team for their presentation.

Brigitte Scholl directed Stephanie Duck and Su Casa to the reserve grand championship title to put a top ribbon on the Monarch Stables tack room wall. Trophy Hunter and Laura Denenholz, showing under the Altadena Stables banner, won the junior exhibitor qualifier for Judy Denenholz.

Tasha Kalke has been having quite a summer this year and couldn’t have been happier for the opportunity to show her Pinnacles Classic Victory in the junior/limit class under the direction of Deardorff Stable. The fact that she won was just icing on the cake (see separate article).

The Three-Gaited Stake, like the gaited stake, featured a top group and put on a great show for the crowd. Gotta Lotta Fizz and Hilarie Thomas came through the gate to challenge Periempress with Marie Peyman, Absolute Courage with Brigitte Scholl, Victoria Lynn with Jim Cherry and Doubletrees Aqua Blue with Allison Deardorff.

Open champion Victoria Lynn added yet another Three-Gaited Grand Championship title to her many credits this season when Troutman gave the nod to Jim Cherry and he piloted the mare to the winner’s circle for Zazen Ranch. Deardorff and Aqua Blue were the reserve grand champions for Pinnacle Farm LLC after a powerful effort.

Allison Cherry and CH X’s and O’s have been at the top of their game since teaming up and they continued their win streak this season with the victory in the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake for Zazen Ranch. Aphrodite’s Tears and Lynda Lord also turned in a strong effort under the direction of Matthew Roberts to take the reserve streamers.

Wee Pee’s Storm and Julie DeVault added to their accomplishments this season by winning the Ladies/Amateur Three-Gaited class under the direction of Bill Tomin at Rockridge Farm.

Too Much Talk and trainer Derek Repp followed up a successful show at Del Mar with the win in the Junior/Limit Three-Gaited class for owner Jennifer Sandefur and topped a nice group for the win from Fair Hills Farm.

Jeffrey Fetzer was on board CH Data Dot Com to head down victory lane in the Three-Gaited Park Stake. Allison Cherry and Peritime finished as the reserve grand champions for Jim and Helen Cherry after having won the division’s largest class, the Junior/Limit Park qualifier. Shamrock’s Jessica and Brigitte Scholl won the open qualifier for Sarah Wolfe.

Brookhill’s Periday, with Jim Cherry holding the lines, was the Fine Harness Grand Champion and also won the open qualifier for Zazen Ranch. Barbara Beamer drove Fusilier to the reserve tricolor for owner Keith Roberts. They entered the ring having already won the junior/limit class.

No Jacket Required and Sally Spalding were two for two as Troutman named them the amateur grand champions and ladies/amateur champions. Michael Craghead, of Diamond Hills, met the winning team for their presentations.

Kendall Weber handled the driving duties for CH The Savoy to claim the reserve tricolor in the amateur stake for Seaview Farm and owner Barbara Beamer. Mackenzie Lyttle had previously driven The Savoy to the win in the junior exhibitor class.

Gladiola was the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Champion with Joel Aguilar driving for Michele Macfarlane. Royal Entry and Jim Cherry headed to the winner’s circle in the two-year-old class for Piney River Farm.

Air Force One and Jim Nottage turned it on for the crowd and put on two good shows to win both the Roadster To Bike Championship and open class under the Deardorff Stables banner. Muddy Waters and Bob Facciola, from Woodhaven, were reserve in the stake.

Not to be left out, Marie Peyman headed to the winner’s circle twice for Facciola and Woodhaven Farm. PT Cruiser was the Roadster Pony Grand Champion and winner of the open class. Seamair’s Awesome Dancer and Julie DeVault continued their success in the division this season with the reserve tie in the stake under the direction of Greg Carstens of Seamair Farm.

Joanne Weiner and Julie DeVault each made two victory passes in the Hackney pony pleasure driving division. Weiner drove her Heartland King Of Kings to the championship and open wins under the direction of Rockridge Farm. DeVault and Forever And A Day won the junior exhibitor class and the junior/limit class for DeVault Farms, LLC. Seamair Topaz, at the age of 23, was in top form with Melanie Galindo to claim the reserve grand championship ribbon for Thor Engelsen under the direction of Dixon Stables.

CH Sprinkles and Michele Macfarlane were right on target to sweep the five-gaited pleasure division which featured top competition in both classes. Helen Taylor and CH Will’s No Doubt About It have had great success in the division under the direction of Bruce Dixon and they turned in the reserve grand championship effort at Santa Barbara.

Worthy Prince, trained and shown by Robb Wallen of Wallen West Farms, went to the top of Troutman’s card in both the Park Pleasure Stake and open qualifier for owner Katie Richardson. Doubletrees Royal Request and Allison Deardorff took the reserve in the championship for owner Leslie Pierce.

The three-gaited pleasure division was also very competitive and the adult classes were the largest of the show. Tina Armstrong and Dancing With Destiny, showing under the direction of Anne Speck of Rancho Del Mar, were in top form to win three of the division’s classes. They took victory passes in the nine-entry Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake, adult qualifier and junior/limit class. Magic March and Susan Valley Chen were right there for reserve in the stake under the direction of Michael Craghead.

CH A Magic Spell and Katie Jarve have been having a great season and they added two more wins to their resume when Troutman named them the junior exhibitor grand champions and qualifier winners.

Miss American Phi and Stephanie Duck have been a successful combination under the direction of Brigitte Scholl and they put together the reserve grand championship effort in the junior exhibitor stake.

Kelly Ganci teamed Dawn Juan GAF to the win in the 10 and under pleasure class for walk and trot riders. Ganci shows under the Rainwater Saddlebreds banner.

Michael Craghead met Cathy Sauer and CH Doubletrees Doubletake in the winner’s circle after they won the Show Pleasure Driving class. They returned in the stake and earned that tricolor as well. Highland’s Gladiator and Jennifer Sandefur, showing from Fair Hills Farm, were the reserve grand champions.

The country pleasure division was not split for adults and junior exhibitors and both classes featured a top group competing in front of Nancy Troutman. Sunlight and Shadows, with Michele Macfarlane riding, was unstoppable and twice victorious for Scripps Miramar. Kendall Weber and CH Highpoint’s Abba Zabba have consistently been in the top ribbons in their career together and they were named the reserve grand champions under the direction of Tara Weber of Sabino Equestrian Center.

Matthew Roberts met Paul Newton in the winner’s circle when he drove Mardi Gras Mambo to the tricolor win in the Country Pleasure Driving Stake for owner Leanne Williams. CF Prowler’s Keepsake and Amy Vicker-Smith added their reserve tricolor to the Sabino Equestrian Center count.

With Louisville fast approaching and the appearance in Freedom Hall of the western pleasure horses for the first time, the western pleasure classes have been well-filled and extremely competitive all season.

CH Fiasco and Doug Glick made two appearances in the division and they were both winning ones. They were named the Western Pleasure Grand Champions and open champions from Diamond Hills. Patrick Bright teamed Doubletrees Next Step to the reserve tie in the stake for owner Kathleen March.

Kathie Dunn rode Spurwing’s Superfine Lady to the blue ribbon in both the junior/limit class and the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure class.

Kathleen March was in the irons to sweep the hunter country pleasure division. She and her Winsdown King of Diamonds won the stake and open class. Canadian Storm, with owner Patricia Reid, was named the reserve grand champion under the direction of Nani Barnes.

Mackenzie Lyttle had a great show at Santa Barbara under the direction of Anne Speck. Lyttle won the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship with her Mille Grazie after also winning the USEF Saddle Seat Medal and the NHS Good Hands class.
Siri Hadland has been having a great year in the equitation division under the direction of Brigitte Scholl and she won the 14-17 qualifier then returned to take reserve in the equitation championship with her CH Blue Ridge Miles.

Melanie Galindo switched gears from showing in the Hackney pleasure driving division to riding Mister Snapple in the equitation division. They headed to the winner’s circle after they were named the winners of the 13 and under equitation qualifier.

Caroline Cherry and Desert’s Indian Country have been at the top of the 10 and under walk and trot division all season and they added two more wins to the Cherry family’s total. They were the UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup Champions and also won the walk and trot qualifier.

Natalie Armstrong Grunnan and Con Teco Starlite were the UPHA 17 and Under Challenge Cup Champions from Rancho Del Mar.

California is rapidly becoming one of the most competitive circuits for Friesian competition in the country and as the regional qualifier for the Friesian National Championships, Santa Barbara National offered a full slate of classes including part-bred, in hand and costume in addition to numerous divisions under saddle.
Otto van’t Reithof and Cathryn Hager, representing Friesian Focus, won the Friesian Saddle Seat Park Open class before returning to take the win in the park regional championship under the direction of Lance Bennett.

Wodan van Klaverfjouner and Bennett were victorious in both the five-entry saddle seat pleasure class and the IFSHA Friesian Saddle Seat Pleasure Regional Championship.

Dante and Rachael Stokes claimed the open regional championship reserve tricolor for Friesian Quest after having won the IFSHA Friesian Junior Horse Regional Championship. Foppe fan’e Lange Ekers and Lance Bennett won the junior horse qualifier for Friesian Focus.

Showing under the direction of Stokes, Jolmer fan Tusken De Dobben and Kassandra Young headed to the winner’s circle twice. They won the IFSHA Amateur Saddle Seat Pleasure Championship and qualifier for Steven and Robin Young.

Pegasus also represented Friesian Quest in the winner’s circle when Stokes turned in the winning rides in the IFSHA Walk and Trot Pleasure Open Regional Championship and open class. Sil was in top form for new Friesian Focus customer Amanda Johnson to take the reserve title in the open stake. Lance Bennett showed for Johnson.
Black Sterling Friesians had a successful week at Santa Barbara with their numerous entries, earning several wins and top ribbons.

Julia Goldman rode Ravello to the IFSHA Amateur Walk and Trot Regional Championship for Janna and Ron Goldman. Goliath and Margo Wain Lee were the reserve grand champions. Joan Fernandez rode Daen H to the blue ribbon finish in the amateur qualifier for Friesian Focus.

Janna Goldman added her own winning ribbons from the IFSHA Western Pleasure Open Regional Championship and open class to the Black Sterling total when Ewout V.D. was named the winner of both. Evert and Michael Craghead took the reserve streamers in the championship for Phoebe Von Migula.

From western pleasure to hunter pleasure, Janna Goldman successfully made the transition and won two classes in the hunter division. Ate fan Bartlehiem was the IFSHA Hunter Pleasure Regional Grand Champion and open champion. Ivanhoe F.Q. and Rachael Stokes were reserve in the championship for Friesian Quest.

Kathrin Hain gave Black Sterling Friesians two more wins when she rode Fonger Fan Lutke Peinjum to the win in the IFSHA Junior Horse Hunter Pleasure Championship and Open Dressage Suitability class. Ivanhoe and Stokes were reserve champions after previously winning the IFSHA Dressage Suitability Regional Championship ahead of Hain and Fonger Fan Lutke Peinjum.

Hain wasn’t done yet. She also took the victory pass in the dressage hack regional championship with Ate fan Bartleheim. Allard and owner Anita Klinger claimed the reserve ribbon in the regional championship class. Julia Goldman and Ronald van de Zuiderwaard won the open dressage show hack class.

Robb Wallen was the winning handler when Dante went to the top of the card in the Friesian division’s biggest class, the 10-entry IFSHA Friesian In-Hand Stallion Regional Championship. Ate fan Bartlehiem was the reserve grand champion. Anne B and Nick Phillips won the gelding regional championship for Kimberly Ramirez and Mijke Renske T. won the mare championship with Brigitte Scholl. Scholl showed for Marz Farms.

LaNelle Weerts teamed her Friesian Adam to the win in the IFSHA Single Turnout Pleasure Driving Regional Championship. Crusader and Sandy Simmons took the reserve tie for owner Barbara Cross.

Ate fan Bartlehiem and Dante shared the wins in the costume division. Ate and Janna Goldman won the In Hand Baroque Regional Championship and Dante won the open period costume regional championship with Stokes showing for Friesian Quest. Anne B. and Phillips were reserve in the In-Hand Baroque Championship. Ivanhoe took reserve in the period costume class but this time he was shown by Lauren Cirignano.

Savaent and owner Tony Franceschiello won the open part-bred hunter pleasure class, the part bred in-hand class and the part bred dressage suitability class to close out the Friesian division.

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