Santa Barbara National Horse Show
Monday, July 23, 2007
by Leeann Mione
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - For 88 years the Santa Barbara National Horse Show has been an important and beloved stop on the California horse show circuit. Held this year July 4-7, at the Earl Warren Show Grounds, Santa Barbara showcased a great group of barns that brought their best and brightest for one of California’s last shows before Louisville. They came from throughout California, Arizona and Oregon to put on a great show.
Rae Deane Stone once again took the helm as competition manager. Her capable staff of show secretary Harriet Landrum, assistant secretary Sheri Hurst and data processors Ron Hood and Mary Kay Hartman kept things running smoothly in the office. Mark Utoft made the trip from Illinois to judge the Saddlebreds, Saddle Seat Friesians, Hackneys, roadsters and equitation classes. Richard Petty shared judging duties with Utoft for the Friesian classes.
This year, Paso Finos shared the stage with the Saddlebreds, Hackneys and roadsters, but the Tennessee Walking Horses were not part of the show schedule as they have been in years past. The result was that evening sessions were short and allowed plenty of time for attendees to enjoy a wealth of activities that beautiful Santa Barbara provides.
Big, competitive classes in most of the pleasure divisions, world’s champions just about everywhere you looked and an easy, relaxed show schedule accompanied by glorious Santa Barbara weather, made this year’s show one of the best in recent years.
Five-Gaited
A trio of entries headed to the ring for the Five-Gaited Stake after having competed in their qualifiers earlier in the week. Black Comedy, the open reserve champion with Barbara Beamer of Seaview Farm, was joined by open class winner CCV Casey’s Final Countdown and Michele Macfarlane and Life’s A Dance ERB with Chris Treston. Treston had previously ridden to the reserve in the junior/limit class under the direction of Dave Hysaw.
Mark Utoft named Casey’s Final Countdown the grand champion to continue a great season so far for Macfarlane and co-owner SiSi Stables. Life’s A Dance was the reserve grand champion with Treston up.
CH Callaway’s Arbitrator and Dr. Debra Vallner followed up their Del Mar successes by sweeping the amateur stake and qualifier under the direction of Jennifer Dixon. Undulata Prophet and Gail Hooker had two good goes to take the reserves in both the five-entry amateur stake and qualifier under the direction of Bill Tomin.
Tip Me Do, also from Rockridge Farm, carried Ali Bishop to the tricolor in the junior exhibitor stake which hosted a trio of hard riding youngsters. Undulata’s Confidential and Laura Denenholz were the reserve grand champions after winning the junior exhibitor class under the direction of Jim Bennett. Jack-A-Lope and Patrick Weber were reserve in the qualifier for Kendall Weber and Sabino Equestrian Center.
Ali Bishop and Tip Me Do
Emerald Hills had a great week at Santa Barbara and The Big Unit was just one of their winners. Roman Marcos rode to the blue in the junior/limit class for Julie Greenbaum Belgrad.
Busting Out won the three-year-old class at Chapter 1 and Del Mar and made it three for three with the win at Santa Barbara. Trainer David Blevins was up for owner Jennifer Sandefur.
Three-Gaited
Victoria Lynn and CH Whitney Houston battled it out in the Three-Gaited Stake and when Utoft’s card was turned in, it was Victoria Lynn named to take the tricolor to add to the blue from the open class earlier in the week. Jim Cherry rode for Zazen Ranch. CH Whitney Houston and David Blevins were reserve in both the stake and open class for Marcia Sola.
Jennifer Sandefur continued the winning for Crown Valley Farm when Too Much Talk was named the Amateur Three-Gaited Grand Champion. She had won the five-entry amateur qualifier and topped three other teams in the stake.
Jennifer Sandefur and Too Much Talk
with trainer David Blevins
CH X’s And O’s, with Allison Cherry, was reserve in both amateur classes for Zazen Ranch.
Like Sunshine and Julia Chen kept the wins coming for Sabino Equestrian Center when they were named the winners of the junior exhibitor stake and qualifier. Raising Havoc and Kelly Ganci, from Rainwater Saddlebreds, were reserve in both classes for Michelle Ganci.
Don Deardorff rode Lady Avalon to the blue in the junior/limit class for Sally Nottage and was followed in the ribbons by Start Something with Carlos Gonzalez up for Shari Rainwater.
Dance By Design won the three-year-old class with Matthew Roberts up for Dr. Amy Dru to add a blue to the White Star Stables tack room wall. Dave Hysaw, from Bugle Boy Stables, was reserve with Winsdown Penn Hills. Hysaw rode for Ron Emerson.
Park
Kendall Weber had a very busy week at Santa Barbara, showing several different mounts including Peritime. Weber and Peritime won the eight-entry Park Stake and three-entry open class for Helen and Jim Cherry. Paladin’s Presidio continued a great season for Kevin and Sarah Hausheer with the reserve grand championship. Trainer Robb Wallen showed for the Hausheers. The Full Monty was reserve in the open class with Julie DeVault up for DeVault Farms, LLC.
Kendall Weber and Peritime
Theo Robinson showed Wee Pee’s Meadows to the blue ribbon in the five-entry junior/limit class for owner Linda Nicholas. They represented Liz Bolton Stables with their win. Jigsaw Johnny and owner Nancy Moreno were second under the direction of Dan Flowers.
Fine Harness
Brookhill’s Periday returned to win the Fine Harness Stake with Jim Cherry driving, after winning the open class. Fusilier and trainer Barbara Beamer were reserve in the open class for owner Keith Roberts.
Sally Spalding and No Jacket Required teamed up to win the Amateur Fine Harness Stake following their reserve in the qualifier. CH The Savoy and Jane Singleton were the amateur reserve grand champions for Seaview Farm.
A Solar Flare made a single appearance in the amateur division at Santa Barbara with Julie Greenbaum Belgrad driving for Heather Greenbaum. She headed to the winner’s circle in the amateur qualifier under the direction of Roman and Cayce Marcos.
Fair Hills Farm, under the direction of trainer Derek Repp, claimed two wins in the division. Holy Moly was the junior/limit champion for owner Merilyn Patterson and Fair Hill’s Blondie won the three-year-old class for Maynard and Linda Brittan. Robb Wallen drove Winsdown New Wave to reserve in the three-year-old class for Bob and Paula Lovo. The Lovos kept their great show going with two-year-old Winsdown Bridgeworks. Wallen drove to center ring to accept the blue ribbon. Anna Pavlova and Joel Aguilar were reserve for Scripps Miramar.
Roadster
Main Man and Fidencio Maturino won the Road Horse To Bike Stake and open class for Bob Facciola and Woodhaven Farm.
DF Tres Chic followed up a great show at Del Mar by winning the Roadster Pony Stake and open class with Kendall Weber driving for Sabino Equestrian Center. PT Cruiser was reserve in both classes with Marie Peyman driving for Facciola.
Ponies
Seamair’s Dear Admiral who was so impressive at Del Mar, made a single appearance at Santa Barbara in the Open Harness Pony class. Lance Bennett drove to the win in the division’s only class for owner Scott Hickey.
Heartland King Of Kings has made many appearances in the Hackney pony pleasure driving division and added two more wins to an already very long list. Joanne Weiner drove for the victory pass in the stake and qualifier under the direction of Rockridge Farm. Greg Carstens directed Seamair’s Pretty Dancer, with Joan Richardson driving, to the reserve in both classes for Mary Dell Pritzlaff.
Pleasure
The pleasure classes were quite well filled and competitive at Santa Barbara and featured a proven group in class after class. Reigning World’s Champion of Champions CH Sprinkles topped the nine-entry Five-Gaited Pleasure Stake after winning the equally-as-large qualifier. Cassidy and Bobbie Reid were the reserve grand champions showing under the Bugle Boy Stables banner. He’s Xelerating was reserve in the qualifier with owner Kimberly Carson up from Emerald Hills.
The park pleasure division featured a strong group and both the stake and qualifier were quite competitive. Imagine The Dream, owned by Karen Lachman, won both with Don Deardorff riding. The Pacific Ambassador and Robb Wallen claimed both the reserve grand championship and reserve in the open class for owner Katie Richardson.
Texas Gunslinger kept Michele Macfarlane in the winner’s circle twice more when Utoft named them the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake winners after winning the adult class earlier in the week for Scripps Miramar.
Leslie Pierce and Doubletrees Royal Request were reserve in the adult stake from Deardorff Stables. Ina Brown represented Rancho Del Mar when Mackenzie Lyttle rode up to accept the red ribbon in the adult qualifier for Dian and Charles McNab.
Dave Hysaw met Shelby Jackson and Explosive Material in the winner’s circle when they were called out as the junior exhibitor grand champions for Craig Jackson. They had previously finished in second in the qualifying class. Callaway’s Party Time and Sami Bishop won the junior exhibitor class and then returned to take the reserve tricolor back to Rockridge Farm.
Matthew Roberts and Marcia Everett directed Kirwan Kennedy and CH Holy Fruit Salad to the blue ribbon in the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Pleasure class for owner Laura Kennedy. Dawn Juan and Natalie Robinson were reserve.
Periaptor’s Chief Executive won the Junior/Limit Horse Three-Gaited Pleasure class with owner Carolyn Hohenberger. They topped a strong group of eight for the win under the direction of Liz Bolton. Sir Smooch Alot and Kimberly Carson followed in the ribbon count for owners Julie Belgrad and Heather Greenbaum from Emerald Hills.
Emerald Hills wasn’t done earning top ribbons yet. Julie Belgrad and It’s Good Karma headed to the winner’s circle when number 133 was named the winning entry in the Show Pleasure Driving Stake. Roman and Cayce Marcos directed the winning team.
Julie Belgrad and It’s Good Karma
Laura and Kirwan Kennedy had a great week at Santa Barbara. Laura added another top ribbon to their total when Stonecutter was named as the reserve grand champion for Kirwan Kennedy. Li’l Miss Demeanor and Annette Puchta took the red ribbon in the qualifier.
In the open English pleasure division, the Friesians and Saddlebreds showed together and it was the Friesian entry of Friesian Focus taking both wins. Lance Bennett and Floris were the OTAB English Pleasure Grand Champions and champions for Joan Fernandez. Priceless Heirloom and Shae Rusing teamed up for owner Peggy Mehagian to earn the reserve tricolor streamers and reserve in the open class under the direction of Dave Hysaw.
Country Pleasure
Cheyenne Banks-Diaz, riding Callaway’s Spring Blossom, trotted to center ring to accept the tricolor in the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure Stake after having already won the qualifier. She rode for owners Debbie and Beau Rash from Rancho Del Mar.
Paasche Of Silver Oaks was reserve in both classes with Julie Streitfeld showing under the direction of Brigitte Scholl.
Sunlight And Shadows, with Michele Macfarlane, swept the country pleasure division for Scripps Miramar and bested a field of seven in both classes. CH Highpoint’s Abba Zabba and Kendall Weber were the reserve grand champions and reserve champions from Sabino Equestrian Center.
Sabino cemented their strong presence in the country pleasure divisions when CF Prowler’s Keepsake was named the Country Pleasure Driving Grand Champion and champion with Amy Vicker-Smith driving. He’s McDreamy and Julie Belgrad were reserve in the stake. Jason Williams drove Sultan’s Sarah Mariah to the red ribbon in the qualifier for owner Cathrine Cartwright. Robb Wallen directed the reserve champions.
CH Like Thunder, with an incredible season already so far in the western country pleasure division, faced a strong group including reigning world’s champion of champions CH Fiasco, also with a great season to his credit so far. The two battled it out in both classes for the top two spots and when Utoft turned in his card, it was Like Thunder and Michele Macfarlane earning both wins for Scripps Miramar. CH Fiasco was reserve in both classes with Doug Glick showing from Sabino Equestrian Center for Michael and Carolyn Glick.
CH Like Thunder and Michele Macfarlane
Rainwater Saddlebreds scored both of the remaining blue ribbons in the division owner Kathleen March earned both reserves. Shari Rainwater rode Highpoint’s Tip Top to the blue in the junior/limit class and Highpoint’s Born To Boogie won the Shatner class with owner Michelle Ganci.
Geronimo’s Cadillac was reserve in the junior/limit class with Pat Bright up for Kathleen March. Kay March rode for the reserve in the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure class.
Deborah Schuetz-Jones and Thank Heaven have a long list of wins in the hunter country pleasure division and they added Santa Barbara’s Hunter Country Pleasure Stake win to their credit. Richard’s Time ERB and Patty Ladd, from Jim Bennett Stables, won the open qualifier and returned to finish reserve in the stake.
Equitation
Laura Denenholz, also showing from Jim Bennett Stables, was the Saddle Seat Equitation Grand Champion after performing well on the rail and in the workout. She rode Altadena Starlight to the win and had previously also won the 14-17 class and the NHS Good Hands class. Samantha Lyttle rode Simile to the equitation reserve tricolor under the instruction of Anne Speck. Lyttle was reserve in the 14-17 class and rode Sharp for that class.
Laura Denenholz and Altadena Starlight
Cara Sivara won the 13 and Under Saddle Seat Equitation class, riding Mr. Snapple for Dixon Stables. Diaz and Tailored N Elegance of Silver Oaks were reserve. They also took the reserve in the NHS Good Hands class.
Kirwan Kennedy rode CH Holy Fruit Salad to another blue at Santa Barbara. This time they won the 10 and Under Walk and Trot class from White Star Stables. Caroline Cherry and Desert’s Indian Country were reserve for Jim and Helen Cherry. Kennedy and Cherry finished in the same order in the UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup.
Kendall Weber rode Lauren Kaplan’s Selby Lane to the blue ribbon in the Adult Equitation class under the direction of Michael Craghead and Tara Weber. Mackenzie Lyttle and Sharp were the reserve champions.
Cheyenne Banks-Diaz and Jamie Katz finished one and two, respectively, in the 17 and under UPHA Challenge Cup. Katz represented White Star Stables.
Friesian
The Santa Barbara National Horse Show, as host of the IFSHA Region 10 Championships, was fortunate to have a very nice group of Friesians competing in the many championship divisions.
In the IFSHA Region 10 Saddle Seat Park Class, Rachael Stokes teamed Meine van de Ridderdijk to the win for Dr. Lyn Stadish. Lance Bennett and Otte van’t Reiithof were reserve for Joan Ferandez and Friesian Focus.
Robb Wallen directed Kassandra Young to victory in the Region 10 Saddle Seat Pleasure Open class with Jolmer fan tusken de Dobben. Wodan van Klaverfjouwer and Lance Bennett followed in the ribbon count for Friesian Focus.
Julia Goldman and Ronald van de Zuiderwaard claimed the win for Black Sterling Friesians in the Amateur Saddle Seat Pleasure Region 10 class. Fimmie fan Henswoude, with Elee Godfrey up, was reserve for Alicia and Michael Stephenson. Godfrey rode under the direction of Charles Chaddick.
Itse fan Oostwold was the Region 10 Junior Horse Saddle Seat Pleasure champion with Bennett up for Fernandez. Jelte and Brigitte Scholl took the reserve for Cathy Anderson.
Feije, owned by Bob Nugent, won the Region 10 Walk/Trot Pleasure Open class with Bennett in the irons to add another win to the Rancho Vista/Friesian Focus total. Ivanhoe F.Q. had a very busy week under the direction of Wallen West. Betsy Wallen rode to the reserve for Janet Lundeen-Austin,
Winze fan Wyns and Bennett were victorious in the Region 10 Show Pleasure Driving class for Friesian Focus. Koreen Greenberg’s Edse van der Wittewyk was next in the ribbon count with Crown Valley Farm trainer David Blevins driving.
Stokes was back in the winner’s circle when Oebele R.V. was named the winner of the IFSHA Region 10 Saddle Seat Country Pleasure Open class for Dr. Stadish. Doeke H., owned by Jackson Cripe, was reserve with Cathryn Hager riding.
Ewout V.D. and Janna Goldman added another western pleasure win to their total this season by winning the Region 10 Open Western Pleasure class. Ivanhoe F.Q. was reserve with Bob Purtee up.
Goldman switched gears and headed back to the winner’s circle in the Region 10 Open Hunter Pleasure class. She rode Ate to the top of the card for Black Sterling Friesians. Weird K and Haley Garcia were second for owner Christine Keiser.
Barend Schuursma and Jilke fan de Koarndyk won the IFSHA Junior Horse Dressage Suitability class then returned to win the open class for Ron and Janna Goldman. Weird K was reserve in the open class. Gazelle, with Sunny Wells riding for Michelle Sweigart, won the amateur dressage class after taking the reserve in the junior horse dressage class.
Ate Fan Bartlehiem and Janna Goldman won the Region 10 Dressage Hack Open class. Garcia followed in the ribbon count with Anne B. owned by Kimberly Ramirez. The IFSHA Friesian English Show Hack Open class added another win to Ate’s total with Schuursma in the irons. Dante of Honor Bright was reserve with Garcia up for Ramirez.
Ronald teamed up with Ron Goldman to win both the IFSHA Carriage Pleasure Driving Single Turnout class and the Carriage Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship class.
Ivanhoe and Betsy Wallen won the Region 10 Period Costume class but weren’t done yet. They also headed to center ring for the win in the fantasy costume class. Oebele R.V. was reserve in the period costume class with owner Lyn Stadish up.
Santa Barbara offers one of the few opportunities for the Friesians to compete in-hand before their upcoming Friesian National Championship Horse Show in St. Louis.
Sunny Wells presented JW Lyxandre to the win in the region 10 stallion in-hand class for stallions three-years-old and over. Ate was reserve with Janna Goldman showing. Ate returned to the ring just a short time later and was named the winner of the baroque in-hand stallion class. Dante was reserve with Nick Phillips showing for Ramirez.
Robb Wallen presented Nienke of DMF to the win in the mare class and they were followed by Wytske fan de Slachtedyk and Garcia. Nienke also won the baroque mare in-hand class with Wallen showing. Gazelle and Nick Phillips finished in reserve.
Anne B. and Phillips took the first prize in the region 10 in-hand gelding class for Ramirez and also won the baroque gelding in-hand class. Weird K and Garcia claimed second place in the three-year-old and over stallion in-hand class for Christine Keiser.
Sjoerd won the IFSHA Two-Year-Old and Under Colt In-Hand class for Xena Vimercati and Dr. Kip Johnson. Robb Wallen presented for the win. Raven Of Honor Bright was second with Nick Phillips handling for Ramirez. Talisa Grace won the in-hand class for fillies two years old and younger. Charles Chaddick showed for Alicia and Michael Stephenson.
The Friesians also had the opportunity to compete in classes that were not designated IFSHA Region 10. Otto and Lance Bennett won the Friesian Open Saddle Seat Park class.
The open saddle seat pleasure class hosted a nice group and Jolmer took the win with Kassandra Young up. Wodan and Bennett claimed the red ribbon for Friesian Focus.
Kassandra Young and Jolmer
Itse won the junior horse saddle seat pleasure class for Fernandez. Bennett rode for the win. Jelte and Brigitte Scholl followed in the ribbon count. Ronald and Julia Goldman won the Friesian Saddle Seat Amateur Pleasure class. Keimpe, with owner Koreen Greenberg up, was named the reserve champion.
Feije won again for Bob Nugent. This time Bennett rode to the winner’s circle in the Friesian Walk/Trot Pleasure Open class which showcased five entries. Doeke V, owned by Amanda Johnson, was reserve with Rachael Stokes.
Ivanhoe F.Q., with Kassandra Young riding, won the five-entry amateur walk/trot pleasure class for Lundeen-Austin to add to her ribbon count for the week. JW Lyxandre was second with Sunny Wells.
Winze, with Lance Bennett for Friesian Focus, and Edse, with David Blevins for Koreen Greenberg, finished one and two, respectively in the Friesian Show Pleasure Driving class.
Doeke H. and Cathryn Hager won the Friesian Saddle Seat Country Pleasure class for Jackson Cripe.
The final blue ribbon in the Friesian division went to Janna Goldman and Ewout V.D. They won the Friesian Open Western Pleasure class. Ivanhoe and Bob Purtee were reserve.
This highlights the 88th annual Santa Barbara National Horse Show. Complete results can be found by clicking here.
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