Saturday Ends With Quite A Moment-In-Time In Oklahoma!
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Saturday – Coliseum
Anticipation mounted as the final weekend of the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show opened. After a long week of showing and some highly charged performances, the momentum was building toward the crowning of some of the major world champions of 2003.
Breeding programs are the future of any breed, and futurity programs are one of the best things a breed can do to reward its breeders for their countless hours of work, effort, and energy that go into securing our next generations of horses.
Saturday morning’s session was reserved for the World Futurity In Hand classed. The Yearling Geldings started things off with a fine field of 11. Ken Martin was proud to show off one of the top products of the Aljak breeding program with Aljak’s On The Double (Aljak’s Double Whammy x Century Oak Denali). Martin's daughter Myriah had already taken her turn in the winner’s circle at the Grand National. Today it was dad’s turn to be in the limelight much to the delight of his entire family.
Arboria Gold Coast (Bourbon Street x Arboria Chantelle) was the reserve in-hand futurity gelding after winning the Yearling title and Junior World Champion Gelding title in Sunday’s competition. Tom Johnson presented the smooth and showy entry for Arboria Morgans.
The Yearling Fillies Futurity Class featured an extremely promising young filly by WWW Reality Check Dot Com, bred by Mike Super, stepping to the head of the class. Mark Wahl presented WWW Virtual Reality to the win in the futurity class after earning the reserve yearling filly honors on Sunday for owner Dale Nielson. Mark Bodnar presented Merriewold Emma (Nemours Noble Elegance x UVM Rarity) to the reserve tie in an impressive field of 11 for the Cairnbrae Corporation.
The Junior World Champion Stallion, TRE Master of Disguise (Stonecroft Masquerade x WTS Wind and A Prayer) returned for another impressive showing to win the Futurity Yearling Colt honors. Bob Kellert presented the handsome youngster to the unanimous tie for Ridgewood Farm and Richard Phillips. It was a tricolor repeat from the yearling colts as John Hufferd presented the Reserve Yearling Colt Futurity Champion, MSV Shooting Star (Liberation First Star x Ryan’s Pure Silk Lady) for owner Margaret VanMeter.
The Dragonsmeade breeding program continues to draw national acclaim. Dragonsmeade Virtuoso (Beethoven x Queen’s Estelle) unanimously won the Two-Year-Old In-Hand Gelding Futurity with Judy Whitney Harris presenting for Dragonsmeade. Mike Carpenter presented Sarde’s Sinful (HVK Courageous Flaire x Stonecroft Shalimar) to the reserve unanimous tie for Linda Langlois and Daniel Kelley.
Sunday’s Two-Year-Old Mare Champion and Reserve World Champion Junior Mare also claimed the Futurity In-Hand Two-Year-Old Mare honors. With Tim Roesink directing DreamMaster Anjelica (Chandel Absolute x KVA Empress) once again struck the winning pose for JME Morgans, Inc. Dragonsmeade Farm produced another Saturday morning tricolor winner in Dragonsmeade Bell Song (HVK Bell Flaire x Simply Apropos). Robert Hughes and Debi Jeppesen presented the elegant filly, who was the winner of the 2002 Pacific Coast Yearling Futurity Championship in her only other show ring appearance.
The Stonecroft Farm breeding program also is well recognized as producing champion after outstanding champion. Stonecroft Intuition (Stonecroft Masquerade x Century Enjoli) was named the unanimous winner of the Two-Year-Old Stallion Futurity. Rick Stevens was on the lead of the 2001 Morgan Breeder Sweepstakes Champion to earn top honors for Stonecroft Farm. Despite the fact that he was feeling somewhat under the weather, Town Assets (Man About Town LPS x Honeytree’s Simply Unique) emerged with reserve tricolor honors adding to another great Oklahoma for the stallions bred by Lynn Peeples.
After a grand display by the young horses, the session closed out with a strong showing by young riders. Stacia Klein is three for three in her age group in Oklahoma with Outrageous Courageous – not bad for a child that’s not yet 11! Klein won the Walk-Trot 10-11 English Pleasure Finals under the Arcuri Stables banner. Oklahoma City's own Emily Orthwein and the veteran champion Bandelaro were the reserve winners in the good class prepared by Ronda Collins.
Stand And Deliver did just that in the first class of the afternoon session. Mike Goebig presented the Queen’s Vanity Flair son to his second world championship in as many years for proud owner and breeder Tara Lindeen as they captured the Three-Year-Old Park Harness World Championship. Another outstanding Dragonsmeade product, Dragonsmeade Fusion and Robert Hughes, earned the reserve honors with a spectacular performance of their own. The three-year-old division certainly gave strong promise for the future with a phenomenal group of youngsters competing throughout the week.
Haley Coplen was primed and ready for the Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Western Pleasure World Championship. Her smooth and steady partner HDD Wild Thing listened to her every signal to capture the world championship honors amid a highly competitive group of 18 tricolor teams from coast to coast. Megan Drew and the multi-titled Tara’s Apache earned the good reserve world title with a polished ride for Barbara Ebbert directed by Rob Marsh.
Frances Pugh and her standout star Tara’s War Eagle made it two for two by winning the Ladies Classic Pleasure Driving World Championship as well as the Ladies Pleasure Driving Gelding Grand National qualifier in unanimous fashion. Ken and Diana Swanson direct this incredible Tara Farm property. Reserve in the good class went to last year’s Classic Pleasure Driving World Champion, Stonecroft Sedona and Cricket Coleman performing under the River's Edge banner.
With 25 horses competing for the Ladies Amateur Western Pleasure title, nothing was being taken for granted. Amy Gatewood Buckle and MCA Seawind Serenade showed their elegance, style and determination to earn the World Championship honors. They enjoyed their victory pass under the spotlight for DanTree Farm under the direction of Cedar Creek Farm. Virginia Adams and He's Simply Marvelous started off a memorable weekend with the reserve world championship.
Dr. Kevin Schengrund was thrilled with his Sarde's Manistique who earned a unanimous tie in the Three-Year-Old English Pleasure World Championship under the tutelage of Luman Wadhams. The handsome son of Man About Town LPS and Lady Hot Topic drew a rousing ovation for his performance. David Rand directed the dynamic Mizrahi son, Queen’s Loverboy to the reserve world championship for the Queens River Farm. This talented team drew first blood as the placings were reversed in the Stallion and Gelding qualifier earlier in the week.
More unanimous decisions followed. This time it was Manhatten Design and Caitlin Harrison earning the attention of all three judges in the Junior Exhibitor
Classic Pleasure Driving World Championship under the guidance of Broadmoor. The duo also attracted lots of attention winning the 14-17 age group qualifier. Cedar Creek Tour De Force and Katherine Alderman drove away with the reserve world championship finish in the good class. They provided quite a memorable moment for proud mom/trainer Peggy Alderman.
There’s nothing more precious that the 9 and Under Walk-Trot classes. In the English Pleasure division, Alexandra Meyer was the polished winning rider with adept skills far beyond her years. She was mounted aboard Cedar Creek Ungaro to win the class unanimously under Mary Cockriel’s watchful eye. Meyer also won this title in 2000 and 2001 paired with Brief Encounter. The lovely little Delaney Weed was all smiles to pick up the reserve honors in her first trip to Oklahoma. It was also the first season to compete in Oklahoma for her young mount Heir Rifle under Debi Jeppesen’s instruction.
The Junior Classic Pleasure Driving World Championship showcased another unanimous winner, Tomeri Tiamo, on victory lane. Teri Brisco was especially proud of the elegant Futurity French Command daughter who she bred, owns and shows under the training of Gerry Rushton and Stacy Hennessy. This was the third victory pass for this talented team this week! Mary Ann McKnight-Cantey and the beautiful Gulfwind Temptress captured a reserve world championship to add to their impressive list of titles for Paul and Evelyn McKnight.
A ring full of junior exhibitor 13 and under riders were on hand to compete in the Hunter Pleasure division for world championship honors. Black Orchid Ace Commander and Jordan Cusumano topped the good class with a beautiful ride and a spotlight victory pass to earn their second title of the week, and first world championship. They took the title home to Michigan under the direction of Katie Mair. Last year's world championship duo of Futurity’s Roman Torch and Merin Maggi earned the reserve title and added a little spice to victory lane.
The final class of the afternoon session was for junior exhibitors 14-17 with their pleasure driving horses. Thirteen entries made for a crowded ring, and family and friends were vocal with their support for these talented young drivers. Judges Henry, Judd and Angell all selected PT Stormin Norman and Whitney Hazen to top their cards, much to the delight of her parents Bill and Sammi Hazen. This was the second year in a row that they carried home the world championship crown. CBMF Simple Pleasures and Heather Aller earned reserve world honors and the vocal support of the crowd for their efforts. This talented and well matched team made their own victory pass in the 16-17 year old age group qualifier earlier in the week under the Grove Pointe banner.
Arguably one of the best nights of competition at the Grand National, perhaps even better than the final Sunday night, is Saturday night’s competition. The Amateur Park Saddle World Championship starts things off with a bang and it doesn’t slow up until the Park Harness World Championship exits the ring, and perhaps not even then since this year Jim Lowry and several friends hosted a “street party” to entertain the Morgan Grand National crowd.
With everyone dressed in their finest, live music to accompany world champion horses, and spotlights for those incredible victory passes, the evening was a very special event. The Amateur Park Saddle World Championship had been a highly anticipated event. A ring full of talented entries, with nearly all having previously earned world or reserve world titles, started off what promised to be a night to remember.
It certainly was a night that Anne Morgan won’t soon forget, or her trainers Erin, Kathy and Gene Boggs! With Hylee's Dann Right, a horse they were told was too tough for a young rider, this talented team developed a duo that would top the Amateur Park Saddle World Championship in their second year in amateur competition. Not that it’s been easy, but Morgan gave a performance that defied her age and experience to top the class to the rousing cheers of the Morgan family and their many fans. Kristi Buehrle and Mantic Bullseye certainly did not make it easy. They also had an outstanding performance that attracted lots of attention on the rail. But in the end, they had to settle for the reserve world title after winning the mare and gelding qualifier earlier in the week for William Bandy under the training of Richard Boule.
The Grand National Heritage Salute to America is a great chance for the carriage driving enthusiasts to present their lovely horses and carriages to the entire Morgan Grand National audience. The pair directed by Bill Lower and owned by Victoria Bennett won every class in their division at this year’s Grand National, and this one was no exception. Besting the single hitches as well, this talented duo made the much-appreciated victory pass. Jon May and his own Madrona Rubicon, the winners of this class in 1998, earned the second place finish this year in the elegant class.
The Ladies English Pleasure World Championship is always one of the prettiest classes to view. Thirteen elegant combinations answered the call of the class. The Ladies English Pleasure Mare winner UVM Farrah and Missy Hanover were ready to take on the world championship competition and they did so with style and precision. Linda Sheridan and trainer David Young were overjoyed with their rose-adorned victory. Kim Weed and LCS Striptease added the reserve world championship to their outstanding string of tricolors during their career together competing for KW Morgans under the Rock Walker Stable banner.
The AMHA is proud to have one of the most developed youth programs in the country. The AMHA youth compete in four categories; written exam, speech,
horsemanship pattern and even judging contest. In the end the top 12 finalists were showcased in the coliseum on Saturday night. Then in reverse order the top six finalists were announced with Joseph Amory earning the Reserve Youth of the Year Award representing the Mid-Atlantic Regional Horse Show. The Youth of the Year Winner takes a trip anywhere in the world compliments of the Cynthia Elaine Epperson Trust Fund. Stephanie Pitts is packing her bags now, I am sure, after being thrilled to be named the AMHA Youth of the Year. The reserve winner also receives a trip, anywhere in the United States, compliments of Marilyn Esteb and Stone Pine Farm. Along with many other generous sponsors, the AMHA Youth Program continues to prosper.
The competition got back underway as 18 entries made for tough competition in the Ladies Hunter Pleasure World Championship. The winners of the two splits of the ladies gelding qualifier came out on top following a demanding class. The winning partnership of Kathleen Peeples and the Brown/Klein family added another World Championship to their incredible 2003 resume. Peeples directed Indian Creek Final Touch to the ride with the roses. Jennifer McFall also capably directed Lightyear to the reserve world champion title to place next to the Grand National awards from section B of the Ladies Hunter Pleasure Gelding Class. Melissa Hart owns this talented young entry.
Lisa Howa has also enjoyed an outstanding Oklahoma. After winning the reserve world championship with Aristocraticallee last year, Howa was determined and
prepared to make a run at the top prize they had earned in 2001. Winning the gelding qualifier set the stage for Saturday night. With her family all here now cheering her on, she bested the field of 13 with a beautiful performance to bring home that blanket of roses. Good friend and competitor Jack Gatewood and Tolstoy also looked strong coming into the championship having won the stallion qualifier. With a powerful performance, the dynamic duo earned the reserve world champion title for DanTree Farm prepared by Cedar Creek Farm.
With seven Oklahoma titles to his credit already, Silversides Toy Soldier proved to be the energizer bunny, who just keeps going and going to the winner’s circle. Trainer, presenter and biggest fan, Krista Dent directed the perennial champion to his eighth Oklahoma title, his third world championship, and his first unanimous world championship much to the delight of owner and breeders Mary Fisher and Talmadge Silversides. Always a wonderful competitor in this division, Nicoria and Missy Hanover pushed the champion hard to earn the reserve world championship in their final performance together. This tricolor added to a phenomenal day of world titles for the Gatewood family's DanTree Farm.
With 16 competitors in the Ladies Western Pleasure World Championship, the competition was stiff. Allyson Hughes and Morning Dance would be tough to beat after winning both the mare and ladies mare qualifiers. Jennifer McFall and five-year-old DLH Dakota Blues were up to the challenge though and together claimed victory and the world championship title for Julie Chan and the Charleyhorse Farm. The always elegant team of Morningdance and Allyson Hughes jogged up for the reserve world title in what would be their final show together.
The traditional closing event of the Saturday night session at Oklahoma is the Park Harness World Championship. Two time defending World Grand Champion HVK Vibrance won his qualifier earlier in the week, but was not back in the championship to defend his crown. The exciting pair of Vibrance and his trainer Tom Caisse was sorely missed, but Caisse had been feeling too ill to compete with the Shipyard Point entry.
The remaining seven entries were fighting it out to determine who would take over the title of Park Harness World Champion. The crowd was very vocal about their favorites and each of the seven competitors had their own cheering section that was convinced they should be the newly crowned champions. But in the end two of three judges selected Will-O-Way Moment in Time to carry home the top honors. It was indeed the ultimate moment in time for the dynamic stallion bred and owned by Elmer Gross and Mary Ann Davis and driven by David Earehart. Following one of the most memorable performances of the show in the qualifier, Kim’s Bellegante and Robert Hughes finished off a day filled with reserve world champions for Rock Walker Stables. They were the toast of their devoted fan club as well as proud owner Hubert Kim. The largest audience of the week maintained their vocal support of their favorites through the awarding of the placings to all seven horses who each previously earned a championship or reserve championship title at this horse show.
The evening continued late into the night as all spectators and participants were invited to a street party between barns one and six compliments of Lowry Stables along with Dabora, Inc., DanTree Farm, Dragonsmeade, Morgan Connection, Priscilla Marconi, Schatzberg Photography, Stove Prairie Ranch and Tall Tails Farm. Music, food and a cash bar kept the camaraderie flowing among all of the fans of this remarkable and versatile breed.
Saturday – Show Arena 6
The highly coveted Senior UPHA Challenge Cup Finals highlighted the competition on Saturday in the show arena. Industry favorite Susie Sessink received cheers from the crowd during the lineup, a rousing round of applause at the announcement of her name and during her victory pass, and she was greeted back at the barn by the applause and cheers of her fellow stable mates. Sessink, who teamed up with AFF The Stalker for the victory, is the niece of Sandy and Calvin Sessink of Old Orchard Farm and has long been admired for her horsemanship and her good sportsmanship. What a thrill to see her recognized in such a memorable way in her final show competing in the equitation division.
Sarah Taylor fended off the other challengers for the reserve UPHA Challenge Cup award. Taylor is the talented rider of Kathy and Erin Boggs’ Cape Cod Farm and stepped over from the Saddlebred competition to ride Wind Blu Roadmaster to the title. The other top ten riders in numerical order were Mary Catherine Swinson, Katie Doncilovic, Brooke Gove, Krystina Janetatos, Lindsay Wood, Lauren Cojocar, Sara McKay, and Jamie Kalalas.
Carriage driving competition resumed for the single hitched carriages in the Carriage Pleasure Driving World Championship with the many beautiful horses and carriages that have filled this division all week. With one entry being excused, 11 carriages remained to be judged in the lineup. The lovely team of Ace’s Wild Adventure and Patricia Hartell were awarded the world championship for their performance. Cathy Grimes and her PAF Cajun Moon were the reserve world champions in the beautiful and competitive class.
The Junior UPHA Challenge Cup Finals were held next. Seven riders returned for Phase II of the class. Additional railwork ensued and in combination with the railwork and workout scores from Friday evening, the winners were determined. Once again it was Old Orchard Farm, Sandy and Calvin Sessink who coached the winning rider. Emily Hoernschemeyer rode Plum Haven Gunrunner to capture the junior title with style and precision. Emily too returned to a barn full of loving family and friends who cheered the whole time she walked down the hallway towards the barn. What a welcome home!
Ariana Corrigan had a beautiful ride to earn the reserve honors in the junior challenge cup. This talented young rider was matched with Festival Troubadour for the reserve title by instructor Anne Speck. The lineup of talented top ten finishers also featured in numerical order; Emily Buchanan, Samantha Weinand, Katie Coney, Sarah Shimmer, and Brooke Yule.
The Multiple Hitch Pleasure Carriage Driving entries once again featured Victoria Bennett's pair earning top honors with Bill Lower while Anita Meinert and her pair followed with the reserve honors in the class.
Saturday – Show Arena 9
Two days of intense dressage competition began on Saturday in earnest. Last year Bethesda Carbon Copy won the AMHA Dressage Gold Medal Finals with Liz Fox.
This year the Betty and Gordon Weyrauch owned entry took Connie White to the winner’s circle in the Dressage Third Level Test 1 to kick off the dressage competition. Patti Thurman directed proven dressage champion Greentree Ever Reddi to the reserve finish in Test 1 for owner Wendy Gray Bizzaro.
The AMHA Dressage Gold Medal Finals featured hometown favorite Amie VanDorn making the victory pass aboard Watch Me Til Dawn for Amie and Genny VanDorn and Marc and Kendra Coffelt. Reserve in the big class went to Jamie Smith aboard Toni Beauford’s Ken Mar Mattheu.
The Dressage First Level Test 1 competition was split into open, amateur and junior exhibitor sections with a total of 17 rides performed. Sancrest Monte Darling and Julie Haugen topped the open section for owner Deborah Shields followed by WTR Chocolate Bar and Patti Thurman.
The amateur section saw Amie VanDorn in the winner’s circle for the second time in three classes as she directed Watch Me Til Dawn to the honors once again.
Nanton’s Bossanova has a heart of gold and absolutely loves to compete. Carrie Klooster was in the irons for the reserve finish in the amateur section.
Ken Mar Mattheu and Jamie Smith were also back in the ring to compete from the AMHA Gold Medal Finals to the Junior Exhibitor section of the First Level Test 1
competition. They moved up in the ribbon count to capture the first place tie in this test followed by Sarese Reed and her Cin-O-Rama Savoire Faire.
The fourth level, test 1 showcased Barbara Lewis’s talents with Rogue Hill’s Galaxy. Lewis and Vicki Bennett own this talented entry. David Macmillan and West Mt. Winston earned reserve in the fourth level test for Larry and Karin Lynn Weight.
The second level, test 1 competition featured Crista Lambert and Okan Storm King in the top spot for Donald and Mary Curtis. Patti Thurman directed another
Wendy Bizzaro owned entry to the reserve, Greentree Courtney.
Test 3 at the training level was also split into open, amateur and junior exhibitor sections. The largest class of the three, the open section, saw SGP Raizin Kane and Lynn Salewski raise a little cain of their own to earn the winning awards for owner
Christine Laine. Laine’s other entry in the class, Dextrous Super Supreme and Lorinda Hays followed in the ribbons with a reserve finish ridden by Lorinda Hays.
Family Rhodes Scholar and Shirley Haas figured out the Training Level Test 3 Amateur Class to come up with a winning answer. Hellcat’s Reveille and Lacey
Genovese earned reserve honors for Stephanie Wells.
Jamie Smith captured her second blue ribbon of the day aboard Ken Mar Mattheu, this time in the junior exhibitor section of the training level test 3
competition. Amanda Mastine directed Imperial Major to the reserve finish.
The First Level Test 3 competition was planned to be split into open, amateur and junior exhibitor as well, but with no junior exhibitors ready to compete, the two sections went ahead as planned. Julie Haugen and Sancrest Monte Darling topped the open section to earn another title for owner Deborah Shields. Susan Garmier followed aboard Wintergreen Don Diego, an entry owned by Ann Taylor.
The amateur section featured Big D Vertigo and Sondra Chambers Robertson making the victory lap followed by Amie VanDorn and her favorite Watch Me Till Dawn.
Patti Thurman directed Greentree Courtney to the top of their field in the Second Level Test 3 competition. Dragonfire Ladyhawke and Margaret Cunningham earned the reserve spot for their performance.
The Fourth Level Test 2 competition saw Rogue Hill’s Galaxy and Barbara Lewis earn the top score for the second time on the day in this challenging class. David Macmillan and West Mt. Winston were the reserve winners.
The session closed with the Third Level Test 2 competition. Greentree Ever Reddi and Patti Thurman stepped up with the winning score to add to a good day for Wendy Gray Bizzaro. Bethesda Carbon Copy and Connie White were awarded the reserve finish for Betty and Gordon Weyrauch.
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