It was a hot summer night to kick off the first night of hot competition at the 2008 Shelbyville Horse Show. From the first class, judge Pat McConnell had his work cut out for him as every horse in the large class of Amateur gaited horse was vying for his attention. When all was said and done it was Callaway’s Winning Ways and Barclay de Wet repeating their Harrodsburg win from just last week. The royally bred mare by Callaway’s Blue Norther and out of Broodmare Hall of Fame mare Sweet Sachet was also last year’s Reserve World’s Champion Five-Gaited Mare with Redd Crabtree. Reserve in the great class went to the well decorated CH Callaway’s Banner Headline and Janet Kellett, showing under the DeLovely Banner. Rounding out the top three was Ashley Alden’s recently purchased mount, Ava Gardner.
Next on the slate of classes was the Open Park class with six entries. Among a nice group of horses it was Awesome Memories that really stood out. The bold-moving and expressive chestnut by Desert’s Supreme Memories and out of a Blue Norther mare was the one to make the victory pass with Gerhardt Roos for Fritz and Candace Meili. Picking up the red ribbon at the out gate was Tableaux, a Happy Valley Stables owned entry shown by Steve Old.
A total of 15 horses came through the gate for the Adult Show Pleasure class with not one lacking quality. Fresh off their two big wins at Lexington, it was again Thundersnow and Erin Obenauf to win. "Pogo," as he is known around the barn, has an impeccable headset and owner/rider Erin Obenauf rides him picture perfectly under the direction of Reiser Stables. Consistently in the top ribbons with every show she makes, Lightnin’ Lil earned the reserve honor with Nicolle Beltz Tolliver. Rounding out the top three in an excellent class were You’ve Got Mail and Patrice Watson-O’Brien.
The four entries in the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Class forecasted a great amount of potential for the coming years. I’m The Prince Of Peace and Wendy Winstead were crowned the champions for Carl Holden. The bright and high-going colt is by I’m The Prince and out of a The New York Times mare. The red ribbon in the class went to Rock Creek’s Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Champion, Buzzard’s Bay, who is by Ocean’s Roar and out of a Great Day mare. Peter Palmer showed the fine two-year old for Ellen Kass.
Olivia Strano had a huge smile on her face when her number was called off to win the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure class. Paired with her beloved Moonstruck in Kentucky, Olivia rides with Sam Brannon. Reserve in the class went to the now solid chestnut Simply Striking with Lindsay Hensler. Mollie Kregor and The Petite Princess rounded out the top three under the Premier Stables banner.
It was a Murray/Foley head-to-head face off in the Open Roadster to Bike class. The two close friends both had nice roadsters, but in the end Debbie Foley won with Trio Bolero for owner Thomas Caisse. Merrill Murray picked up the red with King Simcoe for Tyler and Matilda Ewald Thomas.
They don’t make them much cuter than Macey Miles, and with CH Callaway’s Coraleen, they may be the most adorable combination ever. In the UPHA Walk and Trot 10 & Under class, the cute couple won the blue for the third year in a row. Macey’s dad Todd came in to head and put the ribbon on the team. The reserve honors went to the confident Madison Peyton Miller, who rides under Chris Reiser’s direction.
After everyone took a moment to remember Hackney Pony legend Ed Frickey during the line-up of the Open Hackney Pony class, Regal’s Lucifer LF was called out as the winner with Jeff McClean at the whip. Denessa Harper drove the nice reserve pony, Extremely Rare, for Frickey Farms.
In his first year in his new division, CH Callaway’s Rockaway’s is enjoying his role as a Country Pleasure horse in quite successful fashion. By Caramac and out of Broodmare Hall of Fame mare My Sweet Jeannie, by CH Yorktown, Rockaway has won at Rock Creek and Shelby County Fair. Add Shelbyville to that list. Nalley and Rockaway are under the direction of John and Renee Biggins. Reserve in the large class went to A Secret Starmaker and Charlotte Kurtz. Charlotte rode the cute chestnut gelding for Sarah Byers.
From the moment she trotted through the in-gate there was a special heir about CH An Heir About Her tonight. With extreme cadence and style, there was no denying the many times world’s champion mare and owner Sarah Rowland the blue.
The second young horse class and final class of the Wednesday evening performance was the Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited class. Another class that predicted a lot of potential in the coming years, eight nice entries made for a great class. Out Front was judge McConnell’s pick of the bunch and with good reason. The nice chestnut colt is by Oceanfront and out of a Rare Treasure mare. John McKeown rode Out Front to his show ring debut blue for Carl Fischer. Sweet Pickle and Bill Knight put on a good show for the red ribbon for Sam and Vicki Reed.