What A Show
Thursday, July 3, 2003
by Deata Gregory
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. - "What a show" was heard all over the Lawrenceburg Show grounds this year. With a fun fair in the background, the horse show lacked for no excitement. Between talented young horses and experienced world's champions, the Lawrenceburg Horse Show fired up the large crowds. Groups of spectators were found tail-gating by the in-gate and seated in the box seats. The bleachers were also overflowing with spectators and curious onlookers from the fair. The Lawrenceburg Horse Show is well-known for its hospitality and competitive classes. The atmosphere is laid back and comfortable with trainers and equestrians from all the surrounding areas and then some. The horse show management is most accommodating and you can even pick up your winnings at the end of each night.
Lawrenceburg has always been used as a great tune-up show for those needing a little polish before the Lexington Junior League. You can also find veterans of the horse show world and avid County Fair competitors. One of the traditions of the Lawrenceburg Horse Show is to announce the names of each entry as they enter the class. Another tradition of Lawrenceburg is the trainers and instructors running in the in-gate with their entries to coach from the infield or grass. Many times there is more excitement watching the trainers "getting ears up" and seeing what positions and funny antics they use to get the job done. Often the ring announcer was heard
reminding the trainers to stay on the grass during the classes. There is always lots of fun, entertainment and competition during the last week of June in Lawrenceburg, Ky!
The husband and wife team of Todd and Lesley Miles made the trip to Lawrenceburg this year as officials. Todd marked the cards for the evening sessions of the show and Lesley had the honors for the marathon Academy session on Saturday. Every year the Academy division seems to grow and grow bringing fresh faces into the industry and this year was no exception.
The Five-Gaited Championship on Saturday evening was one of the more exciting classes to finish off the week. With Tammy Devore, Neil Visser, Pat McConnell, Wyatt DeHart and Clark Clouse bringing in their mounts, there was much to keep your attention. The talented and titled Jewels Teton, showed by Tammy Devore for Lucinda Hartley, won the class with thunderous applause from the crowd. Neil Visser and My New Year’s Eve earned the reserve honors for Elizabeth Goth Inc. and Pat McConnell directed Dr. Decker to the yellow ribbon for Tom Lucas.
Kim Skipton won the Ladies Five-Gaited class for owner Susan Olcott aboard Anacacho Dance Again in a class of 12 entries. Tammy Devore and New York Showtime were a strong reserve finish for the Walker family. There were only four entries in the Five-Gaited Amateur Championship on Saturday night. Lucinda Hartley riding confidently on At The Stroke Of Midnight took the honors with Denise Stumbo in reserve aboard Calloway's Royal Carriage.
The Five-Gaited Amateur qualifier saw familiar faces with Tigerlee and Jackie Stred taking the blue and Lucinda Hartley with At The Stroke Of Midnight in reserve. Merrill Murray and Shamrock Commander’s Image took home the honors in the Junior Five-Gaited Stake with George Knight and Along Came A Spider in reserve. The team of Fox De Jour and Kelsey Price brought home the blue one more time in the Juvenile Five-Gaited class. Will Harris and his new mount She's Bedazzled took home the reserve.
The Five-Gaited Pony division saw Jewels For A Lady and Dani Dunn take the first honors in the qualifier and Scoot, Boot and Boogie with Jessica Salley at the reins to the blue and the Five-Gaited Pony Championship.
The Three-Gaited Championship featured two entries with Rich Woman and Melinda Moore coming out on top of Promise Me Fame and Clark Clouse. Brooke Jacobs took the top prize in the Ladies Three-Gaited class, with her new horse Sky High Money. Beth Campbell riding Soul Mate took the reserve.
The Junior Park Pleasure class saw Calloway's Fox Jackson and Bret Day best a 12-horse field and Danette Musselman riding Spirited Edition with the reserve.
Ivy Johnson guided her mount A Rhythm Nation to a first in the Juvenile Three-Gaited class and Cadillac's Not A Clue with Michele Stieler took the red ribbon. The Amateur Three-Gaited Championship saw Royal Flush and Deborah Visser take home the blue over Angela Gibson and Calloway's Kiss And Tell, who won the amateur class earlier in the week. Worthy Of March Madness and Margo Hattery were reserve.
Mary Lou Koran aboard world's champion Top This saw the winner’s circle in the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Championship with Green Top and Ashley Hallock taking reserve, giving the sire Top Spool the champion and reserve champion.
The Three-Gaited Pleasure 17 and Under Championship saw Tate Bennet with Who Needs Mamma besting the field and Mountainview's Last with Kyle Taylor at the reserve.
Again creating quite a stir, Breathe and Alexa Loudon brought home the blue for Jack Noble Stables in one of the larger classes of the show, the Three-Gaited Full Mane and Tail Open, with 13 entries. Steve Wheeler and Naughty took home the reserve honors.
Another competitive class, the Three-Gaited Pony, saw 12 entries with Melissa Mulligan riding Sarah Katherine for the blue and Calloway's Bugle Boy and Angle Fisher taking home the red ribbon.
The Fine Harness Championship was won by John Conatser driving Final Solution and Go Baby Go with John Field at the reins for reserve in the seven-horse class.
George Knight driving a Jackie Stride horse, Heirogance and Attitude, took the honors in the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness over Mike Felty and his horse Steel Appeal. The Junior Fine Harness class was bested by Melinda Moore and Celtic Storm over Andrea Nelson driving her horse In Touch. Amateur Fine Harness had three entries with Kaye Bowles-Durnell and My Paramour taking home the blue. Elaine Earlywine driving With Authority was in reserve.
Heir's Curtain Call took home more blue ribbons for owner Mary Beth Alsoa with Gary McBride at the whip in the ASB Pleasure Driving class. Cool Time and Janenne Becker were in the reserve.
As always the country pleasure classes were overflowing with talent and it was by far the largest with 16 entries. The Country Pleasure Championship and adult qualifier were won by Christine Border and A Perfect Lady with Kristen Keown and Santana's Belle in the reserve. Santana's Belle also found the reserve honors in the junior exhibitor class after Clinton Jury and Sun Town took the victory pass.
Sweet Intention made the victory pass with Ashley Hallock in the Country Pleasure Driving class followed by What's On Second driven by Millie Pyles of Harrodsburg. The Pleasure Pony 17 and Under class had four entries with Dakota Willimon stepping into the irons for Alyssa Lopez and coming out on top. Back to Basics and Stacey Bowlds were reserve.
The roadster classes are always a favorite in Lawrenceburg and there were plenty of them this year. Kim Crumpler and DeLorenzo topped the division with a win in the Roadster to Bike Championship. Debbie Foley and Dark Side were right behind with the reserve honors after having won a class earlier in the week. The Ladies Roadster to Bike class saw Misdee Wrigley take the victory pass with Guess Who. Another Roadster class found Les Cunningham and Revel Rouser with the blue. The Amateur Roadster Open class saw Deborah Butler and Dirt Devil take the victory pass. Yet another roadster class, the novice class, found Danny Bugg and Bunker Buster topping the four-horse field for the blue. Valiant and Dinette Musselman were reserve.
The pony classes also are abundant in Lawrenceburg. The ladies road pony class had seven entries. Debbie Gabbert and Amadeus for the second year in a row won the title followed by Christy Weaver and Mankato. Brooke Jacobs and Fit to Be Tied topped the three-entry Amateur Road Pony 50 and Under class, also for two years in a row. Dylan Hutson and Tijuana Souvenir bested the field of seven to win the junior exhibitor medallion class.
Mary McClean and Sis took home the blue to Golden Creek in the Roadster Pony to Bike 50 and Under class. Not to be left out Jeff McClean driving the sensational new three-year-old Seamair's Sweetheart took the victory pass in the three-year-old class. The Roadster Pony to Bike Championship again saw Mary McClean take the victory pass this time with Heartland Production.
Tammy Binder from Hart to Hart Stables found the winner’s circle twice with Boxford Courageous Spirit in the Roadster Pony 52 and Under Championship and a roadster pony class earlier in the week.
Mary McClean found the blue one more time in the pleasure driving pony class with Motown. Donna Smith of McConnell Stables came in reserve with Bold Lad. In a large 12-horse field, Sarah Anderson, from Jo Cornell Stables, came away with the blue in the Pleasure Equitation class. Amber Lynn Lowry of Shadow Run came in reserve.
Clinton Jury earned the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship again this year aboard Pinstripe Dancer. The UPHA Challenge Cup 17 and Under had only two entries with Tate Bennett and Who Needs Mama placing over Rachel North and CH Preferred Prince. The UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup saw Chelsey Roby add yet another win to her resume with Tyler Devore in reserve.
This highlights the results of Lawrenceburg. The crowds are great and the competition deep; that is what is so enticing about this show. It is one of those wonderful shows you must experience to understand. Come be a part of it, so you can say "What a Show." For a complete list of wins check out the results in this issue of Saddle Horse Report or check the searchable results at our website www.saddlehorsereport.com.
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