Show Season Heats Up At River Ridge
Monday, May 5, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio - All at the 59th River Ridge Charity Horse Show held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds April 23-26, 2003, enjoyed good weather and good times. The week started with drizzle and cooler temperatures, but ended with mild sunny days. With the addition of a few new features including a silent auction and a progressive barn party, everyone involved had lots of fun. A trainer's incentive program was also put into place awarding $100 to the trainers of the exhibitors winning certain designated classes.
Five Gaited
Tough contenders included Princess Shalimar and George Knight winners of the Five-Gaited Mares Open class. In addition to that win Knight rode Tigerlee to the blue in the stallion and geldings class. In the limit class, Kalarama’s Pretty Woman prevailed with Brett Day. Rita Hayworth gave good face for Jenny Taylor, taking the blue in the Ladies Five-Gaited class. Steve Wheeler came out on top with his UPHA classic win with St. Barts. The junior horse winner was Man of Conquest and George Knight.
Fighting thick competition, Matt Shiflet and Spent A Fortune, who qualified in the amateur division with Kristen Shiflet, trotted out with tricolor championship honors. Ringside and Clark Clouse took the reserve honors. The amateur division held solid competition, but Globetrotter’s Fantasy and Ann Morro prevailed. Enzo and Margo Coleman lead the group of amateur stallions and geldings. In the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship with a commanding performance, A Song In My Heart, last year’s open grand champion at River Ridge, won for owner Laurel Nelson. Daddy O was reserve in this tough class.
In the youth gaited classes, Cara Clara and Leah Rexroth racked away with the junior exhibitor blue. Also, multi-titled world's champion CH Sammyshine gave a stellar performance for the blue in the Five-Gaited Pony class for rider Cydni Simmons. Simmons also won tricolor honors on Bourbon and Jewels in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake earlier in the day with reserve honors going to Syne Heir Swim and Kaitlin Lucas.
Three-Gaited
Taking the crowd by storm, To Die For and Erin Boggs were the close winners in the 15.2 and under class. Boggs and To Die For also sported the ladies top honor. Clark Clouse and Lady Lenair were the favorite in the 15.2 and over class, winning the blue. Clouse also prevailed with Shezacat in the Junior Three- Gaited class. Sweet Jane and Bret Day topped the limit class. Jenny Taylor and Albelarm Radiant Lady soared to the top of a fine group of three-year-olds.
In the Three-Gaited Championship the crowd had its favorites, but judge Lowry picked Glider's Star to wear the tricolor for the Diamond View banner. Lady Lenaire was a pleasing second for Clark Clouse.
The amateur division was packed with excitement and quality. Lace Elegant and Stacy Allen trotted away with the qualifier and grand championship. Shannon Hafer and Highpiont's Grandee were a consistent reserve in both. The quality didn't stop there, however, junior exhibitor contenders Heart of Blue and Brittany Kale, the 13 and under winner, and Royal Crest's Heavenly Stone with Stevie Bagdasarian, the 14-17 winner, battled it out in the championship. Bagdasarian and Royal Crest Heavenly Stone came out on top with the tricolor, but Heart of Blue was a close second. In the pony class, Bess Of Luck and Jessica Sexton took home the blue.
Fine Harness
The harness division, even though light in numbers, was filled with quality. CH Albelarm Sorcerer swept the open and the tricolor in the championship for Mrs. Alan R. Robson, with Beringer Red and Jim Taylor following in second. Jamaican Heir was the outstanding UPHA Classic Harness Day as well. Jenny Taylor and It's Tea Time were the best of the two-year-old competition for owner Jan Henderson.
Road Horse and Pony
Always a crowd pleaser, R Lady In Red and Connie Clouse sped away with the Roadster To Bike Championship as well as the qualifier. RV Lady was a close reserve. Starting off the Road Pony division was open winner Heartland First Star for owner/ driver Travis Taylor early in the week. Obsessionaire with Dr. Robert Flint at the whip trotted away with the blue in the novice class. Due to the light entries, amateur class winner Lamborghini and Laurel Nelson came back to the grand championship, where she prevailed with an exciting performance. Aarobrook's The Aviator and Mary Schmidt were reserve behind Lamborghini in both classes. Heartland Flirtation made a nice exhibition in the Roadster Medallion for driver Caroline Kamer.
Hackney Pony
Charming Charlene proved superior by winning the Harness Pony Open and grand championship for driver Roy Harris and the blue for amateur owner/driver Sharon Lewis. After almost six years off from the show ring, Mr. Hawkeye surprised fans by winning the amateur and Open Hackney Pony Grand Championship for owner Sharon Lewis. Linda Lewis and Spirit's Easter Morn were reserve in both performances. Bristol Fashion and Betty Jarrell topped both the qualifier and the grand championship in the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving class under the direction of her son Billy Jarrell. Sharon Lewis and Clever Disguise drove a demanding reserve.
Full Mane and Tail
Debuting under saddle and stealing the show, CH Holy Fruit Salad and Jenny Taylor proved superior winning the open and the grand championship. MS Black Ice was a close reserve in both classes. Naughty and Steve Wheeler prevailed in the Junior Full Mane And Tail class. The amateur class winner was The Foxy Prince and Bambi Childress. Gypsy Time gave a winning performance for rider Jessica Sexton to win the amateur championship. Champagne Premier and Katrina Campbell followed with reserve.
Park Pleasure
Its Star Time and Tom Ferrebee came out on top in both the qualifier and the Park Pleasure Driving Stake with a commanding performance. In the under saddle class, Cloverleaf's Pocketful of Miracles and Tom Sworm qualified in the open class. Maverick's Danger Zone and Helen Robertson rode away with the blue in the junior class. Steve Wheeler and DeNovo topped the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic. Again, Cloverleaf's Pocketful of Miracles came out on top for rider Shanna Jo Brown in the grand championship. Broadway Tune and Kendra Fisher were reserve. Fisher and Broadway Tune also prevailed in the amateur class.
Show and Country Pleasure
Hey Heads Up with Mary Stang at the whip was not only the winner of the driving qualifying class but was crowned the grand champion as well. Bold Irish Spirit and Iris James were a demanding reserve. Harlem's Dark Star was the ASHA Foundation Show Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor winner.
Wild Cody and Megan Loescher were the winners of the Five-Gaited Show Pleasure class early in the week. Admiral's Gifted Miss and Ashley Dickinson prevailed in the championship and CH Shamrock's Entertainer and Marbelle Granger were reserve.
Jessica Wilson and Champagne Pommery started the week off by winning the novice rider class. My Fair Genius and Cameron Byford topped the limit class. Callaway's Off The Record and Chris Spoonster rode away with the blue in the adult class. In the championship, CH Some Like it Hot with Lisa McDonald took first and limit winners, My Fair Genius and Cameron Byford, were reserve champions.
In the junior exhibitor class, Pure Bliss and Heather Reyer came out on top. In the championship, Heir No Evil and Aleasha Flowers gave a great performance and were chosen as champions. Champagne Pommery and Jessica Wilson followed with reserve.
In a large qualifying class of Country Pleasure Driving horses, The Main Man and Al Devore drove out with the blue, but the championship the judge saw it different as Glitter and Iris James exited with the tricolor award. Redneck Romeo and Mary Schmidt drove up and accepted second.
In the Country Pleasure under saddle section, Roman's Star and Christina O'Connell Carne won the novice competition. CH Bi Mi Add Lib topped both the adult and the grand championship with rider Megan O'Connell Carne. Trotting up in reserve was Heir Express with rider Marianne Gauger. In the junior exhibitor division, Independent Status and Sarah Traub rode to the winner circle to claim her blue.
The Saddle Type Western Equipment winner for both the qualifier and the grand championship was Penny's Denmark Ace and David Swindler. Where Airs Above the Storm and son David Swindler followed with reserve in both classes.
The Saddle and Bridle ASB Shatner Country Western Pleasure winner was Harlem's Night Moves with Alexandra Ramage. In the Country Western Pleasure competition, The Gentleman Prefers and Sharon Lewis topped the entries in both the qualifier and the championship. Harlem's Night Moves and rider Alexandra Ramage were reserve in both. Clover Hill's Radar Command and Michelle Murray won the blue in Saddle and Bridle's Silver Oaks Hunt Seat competition. Street Wise and rider Michelle Rotellini prevailed in the Hunter Country Pleasure class.
Equitation
Kirsten Myers on Fritz Santana had the best combination of pattern and rail work to come away the winner of the 13 and under division. Emily Garten riding Highpoint’s Syncopated Rhythm had the skills to prevail in the 14-17 age group. Age and experience paid off for Emily Garten as she trotted out with the tricolor ribbon representing Cape Cod Farm. Stablemate Sarah Taylor on Undulata’s Time to Shine was named reserve champion. A new star was born when Alexa McWilliams on Pennsational topped the 10 and Under Walk and Trot class.
In the UPHA division, the 10 and under winner was none other than Alexa McWilliams on Pennsational. In the UPHA adult class, Kendra Fisher on Cabochon was superior with her combination of form and style. The Challenge Cup winners were Katherine Gaker on Princess Nala for the 13 and under. Emily Garten and Highpoint’s Syncopated Rhythm were chosen over the rest of her 14-17 age group to ride out with the blue. Christina O’Connell Carne and Stoneview’s Joy topped the UPHA Pleasure Equitation as well as the Saddle Seat Pleasure Equitation for riders 17 and under.
Katherine Gaker on Princess Nala rises yet again to the challenge, winning the USAE Medal class. Toria Heck riding Merchant Marine trotted into the winner’s circle to receive the Saddle and Bridle Medallion. Sarah Taylor on Undulata’s Time to Shine proved herself superior to claim the NHS Good Hands class.
Morgan Park
RKB Sizzle and Rebecca Burns gave a great exhibition in the Morgan Park Open. In the Amateur Morgan Park Saddle, Hylee’s Dann Right did all the right things to claim the blue for rider Anne Morgan. In the Park Championship, Anne Morgan and Hylee’s Dann Right rode to the tricolor. OFS Noble Belle and Tara Clifton rode for a close reserve tie. Adventure’s Priority's performance with Rebecca Burns at the whip was good enough to win the amateur as well as the grand championship for the Morgan Park Harness class.
Morgan English Pleasure
Formal Protest and Jennifer Hallet rode to the blue in the one horse class in the Morgan English Open division. The Bodyguard was the winner in the junior division for rider Tim Roesink. Nonesuch Nobody’s Fool with Sonda Eakin up prevailed in the Ladies Morgan English Pleasure class. Liberation Instant Replay and Jan Evans reigned superior in the English Pleasure Grand Championship. King Lehr’s Bravado and Steve Lehr rode a demanding reserve. Evans and Liberation Instant Replay rode to the blue in the Amateur Morgan English Pleasure qualifier. In the amateur stake, Night On The Town and Elizabeth Burick trotted to the winner’s circle to claim the tricolor award.
CHR Can’t Dodge Glory and Jessica Piatt were the blue ribbon winners in the junior exhibitor class. Claridge Armani with Tim Roesink at the whip drove to the blue in the Morgan Open Driving competition. Kathryn Schwartz drove WSG Mystic Rose for a winning exhibition in the ladies to drive class.
RCV Noble Wish and Anna Nida Ruby proved to be the best in the Junior Morgan Pleasure Driving competition. CKH Return to Action with Craig Hummel at the whip was superior in the Pleasure Driving Grand Championship. Hollybrook Van Gogh and Laurie Cummings drove to a close reserve, after Cummings drove to the blue in the amateur qualifier. The Morgan Pleasure Driving Stake was won by DFM Faith Justified and Bev Gallagher. Allison Becker and CKH Soulmate drove for a close reserve.
The UPHA Morgan Pleasure Driving competition was topped by MJK Assets and Attitudes with driver Tim Roesink. PKM Gamborian rode to the blue in the Morgan Classic English Pleasure with Sandra Benko. CSH Cy Don’s Eclipse and Jan Evans rose to the challenge to win the stake and Hy Court Of Appeal and Stephany Skelton were a close reserve. Bev Gallagher drove DFM Faith Justified to the winner’s circle to receive the blue in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving Stake.
Morgan Western Pleasure
Claridge Ricochet and Tim Roesink soared to the top of the Morgan Western Pleasure Open. Rum Brook Immortal Diamond and Stasha West rode to the win in the Amateur Western Pleasure class. She also prevailed in the Western Pleasure Grand Championship in which Claridge Ricochet and Tim Roesink were reserve. In the junior exhibitor section Dogwood Mtn. Briar Rose and Tara Clifton rose to the occasion winning the blue.
Hunter Pleasure
The Morgan Hunter class was light in entries, but filled with quality. Bear Brook Bar overpowered the division to win the grand championship with Leah Sworm. Cingate Jack Flash won reserve grand champion and was crowned the winner of the Hunter Pleasure Open with rider Manya LoCascio. Cingate Jack Flash also won the junior exhibitor class with rider Gillian Kusmik.
Morgan Equitation
In the Morgan Walk and Trot Equitation Carly Dodrell on Jax Untouchable proved to be the best the class. Caroline Gaker showed her superiority in the Morgan Saddle Seat Equitation, for riders 17 and under, and Alexandra Nichols riding CoCo Be Dazzled won the Morgan Walk And Trot Pleasure for 10 and Under riders.
This concludes the highlights from River Ridge. For complete and searchable results, visit our results section.
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