Southeastern Exhibitors Enjoy A Tricolor Summer's End
Saturday, September 29, 2007
by Diana Davidson
OCALA, Fla. - For Morgan exhibitors in the state of Florida, the show season starts early. Most stables make their season debut the end of February or beginning of March in Tampa, and by May they have already been to several shows. Due to the extreme heat of the summer months, which are peak horse show times elsewhere, a break is provided from shows in Florida. On Sept. 6-9 it was once again horse show time in Florida as it was Summer’s End!
The original thought behind having Summer's End was to have a final show in Florida to qualify or tune up for Oklahoma. Since all of the shows in the state are held in the spring, Florida exhibitors had to travel several hundred miles or more for any qualifying shows in the mid or late show season. In its first several years, Summer's End has been the show where many horses have qualified for Oklahoma, and several have gone on to win world championships. There are also a number of exhibitors who don't travel to Oklahoma and enjoy the fun of competing at Summer's End.
Following the cancellation of Summer's End in 2004 due to Hurricane Frances and a close brush by Hurricane Katrina prior to the 2005 show, it has once again been smooth sailing in the weather department in 2006 and 2007. While it was still no doubt summer, the weather for this year’s show was more pleasant than those in recent memory, and no storms on the map is always a welcome relief for Floridians. The Southeast Livestock Pavilion played host to Summer’s End for the third year in a row. The permanent covered stabling with an attached covered show ring was the perfect setting for the show.
The show schedule and classes at Summer's End are designed with exhibitors and horses in mind. The show features morning and evening classes, thus leaving everyone to take off the hottest part of the day. In addition to the show ring competition, Summer's End always keeps everyone entertained at its parties. A progressive dessert party was held in the barn at the close of the Friday evening session with an outstanding selection of calories to be enjoyed by all. Another party followed Saturday afternoon's FMHA meeting directed by President Nina Spencer in the air-conditioned reception hall. The Saturday evening session featured a “Fun Raiser” for the show as seemingly everyone on the grounds paid a buck (or five or 10 or 20) to chuck to a duck with a good time had by all.
Many members of FMHA volunteer as officials at Summer's End to help keep the show economically feasible. Jane Brown serves as co-chair as well as secretary and manager, while Glenn Winograd also served again as co-chair and also filled in occasionally for announcer Jon Dunkle. The list of official/volunteers also included Carola Chapman, Billye McCarter, Lynn Wiezycki, Rhonda Campagna, Les Conklin and Cindy Mugnier. Kathryn Lawter kept things by the rules as USEF steward, while Jane Blue served as hospitality chair. Exhibitors were happy to see official photographer Bob Moseder and wife Jean back in action after Bob suffered a health scare weeks earlier. Mark Bodnar officiated in all of the Summer’s End classes, while Lucy Sproul served as learner judge.
Summer's End championship highlights follow. Complete results can be seen and searched by clicking here.
The show began Thursday evening with a nice exhibition of in hand entries. Mar Brannon kicked off a tricolor by presenting Willowick Mafia Princess to the Grand Champion Mare honors. Sally Lyle was delighted with her weanling filly as Cheri Barber presented the Hollybrook Stage Rage daughter to the reserve tricolor. Tom Johnson was on the lead of the Summer’s End Grand Champion Gelding for the second year in a row as MEM Reality Check stood at the head of the line this year for Chloe Hooper. THK Wild Adonis followed in reserve for the second year in a row with Jason Gray presenting for Mary Jean Bonfili, the two traded places later in the week in the English Pleasure Championship.
Madye Bell enjoyed a great show at Summer’s End. Teamed with Graywood’s Kera, she earned the Amateur Park Saddle Championship directed by Tom Johnson. Later she showed her skills as the Saddle Seat Equitation Champion aboard RWF Titletown instructed by Jennifer Scotto. Younger sister Cassie Bell was also a dual champion. She rode DBL F Commanding Officer to the Walk-Trot English Pleasure Championship for proud owner Felicia Schlemmer and trainer Tom Johnson. Cassie finished up with her handy FCF Protégé as the Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation Champion directed by Jennifer Scotto.
 
Cassie and Madye Bell both enjoyed dual tricolor rides.
Cassie (left) showed Felicia Schlemmer’s DBL F
Commanding Officer (pictured) and her own FCF
Protégé to tricolors in walk-trot pleasure and equitation,
while Madye (right) showed RWF Titletown (pictured)
to the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship coached by
Jennifer Scotto, and Graywood’s Kera to the
Amateur Park Saddle Championship.
The Warlord and Ron Reid teamed up to carry the Amateur English Pleasure Championship down victory lane. Channing Ligas and HVK Acclamation continued their tricolor season with the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship directed by Ian Ferguson. Ligas also added to her repertoire as she matched up with Queen’s Protocol for crowd-pleasing Roadster Under Saddle honors.
Channing Ligas enjoyed an exciting roadster debut
with two crowd-pleasing rides aboard Queen’s Protocol.
Anne Winograd enjoyed a chance to drive HVK Flaire Park to the Pleasure Driving Championship, but she and husband Glenn were even more excited to watch daughter Rachael ride him to the lead line blue. Tom Johnson introduced Arboria Warlock to the winner’s circle as the Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Champion for Tamar Porras.
Cheri Barber and Gradell Delightful Wishes enjoyed a flawless ride to carry the Open Western Pleasure Championship to Jerry and Shirley Modell. Caralee Conklin and Seradin’s Noteworthy enjoyed a fine show, closing out with the reserve tricolor. Younger sister Spencer-Shelby Conklin continued an outstanding season with Tara’s Zeus including the Western Seat Equitation Championships under the West Coast banner.
Gradell Delightful Wishes and Cheri Barber awaited
the results before they rode to the winner’s circle
in the Open Western Pleasure Championship.
Mr. Versatility himself, UVM Windfall and owner Lora Dunlap jogged away with the Amateur Western Pleasure Championship once again. Dunlap and I’m Irish also bested the field in the Carriage Driving competition under the West Coast banner. Sugarlane Adonis and Brittany Simmons enjoyed a polished ride to carry home the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure Championship. The lovely Graywood’s Belinda Breeze and Rick Gervasio picked up the Junior Western Pleasure Championship for Betsy Marsted.
Lindsay Levert and her bold performing partner WSG Independence Command carried the Open and Amateur Hunter Pleasure Championships home to Echo Lake Morgans.
Lindsay Levert and WSG Independence Command
Following blue ribbon rides in the open and novice classes, Imposter and Rick Davis added a reserve tricolor to the banner for owner Lisa McDonald. CBMF Danger Zone and Kelsey Thomas continued an outstanding season with the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Championship as well as the AMHA Hunt Seat Medal win. Sonatina Dolce and Kelly Simpson prepared for Oklahoma with the Hunt Seat Equitation Championship for the second year in a row as well as the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship.
Kelly Simpson
The Adult Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship featured a tricolor victory for Alicia Davis and Raindrops Good As It Gets to add to a winning season for the mare co-owned by Jean Rothe. All Hail To The Chief and Rebecca Watters continued a flawless season with a quartet of victories as they swept top honors in the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure and Classic Saddle Seat Equitation qualifiers and championships.
Grace Watters greeted All Hail To The Chief
and Rebecca Watters at the close of another
undefeated show under the direction of Rick Davis.
The Classic Pleasure Driving Championship featured a memorable victory for Darlene Stodolski and her dynamic Willowick Will To Wynne. Taylor Ekovich and Night On The Town matched up for a stylish drive to earn the Junior Exhibitor Classic Pleasure Driving Championship.
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