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A Standing Ovation For…



Lead Story by Diana Davidson

 

The Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show celebrated 35 years of legendary competition with its most spectacular show yet! The 2007 show had been billed as “a new world” and the moniker was certainly fitting. The Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, the show’s home since 1975, continues its amazing transformation as everyone arriving in Oklahoma saw for themself. The appropriately named “Super Barn” totally transformed the look and feel of the stabling and warm-up area formerly known as barns one and two. The state-of-the–art structure is big, bright and airy with more stalls than ever and an enormous warm-up ring that feeds down the “Gateway Of Champions” leading into the coliseum.

         

The transformation was well received with many commenting that the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds is now truly a world-class facility befitting a world championship horse show. 2007 was a truly a year of new beginnings for the show as Fred Nava joined on as show manager of this storied horse show. While Nava has been most closely associated with the New England Regional this week proved what many Northampton exhibitors have experienced first hand. Nava is a leader who is organized, hands-on, effective and approachable. The teamwork of Nava and the Grand National Show Committee headed in 2007 by Chairman C.A. (Tony) Lee, III, brought this show to new heights.

         

Show chairman Lee reflected on the show, “It was an incredible week for the Morgan breed. I could not be any more pleased at the final outcome of the year of planning and organizing this monumental event. Aside from when the show moved from Detroit to Oklahoma City, this was probably the biggest year of change for the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show.

 

“I was very fortunate to be able to work with Fred Nava in his first year as Manager of this great horse show. He did an unbelievable job organizing the show in the face of the many changes handed to us. The staff, with the leadership of Fred, adapted to the many improvements such as the new Super Barn with ease and professionalism. The Grand National Show Committee is a hard-working group of volunteers who dedicate their love for the Morgan horse into making this event a grand showcase of the Morgan breed.

 

I am proud to say this was the largest turnout ever in the history of the event. And, as the largest gathering of AMHA members and Morgan enthusiasts, I am very gratified to have been involved with this spectacular event that ended on such a positive note for the breed. I can't wait for 2008!”

 

The 1,289 horses entered from 46 states plus exhibitors from Austria, Great Britain, South Africa and Canada certainly set a record for this International competition. The eight days of incredible show ring action on October 6-13 spotlighted the highest level of competition in every discipline in which this great and versatile breed excels. The spirit of teamwork and cooperation in the Morgan industry shone through brilliantly. It was a show that the management and show committee could take a lot of pride in.

 

That was certainly the feeling that show manager Fred Nava took from the experience, “I am delighted with the way the show ran and the overwhelmingly positive reception to the show. Everyone comes to this show for the ultimate, to vie for world championships. We wanted to make this the best show possible, and I feel we were able to achieve a lot of things this year. The facility is undergoing a massive transformation and most exhibitors met the changes with a very positive attitude. I believe this is a great facility and will only get better with the continuing changes and progress.

 

“I can’t say enough about the show committee and staff. The staff is wonderful to work with and I appreciate the job done by the office staff, assistant manager Matt Kwapich, grounds manager Mark Caisse and all of the people who are a part of putting on this show. The show committee works throughout the year, each and every year, as volunteers to make this show what it is. I am indebted to them for allowing me to help guide this show and keep things flowing in the right direction. I want to especially thank Tony Lee for an amazing job as chairman and for being a true gentleman. He leads by example with his care of and dedication to this show and the industry.

 

“I am already looking forward to next year and more positive changes for the future.”   

 

Just as the horse show itself received a standing ovation from exhibitors, so too did many of the show ring’s great performers. The 2007 World Champions represented some of the winningest performers the show ring has ever known as well as some phenomenal success stories of horses and riders taking their first pass under the Oklahoma spotlight. The camaraderie in the Morgan world and especially at this show of shows is legendary. The barns were filled with parties and celebrations, entertaining conversations, enthusiastic horse shopping, and the important work of preparing to compete for the nearly 500 Grand National and World Championship titles.

 

The real stars of the week started their exciting eight days of competition early on Saturday morning. The In Hand World Champions were the first to wear the roses as they took their place in the winner’s circle. The 2007 In Hand World Grand Champions featured fabulous unanimous wins throughout for the victorious gelding, mare and stallion.

 

CBMF Ruling Class (GLB Bell Pepper x CEN Can’t Touch This) earned the first major victory of the week as World Grand Champion Gelding. He started off quite a week for Tara Farm as Ken Swanson guided Holly Johnson’s seven-year-old to the rose-covered blanket. Johnson would add another tricolor later in the week on the lines of her talented and charismatic show ring star.

 

The second blanket of roses presented on Saturday featured a crowning achievement for Decadence (WWW Reality Check Dot Com x Wide Eyed Innocence). Keith Nelsen handled the lead of Debra Woolley Lee’s dynamic five-year-old as she took her place in the spotlight as World Grand Champion Mare.

 

The World Champion Stallion competition closed out the first day of show ring action with the first historic achievement of a record week. LPS The Boogie Man (Man About Town LPS x Honeytree’s Simply Unique) stood proudly at the pinnacle as World Grand Champion Stallion for the record fourth time. Following a record of three consecutive victories in 2003, 2004 and 2005, he took the 2006 season off before returning to Oklahoma to set the new mark of excellence. David Rand again handled the winning lead of the seven-year-old for owners Michael and Nancy Ramsey.

 

Following the victory, Michael Ramsey remarked, “As for Boogie, what more can I say as I think he says it all. David and the entire Ramsey Family are so overwhelmed with his remarkable showing in the in-hand Stallion classes. Who would have thought, that again, another World Championship. David has done such a remarkable job with him, it’s so exciting to watch David, Missy, and Boogie stand and then take to the rail, he is so consistent and he simply loves to show. It's wonderful to see the crowd support. Records are wonderful, but truly for me, it will always be about the impact he will have on the Morgan Breed.”

 

“It is an honor for me to work with such a great horse and have him win all of his titles unanimously. For the breed to have such a great stallion that displays type, show horse ability and charisma as well as the genes to pass that on is really the key,” added David Rand.

 

Moving to the end of the week, the next chapter was written in the competition for the open performance World Grand Championships. The victors featured a combination of storied repeat champions, horses adding to their world titles from other divisions, and emerging new stars earning the highest honors.

 

Boogie Nights (Born To Boogie x UVM Unity) closed out an undefeated season as the unanimous Classic Pleasure Saddle World Grand Champion. This sensational gelding earned the honors for the third year in a row while his 2007 owner/rider Anne Marie Biron enjoyed the spotlight in her first year of competing on Oklahoma’s stage.

 

Biron commented on her magical season, “This year is far more than I ever expected. At our first show, Chapter V, I was thrilled with our win and we were the only one in the class! I would never have expected to have an undefeated year. It was a dream come true. This year, I was not sure what to expect. It was my first year showing plus having a new horse with such a great reputation. It was exciting and intimidating.

 

“What makes this horse so special is that he is a competitor. He lives for his moments in the ring. I think what makes a good show horse is not only do they create a good picture with their natural abilities, but the great ones light up and demand attention in the ring. He does that every time. He never has off days; he truly enjoys it. He is the perfect partner for me because he is able to teach me. He is the professional and gives me the opportunity to learn how to show.

 

“I look forward to next year already. I am pregnant now, so OKC was my last ride for a bit. But once the baby is born and I am feeling well we will work even harder to get ready and prepare for the new show season.”

 

Boogie Nights became the first-ever three-time Classic Pleasure Saddle World Grand Champion. Phil Fountain has enjoyed training the gelding fondly known as “Mad Dog” to all of the titles. “What can I say about Mad Dog? He is an amazing little horse...unlike any other that I've ever worked. He just exudes quality and has such a passion to perform. Anne Marie has had such a great first year...she came to Oklahoma last year to watch...and then a year later has an undefeated season and a World Grand Championship...along with being pregnant with her third child! And for him to win his third consecutive Classic Pleasure Saddle World Grand Championship... it’s all been a bit surreal!” added Fountain.

 

The 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show was certainly one for the record books. There was however an empty spot at this year’s show as the lady who holds the record for training and showing more world champions than any other was not in Oklahoma. The thoughts and prayers of the Morgan community have been with Judy Whitney Harris since she suffered a stroke in June while at Gold Cup with her string of champions.

 

While she was not in Oklahoma on Friday night to guide the record-setting youngster she bred, raised and trained, her spirit could certainly be felt when JW That Special Flaire (HVK Bell Flaire x Noble Airess) burst through the in-gate on his way to earn another historic achievement.

 

Ken Swanson had the unenviable task of following a legend, and he stepped up to the plate with professionalism, dignity and humility. Swanson had JW That Special Flaire in top order as they earned the poignant Park Harness World Grand Championship victory in unanimous fashion for a record-setting third year in a row for proud owner Frances Pugh. The amazing four-year-old stallion joins his sire HVK Bell Flaire and grandsire Noble Flaire along with Overlook Timbalier and The Buckeye as three-time champions, but JW That Special Flaire holds the distinction of being the only horse to win the titles in consecutive years. The crowd gave him a rousing send-off with a standing ovation to close the Friday evening session in memorable fashion.

 

Ken Swanson reflected on JW That Special Flaire’s performance and the meaningful victory, “He is just the ultimate show horse! We keep watching the DVD and seeing how much he reacts to the crowd. They truly play off of each other. He plays for them and just loves it, and they respond to him. When the lights come down and the spotlight shines on him, he raises up even more. It is truly an honor and thrill to sit behind him. The ability to work with a horse of this magnitude is unbelievable. It is an absolutely incredible feeling!

 

“None of this would be possible without Judy Whitney Harris. She bred Noble Flaire who started it all. It is an amazing legacy to have bred Noble Flaire and in turn his grandson JW That Special Flaire. As we took the victory pass, I carried the tricolor ribbon on my finger as Judy always has, to pay tribute to her.”

 

Just as Friday night had closed with a standing ovation for one of the breed’s most electrifying and popular champions, the theme continued on Saturday night. When CCR’s Outrajus Corajus (CCR’s Grand Command x Royal Victoria) won his first Pleasure Driving World Grand Championship in 2001, he energized a horse show audience in need of a hero. His show ring heroics and popularity continued as the English Pleasure World Grand Champion in 2002 and 2004. This charismatic show ring performer added another unanimous Pleasure Driving World Grand Championship on Saturday night to an unmatched show record with Gerry Rushton on the lines for Richard and Nan Cecchettini.

 

It has been quite a ride for Outrajus Corajus, Gerry Rushton and Stacy Hennessy, “OC went to his first Oklahoma at the age of 8 and is now 15. He has won 4 World Grand Championships (all unanimously), a reserve World Grand Championship, a reserve World Championship, and 6 Grand National titles (all unanimously). He would tell you that his favorite Oklahoma memories are the standing ovations...of which he has received 3 at the Grand National. He has captured the hearts of many and been a horse that unites many camps when the cheering starts. He was introduced into this show world late in life and made up for lost time. He came back from an injury to be better than before. He did all of this because he has the heart and soul of a competitor. He is a rare mixture of a horse that was blessed with the physical traits of a truly great one and the spirit of a truly great one. We are fortunate enough to get to go on the ride with him. We are more fortunate to spend every day with this clever, humorous character. His quirks and pride intact at all times, he's a once in a lifetime horse and we couldn't be any more grateful that we get to be his partners...because it is truly a partnership enjoyed and respected by all of us. Our thanks go to Dick and Nan Cecchettini who have never asked anything of this horse other than the chance to own a great one. You do!

 

“We've been asked if he is done now...that is (as it was this year) entirely his decision. If he wants to be done, he has more than earned the best retirement we can give him. He'll trail ride, entertain visitors, and generally get spoiled. If he wants to show, well, it's hard to say no when it's this much fun!

 

“Thank you to each and every person who has shown such appreciation for this horse and thank you to OC, you've stepped up every time it has been needed without ever having to be asked. You've done all you do with an eager heart and undeniable charisma. We aren't sure what we did to earn the privilege, but we're sure glad we did!”

 

The final standing ovation of what will be remembered as the greatest show ever was awarded to a horse who came to Oklahoma as a dark horse, both literally and figuratively, but left Oklahoma as the unanimous Park Saddle World Grand Champion with his lasting image in the spotlight.

 

The honor and distinction of being named the 2007 Park Saddle World Grand Champion was earned by Lamborghini In Black (Simply Maserati x JL’s Deer Sal). The ten-year-old black stallion put on a magnificent display of brilliance and athleticism with David Rand guiding him to the final spotlight pass and tipping his hat to the audience, the horse show and the industry to close out a truly amazing show.

 

“I have never shown a horse that loves the ring as much as this horse. It was a spectacular moment that I was glad to be able to share with everyone. It was amazing for the crowd to enjoy such a great class and for me to be in the ring with such other wonderful horses and talented horsemen. It was a moment I will always treasure,” David Rand reflected.

 

Lamborghini In Black’s owner Grace Steere was clearly moved by the performance, “It is all so overwhelming! This horse is so magnetic. Anyone who has ever been involved with him has such strong feelings and emotions toward him. He truly moves people. He is very much his own self. He draws people to him with his look and personality. I truly believe that he is not owned by anyone, we are just his caretakers.

 

“I can't say enough about how wonderful David is. He is a wonderful man with a great soul. I can’t thank him enough for this. I am just thrilled for David and Lamborghini. I really enjoy being the supporting cast. It’s been a fun ride!”

 

While repeat champions certainly dominated on many fronts, there were a number of new faces making their mark as well. This was certainly the case in Friday night’s English Pleasure World Grand Championship. It was Sarde’s Manistique (Man About Town LPS x Lady Hot Topic) whose name was in lights following a unanimous victory with Luman Wadhams aboard Deedee Ludlam’s seven-year-old bay gelding.

 

The Classic Pleasure Driving World Grand Championship featured a tricolor finish for a jubilant Mari Sanderson and Airegantlee (Aristocratic Aire x FPM Fantasy). The expressive 12-year-old bay gelding added the laurels to a world titled week for the Rushton Stables banner.

 

Mary Carlton had the inside track to the winner’s circle in Oklahoma as she rode her third different horse in as many years to the Hunter Pleasure World Grand Championship. Following a unanimous world title in the four-year-old division a year ago, Graycliff Miss Liberty (Liberation First Star x HVK Metaxa) enjoyed a spotlight ride with another unanimous decision for owner/breeders Lynn and Jeff Yelton.

 

I have been blessed with talented horses that love their job, great owners that let their horses choose their division and a team of assistants, grooms, blacksmiths and vets that put all their expertise and focus into each horse. Each open world championship has been special and rewarding because of these dynamics,” added Carlton.

 

The eagerly awaited call to the post in the Roadster To Bike World Grand Championship featured a new victor in 2007. The appropriately named Arboria Victorious (Arboria Noble Victor x Arboria Satori) raced away with the tricolor as Lynn Peeples guided Paul Calandra’s dynamic ten-year-old bay gelding to the honors.

 

The best of the west hails from the east in 2007 as Treble’s Tanqueray (Tug Hill Commando x Treble’s Margarita) jogged away as the Western Pleasure World Grand Champion. Judy Nason guided Greg and Carol Fleck’s handsome nine-year-old bay stallion to the spotlight pass to complete a memorable week in Oklahoma.

 

An emotional Carol Fleck looked back on the week where Tanqueray not only won the open world title, but the amateur world championship as well with Fleck’s daughter Ashley Morris. “It's still amazing, this really means the world to me. Just to win one was amazing and to win both just so much more. Ray is just a wonderful horse. He is my special horse. I know he was just meant to be mine. When I saw him in OKC as a yearling and saw him standing there and he kept coming toward me and I thought he was so gorgeous. The following year I saw him at Northampton as I got there just in time to see him win. He kept being in my sight. It was just meant to be. Greg and I are so proud of Ashley as well as Judy. I really wanted these wins for Judy. She has done such a great job with Ray. This horse just has so much personality. He cares for me as much as I care for him. These OKC wins will last me a lifetime.”

 

The list of repeat title-holders continued in the ladies divisions where several horses that are favorites of the judges as well as the audience continued their winning ways; HVK Ancient Cry, Festival Calypso, Movado, Let’s Boogie, CN’s Stylish Debut, MEM Twisted Sister, GLB Perfect Harmony, Erotic Dancer and several others. For Erotic Dancer, her 2007 Ladies Park Saddle World Championship was a bittersweet victory as it marked her final show ring performance.

 

Erotic Dancer is most special for owner Dawn Fire, “My husband gave Ellie to me for Christmas in 2002. She was the first horse we purchased under Phil's direction. It took me almost a full year of riding lesson horses three to five times a week to gain enough skill to ride Ellie...in the round pen! Needless to say, we have come a long way with an impressive amount of effort and patience on Phil's behalf. For these reasons, Ellie has always been extra special to me.

 

“The amazing thing about Ellie is that she is an impressive show horse and a sweetheart. She enjoys working as much as she enjoys personal attention. She has such a good heart! Her personality combined with Phil's expertise has made her easy to ride these past few years. She always does what I ask her to.

 

“Phil and I always said that we would know when Ellie wanted to be done showing. I knew in my heart that retiring Ellie after this season was the right thing to do, but it made me very sad. I have shed an embarrassing amount of tears over this decision. In the back of my mind, I know I have a fear that I will never ride another horse that gives me the thrill that Ellie never failed to provide.

 

“My biggest concern in showing Ellie at Oklahoma this year was that she would not place well, and we would not have a chance to come back next year to try again. Winning the Ladies Park Saddle World Championship with her was truly a storybook ending to her career. I think I will relive that moment in my mind 1,000 times over.

 

“Regardless of what horses await me in the future, I will forever be grateful for the moments I have had with Ellie. She has brought thousands of smiles to my face and more joy than I ever hoped to experience in the show ring.

 

“I am sure my heart will ache a bit when the gate opens for the park saddle classes in 2008. Next year I will continue the journey of cheering for Ellie's offspring. She will have three in the show ring next year and I look forward to watching each one grow and develop. In the mean time, I will enjoy the new scenery out my kitchen window as Ellie joins Total Addiction in my pasture at home.”

 

Trainer Phil Fountain echoed Fire’s sentiments, “She is a horse that has meant so much to Dawn and myself. She has been a joy to put in the ring. Win, lose or draw...she always showed up...always came to play. I will miss working her every day because of her work ethic and she is just such a character to be around. I was a bit overwhelmed on Saturday night when she won the Ladies World Park Saddle Championship...it was our final class of the horse show...and the culmination of a great week for us and a great career for this mare. It was a bit of a storybook ending...I was just glad I was along for the ride!”

 

The amateur classes provided the hard-working and dedicated owners their chance to enjoy some of the week’s most competitive show ring action. BKC Valiant Star and Casey McDonald, Dragonsmeade Fusion and Iann Fu Longenecker, Bada Bing and Phil Alderman, Dragonsmeade Carnegie Hall and Stephanie Connor, and HDP Noble Warrior and Paula Messier closed out victorious seasons by taking over the reign in the amateur world championships.

 

Many longtime show ring competitors had their chance to shine in the precious Oklahoma spotlight in the amateur masters championships. It was truly a week to remember for IGF Couer Et Ame and Carolyn Gibbard, CBMF Undeniable and Kathy Gutting, Kane Creek Kamikaze and Jan Unrein, SpringMill Sequel and John Huse, Libretto’s Bravado and Janet Morgan, Versace and Angela Conner Bulmer, KN Curiosity and Chris Thoma, and Dragonsmeade Carnaros and Nancy Hendricks.

 

It was a new generation of champions who made some inspiring showings in the junior horse division. The get of Mizrahi made their mark with world titled performances by Indian Creek American Girl, Graycliff Tony, Miyake and Queen’s Fancy Me. The young get of Astronomicallee set their sights on victory lane with Love Her Madly, Get Busy and Cingate Revelation all earning world titles. A pair of youngsters closed out undefeated seasons for Waterford Farm in Gradell Ring My Bell and Bellerophon. Donna Zimmerman celebrated matching world titles with her youngsters Stonecroft Tribute and Stonecroft Neoclassic. Extreme Obsession closed out a world titled Saturday afternoon for Paul and Danica Brisco with the roses. Two youngsters who enjoyed a brilliant rise to prominence at Northampton closed the season with world titles as MEM Bonnie Blue and Diablo In Red added to their primary colors to earn coveted Oklahoma tricolors.

 

2007 marked the addition of Walk-Trot World Championships in English, classic, hunter and western pleasure, and all of the classes were deep to overflowing with quality and quantity providing a bright future for the Morgan breed. The first to earn the designation of world champions were; HVK Noble Flame and Ariana Varveris, WRS Status Quo and Ashley Carkin, Roadshow Texas Playboy and Mattie Frances Willard, and Fiddler’s Camelot and Brooke Alley.

 

From the youngest, experiencing their first Oklahoma competition in leadline and walk-trot, to those enjoying their final equitation performance, there were many inspiring stories of hard work and determination. The ultimate victories in the AMHA Gold Medals, UPHA Challenge Cups, and World Championships will be lasting memories for Alyssa Wick, Nason Lee Bastarache, Emily Buchanan, Amber Brown, Alyssa Rumsey, Jordan Cusumano, Kate Brightwell, Kali Erin Hutchinson, Kara Norton, Kelsie Houghtaling, Jenna Britt and Lauren Bruss.

 

There are many, many more success stories from the 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. For some it was their first ribbon, while for others it was their first Grand National or world title. Everyone came to Oklahoma with goals, some went home satisfied and others went back to the barn working harder than ever.

 

From the show ring victories, to the personal victories, to the celebrations, to the sportsmanship, this show was a tribute to the owners, trainers, breeders, spectators, and each and every person who is fortunate enough to be a part of America's first breed - THE MORGAN HORSE.

 

EIGHT GREAT DAYS OF SHOW RING COMPETITION HIGHLIGHT THE 2007 GRAND NATIONAL & WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MORGAN HORSE SHOW

 

Coverage and Candids by Diana Davidson, Bob Funkhouser, Christy Parsons, Sadie Fowler, Jennifer Styskal, Steven Handy and Robert Klein

 

Saturday, October 6

 

Coliseum

The 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show opened on Saturday morning with three venues featuring the highest level of competition the breed offers. The coliseum was the site of the In Hand Gelding classes where the Grand National Yearling Geldings wore the first tricolors of the day. Judges Harold Angell, Terry Jones Brennan and Steve Davis stepped into the beautifully decorated center stage to mark the cards in all of Saturday’s in hand classes.

 

The premier tricolor was claimed by RWF Paganini (Beethoven x Intrinsic Beauty) with a unanimous tie for Ridgewood Farm in the Grand National Yearling Geldings. The smooth and showy bay started off a great week for the entries trained and presented by The River’s Edge. John Hufferd continued his in hand tricolor magic with the reserve tricolor presentation of Key Oscar Night (Futurity French Command x Fascination Street) for Ron and Lori Skover’s Key Morgans.

 

Just as his siblings Boogie Nights and U-Two took center stage in Oklahoma’s winner’s circle in 2006 and his sire Born To Boogie and dam UVM Unity had before them, it was Lucky-U’s turn in 2007. Lynn Peeples introduced Steven Handy’s bright youngster to the winner’s enclosure in the Two-Year-Old Geldings. The get of Tug Hill Whamunition celebrated the tenth anniversary of their sire’s final world title with a tricolor show of their own as Skywarrior (out of HVK Ancient Cry) posed for the Two-Year-Old Gelding Reserve Championship with Robert Hughes on the lead for Bill and Helen Crawford’s Boston Morgan Farm.

 

The quartet of tricolor youngsters returned to compete for the first world title of the show as the World Champion Junior Gelding roses were hung on The River’s Edge banner as Bob Kellert guided RWF Paganini to the honors with another unanimous decision. It was just the beginning of a memorable day for the yearlings competing in Oklahoma. Lucky-U started off a memorable day for the breeding program of Lynn Peeples as he was named Reserve World Champion Junior Gelding.

 

The Grand National Three-Year-Old Geldings featured another Oklahoma victory for Cingate Lucky Star. Whitney Bodnar guided the handsome Astronomicallee son to the honors for Cingate Morgans. Anne Morgan’s sparkling chestnut Rage (Hollybrook Stage Rage x Shaker’s Empress) earned a trip to the presentation area as the reserve champion with John Warner on the lead.

 

TE Ammunition (Tug Hill Whamunition x FP Dixieland Jazz) enjoyed another trip down victory lane as he claimed the Grand National Four-Year-Old Gelding Championship. He posted the first tricolor of the week on the Rushton Stables banner for owners Glenn and Kim Weed. Dragonfire Shaolin (Dancity Martial Arts x Dragonfire Nova) turned in an enthusiastic performance for the reserve tricolor presented by Forest Nealon for Dragonfire Farm.

 

The Five and Over Geldings featured the largest and most competitive field of the morning with tricolor winners from coast to coast setting their sights on the winner’s circle. The judging panel was in total agreement when they pinned CBMF Ruling Class (GLB Bell Pepper x CEN Can’t Touch This) as the champion. Ken Swanson guided Holly Johnson’s charismatic gelding to the honors as he had at New England and Southern States Regionals. Following his recent New York Regional victories, Pondview EZ Spirit posed for the reserve honors with Jaisen von Ballmoos on the lead for Patti Berthelette.

 

The World Champion Senior Gelding competition featured another unanimous tie for CBMF Ruling Class as he began an unforgettable week for Tara Farm. TE Ammunition was loaded and ready for the competition as Gerry Rushton guided the leggy bay to the reserve honors.

 

The honor and distinction of being the first of the 2007 World Grand Champions belonged to CBMF Ruling Class. Holly Johnson cheered on her brilliant gelding as Ken Swanson placed the rose blanket over his back as the 2007 World Grand Champion Gelding. Rushton Stables and owners Kim and Glenn Weed celebrated as TE Ammunition posed as the Reserve World Grand Champion Gelding.

 

The morning’s activities came to a close with the first performance class of the show as a jubilant Kathy Gomer matched up with Park Place Bonaparte to top the Amateur Masters Western Pleasure 15.1 & Over directed by Cathy Grimes. It was a strong showing for the state of California as VVM Aleesa and Ellen McCook continued an excellent season with the reserve performance for the second year in a row under the Sterling Hill banner.

 

The Saturday afternoon session featured the elegance and refinement of the In Hand Mares starting off with the Grand National Yearling Filly competition. The judges were once again in complete agreement as Stonecroft Flammable (Stonecroft Trilogy x Sizzle) heated things up to capture the first tricolor of the session. Tim Roesink had the dynamic black filly primed for the honors to begin another winning week in Oklahoma for the entries of owner Ann Hailey’s Copper Beech. Bob Kellert’s string of yearlings enjoyed a great week in Oklahoma as Fire Run Natalia (Pondview Tres Bien x Rush To Judgment) posed for the reserve tricolor with a trio of second place votes for Kurt and Teri Rumens. The first three fillies were all straight across the judges’ cards as Gradell Angel Of Peace (Centerpiece x Gradell’s Seventh Angel) picked up the yellow ribbon with Cheri Barber presenting for Jerome and Shirley Modell.

 

The Two-Year-Old Mares featured one of many proud moments for 2006 World Grand Champion Stallion Mizrahi as two of his daughters swept the tricolors. Following tricolor performances at New England Regional and Connecticut Morgan, Dragonsmeade Balenciaga (out of HVK Firefly) turned in a unanimous performance to be crowned the champion with Mike Carpenter on the lead for proud owner/breeders Dragonsmeade Farm. Indian Creek American Girl (out of Cache) put of a fine show as well to capture the reserve tricolor with Kurt Hufferd starting off a tricolor week for Indian Creek Farm.

 

The foursome who earned the tricolors in the yearling and two-year-old classes returned to vie for the World Champion Junior Mare honors. Dragonsmeade Balenciaga earned the distinction as the final one to strut down the runway as she carried the World Champion Junior Mare tricolor with great presence and animation for Dragonsmeade Farm. Stonecroft Flammable gained quite a following in her first trip to Oklahoma as Reserve World Champion Junior Mare to the delight of owner Ann Hailey as well as breeder John Scheidt.

 

The mare division was a tricolor gathering from all regions as Circle J Grand Champion Mare RRG Ms. Promiscuous (Whispering Whammunition x RRG Promises Promises) headed the lineup as Grand National Champion Three-Year-Old Mare. Bob Kellert handled another winning lead for owner/breeder Judith Caldwell. Following her tricolor debut as Jubilee Grand Champion Mare, FRF Tres Chic (Pondview Tres Bien x FRF Curtain Call) added the reserve tricolor honors. John Hufferd handled the lead of the polished bay for the Wright Family’s Warlock Farm.

 

The Grand National Four-Year-Old Mares were next to entertain as Lynn Peeples enjoyed another Oklahoma homerun performance with Fair Catch. The daughter of two-time World Champion Stallion Man In Motion and out of the world champion producing Honeytree’s Simply Unique (Born To Boogie x UVM Unity) continued her family’s tricolor heritage performing for the unanimous win for Doug and Marlene Sluiter. Citrus Cup Regional Grand Champion Mare Willowick Center Stage (Hollybrook Stage Rage x Cherrydale Chardonnay) showed off her colorful style as the reserve champion with Mary Brannon on the lead for Kaye Bedell.

 

The Grand National Five and Over Mares featured a dynamic Oklahoma return for Decadence (WWW Reality Check Dot Com x Wide Eyed Innocence). Following an illness in 2006 that kept her from competing, the 2005 Reserve World Grand Champion Mare was ready to make her mark in 2007. Keith Nelsen guided Debra Woolley Lee’s Far West Regional Grand Champion Mare to the tricolor with a unanimous victory. The lineup of 2007 Regional Grand Champion Mares continued as New England’s tricolor winner MEM So Emotional (Futurity French Command x Miss Bluegrass) posed for the reserve tricolor with Tim Roesink on the lead for Copper Beech.

 

The World Champion Senior Mare competition featured the six tricolor entries lined up for the judges and the audience to admire and compare. The winning announcement ushered Decadence to a rose-adorned presentation as the World Champion Senior Mare with another unanimous victory for a celebratory group at Keith Nelsen Stables. Fair Catch expressed her style every step of the way as Reserve World Champion Senior Mare for Doug and Marlene Sluiter.

 

After a five-minute break, the four tricolor entries from the World Champion Junior and Senior Mare classes waged a memorable battle for the ultimate glory. It was evident that the mares and their handlers sensed it was their moment. With a clean sweep, Decadence stood above them all as the unanimous choice as the 2007 World Grand Champion Mare to the delight of owner Debra Woolley Lee and trainer Keith Nelsen. For the second year in a row, Lynn Peeples bred and presented the Reserve World Grand Champion Mare. In 2006 it was U-Two and in 2007 her niece Fair Catch added to the tricolor family tree for Doug and Marlene Sluiter.

 

As the mares and their entourages returned to the barns, the afternoon session continued in the coliseum with a trio of performance classes. A great week of competition in the carriage division began with the 15-entry Carriage Pleasure Driving Turnout Singles. LCS Ice Princess and Pat Gesler began a memorable week with the victory pass. The west coast dominated the top ribbons as Mary Rynerson guided HFM Judgment Day to the second place finish.

 

The Amateur Masters Hunter Pleasure Under 15.1 featured a blue ribbon performance for Crestfield Hi Command and his jubilant owner/rider Susan Brown under the direction of Lowry Stables. Last year’s winning team of Randi Wightman of nearby Tulsa and Gaits Of Gold performed for the reserve finish this time out guided by Jonalyn Gwinup.

 

The first performance world championship to highlight the schedule was the World Champion Futurity Three-Year-Old Western Pleasure. A promising field of youngsters competed for the honors and the World Futurity prize money to close out the afternoon session. Following a long look on the rail along with stripped conformation judging, the cards were marked with the state of Michigan scoring its first of many tricolor victories. Becky Basch enjoyed the rose adorned ride aboard SPR French Twist (Futurity French Command x SPR Madonna) for owner Debbie LaMay. Daryl Hopson captured the first tricolor of the week for Canada as he introduced reserve champion Harlington’s Farquar (Salem St. James x Harlington’s Eli Bam) for Linda Staples.

 

The Saturday evening session opened with the pageantry of the Grand National Heritage Salute To America where the Morgan breed’s place in history was on prominent display. The horses, carriages, drivers and passengers were all well turned out for their judging by Margaret Cutler. Chairman Of The Board and Karen Holford were welcomed to the winner’s circle as the champions performing for Bob and Judi McCoy with LCS Ice Princess and Pat Gesler adding the reserve tricolor to their busy day of Oklahoma performances.

 

Things were just getting started for a big night in the coliseum as a dozen exhilarating young stallions made their first trip down the runway into the Oklahoma coliseum for the Grand National Yearling Colt competition. Following a victorious Jubilee debut, RWJ Commanding Topic (Tug Hill Commando x LCS Simply Sensational) took command of the ring with Phil Fountain on the lead to earn the tricolor victory for owner/breeder Robert Jones. It was another tricolor presentation for Bob Kellert as ECP Anchor Man started off a historic night for his sire LPS The Boogie Man by collecting the reserve honors for Charles Buller and Fortress Crest Morgans.

 

SpringMill Stardust (Liberation First Star x Treble’s Unchained Melody) followed up his show ring debut as New England Regional Junior Champion Stallion with another dazzling performance in Oklahoma. Kurt Hufferd guided the charismatic youngster to the unanimous Grand National Two-Year-Old Stallions victory to begin a memorable show for John and Patricia Huse and SpringMill Morgans. It was a tricolor repeat from Northampton as CBMF Arbitrage (Ben’s Rhapsody x Ariel) posed for the reserve honors to continue a tricolor day for Copper Beech with Harry Sebring and Jaisen von Ballmoos handling the presentation.

 

The World Champion Junior Stallion competition featured the quartet of age-group tricolor winners vying for the honors. RWJ Commanding Topic continued an amazing day for the promising crop of yearlings as he stood tall in the winner’s circle as the world champion with Phil Fountain on the lead for proud breeder/owner Robert Jones. SpringMill Stardust posed for the Reserve Junior World Champion Stallion honors with a bold performance for SpringMill Morgans.

 

The Grand National Three-Year-Old Stallions featured GLB Leader Of The Band (Futurity French Command x GLB Bell Of The Ball) standing at the lead for the tricolor presentation. Ken Swanson enjoyed another trip to the winner’s circle with Krista and Nate Headley’s handsome youngster. Cedar Creek Cariad (HVK Bell Flaire x Cedar Creek Wind Chime) teamed up with Ernesto Chavolla and Shirley O’Gorman to add the reserve tricolor to his list of winnings for Cedar Creek Farm.

 

As the four-year-olds took their place on center stage, the show ring battles of SYP High Definition and Kosta Boda continued for the third year in a row. This time, SYP High Definition (HVK Vibrance x Kim’s Bellegante) added to his list of accomplishments with Rick Stevens presenting for Heidi Kunkel. They captured the Grand National Four-Year-Old Stallions with a unanimous tie from the judges. Kosta Boda (Mizrahi x Abacus Simple Dreams) continued a tricolor Saturday

for Copper Beech with the reserve performance guided by Harry Sebring and Tim Roesink. It was the third-place entry Balenciaga (Hollybrook Stage Rage x Schiaparelli) who captivated the audience with perhaps the largest ovation of the day as Glenn Bouvier presented Louise Shane’s brilliant chestnut stallion with an outstanding display of showmanship.

 

The stage was then set for the Grand National Five and Over Stallions. It marked the Oklahoma return of three-time World Champion Stallion LPS The Boogie Man (Man About Town LPS x Honeytree’s Simply Unique). With flawless conformation and a world of attitude the record-setting seven-year-old posed for the unanimous win with David Rand on the lead for Michael and Nancy Ramsey. TRE Master Of Disguise (Stonecroft Masquerade x WTS Intrigue) made the familiar trip to the presentation area to collect an Oklahoma tricolor for an amazing fifth year in a row. Bob Kellert capped off a tricolor day with the reserve honors with the majestic five-year-old Deborah Phelan entry.

 

The World Champion Senior Stallion competition brought the excitement to yet another level. With the stallions and their handlers anticipating the moment, the judges gave them a discerning look before marking the cards. Once again all three judges agreed that LPS The Boogie Man stood at the head of the class. SYP High Definition enjoyed another tricolor performance as Reserve World Champion Senior Stallion.

 

Following a five-minute break, the final jewel of the 2007 In Hand World Grand Championship crown would be put in place. All eyes were on RWJ Commanding Topic, SpringMill Stardust, SYP High Definition and LPS The Boogie Man as they vied to earn the ultimate victory. Following one final pose and trot before the three judges and the appreciative audience, the announcement was made and the roses headed home to York, Maine for an unprecedented fourth time. It was another across the board victory for LPS The Boogie Man. It was a Saturday evening of celebration for trainer David Rand, owners Michael and Nancy Ramsey, and breeder Lynn Peeples as LPS The Boogie Man set the record as the first-ever four-time World Grand Champion Stallion. Rick Stevens and Heidi Kunkel have enjoyed an incredible record of Oklahoma achievements and now add the Reserve World Grand Champion Stallion title with SYP High Definition.

 

The evening ended with celebrations for the first champions of the 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show back in the barns. Saturday night also featured a large gathering at the Grand National Welcome Party sponsored by The Saddle Horse Report in the newly opened sales arena and restaurant in barn 3.

 

Show Arena 6

The 2007 edition of the Grand National equitation division kicked off with a rousing start Saturday morning as a large group of talented riders entered the Show Arena for the Grand National Saddle Seat Equitation class for the 16 and 17-year-olds. Equitation judges Nancy McConnell, Melissa Moore and Gayle Lampe carefully evaluated the large group veteran equitation riders where Crystal Farms’ Jordan Cusumano with Boxford Beloved emerged as the first blue ribbon winner of the show. Emily Buchanan began the week with the reserve tie in the field of 16 with Mantic Top Gun coached by Sandy Sessink.

         

Following a short break, the 14 and 15-year-old riders converged for the second class of the day. A unanimous decision put Crystal Farms in the spotlight again as the polished-riding Sarah Shimmer aboard BJL Ransom picked up the blue ribbon. A proud Hanna Johnson happily rode Rowenda French Twist away as the reserve champion under the Hardwood Creek banner.

         

Eight entries made the gate call for the third class of the morning, Grand National Saddle Seat Equitation 12 and 13. Nason Lee Bastarache was picture perfect aboard Hollybrook Romeo as she topped the class in unanimous fashion to the delight of the Taylor River cheering section. Last year’s winner Lyssa Bomgaars now paired by Ann Slomkowski with Stonecroft Make A Wish trotted away with reserve honors.

         

The judges were once again in agreement as Emily Evans and Stoneledge Chancellor represented Glyn-Rae Stables with a unanimous win in the Grand National Saddle Seat Equitation 11 and Under. Claire Brownie showed off her show ring style and skill with Dreammaster Irish Emperor for the red ribbon directed by Anne Speck.

         

Eleven young equestrians competed in the next class of the morning, the Grand National Saddle Seat Classic Equitation 13 and Under. Lynn Harvey-McNamara joined Nancy McConnell and Gayle Lampe on the judge panel and when their cards were turned in, Amber Brown, riding Equinox Wild Card, was called out of the line up as the winning rider to the delight of instructor Coby Holowacz. Bailey Bartley, aboard her top winning mount Amabayus, followed in the ribbons as the reserve champion under the Peeper Ranch banner.

         

Grand National Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 10-11 Finals featured a solid group of future stars vying for top honors. Audrey Lowry continued a winning family tradition with her victorious ride aboard Ultra’s Dark Shadow. She was all smiles as she was greeted in the winner’s circle by her dad and trainer, Jim Lowry. Jean DeGutis assisted Alexandra Frangiosa, who skillfully rode Think About It MEM to the reserve tricolor in their final walk-trot performance.

         

The Grand National Saddle Seat Classic Equitation 14-17 class was next on the morning schedule and this class was dominated by winning rider Maggie Smith aboard Auhl Turned Out, directed by Keith Friday and Alicia Groff. Megan Bradley turned in a polished performance aboard Cingate Mystere for the reserve finish under the Janbark banner.

         

The walk and trot nine and under riders closed out the first show arena session of the show next, and had a chance to compete for tricolor honors while doing so. Kasey Saccocia looked polished and poised as she rode Indian Creek Belle Star into the winner’s circle, topping the eight-entry class to the delight of instructor Kristen Cater and the Saccocia family. Cameron Kay, aboard Sarde’s Sinful, exited the ring as the Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 9 and Under Reserve Champion to continue a great morning for Crystal Farms.

         

Show Arena competition on the first Saturday afternoon of the 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show was designated for some more preliminary equitation competition. The AMHA Western Seat Gold Medal Preliminary was first on the afternoon’s schedule with 14 entries showing in each of two splits. Following rail world as well as a individual workouts, performed by all 28 riders, the judges selected 12 to return later in the week for the finals, including Megan Evans, Madison Wurster, Maxi Gumprecht, Sascha Mills, Elyse Brill, Jenna Britt, Annilee Obrochta, Cassandra Davis, Lauren Little, Kelsie Houghtaling, Brianna Berg, and Kali Erin Hutchison,

         

Nine entries performed in the Grand National Walk-Jog Western Seat Equitation 10-11 Finals. Lyrica Hays didn’t have to travel far for tricolor recognition as she exited the ring with the tricolors streaming from the bridle of her mount, Iron Forge Aire Command. Jenny Miller jogged away with reserve honors aboard a partner perfectly suited for her, Morgan Valley Apollo.

         

Fitting and showmanship was a popular finals class for the 13 and under Grand National competitors with 21 entries. After displaying great attention to detail, Marie Wallich captured tricolor honors after handling WMF Prudence to perfection. Second only to the champions in this deep class, Meredith Long finished as the reserve champion with Back Street Rhythm.

         

Finals competition for the youngest western equitation riders followed and the cowboys had a lock on the tricolors. Andy Tom was perfectly composed throughout the class and he was named Walk-Jog Western Seat 9 & Under Champion aboard his trusty ride, Epic Carousel matching stablemate Lyrica Hays’s earlier win. Connor Chaffin skillfully rode Aquila’s Stardust to the reserve championship in their field of 12 to the delight of the Cape Cod crew.

         

The final class of the afternoon was the Grand National Fitting and Showmanship 14-17 Finals. Maxi Gumprecht handling Irish Expression had the precision and attention it took to garner the top prize under the Northwood Farm banner. Liselle Oliveira and SGP Game Of Chance followed up with the reserve prize.

Hunt Seat Equitation riders took over the Grand National spotlight on the first night of competition in the show arena in front of judges Scott Alder, Peggy Beachy and Richard Sereni. It was a great start to the week for 11 and under winner Kate Brightwell aboard her trusty mount, TRS Longfellow Saranade. Ellery Walker matched up with LR Ami Tiger Would to continue a great start to the week for Crystal Farms with the reserve ride.

         

The 12-year-old riders followed with a strong field of 11 riders making the gate call for their Grand National class. Following a careful evaluation by the judges, announcer Mark Farrar called Kelsey Thomas out of the lineup to collect the winning prize. Under the direction of Valerie Siemer, Thomas represented the Sunshine State well aboard CBMF Danger Zone. Coming from the opposite side of the country, Kelsie Houghtaling represented Oregon as she rode away with reserve honors aboard Passport To Morocco.

         

As the riders got older, the classes got larger with 16 showing up for the Grand National Hunt Seat Equitation 13-Year-Old class. Katelyn Merrill and The Lion King were the popular winners in this talented group and they were met in the winner’s circle by proud sister/instructor Sarah Gove. Craig Clapp and Katie Mair greeted reserve finisher David Knupp, who also stood out among the competitive group of hunt seat riders matched with BMF Xerxes.

         

Fourteen was the number in the next class. That’s how many riders entered the arena for the 14-year-old hunt seat equitation class. Coming south from Decatur, Ill., Rebecca Borstein had a smooth ride aboard MXM Breezy Night and claimed the Grand National prize to the delight of instructor Jamie Gerardi and the Lowry Stables cheering section. Also representing the Midwest, Olivia Lahr and JLS Night Track trailed the winners and trotted away with reserve honors coached by Cheryl Woosley.

         

Entry numbers remained in double digits as 11 showed up for a chance to make the victory pass in the Grand National Hunt Seat Equitation 15-Year-Old class. A bold and flawless ride put Alyssa Rumsey and Merriehill The Lion King on top of all three judges cards as they were greeted by winning instructor Belle Hufferd. Lauren Bruss and Victory’s Selection claimed a reserve honors for their smooth and steady performance.

         

Proving hunt seat equitation is as competitive and as deep as ever, 18 riders answered the gate call for the 16-year-old Grand National class. Stevie Meder’s fan club cheered loudly as she added another big win to her impressive resume aboard Manchester In Demand adding another blue ribbon to the Taylor River banner. Jordan Cusumano captured her second top ribbon of the day, this time aboard the tried and true BlkOrchid Ace Commander with the second place finish.

         

The show arena had a nice size crowd all night, several were waiting for the final class of the evening, the Grand National Hunt Seat Equitation 17-Year-Old class. In her final junior exhibitor show, Lauren Knupp celebrated the winning ride aboard Kane Creek Oregon Reign to the delight of instructor Katie Mair and the Sterling Training cheering section. Valerie Shurtleff finished second in the field of 15 aboard Rye On The Rocks.

 

Show Arena 9

The 2007 edition of the Grand National equitation division kicked off with a rousing start Saturday morning as a large group of talented riders entered the Show Arena for the Grand National Saddle Seat Equitation class for the 16 and 17-year-olds. Equitation judges Nancy McConnell, Melissa Moore and Gayle Lampe carefully evaluated the large group veteran equitation riders where Crystal Farms’ Jordan Cusumano with Boxford Beloved emerged as the first blue ribbon winner of the show. Emily Buchanan began the week with the reserve tie in the field of 16 with Mantic Top Gun coached by Sandy Sessink.

         

Following a short break, the 14 and 15-year-old riders converged for the second class of the day. A unanimous decision put Crystal Farms in the spotlight again as the polished-riding Sarah Shimmer aboard BJL Ransom picked up the blue ribbon. A proud Hanna Johnson happily rode Rowenda French Twist away as the reserve champion under the Hardwood Creek banner.

         

Eight entries made the gate call for the third class of the morning, Grand National Saddle Seat Equitation 12 and 13. Nason Lee Bastarache was picture perfect aboard Hollybrook Romeo as she topped the class in unanimous fashion to the delight of the Taylor River cheering section. Last year’s winner Lyssa Bomgaars now paired by Ann Slomkowski with Stonecroft Make A Wish trotted away with reserve honors.

         

The judges were once again in agreement as Emily Evans and Stoneledge Chancellor represented Glyn-Rae Stables with a unanimous win in the Grand National Saddle Seat Equitation 11 and Under. Claire Brownie showed off her show ring style and skill with Dreammaster Irish Emperor for the red ribbon directed by Anne Speck.

         

Eleven young equestrians competed in the next class of the morning, the Grand National Saddle Seat Classic Equitation 13 and Under. Lynn Harvey-McNamara joined Nancy McConnell and Gayle Lampe on the judge panel and when their cards were turned in, Amber Brown, riding Equinox Wild Card, was called out of the line up as the winning rider to the delight of instructor Coby Holowacz. Bailey Bartley, aboard her top winning mount Amabayus, followed in the ribbons as the reserve champion under the Peeper Ranch banner.

         

Grand National Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 10-11 Finals featured a solid group of future stars vying for top honors. Audrey Lowry continued a winning family tradition with her victorious ride aboard Ultra’s Dark Shadow. She was all smiles as she was greeted in the winner’s circle by her dad and trainer, Jim Lowry. Jean DeGutis assisted Alexandra Frangiosa, who skillfully rode Think About It MEM to the reserve tricolor in their final walk-trot performance.

         

The Grand National Saddle Seat Classic Equitation 14-17 class was next on the morning schedule and this class was dominated by winning rider Maggie Smith aboard Auhl Turned Out, directed by Keith Friday and Alicia Groff. Megan Bradley turned in a polished performance aboard Cingate Mystere for the reserve finish under the Janbark banner.

         

The walk and trot nine and under riders closed out the first show arena session of the show next, and had a chance to compete for tricolor honors while doing so. Kasey Saccocia looked polished and poised as she rode Indian Creek Belle Star into the winner’s circle, topping the eight-entry class to the delight of instructor Kristen Cater and the Saccocia family. Cameron Kay, aboard Sarde’s Sinful, exited the ring as the Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 9 and Under Reserve Champion to continue a great morning for Crystal Farms.

         

Show Arena competition on the first Saturday afternoon of the 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show was designated for some more preliminary equitation competition. The AMHA Western Seat Gold Medal Preliminary was first on the afternoon’s schedule with 14 entries showing in each of two splits. Following rail world as well as a individual workouts, performed by all 28 riders, the judges selected 12 to return later in the week for the finals, including Megan Evans, Madison Wurster, Maxi Gumprecht, Sascha Mills, Elyse Brill, Jenna Britt, Annilee Obrochta, Cassandra Davis, Lauren Little, Kelsie Houghtaling, Brianna Berg, and Kali Erin Hutchison,

         

Nine entries performed in the Grand National Walk-Jog Western Seat Equitation 10-11 Finals. Lyrica Hays didn’t have to travel far for tricolor recognition as she exited the ring with the tricolors streaming from the bridle of her mount, Iron Forge Aire Command. Jenny Miller jogged away with reserve honors aboard a partner perfectly suited for her, Morgan Valley Apollo.

         

Fitting and showmanship was a popular finals class for the 13 and under Grand National competitors with 21 entries. After displaying great attention to detail, Marie Wallich captured tricolor honors after handling WMF Prudence to perfection. Second only to the champions in this deep class, Meredith Long finished as the reserve champion with Back Street Rhythm.

         

Finals competition for the youngest western equitation riders followed and the cowboys had a lock on the tricolors. Andy Tom was perfectly composed throughout the class and he was named Walk-Jog Western Seat 9 & Under Champion aboard his trusty ride, Epic Carousel matching stablemate Lyrica Hays’s earlier win. Connor Chaffin skillfully rode Aquila’s Stardust to the reserve championship in their field of 12 to the delight of the Cape Cod crew.

         

The final class of the afternoon was the Grand National Fitting and Showmanship 14-17 Finals. Maxi Gumprecht handling Irish Expression had the precision and attention it took to garner the top prize under the Northwood Farm banner. Liselle Oliveira and SGP Game Of Chance followed up with the reserve prize.

 

Hunt Seat Equitation riders took over the Grand National spotlight on the first night of competition in the show arena in front of judges Scott Alder, Peggy Beachy and Richard Sereni. It was a great start to the week for 11 and under winner Kate Brightwell aboard her trusty mount, TRS Longfellow Saranade. Ellery Walker matched up with LR Ami Tiger Would to continue a great start to the week for Crystal Farms with the reserve ride.

         

The 12-year-old riders followed with a strong field of 11 riders making the gate call for their Grand National class. Following a careful evaluation by the judges, announcer Mark Farrar called Kelsey Thomas out of the lineup to collect the winning prize. Under the direction of Valerie Siemer, Thomas represented the Sunshine State well aboard CBMF Danger Zone. Coming from the opposite side of the country, Kelsie Houghtaling represented Oregon as she rode away with reserve honors aboard Passport To Morocco.

         

As the riders got older, the classes got larger with 16 showing up for the Grand National Hunt Seat Equitation 13-Year-Old class. Katelyn Merrill and The Lion King were the popular winners in this talented group and they were met in the winner’s circle by proud sister/instructor Sarah Gove. Craig Clapp and Katie Mair greeted reserve finisher David Knupp, who also stood out among the competitive group of hunt seat riders matched with BMF Xerxes.

         

Fourteen was the number in the next class. That’s how many riders entered the arena for the 14-year-old hunt seat equitation class. Coming south from Decatur, Ill., Rebecca Borstein had a smooth ride aboard MXM Breezy Night and claimed the Grand National prize to the delight of instructor Jamie Gerardi and the Lowry Stables cheering section. Also representing the Midwest, Olivia Lahr and JLS Night Track trailed the winners and trotted away with reserve honors coached by Cheryl Woosley.

         

Entry numbers remained in double digits as 11 showed up for a chance to make the victory pass in the Grand National Hunt Seat Equitation 15-Year-Old class. A bold and flawless ride put Alyssa Rumsey and Merriehill The Lion King on top of all three judges cards as they were greeted by winning instructor Belle Hufferd. Lauren Bruss and Victory’s Selection claimed a reserve honors for their smooth and steady performance.

         

Proving hunt seat equitation is as competitive and as deep as ever, 18 riders answered the gate call for the 16-year-old Grand National class. Stevie Meder’s fan club cheered loudly as she added another big win to her impressive resume aboard Manchester In Demand adding another blue ribbon to the Taylor River banner. Jordan Cusumano captured her second top ribbon of the day, this time aboard the tried and true BlkOrchid Ace Commander with the second place finish.

         

The show arena had a nice size crowd all night, several were waiting for the final class of the evening, the Grand National Hunt Seat Equitation 17-Year-Old class. In her final junior exhibitor show, Lauren Knupp celebrated the winning ride aboard Kane Creek Oregon Reign to the delight of instructor Katie Mair and the Sterling Training cheering section. Valerie Shurtleff finished second in the field of 15 aboard Rye On The Rocks.

 

Sunday, October 7

 

Coliseum

Sunday’s morning performances kicked off in the coliseum with the seven-horse Grand National Hunter Pleasure Amateur Masters 15.1 and Over competition. The first blue ribbon of the morning went to Garland Fleur De Lis. Joyce Thoma came all the way from Franconia, N.H., to ride her lovely mare back to the winner’s circle under the Cedar Spring banner. Picking up the reserve honors were Penncrest Philosopher King and Coni Hose, taking the red ribbon back to Trotwood Stables under the direction of Amanda Dupont.

         

Decked out in silver, the western pleasure mares jogged into the ring next with 19 entries competing for the Grand National title. Riding out of the nice group of mares was Tracemark Tapestry with Andy Marlett on board. They made it three years in a row with this fine win for owner Kristie Strom. Making a nice pass with the reserve ribbon for Madison Avenue Morgans was Briar Oak’s Pep In My Step. Earl McFall was up for the polished ride.

         

The third class of the morning, the Grand National Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure 9 and Under, was split. Nine skilled young riders entered for the first half, demonstrating great poise and ability. Riding to the top of the first section was Sophie Nonweiler on Lone Star Bill. Following right behind her were the perfectly matched pair of TJB Opinionated and Nicholas Roberts directed by Cindy Mugnier.

         

The second section saw 10 more talented riders and their mounts walk and trot around the ring. To the loud approval of the crowd, Katie Howe and Ultra’s Legal Advantage rode to the winner’s circle to the delight of the Bellewether cheering section. With a cheering section of their own Affinity One N A Million and Angelica Lengyel picked up the reserve honors.

         

The stallions and geldings took their turn in the ring with their amateur riders in the hunter pleasure 15.1h and over class. With 14 strong, it made for a very deep class. HDP Noble Warrior captured the Grand National title with owner Paula Messier in the saddle to start off a memorable week under the Crystal Farms banner. Anna Weeks guided reserve champion MEM Virtual Reality to a solid performance for the second place finish.

         

Five junior exhibitors gave their all on their western pleasure mounts in the 11 and under age group. In the first unanimous decision of the morning, Inga Johnson rode to the winner’s circle on Arcola Farm’s Park Place Dominion. Redfield Aladdin gave a smooth performance to earn the reserve title with Iris Rankin in the saddle.

         

Now it was time for the young horses to make an appearance as the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Three-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class came into the ring with 12 fine entries. With a second victory of the morning for trainer Mary Carlton, MEM Once Again and Misty Pleiness trotted away with the Grand National title. Coming up for reserve out of a nice group of youngsters was Tudor Oaks The Real Deal. Jessica Cavanaugh was up for the ride for Bruce and Susan Peterson.

         

In the second split class of the morning, the 10 and 11-year-old riders brought in their hunter pleasure horses to show at the walk and trot only. Ten entered for the first section and riding to the top with a unanimous decision was Cedar Creek Times Square. Miranda Hengy gave trainer Lori Marino-Beasley a big hug before riding into the winner’s circle. Kate Vail put in a good ride to come out in second place with her new partner Merriehill Isa Boo under the Rolling Oaks banner.

         

The second section had another nice group of 10 young riders, each one riding to the best of their ability. Giving her horse a tearful hug, Brooke Alley rode Fiddler’s Camelot to the unanimous victory. Merriehill Rythem Nation and Ryenn Johns captured the reserve title for owner Mary Holloway.

         

Eleven geldings in western tack entered the ring for the 15.1h and over Grand National title. Daryl Hopson directed CSA Approved By Command to the winner’s circle. Aline Young of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada is the proud owner. The colorful MSV Ringo Starr jogged his way to the reserve place with Amy Bessey in the saddle for Kathryn Daly.

         

Rounding out the morning session was the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Amateur Stallion and Gelding Under 15.1h class with 12 top entries competing for the honors. Taking the blue ribbon back to Nicholasville, Ky., Maggie Macri rode Gotham to the winner’s circle for Katnandu. Reserve went to the world titled team of MEM Virtual Insanity and Lauren Booth.

         

Sunday afternoon in the coliseum kicked of with the Grand National Park Harness Three-Year-Old Stallion class. Bri-B XTC and Brian Stewart started off the week in winning fashion as they emerged from the line as champions. SCMF Winged Warrior with Pierre Loiselle on the lines garnered the reserve honors.

         

The next class started what would be a streak of unanimous decisions by the judges on Sunday afternoon. Mary Carlton had SpringMill Madison charged up for a bold ride as they made the victory pass in the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Three-Year-Old Mares for SpringMill Morgans. Courtney Zimmerman teamed Debra Lee’s lovely Angel Eyes for a smooth performance for the reserve finish in this class of promising fillies.

         

Adam Lewis defeated all the ladies in his class as he directed Futurity’s Flamboyant to a unanimous victory in the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Exhibitor 11 and Under class coached by Ronda Collins. Lookaway’s Howitzer and Talia Stewart were hot on their heels for a strong reserve finish for Jim and Linda Stewart.

         

The gate for Grand National Pleasure Driving Amateur Masters Under 15.1 class was closed after eight entries made their way into the coliseum. Dragonsmeade Carnaros and Nancy Hendricks were a popular choice as they were called out as the champions with Tim Roesink continuing a winning day directing them to the unanimous victory. The dapper duo of FRF Seattle Reign and Jeff Gove also receiving a lot of attention and applause for their reserve finish for Taylor River Farm.

         

The second blue of the session went to an Oklahoma resident when Cedar Creek Ungaro and Emily Orthwein added the Grand National English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 14 and 15 win to the Collinwood banner. Representing Washington state and Northwood Farm, QVM American Icon and Maxi Gumprecht trotted away with reserve honors in the nine-entry class.

         

A sharp crop of young stallions converged next for their harness competition. When the cards were turned in, the crowd went crazy for the sharp dressed man – Deer Creek Sharp Dressed Man, that is, with Gerry Rushton on the lines for Craig and Jennifer Sommers. The Noblest and Bob Hughes impressed in their show ring debut to carry the Two-Year-Old Park Harness Stallions reserve finish to the partnership of Blackridge and Tomeri.

         

Eighteen entries jogged through the gate for the Grand National Western Pleasure Gelding Under 15.1 class and when the cards were turned in it was clear that the cowboys dominated this class, taking the top three spots. The winning key was held by Charles Connor’s entry, Key To The Kingdom, with Daryl Hopson on board. Veteran western trainer Jordy Johns rode OO Right As Rain to the reserve position for Sarah Hudson while Wood Valley Counterpoint and Richard Jeffery rode away with the yellow streamers.

         

The pace picked up swiftly in the next class as the roadsters met up for their race to the blue ribbon finish line. The River’s Edge held the winning ticket as Bob Kellert drove MEM No Inhabitions to the Grand National Roadster To Bike Mare blue ribbon with a unanimous victory for Drs. Ray and Alison Bendele. Forest Nealon and Fairetation turned in a strong challenge, and they received a warm round of applause for their reserve finish for George and Glendel Campbell.

         

Back to back unanimous wins for The River’s Edge came when Kristen Wade expertly directed Plum Haven Minuet down victory lane in the Grand National English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 11 and Under for proud parents Michael and Dawn Wade. Stoneledge Chancellor was off to a great start in Oklahoma City as he earned reserve honors with Emily Evans on board for Bob Peterson.

         

A wise investment by Champions Way at the CopperDragon Sale, DM Grand Voyage secured Grand National recognition in his show ring debut. Shanna Gish drove the sporty bay to the Grand National Park Harness Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding victory with a trio of first place votes. WNDC Chairman Of The Board and Michael Grimes collected reserve honors for Windcrest Farms.

         

The largest class of the afternoon featured 20 entries riding hard for any ribbon, let alone the blue, in the Grand National English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17. Tim Arcuri was proud of the winning team he had in QVM Rocket Man and Natasha Rodley as Great Britain struck Oklahoma blue. Ultra’s Proclamation and Adriana Liberty added another top ribbon to their long list of top finishes as they rode away with reserve under the direction of David Rand. Medomak French Invasion and Nikki Evans rounded out the top three in this impressive class.

         

The blue ribbon in the Grand National Carriage Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship Single class went to Mary Scronce and Intrepid Sabrina besting a field of 15 top drivers. Karen Holford and the Chairman Of The Board made another fine show that resulted in a reserve finish for Bob and Judi McCoy.

         

As the afternoon began to wind down, competition got underway in the Grand National Classic Pleasure Driving Three-Year-Old and Under class. Bred To Boogie and Paul Brisco teamed up for the winning performance with Mark Bodnar assisting them on their victory for Epona Morgans. CN In Grand Style and Allyson Nord Wandtke put together a grand performance that made the Broadmoor team proud as they cheered on their reserve finish for Cindy Nord.

         

The last class of the afternoon was filled with a large group of talented entries. It was no surprise to see renowned western trainer Judy Nason assisting ECP The Seventh Stone and Marion Bengston in the winner’s circle as the topped the 17-entry Amateur Masters Western Pleasure Under 15.1 class. Sandra Nelson enjoyed a great ride aboard her adorable Briar Oaks Pep In My Step who jogged away with her second red ribbon of the day.

         

Four excellent entries burst through the gate for the Park Saddle Amateur Mare and Gelding class, kicking off the evening session with an exciting group. Tim Arcuri greeted the winning team at the end of the ring. Shannon Connor and Grandemeanor took the first victory pass of the night. Putting on a nice show for reserve were Dragonsmeade Bulgari and Candice Boehm performing for the Kabel family.

         

The junior exhibitors took to the ring next on their classic pleasure horses for the 12 and 13-year-old division. Out of a talented group of 11 entries, Bailey Bartley and Amabayus, who has won a title at Oklahoma every year since he was four, rode to the top for John and Claudette McCoy. Sandy Sessink met the Grand National champions in the winner’s circle. Capturing the reserve title was world champion veteran Rum Brook Immortal Mystic with Lauren Lang in the saddle.

         

Seventeen amateurs entered the ring next with their hunter pleasure mares. Kim Shahon guided the winning entry down victory lane with Harlington’s Chelsea for Belleridge Morgans. Julie Tretter and Corrina Corrina collected the second place ribbon in a deep class.

         

The Park Harness Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class had people whistling and hollering for their favorite. When the judges’ cards were turned in, it was with all three in agreement that sent Signed Sealed And Delivered to the winner’s circle. Dwayne Knowles was at the lines of the Stand And Deliver daughter for Kimberly Germ-Cramer of Langenserdorf, Austria. Andy Marlett handled the reserve drive with the lovely Queen’s Lady Ashley for Rocky and Diana Schliefer of Wild Rose Ranch.

         

The Grand National English Pleasure Ladies Gelding class brought in 10 outstanding entries. Boasting a flawless regular season, Katie Mair and Fait Accompli continued their winning streak into the postseason taking the title back to owner Marie Frank. Shannon Connor had another top entry in Matrix, riding away with the reserve ribbon with an outstanding performance.

         

Twelve four-year-olds came in to compete for the classic pleasure driving honors. Driving out of the nice class in unanimous fashion was Stonecroft Neoclassic. Donna Zimmerman was at the lines of her newest entry with Jim Taylor meeting them in the winner’s circle. Leaving the ring with a big smile was Deborah Stevenson at the lines of her multi-titled Treble’s Spring Loaded directed by Forest Nealon.

         

Eighteen stallions jogged into the ring for a very competitive western pleasure class. Riding out as the best of the group with a smooth and steady performance was Chase Manhattan. Cheri Barber was in the saddle for the victory pass for Patricia West. BEF Ivan earned the reserve honors with Eitan Beth-Halachmy riding for Jill Smith. Rounding out the top three in an excellent class was the team of Treble’s Mucho Uno and Daryl Hopson.

         

The Park Saddle Amateur Stallion competed next for the Grand National title with three answering the call. David Rand made the run into center ring to greet his team of BKC Valiant Star and Casey McDonald as they continued a victorious season for Firewind Morgans. Carrying off the reserve title was the reigning world titled team of CN The Master’s Flyte with Allyson Nord Wandtke in the irons for Cindy Nord.

         

Finishing out Sunday night was the Roadster to Bike Stallion and Gelding class. Seven entries sped around the ring to earn the Grand National honors. When everything quieted down, it was Arboria Victorious and Lynn Peeples who stood in the winner’s circle for the second year in a row with a unanimous decision for Paul Calandra. Racing away with the red ribbons was three-year-old Dragonsmeade MaxMara with Luman Wadhams in the bike for Treble’s Morgan Manor.

 

Show Arena 6

Sunday morning began with the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Ladies Gelding Over 15.1 class. Following a thorough workout, a consistent performance spearheaded by trainer Mary Carlton put HVK Drive ‘Em Crazy in the winner circle with Janice Lazar in the irons. Sandcastle Spittin’ Image and Whitney Hazen were the runners up in the quality-filled class to add to a great season for PlayMor Farm.

         

Eight contenders came together for the second class of the morning, Grand National English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 12 and 13. Terry Jones Brennan, Lisa Waller, and Nancy Becker judged the class where the bright pair of Caitlin Howard and Almost Famous, directed by Tim Roesink, celebrated the blue ribbon performance to start a winning day for the entries of Grove Pointe. They were followed by the perfectly matched team of L.A. Ricochet and Annie Thurber under the direction of Katie Mair.

         

Junior exhibitors took center stage again as seven answered the gate call for the Grand National Classic Pleasure Diving Junior Exhibitor 14-17. Harry Sebring proudly escorted Contagious and Jessica Sebring to the winner’s circle with a unanimous victory for Copper Beach LLC. Whispering Rhythm N Blues and Maxine Kenny turned in a fine drive as well as they were reserve across the board under the Northgate banner.

         

The first open class of the day made their way into the arena next for the Grand National English Pleasure Four-Year-Old Mares. This nice group of mares was headed by Fair Catch, who followed her in hand honors from the previous day by showing off her talents ridden by Kathleen Peeples for Doug and Marlene Sluiter. David Rand had Queen’s Fancy Me looking through the bridle for a strong reserve finish for Queen’s River Farm.

         

Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Ladies Mare featured 13 entries working for the esteemed title. When the cards were turned in announcer Mark Farrar announced that the results were unanimous for both first and second place. Jim Lowry greeted Futurity’s Miss Munitions and Becky Krupp in the winner’s circle for proud owners James and Shula Dodson. About Last Night and Carolyn Gibbard started off the week with the red streamers under the Grove Pointe banner.

         

The highly anticipated Grand National English Pleasure Four-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class followed with 13 entries making their way into the show arena. Tim Roesink had World Champion Sacred Path Indiana Jones in high gear to start off a great morning for Kourt Jester Morgans with the victory pass. SpringMill Souvenir and Shanna Gish were right on their heels for the reserve ribbon with a steallar performance for SpringMill Morgans.

         

Kourt Jester was on a roll Sunday morning as Outrageous Courageous and Shelley Silber topped a strong field of 11 in the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Ladies Geldings Under 15.1 with trainer Tim Roesink helping with a memorable victory pass. Amy Gatewood-Gendjar started off the week with the reserve finish aboard the always-bright Stonecroft After Midnight for Dantree Farm.

         

The morning session was moving along quite swiftly as entries made their way into the ring for the second to last class of the session, the Grand National English Pleasure Ladies Mare. Another unanimous decision by the judges put the elegant GLB Perfect Harmony and Stacy Hennessy in the winner’s circle for Lorraine Bumb and the Gerry Rushton Stables team. Amy Neifert was in the irons for another top ribbon for Copper Beech aboard the elegant world title holder Paradigm Hot Chocolate.

         

The final class of the Sunday morning session was the Grand National Pleasure Driving Amateur Masters 15.1 and Over. MSV Shooting Star and Jacqueline Clapp were the stars of this class as they garnered the blue with the help of trainers Bill and Sammi Hazen to add to the PlayMor banner. Barb Goda assisted On Target and P.D. May as they emerged from the line to collect reserve honors.

         

Sunday evening in ring 6 featured carriage classes as well as the AMHA Hunter Seat On The Flat Gold Medal Preliminary. The Grand National Carriage Pleasure Driving Working Single had 20 entries that were divided into two sections. Beawest Trophy’s Revenge and Cathy Grimes held the winning ticket in the Grand National Pleasure Driving World Single Section A class for Larry Thibeault. Pat Gesler had LCS Ice Princess in good form for a solid reserve finish.

         

Powerpoint is no stranger to victory lane and on this night he received the judge’s approval and won the section B class with owner Patricia Hartell enjoying the victory pass. The Chairman Of The Board and Karen Holford were popular reserve champions for Bob and Judi McCoy.

         

The best of the best hunt seat equitation riders closed out the show Sunday evening in the AMHA Hunter Seat On The Flat Gold Medal Preliminary class. A very impressive 40 riders showed up for this class. After each rider was tested on rail work and pattern work, the judges had the difficult task of narrowing the field to 12 riders who were asked to return for the finals class, which was held in the coliseum later in the week. The selections were; Megan Evans, Olivia Lahr, Alana Little, Samantha Winsett, Brianna Berg, Lauren Knupp, Alyssa Rumsey, Kali Erin Hutchinson, Rebecca Boorstein, Stevie Meder, Lauren Gorfinkle and Ellery Walker.

 

Show Arena 9

The dressage riders spent another long day in arena 9 on Sunday. The Grand National Dressage Training Level Test 3 Junior Exhibitor class kicked off the Sunday day. Canequin Letter Perfect picked up the first of three wins on the day with Kara Norton riding. This athletic pair later teamed up for victory in the junior exhibitor test three class as soloists and the test four competition where Crown B Special and Haeley Hutchison for Kylee Lourie captured reserve. Heyday Patriot Lady and Whitney Childs polished off the reserve finish in the test three junior exhibitor class.

         

The Grand National Training Level Test 3 Amateur ring belonged to Alias and proud owner Barbara Fleming who performed under the Dragonfire banner. Sagamore Domino and Michaelana Richardson continued their successful week as the reserve champions. Sagamore Domino and Richardson knew the winner’s circle well by the time they were invited to make victory passes later in the morning in the Grand National Dressage Training Level Amateur Test 4 class, where Statesman’s Signature and Martha Reynolds were reserve, and in the first level amateur test 4 where Rogue Hills Woodsman and Jamie Hardy rode away as the reserve champions.

         

The capable pair of Misty Green Hennessey and Maggie Shaughnessy bested a deep field of competitors in the Grand National Dressage Training Level Test 4 Junior Exhibitor class for owners VanDorn/Coffelt. Taylor Wilmoth directed the elegant moving TMI Flight Street Vigil for reserve.

         

Rogue Hills Woodsman and Jamie Hardy moved up a notch later in the morning and were named champions in the Grand National Dressage First Level Test 3 Amateur class with an excellent score. TJR Destiny’s Tiara and Kevin Schauer put forth a strong effort for the reserve ride for Julie Haugen.

         

The familiar team of Raynyday Grand Finale and Shannon Betts collected the top ribbon in the Grand National Dressage Second Level Test 2 class for proud owner Sherry Lynn Kipikasa. The smooth and steady Dragonfire Lady Hawke and Margaret Cunningham made their mark in Oklahoma City as the reserve champions.

         

Julie Haugen was back in the ring once again, but this time she masterfully directed Sancrest Monte Darling to victory in the Grand National Dressage Third Level Test 2 class for Deborah Shields. They were challenged by reserve finishers Orrwood’s Madison Bay and Victoria Fernalld.

         

Greentree Courtney and David MacMillan starred in the Grand National Dressage Intermediate 1 class for owner Wendy Gray Bizzaro.

         

The final test of the day in ring 9 was the Grand National Musical Freestyle event where a full slate of entries turned in excellent performances. Orrwood’s Madison Bay and Victoria Fernalld closed out the day with this victory nudging out WTR Chocolate Bar and David MacMillan by a fraction of a point as they also entertaining their fans as the reserve champions for Wendy Gray Bizzaro.

 

Monday, October 8

Coliseum

A showery Monday morning in Oklahoma City ushered in a much-needed cool front along with a great day of show ring competition from start to finish. The day began with two-time defending Park Harness World Grand Champion JW That Special Flaire lighting up the coliseum with a unanimous victory in the Four-Year-Old Park Harness Stallions. Ken Swanson followed up his recent North Carolina State Championship performances with a spectacular win in his bid for history on Friday night for Frances Pugh. Rick Stevens followed up SYP High Definition’s in hand successes with a reserve finish here for Heidi Kunkel.

         

Momentum in the coliseum continued into the second class as young riders trotted through the gate for the Grand National Park Saddle Junior Exhibitor 15 and Under. The balanced bay gelding Cedar Creek Samurai and Dylan Spence made the second victory pass of the day, riding to the blue in their first trip to Oklahoma for owners Deidre and John Ventura to continue a great show for the entries directed by John and Sheri Lampropoulos. RER Popcorn and Julia Strier made a consistent performance for Carey Churchill and they happily accepted reserve.

         

Small but mighty, Ariana Varveris had True Gold looking like a true winner as she once again directed her entry to the winner’s circle in the Grand National Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor 11 and Under class with a unanimous tie under the Bobbin Hollow banner. Kristen Wade was on the lines of reserve finisher Plum Haven Minuet, representing The River’s Edge team.

         

Jessie Fejes enjoyed a return trip to the winner’s circle and she was all smiles when her number was called out as the winner after she made a strong performance aboard Sunny Acres Candoo in the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Stallion and Gelding 15.1 and Over with Dwayne Knowles greeting the winning duo. Whispering Bellevante and Carla Jackson Greenside stood out among the six-horse class as the reserve finishers for John Macklin and his late wife Paula.

         

Six ladies took the rail for the next class, Grand National Park Harness Ladies Gelding. Shanna Gish expertly drove NDT French Impressionist to the win for Indian Creek with a bright and consistent performance. HVK Constantinoble and Jacqueline Clapp matched up for the reserve for PlayMor Farm in the quality-filled class.

         

Carolyn Gibbard started off her own winning streak by riding About Last Night to a stellar performance and the unanimous win in the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Mare class. Rare Obsession and Shirley Hass made their fans proud when they were name the reserve champions with a trio of second place votes.

         

Harold Angell, Terry Jones Brennan and Nancy Becker judged a capable group of young drivers in the Grand National Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor 12 and 13 class. When the cards were turned in, Bill Carrington called HVK Primary Light and Austin McLallin out of line up to collect top honors for PlayMor Farm with Bill and Sammi Hazen assisting the polished pair in their victory pass for the second year in a row. HRS Mirror Image and Justin Mullaney received great crowd support for their reserve finish for the second year in a row as well for Howard Stump.

         

Eight mares took center stage for the Grand National English Pleasure Mare class, which was next on Monday morning’s agenda. Looking refined and pretty very step of the way, Prada and Debi Jeppesen earned a unanimous victory for Robert Hughes to the cheers of Blackridge. A second solid performance in as many days landed Paradigm Hot Chocolate and Amy Neifert of Sebring Stables the reserve finish for Copper Beech.

         

He’s been a champion time and time again under saddle, in hand and in harness, and now Stonecroft Byzantine and his new partner Cathy Hazen matched up for a unanimous win in their team debut. The PlayMor Farm entry made the victory pass with the crowd’s approval under the guidance of Rick Stevens. Another Stonecroft bred stallion picked up the red streamers when Stonecroft Notorious was named reserve with Paul Brisco handling the catch-drive for owner Elaine Olsen and the Gerry Rushton Stables crew.

         

The morning session continued to entertain a good crowd of spectators as 11 contenders competed in the next to last class of the morning, the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Stallion and Gelding Under 15.1. Boogie Nights was all show horse as he was named the unanimous champion of the class with proud owner Anne Marie Biron on board. Sandy Sessink met the winning pair in the winner’s circle as they continued a flawless debut season. Coming all the way from California, Festival Rock N Roll rocked his way to the reserve finish with Caprice Zoumaras on board for Festival Morgans.

         

The final class of the morning featured 12 promising youngsters vying for top honors and top prize money in the World Champion Futurity Pleasure Driving Two-Year-Old competition. When tabulations were calculated a pair of youngsters carrying designer names earned the tricolors. Miyake (Mizrahi x And The Dream Goes On) emerged from the line as the new world champion with Dwayne Knowles on the lines for Copper Beech, who continued their good week in Oklahoma. Phil Fountain drove the reserve world champion Briar Oaks Armani (Liberation First Star x Ryan’s Pure Silk Lady) with a polished performance for Denny and Toni Maunder.

         

Following a nice break for lunch, the afternoon session was underway in the coliseum as seven made their way down the chute for the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Masters 15.1 and Over class. Surprised would be an understatement when describing proud owner Karla Haartz Cortelyou’s reaction as her number was called out first by Peter Fenton. She rode her classic bay Tempest Abbey Road to victory under the direction of Tim O’Gorman. Janice Lazar and HVK Drive ’Em Crazy received warm appreciation from the crowd for their reserve performance.

         

The Grand National Park Saddle Mares and Geldings were up next and Something Wicked was in top form to continue a great day for Copper Beech with Amy Neifert taking the victory pass with a unanimous win. Larry Bolen and Cedar Creek Arabella were named reserve champions with an animated performance for Cedar Creek Farm.

         

Twelve teams converged next for the Grand National English Pleasure Youth Finals. HVK Flash Back and Natasha Rodley combined forces to carry the victory to ecstatic owner Cristina DiGioia and put Arcuri Stables in the spotlight as they rode away with the championship tricolor. Tommy Brisco showed off his skill as he piloted Adventure’s Priority to a precise reserve finish for Barbara Tardy under the direction of Blackridge.

         

Changes paces, the World Champion Carriage Pleasure Driving Single class followed with 11 entries working hard toward tricolor honors. When the cards were turned in, the entries were left to anxiously wait for Peter Fenton to announce the champion. LCS Ice Princess and Pat Gesler made a clean performance and trotted away as the newly crowned world champions with Powerpoint and Patricia Hartell following closely behind as the reserve world champions.

         

IGF Coeur Et Ame and Carolyn Gibbard made their Grand National mark as they swept up the blue ribbon in unanimous fashion in the Grand National Classic Pleasure Saddle Masters Under 15.1 class. It was the second unanimous win of the day for Gibbard under the direction of Tim Roesink. Deborah Kenny was all smiles aboard her handsome chestnut, Whispering Rhythm N Blues as they accepted reserve honors in their Oklahoma team debut.

         

A very nice class converged next for the Grand National Park Harness Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. Diablo In Red was a force to be reckoned with as this bold Mendonhall Inc. entry was named champion with Mike Carpenter on the lines. MEM Ultimate Star and Lynn Peoples received great crowd support as they starred as the reserve champions for the Brown/Klein Family.

         

The English pleasure division proved its strength as 18 riders faced up for the Grand National English Pleasure Ladies Amateur Gelding class. Harold Angell, Terry Brennan and Nancy Becker evaluated each entry closely and when their cards were tabulated Peter Fenton announced the decision to be unanimous. Making the long voyage from Austria worth the trip, Kimberly Germ-Cramer rode her eye-catching entry, Gotti, to the winner’s circle with trainer Mike Goebig by her side. Roadshow Steppin’ Out and Jamie Green Willard made owners John and Georgie Green, and the rest of their fans proud, as they collected the reserve ribbon in this very competitive class.

         

The momentum of a great Monday afternoon session continued as the Grand National Park Saddle Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17 contenders faced up for their competition. HyLee’s Goldsmith was expertly presented by Alyssa Wick for owner Jane Steffenhagen as they earned their second Oklahoma victory pass in as many years with a unanimous performance under the direction of Kenny Guell. Stevie Meder guided Set To Dance to a reserve finish choosing to allow a catch-rider to show her hunter who was competing at the same time in the other ring.

         

Festival Calypso and Stephanie Connor added another win to their star-studded resume and another top finish for the Arcuri team when they once again topped the Grand National Pleasure Driving Ladies Gelding class. Melissa Morrell had Can’t You See MEM in good form for the reserve finish for Phyllis Frechette.

         

Monday afternoon highlighted the ladies as 11 more ladies made the gate call for the Grand National English Pleasure Ladies Amateur Mare class. The judges were definitely in sync this afternoon as they awarded the elegant pairing of HVK Obsidian and Ling Fu Wylie an across the boards first place finish for Dragonsmeade under the Blackridge banner. A great afternoon for the Connor family concluded with Shannon Connor’s notable reserve ride aboard the lovely LGH Destiny’s Treasure.

         

The Grand National Park Saddle Amateur Masters served as the final class of the afternoon in the coliseum, and it was again filled with ladies riding hard for the judges’ approval. Garnering another top finish for the Broadmoor banner, CBMF Undeniable and Kathleen Gutting closed out the day as champions as they repeated their victory from a year ago. CN The Commanding Touch and Brenda Varney will no doubt treasure their reserve tricolor earned under the direction of Rick Stevens.

         

The coliseum audience then took time recognize the Dressage World Champions from all levels. Taproot Old Glory and Kristi Haines and CHC Blues Shining Star and Jennifer McFall (Training Level – Open), Saramore Domino and Michaelana Richardson and Statesmans Signature (Training Level – Amateur), Misty Green Hennessey and Maggie Shaughnessy and TNT M&M El Regato and Kimberly Chesney (Training Level – Junior Exhibitor), Gotno Gamblin’ Man and Alejandro Salazar and WRP Santana White Gold and Colette Sossaman (First Level – Open), Rogue Hill’s Woodsman and Jamie Hardy and Sagamore Domino and Michaelana Richardson (First Level – Amateur), Canequin’s Letter Perfect and Kara Norton and Crown B Special and Haeley Hutchison (First Level – Junior Exhibitor), Raynyday Grand Finale and Shannon Betts and Dragonfire Ladyhawke and Margaret Cunningham (Second Level), Sancrest Monte Darling and Julie Haugen and WTR Chocolate Bar and David MacMillan (Third Level), Countryrun Rair Memento and Andrea Doelling (Fourth Level) and Greentree Courtney and David MacMillan (FEI Level).

         

Monday night got under way with the Grand National Park Harness Ladies Mare class. Only two came into the ring, but what a show they put on. When the cards were turned in HVK Ancient Cry and Helen Crawford made the familiar trip to the winner’s circle. Robert Hughes directed this elegant team to the unanimous blue. Cedar Creek With Bells On was reserve with Deborah Stevenson at the lines directed by Forest Nealon.

         

The English Pleasure Stallions came in next to thrill the crowd. Seven entered with all putting on excellent performances. Making the appearance in the winner’s circle after a very competitive class was East Coast Champion Fox Glen Hail To Divinity with Ann Anderson in the irons for Joy Bogstad. Carrying home the reserve to Taylor River Farm and their strong fan club, Cartier and Sarah Gove enjoyed their first trip together to the Oklahoma coliseum.

         

A full class of 13 took to the ring for the Hunter Pleasure Mare class. Mary Carlton was all smiles when her number was called out as the unanimous winner and she rode Graycliff Miss Liberty to the blue for Lynn and Jeff Yelton. Ladies Night collected the reserve honors in her first trip to Oklahoma with Kathleen Peeples in the saddle for the Brown/Klein family.

         

The young horses were in the spotlight next for the World Champion Futurity Pleasure Driving Three-Year-Old. Topping a nice class of 13 three-year-olds was Dragonsmeade Infusion, by HVK Bell Flaire and out of Cedar Creek Pirouette. Phil Fountain was in the buggy to continue a winning day for Dragonsmeade. Making the reserve champion victory pass was the expressive CBMF Double Down. By Aljak’s Double Whammy and out of Prelude To Passion, Tim Roesink made the drive for Copper Beech LLC.

         

Twelve talented young riders exhibited their western pleasure horses in the 12 and 13-year-old division. These teams gave it their all and when the class was over Kelsie Houghtaling found her way down victory lane with Passport To Morocco. The multi-titled Evil Knievil and Madison Wurster jogged away with the reserve honors.

         

The Amateur Pleasure Driving Geldings marched around the ring with seven entries answering the gate call. The crowd gave a strong approval when the unanimous winner was announced and Stephanie Connor with Dragonsmeade Carnegie Hall drove to the win. Tim and Ryan Arcuri met the team, celebrating another victorious night with Connor family entries. Jim Lowry headed the stylish reserve champion team of CN Grand Style and Rebecca Sebastian representing Bonus Time Farm.

         

Keeping the excitement going through the night, a dozen English Pleasure Geldings paraded before the appreciative crowd. All three judges were in agreement and sent Sarde’s Manistique to the winner’s circle. Luman Wadhams was up for the winning ride for owner Deedee Ludlam. En Possession NKS took possession of the reserve spot with a bright showing with Keith Nelsen in the saddle for Donna Woolley.

         

The judges were in agreement in all four places in the Amateur Pleasure Driving Mares. Cum Laude Nell trotted her way to the blue with Diane Garrow at the lines for co-owner JoAnn Celecki under the O’Gorman Stables banner. The fronty FRF Bridal Veil captured the second place ribbon with Teri Rumens directing for Fire Run Farm.

         

Judy Nason sprinted into center ring to greet the Western Pleasure Amateur Stallion champion. Treble’s Tanqueray and Ashley Morris made the victory pass with the support of the crowd to kick off a memorable week for owners Greg and Carol Fleck. Last year’s winning entry Firecrest E-Ticket jogged up to receive the reserve title this time around with owner Aimee Shriner in the saddle.

         

Wrapping up an exciting Monday night was the Park Harness Stallion class. Four multi-titled young stallions burst through the gate with elegance and animation. The West Coast took back the blue ribbon when SLB Da Vinci was called out as the winner for the third year in a row. Robert Hughes made the drive for Sherry Bartolucci and SLB Farms. In reserve SpiceOLife Present Tense and Diane Conrady stepped up to the open division with a bold showing for David James Walker.

 

Show Arena 6

Starting off the morning in a grand way, the lady amateurs came into the ring with 16 of their hunter pleasure mares. Already with one title to their name from the previous morning, Garland Fleur De Lis and Joyce Thoma returned to the winner’s circle again to claim the blue ribbon honors. Harlington’s Chelsea also has a 2007 Grand National title to her credit from the previous day. With Kim Shahon in the saddle for Belleridge Morgans, this elegant mare captured the reserve in this class.

         

A small group showed up for the Grand National Western Pleasure Three-Year-Old Mare class. The judges agreed on all three places when the class was finished. Riding into the winner’s circle was Hylee’s Seventh Heaven with Jordy Johns for Stone House Stables. The beautiful palomino Rosedust Endless Summer was reserve with Meredith Rosier.

         

Another large class of hunter pleasure horses took the ring next with 21 geldings and their lady amateur riders. Besting this great class was the always entertaining Bell South with owner Stacey Heidenreich. Roadshow Jesse James put on a good show to earn the reserve title with Britni Olsen in the irons for Bonnie Olsen.

         

Switching gears, 12 young riders brought in their western pleasure horses for the youth finals. The finalist and Grand National champion was CSA Approved By Command who had already made a victory pass yesterday with Daryl Hopson. Julianne Young made the winning ride for Aline Young to add the tricolor to the Trafalgar banner. PLF Maximum Results made a trip down victory lane as the reserve champion. Erika Mitchell was in the saddle for Jim and Natalie Maloof.

         

Another group of young riders entered the ring for the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 15 Years of age. Talk Of The Town and Lauren Gorfinkle gave everyone a little something to talk about as they made the trip down victory lane directed by Garn Walker to top the field of 14. MEM Scan-Dal-Less and Lauren Foy picked up the second place ribbon for Sara and Michael Foy to the cheers of CPM Stables.

         

Five entries competed for the Grand National Western Pleasure Amateur Mare honors. Futurity’s Such A Twist and Kathy Papola took the familiar trip to the winner’s circle as they jogged away with the victory directed by Bill Grundmeyer for Baccarat Farms. California boasted the top two ribbons as Out Of The Blue Willow and Kathy Barnett captured the reserve title.

         

The final class of the morning was the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 14 Years of age. Eighteen entries gave it their all for a chance to earn the Grand National title. From a field of 18 entries, all judges came to agree on one team to send to the winner’s circle. The new team of Narragansett Bay and Travis Wilson started off a show to remember as they carried the blue ribbon back to the Triumph Stables banner. Legendary And Noble made a strong showing as well to collect the reserve with Gaetana D’Alesio-Spina making the ride for Chrislar Farm.

         

After a short break the show returned to Arena 6 with the 11-horse Western Pleasure Three-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class. These young entries performed as nicely as their older counterparts and when the judges’ cards were turned in it was a unanimous decision for both first and second place. Daryl Hopson had another western champion in Harlington’s Farquar for Linda Staples. Partridge Hill Prophet and Judy Nason collected the reserve ribbon for owners John and Patricia Huse of SpringMill Morgans.

         

Staying in tradition with large hunter classes, the ladies brought in 15 hunter pleasure geldings to compete for the Grand National title. Earning his second Grand National title this week, HDP Noble Warrior added this blue ribbon with trainer Mary Carlton aboard for owner Paula Messier. Light Year and Monty Kugeler teamed up to capture the reserve spot with a smooth showing under The River’s Edge banner.

         

The geldings continued to dominate the ring, this time in the western pleasure amateur 15.1h and over class. The winner made the long haul from Alberta, Canada to make the trip down victory lane, but Carolyn Penner thought it was worth it following her ride with Beam’s Red Ryder. MSV Ringo Starr and Kathryn Daly put on a good show to add the reserve ribbon to the Summerbird banner.

         

The 17-year-olds answered the next gate call for their hunter pleasure class. It was a difficult class to stand out in with 19 entries, but unlike his name Sight Unseen was seen enough to earn the blue ribbon. Stephanie Slater directed her horse to the winner’s circle to add another victory to a winning week for Taylor River Farm. Hylee Blood Sweat And Tears earned the second place ribbon with Kali Erin Hutchinson continuing a great show for proud mom M.J. Sklenicka.

         

The geldings returned to the ring with their amateur riders for the western pleasure and under 15.1h class. Celebrating his birthday in a blue ribbon way, Tony Lee captured the honors in the 15-horse class on Mtn Laurel Election Day as Dwayne Knowles greeted them in the winner’s circle. Radiance In The Knight jogged his way to the reserve in this deep class with Laurie Revard in the saddle.

         

The large classes of talented junior exhibitors continued to put on top-notch performances as the 16-year-olds entered the ring to show their hunter pleasure horses in a chance to earn the Grand National medallion. Kelly Proctor rode to the top of the group of 14 with her Foolish Games to the delight of trainer Katie Mair. With great support of the crowd, KH Chapter One and Ashley Brown left the ring with the red ribbon for owner Pattee Booth and trainer Tammy Levesque.

         

 Wrapping up the last Grand National class of the afternoon before the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal preliminaries began was the Western Pleasure Four-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class. Fifteen entries jogged in to make for a full and competitive class. The top three ribbons went back to the West Coast. Keith Nelsen directed RBF Royal Navigator to the winner’s circle with a polished performance for Traci Coltrane. MJD French Quarter captured the reserve spot with Eitan Beth-Halachmy in the saddle for Mary and Jack Denove. Garn Walker introduced SA Kashmiri to the deepest of competition with the third place finish for Lexie Ellsworth.

         

The 28 riders in the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal competed in two sections on the rail and in individual patterns. Following the completion of both sections the judges marked their cards and 13 numbers were posted for those who would return on Wednesday night to compete for the coveted Gold Medal. Casey Morgan Tibolet, Anya Pierson, Taylor Sams, Natasha Rodley, Emily Buchanan, Elizabeth Thomas, Caitlyn Scholl, Hanna Johnson, Brittany Schilling, Alyssa Wick, Meghan Bradley, Brynne Cummings and Jordan Cusumano would each have the opportunity.

 

Show Arena 9

Dressage competition continued Monday morning to conclude three days of top scoring competition. Taproot Old Glory got off to a great start, topping the first two classes of the morning in Show Arena 9. Kristi Haines had her entry in winning form in the Grand National Dressage Training Level Test 3 Open class where Dragonsmeade Shogun and Gia Dawn Madole followed in the ribbons for Lauren M. Winstone. Haines and her grand Morgan also won the training level test 4 class followed by CHC Blues Shining Star and Jennifer McFall for Madison Avenue Morgans.

         

Grayfriar’s Epic Nchanter and Julie Haugen experience the thrill of victory in the Grand National Dressage First Level Test 3 Open class for Anne Schmid. Following a reserve finish in this class, Gotno Gamblin Man and Alejandro Salazar turned in a winning performance in the next class, the Grand National First Level Test 4 Open class where WRP Santana White Gold and Colette Sossaman entertained their fan club for a reserve finish for JoAnn Plummer.

         

West Mt. Casey and David MacMillan bested the dressage competition in the Grand National Second Level Test 4 class for Larry and Karin Weight. Raynyday Grand Finale was again in the spotlight with Shannon Betts on board for Sherry Lynn Kipikasa. They paired up for reserve in the next class as well, the Grand National Dressage Second Level Test 4, where Dragonfire Ladyhawke and Margaret Cunningham earned the blue.

         

David MacMillan was back in the winner’s circle in the next class, the Grand National Dressage Third Level Test 3, when he masterfully presented WTR Chocolate Bar to victory for Wendy Gray Bizzaro. Sancrest Monte Darling and Julie Haugen didn’t go unnoticed as they exited from the ring with the reserve score for Deborah Shields.

         

The Grand National Dressage Fourth Level Test 3 closed out the dressage performances with Countryrun Rair Memento and Andrea Doelling making a winning solo performance for Kylee Lourie.

         

The Grand National Carriage Arena Driving Preliminary Level Finals took center stage on Monday afternoon in ring 9. The full house of competition was led by Beauwest Trophy’s Revenge and Cathy Grimes for Larry Thibeault. Rogue Hill’s Woodsman finished second in the deep field as he continued to display is wide range of talents with owner Jaime Hardy on the lines.

         

The Arena Driving Intermediate Level Test 1 Finals saw Spring Hollow Dark Shadow and Jacob Arnold make the victory pass for Michael and Penny Arnold. Beauwest Trophy’s Revenge and Cathy Grimes added the second place finish here for Larry Thibeault

         

While the coliseum was filled with its Morgan spectators, ring 9 held its fair share of enthusiastic fans eagerly watching the hunter and jumper competition. Following the schooling rounds, held until 8:00 p.m., the Grand National Low Working Hunter I was held with a grand field of 16 horses competing. Wintergreen Sultana and co-owner Kate Podell were the athletic pair to win this competition for co-owner Jill Countryman. Owner Kate Holloway and Severn Hill Good As Gold were right on the money for the reserve in this tough event.

         

The Grand National Jumper I was the next and final event held in ring 9 on Monday. That’s My Nick and Amanda Dupont were well prepared as they emerged victoriously with an entertaining performance for Kathleen Pierce. The strong pair of TMI Flight Street Vigil and Taylor Wilmoth teamed up for reserve.

 

Tuesday, October 9

 

Coliseum

Tuesday morning classes in the coliseum featured the western and hunter divisions. Nine entries kicked off the morning session on this fourth morning of the show in the Grand National Western Pleasure Ladies Amateur Gelding 15.1 and Over. A beautiful showing of the western mounts concluded with a unanimous victory for MSV Ringo Starr and Kathryn Daly to add to a pair of reserve ties already earned. Beam’s Red Ryder and Carolyn Penner teamed up for the reserve honors following a victory pass the previous day.

         

Announcer Peter Fenton next called a trio of young riders into the coliseum for the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 11 and Under class. Coming all the way from Canada, consistency paid off for LV Dark Crystal and Robyn Davies, who received two out of three first place votes and trotted away with the blue for K-Lyn Stable. Iris Rankin put forth a good reserve effort aboard Redfield Aladdin.

         

The next class was all about the ladies as nine pretty teams answered the call for the Grand National Western Pleasure Ladies Amateur Mare competition. ECP The Seventh Stone and Marion Bengtson racked up another blue for Judy Nason’s winning western team. The Dragonsmeade team of RLH Electra and Ling Fu Wylie performed nicely and happily jogged away with reserve.

         

The Grand National Hunter Pleasure Stallion and Gelding Under 15.1 entries emerged into the ring next. The class had a brief pause as a cast shoe, a seemingly rare delay this week, was replaced. Heading south to capture unanimous honors, Mary Carlton and Bell South made the ground-covering win in the deep class for Stacey Heidenreich of Homer, Mich. Jennifer Piper had MEM Virtual Insanity well placed to position themselves for the reserve for Lauren Booth.

         

Carolyn Sebring gave her daughter Sara Sebring a big hug at the gate as her number was called out after casting the winning spell aboard her handsome chestnut Millbrook Spellcaster in the Grand National Western Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 14 and 15 class. This was a class filled with lots of multi-titled entries including reserve finishers He’s Simply Marvelous and Elyse Brill.

 

CBMF Danger Zone and Kelsey Thomas will head south to Florida as the champions of the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibiter 12 class. They made their second victory pass of the week under the direction of Valarie Siemer. Kelsie Houghtaling continued her successful Oklahoma week after riding Passport To Morocco to reserve in the 11-entry class.

         

The winning prize again went back to Florida as Sheradin’s Noteworthy and Caralee Conklin received the judges’ approval for the Grand National Western Pleasure Ladies Amateur Gelding Under 15.1 win. Second only to the winners in the tough field of 13, Radiance In the Knight and Laurie Revard displayed their radiance as the reserve champions.

         

Grand National Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 13-Year-Old contenders were slated next on the morning agenda and 15 answered announcer Peter Fenton’s call for this quality-filled class. Ultra’s My Guy and Sascha Mills won’t have to travel far to display their newly earned blue ribbon. This Oklahoma-based team succeeded in the challenge of standing out in the talent-filled class. The Lion King and Katelyn Merrill added another good ribbon to the Taylor River banner as they garnered reserve.

         

The Grand National Western Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17 marked the conclusion of the Tuesday morning coliseum session. When the cards were turned in, Hylee’s Fanflaire and Kali Erin Hutchinson jogged to the winner’s circle as the unanimous Grand National champions of the largest class of the session. They rode for M.J. Sklenicka under the guidance of Crystal Farms. Representing the Pacific Northwest, Kane Creek Conspiracy and Karlie Bagan finished reserve.

         

A good crowd of spectators headed to the coliseum for the first class of the Tuesday afternoon session, World Champion Futurity Park Harness Three-Year-Old. Steven Handy’s HVK Bell Flaire son Bellerophon, out of Carman Sandiego, caught the eye of the judges and the spectators as he was named world champion to continue a flawless season with Lynn Peeples presenting. Robert Hughes drove Enthusiastic (Tug Hill Whamunition x JLS Deer Sal) to a strong reserve finish in her eagerly anticipated show ring debut for Saralin Morgan Horse Farm.

         

Grand National Road Hack Saddle Seat Finals entries swiftly made their way into the coliseum for the second class of the afternoon. Having been successful in the classic pleasure saddle division all year, JW Faire Play and Anya Peirson made a ground covering performance to garner unanimous tricolor honors with Roadshow Tootsie Pop and Melanie McDonald on their heels for reserve.

         

A very well-deserved Grand National blue ribbon went to RJH Reality and Jennifer McFall in the Grand National Hunter Pleasure Stallion and Gelding 15.1 and Over class. Not only was this a unanimous win, but it was a unanimous win in an impressive field of 18 for owner Katherine Smith. After collecting blues all over the country this year at shows including Diamond Jubilee, Colorado Classic, UPHA Almost Summer and Circle J, Light Year and Monty Kugeler turned in a smart and skillful performance and earned the reserve ribbon.

         

Erin and Reese Richey proudly greeted the poised pair of Aquila’s Stardust and Connor Chaffin in the Grand National Walk-Jog Western Pleasure 9 and Under class. They topped a nice group of 13 after earning previous blues this year at KYOVA Morgan, Indianapolis Charity, Gold Cup and Buckeye. Kayla Wallich and WMF Prudence jogged away with reserve for Nancy Isham.

         

CBMF Strike Zone and Patsy Lloyd pitched a winning game in the deepest of competition as they drove away with the Grand National Classic Pleasure Driving Masters 15.1 and Over win under the Sebring Stables banner. The southeast had their region well represented by reserve finishers Willowick Will To Wynne and Darlene Stodoloski.

         

Grand Cru Hollywood’s Wish and Jeff Bessey were well prepared for victory in the Grand National Western Pleasure Four-Year-Old Mare class for ecstatic owner Karen Saville. This class contained several elegant young western stars including reserve champions AMHF Missiplicity and Monty Kugeler along with third place finisher ECP Pretty Woman and Jason Douglass.

         

Lauren Lang will have many fond memories when looking back on her 2007 trip to Oklahoma including her Grand National Classic Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under winning drive with Rum Brook Immortal Mystic cheered by proud parents Cary and Jennifer Lang. The champions were tested by reserve finishers MLF Caliente and Tayler Walters.

         

With class and consistency, Jennifer McFall rode to victory aboard 2006 Ladies Western Pleasure World Champion Movado in the Grand National Western Pleasure Ladies Gelding class. This was a unanimous victory for proud new owners Paul and Danica Brisco. A solid reserve finish in the 16-entry class went to FCF Montego Bay with Judy Nason expertly riding for Joanne Kieger.

         

Many people converged at the in gate to watch the next class, the very exciting Grand National Park Harness Mare and Gelding class where Tom Caisse directed HVK Carmen to the unanimous winning drive for Herbert V. Kohler. This team had starred earlier in the season as Park Harness Grand Champions at Mid-A. The Morgan Horse Farm of Lebanon, Ohio, had a large cheering section in favor of reserve champions Exceptionallee and John Warner as the get of Noble Flaire continue to carry on the tradition.

         

The Grand National Walk-Jog Western Pleasure 10-11 entries next jogged into the coliseum to compete for national recognition. Judy Nason knows the winner’s circle well and she directed WRS Status Quo and Ashley Carkin, grand champions from this division at New England Morgan, to this Grand National victory. Radiance In The Knight and Mary Kris Revard did not go unnoticed by the judges for their fine performance, which landed them a reserve finish in the skilled group of young riders.

         

The afternoon performance began to wind down with the call for the largest class of the day, the 35-entry Grand National Hunter Pleasure Youth Finals. This class was split into two sections with a call back of 8 riders from each section to compete once again in the finals for a ribbon in the deep class. When all the work was complete and tabulations were made, MEM Virtual Insanity and Lauren Booth followed up their 2006 victory in the 16-17 hunter division last year with the tricolor honors. Stamina paid off for reserve champions Roadshow Jesse James and Britni Olsen. BMF Take Down The Flag and Whitney Hazen made their cheering section proud as they rounded out the top three.

         

The AMHA Western Seat Gold Medal Finals completed the afternoon session in the coliseum. Twelve riders returned to compete for the gold medal after their impressive performances in the preliminary round earlier in the week. Jenna Britt followed up her flawless rail work with a precise pattern and she emerged as the gold medal champion aboard DFM Poetic Justice to continue a great day for instructor Judy Nason. Kelsie Houghtaling made another victory pass aboard Passport To Morocco as the reserve champion. The top ten lineup also included; Elyse Brill, Kali Erin Hutchinson, Megan Evans, Annilee Obrochta, Brianna Berg, Maxi Gumprecht, Cassandra Davis and Madison Wurster.

 

Tuesday evening’s session marked the conclusion of the first half of an amazing eight days of competition. The 12 classes on the evening schedule featured a showcase of the diversity of the Morgan breed and a grand finale that everyone was looking forward to with great anticipation. The Ladies Pleasure Driving Mares started off the session with the ultimate in style and elegance. MEM Twisted Sister made the repeat trip to the winner’s circle as owner Lynn Begalla took over the lines for this year’s winning drive under the direction of Peeper Ranch. GLB Bell Of The Ball and Stacy Hennessy had the support of their cheering section as they collected the reserve ribbon with one first-place vote for Lorraine Bumb.

 

The Four-Year-Old Park Saddle Stallions was round four in the epic battle of world titled youngsters Cabot First Things First and Get Busy. On this night, Cabot First Things First and Jim Lowry evened the score with the winning ride for WSS Prestwick Farms. The crowd got behind Get Busy and Dwayne Knowles and escorted them with quite an ovation as they collected the reserve ribbon for owner Kathy Gutting.

 

The adorable Merriehill Destiny Bay teamed up with Sarah Shapiro to add the Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Exhibitor 14 & 15 victory to the Merriehill Farm banner for owner Cristy Rafn. The reserve finish went to Wintop’s Price Charles and Brittany Young as they performed for Pamela Wirth under the direction of Mark and Jennifer Mason.

 

Seven entries burst through the gate for the Park Harness Two-Year-Old World Futurity, and each had to work hard to garner the judges’ attention. With a tricolor in hand to her credit already, Indian Creek American Girl (Mizrahi x Cache) showed off her athletic ability as well as her good looks to collect the world title with Kurt Hufferd on the lines for Indian Creek Farm. CBMF Clear Victory (GLB Bell Pepper x MSV Victoria) enjoyed a debut to remember as Craig Clapp guided the promising youngster to the reserve tricolor for William and Sammi Hazen.

 

Bear’s Covergirl enjoyed a return trip to the Oklahoma winner’s circle as she matched up with Shaughnessy Morris to claim the Western Pleasure Ladies Mare title for Rocky and Diana Schliefer’s Wild Rose Ranch under the direction of Andy Marlett. Allyson Hughes and PJM Sho-Bree-O carried their impressive record into Oklahoma and added the reserve ribbon from this competitive 14-entry class.

 

Rare Obsession and Shirley Haas enjoyed a unanimous win as they drove away with the Classic Pleasure Driving Mares victory under the direction of Mike Carpenter. Michael Bertolani enjoyed a polished performance with Whitemud Forever Sunbeam as they added the reserve ribbon to the Friday Farm banner.

 

An elegant field of Hunter Pleasure Ladies Mares featured the world titled team of Kathleen Peeples and Let’s Boogie again making the victory pass in unanimous fashion for Cynthia Brown-Clark. Glacier Lily Blue and Jennifer Chowning turned in a polished ride for the reserve ribbon for Judy Chowning.

 

An entertaining field of seven answered the call to the post in the Roadster Under Saddle Finals, and the crowd really responded with announcer Peter Fenton’s vivid calls. The HVK Baymarch fan club was in overdrive as Robert Hughes rode the Saralin Farm entry to his second consecutive tricolor in this class. They were followed by another multi-titled campaigner HVK March Flaire with a beaming Jennifer Hazen wearing the colors of PlayMor Farm.

 

An exciting crop of 16 three-year-olds lit up the ring for the World Futurity English Pleasure competition. The promise of the future looks bright as these youngsters battled on the rail and then modeled for the judges and the audience. It came down to a familiar battle between a trio of stallions who had met in Northampton and who will meet again. On this night, it was Graycliff Tony (Mizrahi x Pomp And Pazazz) who earned the victory pass and a strong ovation as the champion with Luman Wadhams providing the winning ride for Lynn and Jeff Yelton of Graycliff LLC. MEM Sambuca (MEM Bailamos x Cabot Joie de Vivre), who is a near double for the champion in color, markings, size and stature, followed right behind as the reserve champion with Kurt Hufferd aboard for George Schott. AWS Icon (Continental Vision x Prediction) picked up two second place votes on the way to the yellow ribbon with David Rand guiding for Elizabeth Poirier in this intense competition.

 

The Road Hack Hunter Seat Finals provided some diversity to the evening with a field of 19 competing for a victory pass from the Oklahoma coliseum. It was the team of KH Chapter One and Ashley Brown that continued a season to remember under the direction of Tammy Levesque as they earned the tricolor for Pattee Booth. Last year’s winning team of Delaware’s Shadow Dancer and Alana Little added the reserve tricolor to their collection for owner Lon Frieden.

 

2005 World Champion Prindle’s Mere Mortal captured the Classic Pleasure Driving Stallion and Gelding class for the second year in a row as Patricia Lloyd stepped in for owner Ann Hailey for the winning drive under the direction of Sebring Stables. The top two placings were a repeat of a year ago as Mari Sanderson and Airegantlee started off the week with the reserve tie coached by Rushton Stables.

 

At last, it was time for the class that everyone had been waiting for with great anticipation - the Park Saddle Stallions. And the five entries certainly did not disappoint. They paraded into the ring one by one with the crowd behind them all – The Real Deal and Stacy Hennessy, HVK Vibrance and Jenny Taylor, Lamborghini In Black and David Rand, Stonecroft Trilogy and Nelson Green, and Stand And Deliver and Mike Goebig. The battle of titans was on!

 

With each pass, the crowd cheered as the grand stallions and their trainers responded with spectacular passes. Following one final trot on the rail, the entries were lined up for the judges to make their final decisions. As announcer Peter Fenton made the winning announcement, it was “the blue for the black . . . Lamborghini In Black”! The crowd roared as David Rand guided the brilliant black stallion to the winner’s circle with a unanimous victory for Dr. Grace Steere. The audience cheered on as the two-time defending Park Saddle World Grand Champion Stand And Deliver and Mike Goebig picked up the red ribbon with another spectacular performance for Tara Good. The support for all of the entries continued with the crowd responding to the announcements for Stonecroft Triolgy and Nelson Green in third, HVK Vibrance and Jenny Taylor for fourth, and The Real Deal and Stacy Hennessy in fifth.

 

Many on the rail and in the stands commented that this was perhaps the best park saddle class to grace the Oklahoma coliseum in many years if ever. This class brought the show to quite a climax at its midpoint. And so, the anticipation for Saturday night’s grand finale and the debate began.

 

Show Arena 6

The Pleasure Driving Four-Year-Old Geldings kicked off an entertaining schedule of morning classes in arena 6. Tim Roesink continued his blue ribbon streak for Kourt Jester Morgans with the victory pass on the lines of the dynamic CBMF Stand By Me. HVK Standing Ovation and Steve DeBolt combined forces to collect the reserve honors for Herbert V. Kohler.

 

A stellar field of 15 answered the call in the Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Exhibitor 16 & 17. Following a debut season filled with victories from throughout New England, Med-E-Oka French Morocco and Maxine Kenny enjoyed a memorable Oklahoma performance with the victory pass directed by John and Sheri Lampropoulos for Deborah Kenny. Last year’s winning team of Rachael Colley and Abracabam turned in another fine ride to claim the reserve honors under the Boston Morgan Farm banner.

 

Eleven entries grabbed the audience’s attention next in the Classic Pleasure Driving Ladies Geldings. Janelle Schroeder made the familiar trip to the winner’s circle as she drove Dragonsmeade Bravura to top honors this year for Cadence Farm LLC. She made the victory pass a year ago in this class with Libretto’s Bravado under the direction of Phil Fountain. Jennifer Kellert did a great job catch-driving Deborah Phelan’s Whispering Masqued Man to the reserve ribbon in this competitive class.

 

The Park Saddle Youth Finals featured a unanimous tricolor performance for Dragonsmeade Bulgari and Candice Boehm as they collected the honors with the winning ride for the Kabel Family under the direction of Blackridge. Jennifer Scotto matched up with Graywood’s Kera for the reserve tricolor for Madye Bell performing under the Arboria Morgans banner.

 

The Classic Pleasure Driving Masters Under 15.1 saw Blackridge entries capture back-to-back victory passes as Teri Brisco teamed up with Tomeri Swingtime for more Oklahoma honors. It was a battle of 2006 world title holders as Jacqueline Clapp and Med-E-Oka Nobel Prize drove to the reserve honors for PlayMor Farm. The lineup of world champions also featured third place finisher Libretto’s Bravado and Janet Morgan.

 

Cindy Nord cheered on her first of two unanimous Tuesday morning winning entries as Love Her Madly starred with Mike Goebig in the Four-Year-Old Park Saddle Mare and Gelding class. The 2006 Three-Year-Old Park Saddle World Champion Whitemud Dixie Danceking made a bright showing with Amy Neifert to carry the reserve honors to Patricia Lloyd.

 

The second of a trio of Pleasure Driving Four-Year-Old qualifiers featured the mares. The Brisco family continued a winning day as Gerry Rushton drove the finely chiseled Extreme Obsession to the unanimous victory for Paul and Danica Brisco. HVK Sweet Obsession added to her fabulous junior career as Tim Roesink presented Barbara Lindauer’s bright entry to three second-place votes and the red ribbon.

 

The Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Horse Finals gave Cindy Nord another chance to cheer on a unanimous winner as Allyson Nord Wandtke, who is amazingly seven months pregnant, gave CN In Grand Style a stylish ride to earn the tricolor. Natalie Longo was elated with her reserve ride with The Specialist as they picked up a trio of second-place votes under the direction of Elra Tonkin and Fire Run Farm.

 

The Pleasure Driving Four-Year-Old Stallion section rounded out the trio of qualifiers for this division. From Raleigh to Northampton and now Oklahoma, Sea Vu Justified has starred for Richard Boulé and the Gove Family Partnership as they enjoyed a crowd-pleasing victory pass. The youngsters from Rushton Stables continued to shine as Stacy Hennessy guided MFM Daydreams to the reserve tie for Jamie Miller.

 

The audience had the chance to view some of the many talents of the Morgan breed as the Versatile Morgan Finals took to the ring next. I’m Irish proved his abilities in driving, saddle and over fences as he claimed the unanimous title for the second year in a row. With five consecutive victories in this class by UVM Windfall and two by I’m Irish, owner Lora Dunlap and trainer Valarie Siemer continue to promote the versatility of this great breed with their entries. Rogue Hills Woodsman and Jamie Hardy performed for the reserve tricolor in addition to showing their talents with top dressage scores.

 

The Ladies Classic Pleasure Driving Mares closed out the Tuesday morning session with Futurity’s Miss Munitions and Becky Krupp earning their second unanimous victory of the show performing for Jim and Shula Dodson under the direction of Lowry Stables. All three judges were in agreement on the first five placings as Miss Voodoo and Mona Skager drove away with the second place finish.

 

The afternoon competition in ring 6 started off with two sections of Grand National Walk-Trot Hunter Seat Equitation 9 & Under Finals. Zoie O’Neal bested the first field of nine aboard H-Vee Hawk’s Saralaine, an entry owned by Trotwood Stables. LCS Strategically Speaking is no stranger to top ribbons and this talented Morgan was the partner of the Cassie Solberg, who rode hard for the reserve finish in the first section. Victory lane belonged to James Austin Oplotnik and DVF Kingsway in the second section. The champions in this class were followed by reserve champions Riley Rowe and Elk Creek Elegance.

 

The 10 and 11-year riders took the rail next and their class was also split. Topping the field of 10 in the first section was Brooke Alley, who piloted Fiddler’s Camelot to her second Oklahoma victory pass. TRS Longfellow Saranade performed well in Oklahoma this year, including the reserve performance this entry made with the poised Kayla Cooney on board with owner/trainer Julie Pickering cheering on the rail. Melanie Harvey was in perfect form aboard High Brook High Beam for the win in the second section of the Grand National Walk-Trot Hunter Seat Equitation 10-11 Finals. Megan Motter put forth a strong effort in this field of 10 for reserve aboard Fortunes Valentino.

 

Hunter classes are always well filled in Oklahoma and the Grand National Hunter Hack Finals were no exception. A star in the over fences division as well, Wintergreen Sultana picked up the win in this class with Kate Podell in the saddle. Melendy Cash Bonus and Fawn McDaniel defeated 14 others in this class of 16 to take reserve for Laurel Robinson.

 

The Grand National Carriage Driving Gambler’s Choice Single took place next. Juneacres Tandy and Anita Meinert polished off the win in this 11-entry class with LCS Ice Princess and Pat Gesler turning in the reserve performance.

 

Show Arena 9

The hunter/jumper classes resumed Tuesday morning in ring 9 following a successful conclusion of events from the night before. The AMHA Hunter Seat Over Fences Gold Medal Finals kicked off the performance. Kate Brightwell showed her sills aboard TRS Longfellow Saradade to earn the gold medal honors coached by Julie Pickering. Taylor Wilmoth gave the winner a run for her money as the reserve champion aboard TMI Flight Street Vigil.
         

Following the equitation event, entries in the Grand National Low Working Hunter II took center stage. Wintergreen Don Diego and Susan Garmier emerged as the winners for Ann Taylor while Kate Brightwell and TRS Longfellow Saranade followed up their win from the previous class with the reserve ribbon. Julie Pickering was the proud owner of the reserve champion in this impressive field of 15.

         

Wintergreen Sultana made an athletic performance in the Grand National Low Working Hunter Under Saddle event under the guidance of rider Kate Podell. MXM Breezy Knight and Rebecca Boorstein showed their versatile talents as they were reserve in the 16-horse class for Equilateral Enterprise Inc.

         

Wintergreen Don Diego and Susan Garmier were back in the winner’s circle as champions in the Grand National Working Hunter I event with Melendy Cash Bonus and Fawn McDaniel turning in a reserve performance for Laurel Robinson.

         

The final event of the morning was the Grand National Jumper II. Mt. Echo’s Mr. Bowtie and Julie Pickering showed off their technique and experience and earned the blue for Rachel Physioc while That’s My Nick and Amanda Dupont were the athletic pair for reserve for Kathleen Pierce.

         

Tuesday afternoon’s 1:00 p.m. time slot was reserved for some of the nation’s best trail horses to compete. UVM Windfall and Valarie Siemer topped the Grand National English Trail Open class for Lora Dunlap. I Love Lucy made owner and rider Grace Jacobus proud after doing a good job with all of the various tasks. They took home reserve.

         

Northern Exposure and Kathy Padgham were well prepared in the amateur trail class and they earned the best score to take home the blue in this class. RG Regency Chester and Megan Grunden represented Grunden Ranch Morgans for reserve.

         

The final event of this afternoon was the Grand National Trail Junior Exhibitor as RG Regency Chester maintained his top position as the champion for the second year in a row, this time with Hance Grunden on board. Johnson’s Libby Lee and Hailey Garbee scored a strong reserve finish for Grattan Garbee.

         

Contenders in the Grand National Western Trail Open class set about their course on Tuesday evening in ring 9. Eleven teams worked through the course but no one could beat the precision displayed by RG Regency Chester, who earned this win with Megan Grunden in the saddle. Wintergreen Shaman and Lisa Horning teamed up for reserve for Ann Taylor.

         

Nine entries took their turns in the amateur trail class for the western riders. RG Regency Chester yet again showed up the competition with Megan Grunden again directing the smart Morgan through the course. I Love Lucy and Grace Jacobus picked up their second reserve of the day.

 

Wednesday, October 10

 

Coliseum

Following an unforgettable Tuesday evening performance, momentum was running high Wednesday morning as Morgan enthusiasts took their seats to watch what would be a great slate of morning and afternoon classes in the coliseum. The Grand National Walk-Trot English Pleasure 10-11 kicked off the session. Twelve riders showed up with their game faces on and did a great job showing their Morgans, but no one could top HVK Noble Flame, who wore the blue out of the ring with the tough-riding Ariana Varveris riding for Blanche Bauer. Max Liberty could hear his fan club cheering as he rode Gradell’s Wild Reflection out of the ring with a strong reserve finish.

         

The second class of the morning, the Grand National Pleasure Driving Mare, featured five teams and at the conclusion of this class Bill Carrington announced the unanimous winner to be MEM So Emotional with Harry Sebring on the lines for Copper Beech. Ralph Stuart, III and Irresistiblee followed in the ribbons, carrying reserve home to New Mexico for owner Judith Caldwell.

         

Eleven mighty youngsters took their spots on the rail for the nine and under walk-trot pleasure class. The Cater Stables team of Indian Creek Belle Star and Kasey Soccocia starred in this great class to earn their second Oklahoma victory pass of the week for their proud family. Sarde’s Sinful and Cameron Kay represented Crystal Farms in their second reserve finish as well.

         

Rolling along swiftly, the Wednesday morning agenda next had the master riders in the spotlight. After a poignant performance, the big trotting bay Upper Echelon and Carole Bradford were named Grand National English Pleasure Amateur Masters Under 15.1 winners, with Keith Nelsen assisting them on their victory pass. Lots of top ribbons will be carried back to the sunshine state including the one in this class, won by Raindrop’s Chisum and owner Alecia Davis.

         

Elegance and power combined for the theme in the next class as a fine group of quality mares and their talented lady riders met up for the Grand National Park Saddle Ladies Mare class. Erotic Dancer and Dawn Fire are no strangers to the winner’s circle and they bested the excellent field of nine for Peeper Ranch under the direction of Phil Fountain. A very capable Nikki Rae Woodworth matched up with the bold trotting KD Hot To Trot to garner the reserve championship for Heidi Kunkel and trainer Rick Stevens.

         

Bill Carrington next invited another fine group into the coliseum for the Grand National English Pleasure Amateur Stallion class. Shannon Connor added another blue to the growing collection of wins that the Connor family will be carrying back to Oregon with her worthy performance aboard the grand bay stallion French Flambeau. Tim and Ryan Arcuri made the finishing touches on this duo before they made their victory pass for the second year in a row. The Pacific Northwest had a lock on the top places as Pondview Tres Bien and Teri Rumens added to the Fire Run banner under the direction of Elra Tonkin.

         

What’s My Line played his part as the winning star in the Grand National Pleasure Driving Gelding class with Stan Bodnar on the lines for the unanimous victory for Epona Morgans. Tom Caisse assisted another beautiful performance by the HVK breeding line when Carrington called HVK Bold Spirits and Steven DeBolt out as the reserve champions.

         

Standing out was no problem for the upheaded flashy bay 2006 World Champion English Pleasure star Bada Bing as he bested a large field of Grand National English Pleasure Amateur Gelding contenders with Phil Alderman on board for the unanimous win. Luman Wadhams Stables continued their successful week in Oklahoma with a strong reserve finish from the stylish team of Rampaige and Lisa Howa in the field of 14.

         

A trio of Grand National Park Saddle Three-Year-Old Stallions took the rail next in front of judges Brennan, Angell and Becker. Tim Arcuri was back in the winner’s circle to greet the bold black stallion CRD Buggatti, who was masterfully presented to the unanimous victory by Ryan Arcuri for Lisa Fletcher. Ann Anderson piloted Legacy’s Atlantis to reserve in the good class for the New Venture Partnership.

         

The amateur masters riders were back in the ring next, this time to be judged in the Grand National English Pleasure Amateur Masters 15.1 and Over class. Many winners this week have been from other countries including the winners in this class, Versace and Angela Conner Bulmer of London, England. Phil Fountain was happy to return to the winner’s circle to help this pair make their pass down victory lane. Key Criterion and Karen Shields added the reserve ribbon to their fine debut season under the direction of Glenn Bouvier.

         

David Rand enjoyed another unanimous victory as he introduced Jill and Steve Tassinari’s impressive mare, Queen’s No Mercy, to the winner’s circle in the Grand National English Pleasure Three-Year-Old Mare class. LNT Little Miss Muffet was presented to a solid reserve finish by Wendy Sogoloff for Grande L Farms.

         

The Grand National Park Harness Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17 class was a duel between two young ladies. Lauren Griffin and Celebrity Marquee gained celebrity status as the winners here, taking the blue back to the Sunshine State directed by Lark Henry. Will-O-Way In Due Time and Celia Salmon stepped up with a bold drive and finished with the red streamers directed by David Earehart.

         

The quick pace of this morning session continued with the Grand National English Pleasure Amateur Mare competition. When judges Becker, Waller and Angell were finished with their evaluations, Bill Carrington called Queen’s Proud Mary and Sandy Hendrick out of the lineup to accept their blue ribbon, and all the other accolades that go with winning in Oklahoma. David Rand was back in the winner’s circle, as winning trainer. The crowd-pleasing pair of Treble’s First Take and Dawn Fire added to a great show for Peeper Ranch as they performed under the direction of Broadmoor.

         

Grand National Pleasure Driving Stallions closed out the morning with five multi-title entries and their trainers battling in out for the blue. Judges Angell, Waller and Becker again marked the cards in this class, and they were in agreement that the brilliant and popular stallion CCR’s Outrajus Corajus should wear the blue out of the ring. Gerry Rushton was on the lines for Richard and Nan Cecchettini. TRE Master OF Disguise and Bob Kellert put in a strong for a trio of second place votes and the red ribbon for Deborah Phelan.

         

A very busy Wednesday afternoon coliseum session began promptly at 1 p.m. with the Grand National Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17. JP’s Livin On The Edge and Becky Devos edged out the competition to add another victory to a great season directed by David Earehart. The Midwest topped the cards as KH Show Byz and Joshua Rohrs picked up the red ribbon under the direction of John Hufferd.

         

Unanimous decisions were plentiful this week including the one that put the well-matched pairing of Rum Brook Immortal Mystic and Lauren Lang in top spot in the World Champion Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under. Elra Tonkin greeted her first Morgan world champion in the winner’s circle. Under the direction of Peeper Ranch, Amabayus and Bailey Bartley followed up their Grand National win earlier in the week with the reserve world championship for John and Claudette McCoy.

         

Spectators had their eyes on the team of Jack Rabbit Slim and Anna McLallin who were in the spotlight in the Grand National Park Harness Junior Exhibitor 15 and Under class in their team debut for PlayMor Farm.

         

The next class on the agenda of the extensive afternoon session was the World Champion Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure 11 and Under class, which was split into two sections of 15 with a call back. Fiddler’s Camelot and Brooke Alley smartly maneuvered the busy ring to perfection and the judges took notice of their talents when naming them the newly crowned world champions. Also doing a great job of standing out among the stiff competition, Cedar Creek Times Square and Miranda Hengy took reserve for Morgan Valley Farm.

         

CN Grand Style and Rebecca Sebastian followed up their reserve finish from the pleasure driving amateur gelding class earlier in the week with a tricolor performance in the Grand National Pleasure Driving Amateur Ladies Finals class with Jim Lowry coaching them to the unanimous victory for Bonus Time Farm. HVK Sweet Obsession and Dr. Barbara Lindauer are always in the top ribbons and their fine resume now includes the reserve finish in this class for the Grove Pointe team.

         

For the second year in a row, with different horses, Carolyn Gibbard earned the distinction of carrying home the World Champion Classic Pleasure Saddle Masters honors. This time she was matched with the stylish IGF Coeur Et Ame for the unanimous victory directed by Tim Roesink. HVK Drive ‘Em Crazy and Janice Lazar teamed up for reserve world honors under the Crystal Farms banner.

         

Lucky-U enjoyed quite a memorable first trip to Oklahoma as he returned to victory lane in the Grand National Pleasure Driving Two-Year-Old Geldings with Lynn Peeples on the lines for Steven T. Handy. Indian Creek Warbird with Kurt Hufferd added the reserve to a top string of ribbons for Indian Creek Farm.

         

Tim Roesink had the ring to himself as he showed off the mare that had them all talking at Northampton, MEM Bonnie Blue. With a world of motion, attitude and cadence, the daughter of HVK Man About Town and Miss Bluegrass starred in her Oklahoma debut as Grand National Park Saddle Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding Champion for John and Nancy Hendricks.

         

PlayMor Farm added a tricolor ribbon for their collection of blues in the World Champion Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under class. HVK Primary Light and Austin McLallin were every bit world champions, moving up a notch from their reserve finish in this class last year, when they defeated reserve champions, and winners of last year’s class, True Gold and the talented young horsewoman Ariana Varveris.

         

Wednesday afternoon was filled with quality including entries in the Grand National English Pleasure Three-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class. Elra Tonkin had them cheering in Oklahoma as well as in her native South Africa as she rode Leviticus to the unanimous victory for proud owners Kurt and Teri Rumens of Fire Run Farm. Stacy Hennessy piloted Glory Days to a picturesque performance and earned reserve honors in the seven-entry class for Gerry Rushton.

         

Dragonsmeade Divine Miss M and Bianca Buller followed up their successful debut season with a victory in the Grand National Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor 14 and 15 class to the delight of proud parents Charles and Martine Buller and The River’s Edge cheering section. They finished ahead of reserve champions KHF Bleeding Heart and Annie Kate McLain performing under the Collinwood banner.

         

The world titled team of CN’s Stylish Debut and Allyson Nord Wandtke enjoyed a return trip the winner’s circle in the exciting Grand National Park Saddle Ladies Gelding class. DMH Back In Black and Kathleen Kebel put forth a strong effort in their debut season and received the crowd’s appreciation for their reserve performance under the Blackridge banner.

         

Whitney Bodnar started off a victorious session with his young charges as he presented the sharp black stallion Cingate Revelation to the unanimous win in the Grand National Pleasure Driving Two-Year-Old Stallion class for Cingate Morgans. Cheri Barber was on the lines of Patricia West’s top entry Stoney Pt Harlequin Romance, who came into Oklahoma with a great string of victories, for reserve.

         

The coliseum audience then took time to recognize the athletic competitors in the hunter/jumper competition. The Low Working Hunter World Championship went to Wintergreen Sultana and Kate Podell with Wintergreen Don Diego and Susan Garmier in reserve. Don Diego and Garmier came back to win the Working Hunter World Championship with Melendy Cash Bonus and Kelsey Robinson following in reserve. That’s My Nick and Amanda Dupont added the Jumper World Championship to their list of memorable victories with Mt Echo Mr. Bowtie and Julie Pickering along with TMI Flight Street Vigil and Taylor Wilmoth tied for reserve.

         

The Grove Pointe trained Outrageous Courageous followed up a winning performance under saddle from earlier in the week by besting a field of seven in the Grand National Classic Pleasure Driving Gentlemen’s Finals with Dr. William Silber matching up for the tricolor drive for Kourt Jester Morgans. The judges had Final Judgment and William Filosi in the reserve position with Mike Carpenter serving as the tricolor trainer.

         

Crystal Farms had a phenomenal week, capturing win after win in a multitude of divisions. Crystal Farms trained entries held the winning tickets for both champion and reserve in the large World Champion Hunter Pleasure Three-Year-Old class. Mary Carlton and SpringMill Madison followed up their win from the three-year-old mare qualifier with the ground-covering tricolor performance for SpringMill Morgans, while Misty Pleiness and the winning entry from the three-year-old stallion and gelding qualifier MEM Once Again made the reserve victory pass.

         

Whitney Bodnar was back in the coliseum with another winning entry from the Merriehill team in the final class of the afternoon, the Grand National Pleasure Driving Two-Year-Old Mare class. Merriehill Dusk To Dawn was the elegant chestnut who was named champion. She was followed in the ribbons by Phil and Gloria Blevins’s up and coming SYP Material Girl, driven by Mike Carpenter.

         

The Roadster Under Saddle Amateur Finals got the evening session started on an exciting note. It showcased five talented entries and the competition started the night off right by getting the audience involved from the start. The tricolor decision went to MEM No Inhabitions and Alison Bendele to the delight of their fans. Bendele and No Inhabitions capped off an outstanding debut season including wins from coast to coast at New England, Diamond Jubilee and Circle J. Sarah Shimmer and CHF Midnight Special had their own set of fans who rewarded them with strong applause for their reserve finish.

         

The competition stayed tight with four three-year-old entries finishing the class in the World Champion Futurity Classic Pleasure Driving class. Paul Brisco directed Bred to Boogie back to the winner’s circle where Stan Bodnar lavished the champion with the spoils of victory in the world championship for Epona Morgans. Dwayne Knowles met reserve champion CN In Grand Style and Allyson Nord Wandtke at the far end of the ring to decorate the team for their reserve victory pass.

         

Park Place Dominion and Inga Johnson returned from their victory in the 11 and under Grand National class and claimed the world championship in the Western Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 13 & Under section for proud parents Ron and Kirsten Johnson to start off a memorable night for Hardwood Creek. Kelsie Houghtaling and Passport to Morocco continued an unforgettable show as they earned the reserve finish among the 13 talented entries in the class.

         

Iann Fu Longenecker presented Dragonsmeade Fusion to a beautiful victory in the Amateur Mare and Gelding Park Harness competition to the delight of Dragonsmeade and Blackridge. They were followed by reserve champions Carole Bradford and Intrepid Dynasty who made a strong performance for owner the Woolley/Lee Family and trainer Keith Nelsen.

 

A huge class of 27 amateur hunter pleasure contenders entered the ring to vie for their world championship. After fully working the class, 10 entries were asked to stay for a workout to determine the world champions. HDP Noble Warrior and Paula Messier stayed bold throughout to claim the victory under Mary Carlton’s direction. This marked the bay’s victory pass at Oklahoma this year – two with Messier and one with Carlton as well. Freddie Mercury and Marissa Becker earned the reserve world championship with a bold performance of their own. Special mention should be made of third place finisher Sara Heffernan and Andrea’s Radiance who were rewarded with a strong show of support from the audience for their impressive performance.

         

The next large competitive class showcased the Classic Pleasure Saddle World Champion contenders. Anne Marie Biron has enjoyed a warm welcome into the Morgan community including victories at UPHA 5, Gold Cup, and New England with the iconic Boogie Nights. In fact the team is undefeated in 2007. So needless to say, she enjoyed her first world championship even more. Biron directed Boogie Nights to the winner’s circle to make it three years in a row following 2006 and 2005 wins with Dawn Fire all coming under the banner of Peeper Ranch. Carolyn Gibbard and About Last Night added to their great record as they captured the reserve world championship with a trio of second place votes in the 17-entry competition to add to the Grove Pointe banner.

         

There were five entries in the Grand National Park Harness Amateur Stallion class, and the top two entries represented the winners of this class the past two years. Following the reserve finish in 2006, Evolution and Donna Zimmerman took charge and returned to the winner’s circle with the unanimous decision of the judges. Zimmerman’s trademark smile was greeted by winning trainers Jim and Jenny Taylor of Memory Lane Farm. The celebrated El-Toro was a bit off his game as Stephanie Connor guided her gallant stallion to a warm round of applause for their reserve tie.

         

In a slight change of scheduling, the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal Finals were moved to the coliseum as the final class of the evening. Thirteen talented returned following the preliminary competition earlier in the show to perform once again on the rail and in an intricate individual workout that served to highlight the skills of the riders very well. Alyssa Wick, who has earned victories at Jubilee, FASH and North Star so far this season, was honored for her performance as the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal Champion riding HyLee’s By George for proud parents Lyle and Colleen Wick. Casey Morgan Tibolet directed False Pretense to the reserve finish with a confident display of her talents. The top ten lineup also featured; Emily Buchanan, Brittany Schilling, Elizabeth Thomas, Taylor Sams, Meghan Bradley, Brynne Cummings, Jordan Cusumano and Hanna Johnson.

 

Show Arena 6

Western equitation riders were well prepared for evaluation Wednesday morning. Riders in the Grand National Western Seat Equitation 16 and 17 were in ring 6 first. Topping the group of 14, Kali Erin Hutchinson followed up her win in this class last year as the champion aboard Hylees Fanflaire. Another frequent visitor to the winner’s circle, Jenna Britt collected reserve honors aboard DFM Poetic Justice.

         

Sebring Stables was represented by Sara Sebring for the win in the Grand National Western Seat Equitation 14 and 15 class, just one more blue added to the barn’s large collection of 2007 top ribbons from Oklahoma. Millbrook Spellcaster gave her the unanimous winning ride in the eight-entry class. Elyse Brill was the elegant-riding reserve finisher aboard Hes Simply Marvelous.

         

The versatile Kelsie Houghtaling added another blue to her collection of both hunt seat and western blues when she bested the good field of 10 in the Grand National Western Seat Equitation 12 and 13 class aboard her winning mount, Passport To Morocco. Madison Wurster piloted Evil Knievil to a polished reserve finish.

         

The final class of the morning was reserved for the 11 and under riders. Ellery Walker owned the ring as she and LR Ami Tiger Would jogged away with the Grand National blue with another unanimous win for Crystal Farms. They were challenged by reserve finishers Iris Rankin and Redfield Aladdin.

         

Carriage enthusiasts and their versatile Morgans had ring 6 to themselves Wednesday afternoon as nine entries performed to the best of their abilities in the Grand National Carriage Driving Double Jeopardy Single event. Lance Wetmore and Jill Countryman shared the victory on the lines of Wintergreen Sultana. Peggy McLinn and Mai Wisdom teamed up with Stormy Tasha to maneuver the ring nicely and left with the reserve ribbon.

 

Show Arena 9

The jumps were set up on final time on Wednesday morning for five hunter/jumper classes. Kelsey Robinson showed winning form in the Hunter Seat Over Fences 17 & Under Equitation Finals aboard Melendy Cash Bonus. Rachel Physioc matched up with Julie Pieckering’s time tested Mineral’s Country Playboy for the red ribbon.

         

Owner Laurel Robinson rode the top two performing entries in the Amateur Working Hunter Finals with Melendy Cash Bonus scoring the top prize with Melendy Simply Dashing in reserve.

         

Things kept coming in twos as Julie Pickering’s two horse and rider combinations won the two top ribbons in the Junior Exhibitor Working Hunter Finals. Kate Brightwell guided TRS Longfellow Saranade to top honors followed by Mineral’s Country Playboy and Rachel Physioc.

         

Fawn McDaniel had her turn aboard Melendy Cash Bonus as they added the third win of the day for Laurel Robinson in the Working Hunter II. Wintergreen Don Diego were reserve here before winning the Working Hunter Under Saddle with Melendy Cash Bonus in reserve.

 

The jumps went up in the final class as the Open Jumper III featured another exhilarating victory for That’s My Nick and Amanda Dupont. Brandia Spun Gold and Jenna Dubinsky leapt away with the reserve finish.

 

Thursday, October 11

 

Coliseum

Thursday morning’s schedule in the Coliseum featured a short session for Western and Hunter Pleasure entries, beginning with the 10-horse Hunter Pleasure Four-Year-Old Mare competition. In only her second show, Cabot Betty White delivered a Grand National title to Cedar Spring Farm with Keely Sogoloff riding for Jeff White. Nina Errington’s Stone Pine Dana emerged with the reserve title with Andy Marlett aboard for the polished ride.

         

Grand Cru Beaujolais made the familiar trip down victory lane as the Grand National Western Pleasure Gentlemen’s Finals Champion. Earl McFall was tall in the saddle for the winning ride for Sandra Nelson’s Madison Avenue Morgans. Having made a quick change, Andy Marlett was two for two in reserve on this morning. He was riding Rocky Schliefer’s lovely entry Bear’s Covergirl in this outstanding field of 20.

         

A familiar face to the Oklahoma winner’s circle in the Hunter Pleasure division, Kathy Peeples kept the undefeated season alive for Gradell Ring My Bell. The four-year-old stallion/gelding title returned to Waterford Farm as Peeples made the winning ride for longtime Morgan owners Jerome and Shirley Modell. Their closest competition was Maple Rose Ty One On, the reserve champion ridden by Becky Gruenberg for Gretchen Johnson.

         

The Morgan horse is enjoyed by many families and was that ever evident as 20 entries filled the ring for the Walk-Jog Western Pleasure 11 & Under World Championship. Some of the best young riders from across the country were competing, but on this morning none were as good as Ashley Carkin who rode WRS Status Quo to the unanimous world championship coached by Judy Nason. Mary Kris Revard gave it a good shot to earn reserve world champion honors aboard Radiance In The Knight. Also in the hunt were third place winners Taylor Woods and FMF Wild Heiress.

         

The morning session closed with a large turnout in the Three-Year-Old Western Pleasure World Championship. Coming from the winner’s circle of the three-year-old stallion/gelding qualifier, Harlington’s Farquar (Salem St. James x Harlington’s Eli Bam) added to a good season on the Northwest circuit with a world champion performance for Daryl Hopson and owner Linda Staples. Owned and shown by Jeff Bessey, Artful Move showed off good looks and polished transitions to add the reserve world champion honors to the Summerbird banner.

         

An outstanding afternoon session of classes began with ten

Pleasure Driving Three-Year-Old Mares entertaining the enthusiastic audience. MSV Genuine Risk enjoyed the reward of a Grand National victory under the direction of Mike Goebig for owners Robert and Stacey Foster. Kurt Hufferd directed reserve champion SpringMill New Harmony to add to a great week for John and Patti Huse and their SpringMill Morgans.

         

The judges reached a unanimous decision in the Walk-Trot Classic Pleasure Saddle class for 10 and 11 year olds. Mattie Frances Willard claimed the victory aboard Roadshow Texas Playboy for proud grandparents John and Georgie Green. The reserve champion in the class was Janbark Farm’s Brittany Pothier and Hillwood Who’s Your Daddy.

         

John and Sheri Lampropoulos enjoyed a terrific Morgan Grand National and they added an all-important tricolor to their banner with a win in the Classic Pleasure Saddle Junior Exhibitor 14-17 World Championship with Maxine Kenny riding Med-E-Oka French Morocco to the winner’s circle for Deborah Kenny. Rachael Colley and Abracabam earned reserve honors in the good class to close out their partnership under the direction of Carolyn Dillon.

         

The team of trainer Jim Taylor and owner Donna Zimmerman is pretty hard to beat. In this session, Taylor directed Stonecroft Tribute to the victory in the Pleasure Driving Three-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class with a unanimous decision for Zimmerman. This team has also earned an undefeated season in 2007 including wins at Southern States, Gold Cup and New York Morgan. Steve DeBolt directed the flashy reserve champion HVK Bold Reasoning for Herbert V. Kohler.

         

L.A. Ricochet and Annie Thurber were crowned World Champions for their performance in the English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under competition to add to their amazing list of accomplishments under the direction of Katie Mair. Close behind in the 2007 World Championship were the well-matched reserve champions Kristen Wade and Plum Haven Minuet performing from The River’s Edge.

         

Six outstanding young athletes entered the gate to vie for the Park Harness Four-Year-Old World Championship. Mike Carpenter directed the Mare and Gelding Grand National Champion Diablo In Red to the victory as the Lamborghini In Black son performed for Mendonhall Inc. Lynn Peeples matched up with the Brown/Klein Family’s up and coming young star MEM Ultimate Star for the reserve world championship.

         

An amazing 27 entries answered the gate call for the English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 14-17 World Championship. After working the class, the judges asked 12 entries to stay for an additional workout to choose the ribbon winners. All that hard work paid off for 16 and 17 year old section winners QVM Rocket Man and Natasha Rodley. Rodley hails all the way from Great Britain and is trained by Arcuri Stables. Adriana Liberty and Ultra’s Proclamation kept the competition fierce and earned the reserve world championship under David Rand’s tutelage. Both of these riders enjoyed their final junior exhibitor performances to the highest level. The class was deep with talent and the audience rewarded all of the top ribbons with loud applause. Enjoying that applause were the top ten teams of Nocturnal Flash and Lauren Cook, HRH Aladdin and Brianna Schauer, Boxfords Tia Maria and Blanche Bauer, Think About It MEM and Meghan Bradley, Medomak French Invasion and Nikki Evans, HVK Hot Ember and Gaetana D’Alesio-Spina, Cedar Creek Ungaro and Emily Orthwein, and Raintree Picasso and Alison Crone.

         

Con-Sider Me Special and Lily Artz proved they were something special indeed in the Walk-Trot Classic Pleasure Saddle 9 and Under class. This precious youngster is nurtured in the show ring by Ann and Mike Slomkowski. Reserve honors in the class went to Rebecca Knoll riding Carey Churchill’s pretty Jamar M Wild Jewel.

         

The Pleasure Driving Youth Finals showcased the talents of Jennifer Kellert and Noteworthy’s Nobel Heir as proud dad Bob Kellert directed them to the winner’s circle following their unanimous win to celebrate their victory in this class for the second year in a row. The Hobby Knoll team of Laura Poulin and SLB Triple Play claimed the good reserve honors.

         

A beautiful class of 14 English Pleasure Four-Year-Old graced the ring for the world championship. After stripping the entries to show off their conformation, David Rand directed Queen’s Fancy Me through the victory lap to add another world title to the resume of Queen’s River Farm. SpringMill Souvenir and Shana Gish made a bright showing to earn the reserve world championship for SpringMill Morgans.

 Whitney Hazen continued her winning tradition by claiming the Park Harness Youth Finals with one of PlayMor Farm’s newest additions World Champion Bellisimo. Exceptionallee showed off his extravagant motion with Ben Warner on the lines to add the reserve tricolor for Robert and Jean Morgan.

         

Debi Jeppesen was at the top of a nice class of Park Saddle Three-Year-Olds for the World Champion Futurity. Jeppesen directed SLB Puccini to the winner’s circle with a unanimous victory for owner/breeder Sherry Bartolucci. Puccini claimed World Champion Futurity honors last year as well in the Pleasure Driving Two-Year-Old division. Ann Anderson directed Legacy’s Atlantis to his second reserve tie of the show for the New Venture Partnership.

         

The legacy of top competition continues in the Masters classes where John Huse bested a field of four with SpringMill Sequel to claim the unanimous park harness victory for SpringMill Morgans under the direction of Kurt Hufferd. Another popular team, Jacqueline Clapp claimed the reserve honors with brilliant Will-O-Way Moment in Time for PlayMor Farm.

 

The Grand National Champions in the 16 and 17-year-old division returned to the Park Saddle Junior Exhibitor World Championship ready to claim victory and best a field of seven. Alyssa Wick directed HyLee’s Goldsmith to the winner’s circle for to add the tricolor in roses for owner Jane Steffenhagen under the direction of Kenny Guell. Stevie Meder and Set To Dance met trainer Richard Boule at the far end of the ring to accept the reserve honors to cap a great debut season.

         

Art Perry and his dynamic Intrepid Behold claimed the Grand National title in the Pleasure Driving Amateur Gentlemen’s Finals, besting a field of five talented entries under the direction of Rick Stevens to close out the afternoon session. Reserve honors went to Craig Sommers and MLF Sharper Image with a sharp performance of their own guided by Rushton Stables.

 

Following a long afternoon of good classes there wasn’t much time before the Carriage Obstacle Driving Single World Championship was called into the Coliseum to kick off the evening session. Lance Wetmore and Wintergreen Sultana had the pleasure of making that victory pass for the Countryman/Podell ownership. Anita Meinert maneuvered Junacres Tandy to the reserve world championship.

         

Last year she made the reserve world champion victory pass in the Ladies Pleasure Driving division and this year MEM Twisted Sister enjoyed the last pass as the world champion with owner Lynn Begalla handling the lines. Their performance added to a truly grand week for Peeper Ranch trainer Phil Fountain. MEM Twisted Sister’s world championship came at the expense of several world class combinations as CBMF Ruling Class and Holly Johnson, Festival Calypso and Stephanie Connor, Can’t You See MEM and Melissa Morrell, and Stacy Hennessy with GLB Bell Of The Ball occupied the next four places in that order.

         

There was also a good turnout of winning combinations for the World Champion Pleasure Driving Amateur Masters title. This was the second year in a row that Dragonsmeade Carnaros, the son of And The Beat Goes On and HVK Noble Wine, made a world champion victory pass for John and Nancy Hendricks. Last year it was the four-year-old title with Tim Roesink, this year Roesink directed Nancy Hendricks and Dragonsmeade Carnaros to the roses with a unanimous victory to close out a great season. Representing Broadmoor, RJM Roulette and Janet Morgan were the reserve world champions in a repeat performance of last year. Top three honors belonged to Dreamasters J’st Sharper and Nan Willie-Cecchettini.

         

For the second consecutive year Steve DeBolt won the Parade Horse Finals in brilliant unanimous fashion. This year the tricolor ride came aboard Tom Caisse’s HVK Port Rush in his memorable debut in this division. The adorable combination of for Canada’s K-Lyn Stables.

         

A trio of veteran speedsters went at it for the Roadster To Bike Amateur Finals. Arboria Victorious was driven by owner Paul Calandra to the Grand National Amateur Finals with a unanimous victory to match their win in 2003. Winners of this class last year, Geoffrey Longenecker and HVK Baymarch had to settle for reserve Grand National champion honors. MEM No Inhabitions and Alison Bendele had the pedal to the metal as they enjoyed the crowd support of their third place finish.

         

Many of his peers got a big kick out of Stan Bodnar riding in the well-filled Grand National Hunter Pleasure Gentlemen’s Finals. He got a big round of applause when he won the class with a unanimous tie aboard Travis Wilson’s Narragansett Bay with trainers John and Belle Hufferd completing the team effort. Chris Thoma and KN Curiousity were reserve to start a tricolor weekend, followed by Rob Marsh and JJF The Big Easy in third

         

Making the last pass of the evening, Helen Crawford and HVK Ancient Cry (HVK Make ‘Em Cry x Nobelle) repeated as the world champions of the Ladies Park Harness division for the third year in a row with a unanimous decision for Boston Morgan Farm. Their tricolor performance gave the Blackridge training team of Bob Hughes and Debi Jeppesen yet another world champion for the 2007 season. Shanna Gish and NDT French Impressionist made a strong impression on the judging panel to receive the reserve world championship, just ahead of HVK Constantinoble and Jacqueline Clapp as the judges were in complete agreement on all six entries.

 

Show Arena 6

The morning began with 21 young riders in their best form to compete in the Junior Hunt Seat Equitation World Championship. Each of the riders performed the individual workout for judges Scott Alder, Peggy Beachy and Richard Sereni following the rail work. Kate Brightwell followed her 11 and under win as well as her AMHA Hunt Seat Medal Over Fences victory by capturing the world title with TRS Longfellow Saranade for instructor Julie Pickering. Ellery Walker teamed up with LR Ami Tiger Would for the reserve world titled performance directed by Mary Carlton

         

Forty-three senior riders next took charge of the ring to battle it out for the Senior Hunt Seat Equitation World Championship. The riders competed on the rail and in the individual workouts in two separate sections before the finalists performed once again on the rail. It was a ride to remember for Jordan Cusumano as she matched up with Blkorchid Ace Commander for the tricolor ride directed by Mary Carlton. Alyssa Rumsey enjoyed a stellar ride as well to garner the reserve world title with Merriehill The Lion King under the Triumph Stables banner.

         

Carriage enthusiasts gathered for the afternoon session as 13 competed for the Timed Cones Obstacles competition. I’m Irish continued to show his outstanding versatility as owner Lora Dunlap maneuvered him to the Grand National title. Wintergreen Sultana and Lance Wetmore held the reserve ribbon after a steadfast performance for Jill Countryman and Kate Podell.

         

The English Trail World Championship was next on the schedule and I Love Lucy and Grace Jacobus added another world title to their impressive list of accomplishments. RG Regency Chester and Megan Grunden maneuvered their way to the reserve tricolor to add to a great show for Grunden Ranch.

         

With perfect preparation and precision UVM Windfall and owner Lora Dunlap navigated their way to the Western Trail World Championship to add to their unmatched record of versatility. I Love Lucy and Grace Jacobus added another tricolor with the reserve finish here.

         

The equitation riders were back on center stage on Thursday evening in ring 6. The Junior Western Seat Equitation World Championship started things off with 11 riders performing on the rail and then an individual pattern. Kelsie Houghtaling completed an unforgettable week with the world championship victory aboard Passport To Morocco to the delight of instructor Jenna Rankin. Brianna Berg continued to make her mark on the Oklahoma stage as she jogged away with the reserve title aboard Kelly Kraegel’s veteran champion Kern’s Endeavor coached by Christina Mitchell.

         

The senior riders were next on deck with 16 answering the call. Kali Erin Hutchinson closed out her equitation career with another ride to remember as the world champion for the second year in a row. She again perfectly executed the rail work and pattern perfectly matched with Hylee’s Fanflaire for the victory lap directed by Mary Carlton. Jenna Britt added another tricolor to her impressive collection as the reserve world champion paired with DFM Poetic Justice by instructor Judy Nason.

         

The second half of the late evening featured the preliminary rounds for the UPHA Challenge Cup for the junior and senior riders. The riders in both classes were tested on the rail and in individual patterns that would each count as 1/3 toward the final scores of the finalists would compete the following day for their final 1/3 on the rail once again. When the evaluations from Thursday night were tabulated, the judges selected 12 senior riders and 13 junior riders to return for Friday’s finals competitions.

 

Show Arena 9

Ring 9 hosted the always exciting reining classes begining Thursday afternoon and evening. R-Two Siringo and Monty Bruce dominated the First Year Green class with a winning ride for Sharlene Anderson as Arapaho Jerry and Shawn Gallagher slid into second for Megan Chasek.

         

The Grand National Second Year Green featured River Rider’s Rowdy and Richard Bowden earning the top score for Jon and Sherry Rivers. AMCF Jelly Bean and Lauren Bruss picked up the reserve prize with their ride for Dayan Birchler.

         

More Apples Please and Karen Myers entertained the audience as they slid away with the Non-Pro Adult win. Another veteran world titled team River Rider’s Romeo and Jon Rivers followed with the reserve score.

         

Spencer Shelby Conklin showed off her inner cowgirl as she teamed up with Firecrest Carbonel for the Non-Pro Youth victory for Elkhorn Creek. Shawn Gallagher and Arapaho Jerry matched up for their second reserve finish of the day in this competition.

         

The evening came to a close in the Open Reining class as Petty Cash and Josette Conti spun their way to victory with a crowd-pleasing ride for Christine McKeegan. It was a battle of world champions as MorganQuest Native Sun and Heath Herndon carried home the reserve ribbon to the Burris family.

 

Friday, October 12

 

Coliseum

The longstanding World Morgan Futurity program was showcased on Friday morning with breeding programs both large and small represented on the big stage. Bob Kellert, assisted by John McDonald, had a particularly good morning winning several of the age groups. Kellert’s first win came in the first class where he led RWF Paganini (Beethoven x Intrinsic Beauty) to the unanimous World Champion Futurity In Hand Yearling Gelding title for Ridgewood Farm. Aljak Acres has taken home a sizeable share of Futurity money lately and they did it again with Ken Martin presenting Aljaks Double Time (Aljaks Double Whammy x Century Oak Denali) to the reserve placing.

         

After making the victory pass in the Yearling Gelding class, Kellert and McDonald ran back to the make-up ring to lead Fire Run Natalia down the ramp and into the ring all the way to the winner’s circle of the World Champion Futurity In Hand Yearling Filly competition. Fire Run Farm was the owner of this beautiful daughter of Pondview Tres Bien and Rush To Judgement. With Tim Roesink representing owner Copper Beech and Stonecroft Farm’s famed breeding program, Stonecroft Flammable (Stonecroft Trilogy x Sizzle) was the reserve world champion.

         

Fourteen entries were paraded in front of the judging panel for the World Champion Futurity In Hand Yearling Colt class. Four colts were presented for a second look before the final results were determined. Standing out from the crowd was the Tug Hill Commando son, RWJ Commanding Topic an entry owned by Robert Jones and presented by Phil Fountain. He added his second world championship for a great week for the son of LCS Simply Sensational. Reserve money was awarded to ECP Anchor Man (LPS The Boogie Man x Minion Marquisse) who was presented by David Rand along with trainer Bob Kellert for owner Charles Buller of Fortress Crest Morgans. Kellert had the third place winner as well in RRG Windsor, owned by Judith Caldwell. SPR Pompeii was the fourth colt the judging panel took a second look at in his performance for Stove Prairie Ranch.

         

Breaking up the In Hand Futurity competition was the World Champion Classic Pleasure Driving Ladies class with a large turnout. Wearing the World Champion roses on the last pass, Dragonsmeade Bravura was driven by owner Janelle Schroeder under the direction of Phil Fountain. It was a great ending for their CopperDragon Sale purchase that also won the Classic Ladies Pleasure Driving Gelding class. Making their best show of the year, Patricia Lloyd and the multi-titled CBMF Mozambique carried the reserve world champion title back to Sebring Stables as both tricolor entries represented CopperDragon Sale purchases.

         

Returning to Futurity competition, Jim Taylor presented Street Smart (DBA Street Talk x Honeytree’s Simply Unique) to turn back all challengers for the World Champion Futurity In Hand Two-Year-Old Gelding title. Ann Maile and Pam McLellan are the proud owners of this grand performer who had started his career two years ago with a third place finish in the Morgan Breeders Sweepstakes at Jubilee for breeder Lynn Peeples. The royally bred Lucky-U (Born To Boogie x UVM Unity) modeled to the reserve world championship with Lynn Peeples presenting the youngster he also bred to conclude a tricolor week for Steven Handy.

         

Dragonsmeade Balenciaga (Mizrahi x HVK Firefly) continued her undefeated season by winning the World Champion Futurity In Hand Two-Year-Old Mare title in unanimous fashion. Mike Carpenter who also led her for the World Champion Junior Mare title was presenting for owner/breeder Dragonsmeade. Another Mizrahi daughter, Indian Creek American Girl, was the reserve world champion with Kurt Hufferd showing for Indian Creek Morgan Farm.

         

The Junior Champion Stallion and Reserve Grand Champion Stallion at Jubilee, Cingate Instant Karma strutted his stuff as the World Champion Futurity In Hand Two-Year-Old Stallion. Whitney Bodnar was on the lead of this HVK Bell Flaire x Futurity’s Miss Munitions son for owner/breeder Cingate Morgans LLC. Also sporting a champion producing pedigree, SpringMill Stardust (Liberation First Star x Treble’s Unchained Melody) was the reserve world champion for Kurt Hufferd and SpringMill Morgans.

         

The morning session closed with the inaugural Walk-Trot English Pleasure 11 and Under World Championship with 21 entries necessitating a split. The class was worked in two sections with six chosen from each split to come back to perform for the final pinning. When it was all said and done it was a talented young lady from Florida handling the pressure situation with the skills of a veteran. Ariana Varveris had charmed Oklahoma audiences before with World Champion True Gold in the 13 and Under Pleasure Driving competition. This time she was aboard world champion HVK Noble Flame to win the Walk-Trot English Pleasure 11 and Under World Championship with a unanimous decision, again under the direction of Lark Henry of Bobbin Hollow Farm.

         

Reserve world champion honors in the star-studded class went the way of Gradell’s Wild Reflection and Max Liberty, himself no stranger to winning top titles under the direction of David Rand. Topping off a sensational season, including winning a Grand National title, Indian Creek Belle Star and Kasey Saccocia represented Cater Stables with a top three performance. The third place team was followed by WSG Wham O and Alexandra Frangiosa, AMHF Double Miss C and Lauren Wade, Born Yesterday and Emily Tarr, Ultra’s Dark Shadow and Audrey Lowry, Marin Five O One and Ada Johnson, Abendlied Aristocrat and Avery Niemann and Sarde’s Sinful with Cameron Kay.

         

A full slate of World Championships in an array of divisions awaited spectators for the Friday afternoon session and what a time it was for Chris Thoma and K N Curiosity to put it all together. While they were close to the top all season long, their big win came on this October day under the direction of the Sogoloff family in the World Champion Hunter Pleasure Amateur Masters. Splitting time between the Hunter and Western Pleasure divisions, VVM Aleesa scored the reserve world championship with owner Ellen McCook aboard.

         

Adding to a great week in Oklahoma Donna Zimmerman guided her newest partner Stonecroft Neoclassic (Stonecroft Masquerade x Century Enjolie) past the competition to garner the unanimous Classic Pleasure Driving Junior Horse World Championship among a large group of contenders. Trained by Memory Lane Farm, this team also made the victory pass in their qualifier. After an undefeated season on the west coast, Treble’s Spring Loaded was right there with a reserve world championship performance for Deborah Stevenson, the same ribbon they received in the qualifier under the direction of Forest Nealon.

         

Long known for her winning rides in an array of divisions, Ling Fu Wylie added a couple of more Oklahoma tricolor titles to her credits this year. Among them, Wylie landed the Ladies Amateur Western Pleasure World Championship with RLH Electra (Beethoven x Psyche). With a victory pass in the ladies amateur mare class, the Judy Nason trained ECP The Seventh Stone and Marion Bengtson had to settle for the reserve world championship to add to a great season.

         

A world champion in the Ladies Classic Pleasure Driving division last season with former owner Janelle Schroeder, Libretto’s Bravado (Stonecroft Byzantine x Merriehill My Tyme) returned to Oklahoma to take home another blanket of roses, this time for current owner/driver Janet Morgan. The World Champion Classic Pleasure Driving Masters tricolor and roses were hung on the Broadmoor tack room this year. PlayMor Farm was again represented in the tricolors as reserve world champion Med E Oka Nobel Prize and Jacqueline Clapp capped another successful season.

         

Among the dozen three-year-olds competing for a piece of Grand National history, Graycliff Tony (Mizrahi x Pomp And Pazazz) delivered in a big time way for trainer Luman Wadhams and owner/breeder Graycliff LLC. This was the second world title for the Jeff and Lynn Yelton entry as Tony also won the World Champion Futurity class. Riding for Elizabeth Poirier, David Rand took AWS Icon to the reserve world championship with a great showing to close out the year. Several other promising youngsters with winning records for the season filled out the top 10.

         

Classic Pleasure Horses were back at it, this time for junior exhibitor drivers. The best of that lot was an all-star performer who had won another World Championship in the saddle division just a few days earlier. Rum Brook Immortal Mystic continues to be a legend in his own time winning the Classic Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor World Championship for Lauren Lang. It was a championship class filled with household names that boasted their own string of world titles. Making mom and dad proud, Jessica Sebring drove Contagious to the reserve world championship and they were followed by Whispering Rhythm N Blues with Maxine Kenny, MLF Caliente with Tayler Walters, and Total Recall with Kristin King, among others.

         

Junior exhibitors were also featured in the next class, this one the 13 and Under Hunter Pleasure World Championship in which 20 contenders filled the ring for a shot at an Oklahoma victory pass. Weaving her way through the herd with precision, Sascha Mills found her way to the winner’s circle with the Jonalyn Gwinup trained Ultra’s My Guy. It was their second win of the week as they captured their age group qualifier as well. Knocking on the door and enjoying the reserve world champion victory pass was the team of LCS Strategicallyspeaking and Shelby Shockley.

         

Entries for the Western Pleasure Four-Year-Old World Championship numbered 20 as well. Having won his share of Western titles over the years, Keith Nelsen was at it again as he jogged RBF Royal Navigator to the world champion title, following up their Grand National win for owner Traci Coltrane earlier in the week. It was a championship filled with some of the top riders from the Western world including Carmen Hobson who was aboard reserve world champion Kane Creek Kamikaze for Dan and Jan Unrein. The remaining riders receiving ribbons included Jeff Bessey, Debra Beth-Halachmy, Monty Kugeler, Jordy Johns, Jennifer Chowning, Garn Walker, Jason Douglass, and Kelly Kraegel.

         

The afternoon session continued with the Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Championship in which seven entries competed. When the cards were tallied the names of Dragonsmeade Divine Miss M and Bianca Buller were in lights on the scoreboard as the new world champions. From the west coast to Colorado to New England, the River’s Edge trained team made several victory passes this year and they started off the Oklahoma week with a win in the 14-15 qualifier for proud parents Charles and Martine Buller. Triumph Stables prepared KH Show Byz for the reserve world champion honors with Joshua Rohrs at the whip.

         

Taylor River had the upper hand in the Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 16-17 World Championship as Sight Unseen and Stephanie Slater turned back all challengers just as they did in their qualifier. KH Chapter One and Ashley Brown landed the reserve world championship in this highly competitive field of 22 entries.

         

A unanimous decision went the way of Hylee’s Fanflaire and Kali Erin Hutchinson in the Western Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 14-17 World Championship, adding to their equitation world title won under the Crystal Farms banner. Adding to a great week for the Sebring family, Sara Sebring and Millbrook Spellcaster locked in the reserve world champion title.

         

Making Oklahoma a truly international affair, England’s Angela Conner Bulmer had the winning ride in the English Pleasure Amateur Masters World Championship. Under the direction of Peeper Ranch she was aboard Versace the memorable victory pass. Longtime owner/exhibitor Carole Bradford was pushing hard with Upper Echelon to command reserve honors, just ahead of Karen Shields and Key Criterion to close out the afternoon session.

 

A large and enthusiastic crowd filed into the stands for Friday evening’s competition that began with a memorable flag presentation to celebrate Oklahoma’s Centennial. Several dignitaries were on hand for the ceremony and the national anthems. The future of the Morgan breed looks quite bright as 31 lead line entries then had their chance to experience the thrill of a trip to the winner’s circle with the cheers of the audience at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Both of these events served as a great way to begin what would turn out to be another historic night of Morgan show ring competition.

         

The Amateur Park Saddle World Championship served as the first performance class of the night and the eight entries in this class got things off to a great start. With victory passes from UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere, Southern States, Connecticut, New England Regional, and Sunday night’s Amateur Park Saddle Stallions, BKC Valiant Star and Casey McDonald had just one more goal in their storybook season. That goal was attained when they trotted away with the tricolor and roses from the Amateur Park Saddle World Championship directed by David Rand for Firewind Morgans. The defending world titled team of CN The Master’s Flyte and Allyson Wandtke turned in a great performance as well to add the reserve tricolor to a memorable season of riding for two for Wandtke cheered on by Cindy Nord and the Broadmoor cheering section. The impressive lineup of ribbon winners also featured a determined ride for the third-place finishers Grandemeanor and Shannon Connor followed by No Contest and Linda Hawkins also representing the west coast with a top ride for the white ribbon.

         

The Classic Pleasure Driving World Grand Championship welcomed a ring filled with the winningest performers in this deep division. Receiving two first place votes from the judging panel, Airegantlee and Mari Sanderson were on top of the world on Friday night. Gerry Rushton affixed the blanket of roses to the dynamic bay for his spotlight drive down victory lane. Ann Hailey will be making her way back to New Albany, Ohio, with several memorable titles from Oklahoma, including her third Oklahoma tricolor in as many years on the lines of Prindle’s Mere Mortal. They turned in a confident drive to add their second consecutive reserve title to the 2005 world championship directed by Sebring Stables.

         

Friday night’s Ladies English Pleasure World Championship put the finishing touch on a perfect season for Fait Accompli, trainer/rider Katie Mair and owner Marie Frank. The tricolor and roses completed an undefeated season for the charismatic Futurity French Command son and his winning team. The defending world champion GLB Perfect Harmony was the epitome of elegance and quality as she added the reserve tricolor to a great record for owner/breeder Lorraine Bumb with Stacy Hennessy in the irons. Shannon Connor enjoyed another outstanding ride with Matrix to add the yellow ribbon, while Paradigm Hot Chocolate made another bright Oklahoma showing with Amy Neifert for fourth in this lovely class.

         

The Three-Year-Old Park Harness World Championship featured another unanimous tie and the close of an unforgettable undefeated season. It was the silhouette of Bellerophon that made the lasting memory in his spotlight victory pass with Lynn Peeples on the lines for ecstatic owner Steven Handy. From their debut performances as two-year-olds at Northampton, Bellerophon and Signed Sealed Delivered have enjoyed a great rivalry. It continued in Oklahoma as Kim Germ’s ultra-expressive Stand And Deliver daughter added the reserve tricolor to her list of triumphs with Dwayne Knowles presenting.

         

The Hunter Pleasure World Grand Championship was next to command center stage as a field of 11 left plenty of room to maneuver. Mary Carlton continued an unforgettable week as she won this title for the third time in as many years. This year’s mount was the impressive Graycliff Miss Liberty, who capped her second undefeated season in this most competitive division with the unanimous win for owner/breeders Lynn and Jeff Yelton of Graycliff LLC. Following a win in the four-year-old mare class, Cabot Betty White and Keely Sogoloff came back to challenge the more experienced entries and came away with the reserve streamers for owner Jeff White.

         

An amazing night of unanimous victories continued in the Amateur Pleasure Driving World Championship. It was an especially memorable night for Stephanie Connor as she matched up with her magnificent Dragonsmeade Carnegie Hall for the victory to complete an undefeated season on her birthday. This performance made for quite a celebration at Arcuri Stables. Cathy Hazen enjoyed a fabulous debut on the lines of the one-of-a-kind Stonecroft Byzantine as they collected the reserve tricolor with strong support from their fan club with Rick Stevens directing for PlayMor Farm.

         

The English Pleasure World Grand Championship continued the theme of unanimous champions. As a three-year-old Sarde’s Manistique and Luman Wadhams carried home the English pleasure age group world title in unanimous fashion. In 2007 they did it again as the tricolor and the floral blanket made their way back to Vermont for justifiably proud owner Deedee Ludlam. The class featured a tricolor sweep for New England as East Coast Champion Fox Glen Hail To Divinity and Ann Anderson stepped up for the reserve tricolor for Joy Ann Bogstad. New England continued the ribbon count as Cartier and Sarah Gove earned their share of crowd support with the third place finish in the their first season in the open competition for Taylor River Farm.

         

The Amateur Western Pleasure World Championship featured a magnificent field of 22 perfectly turned out entries featuring champions from coast to coast. The world championship announcement was a dream come true for the Fleck family as their beloved Treble’s Tanqeray who won his first world title in 1999 as World Champion Junior Stallion earned the roses on this night with Ashley Fleck Morris. They earned the honors under the direction of Judy Nason. Last year’s tricolor team of Gulfwind Sir William and Margaret McKnight-Karrh enjoyed another polished performance to carry the reserve tricolor down victory lane to add to their many accomplishments for Paul and Evelyn McKnight and the Gulfwind Farm family. The amazing list of Oklahoma winners in the top ten also included; Firecrest E-Ticket and Aimee Shriner, MSV Ringo Starr and Kathryn Daly, Movado and Danica Brisco, Mtn Laurel Election Day and Tony Lee, Futurity’s Such A Twist and Kathy Papola, Sheridan’s Noteworthy and Caralee Conklin, OO Right As Rain and Kim Ann Hogan, and Wait A Second and Erika Mitchell.

         

The final class of the night was by far and wide everything Morgan enthusiasts love about a good horse show. It had talent, excitement, anticipation, and it all ended with the record-setting show star JW That Special Flaire making the unanimous victory pass for an unprecedented third year in a row as the Park Harness World Grand Champion. It was a record achievement for owner Frances Pugh of Tara Farm and Ken Swanson who had the unenviable job of following in the footsteps of a legend.

         

Before Swanson and the spectacular four-year-old stallion made their victory pass, announcer Bill Carrington asked them to wait for a moment. At this time Carrington paid tribute to Judy Whitney Harris, as he said what so many in attendance were thinking. We are certainly all thinking about “the little blonde lady in Kentucky” who bred, raised and trained this horse and who has given the world so much of her special flaire. With a standing ovation JW That Special Flaire closed out the Friday evening session in world championship fashion.

 

Just as That Special Flaire has carried home the roses three years in a row, so too has SLB Da Vinci given his all in the same pursuit. The sons of HVK Bell Flaire battled once again as Da Vinci and Robert Hughes turned in another spectacular performance for the Park Harness Reserve World Grand Championship for owner/breeder Sheryl Bartolucci and SLB Farms. The entertaining field of six multi-titled performers put an exclamation point on a great Friday night of horse show competition.

 

Show Arena 6

Qualified equitation riders from all over the nation came to Oklahoma hoping they’d be selected to compete in the UPHA Morgan Senior Challenge Cup Finals, held Friday afternoon in Show Arena 6. A large group of 25 skilled riders competed in the preliminary round of competition Thursday night and 12 of the country’s best were asked to return for the final competition, where they had a chance to earn the judges’ recognition during one last round of rail work. No workouts are performed in these finals, emphasizing the importance of standing out during the rail work.

         

Prior to crowning the champion and reserve champion, the judges selected a top 10 that included Emily Buchanan, Casey Morgan Tibolet, Kristin Chandler, Kelsey Irvine, Alyssa Wick, Jordan Cusumano, Brittany Schilling, Meghan Bradley, Brynne Cummings, and Elizabeth Thomas.

         

Following the top 10 presentations, Mark Farrar called out the confident-riding Casey Morgan Tibolet aboard False Pretense as the reserve champion. As anticipation was at its peak, the crowd erupted when the poised and polished Emily Buchanan was named the new champion, with trainers Sandy Sessink and Phil Fountain sharing in the moment with the proud equestrian. Mantic Top Gun gave Buchanan the ride of her life down victory lane in this grand class.

         

The Grand National Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Classic Equitation 10-11 Finals took their turn on center stage next with six strutting their stuff for Grand National recognition. Newly crowned champion Maci Crowder stood out among the tough group of riders for the victory pass aboard Hylee’s Moon Phantom coached by Cheryl Manahan. Bonnie Sogoloff had Katy Renaldo in good order for the reserve finish aboard the veteran Gaitwood Interstate.

         

Another round of finals competition followed, this time for the junior equitation riders. Thirteen riders entertained the enthusiastic crowd during their final round of rail work competition before the crowing of the UPHA Morgan Junior Challenge Cup Finals Phase II champion and reserve champion.

         

After being excused from the arena, Mark Farrar invited the top 10 riders to return to the ring for the presentation of top 10 ribbons in the Junior UPHA Challenge Cup Finals, including Nason Lee Bastarache, Lyssa Bomgaars, Gabrielle Blackman, Claire Brownie, Caroline Gaker, Kate Kielceski, Anya Pierson, Cheyenne Banks-Diaz, Amber Brown and Miranda Scholl.

         

As the riders anxiously waited, Mark Farrar announced that the judges were unanimous in both their choices for the champion and the reserve champion. Lyssa Bomgaars, riding Stonecroft Make A Wish, was put together well by Ann Slomkowski for the reserve championship. Next to make the trip to see Casey McBride in the winner’s circle was the newly crowned best junior UPHA rider in the country, Nason Lee Bastarache with Hollybrook Romeo. The crowd loudly cheered on this Taylor River-trained team as they made their grand exit from the arena.

         

The Grand National Walk-Trot Saddle Seat Classic Equitation Nine and Under Finals riders closed out an impressive slate of Friday afternoon classes in Show Arena 6. Nicholas Roberts was the stylish young man to make the victory pass aboard Dial Wild to the delight of Cindy Mugnier and his proud family. The dynamic duo making the reserve victory pass was Avery Niemann aboard HMS Barry Bam.

 

Show Arena 9

The reining competition resumed on Friday afternoon with the Grand National Four-Year-Old Snaffle Bit/Hackamore class. Two exciting entries performed with Winter Moon Phenomenon and Heath Herdon collecting the blue for Walt and Jaye Alles. Herdon was also aboard the second place finisher Desired Illusion owned by the Burris family.

         

Cindy Nord’s string of wining reiners presented by Josette Conti continued with Disco Fever spinning away with the Five-Year-Old Snaffle Bit/Hackamore win. Richard Bodwen and River Riders Rowdy picked up the red ribbon for John and Sherry Rivers in the six-entry competition.

         

The competition was deep in the Non-Pro Reining World Championship as nine teams performed the pattern in search of the winning score. It was Painter’s Pine Ridge and Travis Filipek who slid their way to the winner’s circle with the victory. The veteran team of More Apples Please and Karen Myers followed up in reserve.

         

Ten entries made for an exciting Friday finale in the Open Reining World Championship. It came down to a head to head battle of two veteran champion horses and their talented trainers. In the end it was Josette Conti who cashed in with Petty Cash as the world champion for Christine McKeegan. Two time reigning world champion MorganQuest Native Sun and Heath Herndon had their cheering section as the reserve world champions this time out for the Burris Family.

 

Saturday, October 13

 

Coliseum

The final morning of competition at the Morgan Grand National opened with 22 Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor 14-15 contenders answering the gate call for their world championship. The first world championship ride of the morning belonged to the new team of Narragansett Bay and Travis Wilson who performed for the victory to the delight of trainers John and Belle Hufferd. Reserve honors went to MEM Scan-Dal-Less and Lauren Foy as they concluded their debut season on a high note for proud parents Michael and Sara Foy.

         

An impressive lineup of nineteen ladies and their multi-titled mounts returned on Saturday morning for the Ladies Amateur English Pleasure World Championship. The world title went to the elegant pairing of HVK Obsidian and Ling Fu Wylie riding for Dragonsmeade Farm with a unanimous decision. The reserve world champion was another dynamic duo in Minion Mademoiselle and Lisa Howa. Both of these outstanding champions ride under the Blackridge banner.

         

The World Morgan Futurity has reached a record level of payout to the participants in the program. The Hunter Pleasure Three-Year-Old Futurity World Champion was crowned next. The unanimous decision of the judges was SpringMill Madison and Mary Carlton who won their second unanimous world championship of the week.

         

SpringMill Madison is sired by Ultra’s Special Agent and out of SpringMill Cherry Bomb and is bred and owned by the Huse family’s SpringMill Morgans. The reserve world champion in the futurity class was smooth performing Cherrydale Melania, showcased by Kathleen Peeples for Robin Molaskey Herrick. Cherrydale Melanie is by Minion Millennium and out of Cherrydale Magdalene.

         

Whitney Bodnar directed two of the three qualifying winners this week in the two-year-old pleasure driving division. What a great choice to have to make, and he obviously made it well. Bodnar directed the Astronomicallee son Cingate Revelation to the world championship victory pass in the Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Championship for Gaeton and Cindy Lorino of Cingate Morgans LLC. Kingsgrove French Elegance and Gerry Rushton claimed the reserve honors for owner Dolores Nickel with a precise showing in the competitive field of young performers.

         

Proud Grandpa John Green was delighted to run to the far end of the ring to adorn Mattie Frances Willard with her first set of world championship roses aboard Roadshow Texas Playboy. They became the first to win the newly added Walk-Trot Classic Pleasure World Championship to the cheers of their fan club. Ariella Silber and Intrepid Immortal Beloved enjoyed their first season together as they added the reserve world championship to another great week in Oklahoma for proud parents Bill and Shelley Silber and their Kourt Jester Morgans.

         

Top honors in the Park Harness Junior Exhibitor World Championship went to the well-matched team of Celebrity Marquee and Lauren Griffin who are under the direction of Lark Henry. After finishing with the reserve world championship in 2006, they put it all together for this impressive victory. The reserve honors in the three horse class went to the bold duo of Will-O-Way In Due Time and Celia Salmon.

         

The final class of the morning session featured 17 top contenders for the Four-Year-Old Hunter Pleasure World Championship. After careful deliberation by the judges on both rail work and conformation, Kathleen Peeples and Gradell Ring My Bell were awarded with the world championship for proud owner/breeders Drs. Jerome and Shirley Modell. This team was undefeated throughout 2007, and represents Peeples outstanding talents with young horses, demonstrated by her winning this class in four of the last five years. Reserve honors in the competitive class went to Maple Rose Ty One On and Becky Gruenberg for Steve and Gretchen Johnson.

         

With only two sessions left in the 2007 Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show, the time to shine was now. There was a good mix of young horse and aged championships on the afternoon schedule and they produced several performances worthy of a coveted Oklahoma title.

         

There was plenty of talent to open up the session as eight two-year-old park harness horses paraded for their world championship. DMH Grand Voyage turned out to be one of the smartest buys (and there were several) of the CopperDragon Sale. Shanna Gish drove the HVK Grand Entrance son to win the Two-Year-Old Park Harness World Championship for the Champions Way ownership.

         

The newly crowned world champions had a wealth of talent vying for their spot including the reserve world champion Deer Creek Sharp Dressed Man, the Grand National Two-Year-Old Park Harness Stallion Champion driven by Gerry Rushton for Craig and Jennifer Sommers. The second of the top three to come from the CopperDragon Sale, Reserve World Champion Futurity Two-Year-Old Harness CBMF Clear Victory created some excitement during the week and was third in this class with Craig Clapp at the whip for William and Sammi Hazen.

         

We switched gears to the large and competitive Western Pleasure Ladies World Championship where the upper echelon of the qualifiers remained at the top. It turned out that the geldings turned back the mares as Grand National Ladies Gelding Champion Movado wore the roses of world champion for the second year in a row with Jennifer McFall riding the unanimous champion for Paul and Danica Brisco. Reserve Grand National Ladies Gelding Champion FCF Montego Bay captured the reserve world champion honors for Judy Nason and owner Joanne Kieger. Ladies mare champion Bears Covergirl finished third with Shaughnessy Morris riding for Rocky Schliefer. Continuing the trend, reserve mare champion PJM Sho-Bree-O was fourth with Allyson Hughes.

         

Donna Zimmerman hasn’t been a stranger to Oklahoma success, but this has to have been one of her best years yet. Her Stonecroft Tribute (Stonecroft Trilogy x JW Belle Aire) and Jim Taylor turned back 11 other contenders for the Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Championship just as they did in the stallion/gelding qualifier. Coming from the winner’s circle of the Futurity Three-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Championship, the homebred Dragonsmeade Infusion was the reserve world champion on this afternoon with Phil Fountain driving for Dragonsmeade.

         

After sweeping three classes at Northampton and the Hunter Pleasure Ladies Mare Grand National Championship, Let’s Boogie gave Kathy Peeples plenty to celebrate about following their Ladies Hunter Pleasure World Championship for Cynthia Brown Clark. In one of very few non-wins for Mary Carlton this week, she was reserve aboard HDP Noble Warrior, winner of both the Ladies Gelding class with Carlton and the amateur world championship with owner Paula Messier.

         

The numbers weren’t overwhelming in the Four-Year-Old Park Saddle World Championship but all five gave big-time performances. However, among them none could match that of Love Her Madly (Astronomicallee x NBN At Your Command) the unanimous world champion masterfully ridden by Mike Goebig for Cindy Nord. Stablemate Get Busy was all show horse every step of the way to command reserve world champion honors for owner Kathy Gutting and trainer Dwayne Knowles.

         

Janet Unrein and Kane Creek Kamikaze (Kane Creek Kaos x Andalay) had a masterful Saturday afternoon performance to collect a unanimous Western Pleasure Amateur Masters World Championship over a host of multi-titled campaigners in an unforgettable class. ECP The Seventh Stone and Marion Bengtson added their second reserve world title of the week to the Bellewether banner.

         

Everything was coming up roses for Paul and Danica Brisco as they cheered on their second world champion of the afternoon. This time it was Extreme Obsession who drove away with the Four-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Championship. It was the second Oklahoma victory pass for the elegant Nicoria daughter driven by Gerry Rushton. The Kourt Jester Morgans/Tim Roesink team presented reserve world champion CBMF Stand By Me for an appreciative Oklahoma audience.

         

There was a long list of stars behind these two titleholders including Sea Vu Justified, MFM Daydreams, Born To Be Wild, Grand Cru Tattinger and Partridge Hill Priority, among others.

         

Tim Roesink literally won the Three-Year-Old Park Saddle World Championship the hard way. Riding the extremely gifted and quick moving MEM Bonnie Blue, Roesink hit the dirt when the mare slipped as she started to canter the second way of the ring. Shaking off a few cobwebs and a bruised ego, Roesink got back on and finished the class to win the world championship in unanimous fashion. Being the ever-thinking trainer, Roesink asked the mare to canter again when they were called to the line up and in doing so, received a great round of applause from the Oklahoma crowd.

         

Not lost in the events of the class, Ryan Arcuri had an Oklahoma quality ride himself aboard the impressive black star, CRD Buggatti, a high going stallion son of Simply Maserati owned by Lisa Fletcher.

         

A great afternoon of championship competition came to a close with the AMHA Hunter Seat On The Flat Gold Medal Finals. The blood, sweat, and tears of a long, grueling season were on the line one final time. Dreams came true for Alyssa Rumsey who had already won a Grand National title and a reserve world championship aboard Merriehill The Lion King under the direction of John and Belle Hufferd. Her scrapbook would now have a page for the Gold Medal to match the one won a year ago in Western Seat. Stevie Meder had no complaints about her star-studded season that came to a close with a thrilling Gold Medal Finals Reserve World Championship with Manchester In Demand under the direction of Taylor River Farm. Also turning in a world-class ride, Rebecca Boorstein finished top three among the all-star collection of riders followed by Lauren Knupp, Brianna Berg, Megan Evans, Olivia Lahr, Alana Little, Samantha Winsett and Lauren Gorfinkle.

 

The final session of the 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse show opened with a poignant salute by the Tinker Air Force Base Color Guard accompanied by the singing of the national anthems. With announcer Peter Fenton at the microphone and the orchestra cued up, it was time for the final world champions of 2007 to be crowned. The Amateur Park Harness World Championship started off the evening on a great note with nine athletic champions each vying for the ultimate prize. Following a cast shoe by El-Toro requiring him to exit from the competition, and a scary accident caused by an equipment break on RER Popcorn (despite some frightening moments driver Carey Churchill is fine), the class continued with seven entries heading to the lineup.

 

It was a performance to remember for Iann Fu Longenecker and Dragonsmeade Fusion as they drove away with the Amateur Park Harness World Championship in unanimous fashion. Following four victories in this class with the record-setting And The Beat Goes On, it was an exciting return to victory lane for Iann Fu Longenecker, trainer Robert Hughes and Dragonsmeade Farm. The 2005 world championship team of Evolution and Donna Zimmerman turned in a bold performance to add the reserve world championship to their tricolor Oklahoma résumé directed by Jim and Jenny Taylor.

 

The Western Pleasure World Grand Championship closed out a phenomenal week of competition in this well disciplined division. The silver-trimmed field represented 18 top champions blanketing the map from coast to coast. When the rose blanket was brought to the winner’s circle, the best of the best in 2007 hailed from New England as Treble’s Tanqueray jogged to the winner’s circle for the second night in a row. Judy Nason was met there by ecstatic owner Carol Fleck as they earned the applause of their fan club for their ultimate achievement. Having been aboard the champion Firecrest E-Ticket just a year ago, Daryl Hopson enjoyed another tricolor ride as he guided Charles Connor’s white trimmed Key To The Kingdom to the reserve world championship.

 

The attention in the coliseum turned to the dedicated and disciplined riders of the equitation division. All of the versatile aspects of the Morgan breed were on display throughout the week as young riders showed their well-honed skills in all of the seats offered. The champions of all of the seats made for a spectacular parade of equitation excellence, and they were rewarded with the applause and admiration of the Saturday night coliseum audience.

 

The competition resumed with a fabulous field of 22 making the Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle World Championship the largest class of the night. It was a tricolor ride to remember for Amy Gatewood-Gendjar and Stonecroft After Midnight as they were met by Crystal Everett in the presentation area to the cheers of their vocal fan club in their performance for Dantree Farm. After back-to-back world titles in this class with Intrepid Immortal Beloved, Shelley Silber was right back in the hunt this year with Outrageous Courageous. They closed out another great Oklahoma for Kourt Jester Morgans under the direction of Tim Roesink with the familiar spotlight ride as they earned the reserve world championship.

 

The Amateur English Pleasure World Championship would feature a new name in lights in 2007. A star-studded field of 13 answered the call of the class with no holds barred. After the tabulations had been made, announcer Peter Fenton told the audience that the judges were in agreement on the first three places on all three cards. Just as he earned a clean sweep in the open division a year ago, it was Bada Bing who earned the unanimous victory on this night. Phil Alderman matched up with the charismatic gelding to capture the ultimate glory as the Amateur English Pleasure World Champion with Peggy Alderman directing them to the winner’s circle. Dawn Fire and 2006 Four-Year-Old English Pleasure World Champion Treble’s First Take paired up to capture the reserve streamers and begin a memorable Saturday night in Oklahoma for Peeper Ranch. Sandy Hendrick and Queen’s Proud Mary turned in a stellar performance in this great field to add the yellow ribbon to another outstanding show for the entries of Queen’s River Farm.

 

The audience always looks forward to the fast paced action in the Roadster To Bike World Grand Championship. This year it was a match race as just two horses answered the call to the post. When the whistle blew it was Arboria Victorious who crossed the finish line as the world champion with Lynn Peeples racing to the tricolor for owner Paul Calandra. Three-year-old Dragonsmeade MaxMara and Luman Wadhams celebrated a great debut season by adding the reserve world championship performance for Treble’s Morgan Manor and their supportive fan club.

 

The elegance and animation of the Ladies Park Saddle World Championship continued a fabulous night of show ring competition in the highest order. The field represented Oklahoma winners from the past several seasons vying for the top prize in 2007. It was a ride to remember for Erotic Dancer and Dawn Fire as they closed out their amazing partnership with world championship glory. Following their spotlight ride directed by Phil Fountain, Dawn will now enjoy pampering her special mare in her well-deserved retirement. Amy Neifert and Something Wicked enjoyed a wicked good week in Oklahoma. It was capped by the Ladies Park Saddle Reserve World Championship to add to a tricolor show for the Copper Beech entries.

 

The hunter pleasure division came to a close in the ladies amateur world championship. The field of 18 produced another Oklahoma highlight for Crystal Farms to conclude an unforgettable show. Bell South and owner Stacey Heidenreich collected the final tricolor and rose garland to cap an amazing week. Sara Heffernan and her charismatic Andrea’s Radiance were indeed radiant as they carried the reserve world championship back to the Taylor River banner for the second year in a row.

 

As the next to last class of the show was ushered into the ring, seven of the country’s most stylish driving horses vied for the Pleasure Driving World Grand Championship. It was an across the board and unanimous victory for the amazing CCR’s Outrajus Corajus and Gerry Rushton as they earned the honors for Richard and Nan Cecchettini. They received a standing ovation as they made the spotlight victory pass they first made in 2001 to begin their world championship string. SLB Andiamo set the record as the youngest to ever with this title as a three-year-old in 2005. He came back this year with Robert Hughes to add the reserve world championship and cap his memorable performances for Bill and Helen Crawford’s Boston Morgan Farm.

 

As the horn sounded one final time, the Park Saddle World Grand Championship closed the record book on the 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. The top four from Tuesday night’s phenomenal Park Saddle Stallions were ready to wage battle for the ultimate prize. Each have won world championships since their two and three-year-old years in the harness division and have now gone on to reach the highest level in the park saddle competition.

 

The crowd once again showed all of the entries the great respect and admiration they were due. Stonecroft Trilogy, who had been reserve in this class in 2005, burst through the in-gate first with Nelson Green maneuvering the ring with one-handed showmanship. Mike Goebig and Stand And Deliver staked their claim to defend the title they have brilliantly earned for the past two years. HVK Vibrance and Jenny Taylor had been reserve a year ago and would battle to the finish. Lamborghini In Black came into his first Oklahoma park saddle contest as the dark horse, but with Tuesday night’s victory guided by David Rand he was no longer the underdog.

 

It was indeed a class for the ages as the horses and their riders gave their all as they performed in harmony with the orchestra, the cheers of the audience and the call by Peter Fenton. Following one final trot, the four entries were lined up for conformation inspection by judges Angell, Becker and Waller. The horses were then re-saddled and retired for the final time.

 

It was then time to meet the 2007 Park Saddle World Grand Champion as Lamborghini In Black and David Rand achieved the ultimate victory with a magnificent performance to garner the unanimous support of the judging panel. Overjoyed owner Grace Steere greeted them in the winner’s circle as the blanket of roses and tricolor were placed on the brilliant black stallion. The crowd cheered on as Stand And Deliver and Mike Goebig were called out as the reserve world champions to add to an amazing career for owner/breeder Tara Good. The crowd also celebrated a great performance by HVK Vibrance and Jenny Taylor as they collected the yellow streamers for owners Phil and Gloria Blevins. Stonecroft Trilogy and Nelson Green enjoyed the crowd’s support in their performance for fourth place for Stonecroft Farm.

 

With a spotlight ride in the 2007 Park Saddle World Grand Championship and a tip of David Rand’s hat to the audience, judges, show officials and the Morgan industry . . . the spotlight faded to black as Lamborghini In Black closed out the 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show with a standing ovation.

 

Show Arena 6

Twenty-two senior equitation riders converged for one final round of competition Saturday in ring 6 for the World Champion Senior Saddle Seat Equitation. Despite having had a long week of competition, this large field of riders and their tried and true Morgans looked well-prepared, energized and certainly up for the task of standing out in front of judges Melissa Moore, Gayle Lampe, and Nancy McConnell. Following rail work, the judges chose 12 riders to perform a pre-determined pattern. Riding confidently on the tails of her challenge cup victory the day before, Emily Buchanan remained calm and cool throughout the class and earned the tricolor ribbon finale. This memorable moment aboard Mantic Top Gun was shared with veteran equitation instructor, Sandy Sessink. Charged with a bright smile to go along with her perfect form, Casey Morgan Tibolet followed up her reserve finish in the challenge cup by garnering reserve in her final equitation class of the week aboard False Pretense coached by her mom Lisa Paxton.

         

The classic saddle seat equitation division is ever growing, as proved by the 16 riders who challenged one another in the World Champion Saddle Seat Classic Equitation class, which served as the second of three classes of the afternoon in ring 6. All 16 riders performed patterns and when tabulations were finalized Amber Brown took an unforgettable trip to the winner’s circle after a crisp and clean performance. Aboard Equinox Wild Card, Brown was greeted by owner Sue Evans as well as instructor Coby Holowacz. Bailey Bartley and Amabayus polished off a great week as the reserve world champions. Sandy Sessink was again the winning trainer who greeted this extremely proud young rider with a big hug following her victory pass.

         

The junior equitation riders closed out the show in ring 6 Saturday. While this division was smaller than the others, the 10 competitors who showed in front of judges Moore, Lampe and McConnell, were strong and focused riders that made this a great class. Similar to the pinnings in the senior division, the top two finishers in this class were also the champion and reserve champion in the junior challenge cup. A tearful Nason Lee Bastarache proudly accepted tricolor honors aboard Hollybrook Romeo to close a storybook season under the proud direction of Taylor River Farm. The ring belonged to Lyssa Bomgaars when she made the reserve victory pass under the direction of Ann Slomkowski following a determined performance aboard Stonecroft Make A Wish.

 

Show Arena 9

The World Champion Reining Snaffle Bit/Hackamore class started things off in ring 9 on the last day of competition at the 2007 Morgan Grand National and World Championship Horse Show. After dominating the competition all week, Disco Fever and Josette Conti danced to the finish line to collect their tricolor honors for Cindy Nord. Also capping off a great week, River Rider’s Rowdy and Richard Bowden accepted reserve honors for Jon and Sherry Rivers for their precise and crowd-pleasing performance.

      

The AMHA Reining Seat Gold Medal Finals was held next. Lauren Bruss was on top of her game and she had the form and skills needed to earn the tricolor aboard AMCF Jellybean with Sidnee Pavel standing out as the reserve champion aboard Arapaho Jerry.

      

Once again, More Apples Please was on top of the cards. This time the outstanding entry earned the top prize in the Grand National Green Rider Finals with Alicia Fraser taking a spin for Karen L. Myers. AMCF Jellybean was in the reserve position for the second time Saturday after Lauren Bruss directed to reserve in this class for Dayan Birchler.

      

After collecting two reserves earlier in the day, AMCF Jellybean decided it was time to step up the game a little bit. Paired with the talented Lauren Bruss, this flashy Morgan earned the distinct honor of being named the Grand National Reining Free Style Non-Pro Finals winner for Dayan Birchler. Painters Pine Ridge and Travis Filipek worked very hard for their reserve finish for Lou Ellen Williams and Thomas Filipek.

      

The Grand National Reining Free Style Open Finals was the final reining class of the show in Arena 9. A solo performance put on by the creative, athletic and stylish team of MorganQuest Native Sun and Heath Herndon closed out the day for proud owners Shirley, Duane and Tané Burris.

Complete show results can be seen and searched by clicking on Show Results. Judges cards can be found clicking on Judges' Cards.







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