The Waukesha Summerfun Horse Show, is just that....a great horse show and a good time. This year, Signature and Waukesha were held on back to back
weekends, both show facilities within an hour of each other, making it attractive to area exhibitors.
Waukesha has always boasted support from many of the barns in Wisconsin,
Illinois and Iowa. The three day show held 96 classes, including several
academy classes, and had an amazingly good turnout again this year.
The festivities began on Friday. Among the highlight's from Friday's
performance was the Saddle & Bridle Medallion Class. Out of 10 entries,
Michelle Krentz of Hartford, Wisconsin was declared the winner, with Curran Sukowaty coming in with the reserve. Ray Krussel rode the beautiful Novice Full Mane & Tail Park Horse, Harlem's Town Princess to a well deserved blue ribbon. Lance Hayes, riding Bugsy Siegal, finished second in this very large
class. Krussel secured another blue ribbon for the Knollwood gang in the
Open Full Mane & Tail class as he sported Louisville Lass through her gaits.
Star Hill Farm's, Callaway's Jane Randolph was reserve in that class. The large Country Pleasure Driving class had to be split into two sections, with awards given in both sections. Brendan Heintz catch drove Hometown Luck to the win in section I, followed by Kourageous Genius Supreme. Section II's
winner was Highpoint's Gentleman Dandy, with reserve awarded to Toni Nastali and Ollie By Golly. Another of Toni's entries, Gettin' Fancy, was ridden by Tom Thorpe to first place in the exciting Junior Park Pleasure Class. This young entry just keeps getting better as he continues his winning ways. Blues Traveler claimed the reserve with Kris Martalock in the irons for owner Joe Rowland.
It was the big, handsome grey horse who was declared the winner in the
Novice Country Pleasure Class of 14. The Silver Screen, owned and ridden by
Marlene Silver took first place, and Jan Ribordy's, Yo Adrian came in second. Linda and Sarah Larson's exciting young Mr. Ted E. Bheir made the victory
pass in the Junior Show Pleasure class on Friday, and also was the winner again on Sunday in the Junior Show Pleasure Stake. Executive Dunk did five slick gaits in the Amateur Five-Gaited Class to conclude Friday's performance. Always an enthusiastic exhibitor, Mike Schallock rode his CH Nice Doing Business to the red ribbon.
Exhibitors were treated to a pig roast on Friday night after the show. The event was well attended and a great time for everyone there. Saturday
brought about more extremely hot temperatures, but a few special events. Trainers had an opportunity to cool off in the dunk tank. The dunk tank was sponsored by the Knollwood Knockouts from Knollwood Farm in Hartland, Wisconsin. This group provided the dunk tank in an effort to raise money for charity. It was rumored Scott Matton and Bob Griffin both went for a dip! Also on Saturday, the Waukesha Horse Show paid tribute to their deceased friend, Jack Hanrahan. Jack was a long-time exhibitor of the Milwaukee area horse shows for more than 40 years. Jack and his family trained and exhibited their own horses to great success in the Midwest. An Irish toast was offered in his memory, as his daughter Mary Bushard, her husband Dan, and son Jim joined in the center ring for the ceremony.
Saturday's performance contained several equitation and academy classes.
The many saddle seat riders skillfully performed during the extreme heat. Saddle Seat Pleasure Equitation riders, Michelle Krentz and Magdalene Marcyan
finished first and second in the 13 & Under Saddle Seat Pleasure Equitation
division. In the Pleasure Equitation 14-17 age group, Austin Eversman and Kris Jurkynas were the winner and reserve champions. It was also great to see strong turnouts in the Academy Equitation classes. It is certainly evident that saddle seat riding programs are thriving and the interest in this industry is as strong as ever! Waukesha provided a wonderful opportunity for these students to get showring experience at a first class horse show!