Summerfest Warms Up Minnesota
Friday, June 18, 2004
Empire, Minn. -- Going from chilly to warm in the three days, Summerfest 2004 ushered in the summer show season June 11-13 at Cornerstone Equestrian Center in Empire, Mn., just southeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Summerfest is the first in a series of several well-organized shows that cater to area riders who either need experience or who just love to show. The Saddle Horse, Morgan, equitation, and pony classes were judged by Janet Green, Liberty, Mo. Beth Bidon handled the Academy division decisions. Special medals were awarded by show management to exhibitors who were long-time participants in certain classes in the series.
Area barns support the series, and those at Summerfest included Bob Jensen Stables, Inc. (which won 36 classes and championships), Center Pointe Stables, Hardwood Creek Stables, and Flying E Stables.
OFFICIALS (*in box*) Judge: Janet Green Academy Judge: Beth Bidon Announcer: Charles Porter Organist: George Utpall Ringmaster: Joe Manshak Farrier: Rob Talley Photographer: Avalon Photography Co-Managers: Bill & Wendy Couch Secretaries: Cyndee Wadsworth, Billie Couch Ring Secretary: Cindy LaPointe Stable Manager: Jake Couch Veterinarian: Equine Medical Center
FIVE-GAITED: Amateur class victor Tashe's Shining Brightly took the open championship tri-color for Susan Erickson and owner Nancy Erickson. Open winner Callaway's Shining Brightly was reserve for Erik Borkoski and owner Victoria Shank.
PARK: Handsome Heir was plenty handsome to win the Park Stake and open for owner/rider and Wichitan Betts Coup, now a Minnesota resident while she finishes college. Donna Ficher-owned Smoking in Havana who was reserve each time for Bob Jorgenson.
SHOW PLEASURE: Robert Bruininks showed CH Harlem's Classy Guy for both wins in the five-gaited classes. Slight Indulgence was reserve for Bill Hammerlund and Equine Essentials. The Show Pleasure 18 & Over Stake and 49 & over winner was Callaway's Hit Parade and owner Mary Ann Huddleston for Jensen Stables. They also trained Smith & Wesson for the stake reserve and 18-48 blue for Kim Gallenberg. Scary Harry carried Breanna Lukan to the winner's circle in both junior exhibitor contests, also for Jensen Stables.
After being reserve in the qualifier to Wing's Magic Dream and Susan Dryden, Maynard Lueth drove Callaway's More Power to the stake win and Dryden's horse was second.
COUNTRY PLEASURE: The largest classes of the show, the nine-entry over 18 Stake and 11-entry qualifier were both won by new team Magikal Marissa and Betts Coup for Jensen Stables. Frequent winners Well Spoken and Kitty Theis were second both times. The Argo and Angie Grossman joined forces to take both Under 18 classes. Bob Jensen owns and trains The Argo. Desert Memories of Cinderella was reserve for Emere Peterson in each class.
My Magical Talent was driven by Lowell Holden for L. S. Enterprises for the Driving class wins. New Western ASB combo Braveheart of Silver Oaks and Kim Gallenberg made it two-for-two for Jensen Stables trainer Lee Erickson. Sedona Red was reserve for Mary Strohfus in the Stake; Windsdown Diamond Dee and Char Sondrall took second in the first class.
OPEN ENGLISH PLEASURE: Erik Borkoski and Royal Crest's Priceless Stone took the stake class tri-color with 49 & over winner Callaway's Full of Spirit reserve for Al Hammel. Bob Jensen trained the sharp Crimson Flower for Lori Enger and the pair won both the 18-48 and over 18 limit classes. The 17 & Under blue went home with Soledad's Picasso and Shayne Larsen-Nordin for Betsy Adrian, and Shira Zats took the blue in the 17 & Under Limit Pleasure with Highpoint's Margarita. Wing's Magic Dream and Susan Dryden were repeat winners, this time taking the open driving. Bob Jorgenson's Smoking in Havana won the Pleasure Prospect class. Angelina Ballerina and Cameron Gallenberg were the Open English Pleasure Walk/Trot 10 & Under winning pair.
HACKNEY PONIES: Heartland Special Request and Connie Flodin were the winners in the Hackney Pony Open and amateur classes. After being reserve in the open to Punkin and Laural Eckloff, the pairs switched places and the Harness Pony Stake tri-color (and amateur blue in a one-pony class) went to Twin Willows All That Jazz and driver Karly Holt for Carlene Holt. Eckloff also had the single Road Pony entry in the Stake, Open, Amateur and Under-Saddle classes with King's High Spirit. Malabar's Man and Tammy Brott were the winners of the Pleasure Driving Pony Stake and amateur events, with Poinsettia's Mirage reserve for Amie Youngdahl.
MORGANS: Trainer Colleen Wick won the English Pleasure Stake with HR Clearly Legal for owner Kathy Smith, and Cory Eickholt showed Boxwood's Mis T. C. Beam to the open blue.
Wick trained the winner of both the Classic classes and the Under 17 event, Hylee's Mark of Success and Lauren Mueller. The Morgan Pleasure Walk/trot 11 & Under blue went to Wick-owned and trained Cherrydale Fantasia and Kai Erickson, while Kathy Smith rode the winner of all three Hunter Pleasure classes, Equinox Adelle for trainer Wick. Arlene Birzins had Summit's Socialite in good form for the Western Pleasure Stake and open wins. Dono's Shyann was the amateur winner for Ellen Gieser.
EQUITATION: Five nice riders showed in the Saddle Seat Championship and the tri-color went home with Deanna Lanigan. She also won the 17 & under qualifier aboard Girl Fizz for trainer Judy Jensen. Laine Hudak was the UPHA Challenge Cup winner and was second aboard Champagne's Star Status in the stake. Katie Poluka rode Reebok's Prowler for the other Saddle Seat Equitation class for Bob Jensen Stables. They also trained the winner of the two over 18 classes, Dorian Stulberg-Anderson, and the 7-entry Pleasure Equitation 17 & Under victor, Emily Collins. Cameron Gallenberg celebrated her birthday with a win in the Walk/Trot 10 & Under, also for Jensen Stables. The Morgan Equitation class winner was Lauren Mueller.
These were some of the highlights from this year's event. Unfortunately there were no entries in the three-gaited or fine harness divisions.
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