Sun And Fun at Harvest Days Closes Out The Florida Season
Monday, November 21, 2005
by Katherine Hansil
TAMPA, FLA. - The thirty-eighth Harvest Days Horse show was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa on November 4-6, 2005. The show is hosted by the Tampa Horse Show Association who also is responsible for one of the first shows in the spring the Tampa Charity Horse Show. This group with its two great shows has raised over $150,000 to make Tampa a better place to live. The proceeds from Harvest Days currently benefit The Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, which provides clinics for the treatment of childhood language disorders.
Harvest Days closes out the season for the Florida barns and some barns from Georgia with a slightly less formal and more fun oriented show but still with top competition in Saddlebred, Morgan, Roadster, Hackney and Academy divisions. With the devastation of Wilma only a week or so behind the area, everyone was ready for a little fun and great weather and it was delivered. Exhibitors came out to enjoy the now inviting warm weather, competition and the extra-added fun packed into Friday night.
After a full day of classes on Friday afternoon and evening the show offered its Equine Costume Class and Pet Costume Class and the entries were out in full force to a little extra fun. This has been a long-standing tradition since the show always falls around the Halloween weekend. After viewing the tough competition judge Susi Day awarded the blue ribbon to the Piancavallo Farm Girls and their pajama party themed entry. Reserve honors went to the Equifinity gang dressed as the “Things” from Cat In The Hat and lead by May Klein as the Cat In The Hat. Then the show went to the dogs and Judge Pam Thomas was called in to award the top prizes that featured Pink Ladies, Brides and Grooms and more. Winning the blue was the team of Katie Dunn and Jessica Myers with Snickers dressed as witches. Reserve honors went to the Lucky Ladybugs Team of Anna Hansil, Leigh Anne Rodgers and Chelsea. The fun did not stop there as everyone joined together ringside to enjoy a great the Mad Hatter Party. Known for their festively themed parties this was no exception as everyone was out with great hats from feathers to slinkies with of course Gerald Moores making a grand entrance with his outrageous hat.
Closing out the performance section of the show on Sunday morning, Joy Rodak ended and began her season with a bang. Having now set up her own stable, Waltz Awhile, she has had a busy schedule but made time to attend Harvest Days. It was a good decision as she garnered the top prize in the Five-Gaited Championship with Hijack Flight. Reserve honors went to the Dee Dee Gordon entry, Kilarney's Jewel, with trainer William Dooley aboard. The new combination of Sun Time's Commander and Trisha Long earned back to back wins sweeping the amateur five-gaited division for the Judd Stables banner.
Prince Of Soul and Rosemary Gonzalez turned in an exceptional ride to capture the tri color in the Three-Gaited Championship after earlier accepting the red ribbon in the Amateur Three-Gaited all under the direction of Mary Jo Schmidt. Winning the blue ribbon in the amateur qualifier was An Heir Of Magic and Helen Rosburg. In the combined Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Championship, Andres Herrera was victorious aboard Worthy One's Rhythm after an earlier reserve in the junior exhibitor qualifier. Winning the qualifier was the Avalon Stables trained Local Illusion and Amy Lee.
Mary Jo Schmidt continued the success from her stable as she directed the bright Forty-Two Karats to the winner's circle in the Three-Gaited Park Championship for Bette and Frank Rozzo. Reserve honors went to the young star A Perfect Affair with Euchee Matthews. Earlier in the week this team was the talk of the show with an outstanding performance to win the Junior/Novice Three-Gaited Park for owner Christy Parker. Gerald Moores was aboard The Red Carousel for Jane and Mike McIver for the red steamers in the junior/novice class.
Man In My Life and Rosilie Jonassen picked up a pair of wins sweeping the competitive amateur/junior exhibitor three-gaited park division. It was a great way for this team to close out their first year together under the guidance of Judd Stables. Reserve in both classes went to the expressive Without Prejudice and Allison Beard with their Silver Run Stables teammate Heir To Success and Pamela Sanders turning in two outstanding rides for both strong thirds.
Denzel and Yvonne Herrera were in top form with his sleek black image and her dynamic outfit to win the Fine Harness class in their only appearance.
Top Star Willie and Paul Misiewicz turned up the heat and moved up a notch to win the Roadster To Bike Championship, for the third year in a row. Garnering the red ribbon after a win in the qualifier was the thrill seeking Humdinger and James Rosburg.
Yvonne Herrera was back to the winner's circle not once more but twice with the pair of wins in the Road Pony Championship and amateur qualifier with her beloved Heartland High Fashion. Reserve honors in the championship went to a new team. Mary Jo Schmidt matched up the great pony Cherry's Wild Dream and her junior exhibitor, Mackenzie Ligas. In their debut they not only earned the red ribbon in the championship but also the red in the junior exhibitor qualifier. Winning the Junior Exhibitor Road Pony was the awesome team of Seize The Moment and Ali DeGray in their only appearance of the show. With a switch of divisions Heartland Heiress and Helen Rosburg turned up the speed to capture the red ribbon in the amateur qualifier in their only appearance.
Pam Thomas had two great drives with Heartland Fireworks to sweep the Hackney pony pleasure driving division under the direction of Anne Judd.
The Denali and Jessica Anderson turned in two flawless rides to capture both victories in the five-gaited pleasure division under the Judd Stables banner. He's Real Good lived up to his name with owner/rider Mary Jane Curtis as they had two great shows for the set of red streamers.
An excited Lynn Martin made her way to the winner's circle with Magic Mahogany to win the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship moving up a couple of notches from the qualifier. Reserve in the championship went to the winner of the qualifier Nothin But A Good Time. This Ruth Gimpel trained entry was teamed up with Kim Boros showing for owners Dr. Edson and Renda Knapp. Reserve in the qualifier went to Waltz Awhile and Joy Rodak.
After debuting her last year with the blue ribbon Seismic Force and Amy Greenberg have had a long list of wins this season and once again ended it in winner's circle with back-to-back wins in the junior exhibitor three-gaited show pleasure. Reserve honors went to the new team of CH My Special Sultan and Stephanie Lockyer. This team, trained by Christy Parker, made their debut earlier in the schedule with the win in the Novice Rider Three-Gaited Show Pleasure proving they have a bright future ahead of them. Earning the red ribbon in the junior exhibitor qualifier was their Pine Haven Stables team mate Glider Supreme and Emma Grubb. Upcoming Storm and Kelley Donegan captured the red in the novice rider qualifier.
Callaway's Tobar and James Rosburg moved up a notch to capture the Show Pleasure Driving Championship for Pixie Dust & Steel after an earlier red in the qualifier. The exquisite Just As Unique and Cassi Rath finished with the red in the championship after capturing the blue in the qualifier under the direction of Bill Rodgers.
Nancy Fortner had a successful week in the country pleasure division. In the adult championship she moved up several places to garner the tri color streamers with a great catch ride aboard Cat Tale for Euchee Matthews. This rider/trainer team also paired up to win the open western with Matthews aboard and the amateur western with Fortner but this time with Fortner's Next Day Heir. Fortner would return to accept the red ribbon in the Country Western Pleasure Championship.
A surprised Dori Zandy made her way to the winner's circle to win the Adult Country Pleasure with Brightly Benevolent, sporty chestnut she keeps at home in Naples. With assistance from her daughter, Bree, they left the ring with the blue streamers flying, a perfect way to get over the devastation they witnessed as Hurricane Wilma ripped through Naples not so long ago.
The success continued for Pine Haven Stables as Simpler Times and Rachel Rafolski turned in flawless ride for the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Championship win after an earlier reserve finish. Topping the qualifier was the Judd Stables team of Chairman's Fancy and Jayne Major. Another Pine Haven Stables team, Piney Flats and Kay Henderson, made their way to the winner's circle in the Novice Rider Country Pleasure with Midnight Spooks and Nikole Joseph accepting the reserve title for Diane Matheison.
CH Shamanic Dream and Helen Rosburg took home the top honors in the Country Pleasure Driving Championship after capturing the red ribbon in the qualifier. In their debut performance together, Haitian Vacation and Jose Herrera turned in the winning drive in the qualifier and returned to accept the reserve title in the championship.
Moving up a notch Galahad's Gold Mine with Jean Johnson had a perfect performance to win the Western Country Pleasure Championship becoming the first recipient of the Jill Reynolds Memorial Trophy. This trophy was donated by her family in her memory after the tragic loss of Jill this past summer. The show also celebrated Jill's life and love of horses by dedicating this year's show in her name.
Morgan King was polished and poised as she complete her rail work and pattern work aboard Piesporter to win Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. This team under the direction of Bill Rodgers also won the 14-17 qualifier. Another Silver Run Team Caroline Hughes aboard Man Of The House swept the junior saddle seat equitation classes in their first appearance together. Both reserves in the senior division went to Jennifer Scotto while Jenna Palmeri, under the direction of Judd Stables, captured both junior division reserve titles. In her last walk-and-trot equitation performance Mackenzie Ligas was in top form to win the 11-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Equitation aboard Silver, Blue & Gold under the direction of Mary Jo Schmidt. Casey Stein accepted the red ribbon.
This was Casey Stein's first show out of the academy division and aboard Sabal Chase Commander she also won the red ribbon in the 11-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Pleasure. They returned on Sunday to capture the championship. Winning the qualifier and the reserve title in the championship was the May Klein trained Sultan's Lucky Flair and Nina Rivera.
The Avalon-trained Rommy and Lisa Misiewicz went two for two as they dominated the open English pleasure division with Rommy's awesome appearance and perfect Friesian cadence. Both red ribbons went to I'm Good To Go with Helen Rosburg in the irons.
Debi and Randy Armstrong were thrilled with Hylee's Dance On and Anne Judd's performance to win the English Pleasure Championship after an earlier red ribbon. Reserve in the championship went to Sunny Acres In A Flash and Kristen Cole for Ron Mitchell. Winning the qualifier was Graywood's Kera and Jennifer Scotto for Tracey Bell.
Lori Felker Roberts had a comeback ride aboard Stonecroft Wish Me Well to win the Amateur English Pleasure Championship under the direction of Mary Jo Schmidt. Reserve championship honors went to HVK Flaire Park and Glenn Winograd. Winograd also won the qualifier with Laloma Wild Command and Trisha Brutus in for reserve. In the Novice Rider English Pleasure Laloma Wild Command and Trisha Brutus were exceptional for the win with HVK Diamond Bold and Cliona Curran in for reserve.
No one was more thrilled with the outcome of the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship than Channing Ligas as she expertly piloted HVK Acclamation to the winner's circle. Earlier this team took the reserve in the qualifier both performances under the direction of Ian Ferguson. Taking home the reserve championship title and the win in the qualifier was the new team of All Hail To The Chief and Rebecca Watters under the direction of Rick Davis.
Stonecroft Wish Me Well returned to the winner's circle with the win in the Amateur Pleasure Driving this time with Chauncey Felker on the lines in their only appearance. Reserve honors went to Night On The Town and James Wallace.
Winning the 11-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Pleasure was VJ Opportunity and Cassie Bell with Sabal Chase Commander and Casey Stein in for the red ribbon.
With the hat trick in the western pleasure division was the team of UVM Windfall and Lora Dunlap won the championship and the amateur and open qualifiers for the West Coast Morgan banner. Reserve in the championship went to HVK Field Renaissance and Sarah Partridge after an earlier reserve in the junior exhibitor qualifier. WMF Secret Legend and James Wallace earned the red in the open qualifier while Hidawayhill Bold Image and Gerry Auermann were reserve in the amateur qualifier. Sugarlane Adonis and Brittany Simmons topped the junior exhibitor qualifier.
Whispering Joey and Kelsey Thomas bested the competition for the win in the Hunter Pleasure Championship moving up several places from the qualifier. Reserve in the championship went to the winner of the qualifier Be My Magic Moment and Barbara Neese. Standean Chancellor and Brittany Hawkins were reserve in the qualifier.
Lori Felker Roberts continued the winning ways for Lithia Oaks Farm with the win in the Classic Pleasure Championship this time with DAF Monte Cristo. Reserve honors went to the top team in the qualifier Frangelica's Spirit and Ginger Nutrini trained by Bill Rodgers. Hidawayhill Highlander was reserve in the qualifier with Gerry Auermann.
Sweeping the junior exhibitor classic pleasure division was the Rick Davis trained Under Fire and Christina Bauer. Whispering Marquise and Michael Scanlon took home the red ribbon in the championship with Really Keene and Kelly Venza in for the red in the qualifier.
DAF Monte Cristo was back to the winner's circle this time in the classic pleasure driving division. Chauncey Felker turned in two great drives to sweep the division. Both red ribbons went to Emeraude DRC Legacy and Richard Hanlon.
Winning the Classic Equitation was Kelly Venza with Shelly Partridge in for reserve.
The show closed out Sunday afternoon with a full schedule of Academy. Winning top ribbons in their divisions were: Jamie Boros, Emily Knapp, Charley Goldman, Carol Smith, Robyn Borjas, Deborah Exelby, Nicole McSweeney, Brooke Sager, Madison Zimmerman, Tom Jacobson, Rosie Tuzik, Stephanie Olthoff, Kyra Ciotti, Chris Kobe, Tori Dennis, Whitney Page, Mallory Suarez, Catherine Bornscheuer, Maddie Young, Lauren Roque, Savannah Blunt, Hannah Knapp, Katie Commons and Savannah Lofley.
Complete results may be viewed, searched and printed at Show Results.
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