Tampa Charity - Third Time Is A Charm
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
This now is the third year for the on/off a year Tampa Charity and Gasparilla Charity horse shows, and this year Tampa Charity was back in the spotlight. Never sure of what the future will bring especially with the economy playing into the mix, Tampa continued its momentum from 2008 and pulled off a great show full of quality horses and ponies including several reigning world’s champions. And there weren’t just Florida horses, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Michigan among others were represented proving that if you put together a good show the exhibitors will come…and who can resist the Florida sun at the end of a long winter! Peter Fenton was back at the helm not only managing the show but also working his magic microphone announcing. Rob Byers and Terry Jones Brennan were on hand to mark the cards for the Saddlebred, Hackney, Roadster, Morgan and Academy divisions while Dale Stone set it all to music. This year, Doug Shiflet was on hand to capture the winning moments. Rounding out the stellar staff for the week were Don Baker, Tom Bloch, Nancy Noble, Beth Snider and Scott Snider. The hospitality was at an all time high with events held all week with great food. The week kicked off with a Pizza Party on Tuesday at lunch sponsored by Becker Brothers. On Thursday the Progressive Barn Party was held where you could eat great food starting in Barn A with the seafood display at Ruth Gimpel Stables working your way through to Barn C enjoying the Cuban sandwiches at Silver Run. The entertainment sponsored by Bobbin Hollow was an event not to be missed as a belly dancer showed off her talents. On Friday night the Exhibitors Dinner followed the performances with the great food from Loco Gringo. On the Wednesday afternoon off, the golfers gathered for a round for the Tampa Charity Annual Golf Tournament. Winning the title was the team of Euchee Matthews, Tim Wynn and Cal Wright with a score of 67. Great prizes were awarded thanks to the sponsors including Wynn’s Family Market, Kenny and Ceil Wheeler, Richfield Video, Doug Shiflet Photography, World Champion Horse Equipment and Richard’s Jewelers. Another highlight was the Sportsmanship Award, which was given during Saturday evening’s performance. This year the award went to Chrislar Farm’s Chris Cassenti, who again made the trip to Tampa from Massachusetts to enjoy the competition and visit with many friends. Once again ringside tables were a hit, making it easier for people to gather and enjoy the show ring action. Five-Gaited Saturday evening came to a close with a four horse Five-Gaited Jackpot Championship with each entry bursting though the gate vying for the top honor of the week. When the work was done and the card turned in, announcer, Peter Fenton, called Annika Bruggeworth’s Joe Fabulous to the winner’s circle. The flashy chestnut stallion capped a great week for Siren Song entries with Jerry Hutson in the irons. This fabulous team also topped the open qualifier early in the week. Matt Shiflet was aboard the mighty Miracle On Forty Second Street in her division debut. Now owned by Miracle Stables, they made a great first show for the reserve jackpot title. Earning the top third spot with an explosive performance was The Tango Dancer in his return to the division with Ruth Gimpel for James and Helen Rosburg. Also returning to the division, Master And Commander put together a good show with Maria Gilman for Barbara Woods. Maria Gilman also scored the reserve title in the open qualifier but with Trisha Long’s Kalarama’s Man To Man. Gilman was back in the ring for the win in the ladies qualifier with the striking black Blue Highway earning the blue ribbon for Kelsey Olson. In their debut performance Heir To The Moon and Lisa May Longman racked up a storm and into the winner’s circle not once but twice as they swept the amateur division under the direction of Steve Demjen. With a solid show Travel In Style and Hope Long captured the reserve tricolor. The qualifying reserve went back to the Judd Stables banner with Worthy’s American Society and Cheryl Sotrop. Judd Stables also swept the junior exhibitor division with Lillian Young presenting He’s Real Good for Mary Jane Curtis. Matt Shiflet was back to the winner’s circle with another mighty chestnut. This time he was aboard Sandra and Melody Murphy’s Direct Effect for the win the limit qualifier. Lord Klutterbuck…wow what a name and what presence. The bright chestnut, who is named after a surgeon who took care of owner Shirley Giraudo’s son, carried out the reserve title with David Chretien. Matt Shiflet racked up another blue literally this time aboard A Different Story. Recently purchased from Happy Valley, the bold moving son of Harlem’s Friendly Conversation topped the Denver/junior class for Don and Phyllis Brookshire. Maria Gilman presented the sporty four-year-old I Want To Tango to the reserve title. Three-Gaited The Siren Song team celebrated another jackpot grand championship win with Follow The Sun’s performance in the three-gaited jackpot with Jerry Hutson. They marched to the winner’s circle not only in the jackpot but also in the Denver/junior class. Ronnie Graham had Wee Pee’s Storm in top-notch shape for the reserve title for James and Helen Rosburg. Reserve in the open qualifier went to Raindrop’s Not My Worry and Euchee Matthews for Alicia Davis. Reserve in the Denver/junior class went to Callaway’s Gentlemen’s Agreement and Maria Gilman for Barbara Woods. Recently purchased by Woods, this toppy horse will be her granddaughter Emily Candelaria’s partner later this season in the walk-and-trot equitation division. The ladies division was well filled starting off with the six-horse qualifier. Sweeping the division was the Prophet’s Song with Maria Gilman in the irons for Diane Sembler Kamins. The elegant daughter of CH Great Day’s Came The Son puts her head in just the right spot and never seems to move it as she effortlessly park trots rail after rail. The Perfect Touch moved up claiming the reserve triclor with Patsy Stephens aboard for MLS Enterprises LLC. Reserve in the qualifier went to Jewel’s Talk About Town starting off the week with Jayna Taylor in the irons for Stan Cottrell. Siren Song continued its success with the debut of CH Callaway’s Merry-Go-Round and Annika Bruggeworth. Recently purchased, Larry Hodge made the trip down for the debut and the top-winning performer will now reside at Siren Song under the direction of Jerry Hutson. Bruggeworth fit the grand horse well and marched him down the rail and into the winner’s circle in both the championship and qualifier. With Phyllis Brookshire away at a convention, Whitney Bennett turned in two great catchrides aboard the expressive Lady Avalon for both reserve titles. Jewels Talk About Town was back to the show ring this time matched with Savannah Norris earning a pair of wins in the junior exhibitor division for the Hawkewood banner. Rachel Rafolski showed off her catchriding skills aboard The Sun’s Out earning both reserves for Euchee Matthews. Three-Gaited Park CH Meadowlark Jubilee has really made a mark on the park division. With Morgan King, she has amassed a ton of titles and this week was no exception. Normally in the amateur division, the switch was made to the open division to accommodate the schedule of King, who was out of town early in the week. Maria Gilman had the honors of qualifying the talented mare to the blue and King was back for the win on Saturday night. Sue Me and Annika Bruggeworth made a strong show for the reserve in the open championship after a reserve in the amateur qualifier. In the amateur championship, Starlight Voyager and Ali DeGray turned in a super ride in their first show together carrying out the tricolor. Winning the qualifier, also in their division debut, and returning for the reserve championship title was the magnificent CH Keeper Of The Stars with Jackie De la Parte. Nicole McSweeney had Elegant Mandarin marching down the rail sweeping the junior exhibitor division under the Hawkewood banner. Maria Gilman returned to the winner’s circle again for owner Diane Sembler Kamins this time aboard Blue Bikini. The high headed four-year-old by Oceanfront and out of Gin Blossom topped the Denver/junior class. David Chretien was aboard Rusalka, a four-year-old by Adriatic, capturing the reserve title for Linda McCorkle. Fine Harness It may have been a one-man band in the Fine Harness Jackpot Championship, but no matter the venue, Joe Friday rises to the occasion and you can’t take your eyes off him. With Helen Rosburg on the lines, he effortless paraded around the ring marching well above the rail. In the open qualifier, David Chretien debuted Midd’s Nike. Owned and bred by Middendorf Farms, the Jon Bugatti son collected the blue in his first time out. Roadsters Two years ago Mr’s Bones and Charlie Jones debuted in this very ring. Even with the many shows and wins under their belt, they still show full steam ahead and this week with two explosive performances they won the open championship and amateur qualifier. But they didn’t have the spotlight all to themselves as Jones’ other roadster Beaucourt Boy gave them a run for their money with Brad Lukens on the lines. This team has been working hard all winter and it has paid off as they dug in a carried out the blue in the open qualifier and then returned for the championship reserve title. Reserve in the open qualifier went to Capture My Magic and Paul Misiewicz. Capture My Magic is Misiewicz new partner after he retired his long time teammate Top Star Willie at Harvest Days in 2009. Ali DeGray made a single appearance with Roar Of Thunder for the amateur qualifying reserve title. Ponies Jessie Pettie dominated the road ponies as she went four for four in the open and amateur divisions. In the open division, she swept with the sporty Bambino while in the amateur divisions she earned the pair of wins behind Alexandra. Ali DeGray was back in the silks behind Heartland Pursuit. A top junior pony in 2009, DeGray has expertly taken over the lines from Ronnie Graham capturing both reserve titles in the amateur division. Regal’s Norma Jean LF was magnificent with Stephany Monteleone on the lines. The high-stepping mare swept the harness pony division making it three for three for trainer Abel Vega. He also prepared Pettie and her great ponies. Kilbro’s Code Red made his division debut earning both reserve titles with James Rosburg. Heartland High Tech is just amazing. With his four-cornered trot and a headset that never moves, it makes him easy to watch, hard to take your eyes off of. With Helen Rosburg on the lines the team carried away both the tricolor and the blue in the cobtail division. Rosburg continued to dominate with her Hackneys in the pleasure pony driving division. She put Heartland Stepaside in all the right spots sweeping the division. Reserve honors in both classes went to another great pony under the direction of Abel Vega and driven by Stephany Monteleone, Mastercraft’s Namesake LF CH. ASB Pleasure Battling it out in the five-gaited show pleasure division were Mary Jane Curtis and Gale Lazarus. With Curtis loaning out her longtime partner He’s Real Good, she borrowed Asked And Answered and after only a handful of rides they debuted at Tampa for the qualifying win. The team returned for the championship reserve all for owner Jayne Major. Finishing their season together in this ring winning at Harvest Days, Gale Lazarus and Worthy’s Glory know how to win in this ring. In the championship they moved up adding another tricolor to the Bobbin Hollow banner. David Chretien presented the handy Sonita’s Only You to the top spot in the Park Pleasure Championship after the open qualifying win for owner and breeder Susie Dean Sowle. Fire Sale and Nancy Fortner moved up a spot for the championship reserve title while Callaway’s Four Leaf Clover and Carly Duggan earned the qualifying reserve for Melanie Mullis. Ronnie Graham debuted Keep The Roses to the Denver/junior park pleasure win. In a top notch Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship, it was the new team of Heart Of Steel and Kim Boros wearing the tricolor out the gate for Patricia Bonati. Purchased back in November, Bonati looks forward to debuting with her new horse soon but until then Boros will be in the irons. Earlier the team earned the qualifying reserve. There is none better than CH Sweet Virginia. This grand mare is ever consistent and looked like the winter agreed with her as she came in the ring pumped and ready for the first show of the season. With Barbara Woods aboard, they won the qualifier and returned for the championship reserve title. Seismic Force teamed up with Susan Zimmer for the novice rider win and also a reserve in the Florida owned class under the Ruth Gimpel Stables banner. The junior exhibitor division saw a change up too. In the qualifier the leg waving I’m Simply Divine topped the class with a pleasure perfect performance for Canterlope Farm. Partnered up this season with Alex Ennis this team heralds from Ingleside. They returned for the championship reserve title. Moving up a notch from their qualifying reserve, the sporty Rare Vos with Rachel Rafolski presenting for Cynthia Kueker captured the tricolor. Florida owned qualifying winner Premier’s Lieutenant Dan and Lauren Roque earned a strong third in the championship under the direction of Krystal Lee. Stablemate Lynnwood’s Supreme Talent and Catherine Bornscheuer earned the reserve in the novice rider class and rounded out the top four in the junior exhibitor championship. The black beauty Narcisse was in top form sweeping the show pleasure driving division with a well-dressed Christy O’Donnell under the direction of her mom, Anne Judd. Finest Material and James Rosburg had a nice drive for the championship reserve while Reata’s Luna Negra and Linda Nix were reserve in the qualifier. Country Pleasure It was quite a week for the Siren Song team and the country pleasure entry was no exception as Annika Bruggeworth put the punchy CH Sagaman in all the right spots sweeping the adult division. Careless Fortune and Ali DeGray had a comeback ride capturing the championship reserve. In the qualifier She’s Extra Charming and Nichole Sedivec looked the part for the reserve for the Steve Demjen banner. Alex Ennis was back in the spotlight with her ever-consistent Man Of Hour Dreams sweeping the junior exhibitor division. The standout team with Ennis in her new ice blue coat is trained by Heather Boodey. Kismet Prime Time and Jennifer Wayman moved up a spot earning the championship reserve title for Diane and Donnie Coker. Under the direction of David Chretien, Charresse and Zoë Schaffel topped the novice rider class and earned a reserve in the junior exhibitor qualifier. My Book Of Secrets and Katherine Dickens took home the novice rider reserve title. Winning the Florida Owned Country Pleasure was the sporty Brookhill’s Tom Tom with Danielle Loar now under the direction of Greg O’Kelley and Mary Jo Schmidt. Reserve honors went to the multi-titled For Reference Only with Tracy Garcia. The Country Pleasure Driving Championship went back to New York with Bocephus The Bluesman and Pam Arruda after a reserve in the qualifier. Winning the qualifier was Harlem’s Worldly Lady with Ali DeGray. Mountainview’s Buttercup and Jayna Taylor earned the championship reserve for the Reid/Bates partnership. We Be Jammin’ and Nancy Fortner, in her new beautiful cream and gold accented attire, had a great week winning the Western Pleasure Championship and the Saddle and Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure. Under the direction of Christy Parker they also earned the qualifying reserve. Hometown favorite Rumble Strip and Patrick Niemann topped the qualifier and captured a reserve in the Shatner class. Championship reserve honors went to Sapphire Blue and Julianne Ross for the Rick Davis Stables banner. Davis was in the winner’s circle in the open qualifier aboard Starbucks LTD for Karen Swain. Equitation Two polished riders were on hand for the Equitation Championship and after the railwork and patternwork were completed it was Cassie Bell making her way to the winner’s circle. Now under the direction of Bill Rodgers and paired up with Man Of The House, Bell was also topped the 13-and-under qualifier. Reserve honors went to the talented Rachel Rafolski under the direction of Christy Parker. Kitty D easily moved up from walk-and-trot equitation beginning her season with a win the Morgan Equitation aboard HVK Bold Monarch. Under the direction of Cheri Barber she also earned a reserve in the Morgan Western Equitation. Taylor Evovich was a force in the equitation division going three for three under the direction of Valarie Siemer. Aboard CBMF Trading Up, Ekovich won the Morgan Western Equitation, and the Open Western Equitation Championship and qualifier. Stablemate Casey Stein topped the Morgan Classic Equitation aboard Grand Cru St. Emilion. Making the trip down all the way from Michigan, Cassie Solberg captured the Morgan 11-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Equitation under the direction of Bre Schultz. Katiepaige Richards was a standout in her light blue suit for the UPHA 10-and-Under Challenge Cup paired with Delightful Diamond under the direction of Lark Henry. Morgan Sweeping the park division under the Bobbin Hollow banner was the leg-waving Springmill Navigator with Brooke Simpson. DJE Answer To Destiny had quite a week going four for four. In the open English pleasure division Euchee Matthews presented the grand horse to the sweep for the second Tampa Charity in a row. Then Alexandra Layos had her time in the spotlight sweeping the adult classic pleasure division. The consistent Century Mardi Gras also had a great week with titles in both the open and amateur divisions. Rick Davis earned a pair of reserve titles in the open division while owner Kathryn Pope began the week with a reserve in the amateur qualifier and returned with a winning ride in the championship. HVK Noble Troy and Nicole Hall garnered the championship reserve for Tracy Shrader Weichamn, while Devious and Barbara Merrill won the qualifier for Virginia Limardi. Kitty D was back to the winner’s circle in both the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship and qualifier aboard the sporty HVK Bold Monarch for Mountain Ridge Farm. Reserve in the qualifier went to the Bobbin Hollow trained HVK Standing Ovation paired with Ariana Varveris for owner Katiepaige Richards. Richards took over with HVK Standing Ovation winning the Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. Ariana Varveris continued her success also topping the Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier with Celebrity Marquee. Richard Skovgaard was on the lines for the reserve in the Pleasure Driving qualifier behind Sunny Acres Sinful while stablemate Lua Cheia won both amateur pleasure driving classes with Joao Fernandes directed by Tom Johnson. Trainer Lark Henry had her time in the spotlight with a nice ride aboard RCV The One And Only for the sweep in the junior English pleasure division for owner/breeder Kathleen Gatien. Greg O’Kelley had Chauncey Felker’s Lithia Oak’s Last Edition in top order for the win in the Junior Pleasure Driving. They returned for the reserve in the open championship. Cheri Barber presented Pop The Cork to the reserve in the Junior Pleasure Driving for Jim Little. Casey Stein continued her success from the equitation division sweeping the junior exhibitor classic pleasure division aboard Grand Cru St. Emilion. Earning both reserves was Sunny Acres In A Flash and Jennifer Wayman for David and Emily Whiting. Cherrydale Melania had a polished comeback ride with Allyson Hughes for the win in the Western Pleasure Championship. Hughes presented the bright and well-mannered bay beauty for Pat West and Bill Shean. Winner of the qualifier, THK Wild Adonis and Rick Davis returned for the reserve in the championship for Mary Jean Bonfili. Cheri Barber presented Treble’s Take The Stage to the qualifying reserve for Shoo Fly Trust. The Cheri Barber trained team of DWS Wind Dancer and Stacey Resler were pleasure perfect sweeping the amateur western division. Reserve in both classes went to Bel Cavallo Prima Donna and Doris Bazzini. Taylor Ekovich earned a pair of victory passes aboard CBMF Trading Up in the junior exhibitor western division brining their total up to five wins for the week. WSG The Survivor and Savannah Blunt earned both reserves. UVM Opportunity made the most of his opportunity to show in Tampa as he won the Junior Western Pleasure Championship with Curtis Childers aboard for Chris and Larry Cassenti. Topping the qualifier and returning for the championship reserve was the fancy Stonecroft Liza and Cheri Barber for Mountain Ridge Farm. Reserve in the qualifier went to Barbara and Anton Neese’s Be My Hunk O’Spunk with Valarie Siemer. The success continued at West Coast Morgans with Rachel Roth winning four for four aboard Million Dollar Baby. Under the direction of Valarie Siemer, Roth swept the open hunter and junior exhibitor hunter divisions. Whitemud Biloxi Blues and Bre Schutlz captured the reserve in the open qualifier while Graywood’s Kera and Madye Bell moved up for the championship reserve. Bell qualified with a reserve in the junior exhibitor class. Winning the amateur qualifier was Merlot and Lauren Tyner under the direction of Anne Judd. Judd also had the opportunity to coach her granddaughter Annelise O’Donnell through her cantering debut. Aboard Winterset Déjà Vu Again, O’Donnell moved up capturing the reserve in the junior exhibitor championship. Cassie Solberg continued her success from the equitation division winning not only the Morgan 11-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Pleasure but also three more victory passes in the all breed walk-and-trot and equitation divisions aboard Whitemud St. Louis for Bre Schultz. HVK Noble Troy and McKenzie Wunderle earned the reserve in the Morgan qualifier and the all breed classes. Friesians The majestic Friesians made their presence known as they parade around the ring in both under saddle and in harness. Under the direction of David Chretien, Leslie Elliot and Auke Van Der Himmen turned in two nice rides sweeping the English walk, trot and canter division. Rommy and Courtney Brucker swept the walk and trot pleasure for Janise Man Song Hing. In the western/hunter/dressage division it was Bouke and Norma Gibney carrying home both the tricolor and the qualifier. Annika Bruggeworth was aboard Brend V for a pair of reserves. Helen Rosburg debuted with Waeltsje in a beautiful red turnout for the win in the driving class. Miscellaneous In the all breed walk, trot and canter it was the high-headed Tuffy’s Challenger sweeping the division with Jayna Taylor for Hawkewood Farm. The flashy He’s Real Bad captured both reserves with Patricia Bonati aboard in the championship and Kim Boros aboard in the qualifier. The well-matched team of Picabo Street and Grace McDonell had a super ride for the reserve in the walk-and-trot championship and the 11-and-under qualifier. In the 12-and-over qualifier CF Chief’s Red Hot Girl and Alexis Rivard for Lysa Slater. Kathy Gray earned the reserve aboard her new horse Moriah Back N Tan. Natalia Frenandez started off the season in tricolor style earning the 11-and-Under Walk-and-Trot Championship aboard Tara’s War Dance under the Bobbin Hollow banner. Academy Saturday afternoon belonged to the academy riders with a full schedule. Winning top ribbons in their divisions were: Emily Childs, Meridith Ross, Charlene Zuba, Danielle Abraham, Serena Ghosio, Dani Gallo, Erica Murphy, Caitlin Ferkile, Emily Barney, Laney Simpson, Kourtney Sperko, Alex Popper, Emily Candelaria, Jennifer Mitchell, Mina Mueller, Brooklyn Krone, Rachael Winograd, Chris Man-Son-Hing, Gabriella Salem, Natalie Oliver, Janise Man-Son-Hing, Elizabeth Szabo and Devin Fish.
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