Thursday Features Championship Classes
Friday, August 22, 2003
Thursday Morning
The Thursday morning session of this 100th anniversary of the World’s Championship Horse Show got under way promptly at 9:00 am with the feature of the day to be the future of the breed the weanlings, yearlings and two-year-olds. Not only are there titles to be won as the best in the Saddlebred breed but there are cash winnings also involved from the Kentucky Futurities.
The call for the first class brought 24 fine weanling entries in the ASHA Amateur Futurity of Kentucky. After close inspection from the judges, Virtual Viper, by The Sky King out of In’n Out, led by Wendy Lewis made their way to the winner’s circle for Virtual Saddlebreds. Silver Harbor, sired by The Irish Connection out of A Foxy Decision, led by Smith Lilly received a rousing round of applause when they received the reserve tie for owner Sue Nifong. The Clover Hill Farms entry, Arts and Letters, by State of the Art out of The Windrose, presented by George Davenport claimed the yellow ribbon. No More No More, sired by Fascinating Rhythm SLS out of Spartan’s Sultana, took the fourth place tie with handler Bob Gunn. Rounding out our top five, Hale Yea!, by Ramona’s Halle Bop out of Spirited Lady, received the pink ribbon with Kevin Hatfield at the lead. Raining Pennies, Heart of Steel, and Miss Albany were the remainder of the ribbon winners in this exciting preview of things to come in the Saddlebred world.
In the Youth Roadster to Bike class, The African Queen with Carly Duggan at the whip was crowned the winner for Pamela Rouch. On her birthday, Dakota Willimon drove The Secret’s Out to the reserve tie under the Sunrise Stables banner.
Fourteen entries entered the gate individually for consideration in the ASHA Kentucky Amateur Two-Year-Old In Hand class. Merchant Melody, sired by Merchant Prince and out of Night of Love Song, led their way to the top with handler Sherri Musselman for Danette Musselman. King Crimson, by CH King of Highpoint out of You Got The Look, led by Robert Olson for Dr. Gene Scott took the red ribbon for reserve. Undulata Prophet, by CH Caramac out of Riva's Fashion Spirit, claimed the third place tie for Timothy Shallcross. The Moulin Rouge, sired by Merchant Prince and dam Wild Country Breeze, led their way to the white ribbon in fourth for Liz and Randy Thomas. C&L's Twenty-Twenty, by Fascinating Rhythm SLS out of Morel Baquie, rounded out the top five in fifth with handler Robert Gunn for C&L Stables. Royal Crest's Stone Elegance, Tuffy's Miss Alison, and Virtual Volcano received the balance of the awards received in this class.
In the first split of the Adult Amateur Hackney/Harness Pony Pleasure Driving class, the unanimous decision of the judges brought Pacifico’s Standing Ovation and Robert Anderson to the winner’s circle again for the second year in a row. Heartland Entitled with Sandra Surber at the whip was reserve to only the champion in this fine class of 12 entries. Motown and Mary McClean drove a commanding third for the Golden Creek Farm.
In the second fine group of ponies, the judges were in agreement in their selection of One More Time with Anna Marie Knipp as champion. Proving their worth, Megabucks and Irene York on the lines received the red ribbon for reserve. Harry Potter and Sarah Asch closed out the adventure and the top ribbons to claim third.
In the final class of the morning session, the ASHA Amateur Futurity of Kentucky Yearlings were featured. The unanimous collaboration of the judge’s panel, Castle Dream, sired by Castle Bravo out of A Daydream Believer, claimed the title for handler Kenneth Wheeler Jr. for the Cismont Manor Associates. My Jose Cuervo, by Rifles and Roses out of Classiphied Edition, led by Doug Fritz for Dale Musselman took the red ribbon for reserve. The Cream Of The Crop, sired by Veiled Beauty’s Beau out of Daylight’s Finest China, presented by Shane Sally received the third place tie. The Bruce and Rusty Rademann entry, Royal Crest’s Natural Stone, by American Replay out of Royal Crest’s Stone’s Shadow, led their way to the white ribbon for fourth with handler George Davenport. Come Quat, sired by Basquiat out of Maid of Dreams, led by Bob Gunn rounded out the top five for owner C & L Stables LLC. Charming Babette, Screen Idol, and Hula Hopper received the balance of the awards in this great display of youngsters.
Thursday Evening
The horn sounded and called the Thursday evening session to order. This would be the first night that seven world's champion would be named. Filled with talent, nineteen entries answer the gate call to compete for the Equitation Championship for riders 14-17. With yet another unanimous vote of the judging panel, Betty Cox received the tricolor ribbon and the floral blanket as the champion coming from their win in the 15 year-old group. Dakota Willimon, the 17 year-old winner, gave a solid performance to claim reserve. Devon Garone rounded out the best of the group with the yellow ribbon for third.
Matt Shiflet aboard Freaky Links took the Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited title for stallions/geldings back to West Virginia for Emco LLC. Harley Rally and Mark Hulse, a strong entry of the James Orr Family, were reserve to the champion. Smith Lilly's mount, Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves was third with a consistent ride.
Donna Moore was presented with the Audrey Pugh Gutridge Award for her years of dedication to the Saddlebred industry.
Eight powerful entries entered to compete for the Amateur Fine Harness World's Grand Championship title. CH A Sweet Treat with John Scheidt at the whip claimed top honors with great crowd support after taking a reserve in their qualifier. Call Me Ringo with William Shatner at the lines for the Belle Reve Farm drove a commanding reserve tie after also placing reserve in their qualifier.
In the Junior Three-Gaited Championship, showing to perfection, The Perfect Blind Date trotted to the winner's circle with Lynda Freseth up for Dr. Wendy Troyer. The flashy chestnut, Callaway's Thomas C. Reynolds was awarded reserve with Todd Miles aboard. MJB High Fire and Steven Gassen had the crowd's eye receiving the yellow ribbon.
Power Ranger with a unanimous vote of the panel, drove for the doctor and to the tricolor for the second year in a row to win the Roadster to Wagon Championship, with Raymond Shively at the whip. Ashland, an entry of Dr. and Mrs. Howard Six, drove to the reserve honors at a blistering pace coming from their win in the Open Roadster To Wagon class.
In the Five-Gaited Pony Championship, Jewels For A Lady claimed the 2003 title with Danielle Dunn showing under the Whistle Stop banner. Multi-titled CH Sammyshine with Cydni Simmons aboard was reserve in this strong class of 14 entries. Callway's Exception To The Rule and Dakota Willimon made their way in the top ribbons to claim third.
Style and sophistication graced the ring in the Junior Fine Harness Championship where Simbara's Sweet Lorraine, an entry of the Cismont Manor Associates, drove away with the floral blanket and the 2003 title with Nelson Green at the lines. In a close race, Harlem's Santa Fe and Chuck Herbert were reserve in this class. Long-Vue's Sophisticat with Ruth Gimpel at the whip rounded out the top honors in third coming from their win in the stallion/gelding section.
In an outstanding group of eight youngsters in the Two-Year-Old Five-Gaited class, Divine Renaissance trotted to the winner's circle with Gregory Maldonado up. Sir York's First Edition and Wyatt DeHart received the red ribbon for Mary and Merle G. Hoff Jr. Salty Dog and Virgil Helm closed out the top three with the yellow ribbon.
In the Three-Gaited Pony Championship with a unanimous tie of the judges, Simbara's Audacity and Brittany McGinnis trotted away with the 2003 title under the Delovely tradition. Deja Vu's Delight was reserve with Renee Zubrod up for Pamela Boyers.
A short pause in the evening performance took place to allow the presentation and induction of Gilbert "Gib" Marcucci into the American Road Horse & Pony Association Hall of Fame for 2003. Gib, "a true rags to riches story", was truly deserving of this award.
In an elegant performance to claim the Amateur Hackney Pony Championship two years running, Jackie Stred drove Heartland Rainsong to the unanimous tie of the judges. In a crowd pleasing display, Heartland Newsmaker and Jeff McClean made news again coming from their win in the amateur gentlemens section. Mr. Hawkeye driven by Sharon Lewis trotted up to the yellow ribbon.
In the Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Mares class of 11 entries, Thunder Beauty proved victorious winning the blue with Debbie Foley in the irons for the Cross Timbers Enterprises. Liquid Thunder and Merrill Murray rode the second entry of the Cross Timbers Enterprises to reserve to dominate the top of the class. Garland's Second Edition with John T. Jones rounded out the top awards with the third place tie.
In the USTA Roadster to Bike Classic 10 entries answered the gate to compete. Muddy Waters with Danette Musselman at the whip proved clearly they had the speed and presence to win the class. Bunker Buster and Danny Bugg busted up into the reserve tie for Melinda Moore.
In a repeat performance, CH Lady Periana won the Ladies Three-Gaited Championship with Phillipa Sledge up with a unanimous tie of the judges. The Super Nova and Lisa Strickland rode a commanding second behind Sledge for Alexandra Piemonte. Pas De Deux trotted away with the third place tie with Rosemarie Fernandez in the irons.
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