Thursday Features Great Day Of Classes At MGN
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Thursday – Coliseum
A great day of classes were featured on the Thursday schedule. In spite of the show being at the halfway point, a number of horses would enjoy their first performance of the show on Thursday. The day began with the Three-Year-Old Park Saddle Mares and Geldings. The judges evaluated the four entries in complete agreement. The 2002 World Champion Mare Queen’s Victorian Lady and David Rand were the unanimous victors with an athletic performance for the Queens River Farm. Wendy Sogoloff and the bold moving GDT Al Capone earned the unanimous reserve tie for Greg and Dawn Tatro.
As Tim Arcuri was preparing to undergo surgery at the hospital, Craig Clapp readied the newest sensation purchased by Rick and Lisa Howa, Rampaige, for the Pleasure Driving Gelding competition. Having only been shown once prior to Oklahoma at Far West, Rampaige made his first trip to the Oklahoma show ring memorable as he topped the entertaining field of 13. Peter Falso had RTS Tis Himself cranked up for an impressive reserve finish for Robert and Taylor Severino.
The beautiful team of Debi Jeppesen and Belle Escada made a brilliant presentation to emerge with the unanimous awards in the Ladies Park Saddle Mare competition for owners Tracy Fietz and James Hangley. Missy Hanover turned in an impressive catch-ride aboard Erotic Dancer to earn the reserve finish for the Miller family and trainer Phil Fountain.
The Amateur English Pleasure World Championship is shaping up to be one heck of a competition on Sunday. Thursday featured the qualifiers for the stallions, geldings and mares, and each of the classes was outstanding. The stallions were first with 2001 Amateur English Pleasure World Champion Whispering Whamunition earning the unanimous victory with Elizabeth Melanson in the irons. The 2002 winner of this class, HVK Man About Town and Dr. Kevin Schengrund had to settle for reserve, but watch for another strong performance by this talented team in the championship.
After 18 horses competed on Monday morning in the preliminary heat for the Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving World Futurity, 12 horses were selected to return for the world champion futurity class. With so many beautiful youngsters, the future of the breed looks bright indeed. Deemed the best of the best was Dragonsmeade Virtuoso (Beethoven x Queens Estelle), an outstanding youngster capably presented by Judy Whitney Harris for Dragonsmeade. Despite coming down with the flu-bug that has felled many this week, Stan Bodnar stepped with a gutsy presentation with Cadence Jasmine (Century On Command x CHF Rapture) for the reserve world championship for Cadence Farm. Dragonsmeade proved successful in their breeding program, as in addition to the winner of the class, they also bred the third place horse, Dragonsmeade Carnegie Hall (Beethoven x Black Tie Debutante) who was presented by Robert Hughes.
Another exciting qualifier for the Amateur English Pleasure World Championship was the gelding class. With 18 entries, it took quite the showman to showcase their entry to its advantage. Cricket Coleman’s show ring savvy paid off as she was awarded the honors to take back to the River’s Edge tack room for her ride aboard Ready to Rumble. John T. Green received a loud vote of approval from family and friends for his reserve finish aboard Roadshow Steppin’ Out, an entry of Windswept Place.
Diane Conrady and JLH Coming Up Roses picked up the title in the Pleasure Driving Mare competition. Jack and Leslie Hill own the talented entry. Phil Fountain directed the reserve grand national champion Que Sera for owners Glenn and Sharon McCoy.
Two nice Three-Year-Old Park Saddle Stallions were on hand for competition. Shirley O’Gorman and Cherrydale Acappella were rewarded for their efforts on behalf of Cherrydale Manor as another HVK Courageous Flaire offspring came away with the top prize. Andy Marlett directed the leg-waving reserve champion, Arboria Ben Hur, an entry owned by Terry and Ann Manske.
The Three-Year-Old Western Pleasure Futurity filled the ring with beautiful quality youngsters jogging down the ramp. Dan Ramsour showcased Futurity’s Such A Twist (Futurity’s Noble Twist x Futurity Morissa) in the winning ride for Kathy and William Papola to add to the Baccarat Farms banner. Jennifer Chowning directed Steele The Stage (The Master’s Touch x Arcadia Polly Pepper) in a brilliant reserve performance. Garn Walker earned the third place honors with Virginia Adams’ entry Star of Midnight, a horse out of WBC Midnight Madness and by Liberation First Star.
The stomach flu, which has been sweeping through the Morgan Grand National proved to be too much for Stan Bodnar so son Whitney took over and successfully mastered BLFM Best Evidence. Whitney directed the talented youngster to a unanimous win in the Three-Year-Old English Pleasure Mares for proud breeder and owner Beth Fancsali. Jennifer Lalone and Graywood’s Kera turned in a stylish performance to earn the reserve honors for Katrina Wood and Graywood Stables.
Cricket Coleman had not yet come down from her victory a few classes earlier, when she was ringside to watch her son Vince LeMaster and WSG Mystique Ovation top the Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17 Park Harness Class for the second year in a row. Lauren Cojocar pressed the winner all the way in her reserve drive with King Lehr’s Bob A Loo, an entry owned by Deborah and Alex Cojocar.
After a short break, competition resumed with the Junior Exhibitors 16 and 17 Pleasure Driving Class. Heather Aller directed her sporty chestnut CBMF Simple Pleasures to the pleasure of a stirring victory pass in the exciting class to the delight of trainer Tim Roesink. Jessica Spack and her Nonchalant were also an exciting team to earn the reserve honors.
The final qualifier for the Amateur English Pleasure World Championship was the mare competition. Winner Lisa Howa proved she could ride any mount to its best advantage with an excellent performance aboard Minion Mademoiselle, her son Zach’s horse whom she also showed at Monterey. Despite the fact that Mademoiselle had already shown earlier in the week with Zach, she was primed and ready to capture the unanimous decision in this great class to add another blue to the Arcuri Stables banner. Linda Hawkins and Psyche enjoyed a stellar ride for the reserve honors. This is shaping up to be one exciting championship!
The younger age group of Park Harness drivers, ages 15 and under, were next on the program. Already no stranger to the winner’s circle, Whitney Hazen directed French Intuition to the win for her parents Bill and Sammi Hazen. Mandy Villanueva and her own Springmill Navigator earned reserve honors in the class prepared by David Young.
Myriah Martin had quite the cheering squad to celebrate her victory in the 9 and Under Walk-Trot Hunter Pleasure Finals. She directed Control Your Destiny to the excellent win in her Oklahoma debut directed by Lori Marino-Beasley. Tiny Madeline Berry has a heart the size of California and she directed Park Place Bonaparte to the reserve finish, touching the hearts of her parents Sean and Linda Berry.
It was hard to get a spot ringside as the Amateur Ladies Pleasure Driving Finals entered the ring. The 14-horse competition was tough, but Erin Duffy Kelley proved tougher with a unanimous decision on the lines of her magnificent Contagious, an entry prepared for competition by David Rand. Nan Cecchettini and Cabot French Pepper continued another outstanding week in Oklahoma as they earned the reserve grand national title.
The World Championship for the Junior Exhibitors 13 and Under Classic Pleasure was an excellent competitive class, even if it was a little crowded with 18 entries filling the ring. Tricia Morrison proved up to the challenge by capably presenting Intrepid Sovereign under the guidance of John and Sherri Lampropoulos to the world championship title. Winner of a previous qualifier, Amabayus and Richard Jones made the winners earn their spot with a strong reserve finish guided by Phil Fountain.
Cassie Stevenson has won many titles in Oklahoma. Now off to college, it’s mom’s turn. Debbie Stevenson and Forest Nealon have proven to be quite a team. Debbie presented RDF Hi Voltage to the Three-Year-Old Classic Pleasure Driving World Futurity Championship. This outstanding youngster is by Nobility and out of Hi Sage Siempra and was bred by Debbie and Bob Stevenson. JoLynn Greenhaigh and DMM Heavenly Exposure put together a fine performance for reserve for Lee Gordon’s Illustrious Morgan Manor.
Two riders from Michigan topped the Walk-Trot 10-11 Hunter Pleasure Finals. Night Out and Jessie Sammut took home the top prize to Jennifer Grey of Lundington, Mich. With instruction from Katie Mair. It was Paige Bickerstaff and Six Penny Riptide who earned the reserve honors for Howard and Dorothy Pennington of Adrian, Mich. and instructor Lori Marino-Beasley.
Driving skills must run in families as Frances Pugh’s grandson Carl Johnson capably presented HVK Primary Light to the victory pass in the Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under Pleasure Driving World Championship much to the delight of his whole family including mother Holly Johnson along with trainers Ken and Diana Swanson. Alexandra Meyer and Cedar Creek Ungaro repeated their tricolor finish of a year ago as they picked up the reserve tricolor for proud mom Cathy Latta.
David Rand was back in the winner’s circle on Thursday with another unanimous decision with Mizrahi offspring for Queens River Farm. This time it was the fronty Queen’s Loverboy who captured the Three-Year-Old English Pleasure Stallion and Gelding title. In a repeat from Northampton, Luman Wadhams and Sarde’s Manstique followed with the reserve title for Dr. Kevin Schengrund.
Whitney Hazen was two for two on Thursday morning with a victory on the lines of PT Stormin Norman in the Junior Exhibitor 14 and 15 Pleasure Driving Class for the second year in a row. Tiffani Earehart and the multi-titled Nemours Courageous collected a strong reserve finish in the good class.
Herbert Kohler was on hand to witness HVK Man of Distinction capture the Ladies Park Saddle Gelding title to best a strong field of nine. Kimberly Caisse did the honors for the Kohler owned property with a terrific unanimous decision in the good class. Amy Neifert and CBMF Great Balls of Fire earned their second strong reserve tie in as many days for Copper Beech Morgan Farm.
The Gentlemen’s Classic Pleasure Driving Finals showcased many talented entries to close the Thursday afternoon session. When the judges’ cards were tied both the Grand National Champion and Reserve Champion were previous winners this week. Jim Stewart and Lookaway’s Howitzer topped the cards while Jack Gatewood and Cedar Creek Vizcaya took home the reserve title.
As the evening performance began, equitation judges Lisa Waller, Gayle Lampe and Patty Kent prepared to evaluate a challenging pattern with many different elements to determine who would win the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal Finals. Twelve riders returned and after the railwork, six entries were asked to perform the intricate workout. They were Katie Doncilovic, Nelson Gaker, Sarah Taylor, Eric Antman, Lindsey Gama and Susie Sessink. Instructor Lisa Richardson put both hands in the air as Lindsey Gama’s name was called to receive the honors. Gama has proven her abilities as a competitor throughout her career guiding her mount Royal Crown Cavalier to major victories in both Morgan and Open competition. The AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal was the crowning jewel to go with last year’s UPHA Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship guided by Kristen Spann along with Lisa Richardson.
The audience also showed its tremendous admiration and respect for many-time Grand National and World Champion Susie Sessink. Mounted on AFF The Stalker, Susie also mastered the complicated pattern to earn the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal Reserve Championship. An emotionally charged young woman, Susie thanked her instructors, also her aunt and uncle, Sandy and Calvin Sessink for their preparation in this supremely competitive venue. The stellar top ten lineup also featured; Sarah Taylor, Eric Antman, Nelson Gaker, Katie Doncilovic, Morgan Glenn, Lindsay Wood, Brittany Davis, and Sara McKay.
Jane Longenecker King took a break from Howie Schatzberg’s photography assignments long enough to masterfully capture the Amateur Roadster Under Saddle Finals. It was hard to tell who was more delighted, Jane or her mother Sally Longenecker as HVK Baymarch sped away with the tricolor directed by Robert Hughes. Coming back just a night after their own emotionally charged victory, Lisa Howa and Mt. Holly Isaiah picked up the reserve tricolor in this entertaining class.
With seventeen entries in the Junior Exhibitor 13 and Under Western Pleasure class, it was imperative that the riders navigate the ring to their best advantage. That’s exactly what Jenna Britt did aboard DFM Poetic Justice to capture the judges’ attention and take home the roses after earning the reserve title for the past two years. Jessica Sebring was the toast of Sebring Stables as she teamed up with Millbrook Spellcaster to earn reserve honors for Copper Beech Morgan Farm coached by proud parents Harry and Carolyn Sebring.
The Amateur Park Harness Mare and Gelding competition featured seven entries vying for the first to qualify for the world title. It was Old Orchard back in the limelight as Debbie Simon earned her first trip to the Oklahoma winner’s enclosure as she directed Ensbrook Chain of Command to the victory. Amanda Poirier and the crowd-pleasing JW Raire Review were beautifully turned out to capture the reserve honors prepared by Luman Wadhams.
With so many Amateur Hunter Pleasure World Championship competitors, it was necessary to work them in two groups. Eight riders from each section were asked to return for their final chance at a victory pass adorned with the roses and tricolor. After all the work was completed, it was a moment of great achievement as Melissa Walker’s name was called. Her genuine delight and love for her “Gene” were obvious as she cried her way into the winner’s circle with GPM Genesis B where a proud and pleased Garn Walker greeted them. Glacier Dreamin’ and Monty Kugeler turned in a polished performance as they picked up the reserve honors in the outstanding class under the Rickford Stables banner. The remainder of the outstanding top ten also featured; LCP Stars N’ Stripes, Cabot Top Attraction, Liberation Daddy’s Girl, Lightyear, En Excess NKS, Jax Noble Onyx, Futurity Jewel By Twist, and Beam's Red Ryder.
It was the style and polish of the East Coast Pleasure Driving Champion who rose to the top of the competitive Pleasure Driving Stallion class. Winterset Thyme N Agin stepped up with the top honors in this class for the second year in a row for Clare Simpson,. It was an east coast sweep as Mike Carpenter and On Line followed with a strong reserve finish for owner Linda Langlois.
Terry Jones Brennan’s show ring experience certainly paid off in the 19-entry Classic Pleasure World Championship. She was delighted to be announced the World Champion with a unanimous decision of the panel of judges aboard Maximum Effort, a lovely entry owned by Brennan along with parents Arthur and Gloria Jones. Coming from the opposite coast, Mike Carpenter helped to prepare the top east coast team of Riverside Buckingham and Robin Vergato for competition and they received the reserve world championship title.
The finale of the night brought the audience to life. A very vocal crowd picked out multiple favorites in the four-entry class. When it was all over, the panel made a unanimous decision to award And The Beat Goes On and Iann Fu Longenecker with the top honors for the second year in a row for Dragonsmeade. Ray Bendele and AMHF Mr. Courageous were extremely pleased with their performance to garner the reserve honors and the support of a vocal crowd for their performance directed by the River’s Edge.
Thursday – Show Arena 6
Western equitation was the showcase of the day in show arena 6. With the youngest riders starting out first, the day began with Walk-Trot Western Seat Equitation 10-11 Finals. Kelsey Kay Osborne showed off a precious look with Rebelaire Squire to top the class followed by Heaven Hendricks riding Genuine Jade. Both of these talented young riders are under the direction of Cheryl Woosley.
The 9 and under age group saw the precocious Madeline Berry make the precious victory pass for Grand National Championship honors aboard Park Place Bonaparte. Madison Nedved earned reserve honors with a stylish ride aboard The Country Agent.
Reigning Senior Western Seat Equitation World Champion turned in a precise and confident ride aboard Truly Divine to claim the first step towards a repeat world championship. To the delight of instructor Jennifer Frisbie, the talented team topped the 16-17 year old age group. Reserve in this class went to Lindsey Rank aboard Futurity’s Truly Regal.
Entries from across the country, Florida to Washington, were ready for the competition in the 14 and 15 year-old age group. Katie Teevin of Astoria, Ore., topped the good class aboard WSG Bolero for the Timberland Morgans and trainer Keith Nelsen. Logan Mather and her Stormin Ta Glide took reserve honors back to Chandler, Ariz. in their first season under the direction of Sara Mooney.
Reigning Junior Western Seat Equitation World Champion Julie Brempelis is trying to make it three in a row, with the first step being the 12 and 13 year-old qualifier, which she also won last year. The Arcuri trained entry of Brempelis and Iron Forge Aire Borne were the 2001 and 2002 Junior Western Seat World Champions. Stephanie Fejes earned reserve honors in the 12 and 13 year-old qualifier and certainly plans to give Brempelis a run for her money aboard May-Lena's Night Rhythm.
Hollie Luedtke was greeted in the winner’s circle by her mom and sister as she earned the 11 and under title aboard Evil Knievel after earning reserve honors in this class last year. Kimberly Forster moved up from the 9 and under ranks with ease capturing the reserve 11 and under title aboard Pondview Lady Hawk.
Thursday – Show Arena 9
Nanton’s Bossanova continued his winning ways in the hunter division by starting off Thursday with another victory pass, this time in Working Hunter II. Earl McFall was in the irons for owner Carrie Klooster. Julie Pickering and her talented Mineral’s Country Playboy earned the reserve tie in the class.
Kate Silberman and LR Amie Savoir Faire stepped up into first place in the Jumper III competition followed by Laura Maxwell and MossRose Opening Verse.
The afternoon session once again featured the carriage driving classes. Today it was the Pick Your Route competition. TFM Joan D’Arc and Jon topped the single entries May. Cathy Grimes and PAF Cajun Moon earned the reserve tie in the class repeating last year’s reserve finish.
The multiple entries once again featured Victoria Bennett’s horses in the winner’s circle for their third victory pass of the show thus far. Bethesda Nickelodeon, Greentree Zeus, Fortune’s Aquila, and Stonelock Maestro were masterfully handled by Bill Lower. Anita Meinert and her My Diamond in the Rough and N’Sync earned the reserve finish.
|