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Timing Is Everything At Monterey




by Leeann Mione


MONTEREY, Calif. - The Monterey Springfest Horse Show is always a welcome sign that the West Coast show season has begun and spring has arrived in California. This year, however, spring began, or rather continued, with the constant rain that has plagued California for months.

Monterey Springfest, for the most part, didn’t have too much trouble with the rain although it may have been the reason entries were so light this year. Many barns with outdoor rings have had to suffer the rain for months and have been unable to work horses. In fact, one of the west coast’s largest hunter/jumper competitions was cancelled due to the rainy season.

With the exception of a couple of classes where rain soaked horses and riders, most sessions were able to dodge the bullet. It seemed to rain just before or just after the session. Production co-manager Rae Dean Stone made the decision to move Saturday evening’s session to the end of the afternoon session because of the threat of a storm and the timing proved to be perfect.

Some of the barns that made the trip to Monterey were fresh from wins or reserves at the Cow Palace Horse Show in San Francisco, which had a radical change in dates this year and actually preceded Monterey for the first time. Other barns were kicking off their show season at Monterey.

Gary Garone traveled across the country to judge the Saddlebreds, Hackneys, roadsters, Friesians, and saddle seat equitation. Rick Osteen was show photographer. Leonora Bedolla was co-production manager and Harriet Landrum was competition manager.

Roxanne Hood and Cynthia Reid were competition secretary and USEF Steward, respectively. Anne Blecker was the paddock steward and Malcolm Rossell was announcer. Jim Trader served as organist and Jim Kurtze was the awards coordinator. Terry Brennan was the ring mistress.

Dave Fraser actually ended up with plenty of time on his hands with only one thrown shoe during the show. That shoe came off in of all places the Roadster To Bike Stake. Despite all the rain, the ring was kept in very good shape and complaints about the footing were minimal despite the show serving many different breeds including Tennessee Walking Horses, Icelandics and Missouri Fox Trotters.

Hospitality included the welcome barbecue meal on Wednesday after the session and was sponsored by Woodhaven Farm. Friday evening the champagne and dessert party was held but this year, instead of being in the outside aisle in front of Diamond Hills, it was held in the clubhouse in case of rain. It actually turned out to be a great spot. People were able to sit and relax and mingle a little bit and enjoy the great desserts and camaraderie. Michael Craghead celebrated his birthday with a cake presented by Janine Hill. She also sponsored the party again this year.

Bennett Stables followed up their success at Cow Palace with a successful weekend in Monterey. Breen Cullen took the first blue of the show with Goodtime Jimmy when Judge Gary Garone named them the winners of the Denver Junior/Limit Five-Gaited class.

Kathren Hain rode Ate fan Bartlehiem to the blue in the Friesian Saddle Seat English Pleasure class for Janna and Ron Goldman. Black Sterling Friesians had a successful weekend in Monterey with their numerous entries.

Periempress and Marie Peyman kicked things off for Woodhaven when Garone named them the winners of the Open Three-Gaited class for Bob Facciola.

With an eye on competing in the new western pleasure invitational class at Louisville, Doug Glick masterfully teamed CH Fiasco to the win in the six-entry Open Western Country Pleasure class for Carolyn Glick. Michael Craghead directed the winning team.

Lady Treasure and Martha Keck teamed up for the win in the Open Fine Harness class under the direction of Dick Boettcher.

The park horses were next through the gate for their open qualifier and a trio of entries made the call. Jesse West was all smiles when The Enhancer was named the winner for owner Barry Lueck. Lisa Lesch of Silver Oaks Saddlebreds directed the winning team.

Kathren Hain and Wiebven fan Mirns won the Friesian English Pleasure Walk and Trot class for Black Sterling Friesians to add another blue to their total.

Cory Campbell and For Art’s Sake topped four other teams to take the title in the Three-Gaited Pleasure Limit Rider class for owners Jessica Fishman and Bennett Farm.

Breen Cullen was back in the winner’s circle to add another win to the Bennett Farm total with Splendida. She rode to the title in the Hunter Country Pleasure Open class for owner Marlene Dennis.

Cathy Sauer took the win to a large show of support from the crowd with her Show Pleasure Driving winner Doubletrees Doubletake. Sauer topped a trio of other teams under the direction of Diamond Hills.

Rich Swiger was one of the unlucky ones who didn’t quite miss the rain. He put Doubletrees Hearts A Fire through her paces in the heavy rain to take the blue in the finale of the show’s first session; Open Five-Gaited. Swiger rode for owner Robert Lanig.

Thursday afternoon began with the Open Roadster Pony class and featured a trio of entries. PT Cruiser and Marie Peyman took the blue to continue the Woodhaven win streak.

Gen Hess and I’m Lucky followed up their wins at Cow Palace with the blue ribbon effort in the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure class for Pleasants Valley Stables.

Lisa Lesch teamed The Ring Of Fire to the win in the Denver Junior/Limit Fine Harness class for owner Gary Gustafson.

Julia Goldman made winning for Black Sterling Friesians a family affair when Ronald van de Zuiderwaard won the Open English Pleasure class.. The Friesian took the win amongst a trio of top Saddlebred competitors.

Hella Good and Martha Keck followed up their wins at UPHA Chapter 2 with the win in the five-gaited pleasure qualifier to add another blue to the Boettcher Stable total.

Snow Lovely of Silver Oaks with co-owner Lisa Lesch on board won the Open Park Pleasure class for co-owner Susan Duncan and Silver Oaks Saddlebreds.

Patty Ladd also made the trip to Monterey after successfully showing at Cow Palace and she took the winning ride with Richard’s Time in the Open Country Pleasure class among a group of four entries.

Brigitte Scholl brought the Monarch Stables entries and came away with numerous wins including the Friesian English Pleasure Junior Horse win. Scholl rode Douwke G for owner Tiffany Ballard.

Splendida and Breen Cullen won the Saddle & Bridle Hunt Seat Classic to add another blue to their total.

After a gate hold, Cullen was right back in the ring, but this time with her Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure contender Callaway’s Liberty Valance. Cullen took the win in the six-entry class under the Bennett Stables banner.

Woodhaven was at the top of the card in Thursday evening’s first class, which was a crowd pleaser. Muddy Waters and Bob Facciola headed for the winner’s circle in the Open Roadster To Bike class.

The juvenile riders got their turn to show off for the audience next. Grace Solada qualified The Irish Ember with the winning ride in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited class for owner Janine Hill.

Fellow Diamond Hills teammate, CH Like Sunshine, also took a winning trip. Julia Chen headed for the victory pass in the Ladies/Amateur Three-Gaited class for Susan Valley Chen.

A trio of Friesians competed in the Amateur Friesian English Pleasure class but it was Black Sterling Friesians taking the winning trip again. This time Janna Goldman was up on Ravello for the title.

Heartland Candidate and Sandra Surber have been consistently great over the years under the direction of Dixon Stables. They put together the winning drive in the Open Hackney Pony class.

No Jacket Required and Sally Spalding, another team consistently at the top, earned the blue ribbon in the Ladies/Amateur Fine Harness class in their first appearance of the show.

Altadena Starlight and Laura Denenholz won the juvenile pleasure qualifier for Judy Denenholz under the direction of Altadena Stables.

Greg Carstens directed Mary Teter and Awesome Spirit to the win in the Hackney Pleasure Driving class for Dr. Gordon and Mary Teter.

Full Spectrum kept Martha Keck’s win streak going when Judge Garone named them the winners of the five-entry Amateur Five-Gaited qualifier from Boettcher Stables.

Denenholz and Altadena Starlight were right back in the winner’s circle but this time in the equitation division. They won the UPHA 17 and Under Challenge Cup to close out the Thursday evening session.

Ronald van de Zuiderwaard and Julia Goldman claimed the blue ribbon in the Friesian Show Driving class to start things off Friday morning for Black Sterling Friesians.

Siri Hadland was met by instructor Brigitte Scholl when she won the 14 –17 equitation class with CH Blue Ridge Miles.

Awesome Spirit and Mary Teter returned to be named the Hackney Pleasure Driving Grand Champions from Seamair Farm.

Sarah Wolfe and Shamrock’s Jessica won the Three-Gaited Pleasure Limit Rider Stake to put the tricolor on the Monarch Stables tack room wall. For Art’s Sake and Coryn Campbell finished as reserve grand champions.

Royal Crest’s Rockapella and Sarah Dawe were the 10 and Under Walk and Trot UPHA Challenge Cup Champions from Monarch Stables.

Wiebven fan Mirns and Kathren Hain followed up their qualifier win with the tricolor in the Friesian English Pleasure Walk and Trot Stake. Ewout VD and Ron Goldman were the reserve grand champions from Black Sterling.

Cara Sivara and Mister Snapple were met by Jennifer Dixon when they won the 13 and under equitation class to claim the blue prize.

Royal Crest’s Rockapella also won the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Pleasure Pony class with Dawe to continue a busy but successful show for the pair.

Kevin Michael was battling being sick when he showed Evert in the rain to win the Friesian Western class for owner Phoebe Von Migula. He made it look easy to add another win to the Diamond Hills total.

Spendida and Breen Cullen followed up their qualifier win with the tricolor in the Hunter Country Pleasure Stake. Thank Heaven and Deborah Jones were named the reserve grand champions.

Michael Craghead took the lines of No Jacket Required to get things started Friday evening in the Fine Harness Stake. He drove to the winner’s circle for the Spaldings. Lady Treasure and Martha Keck were reserve grand champions and unfortunately had to call for two time outs to fix equipment.

Periempress and Marie Peyman came back in the Three-Gaited Stake to earn the tricolor for Woodhaven and were followed in the ribbons by Long Stem Rose and Brigitte Scholl of Monarch for owner Marcia Sola.

Ravello and Janna Goldman won the Amateur English Pleasure Stake to make it two-for-two in the amateur division. Gysbert Fan Marksate and Janine Hill claimed the reserve tricolor for Diamond Hills.

Bruce Dixon brought The Georgia Peach back in the Three-Gaited Park Stake for Julie Strietfield and they were victorious. The Enhancer finished in reserve with Jesse West riding again for Barry Lueck.

Doubletrees Doubletake and Cathy Sauer won the Show Pleasure Driving Stake after their win earlier in the week. They were followed in the ribbons by Attache’s Feather Walker and Jana Anderson from Dick Boettcher Stables.

Chuck Court brought his group from Canada to once again support the Monterey Springfest and he came away with the tricolor after Garone named Megawatt the winner of the Five-Gaited Stake for Hal and Elizabeth Thompson. Doubletrees Hearts A Fire and Swiger were reserve grand champions.

Jimmy Jimmy Coco Puff and Hunter Jones won the 7 and Under Leadline class to add to the Jones family ribbon count.

The Irish Ember made it a clean sweep in the Juvenile Five-Gaited Stake when Jared Hill returned to take the win with his familiar campaigner. Su Casa and Stephanie Duck from Monarch were reserve.

Ronald van de Zuiderwaard and Julia Goldman earned yet another winning title when they won the English Pleasure Stake for Janna and Ron Goldman. Kathie Dunn followed up her efforts at Cow Palace with the reserve grand championship title. She rode her beloved I’m W. O. Bentley to the reserve title.

CH Fiasco moved one step closer to possible qualification for Louisville when Doug Glick rode to the winner’s circle in the Western Country Pleasure Stake. I’m Lucky and Gen Hess were the reserve winners for Pleasants Valley.

Brigitte Scholl and Douwke G returned in the Friesian English Pleasure Junior Horse Stake to earn the tricolor for Tiffany Ballard. Kyra fan’e Lytse Mar was the reserve grand champion for Ballard as well. Alexandra Johnson rode to the reserve streamers.

Hella Good and Martha Keck captured the Five-Gaited Pleasure Stake tricolor to close out their second successful show of the season. Doubletrees Caper Style and Karen Lachman were reserve under the direction of Don and Allison Deardorff.

Siri Hadland added yet another equitation victory to her impressive resume with CH Blue Ridge Miles. They won the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship, instructed by Brigitte Scholl. Laura Denenholz was reserve with Altadena Starlight.

Kathy Krause moved way up in the ribbons to earn one of her nicest victories yet with Mahvalous Revival. The pair earned the tricolor in the four-entry Country Pleasure Stake under the direction of Dick Boettcher.

Deposit Required was the reserve grand champion with Anne Jaeger showing for owner Sara Long under the direction of Dixon Stables.

Heartland Candidate and Sandra Surber took top honors in the Hackney Pony Stake to add the tricolor to the Dixon Stable count. Running Tab and Ed Ross were reserve from Deardorff Stable LLC.

Snow Lovely Of Silver Oaks and Lisa Lesch followed up their qualifier win with the tricolor ride in the Park Pleasure Stake for Lesch and Duncan and Silver Oaks Saddlebreds.

Sarah Dawe and Royal Crest’s Rockapella won the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Equitation class under the Monarch Stables banner.

Ate Van de Wittwijk and Julia Goldman were the Junior Exhibitor Friesian English Pleasure Walk and Trot Grand Champions for Black Sterling. Kyra fan’e Lytse Mar and Siri Hadland were reserve grand champions for Tiffany Ballard.

Altedena Starlight from Altadena Stables and Mister Snapple from Dixon Stable finished one and two, respectively, in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake.

The Roadster To Bike Stake began the final session of the show. Once again Bob Facciola was victorious with Muddy Waters. Fidencio Maturino drove Facciola’s other entry, The Main Man, to reserve for Woodhaven.

CH Like Sunshine and Julia Chen were also repeat winners. They followed up their qualifier win with the tricolor effort in the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake. Absolute Courage and Robin Powers took the reserve streamers in the three-entry class.

Ate fan Bartlehiem and Douwke G were one and two respectively in the Friesian English Pleasure Stake with Janna Goldman up on Ate and Brigitte Scholl up on Douwke.

PT Cruiser was two for two for Woodhaven when he was named the Roadster Pony Grand Champion with Marie Peyman driving to follow up the open class win. Seamair’s Awesome Dancer and Julie DeVault stepped into their new division and finished as reserve grand champions under the direction of Greg Carstens.

Callaway’s Liberty Valance and Breen Cullen topped four other teams for the tricolor win in the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake. Magic March and Susan Chen were reserve grand champions.

The amateur five-gaited riders closed out the show with their amateur stake and it was a nice group of five that came through the gate. Full Spectrum and Martha Keck were once again on top of their game and finished as the grand champions. Hot Irish Nite, owned by Janet Homberg, was the reserve grand champion with Susan Valley Chen catch riding.

 

Complete results may be seen by clicking on Show Results.

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