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Top Competition Highlights Tuesday's Grand National Performances



Show Arena 6     The Tuesday morning and afternoon sessions traded venues with the park and pleasure horses moving to the show arena in the morning followed by hunter and western events returning for the afternoon. Other than not having a spacious empty upstairs, the setting in Show Arena 6 is virtually the same as far as the horses and exhibitors go.     Stand and Deliver did just that in the Four-Year-Old Park Harness Stallion class and did so by marching a big trot both ways of the ring for trainer/driver Mike Goebig and owner Tara Lindeen. The only other competition was the leg-waving Queen's Guardian, driven by Mike Carpenter for Carpenter and Kelley.     Tim Roesink and Grove Pointe Stables continued the blue ribbon streak with Liberation Instant Replay and Jan Marie Evans turning in the winning performance in the Classic Pleasure Saddle Stallion/Gelding 15.1 hands & Over competition. Kimberly Ruffel turned in the reserve performance aboard Futurity's Flamboyant. Strike It Rich and Sally Lawing were third in the deep class.     It had also been a great week for the Greg Miller family up to this point and Rachel Miller and Ryan's Got The Beat made it even better with their win in the 11 & Under Pleasure Driving class. All go forward, Marathon's Electrafire was the reserve champion with Anna McLallin on the lines for Jacqueline Clapp.     Classic pleasure competition brought 18 entries into the ring for the mare saddle class. Miss Voodoo and Joel Chauran earned the judges' nod with a stylish performance for owner Mona Skager. They were followed by Goldencrest Aleksis and Inge Johnsen with their second reserve in as many days.     The loveliest ladies of the show ring brought their park harness mares into the show arena for the judges' perusal in the next class. Judy Whitney Harris showed Barbara and Arthur Jones' Sheza Belle to the first place honors with a sparkling performance. Robin Rednor Veghte and Cedar Creek With Bells On earned the reserve honors with an elegant performance in the five-entry class.     Once again the numbers skyrocketed for the classic pleasure division. This time 18 stallions and geldings under 15.1 hands claimed the arena. Leslie Kelley and Prindle's Mere Mortal were the overachievers to claim the title with their quality and good looks. Jessica Matilla cheered on her sporty McCartney to the reserve honors with Joel Chauran back in the saddle. They were followed by Jan Lazar and her Highland Ridge Daniel in their first trip to OKC.     Junior exhibitors next picked up the park division with four teams battling it out for the 15 and under park saddle honors. Last year's reserve champion team of Sarah Lee and En Possession NKS were primed and ready for Grand National honors with a unanimous showing under the Keith Nelsen Stables banner. They made a stellar performance to top the reserve team of Blanche Bauer and her HVK Noble Flame.     John Huse posted another winning ribbon on the Indian Creek tack room with his definitive win in the Pleasure Driving Amateur Mare class with SBS In The Mood. Ann Hailey has enjoyed a terrific show already and was pleased to add a reserve ribbon with RKB Sizzle to her growing list of top performances for the Copper Beech Morgan Farm with Tim Roesink directing the stylish chestnut.     HVK Stueben announced her presence in the English Pleasure Mare competition. Steve DeBolt directed the winning ride in the six entry class on Kohler Stables sparkling entry. Closest in the ribbons was Tara's Heavenly and Glenn Bouvier in reserve for owners John and Christina Stephenson.     Tara Farm celebrated the win of the reigning world championship team of HVK Primary Light and Carl Johnson in the Junior Exhibitor 12 and 13 Pleasure Driving Class. Alyssa Wick and Mirabel's Dartanyan earned the reserve honors in the competitive class.     The professionals turned out with champions from across the country to entertain in the English Pleasure Gelding competition. Besting a field of 12 entries, Keith Nelsen and Mantic Top Gun were at the top of their game for owners Jim and Carole Bradford. Mike Carpenter pushed the winners with a stellar performance by CPM Man Oh Man for owners Daniel and Leslie Kelley.     Kurt and Teri Rumens both enjoyed victory passes on Tuesday. Kurt started things off with a strong showing by Pondview Tres Bien to earn the Pleasure Driving Amateur Stallion title under the direction of Bill Grundmeyer. Connie Locher and her FRF Exodus were the talented reserve winners directed by David Young.     After a short break, afternoon competition in ring 6 featured the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal Preliminaries. Sixteen entries performed and 12 entries made the cut. In numerical order, they are Kara Hose, Lindsay Wood, Jamie Kalalas, Sarah Taylor, Britni Olsen, Emily Buchanan, Holly Carlton, Morgan Glenn, Sarah Shimmer, Cressi Bryant, Brooke Gove, and Catherine Hendrickson.     The Low Working Hunter Under Saddle competition saw 16 teams fill the ring with Radiance in Harmony and Bethanne Ridgeway earning the honors for owners Robert and Jennifer Ridgeway. Their closest competitors were Melendy Cash Mare and Kelsey Robinson for the Melendy Farm.     Nineteen entries in the Carriage Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship Single class were split into two sections. The first section featured Triton RLM Classic and Cathy Grimes making their victory pass for Lorelei Lindenmayer followed by Sherri Lower and her Bethesda Nickelodeon.     The second section had a brand new crop of talented entries who were topped by Beta B Provocative and Martha Wetmore for BSF Inc. Repeating a reserve performance from last year were Greentree Brigadier and Cece Green for the Greentree Ranch Morgans.     Show Arena 9     While the performance exhibitors were going head to head all morning in the coliseum and show arena 6, the reining enthusiasts settled into show arena 9 to determine the World Champion in the Reining Snaffle Bit/Hackamore section. Sterling Slemp and Morganquest Native Sun upset last year's winner Mark Wilcher and Heartquest Erin to take the World Championship home to Duane, Shirley and Tane Burris. The talented Heartquest Erin is owned by Leroy Stockton.     The Reining World Champion was also determined Tuesday morning with nine entries competing for the title. There were new names at the top of the list this year with Elizabeth McNealey and JMF White Knight sliding their way to the winner's circle. Earning reserve honors in the fantastic class were Jarvis Anderson and LMC Summit Rose for owners Jean Keffler and David Stanley.     Free style reining competition opened the afternoon session in arena 9 with the Non-Pro Finals taking the stage first. Many time winner in this division, Travis Filipek, directed Painters Pine Ridge to best a field of seven entries with Shawn Gallagher and Challie's Firethorn earning the reserve honors.     The open finals saw Mark Wilcher earning both the top two spots, first with Atakapa Waushau for Odom Farm followed by Heartquest Erin who earned her second reserve title of the day for owner Leroy Stockton.     The Trail competition was next to set up shop in ring 9. Elkland Oaks Connie and Lendol Diehl topped a field of six talented western trail entries in the open section and returned to earn a reserve in the amateur section. Lisa Reik and Wintergreen Marquis were the open reserve winners. Grace Jacobus and I Love Lucy upset the winners of the open competition to claim the amateur title.     The junior exhibitor trail competition featured five talented teams. Karlie Bagan and Garahlee Val's Sky High earned the decision followed by Blue Flag Whimsy and Krystle Pennington.     Ring 9 showcased the carriage dressage driving finals during the evening session. Ten talented entries filled the arena for the preliminary level finals. Cathy Grimes and Triton RLM Classic made their second victory pass of the day to top the dressage driving as well as claiming the reinsmanship earlier. Lorelei Lindenmayer owns this talented entry. Irene Nedved and her Believe It Or Not earned reserve honors in the competitive class.     Five entries competed at the intermediate level with Bethesda Nickelodeon and Sherri Lower making another outstanding performance today to top the class. Michael John Ridge and Prince of Jazz were in top form to claim the reserve finish. Coliseum     Hunter and western enthusiasts gathered in the coliseum to open a long day of competition for those two divisions.     Twelve amateur ladies showcased their hunter pleasure mares to start things off. Whitney Singer Porter and Jax Noble Onyx were at their best to earn the title for the Meadow Lane Farm after finishing in reserve earlier this week in the amateur mare competition. Pressing the champions but settling for reserve were Donna O'Neill and Bold Allante.     Switching over to western competition, the young three-year-old mares entertained the crowd with Judy Nason and ECP The Seventh Stone earning the Grand National title for Erika Ramsey. Jordy Johns and BPM Estralita De Oro were reserve winners for Allen and Kristen Breyer's Briar Patch Morgans.     An amazing 21 entries entered the coliseum for the Ladies Amateur Gelding Hunter Pleasure Class. Jennifer Cooley and her Sight Unseen couldn't be missed with their outstanding performance to win the class. This was their second Grand National title of the week so far, winning the Amateur Stallion and Gelding class already. Jennifer Grey pushed hard with a reserve finish aboard Night Out.     The Western Pleasure Youth Finals featured 14 talented teams, but the judges selected only one Magnificentlee and Christina Willer to be the Grand National champions for owner Barbara Ann Pionk. Erika Mitchell directed Equinox Beau Jangles to the reserve finish for owner John Vieira.     Next it was time for the professionals to don the hard hats as 11 top performing entries filled the ring for the Stallion/Gelding 15.1 Hands and Over Hunter Pleasure Class. Dan Ramsour and WH Zimbabwe reclaimed their title for the third consecutive year for Valencia Creek Morgans. Jennifer McFall and En Excess NKS had to settle for reserve honors in the outstanding class.     The first qualifier for the Amateur Western Pleasure World Championship went to Gulfwind Wild Solitaire and Margaret McKnight Troedsson for Paul and Evelyn McKnight. This talented team has earned blue ribbons all season long at shows like Citrus Cup, Southern States and New England. Rebecca Miller and MLF Diamond Lil landed the reserve prize in the deep class of 17 entries.     Nineteen 14 and 15 year olds showcased their hunter pleasure entries for the judges. Katelyn Jenkins and Treble's Johnny Be Goode were just that to claim the top honors with a majority vote. They were followed by highly acclaimed team of Sasha Klein and her Indian Creek Final Touch in their OKC team debut.     The Four-Year-Old Western Pleasure Stallions/Geldings took over the ring with Jordy Johns directing Canabar Red Line to the winner's circle for himself as well as Rick Strieter. This capped off an exciting season of wins by this team earned at Prairie State, North Star and Jubilee. Reserve to the champions were the top Colorado based team of Dale Rickford and Maximum Pepper for Richard, Janet and Megan Lindeberg.     Then it was a return to the junior exhibitor hunter pleasure entries, this time for the senior riders aged 16 and 17. A total of 28 teams were evenly divided into two sections. In the first section, Allie Rowbottom and Cabot Courage Command defended their title and took the title back to New England once again. The reserve ribbon went to Bre Schultz and Ha-Ho Windstar in the competitive 14 entry class.     The second section also featured 14 talented teams, this time it was Connecticut Morgan winner FZM Hale Bopp and Erica Santa making the victory pass with a stylish performance directed by Cindy Mugnier. Second to the champions were the Florida based team of I'm Irish and Brittany Morris for owner Lora Dunlap.     Seven pleasure driving two-year-old geldings opened the afternoon session in the coliseum with an exciting class. Circle J winners, Bob Kellert and AMHF's June Star claimed the top spot for owner Margaret Thompson followed by Scott Gunberg and Acheron claiming reserve for the Slightly Jaded Partnership.     Then 19 western pleasure three-year-old stallions and geldings stormed the ring. Ron Brouwer emerged the victor. He directed Coulee Bend Galileo to the winner's circle for owner Aline Young. Garn Walker earned the reserve ribbon in the competitive class with his own Metolius.     A small but outstanding Four-Year-Old Park Harness Mare and Gelding class showcased Peggy Alderman and her Bada Bing at the top of the judges' cards. Shanna Gish and MEM No Inhibitions had an outstanding go to earn reserve honors for Maine Event Morgans.     Teri Rumens wasn't about to let husband Kurt have all the fun for the day. She was aboard Baccarat's Noble Cause to bring home the second blue ribbon of the day to the Fire Run Farm in the English Pleasure Ladies Amateur Gelding Class. Sally Lawing and her AKM Manhattan earned reserve honors in the thirteen entry forum.     Wiona's Sweet Obsession and Judy Whitney Harris put their stamp on the Pleasure Driving Two-Year-Old Mare competition with a performance worthy of a Grand National blue for owner Patrick Lynch. Tim Roesink and Laura Braddock's Elegance in Motion gave a strong effort on their way to a reserve finish.     There was a large turnout in the Hunter Pleasure Ladies Gelding class, so the class was split into two sections with 12 horses competing in the first and 13 horses in the second. Topping the first section were Jennifer McFall and Light Year with an outstanding performance for owner Melissa Hart. Reserve to the champions were Mary Carlton and FCF Valparaiso for owner Pam McLellan.     The second section showcased LIV Man of Steel and Mary Antinozzi who received a strong show of support from their cheering section performing for Livingston Morgans LLC. Judy Martin and Hasty's Honor settled in with a reserve performance representing Canada.     A very competitive three-year-old group of stallions and geldings put on a show in the pleasure driving division. FRF Seattle Reign and David Rand bested a field of 15 top entries to claim the Grand National title for owner Jeffrey Gove. Jim Taylor made an outstanding performance to earn the reserve ribbon with Almost Famous who also enjoyed a show of support from the crowd to the delight of owners Elizabeth and Tom Burick.     Virginia Adams and He's Simply Marvelous repeated as Grand National champions in the Amateur Geldings 15.1 Hands and Over Western Pleasure Class for the Unicorn Morgans. Annie Morgan and her Shaker's LaStrada had a beautiful class to earn the reserve finish.     In another impressive young horse class, Soul Sister and Gerry Rushton topped a thirteen entry Three-Year-Old Mare Pleasure Driving Class for owners Rick and Karen Shepherd with an eye-catching performance. This team has swept three-year-old competition at Circle J and Morgan Medallion and came to Oklahoma ready to do the same. Another of many talented Goebig/Nord entries, CH Debutante took reserve honors with a smooth performance with Mike Goebig directing for owner Cindy Nord.     The Under 15.1 Hand set of the amateur western pleasure geldings had to be split with thirteen entries in each section. Julie Christopher and Bear Brook Supreme Bar earned the honors in the first section for a delighted Ron Blackman who said his dream after years in the horse business was to have a horse that won at the Grand National. Reserve was earned by Kris Ann Jardin and Equinox Beau Jangles, owned by John Vieira. The second section showcased crowd favorite Ling Fu Wylie and Troika's Black Russian in the winner's circle. This talented team is fresh off a win from Jubilee under the Cedar Creek banner. Jen Corbin and Cedarfarm Lancelot picked up the reserve honors for Judy Corbin.     Another entertaining class, the Two-Year-Old Stallion Pleasure Driving venue had eight entries, all vying for the title. In the end, the judges' decision went to Jeff White and Connecticut Morgan champion MEM Say My Name, an entry owned by Maine Event Morgans. Ken Swanson and Tara's Firewalker took the red ribbon back to Frances Pugh with a stylish performance and a promising future ahead.     A picture perfect performance by Karie Miller and Unfaithful earned the Ladies Amateur Mare English Pleasure title. They were met in the winner's circle by Forrest Nealon for owner Dawn Diovera. Casey McDonald and Southern Rhythm were the beautiful reserve winners for Firewind Morgans.     Only one entry was in the ring for the Park Harness Mare and Gelding class but SpringMill Sequel left everyone wanting more and anxious to see them take on the stallions in the championship. Kurt Hufferd made the presentation for the SpringMill Morgans and added the Grand National blue to a season of blue ribbons earned at Indy Charity, Midwest, Indiana Morgan and New England.     The afternoon session closed with a talented group of young riders vying for the English Pleasure Youth Finals. Serena Chaves and OH Independence Hall finished off a season of wins that include Vermont, Connecticut and Mass Morgan by capturing the attention of the judges and earned her Grand National victory pass for owner Missy Ayers. Sarah Gove left no room for mistakes with a strong performance aboard Dorneywood Stars and Stripes for owner Kristen Farley.     Following the world champion reining presentations, the evening's first class was the Hunter Pleasure Mare competition. Shaker's Maribeles and Mary Carlton beat out last year's Grand National Championship team of Kathleen Peeples and RTS Miss Belle Pepper in a very competitive class. Fay Lowry and Liberation Daddy's Girl were a strong third place finish.     Keith Nelsen ran to the winner's circle to meet repeat winner QVM Collector's Edition and daughter Natalie Nelsen in the Junior Exhibitor 12 and 13 Year Old Western Pleasure Class. Quincy Valley Morgans own the polished and consistent entry. Judy Nason coached the world titled team of DFM Poetic Justice and Jenna Britt from the rail to earn a reserve finish in the nine entry class. Alyssa Rumsey and Clearly Crystal earned a good third place finish.     Sixteen amateur pleasure driving teams filled the ring for the gelding section of competition. After quickly working the field, the judges kept ten entries for further work. Working hard to earn their victory, Ann Hailey and Contagious enjoyed a fabulous victory for the Copper Beech Morgan Farm. Harry Sebring met the winners in center ring to celebrate this memorable victory. Priscilla Marconi and WSG Circumstan'l Evidence turned in a dynamic performance to collect the reserve honors this time out. Can't You See MEM continued an impressive show with third place finish with owner Phyllis Frechette on the lines.     Fifteen top hunter pleasure stallions and geldings under 15.1 hands entertained the crowd next with Mary Carlton earning another blue ribbon in what is already a terrific show for her. Gold Cup and Indiana winner Paradigm Power Surge stepped up to the open division to top the competitive class for owner Jessica McHale. Jennifer McFall was right there for a reserve finish aboard the bold striding Uppercase Beaudacious for owners Karen and Richard Rosini.     A couple of one entry classes were disappointing on the competition end, but the entries in each class made sure they gave the crowd something to cheer about. Kathy Papola guided HVK Flash Back to the title in the Ladies Park Harness Gelding class.     Kristen LaCava directed Moreover through the victory pass in the Junior Exhibitor 16 and 17 Park Saddle Class. This capped off a season of wins earned at Maine Morgan, New England Morgan and Mass Morgan performing for Fathers & Sons directed by Stonegate Farm.     Next were the English Pleasure Stallions and Frank Miller enjoyed a round of applause for his win with the splashy Nocturnal Flash. 3 S's LLC own this lit up entry. Phil Fountain directed the reserve winner in the class of four, Cairnbrae Courage Forever, an entry owned by Cairnbrae Farm.     The Western Pleasure Amateur Stallions had seven entries. Kathy Papola made her second victory pass of the evening following a quick change to present her handsome Cabot French Lieutenant. This is the third year in a row for this outstanding team to win this class under the direction of Dan Ramsour for Baccarat Farms. The stylish pairing of Karie Miller and Fiddler's O'Flairegan earned the reserve honors for Greg and Linda Miller.     There were four entries in the evening's finale, the Park Harness Stallion Class. Each of the top performing stallions had their cheering sections urging them on, but in the end, last year's World Champion sensation Will-O-Way Moment In Time and David Earehart returned to the winner's circle. Elmer Gross and Mary Ann Davis own this showy entry. Rick Stevens was reserve in this class last year with CN The Commanding Touch. This year he finished in reserve with last year's Four-Year-Old Grand National Champion Stonecroft Trilogy, putting on a solid showing for John Scheidt and Don Spear. AMHF Mr. Courageous and Bob Kellert earned the third place ribbon and a strong showing of support for Drs. Ray and Alison Bendele. And rounding out the talented entries were Brian Stewart and the flashy Minion Millennium, performing for new owner Margaret Van Meter.

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