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Tuesday Morning Lexington



First of the day sessions for the week, Tuesday was dedicated to young riders, young drivers and young ponies. Displaying their years of dedication to perfecting horsemanship, the 17-year-old equitation riders were the first to occupy the Red Mile. Jordan Underwood impressed judge Jan Lukens the most as she made the victory pass representing Biggins Stables. A veteran of top prizes, Cape Cod’s Sarah Taylor rode out with the red streamers. Cape Cod was back again in the next class as super pony CH Sammyshine ate up the track with longtime partner Cydni Simmons turning in the winning ride in the Five-Gaited Pony qualifier. Infinity Stables had Ivy Johnson and Miss Outta My Way cranking for the reserve title. The first of the DeLovely riders to crack the winner’s circle was 16-Year-Old Equitation Champion Mandy Martin. Her smart ride was followed by the multi-titled Blair Barrett who has been a force under the Zubrod program. Driving for Susan Ellis, Gib Marcucci presented Pretty Impressive to take the top prize money in the UPHA Harness Pony Classic. This bright youngster was followed in the ribbons by Midwest winner Heartland Head Of The Class, another of the young stars presented by the Kolkman/Campbell team. It was quite a morning for the Boggs family as Emily Garten added another blue prize to the Cape Cod tack room with her winning performance in the 15-Year-Old Equitation class. She had to be good as the many times champion Shana Jo Brown was in the reserve slot for Memory Lane Farm. A large field of adult pleasure driving horses entertained the morning audience with many making topnotch performances. Leading the way, however, was the always expressive Harlem Heat. McConnell Stables directed owner/driver Lib Jones down victory lane in this one. Pushing every step of the way CH Tamarack’s Lightning Strikes was the reserve champion with Tara Duff at the whip. There was an all-star cast on hand for the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving class as well. Ali Degray and Reedann’s Whispering Leaves represented Gimpel Stables with a blue ribbon performance. The next best show came from world’s champion CH Advantage Me and Aliyah Asch. World and national champions were everywhere you looked in the Three-Gaited Pony qualifier and when it was all said and done, Shelby Gregory had the biggest smile on her face of any of the young riders. Her winning mount was CH Highpoint’s Fantasia. No strangers to top prizes, Yasmin Wazir and Lost Token emerged with the reserve prize. The Northeast was well represented in the next class as the impressive young horseman Kyle Gagnon was called to the winner’s circle of the 14-Year-Old Equitation class. Next in line for a ribbon was Tara Grom who is becoming a well rounded rider in equitation and performance classes. These two riders represented Fairfield South and Revelation Farm, respectively. Heartland High Tech paraded down the straightaways popping his legs off both ends to win the UPHA Hackney Pony Classic for owner/breeder/driver Darrel Kolkman. Also from the Heartland Hackney breeding program, Heartland Summer Storm was the reserve champion for trainer Geoff Dixon and owners Betty and Warren Featherston. A standout on the rail and with her pattern, Brittany McGinnis delivered another winning ride for DeLovely Farm. This one came in the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup in which Casey Morgan Tibolet was awarded reserve. The third Lexington Junior League winner of the morning from McConnell Stables, Callaway’s Cassandra was right on the money pass after pass with Christy Howard Parsons making the blue ribbon ride. Another fancy entry, Lady Mysterious was named reserve for owner/rider Marion Bryan. Pleasure equitation has been growing in all parts of the country, the morning’s class was split into two age groups. The 14-17 riders were tested first and passing that test with flying colors was Knollwood Farm’s Kelsey Nichole Smith. Second on the card was Fairfield South’s Jenna Bemis. A winner in many divisions Jessica Moctezuma shined as the 13 & Under Pleasure Equitation Champion from her mother’s North Wind Stables. Moctezuma was the only rider ahead of reserve champion Eleanor Watkins who is schooled by the Zubrod family.

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