UPHA Chapter 1 Continues Its Success With New Management
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
by Leeann Mione
WOODSIDE, Calif.- Having a great time at the UPHA Chapter 1 Horse Show has become a tradition in just four short years. It is a show that beckons the best Saddlebreds, Hackneys, roadsters, Friesians and equitation riders from California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington and areas in between to compete in the California sunshine.
Led for the first three years by Peter Fenton, this year the title of manager went to John Owens and the success continued. Approximately 125 horses made the trip to show in front of Judge Melinda Moore. In addition to first rate talent burning it up in the ring, the hospitality was first rate and one of the reasons owners, trainers and exhibitors look forward to returning each year.
The Hirschhorn family started things off with a trainers’ party at their home Wednesday evening. The Hirschhorn family has been an avid supporter of both the Friesian and Saddlebred industries in California in their association with Dixon Stables. Their generous support of the UPHA Chapter 1 Horse Show has helped to make it successful since the beginning. A special ceremony to thank the Hirschhorn family and Show Chairperson Karl Hirschhorn before their upcoming move to Hawaii was held in center ring at the show. (See separate sidebar below)
Laurie Servin, Marcia Sola, Janet Stevenson and Kari Lunden sponsored breakfast each morning, which was lavishly laid out in the sponsors’ tent and included a variety of food and beverages.
Joanne Weiner hosted a reception at the Menlo Circus Club Friday evening to celebrate the retirement of her beloved Because You’re Mine. Weiner’s mare has joined the broodmare ranks and the cocktail reception in her honor was well-attended.
New this year, the exhibitors’ party was held Saturday afternoon following the last class. The timing was perfect as it allowed hungry exhibitors to have dinner at the show then have the evening free to enjoy the sights. With Woodside, Palo Alto, Atherton and San Francisco close by, there was plenty to do and plenty of time to do it each day. The show held sessions only during the day, which meant lots of shopping at the nearby upscale shopping centers.
Pets In Need was the show’s beneficiary and even Judge Moore couldn’t remain unaffected. By the end of the show, she had adopted a dog herself to join the many dogs at home in Kentucky.
UPHA Chapter 1 President Jim Cherry and Vice President Bruce Dixon, along with Treasurer Mary Hartman and Secretary Helen Cherry worked hard with the show committee and Manager John Owens to make sure the show continued its tradition of success. With a lot of hard work and support from the participating barns, they accomplished their task. This year’s show was an unqualified success and should continue to get bigger and better each year.
Competition across the board was first rate with numerous world’s champions, veteran teams and new teams putting on good show after good show for the appreciative audience.
The four-entry Five-Gaited Stake closed out the session on Saturday in fine fashion and was a great way to prepare for the really nice exhibitors barbecue dinner to end the day. Doubletrees Hearts Afire and Rich Swiger were joined by Doubletrees Bouquet Of Blue with Lisa Fulgaro up and Drambuie with Alexandra Castaillac. CCV Casey’s Final Countdown and Michele Macfarlane completed the roster.
All four entries worked hard to impress Judge Melinda Moore, but when she turned in her card, it was the South African winner of the open class CCV Casey’s Final Countdown named to take the victory pass. Owned by Macfarlane and Sisi Stables, Casey added another tricolor title to his resume. Doubletrees Hearts Afire was the reserve grand champion for owner Bob Lanig.
Full Spectrum and Martha Keck have been having a great year so far with wins at Chapter 2 and Monterey, and they continued with a sweep of the amateur division under the direction of Dick Boettcher. The eight entry amateur stake was the largest class in the five-gaited division and showcased top talent. CH Callaway’s Arbitrator and Julia Martin just keep getting better and better and they turned in a strong effort to claim the reserve tricolor under the direction of Dixon Stables.
Stephanie Duck was greeted by a big cheer from her fan club as she made her way to the winner’s circle in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake under the direction of Brigitte Scholl of Monarch Stables. They had previously won the qualifier as well. Doubletrees Top Gun and Katie McKnight were the reserve grand champions from Deardorff Stable LLC.
Five nice junior horses came through the gate and put on a good show for Moore, but it was Allison Deardorff and Doubletrees Firecracker taking the title for Deardorff and her grandfather Willard Deardorff.
A trio of entries competed in the novice horse class and this one belonged to Allison Deardorff as well. She piloted Pinnacle’s Classic Victory to the win for T.J. Huck.
Victoria Lynn topped a pair of elegant entries with Jim Cherry up to capture the Three-Gaited Stake for Zazen Ranch. The multi-titled mare also won the qualifier to continue her successful season so far. Doubletrees Aqua Blue and Allison Deardorff were reserve in the stake for Pinnacle Farm LLC.
CH Like Sunshine and Julia Chen were twice victorious to add to their successes at Cow Palace and Monterey under the direction of Michael Craghead. They won the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake and qualifier amidst good company.
Julie DeVault debuted with her big-going Wee Pee’s Storm and they were right on the money to win both the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Stake and qualifier under the direction of Bill Tomin. Allison Cherry and her CH X’s and O’s were in good form to claim the reserve grand championship tricolor from Zazen Ranch.
Pernickety! and Bruce Dixon followed up their wins at Cow Palace with the Three-Gaited Park tricolor and qualifier blue at Chapter 1. Dixon showed for owner Alison Benz. Peritime and Jim Cherry were the reserve grand champions for Zazen Ranch.
Cherry continued his busy week by showing Brookhill’s Periday to the win in the Fine Harness Stake to give Zazen Ranch yet another open stake win. Periday came into the stake having won the open class qualifier.
Heather Greenbaum and the Emerald Hills team had a great show including Greenbaum’s winning drive with her sporty mare Sass With Class in the amateur stake. Led by trainers Roman and Cayce Marcos, the Emerald Hills contingent put together numerous wins in several different divisions. Bill Tomin directed Jack Reich and Kalarama’s On A Roll to the reserve grand championship drive in the amateur stake. No Jacket Required has been a consistent performer with Sally Spalding and they made a single appearance at Chapter 1 to take the blue in the amateur qualifier for Diamond Hills.
PTO and Bill Tomin also made only one appearance at Chapter 1, but it was a winning one. They were the Open Road Horse To Bike Champions.
PT Cruiser with Marie Peyman and Seamair’s Awesome Dancer with Julie DeVault, battled it out for the top two spots in the open roadster pony division and traded places between the stake and qualifier. In only their second show together, DeVault and Awesome Dancer were right on target for the win in the qualifier before returning to capture the reserve grand championship behind Bob Facciola’s winning pony. Marie Peyman and PT Cruiser have been to the winner’s circle together many times for Facciola and they added another tricolor title to their resume for Woodhaven Farm. Julie Greenbaum Belgrad drove her Fit To Be Tied to the win in the Amateur Roadster Pony class to add another blue to the Emerald Hills total.
Sandra Surber and her Heartland Candidate followed up their wins at Monterey with the Hackney Pony Stake and qualifier from Dixon Stables.
Heartland King of Kings and Joanne Weiner also continued a good season so far and King of Kings was twice more victorious in his new division. They won the Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Stake and qualifier from Rockridge Farm. Frank Buckley drove Seamair’s Winterfest to the reserve tricolor under the direction of Dave Becker, Jr. Both pleasure driving classes featured four top ponies.
Sprinkles put on a powerful performance to capture the five-gaited pleasure stake win with Michele Macfarlane. They took the victory pass in the competitive stake and topped four other strong competitors for the victory. Hella Good and Martha Keck were solid for the reserve streamers in the stake from Boettcher Stables. Helen Taylor and her CH Will’s No Doubt About It put together the blue ribbon effort in the talent-filled four-entry qualifier to add yet another win to their career total from Dixon Stables.
Stablemate Classic Armani was the winner of the junior exhibitor five-gaited pleasure class with Jessica Laurie up for D & J Saddlebreds.
Magic March put Julia Chen in the winner’s circle yet again this season and added another tricolor to the Diamond Hills total. They won the Park Pleasure Stake after a move up in the ribbons from the qualifier, which was won by Reserve National Champion Cute As A Button and Roman Marcos in their only appearance.
Janine Hill had a great week at Chapter 1 and Crave was just one of her stars that ended up in the winner’s circle. She rode to the title in the Junior Park Pleasure Stake after having won the junior qualifier under the direction of Michael Craghead. Mega Star and Michele Macfarlane took the reserve grand championship for Elisabeth Goth and Macfarlane.
All four horses that occupied the top two spots in the adult and junior exhibitor show pleasure divisions had CH designations. The adult classes with seven entries each were filled with talent and CH French Silk Stockings went to the head of the class in both of them. CH J. Peterman and Corrine Tomlinson put together a strong effort as well to take the reserve grand championship title under the direction of Roman and Cayce Marcos.
CH A Magic Spell and Katie Jarve looked like seasoned veterans even though they are a new team. Jennifer Dixon met them in the winner’s circle when Melinda Moore named them the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Pleasure Grand Champions to follow up their qualifier victory. Whitney Howard and CH Doubletrees Lymrique keep getting better and better and they claimed the reserve grand championship title under the direction of Don and Allison Deardorff.
CH Advantage Me has been a grand campaigner for the Asch family and he turned in two more winning performances at Chapter 1 to add to a stellar career. Aliyah Asch drove to the win in the ASHAF Youth Show Pleasure Driving Challenge in her only appearance at the show. Directed by Joy Lazarus, CH Advantage Me then returned in the Show Pleasure Driving Stake to earn the tricolor with Kim Matoza catch driving for Sarah Asch.
The open English pleasure division featured a top group of Saddlebreds and Friesians competing, and both breeds were represented in the winner’s circle. Julia Goldman helped lead Black Sterling Friesians to yet another successful show this season. She rode Ronald van de Zuiderwaard to the tricolor in the Open English Pleasure Stake for Janna and Ron Goldman. They came into the stake with the amateur qualifier win to their credit. Attaché’s Chaminade was every bit the show ring veteran, and even at the age of 20 looked far younger than his years as he captured the reserve tricolor ribbon with Kendall Anderson up for Alfred Heller.
Brigitte Scholl directed Siri Hadland and Royal Crest’s Rockapella to their win in the open class to top a pair of nice entries.
Frank Buckley took the lines for Karl Hirshhorn and headed down victory lane with Axcel in the Open Pleasure Driving class under the Dixon Stables banner.
Ultrasuede and Loni Fuller followed up their successful debut at Cow Palace with two more wins at Chapter 1. Bill Tomin met them in center ring for their presentation after they were named the country pleasure grand champions for Mary Ann Fuller. They also won the juvenile qualifier. Sunlight And Shadows has been a strong contender in the division with Michele Macfarlane and they finished as the reserve grand champions for Scripps Miramar. Janice Darden was directed by Dave Becker, Jr. to her winning ride with Callaway’s Cassandra in the Adult Country Pleasure class.
Money Train was right on the money with Julie Belgrad to sweep the Country Pleasure Driving Stake and qualifier for Emerald Hills. Fair Hills Mountain Man and Linda Brittan took the reserve streamers under the direction of Derek Repp.
The western country pleasure division was well-filled at Chapter 1, and like so many other shows around the country, showcased top talent across the board. CH Perfect Adventure and Janine Hill turned in two strong team efforts to sweep the division and added two more wins to the Diamond Hills total. They topped seven other talented entries in each class. I’m Lucky and Gen Hess have been consistently at the top of the division and they followed up their wins at Cow Palace and Monterey with the reserve grand championship title for Pleasants Valley Stable. Perfect Adventure and Hill also won the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure class, which featured four entries.
Wits Worth and Suzan Pheley won the Open Western Pleasure Stake and open class for a clean sweep of that division.
Zane Grey and catch rider Julie Streitfield were the Open Hunter Pleasure Stake and qualifier winners for owner Linda Kane of Rainwater Saddlebreds.
The Friesian division at Chapter 1 was not only well-filled with good horse flesh, it was also filled with a wide variety of classes to show in. The Friesians had many opportunities to compete and there was definitely something for everyone.
Watse, one of several top Friesians owned by the Hirschhorn family, was the winner of the Friesian Saddle Seat Park Open Championship with Jennifer Dixon in the irons. Otte van’t Riethof, with Cathryn Hager up for Friesian Focus, was the winner of the open qualifier before returning for the reserve title in the stake. Lance Bennett directed Hager and Otte.
Dante turned heads with six wins in six trips to the ring. Rachael Stokes, of Friesian Quest, was up for each victory and handled the powerful young stallion with ease. They won the Friesian Saddle Seat Pleasure Open Championship, open qualifier, junior horse saddle seat pleasure stake and qualifier and both the period costume class and fantasy costume class. Wodan, one of Friesian Focus’ most decorated show ring veterans, was the Friesian Saddle Seat Pleasure Open Reserve Grand Champion with Lance Bennett riding.
Janna Goldman made winning with the Friesians of Black Sterling Friesians a family affair when Ravello was given the nod by Melinda Moore in the Friesian Saddle Seat Pleasure Junior Exhibitor/Amateur Championship. They came into the class having already won the juvenile/amateur qualifier. Janine Hill and Gysbert Fan Marksate were reserve in the championship. Foppe fan’s Lange Ekers was the junior horse reserve grand champion for Friesian Focus with trainer Lance Bennett in the irons.
Axcel added two more wins to the Dixon Stables total and kept Jennifer Dixon busy heading to center ring. Frank Buckley was in the irons for the winning rides in the Friesian Walk and Trot Pleasure Championship and amateur qualifier for Karl Hirschhorn. Floris Van Nienke and Hannah Hirschhorn got in on the act with their good reserve grand championship ride. Haley Hirschhorn took over with Floris and she too went to the winner’s circle from Dixon Stables. They won the Friesian Walk and Trot Open class.
Ronald van de Zuiderwaard switched gears from saddle to driving, and with Ron Goldman at the whip, won the Friesian Pleasure Driving Working Singles Championship for Black Sterling Friesians. Nonning and Valerie Daidah, avid supporters of the Friesian division on the west coast in their own right, were the winners of the pair driving pleasure class before taking the reserve to Ronald in the stake. Floris went to the winner’s circle with his third rider, Jennifer Dixon, in the working singles pleasure driving qualifier. Daidah and Houkje fan’t Reidfjild closed out the driving division with the win in the Working Pairs or Multiples class.
Michael Craghead hit the ring as an exhibitor rather than coaching from the rail in the Friesian Western Pleasure Open class and championship. He rode Evert to the tricolor victory for owner Phoebe Von Migula. Ewout V.D. and Janna Goldman took the reserve ribbon after winning the qualifier.
The Friesian Hunter Pleasure Open class had five entries and the nod went to yet another Black Sterling Friesians team, Wiebren fan Mirns and Kathrin Hain for Janna and Ron Goldman. The Friesian Dressage Suitability class closed out the Friesian division. Rachael Stokes teamed Ivanhoe F.Q. to the blue ribbon for Friesian Quest LLC.
The carriage pleasure driving division was open to any breed, but it was a Friesian that took top honors. Watse and Frank Buckley topped a pair of competitors for the win in the Carriage Pleasure Driving Turnout Singles/Multiples Championship. They also won the singles qualifier. Nonning and Valerie Daidah were reserve grand champions and Nonning won the multiples qualifying class with Houkje fan’t Reidfjild.
Siri Hadland captured her second equitation grand championship title in a row when she topped a strong field of five at Chapter 1. Hadland rode CH Blue Ridge Miles under the direction of Brigitte Scholl and also won the UPHA Challenge Cup. Altadena Starlight carried Laura Denenholz to the reserve tricolor under the direction of Marcia McLemore at Altadena Stables. Denenholz won the 14-17 class. Hannah Rahav rode Susie Serenade to the top of the card in the 13 and under class.
Caroline Cherry and Desert’s Indian Country followed up their debut at Carousel with two more winning efforts at Chapter 1. They won the 10 and Under Walk and Trot UPHA Challenge Cup and also won the 10 and Under Walk and Trot Pleasure class.
This highlights the winners of the fourth annual UPHA Chapter 1 HorseShow. Complete results can be seen by clicking on Show Results.
Hirschhorn Tribute
Four years ago, Karl Hirschhorn arrived at the Menlo Circus Club after his three girls Hannah, Heather and Haley found enjoyment in riding. Horses and riding became an activity that Karl enjoyed doing with the girls. Karl's wife Erin happily watched the foursome enjoying all their time together. Karl soon found fascination in the Friesian breed and purchased his first gelding Watse Fan de Grovenstiens, fondly called Superman. Superman was a coming three-year-old when he came to Dixon Stable. Jennifer Dixon finished his harness work and kept him working under saddle. Karl took a brief turn in the irons, and then decided that driving would be his niche. As the girls’ riding skills improved it was evident that there would need to be several horses for the family and one Friesian would not be enough. Sytse Stonecreek, whose barn name quickly became Spiderman, was purchased next, winning Friesian pleasure classes starting at the UPHA Chapter 1 Horse Show in 2003.
Looking for horses suitable for the girls was a timely project. Cesar was the first Friesian for the girls, and an American Saddlebred Bright Step also came on board to teach the girls how to ride and show. Karl decided that his first love was the Friesian horse and that would be his family’s horse of choice.
The irreplaceable Floris Van Nienke became the next member of the family, winning classes in the walk and trot division as well as carriage driving classes up and down the California coast. The champion Watse arrived from Holland for single and pair driving as well. Steffen B came along last year at the Chapter 1 Horse Show. After riding Steffen for two days, Hannah jumped right into competition with him.
Karl’s enthusiasm for his family’s involvement showing has grown over the last four years. His involvement in the UPHA Chapter 1 Horse show as chairman has been extraordinary. The California Equine Foundation and the UPHA Chapter 1 Horse Show would like to thank Karl, his wife Erin and daughters Hannah, Heather and Haley for their support, involvement, and endless generosity in making this show a West Coast favorite. We wish them all the best in their new home in Hawaii. Aloha!
|