by Leeann Mione
WOODSIDE, Calif. – The seventh annual UPHA Chapter 1 Horse Show was again a great success and continued to prove that it is truly one of the premier events of the California show season. The success is due to many factors especially the hard work put in by Show Committee Chairpersons Judy and Lexie Castaillac. Under their direction, the committee members Julie Barrow, Royalee Cleveland, Michael Craghead, UPHA Chapter 1 Chairwoman Jennifer Dixon, Jacque Jarve, Brigitte Scholl, Lynn Silva and Lissa Sivara all put in many, many hours all year in preparation for the show.
Manager Peter Fenton is also a major contributor to the success of the show. Fenton and his staff: Secretary Beverly Hurst, USEF Steward Bill Hartman, announcer Mark Farrar, ringmistress Terry Brennan, paddock master Doug Cason, organist Randy Roberts and farrier David Bivens all worked together to get it done and get it done right. They made a concerted effort to provide owners, trainers and exhibitors with whatever they might need and always worked to make everyone feel welcome.
Rick Osteen not only works hard to capture the memories as the official photographer but with help from Kevin Michael also makes sure those proofs are available in a timely manner. Pan Graf Productions was on hand to serve as official videographer.
From beautiful trophies to tremendous hospitality, the atmosphere of the show is one of great camaraderie. Beginning with the trainers’ party Wednesday to the elegant Friday evening reception at the luxurious Stanford Park Hotel to the Saturday afternoon Emergency Barbecue, the hospitality was first rate.
The show has been named an UPHA honor show every year since 2003 and that is not an honor that is given lightly. It is bestowed to those shows that do so many things right that people just want to return year after year and they tell 10 friend and they tell 10 friends and so on and so forth.
Word of mouth has made this show draw new attendees every year because if you have the means and opportunity to show in California, this is the show that should be a "Must Do" on your list.
From celebrating Mother’s Day Sunday afternoon, to watching the special presentation of the first Bruce Dixon Memorial Trainers Trophy to Garn Walker (see separate edit this issue) to the birthday cake in honor of all birthdays in the month of May to the crepes cooked ringside each morning and available free of charge for anyone who is hungry the list of special touches just goes on and on.
Corporate and personal sponsors step up year after year to provide financial help, and in turn the show benefits B.O.K. Ranch Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program.
Friday was designated once again as UPHA Pink Ribbon Day to raise money for the Susan G. Komen For The Cure and it was truly a daylong celebration. Prizes and awards were given out for everything from "Most Pink Tack Room" to "Best Dressed" to "Most Pinked Out Golf Cart". Kim Matoza and her committee and Pink Ribbon Chairperson Michelle Ganci put together the contests and prizes and everywhere you looked it was a sea of pink. A generous sponsor offered $5 for everyone wearing pink and therefore raised a lot of money for the cause. The Ladies Five-Gaited UPHA Pink Ribbon class was terrific, with nine hard riding ladies performing with their mounts. Each rode in honor of someone who had battled or is currently battling breast cancer.
The live auction, silent auction and "Horse Poop Bingo" also helped raise money for charity. A week in Jackson Hole, Wyo., at a beautiful condo was just one of the items offered at the live auction and it brought $1,450 from winning bidder Judy Castaillac. Doug Cason bought the hotel/ticket package for $1,200 and Jeff Ramey donated a gift basket of Raymard Equine Products which brought $300.
Bill Blacklaw pocketed over $900 when his raffle ticket proved to be the winner of the "Horse Poop Bingo" contest. Twenty-three-year-old Attache’s Chaminade, from Dixon Stable, had the honors of selecting the winning square and watching and waiting for him to take care of things was entertaining to say the least. The raffle was a 50/50 raffle so more than $900 was raised to donate.
Mother Nature cooperated with beautiful weather to match the beautiful location and beautiful horse after beautiful horse put on a great show to entertain the crowd for four days.
Sunday’s Five-Gaited Stake capped off four great days of competition and was a fitting end to a really nice horse show. Spot My Excitement with Lisa Lesch, CH Walterway’s Remember Me with Jennifer Dixon, High On Champagne with Mary Cockriel and Goodtime Jimmy with Breen Cullen came through the gate to compete for the tricolor.
Jimmy Robertson prepared to mark his card for the final time in Woodside and he put all four entries through their paces to determine his decision. Spot My Excitement and Lesch came into the class having won the open qualifier for Gary Gustafsen and High On Champagne had already been crowned the UPHA Pink Ribbon Ladies Five-Gaited Champion with Cockriel up for her dad Martin Cockriel.
All four ladies rode hard but in the end High On Champagne just couldn’t be denied and headed to center ring to pick up the tricolor. Cullen and Goodtime Jimmy, directed by Joey Lavery of Jim Bennett Stables, finished with the reserve streamers.
CH Full Spectrum faced a great group in the amateur stake and for the fourth year in a row headed down victory lane as the grand champion with owner Martha Keck. Dick Boettcher directed the winning team in the competitive class. Britton Frome, showing under the direction of Don Deardorff, was next up for a ribbon and exited with the reserve with All About It.
David Blevins directed his group to a successful week including Special Vintage and Julianne Rafferty. They won the junior exhibitor qualifier and championship for William Rafferty. Kelly Ganci and Callaway’s Holy Moly, a new team for this year, keep improving under the direction of Michael Craghead and they were the reserve grand champions for the Gary Ganci family.
Annalize van der Walt rode to the winner’s circle more than once for the Singing Hills group including her winning ride with The Fabulous Truth in the junior horse class. Van der Walt rode for owner and breeder Kathy O’Brien of L & J Saddlebreds. Singing Hills stable mate Tango Mango turned heads in the UPHA Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Classic and added another blue to the total for Singing Hills. Annalize van der Walt showed for William Blacklaw.
Winner of the open qualifier, I’m High ‘N Mighty carried David Blevins on the victory pass for elated owner Jennifer Sandefur of Crown Valley Farm, in the Three-Gaited Stake. While the class wasn’t large, with three entries, it featured a beautiful trio including reigning World’s Champion of Champions Victoria Lynn with Helen Cherry and Timeline with Lexie Castaillac of Dixon Stable. Victoria Lynn followed in the ribbon count for Jim Cherry Stables as the reserve grand champion.
Owner Missy Bennett and Virtual Adventure were met in center ring by Joey Lavery when they were named the Amateur Three-Gaited Grand Champions with a strong effort. Sue Valley Chen showed CH Like Sunshine to the amateur qualifier blue, under the direction of Jennifer Dixon, before Julia Chen rode the mare to the reserve ribbon in the amateur stake.
Just as she did in the five-gaited division, Annalize van der Walt won the junior and three-year-old classes with yet two more talented youngsters. Hyacinth Bouquet won the junior class and Warrior’s Sunbird won the three-year-old class. Both entries are owned by Singing Hills Stables.
The park division featured a great group including Park Grand Champion and reigning World’s Champion of Champions Brookhill’s Periday. Jim Cherry showed for Jim and Helen Cherry. Miss Savannah Rose and David Blevins were right there for the reserve tricolor for owner Susan Cox.
Bill and Debbie Tomin brought their Rockridge Farm group and finished with several wins including Julie DeVault’s blue ribbon in the amateur class with CH The Full Monty, owned by DeVault Farms LLC. Listentothethunder Of Silver Oaks, owned by Susan Swango, claimed the win in the junior horse class with Lisa Lesch riding.
CH No Jacket Required, the four-time amateur fine harness grand champion at Chapter 1 with owner Sally Spalding, took the tricolor in the four-entry Open Fine Harness Stake this year with trainer Michael Craghead in the viceroy. They came into the stake class having won the open qualifier for Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Spalding. Owner Jack Reich and Kalarama’s On A Roll added to the Rockridge Farm success with their reserve grand championship finish. Call Me Mahvalous, with Eduardo Castillo showing for Elizabeth and Howard Leendertsen and Kourageous Kat Of Silver Oaks with Lisa Lesch driving for Gary Gustafsen completed the field.
Call Me Regal made a big impression on Jimmy Robertson and the crowd when David Blevins showed to win the UPHA Fine Harness Classic for owner Jennifer Sandefur to add to her ribbon count for the week.
Joanne Weiner and Heartland King Of Kings have a long list of wins to their credit in their career together and this year marked their third win of the Hackney Pleasure Pony Driving Stake under the direction of Bill Tomin. They also won the qualifier. David Becker Jr. put Seamair’s Winterfest and owner Janet Overstreet in the ring and they exited as the reserve grand champions.
The five-gaited pleasure division was well filled and competitive and the nine-entry qualifier was one of Friday morning’s best classes. The new team of Royalee Cleveland and Global Scene topped the group to take the blue ribbon. Seven of the nine returned for Sunday afternoon’s stake class and it also was a hard fought battle. This time Debbie Tomin and Tip Me Do were victorious, with Global Scene and Cleveland taking reserve under the direction of David Blevins.
Eric Antman and Austin Eversman and their Majestic Farms group were well represented at Chapter 1 in the ribbon count including Peanut Butter’s win in the Park Pleasure Stake. Antman rode to the tricolor for owner Carolyn Melka. Pinnacle’s Midnight Event and Eduardo Castillo, from Dick Boettcher Stables, finished in second place for owner Jill Anthony after they had previously won the qualifier.
It was a three-peat for Annalize van der Walt in the junior division. She rode her third four-year-old to a win at the show when Robertson named My Balalaika as the Junior Park Pleasure Grand Champion. The Singing Hills-owned entry also won the open class for Bill Blacklaw.
Owner and trainer Amanda Groce showed Charmed In A Flash to the reserve tricolor in the stake for Johnny 6 Training.
Pine Cone, owned by Mary McLellan Williams and ridden by Castillo, won the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic to give Dick Boettcher Stables yet another win in the park pleasure division.
The show pleasure division was also really well filled with quality entries and the biggest class of the show was the 11-entry adult qualifier. CH So Audacious and Scott Robinson won in fine fashion under the direction of Anne Speck of Rancho Del Mar.
The Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake wasn’t quite as large, but the seven entries that returned for the class put on a great show. The victor this time was the new team of Leslie Pierce and Sweet Saralee. They made a huge leap in the ribbons to take the tricolor under the direction of Gene and Annalize van der Walt. Owner Linda Bradley and Callaway’s Party Time turned in a great team effort to finish next in line showing from Rockridge Farm.
In the junior exhibitor division, CH Town Cat and Hannah Francis also made a big move up in the ribbons from the qualifier and finished as the grand champions under the direction of Robb Wallen of Wallen West Farm. Scott Robinson turned things over to daughter Samantha and she rode CH So Audacious to the blue in the qualifier before taking the reserve tricolor in the stake.
Robin Wilhite and Greg Carstens teamed up to sweep the show pleasure driving division. Carstens, of Seamair Farm, directed Wilhite and The Pacific Ambassador to both wins for Ellis and Lillian Woods Revocable Family Trust. Raising Havoc was catch driven by Shari Rainwater to the reserve for Michelle and Kelly Ganci.
The open English pleasure under saddle division and the open pleasure driving division hosted talented performers with three different winners in the under saddle classes and one winner for both driving classes. Kookaburra and Sarah Wolfe topped the class in the Open English Pleasure Opportunity Stake and Monarch Stables trainer Brigitte Scholl met them in the winner’s circle to pin the tricolor. Fair Hill’s Bold Prince exited with the reserve ribbon. Samantha Lyttle had the winning ride for Johnny 6 Training’s Amanda and Greg Groce.
Scott Robinson had another winning ride when Winnepeg Parks was called out to claim the blue ribbon in the Open English Pleasure Opportunity qualifier. His win added another blue to the Bradley’s Stables total and Anne Speck directed the winning team.
Rashell Johnson, showing from Dick Boettcher Stables, topped the biggest under saddle class of the English pleasure division with her entry Elle Fire. They competed with five other talented teams and came out on top.
Rapid Reward, with Bill Tomin showing for owner Gail Hooker, swept the open pleasure driving stake and qualifier to continue Rockridge Farm’s great week. Bon Atticus and owner Bonnie Sublett, directed by Destyn Sublett, were named the reserve grand champions.
Nicole Sidebotham rode Xavier Of Silver Oaks to the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure Stake and qualifier wins for owner Lisa Lesch.
The adults and junior exhibitors each had their own respective qualifiers in the country pleasure division then returned to show together for the stake. Julie Streitfeld was recognized with a special presentation for her hard work on the awards committee prior to the start of Sunday afternoon’s session. One well deserved honor led to another and she was named the Country Pleasure Grand Champion with Shamrock’s Jessica. Sister and trainer Brigitte Scholl once again headed to center ring for the presentation of the tricolor and had previously put the team in the ring for the blue ribbon win in the qualifier.
Croupier and owner Georgia Farinholt teamed up to claim the reserve tricolor in the competitive class and add another top ribbon to the Dick Boettcher Stables tack room. Hannah Francis had a great week at Chapter 1 under the direction of Robb Wallen and she rode Cathrine Cartwright’s Sultan’s Sarah Mariah to the blue in the junior exhibitor class.
Mille Grazie and Samantha Lyttle have been having a great season so far and their win streak continued at Chapter 1 when Robertson named them the Country Pleasure Driving Grand Champions after winning the qualifier as well. Lyttle drove for her sister and owner, Mackenzie, under the direction of Rancho Del Mar.
Callaway’s Cassandra successfully made the switch to the driving division for owner Janice Darden and she was named the reserve grand champion. Katie Bergstrom drove from David Becker Jr. Stables.
Two-time World’s Champion Of Champions CH Fiasco and Douglas Glick faced a strong group in both country western pleasure classes and came away victorious in both, showing from Michael Craghead Stables for Carolyn Glick. Highpoint’s Tip Top and Shari Rainwater, owner of Rainwater Farms, headed back to Fresno as the reserve grand champions after having already won the Shatner Western Pleasure class.
Garn Walker was on board the winner of the Open Western Pleasure Opportunity Stake. He rode Faragamo to the tricolor for owner Terri Sturm. Trainer Jami Butler piloted Candace Morasch’s entry Saddletime Justified to the reserve tricolor. Faragamo was also victorious in the six-entry opportunity class qualifier.
The hunters had two open opportunity classes and Stonecroft Confidential topped them both with Sarah Hall showing for Michelle Quinlisk. Their wins added two more top ribbons to the Garn Walker Stables total. Butler picked up another reserve when On Assignment was selected as the reserve grand champion for owner Teri Colvin.
Four talented young ladies came through the gate for the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and after performing well on the rail, all four were asked to perform the workout by Judge Helen Robertson. Having already won the 14-17 class and UPHA 17 and Under Challenge Cup, Victoria Lyons came away as the grand champion and rode Chihuly under the direction of Robb Wallen. Lyons showed for The Lyons Den LLC. Emily Chapman, from Desert Palms Equestrian Center, was the reserve grand champion. She rode Desert Terrific Wine for owner Karen Evans.
Amelia Coomber teamed Stonecroft Make A Wish to the win in the 13 and under class for Maureen Coomber. Anne Speck directed her to the blue ribbon ride. Rancho Del Mar was also represented in the winner’s circle when Natalie Robinson was named the winner of the 10 & Under Walk & Trot Challenge Cup with Winnepeg Parks. Madison Sanderson and Ryans Got The Beat finished in the top spot in the UPHA Walk & Trot 10 & Under Pleasure class from Gerry Rushton Stables.
Rushton Stables was just one of the barns that brought their Morgan entries to Woodside to show in front of Judge Tim Roesink. They joined a great group of Morgan exhibitors that made the trip to Woodside.
Bob Kellert and Mary Cockriel brought their group from River’s Edge in Colorado to the show for the first time and had such a great time that before the weekend was over they had decided they’d return next year with even more horses.
Customers Dr. Ray and Dr. Alison Bendele had this to say about the show, "We loved it. We’ll definitely be back next year. There’s so much to do." Alison Bendele added, "The trophies are the most unique I’ve ever seen," speaking about the beautiful Douwe Blumberg trophies presented to the winners.
Kellert and Cockriel also had only good things to say about the show. "We love the area and the schedule", said Kellert. "Jenny Dixon asked us to come and we traveled 1,400 miles to get here and it was absolutely worth it."
The long journey paid off more than once as by the show’s end there were numerous winning ribbons on the River’s Edge tack room wall including the Morgan Open Park Saddle blue ribbon. Cockriel rode Never Surrender to the win for Debra Hurst Walters, but they weren’t done yet. Never Surrender was also the Morgan English Pleasure Grand Champion and open champion with Cockriel and she also rode AMHF Star Studded Event to the Morgan Junior Horse Park Saddle win and Morgan English Pleasure Junior Horse blue for David and Cindy Vogels.
Vegas Valley Morgans returned again this year and had a successful week. Elaine Galatz and Harold Angell teamed up for several wins including Galatz’s winning drive with Queen’s Guardian in the Morgan Park Harness Championship. They came in to the championship as winners of the ladies/amateur qualifier.
Stacy Hennessy and Gerry Rushton also led their group to a great week in a return trip to the show. Elaine Olsen and Boxford Bravura were the park harness reserve grand champions. Hennessy was also in the irons with Dreammaster J’st Outrajus to win the Morgan English Pleasure Ladies class for owner Kate Aldinger.
Gerry Rushton Stables teammate Glory Days carried Susan McCullough to the tricolor in the Morgan English Pleasure Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Championship. Debra Hurst Walters rode Total Request to the reserve tricolor. Man In Command won the amateur qualifier for Walters but it was Taylor Walters this time riding to take the blue.
Gerry Rushton drove Extreme Obsession to win the Morgan Open Pleasure Driving qualifier before returning to win the championship for owners Paul and Danica Brisco. GLB Belle Of The Ball, owned by Lorraine Bumb, won the Morgan Pleasure Driving Ladies Championship with Hennessy driving.
Bumb is the mother of Susan Carlino and grandmother of Jessica Carlino. Their Silver Creek Stables started the season at Chapter 1 with trainer Cathy Grimes and posted several wins by show’s end. In fact, Bumb and the entire Carlino family had plenty of reason to celebrate Mother’s Day at the show. In addition to the successes of the horses they own that show under the Gerry Rushton Stables and Silver Creek Stables banners, Bumb has 68 grandchildren and 90 great grandchildren.
VVM Just The Ticket and Galatz teamed up to take the reserve grand championship streamers in the ladies championship and also won the ladies pleasure driving qualifier to continue a great week for Vegas Valley owned and bred horses.
Stonecroft Notorious added a tricolor and a blue ribbon win to Ted and Elaine Olsen’s total when Roesink called out number 129 to win the Morgan Pleasure Driving Amateur Championship and qualifier with Elaine Olsen driving. Galatz and VVM Wrapped In Roses turned in the reserve grand championship effort under the direction of trainer Harold Angell.
Gerry Rushton handled the drive to the winner’s circle with Morgan Pleasure Driving Junior Horse Champion Thy Kingdom Come for owner Charles Conner. VVM Dreamkeeper was the three-year-old champion with Galatz heading yet once again to the presentation.
Hannah Francis continued her winning streak from Wallen West Farm when McCartney was named the grand champion in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship for Cathrine Cartwright. Francis also rode to the blue in the open qualifier.
VVM Elektra headed down victory lane with Elaine Galatz in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving Ladies qualifier before returning in the Classic Pleasure Driving Championship to claim that win as well for Vegas Valley Morgans.
McCartney switched gears from the under saddle division to exit as the Classic Pleasure Driving Reserve Grand Champion with Bob Lovo showing. Kari Lyddon drove her entry RJM French Revival to the blue in the Morgan Classic Pleasure Driving Open class to close out the classic pleasure driving division.
Dr. Alison Bendele drove MEM No Inhibitions to a sweep of the Morgan roadster division to add the tricolor and blue ribbons to her total.
Four top teams competed in the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Championship after a five-entry qualifier. Merin Maggi and Baccarat’s Street Smart took the championship victory for Kari Lyddon and Chintimini Bravo Charlie won the open class. Sarah Hall rode to the win for Garn and Melissa Walker.
GLB Moonlight Sonata and Jessica Carlino, directed by Cathy Grimes, added a tricolor to the Silver Creek Stables total with their win in the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Amateur Championship. Baccarat’s Street Smart won the amateur qualifier and junior/limit horse blue before returning in the amateur championship to finish with the reserve title.
Garn Walker teamed Faragamo to the Morgan Western Pleasure Grand Championship victory for owner Terri Sturm. They were followed in the ribbons by Western Pleasure Limit Horse Champion CFF Strictly Byzness with Grimes showing for Susan Carlino.
Dr. Ray Bendele added the blue ribbon to his total when he rode AMHF Mr. Courageous on the victory pass in the open qualifier from River’s Edge. Bendele wasn’t done yet. He also teamed Mr. Courageous to the Morgan Western Pleasure Amateur Championship tricolor. Cabot French Lieutenant and owner Connie Melendy won the amateur class and exited as the amateur reserve grand champions under the direction of Garn Walker.
The seventh annual UPHA Chapter 1 Horse Show once again went off without a hitch due to the hard work and dedication of the staff, volunteers and committee members. It continues to be one of the highlights of the California horse show circuit and will most likely continue to get only bigger and better.