UPHA Chapter 14 (Part 2)
Monday, May 3, 2004
Misty Hills Farm brought home the Harness Pony Championship as Ryan Fornango had a smooth drive with Twin Willow’s Dimitri for the tricolor honors. Ricky Harris was the catch driver for Dun Haven Exquisite to take the reserve title for Sharon Francis. These same two ponies were first and second in the UPHA Harness Pony Classic. In the open class it was Ann Hailey and Mark Of Elegance making the victory pass under the direction of Rodney Hicks.
In the Amateur Harness Pony Championship it was the world class team of Ann Hailey and BRS The Phantom taking the top honors with an exciting show. Diane McGrath and the multi-titled Southern Dreams made the reserve grand champion victory pass. Results from the qualifying round were reversed and it was McGrath and Southern Dreams leading the way for trainers Todd and Diane Mathieson.
Adding to Rodney Hicks’ total as the High Point Pony Trainer, Marjorie Kenney and Romeo’s Warrior L.F. sported the tricolor from the Hackney Pony Championship after already having won the open qualifier with a leg-waving performance. It was a Romeo kind of division as Dawn DelTorchio and Romeo’s Shadow L.F. were reserve both times out. Hicks Stable struck again as Elizabeth Roden drove Totally Excellent to the Amateur Hackney Pony Championship and qualifying blue.
Like most parts of the country the Hackney Pleasure Driving division was the deepest of the show for the ponies and what a division it was. Former Junior Harness Pony Reserve World’s Grand Champion Matchmaker was crowned the grand champion in his first two New England outings. The son of Cherry’s Dream Boy was presented by Fairfield South with new owner Carolyn Daigle making her first show ever to win grand championship. Husband Rick Daigle made the qualifying drive to win that round as well.
Reserve world’s champion Megabucks was the reserve grand champion with Irene York at the whip under the direction of John and Sheri Lampropoulos. After a great reserve in the qualifier, Francine Roch and Twin Willow’s Show Boat finished third in the deep championship.
Junior exhibitors were also out in force with Hackney Pleasure Driving ponies. Winner of last year’s New England Championship for junior exhibitors which was held at Octoberfest, Lilly Birch and Oh Happy Day scored UPHA 14’s junior exhibitor blue. Eryn Elizabeth Carter represented Dawn DelTorchio with a reserve drive behind Model Of Excellence.
There was a lone entry for the UPHA Pleasure Driving Classic and that was Picabo Street, driven by Thomas Quackenbush.
Road ponies livened up the show with several good classes and the $500 added Jackpot Stake was one of them. It was a debut performance for Gary Garone and Heartland Yankee Strutter and it was worthy of the tricolor. This sporty, young pony was presented by Garone for owner Caroline Morrison to also win the UPHA Road Pony Classic earlier in the week. Sheri Lampropoulos drove Belmont to the reserve title in that one for Irene York. Lampropoulos also drove her many times champion Twin Willows Solomon to win the Open Road Pony class over Chelsea Simon and Whims and Wishes.
Making his third class of the week, Mastercraft’s Gambler was the Reserve Road Pony Jackpot Champion. Trained by Gary Guz, this team sailed through the amateur ranks winning both the qualifier and the championship. They were contested in both rounds by the new team of Courtney Cahill and Rhythm King L.F. who were under the direction of Lillian Gilpin at Rocking Horse Farm.
Road horses have been hard to drum up in the New England area for the past few years. Thank goodness Dr. Grace Steere and her Morgan, HVK Stradavarius, were on hand to keep the division alive and keep it alive in style they did!
Back to the Saddlebred pleasure division it was full from top to bottom. Mary Hall-Fisk completed a great week for Hallston Manor and trainer Pieter Snyman by taking Saturday night’s Show Pleasure Driving Grand Championship. Driving the Supreme Heir sired Heir’s Number One, Hall-Fisk turned back seven other contenders, including reserve grand champions Beelzebub and Arthur Aitkens who were directed by Todd Mathieson. There was also a strong challenge by third place finisher Kendall Jackson, driven by Daryl Carlow.
There was an entirely different order of finish in the qualifying round. CH Sargent Royalty, a world’s champion in both show pleasure and equitation, tried a new division and exited with blue ribbon results. Caitlyn Spring was the winning driver from the Jan Lukens Stables. Representing Northgate Stables, Linda Taylor had a great go with Kiann’s Red Pepper X to command the reserve streamers.
The eight-entry Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship was bright and early Saturday morning after a long night of exhibitor’s party, but that didn’t stop Dr. Geraldine Meanor and Va Bene from shining as the grand champions. They made the tricolor victory pass with Northwind Stables’ Nealia McCracken looking on. Back in New England, The King Of Music was the reserve grand champion with Raye Lynn Funkhouser in the irons. In the qualifier, the Cricket Hill Farm team of Andrew DeGrace and My Hatteras were at the top of the judge’s card, followed by Va Bene.
With 14 entries, many of which had won championships at major shows, the Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship was probably the best class of the show. When the dust had settled, Amanda O’Keefe Murchison and Bonnie Buck had been brilliant and were called from the line-up to the winner’s circle where they were met by trainer Mike Richardson. Qualifying winner CH Rare Rascal made another powerful performance to take reserve grand champion honors back to the Jan Lukens Stables. Following in the ribbons were Katherine’s Radiance, Chemistry In Motion, Spool’s Lady Boyle, Undulata’s Jimmy Hollywood, Kingswood Supreme and Art In Motion.
Making their first appearance at the UPHA Spring Premiere, Wentz Stables were in the top ribbons all week long. World’s champion CH Lover’s Heir was the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure 14-17 Grand Champion with Cassi Wentz riding for Tom Wentz. Reserve grand champion honors belonged to qualifying winner CH Sargeant Royalty, again ridden by Caitlyn Spring. Representing Revelation Farm, Chelsea Simon and Highpoint’s Top Hat were third in the nine-entry championship.
Right on the heels of Jan Lukens for the Saddlebred High Point Trainer Award, Nealia McCracken enjoyed a great week of competition with her Northwind Stables entries. Among them, My Dakota was the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited 13 & Under Grand Champion and qualifying winner with Jessica Moctezuma riding for Gail Wirtz-Costello. Moving up three notches from the qualifier, Sierra Gamble and Sweet Steel enjoyed a sweet reserve grand champion victory pass for High Tail Acres. Elizabeth Dirth and Hakeem The Dream had been the reserve champions from the qualifier.
From Northgate Stables Sierra Sunset and longtime exhibitor/blacksmith Francine Roth switched places with Alan Lanoue and Star Of The Millennium for the Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Novice Adult Rider Championship. Roch and Sierra Sunset really put on a show to earn the tricolor and cooler after a reserve finish in the qualifier to Star Of The Millennium.
Nine entries burst through the gate for the Novice Three-Gaited Pleasure class. A future star was born with the show ring debut of Society’s Upperkrust. His expressive blue ribbon performance showed what lies ahead for owner/rider Cheryl Innis. Eventual grand champions Bonnie Buck and Amanda O’Keefe Murchison were the reserve winners in this one.
Called from the lineup in the Junior Pleasure Prospect class was Remember The Party. Rob Turner showed yet another champion, this one for Marcia Klajbor. From Somersdream, Carolyn Genatossio and Cashmere & Suede rode away with the reserve streamers for owner Sharon Lawson.
It seemed that Jan Lukens could do no wrong this week. Another of her many champions was Galad, the winner of the UPHA Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Classic for owner Katrina Wood’s Graywood Stable. Darlene Trento-Wright had the reserve champion in Dark Heiress.
Two more winning ribbons returned to the Fairfield South tack room with Jan Blanco and May Day Masquerade leading the way in the Country Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. This was the second consecutive year for the Garone trained combination to win both classes in their division. Megan Adams and Genius Poetic Justice moved up to take reserve grand champion honors after Tara Grom and The Perfect Storm had been reserve in the qualifier.
In her first and last performances of the year, CH Kiss For Luck claimed the Adult Country Pleasure Championship and qualifier with an extremely happy Margaret Biggs in the irons. Kiss For Luck is in foal to 42nd Street so she will be taking time off for maternity leave. Dr. Geraldine Meanor and Itchy Foot Moe were two-time reserve winners.
The Wentz Stables scored again as Kirby Tapper and SS Inner Vision turned it on to be named Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Grand Champions. Their picture perfect performance topped qualifying winners Caroline Rose and Worthy First Lady as well as eight other teams.
Donna Tardif and Nu Generation were the top team from the Novice Rider Country Pleasure Stake which found Brittany Logan and Cedar Creek My Only King making the reserve grand champion victory pass. They were also reserve in the qualifier which was won by the Cricket Hill team of Caroline Rose and Worthy First Lady.
Dr. Geraldine Meanor went to the ring time and time again and more often that not, left with a winning ribbon. She rode Starmaker’s Starburst to the Limit Country Pleasure title. Charmane Delisle guided IHF Victory March to a reserve finish.
The super gray horse, A Magic Surprise, was unstoppable in Country Western Pleasure competition as owner Pat Johnson won both the qualifier and championship. Megan Adams and Fame’s Favour jogged to the reserve grand champion finish, while Tiana Tapper and Key Largo’s Magic left with the red ribbon from the qualifier.
In the five-horse Shatner Western Pleasure competition Marge Brown and Tropical Night qualified for the St. Louis Finals as Bethany Sharkey and Portrait Of A Lady were reserve among the five entries.
To make this a complete show the equitation division held up its end of the bargain and featured many competitive classes from the walk and trotters all the way to the senior stars. Seven riders did compete in the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and judge Freseth asked four riders for additional work. Once the workouts were completed last year’s Junior UPHA Challenge Cup Finals National Champion Kyle Gagnon was called out as the senior grand champion. The Fairfield South rider had qualified with a victory pass in the NEHC Medal, which qualified him for the finals which will be held at Eastern States in the fall.
Revelation Farm’s Kaitlyn Grom scored the reserve championship as well as the UPHA 14-17 Challenge Cup blue. Under the direction of Jean DeGutis Woodworth, Lindsay Wood finished in third after having a great week. She turned in blue ribbon rides from the 14-17 class, the AMHA Medal, and the UPHA Morgan Challenge Cup. The Grom family was well represented in the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship as Tara Grom finished fourth to go with her win in the NHS Good Hands class and reserve in the UPHA 14-17 Challenge Cup.
The Garones captured not only the Senior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship, but the junior championship as well. World’s champion Ashley Stine debuted with her new mare, Duplicate Copy, and made quite an impression on the judges and the audience as well. She warmed up for the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation Championship with a victory pass in the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup competition in which 11 & Under and Limit Saddle Seat Equitation Champion Brianna Saunders was reserve for Cricket Hill Farm. From Northwind Stables, Alexandria Simpson was the junior reserve grand champion.
Other equitation action was highlighted by Lauren Lagasse taking the 12 and 13-year-old class, while Amber Craig topped the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup. After fierce training by Lisa Richardson no one came out to challenge her for the Trainer’s Saddle Seat Equitation title.
Pleasure Equitation was extremely competitive as well. From Janbark Farm, Jamie Kalalas was right on the money riding her Morgan to beat 11 other riders for the Pleasure Equitation Championship. Winner of the Pleasure Equitation qualifier, Jessica Moctezuma was the reserve grand champion followed by Maeve Tibbets in third and Brooke Gove in fourth. Gove had won the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup.
Wrightway Stables had the right touch in the Saddle & Bridle Pleasure Medallion as Caylah Wright was the winner and Meghann Wright reserve.
Hunt Seat Equitation competition found Katelyn Jenkins in the winner’s circle of the championship with Chelsea St. Pierre in reserve. Ashley Mugnier was reserve in the qualifier.
Walk and trot has been a big deal in New England for some time now and competition is fierce. Ten riders were back for the Walk and Trot Saddle Seat Championship, but none could knock Kimberly Ginsberg off the throne. The Cricket Hill Farm rider was three for three during the week with the Walk and Trot Equitation 10 & Under class and the UPHA 8 & Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup to her credit as well. Janbark Farm’s Elizabeth Wyllie was reserve grand champion after taking the UPHA 9 & 10 Walk and Trot Challenge Cup. Theresa Warka directed Melissa Swain to a strong third place finish in the championship.
There was also competition for Walk-Trot Pleasure Saddle Seat. Elizabeth Wyllie and SKB Lilyth made victory passes in both the championship and the qualifier. In the championship round it was Promising Looks and Loewe Kasprenski taking reserve honors, while Alexander Lally and Elm Rock Chili Pepper did the same in the qualifier.
Miller Young Fina was the grand champion rider from the Walk-Trot Western Seat Equitation division as was Samantha Franks from the Walk-Trot Hunt Seat Equitation Championship. Reserve champion Julia Reynolds had won the 11 & under qualifier. Fina was also the top rider from the Walk-Trot Western Pleasure Championship and qualifier.
The best of the Morgan Classic Pleasure Equitation riders turned out to be Meghan Bradley. She was followed by Brynne Cummings.
Looking up to big brother Kyle Gagnon, Gavin Gagnon set out to make his own impression with a winning ride in the nine-entry Leadline Saddle Seat class while representing Fairfield South. Alice Rowland landed reserve honors for High Tail Acres, while Molly Codeanne proved ready to represent the long line of top women riders in her family with a third place finish in her debut. There turned out to be just one rider for the Lead Line Western Seat competition and that was Cierra Amaral.
On Friday evening Rumor Has It was honored as the UPHA Chapter 14 Morgan Horse Of The Year for 2003. Well, he was off to another great start in ‘04 by taking the Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship, the Classic Pleasure Saddle qualifier and the Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle blue. All three wins were with Elizabeth Young Fina for owner/trainer Barbara Irvine. Reserve in two of the three classes, including the championship, was Bilzone’s GQ Material with Leah Hurley. Robert Neimeth and Stoneledge Stepaside finished second in the saddle qualifier.
Cindy Mugnier made several trips to the winner’s circle to greet riders. She was present in center ring for both the champion and reserve champion of the Junior Exhibitor Morgan Classic Pleasure Stake. Southbrook Ultimatum and Jill Chiecko traded places with stablemates Matter Of Time and Alison Crone for the tricolor honors. They had also triumphed as the junior/novice winners. It was Crone who occupied the winner’s circle in the early round for the open class.
Earleen Kenyon’s Misty Meadows entries dominated the Classic Pleasure Driving division. She had Loek Neimeth and Raintree Valedictorian in high order to win both the open qualifier and stake. She also greeted Robert Neimeth and Tug Hill Northmark for the victory pass in the junior/novice competition. Steven Handy and Hermitage Avatar were twice reserve with titles in the open and stake.
Hanging yet another winning ribbon on the Fox Meadow Farm tack room, Cindy Mugnier guided Raintree Resurrection to the Hunter Pleasure Championship for Julie Costello. LIV Man Of Steele commanded reserve grand champion honors for Mary Antinozzi and Livingston Morgans LLC. Carlyle Markedly and Kate La Rose were the first team called from the lineup in the Open Morgan Hunter Pleasure event. Gail Bodine-Donahue and Graywood’s Lancelot were reserve in that round as they were in the amateur qualifier in which Northgate Stables’ Tori Mattozzi and Bradvue’s Sudden Impact were smooth as silk to take the blue. They came back even better to be named Amateur Morgan Hunter Pleasure Grand Champions for trainers John and Sheri Lampropoulos. The reserve victory pass belonged to Sara Heffernan and Andrea’s Radiance.
Jamie Savage had Stradivarius in high order. Good enough, in fact, to win three classes. She was aboard for the junior/novice victory pass and then sent owner Nicole Neville to the winner’s circle in the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Junior Exhibitor Championship and qualifier. Ashley Mugnier rode MJL Alexus to the reserve champion title after Trebles Johnny B Goode held the reserve slot in the qualifier.
There was also competition for Hunter Pleasure Walk and Trot. Julia Reynolds and Irish Justinian made the last pass in the championship following up their reserve performance in the 11 & under qualifier. Samantha Franks and TLR Treasure Chest had started out the week on a winning note and then had to settle for the reserve championship.
Ann Hailey was one busy lady between her Morgans and Hackneys. She rode Morningdance to the Morgan Western Pleasure Championship and qualifying blue under the direction of Sebring Stables. Michael Malinowski and NKS So Fine were twice reserve winners in the open division after winning the Amateur Morgan Western Pleasure Championship and qualifier. Gabriella Ploss jogged GW In Lieu Of Cash to the reserve ties.
Last year open pleasure classes were added to the show schedule and this year the open pleasure championships joined them. There were large numbers for the pleasure saddle classes and winning the CHSA Pleasure Open Championship was My Dakota, an entry ridden by Jessica Moctezuma for Gail Wirtz-Costello. This was yet another Northwind Stables victory. Representing Cricket Hill Farm, Caroline Ann Deshaies and CH Dance To Remember wore the tricolor streamers of the reserve grand champions.
In the CHSA qualifier Rob Turner and Co-Ed’s Impressive Lady finished on top, while Elaine Gregory and Revenuer had the blue ribbon performance from the ladies saddle class. The NEHC title went to Jessica Moctezuma’s Starmaker’s Starburst.
Nicole Byers and Hamil teamed up to take both the Open Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier. Herb Hedwell’s New York’s Finest was the reserve champion. Hamil and Byers had also won the Friesian Pleasure Driving Open class before taking reserve to Sierberen in the championship. David Arnold presented the extremely fancy Jorrit to take the Friesian Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier for Lou and Delia Fox. Charmane Delisle’s Doede Fan Bokkum were twice reserve.
That finished the highlights from the 22nd annual UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere. The 2004 New England show circuit couldn’t have started on a brighter note! Results can be found in this section or can be printed out from www.saddlehorsereport.com.
|