UPHA/American Royal - Friday Matinee
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday is walk-and-trot day at the Royal, as the youngest of competitors were up bright and early to compete in Phase One of the UPHA Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup National Final. They will be back this afternoon to vie for that top spot in the final class of the afternoon.
The matinee session began with an offering from the Mo/Kan ranks. Ally Offerdahl took the last pass in this one aboard The Devil You Say. The Mo/Kan Country Pleasure Champion was headed up by Zach Duffy and Jeff Vogel for Mike Roberts Stable. With wins at their last four horse shows, Ally and The Devil You Say were the 13-and-Under Country Pleasure Reserve National Champions last year. Erin Cummings had the reserve champion in CH Just Special. The longtime star is part of the Stephens College program. He still has all of that show horse attitude as he continues his grand career by teaching these up and coming horsewomen.
Morgan Billig was the thrilled National Champion in the 14-17 Show Pleasure division, giving Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered a big hug before heading to the winner’s circle to meet trainer Mike Richardson. Sired by CH Call Me Ringo and out of Carmelita Santana, this was the 2012 Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. Just seven this year, he works high and tight in the bridle in pleasure perfect style. Jessie Wuesthofen had a special moment with CH Brookhill’s King Of Kool when she was called out as the Reserve National Champion. She gave him a long pat and hug before going up for her prize, clearly remembering their long career together. Over the course of their six seasons together, they hit the ring 58 times, winning 43 blue ribbons. Eight of those blue ribbons came in Freedom Hall from their 12 times hitting those green shavings. That is an amazing record in any division, let alone one as competitive as juvenile pleasure. Juliette Dell and Reedann’s Rare Mystery were a good third here for the 6D Ranch, followed by Absolutely Got It and Avis Van Zomeren in fourth for Mark and Renae Van Zomeren.
Just Outrageous repeated a qualifier win to claim the Mo/Kan Amateur Five-Gaited Championship with Emma Stanfield. Rachalle and Natalie Stezovsky joined the champions for the round of honor. Reserve champions in the juvenile ranks at both Des Moines and UPHA Chapter 5, Just Outrageous and Emma are in just their first season together for owner Heidi Stanfield. Gypsies Tramps And Thieves has been training on aspiring horsemen and women since 2010 at William Woods University. Shannon Garcia did a great job with him today to repeat her qualifier placing as the reserve champion. The bay gelding earned this same title here a year ago with Murphy McSemek.
The reigning World’s Champion of Champions added a National Championship to his resume in the Adult Country Pleasure division. CH Teuschers took this top prize with owner Teresa Atkin aboard. An entry from LaFleur Stables, this was Teuschers’ biggest win to date with Teresa up. Longtime LaFleur rider Gretchen Bentz got the catch rides at Louisville to take two victory passes. This is just the first year that Teresa and Teuschers have been teamed up, coming up with seven victory passes together on the campaign. Qualifier winner CH Talkin’ To You was the Reserve National Champion, as Vickie Byrd rode her new partner to that title under the High Caliber banner. Sold within the barn after ASHAV this year, it was former owner Donna Finch up for a Reserve World’s Championship ride just last year. Talkin’ To You is by CH The Talk Of The Town and out of CH The New You. Leatherwood’s Zenergy and Betsy Thomas were a good third, followed by Second Star To The Right and Megan Dragich in fourth.
The first of the qualifiers for the American Royal Equitation Championship went to Kristina Mauro in the 13-and-Under division. Showing Rob New York under the direction of Anne Speck and Neil Visser, Kristina made it a worthwhile trip in from the West Coast. The Junior Classic Equitation World Champion at the Morgan Grand National this year, Kristina was the Reserve National Champion in the UPHA Morgan Junior Challenge Cup Finals. Nicole Leone and Heir’s Sparkling Star were reserve winners here from Cater Stables. It was a coast to coast cast, as Nicole hails from New Hampshire. She was Top Ten in the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup Finals earlier this week. Grace Allison was third aboard Callaway’s Pursued, with Maisie Benfield fourth on Size Me Up.
The Mo/Kan division welcomed Robert Gardiner to the winner’s circle once again as the unanimous Mo/Kan Three-Gaited Champion. Callaway’s Blaire was the top entry for the second time this week for High Spirits Farm. By Callaway’s Main Man and out of Callaway’s Someone Special, Blaire is eating for two, as she shows in foal to Callaway’s Bluesman! Reserve in the qualifier here a year ago and the reserve champion this time around, Always Trust In Me made a good show with Robert Stezovsky. An entry of the Griggs Red Bridge Ranch, Always Trust In Me is by Designed and out of a Longview’s Paladin mare.
Clara McCool got the nod from all three judges in the 14-15 Saddle Seat Equitation class. Equitation champion at Blue Ridge and Syracuse, Clara rides My Sudden Surprise under the direction of Cater Stables. Clara was a winner here before, winning the 2009 UPHA Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup National Championship. Ally McHugh and Number One Girl were the reserve winner for Kierson Farm. Twice a Reserve World’s Champion in her age group, Ally is in her first year in the senior ranks.
While it was Morgan trainer Kelly Kraegel swooping in to score a win yesterday, it was Nikki Rae Woodworth grabbing the tri-color today with CF A Rare Genius. Riding the Park Pleasure Champion today, Nikki Rae was aboard the Park Saddle Reserve World Champion in Oklahoma just a few weeks ago, As Predicted. The year before that, those two claimed the English Pleasure World Championship. A former equitation star as well, Nikki Rae put Rare Genius in all the right spots in this big class. Qualifier winners Amanda Simpson and Callaway’s Here’s To Hope were the Reserve Champions here for Sally Graf. These two never finished outside the top three all year long, winning 14 times and taking three reserves. Fort Chiswell’s Prince Charming and Clark Clouse were up for third, followed by Brightest Light and Jessica Saft.
Zach Meyer drove the multi-titled Pacifico’s Standing Ovation to the Junior Exhibitor Hackney Pleasure Driving National Championship. There could be no better match for trainer Andy Freseth than young Zach. Neither one of them shows any emotion in the show ring! The AHHS Hackney Pleasure Driving Medallion National Champion this year, Standing Ovation was the reserve champion in this class last year. Ella Stafford and Conqueror’s Colleen LF were the Reserve National Champions for Karen Van Diest and trainer Rob Kritzler. This was the same order of finish in that aforementioned AHHS Final at Mid-America Mane Event.
Fairfield South celebrated the top two in the 16-17 Saddle Seat Equitation class, as Kailin Baechle and Gavin Gagnon grabbed the blue and red. Top Ten in the UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Finals last night, Kailin and Harley Rally were top notch once again today to claim the blue under the direction of Gary and Devon Garone and Kyle Gagnon. The 16-Year-Old Equitation World’s Champion has been a star all year long. Gavin Gagnon and Tom Lewis were reserve in this field of nine, claiming a good prize for the Fairfield South banner. Gavin was a winner here for the first time in 2006 as the UPHA Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup National Champion. Kaitlin Kelly and La Zingara finished in third, followed by Cassie Bell and Nuttin’ To It in fourth.
Six of the eight ribbon winners and all of the top four in the Five-Gaited Pleasure National Championship carry their “CH” designation from the American Saddlebred Registry’s recognition program. Tops of these was the great big bay, CH Take A Guess. The undefeated season was completed for the entry of Mary Krentz, as Michelle Krentz Partridge rode to the National Championship for Grey Ridge Farm, making it 10 for 10 in 2013. Newlywed Stacey Kipper Perrelli was the Reserve National Champion with CH Callaway’s Ariel, cheered on by the ever-lucky Scott Perrelli. An entry of Sondra Kipper, these two were champions at UPHA Chapter 5 on these same grounds earlier this year. They earned this same Reserve National Championship prize in 2012 as well. CH Callaway’s Dream Big was top three with Ruth Abbott, followed by CH Mojo and Jill Bosshard in fourth for Debra Hoffman.
Still stepping high at 15, Lime Twisted Gin was the Mo/Kan Amateur Three-Gaited Champion today with Morgan Brison riding for Bob and Tonya Brison. A former Reserve World’s Grand Champion i, the bright chestnut gelding is by Uhlen Branch and out of a Preferred Property mare. Qualifier winner He’s A Jim Dandy was the reserve champion here with Alice Rowland riding for Ever Glades Farm and trainer Missy Hughes Smith. Jim Dandy is by My Magical Moment and out of a New York Times mare.
Two from the Reedannland breeding program topped the Western Country Pleasure National Championship, with the unanimous win going back to Oklahoma with Reedann’s Phancy Phootwork. It was a good day for the Morgan girls, as Kelly Kraegel trains this one and Karen Cooley is the rider. Ladies Western Country Pleasure winner yesterday, Phancy Phootwork was light on the bridle and perfectly mannered once again today for owner Kiley Bush. Kelly does a tremendous job with a Western horse, winning the Ladies Western Pleasure World Championship this year at Oklahoma with UVM Opportunity GCH. Corie Jean Allen delighted the Palos Hills team with a Reserve National Championship aboard Reedann’s Phederal Reserve. Also by Phi Slama Jama, just as the National Champion, Phederal Reserve was the reserve champion at Mid-America Mane Event last month. They claimed a top prize in the championship round at St. Louis this year as well. CH Monsignor and Laine Peterson were third today, with CH I’m Goin’ Out Tonight and Virginia Stanley in fourth.
The young riders closed out the day, with the 13-and-Under Show Pleasure National Championship coming to the ring first. Jack Magill was the proud trainer of the winner, The Lone Star Heiress. He ran to the winner’s circle with both fists in the air to greet catch rider Kinslie Dougherty. Kinslie showed this entry of Kay Marschel to a top three finish at Louisville this year. Lone Star Heiress is by Supreme Heir and out of D.S. Sweet Summer Sunshine. Reserve in both her qualifier split and this championship round, Raegan Morrison took Girl On Fire to the Reserve National Championship for Morrison Saddlebreds LLC and trainer Tammy DeVore. Winner of her Louisville split this year with Girl On Fire, Raegan was a walk-and-trot World’s Champion just last year. Callaway’s Eight Below and Jozee Johnson finished third for Harold Denton Jr. Chloe Hauville and Imagine If earned fourth from Cater Stables.
Undefeated in Freedom Hall, Remi Adams notched her first Kemper Arena win, riding Miss Mheiry Mac to the UPHA Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup National Championship. Lillian Shively headed her up in the lineup. If there is a walk-and-trot Triple Crown, maybe it includes this class as well as Lexington and Louisville. If we can create that title, then Remi just completed her Triple Crown for the year! Isabella Privitera and Heir’s Halo put all of their precision on display as the Reserve National Champions. Showing under the direction of Missy Hughes Smith, Isabella was also the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions this year in the 9-10 age group. Her hard work over the off-season paid off, as she enjoyed a spectacular 2013 campaign with 10 wins and six reserves. Also making the Top Ten from an initial group of 20 were Haily Miller and Miner’s Blessing from Wingswept Farm, Lily Goodman and Tangled In Blues from Cape Cod, Harriet Butscher and HS Decorum from Infinity Stables, Kate Lewis and Azure Dreams under the direction of Lisa Hillmer, Mina Mueller and Forever Heaven from Judd Stables, Michael Arquilla and Mooi Mooi from Northern Tradition Farm, Cara DeForge and Brookhill’s Who’s Your Daddy from Kierson Farm, and Isabella Wild with Platinum Asset directed by Sena Bowling.
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