Always last to hit the ring and almost always last to leave it, CH Callaway’s Pretty Penny was the Country Pleasure Driving winner to start off the Thursday matinee. Teamed as always with Nancy Anderson, the Brown Anderson Farms entry was impeccable once again, as she continued her undefeated season, 13 wins in 13 trips. For seven straight years, this team has been judged to be the very best in the world, winning World’s title after World’s title. It has been an unbelievable run for this brilliant copper bay daughter of Callaway’s Full Power, and her inimitable partner Nancy has enjoyed every step of the way along with trainers Andy and Lynda Freseth. A new face in the Country Pleasure Driving ranks, Lady’s Great Night Out was reserve with Amie Rowe driving. By CF First Night Out and out of the Sultan’s Great Day mare, Lady’s Great Day, Great Night Out is trained by Wes and Sena Bowling.
From a copper bay to a golden chestnut, Callaway’s Winning Number lit up the show ring to win the 14-and-Under Country Pleasure class. With Alice Rowland aboard for Ever Glades Farm, Winning Number was a vision in body-clipped gold, stepping smoothly and briskly down the rail under the direction of Missy Hughes. This performance might even have been better than their two World’s Championship wins in Freedom Hall in August. Third in her Louisville qualifier, Alexandra Percoco picked up the red ribbon today with Heads Will Turn. Trained by Jan Lukens, Heads Will Turn was the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Champion at Twin State Octoberfest last month. A Louisville qualifier World’s Champion, Uwharrie’s Patriot Sage was third with Laura Plant for Tom and Patsy Plant.
Reserve in the Roadster to Bike qualifier here a year ago, Big N Rich was back with new connections in 2009, winning the Roadster Under Saddle class with Matt Shiflet up for William Chapman. This tandem also took the last pass in Freedom Hall as the Open Roadster Under Saddle World’s Champions. Mike Barlow made a rare Roadster Under Saddle appearance to take reserve aboard Eclipse for Barbara Matthews. Barbara was third at Louisville with Eclipse in both the Amateur class as well as the Championship.
The Victory Pass took one in the Missouri-Kansas Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship. Abby Mutrux was once again in the irons as she was on Tuesday when they were reserve in the qualifier. They stepped it up to take the blue today with mom Jean calling out instruction from the rail. By Gypsy Santana, Victory Pass is out of Highpoint’s Armada. Always a standout with his black and white coloring, Prince’s Black Tie Affair was the Reserve Champion with Jessica Randall riding for Chuck and Jackie Browning. With wins at Nebraska Charity, Longview Charity and Midwest on their resume this year, it has been a great success.
In from the Colorado circuit, Brandi Parker made a solo performance in the Junior Exhibitor Western Country Pleasure class with Gold Decision. They are undefeated in Junior Exhibitor competition on the year.
Unanimous Consent earned just that, as all three judges selected him as the winner of the Missouri-Kansas Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship. With Betts Coup aboard, this was another MO/Kan Champion that finished reserve in the qualifier but made a comeback ride to earn the tri-color. They made it three years in a row to hold this title at the American Royal under the direction of Mike Roberts Stable. Qualifier winners Tabor Center and Rochele Cochrane finished up as the Reserve Champions in this one.
Continuing her long and storied career of success in the show ring, CH Mother Mary captured the top spot in the Amateur Fine Harness class with Anita Simpson. Directed by Mercer Springs, Mother Mary is the current Reserve World’s Champion of Champions and, of course, was the World’s Grand Champion in 2008. She and her always nicely turned out driver were really "on" today. James Miller made his second show with the reigning Amateur Gentlemen’s Fine Harness World’s Champion, Heir’s Treasure, to take reserve for Hillcroft Farm. Showing under the Kalarama banner, Miller has a debonair flair that is fitting of the harness division.
Undefeated in Kemper Arena, Coco Loco won Section One of the Pleasure Driving qualifier with Corbin Smith at the lines for Fritz and Candace Meili. UPHA Fine Harness Classic National Champion in 2004 and Junior Fine Harness winner here in 2005, Coco Loco and Corbin made a dynamic performance to beat a tough and tested field. Always a star, CH Candle Dan was reserve with Jayne Romano. Directed by Jan Lukens, this team is never to be counted out. Katherine Rainbolt rounded out the top three with CH Just Special for Rainbow Princess Farms and trainer Randy Cates.
"That was probably your best ride ever," said trainer Tom Sworm to rider Jacqueline Manzo as she prepared to take her round of honor with CH His Supreme Reflection. The two-time Amateur Park World’s Champion of Champions was absolutely stunning today for owner Kimberly Jones. It’s never hard to find him in the ring, just look for the big, bright chestnut with the huge front end and snappy hocks. That’s the one. In second was the full sister to Sir William Robert, Princess Mara. In her first class under saddle since winning the Park Championship here a year ago, Mara was ridden today by Mandy Martin for Joellen Fisher Blount. Holli Esposito picked up third with Reggie’s Indigo Jim, while Callaway’s Preservation and Jacqueline Beck were fourth for Samantha Conlin.
The Van Zomeren crew was elated with their win in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure 15-17 class, as In A Blue Moon and Samantha Thomas took the number one spot. By Supreme Heir, Blue Moon is out of Satin Blue, by Longview’s Supreme. Callaway’s Summer Solstice was reserve with Carissa Marshall showing under the direction of Todd and Bille Rae Graham. They were Champions at Lexington Junior League earlier this year.
From a nice group of seven, Hawkeye’s Chatter Box emerged as the victor in the Junior Exhibitor Hackney Pleasure Driving class with Allie Wellington driving for the Drowning Creek banner. AHHS Hackney Pleasure Driving Youth Medallion Reserve National Champions last year, Allie and Chatter Box look ready to take their shot at the title. Midwestern favorite Garrett Weiler was reserve with Honest Impression for Amy Weiler. He had a big day, as he picked up a fourth place finish in Country Pleasure earlier in the day with his partner, Salt Heir.
Guevarra and Brooke Bowen repeated their qualifier placing, taking the tri-color home in the Missouri-Kansas Three-Gaited Park Stake, completing an undefeated season together. After Eight and Stacey Myers also repeated their finish, earning the Reserve Championship for William Woods University.
A deep class of walk-trot ponies came to challenge the champions, but The Attache Orchid and Hunter Chancellor were ready to take on all comers, as they picked up all three first-place votes, winning the Three-Gaited Pony class here for the third year in a row. A shining star in her hot pink coat, Hunter put on another masterful ride, just as she had to take two trips down Louisville’s victory lane with Attache Orchid in August. The 14-17 Three-Gaited Pony World’s Champion, Manhattan’s Irish Cream was reserve with Dylan Hines riding for Yvonne and Rick Hines. A veteran of many a walk-trot pony battle, Irish Cream continues to strut around the ring, a leg-waving star. The Three-Gaited Pony Reserve World’s Champion of Champions, Powerful Tango, was third today with Dominique Bowlen riding for Alex Bowlen under the Cater Stables banner.
Pleasure Driving National Champion here a year ago with the late Jane Mueller, CH Open Arms returned to Kemper Arena with one of Jane’s good friends, Linda Fischer, at the lines. She would have been proud of her beautiful black mare today, as "Amy" made a fantastic show for her owner, six-year-old Griffin Talbot Day. Amy and Linda were Reserve World’s Champions in their Louisville qualifier earlier this year. Unclaimed has had a fantastic year with Jan Beardsley Blanco under the direction of Fairfield South. They started out the year with six straight wins, and have since gone on to pick up four red ribbons. However, those reserve titles came at Lexington Junior League, Louisville, and now the American Royal. They won their qualifier here last year and went on to finish as the Reserve National Champions.
A freight train of a gaited pony, Billy Jewel tore up the green-ish shavings with Caroline Rose to earn their eighth round of honor on the year. Trained at Cater Stables, Billy Jewel is the two-time defending Five-Gaited Pony World’s Champion of Champions. Owned by Clara McCool, he is a bundle of energy and pony power unleashed. Tyler Miles got the catch ride aboard his former partner, Moon Charmer. Owned by Belle Owen, Moon Charmer and Tyler were 13-and-Under Five-Gaited Pony World’s Champions last year.