UPHA/American Royal - Wednesday Evening
Thursday, November 15, 2012
It was a unanimous win to start the show, as the Parade horses returned to the American Royal, with Water Water Everywhere taking the top spot with Cheri Wise. An entry of Vernon and Cheri Wise, Water Water Everywhere was trimmed in silver, with Cheri in nearly all white, trimmed in red and blue. This chestnut gelding reigned supreme at the Ohio State Fair as the Parade Horse World Champion. Peter Fenton made mention of a couple of the bigger names in the Parade world, including the late, great Danny Breakbill and Michele Macfarlane, who has participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade for the past 30-plus years. It’s Miller Time In Harlem was the reserve winner for Jim Miller and Spirit Horse Farm. Spirit Horse Farm also took the third place, as Stonewall’s Ebony Angel earned the yellow ribbon with Dr. Cathy Harris.
After a short delay, the Ladies Fine Harness class came to the ring with six strong entries coming to show on Wednesday night. Our Brilliant Belle was absolutely spectacular to take the unanimous round of honor with Mary Gise driving for Priscilla Gise and Hollow Haven Farm. The flaxen mare has won her last four classes since finishing her Louisville week as the Fine Harness Reserve World’s Grand Champion and Ladies Fine Harness World’s Champion. By Joe Fabulous and out of a Finally Attached mare, this mare has a long career ahead of her. Chryse Veit was thrilled with the reserve prize at the lines of My Bling. An entry of Maple Hill Farms, My Bling is trained by Cary Bartz. They have won five classes on the season so far. My Bling is by Trust Fund, also a Minnesota-based horse. She is out of an Irish Connection mare. Jan Beardsley Blanco and My Magical Melody rounded out a strong top three for Fairfield South.
Two Heartland-bred ponies took the top two prizes in the Amateur Hackney Pony class, with Heartland Rough And Ready taking this win for the second year in a row. The long-necked and fine pony was driven by Toni Nastali under the direction of Majestic Oaks Farm. The reigning Amateur National Champion made a phenomenal show tonight and had to do so to top a competitive class. The reigning Amateur World’s Champion of Champions was reserve, as Faydelle Schott got a nice ovation from the crowd at the lines of CH Heartland Fortune Maker. These two ponies are incredibly different, each filling a different niche of this division and doing it very well indeed.
After showing in Phase One of the UPHA Junior Challenge Cup Finals at 8:30 this morning, the formals were donned to show back for the big prize tonight. Just nine riders showed for this National Championship, so obviously all made the call back for tonight’s second round. Top honors and her second National Championship went to Macey Joan Miles and Final Act. Obviously a DeLovely product, Macey was also the Junior World’s Champion of Champions this year. Her other National Championship ride came here in 2008 as the UPHA Walk-and-Trot Challenge Cup National Champion. From Macey to Maisie, it was Highpoint’s Syncopated Rhythm wearing the reserve tricolor for Maisie Benfield and Zubrod Stables. Maisie was also a walk-and-trot superstar, winning that same Walk-and-Trot Finals in 2010. Just an 11-year-old rider, Maisie was the 11-and-Under World’s Champion and finished top three in the Junior World’s Championship.
Important to note here is that the UPHA’s Saddle Seat Equitation Committee put a bonus in place this year for the instructor who brought the most new riders to show in the UPHA Challenge Cup Finals. The inaugural winner was Michael Beasom of Texas, who received a cash bonus of $1,500! Beasom, upon receiving that call, immediately donated that entire amount back to the UPHA for the Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund. It was an unbelievably selfless act and got the proper mention from Peter Fenton and the proper acknowledgement from the crowd as well.
Robert Gardiner had an eventful victory pass as the unanimous winner of the Open Three-Gaited 15.2-and-Under for the second time with VHF Belle Epoque. Also the winner in 2009, she has been the Three-Gaited National Champion the past two seasons for Robert and his Chevelle Show Horses. By Bluebell Banner, the brilliant chestnut mare was in her top, park-trotting form for the blue. Nubiana was the reserve winner with Rob Turner in the irons for Holli Esposito. By The Tango Dancer, this jet black mare is out of the Broodmare Hall of Fame mare, My Bugatti Royale.
What a debut it was for Hunter Chancellor and Platinum Moon. Showing for the first time in a black formal that looked like it had almost a liquid quality to it, Hunter stole the show with the reigning Three-Gaited World’s Grand Champion, earning the top prize with the unanimous acclaim of the judges. The DeLovely team has put this duo together in just two short months, though having a jockey like Hunter doesn’t hurt. The two-time defending World’s Champion of Champions, The Mighty Mouse, earned reserve with Hannah Houske riding under the direction of Milo Jones for Shelby Farm and Stable. This was the first time all season for these two to leave the ring with anything but the top prize. Last year’s 13-and-Under winner here finished up third tonight, as CH HS Dignitary earned that prize for Courtney McGinnis and Fish Creek Stables, giving DeLovely two of the top three in this class.
While little sister Nina Campbell was a winner earlier today, Three Point Shooter was the victor in the 39-and-Over Show Pleasure class with Susan Creekmore riding for Thomas R. Brock Jr. This one is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of CH Kalarama’s New Sensation. Andy Freseth headed up the round of honor, just as he did in Section Three of the Adult Show Pleasure World’s Championship this year. Park Pleasure Champion here a year ago with Andy Freseth, Three Point Shooter was the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic National Champion the year before that. The always exquisite CH A Magic Spell was a one-time resident of Hollow Haven as well. She was reserve tonight with Gen Hess riding under the direction of Jennifer Dixon. The beautiful Catalyst daughter is owned by Heather Buhr and Jonathan Feiber.
Sarah Rowland made a solo drive in the Junior Fine Harness class to win her second class of the week with Ever Glade’s Summer Heir. The Undulata’s Nutcracker x CH An Heir About Her cross won the first class of the show and now this one as well. Mandy Martin headed up the victory pass for Ever Glades, with the injured Missy Hughes Smith watching from the gate. This winning team received a nice ovation from the hometown crowd.
Named after the famous magician, Harry Blackstone put on a magical show for Abby Mutrux to take the Mo/Kan Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited blue. Junior Exhibitor Reserve Champions at St. Louis, Abby and Harry made a consistent ride tonight to claim the top prize. He is by Forty-Second Street ERB and out of Lambada. Winner of this one a year ago, Gypsies Tramps And Thieves was reserve this time around with Murphy McSemek up for William Woods University.
The 13-and-Under Five-Gaited blue went to CH Callaway’s Born For This and Catherine Wheeler for the second year in a row. Reserve World’s Champion of Champions this year in Freedom Hall, the wildly athletic gray mare was all speed and flair tonight to win unanimously for Ceil and Kenny Wheeler and Mercer Springs Farm. Varsity Blues scored the reserve win with Jozee Johnson riding under the Clouse Stables banner. Junior Exhibitor Champions at All American Horse Classic, Jozee and Varsity Blues are in their second year together. They also earned a reserve prize at Lexington earlier this year.
CH Thunderation was the winner of the 11-entry Amateur Road Pony class, continuing a phenomenal campaign with Meredithe Steinhauer at the lines for Denise Steinhauer. The Majestic Oaks team was the Amateur 50”-and-Under Road Pony World’s Champion and came back to be crowned Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. The yellow and black silks were blazing down the rail for the blue tonight. Also from Majestic Oaks, Heartland Curtain Call put on a speedy show with Lindsay Jones in the bike for the red prize. Lindsay was the AHHS 14-17 Road Pony Medallion National Champion here just a year ago. They are now aged out into the amateur ranks with good results all season long. Heartland Resplendent and Amy Roberts finished third, with Mr. Lucky Man and Patrice Watson O’Brien fourth.
Wild Carrissima continued his undefeated streak with Bret Day, winning the Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding class here for the second straight year. Dr. Chip Pugh’s two-time defending Fine Harness World’s Grand Champion was a sensation in Freedom Hall and turned in another top performance tonight for the blue. Danette Musselman drove Call Me Johnny Ringo to reserve for Joyce Cashman. Johnny Ringo is by CH Call Me Ringo and out of Heir’s Curtain Call, by CH Heir To Champagne. They were reserve in this class in 2010 as well.
The Majestic has enjoyed his step up to the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park division, winning both of his classes, including this one with Maya Manilow up. Winner of their 14-17 Show Pleasure World’s Championship qualifier this year, The Majestic looked every bit the part of a top contender in this one, winning for Barbara Goodman Manilow and Skyline Stables. Reserve in this big, competitive class was Cloverleaf Master And Commander. Hannah Houske earned her second reserve prize of the night in her debut performance in this division with Master And Commander. He is by Zovoorbij Commander In Chief and out of a CH Man On The Town mare. CH Hillside’s Sensation and Maggie McCool garnered the yellow ribbon for Cater Stables, with Walterway’s Tailor Made and Kaitlyn Creekmore fourth for Thomas R. Brock Jr.
The two black horses were the top two in the Ladies Three-Gaited Over 15.2 class, with Harlem’s Showman making one of his best shows of the year with Beata Flatley Lilja. Lisa Strickland directs this team for EquiElegance Ltd. Ladies Champion at Mid-America Mane Event, Showman is by Harlem Globetrotter and out of Likely As Not. Brookhill’s Glam Slam was reserve in Elizabeth Ghareeb’s debut with the gorgeous black mare. By Periaptor and out of the Broodmare Hall of Fame mare CH It’s A Beautiful Day, Glam Slam is trained by Grey Ridge Farm.
Amateur Roadster to Wagon World’s Champion and the Reserve World’s Champion of Champions, Last Call was the solo entry in Open Roadster to Wagon. He and Judy McNeish were also Champions at Lexington Junior League. They show as always under the DeLovely banner.
The Amateur Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding blue also went back to DeLovely, as this amateur class sported half gentlemen riders and half ladies, with Glenn T. Werry earning the top prize. It was Heir Comes The Man as the winning entry, continuing the tradition of gentlemen aboard chestnut geldings winning this one, which was begun by Gabe Deknatel and The Daily Lottery. This team earned the Amateur Gentlemen’s Championship at Asheville. Tonight was perhaps their best show together, making a consistently brilliant show. Carson Kressley got a big ovation in reserve aboard Attache’s Crown Royal, doffing his hat to the appreciative crowd as he stomped out the gate at the rack for Annika Bruggeworth and Monnington Farm. These two won the amateur championship at Mid-America Mane Event last month. Crown Royal was of course the Five-Gaited Reserve World’s Grand Champion in 2009. Mark Of Perfection and Jessica Curl made plenty of noise in third under the direction of Bob Brison. They were on top of their game to claim the yellow streamers. Joe Fabulous and Emma Nichols picked up fourth for the Nichols Family Farm.
CH Crystal Creek’s Commander was the Amateur Harness Pony winner, with Sandra Surber making her second good drive of the day. She was reserve earlier today in her split of Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony. This Majestic Oaks team earned the Amateur Ladies Reserve World’s Championship. A year ago, Linda Fischer made the catch drive to win this class with Commander, going on to claim the 2011 National Championship. Pretty Impressive picked up the red ribbon with Diana Vonderheide turning in a great drive. This one is sired by Impress My Daddy, who won earlier today in the Open Harness Pony class. The Mid-America Mane Event Harness Pony Champion, Pretty Impressive is trained by Lisa Strickland.
The Plaza and Andy Freseth were the top call in the Five-Gaited Gelding Stake, taking that prize for Amanda Dellinger and Hollow Haven Farm. It’s three wins in a row for Andy and The Plaza, as they were Five-Gaited Jackpot winners at St. Louis and Mid-America Mane Event. Those wins followed their Five-Gaited Gelding Reserve World’s Championship on Wednesday night in Freedom Hall. This team earned the Junior Five-Gaited blue here last season. Oddly enough, this class had the same finish as that Junior class from a year ago, as Stewie Griffin earned that reserve prize. A winner twice at ASHAV, he was ridden by Todd Graham once again for Tannehill Farms. Stewie is by Designed and out of a Callaway’s Blue Norther mare.
Speaking of the plaza, the Kansas City Plaza is one of the top shopping destinations in the area. The American Saddlebred Museum has taken good note of this and partnered with the Halls Department Store. If you mention the Saddlebred Museum while checking out, Halls will donate 10% of your purchase this week to the American Saddlebred Museum! Happy shopping!
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