Welcome Back Springfield!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Springfield, MO -- After an eight year absence, the Junior League of Springfield Charity Horse Show returned to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Arena June 2-4, 2005. It was easily apparent that great care and effort went into making this inaugural charity show a stellar event. Lenard Davenport, show manager, and Cinda Rogers, show chair, provided exhibitors and spectators with a quality horse show.
"It was an outstanding start to the revival of this horse show," said Davenport. "We had a solid turnout and everyone was thrilled to be here."
The Junior League of Springfield had volunteers ready and willing to help during all sessions and volunteers worked diligently in preparing for this event. This organization is dedicated to bringing the community together to host one of the finest horse shows in the Missouri area.
Hospitality was clearly an important piece of the horse show puzzle for the show committee and they sure no detail was left out. Breakfast was provided each morning in the show office, snacks were available throughout the day for people and horses and parties were held each night. On Thursday evening, Davenport extended his welcome to all exhibitors and patrons to the backyard of his own home. Sponsored by Ms. Rosalie Wooten, Dr. and Mrs. Gary Hoos, and Ms. Linda Hoffmann, guests walked into an enchanting land full of flowers and intriguing greenery. With a lighted gazebo, flowing fountain and beautiful grounds, the party was what everyone hoped for at the end of a Thursday show session. Lanterns glowing, conversation bubbling, and smiles gleaming, guests were thrilled at the opportunity to relax, dine on Mexican food, and listen to a live mariachi band in such a wonderful environment.
DeLong Plumbing sponsored the Exhibitor Appreciation Reception on Friday evening and ChriShan Park sponsored an academy reception on Saturday.
A new touch for Springfield 2005 was the entertainment that preceded each evening session. The Easy Riders, a group of young riders who are currently the United States Equestrian Drill Association Youth Champions, performed a drill routine to music each night which added to the versatility of the show. The Celebrity Class was held during the Thursday night session. Five of Missouri's well-known radio and television personalities competed in a working class aboard the Easy Riders' horses. Each celebrity, Tom Trtan and Laura Buchtel from the KOLR 10 Weather Team, Tim Tialdo of KY3, Julie Vanvig, morning DJ for KTTS, and Rick Moore of Bass Country Radio had to complete tasks such as trotting around the ring and then dismounting to run through and obstacle and remounting. The celebrities laughed all the way through the class and the crowd cheered them on.
Exhibitors were very pleased with the cleanliness and appearance of the grounds, ring, and stalls. The weather was ideal with not a drop of rain.
The show office worked in smooth fashion with Mary Ann Meiners serving as show secretary. The office door was always open with staff ready to help. Paddock announcer Elmer Fields was on top of each class relaying information to the warm up areas and barns. Robert Wilson, Smithville, Ky., judged Saddlebred, Hackney Pony, roadster, and equitation classes while Janice Decker, New Palestine, Ind., marked the cards for Arabians, Morgans, and National Show Horses.
Other show officials included USEF Steward Marcie Cockrell, announcer Steven Buus, organist Valerie Mason, photographer Linda Wollaber and farrier Mike Carlson. Dr. Jim Joyce served as the show veterinarian. Tom Carlson, Lynn Rodgers, Cammy Rainwater, Julie Guillebeau, and Bill Bartley were the ringmasters.
Offering classes for Saddlebreds, Morgans, Arabians, Tennessee Walking Horses, Foxtrotters, and ponies, the Junior League of Springfield Charity Horse Show is poised for a long-standing return, perhaps marking the beginning of a new era for the show.
Five Gaited
The thrilling Starlet's Commendable and Gayle Lampe trotted away with the five-gaited stake tricolor on Saturday night. They were the reserve team in the Open Five-Gaited class to Gillette and Alfredo Chavez, riding for Hollett farm and Stable LLC. You Talkin To Me and Katie Coup, who trains along with Lampe at Mike Roberts Stables, were reserve in the Five-Gaited Stake and reserve in ladies five-gaited.
The top pair in the ladies class was the world champion pair of Callaway's Born to Win and Gayle Lampe. The Amateur Five-Gaited Stake was one of the largest classes with nine entries. The bright bay Kalahari and Kirk Osburg had a top performance to win the tricolor. Reedann's Steppin Out and Karen Coup finished reserve in the championship and won the qualifier.
Reserve in the amateur class was awarded to the exciting team of Forbes Fortune Five Hundred and Forbes Lipschitz.
In the junior exhibitor class, On View and Mary Catherine Lyckman racked into the winner's circle. The Junior horse winner was Memorize and Sonny Sutton for Hollett Farm and Stable LLC. Reserve went to Slam Dunk's Delight and Kevin McKellips for Eugene Coffman.
Three-Gaited
Two talented horses graced the Ozark Empire arena in the Three-Gaited Stake on Saturday night. The light chestnut Lemon Shake Up with Michael Benn in the irons earned the winning title for owner James Orr, Jr. John Wallen rode Kiss of The Zodiac for Romey Broten to the reserve title. Lemon Shake Up and Benn also won the blue in the open class with Studio Fifty Four and Greg Haston coming in for reserve.
Lace Elegant and Sarah Rowland were the top team in the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake, making their second trip down victory lane after a win in amateur qualifier. Reserve in the stake went to ladies winner Absolute Courage. Cindy Gadberry Harris rode Absolute Courage in the stake while Rachelle Stezovsky rode in the ladies class from R and R Stables. The red ribbon in the amateur class went to Worthy Fantasy and James Lawson.
The junior exhibitor winner was another R and R entry, Cash Crop and Leann Patterson, who also took reserve in the Ladies Three-Gaited class. Mike Roberts rode our Charming Lady to the blue ribbon in the Junior Three-Gaited class for Dr. M.W. Sorenson. Reserve went to Sonny Sutton aboard Like A Rocket for Hollett Farm and Stable LLC.
Fine Harness
The big and lofty Ah! What A Night and Mike Roberts for Dr. M. W. Sorenson were crowned the Fine Harness Grand Champions after winning the open class earlier in the week. Reserve in both classes went to Americana's Gypsy Jazz and Myra Roberts Finks for Howard Roberts. Roberts Finks and Americana's Gypsy Jazz were also the amateur champions. The junior champion was Uncle Charlie and Michael Benn for James W. Orr, Jr. Sharon Beeler drove Leader In the Band to reserve honors.
Park
Michael Benn put another winner, Santana¹s Eternal Flame, into the ring in the park stake and the Amateur Three-Gaited Park class. Lisa Carlson rode this champion to both top ribbons. Reserve in both classes went to Burlington Northern and Carol Friel who are trained by Greg Haston. The open blue ribbon was awarded to Four Alarm and Tom Curtis, Jr. for Mary Zion from Janet Green Stables.
Park Pleasure
Clever Man and Sandy Sanders made a great show to take home the Park Pleasure Championship after a reserve finish in the amateur class. They are trained by Jimmie Hite Stables. Dana Devoss has been serving as trainer while Max Ciampoli has been recovering from an injury. Reserve in the Park Pleasure Championship went to Banned In Boston and Michael Benn for Shirley Carlson. This pair also won the open class with Lisa Carlson in the irons. The open class red ribbon went to Middlemas's Creation and Laci Keith for John Middlemas.
Loaded Weapon and Courtney Lynch topped the competition in the Amateur Park Pleasure class. The Junior Park Pleasure winner was My Seraphim and Paula Hildebrand from Jimmie Hite Stables. Reserve went to My Black Dahlia and Alfredo Chavez for Pamela Thompson and Fred and Carolyn McConkey.
Show Pleasure
Heir Do and Janet Danuser swept the gaited pleasure section, winning the stake and the open qualifier. Danuser and her golden horse train at Mike Roberts Stables. Reserve in the stake was awarded to Lee Mccauh and Who Ah!
In the nine-entry Five-Gaited Show Pleasure qualifier, Captain Spaulding and Beverly Schroeder earned the red ribbon. Ann Bradstreet and Rhonda Sue Dickerson won the Novice Five-Gaited Show Pleasure class. Reserve went to Stonewall's Negano and Betty Swanson.
One top team also took home the Three-Gaited Adult Show Pleasure Stake tricolor and qualifier blue. This winning team was Born To Believe It and Martha Fraser who are trained at R and R Stables. Reserve champion in both classes was Keys to the Heart and Rhonda Sue Dickerson who train with R.S. Palmer.
Talmage's Heiress and Janelle O'Bannon are off to a great show season. They've now added the Springfield Junior League Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake and qualifier wins to other blues from this season. Reserve in both classes went to the bold Callaway's Meriwether and Allison Osburg from Mike Roberts Stables.
Janelle O'Bannon was at the lines to drive Talmage's Heiress to the Show Pleasure Driving class blue ribbon in their only performance. Reserve went to Greystone's Iron Maiden and Ryanne Hoos. This entry also earned the tricolor in the pleasure driving stake.
Country Pleasure
Samtana and Mary Knauer made their presence known in country pleasure division winning both the Country Pleasure Championship and Adult Country Pleasure class. Reserve in both classes was awarded to Magikal Marissa and Karen Coup. Both of these classes were strong; nine entries competed in the adult class.
The Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure class was won by Hard Habit to Break and Matthew Simmons.
The Country Pleasure Driving Stake and qualifier winner was Capture the Day with Emily Pratt at the lines. Reserve in the driving stake went to Irish Spotlight and Myra Roberts Finks for Lorraine Jacobs. Reserve in the qualifying class went to Shamrock's Promenading Lady and Paulette Fisher for Margaret Cowgill.
The Country Western Pleasure Stake and qualifying class winner was the striking Real Fire and Jack Swanson. Blackwidow's Secret HHP and Ron Talburt were the red ribbon winners in both classes as well as in the Country Pleasure Hunter class. Country Pleasure Hunter winner was Melody Hills Scorpio and Renee Miessner for Whitney Roberts.
Hackney Ponies
Austin Powers paraded into the winner's circle with Jeff Vogel in the buggy for Middendorf Farms in both the Hackney Pony Stake and open class. As for the Harness Pony Stake and open class, Heartland's Believe In Me, with Kent Swalla driving for Linda Nicholes, won both blue ribbons. Lady Cat was the high stepping pony to win the Hackney Roadster Pony Stake and open class for Linda Harding. Sonny Sutton was in the buggy. Reserve in both classes was Rolex and Kent Swalla for Gary Dickherber. Seamair's Dear Sir and Katie Coup made two victory passes for the Hackney Pleasure Pony Championship and open class.
Equitation
Brooke Bowen had a successful show winning the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship and 13 and under class aboard Kerouac. They are trained by Greg Haston. Reserve in the championship went to Audrey Bart and Prairie Misstt who also scored second in the 13 and under class and the Pleasure Equitation 17 and Under class.
Mariva Towe, riding Mi Dark Star, won the UPHA Challenge Cup 17 and Under class. Reserve went to Leann Patterson and Cash Crop. The UPHA Challenge Cup 10 and Under Walk and Trot blue ribbon was awarded to Caroline Moeller who rode Callaway's Prince Harrod under the Jimmie Hite banner. Reserve went to Carson Beineman and Walterway's All Star. Katie Moeller, Caroline's sister, made the victory pass in the MHSA Saddle Seat Medallion class. The Pleasure Equitation 17 and Under winner was Codie McKellips and Awesome Image.
Morgans
Morgan English Pleasure Stake and open winner was Missouri's Boogie Pepper and Tom Curtis, Jr. for August and Becky Deschepper. Thunder Tiger Eye was second in the stake after winning the amateur class with Sara Zenisek riding for Ilona Leavitt. Reserve in the open class went to Bono On Command and Jonalyn Gwinup.
The Open Pleasure Driving Champions, Shanghai and Tami Johnson, also took home the blues in the open and amateur driving classes. Moriah Take A Mo-mint and Michael Graham for Dean and Valerie Francis collected the reserve streamers in the stake. Thunder Tiger Eye and Ilona Leavitt accepted reserve in the open and amateur classes.
The Morgan Western Pleasure Stake winner was Gaits of Gold and Jonalyn Gwinup. The reserve title went to Cy Don's Image and Mary Waring. Gaits of Gold with Jonalyn Gwinup aboard for Randi Wightman won the open western class. Reserve went to Cy Don's image and Mary Waring. The amateur winner was Cy Dons Image and Michelle D. Biggers-Beach while Gaits of Gold and Jonalyn E. Gwinup were second.
Mirabel's Noble Aramis and Taylor Winstone made a ground-covering performance to take home the Morgan Hunter Pleasure Championship. The reserve stake champions were UVM Delaney and Leslie A. Barnard. This team also won the open and amateur classes. The open and amateur red ribbons were awarded to NKS Gentle Persuasion and Lauren Winstone.
Saturday Night at Springfield Junior League Charity Horse Show drew a nice crowd of spectators in addition to the show¹s exhibitors. Spectators from town certainly enjoyed picking their favorite team and cheering them on. It was an exciting way to end this promising show.
|