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West Coast Exhibitors Off To a Great Start In Monterey



by Leeann Mione
Posted April 24, 2002
Exhibitors from throughout California, Washington, Arizona, and Oregon gathered at the Monterey County Fairgrounds April 10-13 for the Monterey Springfest Horse Show. The show, which kicks off the show season for many, strives to offer both great hospitality and great competition under the direction of show managers Rae Deane Stone and Leonora Bedolla and competition manager Nani Luebke. The show succeeded on both accounts as the rain that was predicted held off and the temperatures warmed and the parties held each day drew big numbers for the great food and socializing.

Woodhaven Farm’s Bob Facciola and trainer Marie Peyman hosted their traditional barbecue on Thursday afternoon and Diamond Hills Farm, owned by Doug and Janine Hill, drew a big crowd as well with their champagne and sweets party on Thursday evening. The horse show sponsored the Friday night exhibitor’s party and breakfast was provided each day by Deborah Finney and Susan Estes.

Leonora Bedolla and Rae Deane Stone had plenty of capable assistance to keep things running smoothly by competition secretary Diane Novak, steward Cecile Hetzell-Dunn, and paddock steward Janet Fall.

Malcolm Rossoll announced the classes, Shay Torrent was the organist, Dave Fraser was the official farrier, James Hay, DVM, served as the standby veterinarian and photographer Rick Osteen snapped the winning pictures. Take-One Video Productions served as the videographers. Chuck Smallwood coordinated the awards which included gorgeous bronze sculptures of The Lemon Drop Kid created by artist Douwe Blumberg. With prize money, ribbons and bronzes up for grabs, not to mention the prestige of a blue or tricolor win at the Monterey Springfest Horse Show, competition was strong in most classes and Bill Waller took on the task of naming the winners in the Saddlebred, Hackney and roadster divisions. Lisa Waller judged the equitation classes.

Dixon Stables ended the weekend with a large number of blue and tricolor ribbons under the direction of Bruce and Jennifer Dixon. Yvette Scandling drove Senor to the tricolor ribbon in the Harness Pony Stake after having won the open class. Her Heartland Entitled was reserve in the Hackney Pleasure Pony Driving Stake. Sandra Surber took both her ponies to multiple victories from Dixon Stables. Heartland Candidate was the Hackney Pony Grand Champion and the open champion and What Luck claimed the tricolor in the Roadster Pony Stake and open qualifier. Cassie McEuen rode Jill Bachman's Callaway's Cover Page to the reserve tricolor in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake. Gypsy's Santana Lady was the red ribbon winner in the Denver Junior/Limit Three-Gaited class with Bruce Dixon before taking the reserve tricolor in the junior exhibitor stake with Julia Martin.

Mister Snapple, owned by Debra Vallner, carried Jessica Laurie to the winner's circle in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Pleasure class before returning in the junior exhibitor stake to be named the reserve grand champion. Doug Cason added two more wins to the Dixon Stables banner when he rode Decorated Lady RKR to the blue ribbon in the country pleasure class and also took the tricolor in the stake.

Meaghan Gerhart had a busy weekend with Attache's Chaminade. Gerhart took the victory pass in the UPHA 10 and Under Walk and Trot Challenge Cup and the Pleasure Horse or Pony Walk/Trot/Jog 10 and Under class. She also claimed the reserve ribbon in the 10 and under walk and trot equitation class. Tamara Rosenkranz, riding H.M. Grigsby, won the 14-17 equitation class, and Shamrock's Jessica carried Melanie Galindo to the reserve in the 10 and under walk/trot/jog pleasure class.

Dylan Teter took blue ribbon rides in both the Academy 10 and Under Walk and Trot Equitation class and the academy walk and trot pleasure class. Kaitlin McGarry was the Academy English Pleasure Reserve Grand Champion. Both Teter and McGarry rode Touchstone March On owned by Menlo Circus Club.

Michael Craghead had the entries of Doug and Janine Hill in top form for many blue and tricolor victories in Monterey. Meghan Hill and The Irish Ember were the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited class winners and Meghan won the 17 and under challenge cup and the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship with CH Preferred Prince.

Like Sunshine was the Amateur Three-Gaited Reserve Grand Champion with owner Susan Valley Chen. Julia Chen won the 10 and under walk and trot class after having taken the reserve in the 10 and under walk and trot challenge cup with Calloway's Publicist. Michael Craghead was up on Miss Strawberry Wine for the win in the Denver Junior/Limit Five-Gaited class for owner Carlyn Barmeier. Judy Fergusson returned with the mare in the Denver junior/limit stake to claim the reserve tricolor.

Sarah Hudson and Saki teamed up to claim the reserve titles in both the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure Stake and qualifier for owner Mary Teter.

My Special Sultan took the victory pass in the limit rider show pleasure class with Theresa Vonderschmidt. The pair returned in the limit rider stake and earned the reserve ribbon. Kevin Michael and CH Fiasco swept the western country pleasure division for owner Carolyn Glick. Fiasco won the stake and qualifier and also took the red ribbon in the Shatner Western Pleasure class.

Jared Hill rounded out the Diamond Hills ribbon count by riding Call My Agent to the reserve in the 13 and under equitation class.

Under the direction of Dave Becker, Tandy West Ranch finished the weekend with numerous wins including Paladin Presidio's Fine Harness Grand Championship and open victories. Becker handled the drive for Tandy West owners Sarah and Scott Hausheer. Becker also captured the Three-Gaited Grand Championship with Poetry. Reneta Wolff's entry had previously taken the red ribbon in the open qualifier. Wolff herself went to the winner's circle when she drove Phoenix Rising to the Show Pleasure Driving Championship win.

Ocoee, owned by Deleth and Kay Perkins, was the three-year-old five-gaited winner with Becker riding, and Zoot Suit won the Shatner Western Pleasure class with owner James Knapp showing under the direction of Becker. Zoot Suit also finished with both reserves in the Western Country Pleasure Stake and qualifier.

Hometown Show was just one of the tricolor winners from Dick Boettcher Stables. Robin Hayden rode to the win in the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake after taking the reserve in the junior exhibitor qualifier. Laurel Nelson and CH Beyond Reality swept the five-gaited pleasure division under Boettcher's direction. Callaway's Gospel Truth won the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure Stake and qualifier with owner Elizabeth Leendertson. Martha Keck added another win to the group total when she rode her Lady Treasure to the blue in the Denver Junior/Limit Three-Gaited class. Dick Boettcher was up on So Basic for the reserve in the Denver Junior/Limit Five-Gaited class for owners Singing Hills Stables. Laurel Nelson and Harlem's Prince Charming claimed the red ribbon in the Ladies/Amateur Five-Gaited class.

Jim, Helen and Allison Cherry, of Zazen Ranch, teamed up for a successful show with the entries of Mary Jacobsen. Helen Cherry rode Flora McCleod to the Five-Gaited Grand Championship after having won the open class. Jim Cherry swept the Three-Gaited Park Stake and open class with Jacobsen's Worth A Scene, and Allison Cherry teamed CH X's and O's to a sweep of the three-gaited junior exhibitor division.

The entries of Dr. Gene Scott's Silver Oaks Farm put numerous winning ribbons on the tack room wall. Nancy Jones rode Highpoint's Fandango to the Amateur Five-Gaited Grand Championship after having won the ladies/amateur qualifier. John T. Jones was up on yet another CH The King Of Highpoint-sired entry, Highpoint's Hot Chocolate, for the winning ride in the Open Three-Gaited class before returning to take the three-gaited reserve grand championship for Dr. Scott. The King's Firestorm was the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Champion with John T. Jones driving. Tender As Iron was the Fine Harness Reserve Grand Champion and open reserve champion also with Jones driving. Bubblin' Beauty took the reserve in the Denver Junior/ Limit Fine Harness class for Silver Oaks and Jeffrey Fetzer drove The Savoy to the Amateur Fine Harness blue ribbon and amateur championship reserve ribbon. Bill Blacklaw drove TNT to the reserve in the Open Roadster Horse To Bike class and by the time Saturday evening's open championship arrived was the new owner of TNT for Singing Hills Stable.

Debbie Tomin and her Pacifico's Standing Ovation swept the Hackney Pleasure Pony Driving Championship and qualifier for Rockridge Farm. Tomin's husband, Bill, was up on Spirit In Motion for the blue ribbon in the Limit Five-Gaited class for owner Joanne Weiner. CH Triumphant claimed victory in the country pleasure driving qualifier to add another blue to the Rockridge total. Joanne Weiner was in the irons for the reserve ribbon in the Five-Gaited Pleasure Stake with Because You're Mine. Whistle Dixie and Gail Hooker were the Amateur Five-Gaited Reserve Grand Champions.

Woodhaven owner Bob Facciola sped to both wins with Batman in the Roadster To Bike Stake and the open class under the direction of Marie Peyman. Facciola and his roadster pony P.T. Cruiser took the reserves in the Roadster Pony Championship and the open class and Nan Chapman took the tricolor in the Three-Gaited Pleasure Limit Rider Stake after earning the red ribbon in the qualifier with Sultan's Jackpot.

Don Deardorff directed The Babe and owner Sally Nottage to the win in the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake after their reserve finish in the qualifier. Under Deardorff's direction Jennifer Schwisow guided Three's A Charm to the Open Park Pleasure blue ribbon for Paul and Muriel Pederson. Deardorff-trained entries took the top two spots in the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake. Tailored N' Elegance Of Silver Oaks earned the tricolor with owner Lisa Fulgaro and Karen Lachman and CH Grande Dam were the reserve grand champions. I'm Streetwise, owned by Karen Lachman, was the Denver Junior/Limit Five-Gaited Reserve Champion with Don Deardorff riding. Running Tab was the Hackney Pony Reserve Grand Champion and reserve champion with E.F. Ross driving for the Ross Living Trust.

Two Doubletrees-prefixed entries finished out the ribbon count under Deardorff's direction. Doubletrees New Beginning and Vanessa Hamm took both reserves in the Three-Gaited Park Stake and open qualifier and Doubletrees So Sassy was the Country Pleasure Saddle Reserve Champion and Country Pleasure Driving Reserve Champion with Cathy Sauer riding and driving for Sunrise Hills Farm.

El Camino Ranch posted several wins and top ribbons under the direction of Dave Becker, Jr. Smoke and Mirrors was the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Pleasure Grand Champion with Dana Geatty riding for Barbara Ady. The team came into the stake having taken the reserve in the qualifier. Token's Magic, also owned by Ady, was the Country Pleasure Driving Grand Champion with Kenneth Hunt driving. Paladin's Potentate was the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Reserve Champion with Becker driving for El Camino. Chelsea Trimble drove Peerless Pride and Joy to the reserve ribbon in the Show Pleasure Driving class for El Camino Ranch to round out the ribbon count.

Linda Brittan, of Fair Hills Farm, drove to the winner's circle with Fair Hills Sky High in the Amateur Fine Harness Stake after earning the reserve in the amateur qualifier. She drove Fair Hills Mountain Man to the win in the Show Pleasure Driving class and then returned to take the reserve grand championship title under the direction of trainer Derek Repp.

Callaway's One In A Million and Jennifer Sefton won the Ladies/Amateur Three-Gaited class under the Rancho Del Mar banner. Trainer Anne Speck instructed Jacqueline Beck to the blue ribbon in the 13 and under equitation class with Santana Nana. Beck returned to take the Saddle Seat Equitation Reserve Grand Championship and the Beck Family's Pride's Perfection was the Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony Reserve Champion with Melanie Williams.

Kasey Ashley's entries had a busy weekend. Annabelle Bunnerts rode Honeytone's Supreme Belle to the win in the Hunter Country Pleasure class and returned to take the reserve in the stake for Ashley. Rochelle Roberts won the Academy English Pleasure Stake and qualifier with Honeytone's Supreme Belle. Michaela Kash was up for the win in the 13 and Under Academy Equitation class and then also won the Academy Equitation Championship. Kate Harwell won the 14-17 Academy Equitation class with Tatuille owned by Kasey Ashley. Rochelle Roberts took the reins for the reserve in the 13 and Under Academy Equitation class. Stephanie Duck rode Newtown Jazz to the academy equitation reserve grand championship.

Janna Weir Goldman rode her Friesian, Black Sterling, to the blue ribbon in the Open English Pleasure class and returned in the stake to be named the grand champion.

CH Lightning Vision and Aliyah Asch topped the Park Pleasure Stake and earned the reserve in the qualifier under the Park Place Stables banner directed by Joy Lazarus. Asch switched gears to equitation and rode Bi Mi Scarlet Ribbon to the reserve in the UPHA 17 and Under Challenge Cup.

Altadena Stables hung the blue ribbon on the tack room wall after Patricia DeVault rode her Kalarama's On A Roll to the title in the Denver Junior/Limit Five-Gaited class. Kahlua N Cream Of Silver Oaks was reserve in the Open Five-Gaited class with Marly Beyer showing from Altadena for Catherine Babcock.

Helene Aumont teamed French Memories to the blue ribbon in the Denver Junior/Limit Fine Harness class under the direction of Greg Carstens of Seamair Farm.

Brigitte Scholl-Duff's Monarch Stables was represented in the winner's circle by Ampli-Phi after owner Julie Streitfeld rode to the win in the Adult Three-Gaited Pleasure class. Umaidmeluvu and Scholl-Duff were the Open English Pleasure Reserve Grand Champions and reserve champions for Barbara Molland.

Richard Swiger rode Time To Boogie to the win in the Denver Junior/Limit Three-Gaited Park class for owner Carol Singleton. Royalee Cleveland and Super Radiant were the Five-Gaited Pleasure Reserve Champions.

Thank Heaven rounded out the weekend win count by taking the tricolor ribbon in the Hunter Country Pleasure Stake with owner Deborah Schuetz-Jones.

Other top ribbon winners at Monterey included Reedann's Aloha Lady, the Harness Pony Reserve Grand Champion and reserve champion, with Robert Lewis driving for owner Allison Register. Jennifer Llewallen rode Don't Tell Albert to the reserve in the junior/limit park class for June Whitlock and showed CH Chalkboard to the reserve tricolor in the Country Pleasure Stake for Whitlock as well. Zane Grey was the Hunter Country Pleasure Reserve Champion with Julie Streitfeld up for Shari Rainwater. Rainwater herself was in the buggy for the reserve title in the Country Pleasure Driving Stake with Sugar Smacks. S.L. Diogenes On The Go carried Ashley Field to the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Reserve Grand Championship. Death By Chocolate was reserve in the Park Pleasure Stake with Kathy Lanz-Haupt riding.

For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Saddle Horse Report dated April 22, 2002.

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